Forest Knolls Mustang Message

November 24, 2024

Dr. Taylor-Cox, Principal

Forest Knolls Elementary School

Email: Jennifer_Taylor-Cox@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/forestknollses
Location: 10830 Eastwood Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901, USA
Phone: 240-740-1640

This Week's Mustang Message Includes:

Message from Dr. Taylor-Cox
Tips for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Message from our Superintendent: A Safe and Welcoming Community for All
Pre-K Inclusion
Winter Spirit Week is December 16-20
Family Resources
Message from our Forest Knolls PTA
Important Dates

Message from Dr. Taylor-Cox

With an attitude of gratitude, I marvel at the devotion of our staff and their incredible ways of teaching and inspiring our students. Similarly, I celebrate the amazing support of our parents and community. This week we have early dismissal on Monday and Tuesday. The school is closed on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I wish you a beautiful Thanksgiving break and hope you enjoy being with family and friends.

Tips for Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher conferences are a great opportunity for home and school to learn from each other. When you meet with your child’s teacher, take advantage of the time to ask questions that you feel will help you support your child at home. Here are a couple of tips to consider in preparing for the meeting:

Share. We all appreciate the feedback we receive. If you feel something is working well, please be sure to share. Our goal is to provide a successful instructional program for your child.
Prepare. Think about what you would like to accomplish during the meeting. Identify questions that will inform you of progress or curriculum. Remember, meetings are usually scheduled back-to-back, so having things written down may help with pacing. Feel free to schedule another meeting or phone conversation if you run out of time.

Communicate. Think of ways to communicate questions or concerns that foster a productive conversation. We know students are more successful when we work together.

Message from our Superintendent: A Safe and Welcoming Community for All

Dear MCPS families,

I am writing to share my concern and some resources regarding the increased rhetoric and rising anxieties in our community due to the national conversation surrounding immigration and deportation efforts promised by the incoming federal administration. I want to acknowledge that this is not just a policy debate; for many, it is deeply personal, creating uncertainty and fear about the future.

To all of our families, please know this: you are part of the MCPS family. Our schools are and will always remain safe places where every child—regardless of immigration status—is welcomed, valued, affirmed, validated, respected, and loved. We want every student to be proud of who they are, and we celebrate the many cultures in our community. Your family is always welcome in our schools, and together, we make MCPS stronger.

Making our schools safe and welcoming for every student and family is some of the most important work we do because it helps create great learning experiences. When challenges arise, they provide valuable opportunities for us to reflect, learn, grow, and improve.

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

Winter Spirit Week is December 16-20

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 the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, 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

November is Remembrance and Reconciliation Month

November is American Indian Heritage Month

November is National Gratitude Month

November 25 & 25 Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 27, 28, 29 No School

December 3 PTA Dine Out

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