CJMS Weekly Updates
October 24 to October 28
Good Evening, Cabin John Middle School Families,
Happy Sunday! A quick reminder that Marking Period 1 Interim Reports are available to view in ParentVUE/StudentVUE under the ‘Documents’ section. Please check this report for possible teacher comments and have a conversation with your students about their grades. The end of Marking Period 1 is quickly approaching.
We are looking forward to celebrating bullying prevention week starting this Tuesday. Please see below for more details.
Families, we will be having our open house on Friday, November 11th from 8:45am to 10:45am. In a future message, we will send out a registration form for visitors. Families who fill out the registration form will be able to enter more quickly while those who do not pre-register will have to go through the main office.
Please read through the newsletter for lots of activities and opportunities for our students and families!
We look forward to welcoming everyone on Monday morning to our Cabin John community focused on respect, positive relationships, and resilience.
Have a great evening!
Somer Snider
Principal, CJMS
Important Upcoming Dates to Remember
Monday, October 24 - No School for Students
Tuesday, October 25 to Friday, October 28 - Bullying Prevention Week
Monday, October 31 to Friday, November 4 - SGA Spirit Week
Monday, November 7 - No School for Students
Tuesday, November 8 - No School for Students and Staff (Election Day)
Wednesday, November 9 - School Picture Retakes
Friday, November 11 - CJMS Open House - Details coming soon!
Monday, November 21 & Tuesday, November 22 - Early Release Days
Wednesday, November 23 to Friday, November 25 - Schools and Offices Closed
Information on the Schoolwide Assembly on October 25th
One of the events that will be taking place during Bullying Prevention Week is an assembly with guest speaker, Craig Scott. Craig is a survivor from the Columbine High School shootings and the brother of the first victim, Rachel that was killed in the shooting. Craig lives on to fulfill Rachel’s dream to make a difference in the world and spread kindness and compassion. His message is not focused on tragedy, but focused on hope and how pain can turn into purpose. He inspires students to be resilient, to look for the good in any circumstance, to turn anger into determination, and to let go of regret. He places an emphasis on celebrating differences of people in the school and community who may have different views, self-worth, and the value of others.
Weekly Assignment Summary for October 24 to October 28
Update ParentVue Today!
Attention CJMS Parents: Please remember to update your information through your ParentVUE account using the online registration Annual Verification. All MCPS families are encouraged to activate their ParentVUE account and ensure their contact information is up to date. Annual Verification directions Annual Verification of Information. Access to verify your information will only be available until the end of October.
ParentVUE Support Guide | English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
SGA Halloween Haunted House & Movie Night
The SGA is hosting a Halloween Haunted House and Movie Night from 6:00-8:45 pm on Friday, October 28th in the CJMS cafeteria.
Tickets are $5 and will include 2 slices of pizza, a drink, popcorn, and sweet treats. Students interested in attending must print out this permission slip signed by a guardian in order to purchase their ticket at lunch between Tuesday 10/25 - Friday 10/28.
For more information see or email Ms. Mihailidis.
Music Department Citrus Fundraiser
Buy Cabin John Yearbook
The 2022-2023 Cabin John Yearbook is now on sale at the year's lowest price. The price will increase on November 11. Order your yearbook now!
SGA Manna Food Drive
The SGA is hosting a food drive for the Montgomery County Manna Food Center between Monday, October 17th and Friday, October 28th. Students are to bring healthy canned foods to their Pride/Advisory classes each day.
The Pride classes with the most canned goods at the end of the two weeks will win a donut party! Please see or email Ms. Mihailidis for more information. Manna’s wish list of food items can be found here: Most Needed Food List
CJMS Model United Nations
We pleased to share that 17 students from Cabin John attended a Model United Nations (UN) Conference last Saturday, October 15 at Holton-Arms School. They researched issues and then wrote position papers from the perspective of their assigned countries about the status of Education for Girls Worldwide, Gender Equality at the Olympics, Malnutrition in Children, and the Freedom of the Press in Journalism, to name a few. We are very proud of their performances and how they represented Cabin John.
Notably, the following students received awards for their outstanding performances:
Nicolas Aguel-Martinez, (6th grade) - received an Honorable Mention Award for his representation of Russian Federation in the International Olympic Committee on the issue of Gender Equality in Sports.
Rizzy Rana, (6th grade) - received a Verbal Commendation for his representation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Social, Humanitarian, Cultural Committee on the issue of Freedom of the Press in Journalism.
We congratulate all of these students on a job well done! Thank you to our parent volunteers too.
Earn SSL Hours by Supporting Emancipation Day in Maryland
Emancipation Day celebrations will take place at Button Farm Living History Center on Oct. 29, from noon–3 p.m. and at Sandy Spring Slave Museum on Nov. 5, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Students can earn Student Service Learning hours for attending.
