The Wolf Howl
September 2023
Letter From The Principal
Watkins Mill families,
On behalf of the staff at Watkins Mill Elementary School, I am happy to welcome you to the 2022-2023 school year! We are looking forward to a productive partnership to ensure all children achieve their highest potential because we recognize that to be successful, our children need support from both home and school.
At Watkins Mill, we promote positive behaviors. Students are expected to BE RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE and show GOOD CITIZENSHIP in all school settings. Please discuss these school rules with your child. We want Watkins Mill to be a safe place where all students can achieve their best.
Please follow our school on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @WMESCommunity to receive photos, events, updates, and to see our students and staff engage in learning!
We look forward to seeing you at the Back-to-School Picnic and at Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 14!
September Upcoming Events
No School
Monday, September 4
Back To School Night
Thursday, September 14
5:00pm-6:00pm
BTSN Village Block Party
Thursday, September 14
6:00pm-8:00pm
Friday Bag Distribution Begins
Friday, September 15
Panera Fundraiser
Monday, September 18
5:00pm-8:00pm
Fall Dental Days
Tuesday, September 19-Wednesday, September 20
No School
Monday, September 25
WMES UPDATES
Back To School Night & Village Block Party
Fall Family Survey
We want to hear from you! Help us better serve you this year by completing the 2023 Fall Family Survey. The first class to have 100% survey completion will win a pizza party! Only one survey needs to be completed per family.
Fall Before & After School Opportunities
We are excited to offer a variety of before and after school programs this fall for our WMES students! Please see below information and flyers for more details. Registration for all programs will be first come first serve! *Transportation for all programs must be provided. All programs are free of charge to families!
- Before School Soccer (Grades 3-5)
- September 14-October 19, Thursdays 7:40am-8:40am
- Click here for registration link
- After School Soccer (Grades K-2)
- September 11-October 30, Mondays 3:30pm-4:30pm
- Click here for registration link
- After School Baseball (Grades 3-5)
- September 11-October 30, Mondays 3:30pm-4:30pm
- Click here for registration link
- After School Karate (Grades K-2)
- September 12-October 3, Tuesdays 3:30pm-4:30pm
- Click here for registration link
- Girls On The Run (Grades 3-5)
- September 12-November 19, Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:45pm-5:00pm
- To register, please reach out to Mrs. Aceves at Chelsea_J_Aceves@mcpsmd.org
Join the WMES PTA!
WMES Fall Dental Days
2023-2024 WMES Family Market Days
All WMES Students Receive FREE Breakfast & Lunch for the 2023-2024 School Year!
Your Student's Bus Routes and Times
Sign Up For ParentVUE
Families new to MCPS are encouraged to sign up for a ParentVUE account. ParentVUE is the online parent portal that serves as the primary communication vehicle for schools to share information regarding grades, attendance, scheduling, access to myMCPS Classroom and more.
NEW! Remind School Communication App
FREE Tutoring for WMES Students Through Generation Z!
We would like to present you with an opportunity to register your child or children in a free online tutoring program. Generation Z is an organization of students who all share the same goal of bettering the community by encouraging learning and offering extra help to younger students outside the classroom. All of our tutors are highly qualified Richard Montgomery High School students.
Generation Z members are currently tutoring over 100 students individually online and in-person. Sessions are flexible and we constantly work to support students. We offer a variety of subjects free of cost, including math, grammar, reading, writing, science, social studies, and several foreign languages. After we receive an application, we pair up your child with a tutor who meets your specific time and subject requests. Then we give the tutor your contact information and they arrange sessions for whatever works for both parties.
For the 2023-2024 school year and possibly beyond, we will offer two tutoring options: virtual and in-person. In-person tutoring sessions will take place in public libraries (no exceptions due to safety concerns) and virtual sessions will take place on any safe virtual platform such as zoom, google meets, facetime etc.
We have a resource to help you get started with online tutoring: Online Tutoring Resource. If you are interested in enrolling your child in our program, please fill out the English Form or Spanish Form. You can also sign up easily online at our website, https://generationztutorin.wixsite.com/genz, under the For Parents Tab. Please make sure to sign up before October 1st because that is when the forms will stop accepting responses. Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Follow WMES on Social Media! @WMESCommunity
Mental Health Resources
"Where can I learn more about children's mental health?"
