Summer Community Update #2
Information for the Thomas S. Wootton HS community.
Welcome Back to School Information - School Year 2022-2023
A Message from Mr. Nelson
It's almost time to officially say, "Welcome back, Patriots!" It truly is one of the most exciting times of the year. I hope all of our students are equally excited for their return. The entire Wootton staff cannot wait to welcome them and hear about the enjoyable summer experiences.
As we prepare for the first day, I would be remiss if I did not take the opportunity to recognize a number of teams and staff members who have worked so diligently to prepare the school for opening day. They have simply gone above and beyond this year!
- Thank you to the administrative team at Wootton. Each member has managed many critically important tasks from creating the master schedule, to ensuring we are fully staffed, to helping prepare instructional technology for classrooms, and the list goes on. I am deeply appreciative.
- Thank you to the main office team and especially Ms. Jen Hicks. Throughout the summer, MCPS continues to function even though schools are not open to students. I appreciate how each team member has worked so carefully to keep the main office functioning. A shout-out to our student volunteers who were with us this summer.
- Thank you to the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT). Members of this team have established our school goals, developed policy, and so much more. It has been an honor to meet you and work with you this summer.
- Thank you to the Counseling Team. Counselors work a number of days over the summer for a number of reasons. I want to highlight their work on one of those tasks. A master schedule is a massive puzzle. There are 1,922 students enrolled as of today. Each student has 8 classes to schedule including homeroom. This means counselors have placed 15,376 classes onto student schedules. That's an enormous undertaking - thank you!
- Thank you to the Building Services team. Schools go through a deep clean each summer. It is a momentous undertaking. The Building Services team with the support of Mr. Murry and Ms. De La Rosa have worked to make the building shine.
- Thank you to Mr. Lightsey, the Athletics Department, and the summer activities sponsors. Fall athletics is officially underway. Coaches have been trained and are working with students. The marching band practices and performs regularly. The drama department costume closet has been reorganized. Thank you to the staff who have given up parts of their summer away from school to be here working with our students.
- Thank you to the numerous individuals and offices throughout the building who are preparing for the opening of school. They support essential school functions. This includes the attendance office, financial office, the registrar, College and Career Center, the Media Center, and the Media Services Technician. A special shout-out to Mr. Bob Oslund who has recently provided extra technology support to Wootton.
As I close, I want to share a quick story about myself. Growing up, my mom and grandmother would always schedule a date to go back-to-school shoe shopping. This was an exciting day. Each year I would be so careful about selecting the best pair of shoes I could find. This memory is a metaphor for the excited anticipation of the school year. It also represents the well-wishes that we hold for a positive year of learning and growth. I hope that our students and families throughout the Wootton community find that moment that brings you a last moment of happiness before we start the school year.
See you very soon,
-- Doug Nelson, principal
New Student Orientation (NSO)
New Student Orientation will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022. All students attending Wootton for the first time (meaning you are a new student to the building) are invited to attend. This event will take place from 7:45-11:30am; however, it is recommended that students arrive prior to 7:45am as this day is intended to mirror the start of a regular school day.
NSO is a day to meet your teachers, learn your way around the building, pick up a Chromebook, and get excited for the coming year. See the agenda here. MCPS buses will be running; this is a great time to practice taking your bus route for the school year. We look forward to seeing our new students!
Helpful Wootton High School Information
- Meet the Administrative Team at Wootton High School
- Review the 2022-2023 Bell Schedule prior to the first day of school
- Review the Student Drop Off Information. PLEASE NOTE: students drop-off is in the lower parking lot of the school.
- Important MCPS Student Documents:
- Student Code of Conduct
- Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Guidelines for Respecting Religious Diversity
- Guidelines for Student Gender Identity
First Day of School for Students
Monday, Aug 29, 2022, 07:45 AM
Thomas S. Wootton High School, Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD, USA
Back-to-School Night
Thursday, Sep 1, 2022, 07:00 PM
Thomas S. Wootton High School, Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD, USA
Wootton High School Homecoming vs. Clarksburg HS
Friday, Sep 16, 2022, 07:00 PM
Thomas S. Wootton High School, Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD, USA
Wootton High School Transportation Information
Student Schedules in Synergy
Students and caregivers will be able to see their Semester A schedules on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 via StudentVue/ParentVue in Synergy. Parents, please check with your student to confirm they know how to access their schedule. The school will only be providing paper schedules to students upon request.
A critical component of the transition to Semester A is ensuring that students have correct schedules. Please review your child's schedule, and if you notice an error in the schedule, we ask that you contact your child's counselor to make necessary changes. Unfortunately, we cannot honor requests for specific teacher changes or changes in periods.
You may request a schedule change for one of the following reasons:
- The scheduled course(s) are incorrect from what was requested at the beginning of the school year. Your student's schedule is considered correct if an approved alternate class was used when the primary class could not be scheduled.
- The schedule is incomplete. For example, there is a missing class period (most students should have seven classes listed), or two courses are listed in the same period.
- Your student earned credit for a class this summer and no longer will take the course listed.
- Your student would like to reconsider the level of class that they initially requested. Please note that schedule changes for level reconsideration will only be made based on space availability.
Please note that we continue to balance classes until the day before the new semester starts, which may cause some teacher/period changes. Your child should follow the schedule that appears on Monday, August 29, 2022, in Synergy.
New Personal Mobile Device (PMD) Policy
Wootton High School will be implementing a new Personal Mobile Device (PMD) policy during the new 2022-2023 school year. This policy is designed to help our students focus on learning while they are at school. Technology can present a distraction in classrooms, so we will follow this policy to establish an expectation and to intervene. The Wootton PMD policy aligns with a districtwide expectation that all schools have a policy in place this year. As principal, it is, also, an expectation that I communicate this information to students and caregivers in advance of the start of school. That is my purpose today. Please review this information to develop your understanding of what will be in place at Wootton. Information can be found on the school website.
School Cash Online
Summer Cafeteria Update
CAFETERIA NEWS
MCPS will resume regular meal services during the 2022–2023 school year.
Meal prices: Breakfast—$1.30; Lunch—$2.55 (Elementary), $2.80 (Middle and High)
Beginning this year, students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for
breakfast or lunch meals!
FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEAL APPLICATIONS
Apply online NOW so that benefits will be in place when school starts!
Families who meet certain federal income standards are eligible for free or reduced-price meal benefits. All children use their MCPS ID number at the register, so confidentiality is maintained, and no child is overtly identified as receiving free or reduced-price meals. Only one application is needed for all students in a household.
A new application must be completed for any family requesting assistance this school year. The online application is now open for families to submit applications.
For more information and How-To videos visit the Food Services website: www.montgomeryschools.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/meal-payments/#FARMS
MCPS Re-Opening Guide
The health and safety of our students and staff remain a top priority. Although COVID-19 is still with us, MCPS intends to carry out its continued commitment to deliver in-person instruction, five days a week, for all of our students. Please review the MCPS Guide here.
Chromebooks
All students will continue to use a chromebook device this year. Students and their families will use this tool at no cost, unless there is avoidable damage or loss. Each school holds back-up devices for students who encounter an issue so they can continue to access technology in class. As a reminder, parents can support us by checking to see that devices are charged each day for class.
George B. Thomas Learning Academy - Saturday School
Saturday School provides academic tutoring and instruction with certified teachers in a nurturing and supportive environment. The program is aligned with the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) curriculum. This support is offered every Saturday on the dates and times below. MCPS students Grades K through 12 may attend after registering for Saturday School for $85 per year ($40 for students who receive FARMS). Find information here.
School Information
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/woottonhs/
Location: 2100 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
Phone: 240-740-1500