Not Too Scary Halloween Concert
A Note from MCPS Transportation
What Happens When My Bus Is Delayed or Canceled
There is a local and national challenge with recruiting, hiring and retaining bus drivers for school systems and the transportation industry. When a bus driver or attendant is unable to come to work due to illness or unexpected leave, it puts a strain on the system to keep that bus on the road. The MCPS Department of Transportation uses substitute drivers and multiple runs to ensure that it has as many buses as possible on the roads to deliver students to school every day. Canceling a bus route is a last resort.
If your child’s route is delayed or canceled, here is how we let you know:
- Impacted routes are published the day before or the morning of by 6:15 a.m.
- Information published on MCPS website and ConnectEd message is sent to families
- Department of Transportation continues to identify possible drivers for impacted route
- Bus route information dashboard updated every half hour until 9:30 a.m.
Updates for afternoon routes
- Bus route information dashboard updated by 1:30 p.m.
Provide Your Input on the 2023–2024 School Calendar
The process for community input for next year’s school calendar begins now by asking for your input. This survey seeks to gauge the community’s interests as calendar scenarios are developed for the 2023–2024 school year.
Staff will present the scenarios at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Share your interests by Thursday, Oct. 13. Access the survey
A Note from The Cabin John Middle School PTA Special Education Representative
Dear Parents,
My name is Sandra Toledo, and I am the PTA Special Education Representative for Cabin John Middle School. My role is to serve as a resource to families by:
- Assisting families with understanding the Special Education process.
- Providing community resource referrals to Lakewood families.
- Working with the PTA and school staff to promote inclusion of students receiving special education services.
- Helping ensure consideration of special needs when developing PTA policies and planning school activities.
- Organizing school events to promote awareness and inclusion of students with special needs
Along with another parent, Rachel O’Hara, we plan on setting up a Facebook Group. The FB group will serve as a platform for CJMS parents to share resources for adolescents with learning needs/intellectual disabilities -- i.e. info on inclusive social, sports, and learning opportunities in our community. We may also use the FB group to set up social opportunities for our children outside of school. The group will not serve as an official school communication channel or represent the school. If you have interest in joining, please send an email to rachelmarieohara@gmail.com and sandra.b.steiner@gmail.com by October 15, 2023 and we will distribute instructions for joining the group.
If you would like to receive meeting and community resource information, please contact me by cell, 240-252-0031, by email at Sandra.b.steiner@gmail.com or send a note to school with your child addressed to “Sandra Toledo, c/o Ms. Schwaiger’s LFI Class”.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Sandra Toledo
CJMS After School Clubs & Activities
Wonder what Cabin John Middle School has to offer in terms of after-school clubs and activities?! Well, wait no more! We have posted all available activities and clubs being offered on our website under the Clubs/Activities tab some of which include Book Wars, Girls on the run, Model UN, Drama Club, Ultimate Frisbee, and many more!
All the information you need is on the website and if you have any questions about a specific activity or club, contact information for the sponsor is there too! And no need to worry about transportation because we have after-school activity buses to take you home!
Encourage everyone to take a look, find something, take a risk and give one a try! If you are also interested in possibly starting a club not offered, please see Mr. Lee.
Drama Club Started - You can still join!
Thursdays this Fall students will have the opportunity to learn more about the theatre and the skills to succeed! Come join us on Thursday, October 6th in the Auxiliary gym to participate.
Friday - December 6th CJMS will have a winter showcase of the students in the Drama Club!
In December will be auditions for our Spring Musical! More details coming soon!
PTSA Seeking Parent Volunteers for CJMS School Store
Curious about getting a glimpse of your student during their day? Then come help out at the student store! The store will be open during the three lunch periods on Fridays and select Wednesdays. The store sells CJMS merchandise as well as various balls, bracelets, pencils and such.
Click here to sign up to help - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084ea5a62da3fd0-cbms. Training will be provided on your first shift.
Questions? Contact Hedy Klotz (hedy.gold@gmail.com ) or Cher Serhal (cmserhal@hotmail.com)
Attention 8th Graders: Regional/Countywide High School Application Programs
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) offers a wide range of high school application programs for students entering Grades 9 through 12. These programs have a centralized admissions process, which begins with a common online application. The admission process opens in early October 2022.
For students entering Grades 9–12 in 2023–2024, the regional/countywide high school application process admission, timeline, and program information is available at the Special Programs Website.
MCPS has streamlined the Grade 8 high school application process by providing one common online application for all programs via Synergy. Grades 9–11 will apply electronically through a link provided on the website above.