Always seek immediate help if a child engages in unsafe behavior or talks about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else. Refer to this list of local and national resources: Where To Get Help
It can be hard for families to tell the difference between challenging behaviors and emotions that are consistent with typical child development and those that are cause for concern. In general, if a child’s behavior persists for a few weeks or longer, causes distress for the child or the child’s family, and interferes with functioning at school, at home, or with friends, then consider seeking help.
Listed below are informational resources on a variety of mental health topics to help families and educators support student success.
What is Mental Health? | Español
Supporting Children’s Mental Health | Español
What to Expect: Healthy Mental and Emotional Development
Facts for Families: Early Childhood Mental Health
Facts for Families: When to Seek Help
Facts for Famlies: Well-being and Resiliency
Resilience Guide for Parents and Teachers
The Road to Resilience | 10 Ways to Build Resilience
Parents Guide to Getting Good Care
Finding Culturally Proficient Mental Health Providers
Grief | Grief after a Traumatic Event | Helping Children Cope
Oppositional and Defiant Disorders
Self Injurious Behavior | Español
Substance Use | Español | Keeping Youth Drug Free
Suicide | Start the Conversation | Support for Suicidal Thinking and Threats | Español
MCPS Updates
How to Receive MCPS Emergency Information
MCPS uses color codes to indicate the six operational status options:
Visit the MCPS Operating Status and Color Codes webpage for more information on the colors and their meaning.
- MCPS Homepage
- Weather-related messages are posted in English and Spanish.
- Text and Email
- Alert MCPS provides you with emergency information about school operations. Weather-related messages are sent in English and Spanish. Sign up for Alert MCPS
- Social Media
- Twitter http://twitter.com/mcps, https://twitter.com/MCPSEspanol
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcpsmd, https://www.facebook.com/mcpsespanol
- Instagram @mcps_md and @mcpsenespanol
- MCPS Cable Channels
- Emergency announcements are posted on the following cable channels:
- Comcast Channel 34
- Verizon Fios Channel 36
- RCN Channel 89
- Telephone Information Line: 301-279-3673
- Recorded emergency information.
- Tune in to local TV and radio stations
Free Tutoring Available to All MCPS Students
There are several free tutoring options available to MCPS students. FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education offer free, virtual tutoring. By logging into their Clever accounts, students can join a tutoring session. Both companies offer the same two services: On-demand homework help that require no scheduling and scheduled, ongoing tutoring for longer term support.
FEV Tutor
More information linked in English and Spanish
To set up tutoring: mcps@fevtutor.com
*Offers tutoring without cameras for students in grades 3-12 who learn best without a camera.
Tutor Me Education
More information linked in English and Spanish
To set up tutoring: MCPS@tutormeeducation.com or 240-618-2549
FREE Chromebooks for MCPS Students to Keep at Home
*Requesting the device implies consent of use in accordance with MCPS policy (IGT-RA) and acknowledgement that the Chromebook, software, and issued peripherals are owned by MCPS.
SchoolCash Online Registration
SchoolCash Online is an easy to use and safe way to pay for your children’s school fees. Now, with a few clicks, you can pay for your child’s yearbook, class trips and so much more from your own home. All you have to do is register an account, attach your children and in no time you will be able to make payments online.
Click here to view instructions in English
MCPS Parent Academy To-Go
The MCPS Fall 2022 Parent Academy To Go session will begin on September 14. Please join us to engage in virtual workshops that will provide tips, tools, and strategies to support your child’s academic progress and social emotional well-being. Please see the schedule and register for upcoming workshops below.
Community Updates
MCPS Community Resource Guide
Kids Days Out with Moco Rec
Adult English Classes
Saturday School
Previous Newsletters
Quick Links
Watkins Mill Elementary School
Mrs. Brooke Simon, Principal
Ms. Alejandra Olavarrieta, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Frances Avila-Miller, Assistant School Administrator
Email: Chelsea_J_Aceves@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/watkinsmilles/
Location: 19001 Watkins Mill Road, Montgomery Village, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-5280
Facebook: facebook.com/WMESCommunity
Twitter: @WMESCommunity
ASK MCPS/SPANISH HOTLINE
Call: 240-740-3000
Provides answers to community questions in English and Spanish from 7:30 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m., Mondays through FridaysE-mail: ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.org
Visit: Department of Family and Community Partnerships (DFCP) at 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850