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Forest Knolls Mustang Message

December 1, 2024

Forest KnollsMustang MessageDecember 1, 2024

Dr. Taylor-Cox, Principal

This Week's Mustang Message Includes:

  • Message from Dr. Taylor-Cox

  • Winter Spirit Week is December 16-20

  • Winter Weather Is Coming (Maybe): Are You Ready?

  • Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

  • Home-Use Chromebook Devices

  • Pre-K Inclusion

  • Family Resources

  • Message from our Forest Knolls PTA

  • Important Dates

Message from Dr. Taylor-Cox

I hope you had a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving break with your family and friends. As we head into the Winter season, please know that our staff will continue to monitor the safety of outdoor activities and adjust accordingly.We look forward to another wonderful season of learning, and we appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure that your child has a safe and positive winter experience at school.

Winter Spirit Week is December 16-20

Winter Weather Is Coming (Maybe): Are You Ready?

Winter is coming, and MCPS has your back with information on how to Stay Connected to get the latest information on weather delays and closures.

Keep your contact information up-to-date: Visit the ParentVUE link on the MCPS Community Tech Support website Learn more about Color Codes

Why it Matters: Decisions are made with expert input and local assessments to keep everyone safe.

How to Know: Check the MCPS website and social media for real-time updates.

Don’t Miss the Superintendent’s Video: https://youtu.be/ugfu7nIDpuk

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

As part of the Student Instructional Program Planning and Implementation (SIPPI) process and universal screening for gifted and talented identification, MCPS will administer the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) assessment to Grades 2 and 3 students between December 2–December 13, 2024. CogAT provides a holistic view of student ability across multiple cognitive domains through verbal, quantitative, and figural (nonverbal) reasoning scores. CogAT will not be used for the Grades 3 or 5 central review process that places students into lotteries for the Centers for Enriched Studies or Middle School Magnets.


Forest Knolls ES will administer the CogAT assessment for Grade 2 and Grade 3 students in the coming weeks. The Grade 2 letter and the Grade 3 letter went home on November 11th with specific details on this assessment. Second grade students will take the CogAT assessment on December 3rd, 5th, and 6th from 9:15-10:50. Third grade students will take the CogAT assessment on December 10th, 12th, and 13th from 10:00-12:00. Please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions.

Home-Use Chromebook Devices

Effective December 4, 2024, MCPS will be disabling and collecting older Acer model Chromebooks because they have reached end-of-life and should no longer be in use. The models being retired include the Acer C720, C740, C738, and C771. Outdated devices and chargers should be returned to the school. Students who need a device for home use can submit a request for a new device by completing the Home Use form. Lenovo home devices are unaffected by this change and should work normally. Contact our Media Specialist, Rachel_Burroughs@mcpsmd.org if you have questions.

Pre-K Inclusion

We are pleased to announce limited enrollment opportunities for community peers in the Inclusive Preschool 4-Year-Old Class. Children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2024, to qualify for the program. The class meets daily from 12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Please note that no bus transportation is available. There is a quarterly fee for community peers to attend.

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Marcia Munoz via email at Marcia_V_Munoz@mcpsmd.org

Family Resources

The next Latino Parent Coffee is December 11, 2024 at 9:00-10:00 in Room 48.

Mrs. Veronica Gonzalez, Forest Knolls Parent Community Coordinator, will share family resources throughout the year. Please contact Mrs. Gonzalez with questions, needs, or ideas at 240-740-4620 (office), 240-550-3254 (cell), veronica_gonzalez@mcpsmd.org (email).

Message from our Forest Knolls PTA

  • The next PTA dine out will be on December 3 at the Four Corner Pub! From 4 PM - to close, FKES PTA will receive 10% of all dining room and outside tent area sales (bar area excluded). For take-out orders, mention Forest Knolls fundraiser.

  • Have you joined the Forest Knolls PTA yet? The FKES PTA funds and plans the extra events like Hispanic Heritage night, materials for clubs, and fun things like the Bike Bus that make our school community great. Learn more and join at fkespta.org. And check out our calendar of events here. The first 200 families to join will get a free FKES car magnet!

Important Dates

December 3 PTA Dine Out

December 3, 5, 6 CogAT 2nd Grade 9:15-10:50

December 10, 12, 13 CogAT 3rd Grade 10:00-12:00

December 11 Latino Coffee 9:00 AM

December 16-20 Winter Spirit Week

December 20 MP2 Interim Report Card Interims Distributed via USPS

December 23-January 1 No School
Jennifer Taylor-Cox
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