Kennedy HS will have an Open House on October 13 to showcase their IB program. IB applications are due November 4. Please see additional details on our website. Watkins Mill HS will also be highlighting their IB program during the month of October. Details here.
Important Dates
September 21, 2022 - High School Preview Presentation - Broadcast on the MCPS website (available 9/21/22)
October 7, 2022–Application for Regional/Countywide. High School Application Programs (ParentVUE and Google) Opens
November 4, 2022–Application Deadline
Grade 8 Resources
High School Programs At A Glance for Grade 8. Includes Eligibility and Open House Dates
High School Application Programs Eligibility listed by High School Cluster
Instructions on how to change the language in ParentVUE. ¿Cómo cambio el idioma en ParentVUE?
Grade 8 Common Application Support Guide for Parents and Students
Current Grade 8 High School Application Preview- Resource for parents, students, and schools
Join the Boy Scouts!
Are you looking for an innovative change of pace that is still fun and goal oriented? Scouts BSA Troop 1434, serving the Potomac area for more than 50 years, is a boy-led activity aiming to develop character, citizenship, fitness, and leadership in boys from age 11 to 18.
Visits to our Thursday evening troop meeting are welcome. If you’d like more information, please email scoutmaster@potomac1434.mytroop.us or check out our website at potomac1434.mytroop.us.
Free and Reduced Price Meals for Students & Families
For the past two years, meals have been free for all students. This year we have returned to our previous system.
Students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income. They may also qualify if they are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Medicaid benefits.
Families may apply for meal benefits by completing an Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals for the current school year. Beginning school year 2022-2023, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged that cost - meaning that reduced-price students will eat for free!
Specific CJMS Bus Route Updates
Darnestown Rd. & Wootton Crossing
Lakewinds Way & Rolling Green Way
Congressional App Challenge
Congressmember Jamie Raskin invites students to participate in the 2022 Congressional App Challenge (CAC). The Congressional App Challenge’s mission is to inspire, include, and innovate efforts around stem, coding, and computer science education. Since its inception in 2015, participation in the challenge has grown exponentially. It is the most prestigious prize in student computer science.
Representative Raskin hopes that our students will take advantage of this exciting opportunity to create an app on any topic and platform they choose. Participation is extremely easy! Students do not need to submit a finished app to the challenge. Instead, the App Challenge requires students to submit a short video explaining their app and showing footage of any finished portions of the application.
Additional information about the competition can be found on our website. The deadline for students to register and submit their app online is 12:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
For your convenience, below, are several links to important information regarding the CAC:
Fall Parent Academy Features Important Information for Families
The webinars are available on the Parent Academy website. Registration is available here.
We are excited to offer an opportunity for your child to participate in CJMS 2022-2023 Tutoring program IN PERSON and/or VIRTUALLY at no charge!
We know that many students have unfinished learning because of the educational impact from COVID-19. Our High Dosage Tutoring model makes sure students have the skills they need to stay successful in their grade level classes. We plan to provide the following areas of tutoring: Math, English, Science, Social Studies, and Executive Functioning*. Executive Functioning will help students better plan, organize, and study for their classes.
In person tutoring will occur T, W, TH from 3:15-4:30 with bus service provided. Virtual tutoring can occur ALL 7 days of the week M-Sun. Please choose the number of days, time(s) and subject(s) that works best for you.
Please complete the information on this form and return to Tamara Hardy in the counseling office ASAP to claim your spot! You can turn it in personally at the counseling office or email it to Tamara_A_Hardy@mcpsmd.org.
New SSL Coordinator
Messages from the Churchill & Wootton Clusters
Message from Churchill Athletic Director
This has made getting into events much easier and faster when our fans have purchased tickets ahead of the event. WCHS GoFan Directions. But we do understand that some students don’t have a cellphone to pull up the tickets on. If your student doesn’t have a cell phone, we ask that you purchase those tickets for them ahead of time to show our ticket takers.
Again, we love having your future Bulldog at games! So buy those tickets ahead of time or even better, buy one of our Season Passes that will get them into any paid athletic event by season or all year! Athletic Events HERE
If you ever have questions, reach out anytime. Jesse_R_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Reporting Covid Cases
MCPS is publishing COVID-19 cases by school as a public health service to inform staff, students and families of COVID-19 cases across the school district. Providing this information allows individuals to make personal health and safety decisions in the best interest of their own COVID-19 risk factors taking into account case numbers at their school or worksites.
All reported COVID-19 staff and student COVID-19 cases will be displayed on this dashboard.
Cell Phone Policy
Students may use their cell phones before 8:15AM and after 3:00PM. Emergency calls may be made in the main office.
Student Backpacks in Lockers
Students are also welcome to use their Chromebook carrying case throughout the day, but will not be allowed to have their backpacks with them throughout the day.
