The Cougar Connection
Principal News & Notes: April 2024
Cold Spring Lead In Water Information & Updates
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to inquire about lead in the water at Cold Spring Elementary School. I want to provide some history and updates regarding this important issue.
The following information is posted on the MCPS website and shares the commitment the county has made to safe drinking water at schools:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/facilities/sustainability/services/water/
According to the published drinking water test results for Cold Spring (which can be found on the website above) the last time the water was tested was in 2021, 20 out of 28 samples had elevated lead. There were similar results in 2019 and 2018. Cold Spring has the highest rate of contaminated water outlets out of all 200+ schools across the county (78% of tested outlets). This is alarming and administration has reached out to the Division of Sustainability and Compliance (DSC) to understand more regarding testing timelines, communication, and next steps.
After speaking to one of the team leaders in the department to gather more information and timelines for Cold Spring, DSC is aware of the elevated levels of lead in drinking water and plan to complete another test in April. All drinking fountains in the classrooms that did not pass the lead testing have been taped off for students and staff. This has been the case since new administration came to Cold Spring. New signage has also been posted right above these drinking stations so students know they are not allowed to drink from the fountain. Upon completion of the testing, administration will receive results and a letter to send to the community. There is also a very good chance that new testing will support the need for more water filtration systems in our building.
Please contact administration with any questions.
Calling all Incoming Kindergarteners!
Kindergarten Registration is open! If you have an incoming kindergartner or know of one in the community, please share this important date and have them contact the school. Our PTA has created a google form for anyone who has an incoming kindergartener for the 2024-2025 school year. Please feel free to share the link, as well.
In an effort to ensure our students maximize the total number of school days and reduce the burden on current kindergarten families, Montgomery County Public Schools will not hold a traditional Kindergarten Orientation. At Cold Spring, we will reimagine orientation for our incoming cougars and host an event that allows our families an opportunity to hear from us and learn more about the kindergarten experience. Please be on the lookout for more information if you have an incoming Cougar!
Coming Up At Cold Spring
April Calendar
Cold Spring Elementary School Website
Cold Spring Elementary School Phone Number: 240-740-4390
April 1st - No School
April 4th - Classic Photography Spring Photos (Individual & Class)
April 5th - House Color Day, Principal Coffee 9:15am
April 10th - Professional Day
April 12th - Center for Enrichment Tours, Kindergarten Orientation, PTA Talent Show Event
April 15th - 19th - MCAP Testing Week (Schedule below)
April 22nd - Professional Day, Asynchronous Learning Day for Students
April 25th - Take Your Child To Work Day
April 26th - Grade 3-5 PTA Sponsored Assembly: Teach Children to Save
April 29th - Completion of MCAP Testing
MCAP Testing
Cougars in third through fifth grade will participate in the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program this month. The assessment will be split by English Language Arts and Mathematics. Students will take four days of English Language Art and two days of Mathematics.
Center for Enrichment Selection & Information
Each year, Cold Spring welcomes fourth and fifth grade students who have accepted the invitation to join the Center for Enriched Studies housed in our building. Although, Cold Spring administration and teachers are not part of the selection process, we do receive a number of inquiries about this program and how it runs. The Department of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) has worked to produce updated videos they hope will help families gain a better understanding around the progress and program. Please take a moment to view the below resources.
Cold Spring Administration will host building tours for invited fourth grade students on April 12th and 22nd.
Classic Photography at Cold Spring 4/4
Get picture ready...picture day is coming! Click here for all the Classic Photography details.
Spotlight on Specials - What is Happening in Music, Art, PE, and Media?
From the PTA
The PTA Board hopes everyone had a safe and fun Spring Break! We look forward to seeing everyone in April for the last (busy!) 3 months of the school year.
Before/After School Activities
It's time to sign up for before and after school activities for the April-June session. Activities begin after Spring Break and more activities may still be added prior to the session beginning.
See flyer HERE.
Sign up here: https://schools.kiddo.us/s/coldspring-md
Talent Show
The Talent Show is Friday, April 12 at 6:00pm! The deadline to sign up is Friday, March 29. Please use this link to sign up and find more details: https://forms.gle/SaGeKwwGAtAnS3Zk7 Acts can be individual or group acts. There will be one required rehearsal on Tuesday, April 9 at 4:30pm. Contact Talent Show co-chairs Lauren Arnold and Sharon Sutton with questions at laurenjarnold1@gmail.com and sroth1@gmail.com
YEARBOOK ORDERS
It's time to order your yearbooks! Use the link below to pre-order your 23/24 Cold Spring ES yearbook. We do not order very many additional copies for purchase after delivery, so if you want a yearbook, you should pre-order using the link below.
$25 softcover or $30 hardcover
Sale price ends 4/2
Final deadline to order 4/29 Order here: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/coldspringelementary
A Message from the Yearbook Committee
Volunteers Needed!! The yearbook committee needs a few volunteers! Please reach out to Paola Garber if you can donate a bit of your time to help put together this year's yearbook over the next few months! garber.paola@gmail.com
Please use the following links to submit photos for specific events:
First Day of School: First Day of School Photos
Back to School Bash: Back to School Bash Photos
- Halloween: Halloween Photos
- International Fair: International Night Photos
Fun New Spirit Wear
Check out the new springtime spirit wear available from a new vendor we are working with. With this vendor you will order directly from the website and it will be produced and shipped directly to you right away. Cold Spring will receive 10% of sales as a donation back to the school. See flyer HERE.
This link will be live until the end of May! Happy shopping! https://scarletandgoldshop.com/collections/cold-spring-elementary
2024-2025 PTA Board
If you are interested in joining the PTA Board next year, please reach out to Erika Schor, erika.schor@gmail.com
Cold Spring Elementary School
Please contact Principal Hambrecht or Assistant Principal Legarreta with any questions!
Email: Natalie_M_Hambrecht@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/coldspringes/
Location: 9201 Falls Chapel Way, Potomac, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-4390