Please Join our CJMS PTSA!
Click here to read a message from our PTSA President and learn how you can support CJMS throughout the year!
Wootton Cluster Community Outreach Program
The Community Outreach Program runs throughout the school year and is designed to assist any student in emergency need with essential items when other resources are not readily available. Students must attend one of the nine Wootton cluster schools, and they are typically on the Montgomery County Public School’s FARMS Program.
How Can Families in Your School Help? The Community Outreach and Holiday Helping Hands Program support children from ALL nine cluster schools. In order for this program to be successful, we need parent support from each cluster school. Parents from your school can email me if interested in being put on the email list to be notified when a child is in need of an item.
1. Email List: Parents interested in being notified when a child is in need should contact Jen Eisenfeld at ptsa_community_liaison@tswoottonhs.org.
2. Donate: Gift cards to Target, Amazon, Giant, and Safeway are a great way to support your families. If you are interested in donating a gift card, contact Nikki Bossert at ptsa_treasurer@tswoottonhs.org.
3. Share: Please share this information with your school’s families via your school website, PTA website, a Connect-Ed, or any other means to spread the word.
Cluster schools, which feed into Wootton High School, include:
Lakewood ES, Fallsmead ES, Travilah ES, DuFief ES, Robert Frost MS, Stone Mill ES, Cold Springs ES, and Cabin John MS shared with Churchill cluster
Community Messages from MCPS
Cafeteria News & Secondary School Meals Information
The Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) will resume regular meal services during the 2022–2023 school year. Find out more information here: SCHOOL MEALS: ENROLLMENT, PAYMENTS, CONFIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE
Meal Prices for 2022-2023:
Students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for meals! Students in Maryland who qualify for reduced price meals and who wish to participate must reapply each year at MySchool Apps.com - Application For more information and How-To videos visit the Food Services website .
Breakfast:
Regular Price (All Levels) : $1.30
Reduced Price (All Levels): No Cost
Lunch:
Regular Price: $2.55 (Elementary), $2.80 (Middle and High)
Reduced Price (All Levels): No Cost
Additional Resources:
MySchoolBucks.com - For parents to make prepayments to your child's cafeteria account
- MySchoolBucks Explained English / Spanish
Maryland State Immunization Requirements for Students
Incoming Grade 7 students need to provide documentation of one Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) and one dose of Meningococcal (MCV4). Immunization and Vaccination Requirements
Maryland residents can gain access to their own immunization records in ImmuNet and print out the Maryland 896 form without having to go to their healthcare provider or local health department. Maryland MyIR (My Immunization Record) is a free website service (https://myirmobile.com) that allows consumers to view and print copies of their official vaccination records directly from ImmuNet. This information can then be presented to schools at the parent or guardian's discretion. Or contact your child’s health care provider for a copy of their immunization record.
Check out Student's Canvas Courses
Parents and guardians can view their children's Canvas courses as a Parent Observer. Access Canvas / myMCPS Classroom as a Parent Observer via Synergy ParentVUE. Click here to learn more!
Procedures for Parent and Community Volunteers
Montgomery County Public Schools requires school volunteers and partnership agencies to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.
- Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training via their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account
- Background check (dependent upon the type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation and FAQ)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Attestation - NEW!
MCPS has created a step-by-step User-Guide (with pictures) on how to access create and access their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account to complete the Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training module AND upload the Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination from the state Department of Health.
The online course grade sheet will show a total of 183.3% for completion of both compliance modules. You can show the gradesheet as evidence of successful completion to schools and your name will appear on the MCPS volunteer roster after October 1.
MCPS is asking for a pdf copy of your vaccination certificate in order to upload it to this module, you can download a copy from Maryland MyIR (directions for completing this process are located in this support guide). As an alternative, you may also upload a copy of one of the following:
CJMS Grade Level Contacts
Do you need to see the newsletter in a different language or a larger font?
To adjust your view of the newsletter, click on the "accessibility" button. The button is a circle with figure in it. Once you click the accessibility button, the menu to choose the language or different font size will appear.
Cabin John Middle School
Assistant School Administrator (6th Grade): Ms. Kimberly Trostle
Assistant Principal (7th Grade): Mr. Casey Siddons
Assistant Principal (8th Grade): Mr. Andrew (Andy) Lee
Main Office Phone: 240-406-1600
Fax: 240-740-4403
Guidance Counseling Office: 240-406-1560
Health Room: 240-406-1570
Attendance Office: 240-406-1599 (to leave a VM)
Please call CJMS to notify us of your child's absence.
Email: Somer_Snider@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/
Location: 10701 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, MD, USA
Phone: 240-406-1600
Twitter: @CabinJohnMS