
WMES News You Can Use
September 2022
A 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 twitter @WatkinsMillES to receive virtual tips and tricks and 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!
September Events
No School
Monday, September 5
Back To School Picnic
Friday, September 9
5:00pm-7:00pm
Chipotle Fundraiser
Monday, September 12
4:00pm-8:00pm
Early Release Day
Wednesday, September 14
Back To School Night
Thursday, September 15
No School
Monday, September 26
Early Release Day
Friday, September 30
WMES Back To School Picnic!
Who: Watkins Mill Elementary School community!
What: Join us to enjoy exciting games, activities, firetruck & police car, DJ & live band, instrumental music petting zoo, pictures with Wally the Wolf, food trucks, raffle prizes, and more!
When: Friday, September 9 from 5:00pm-7:00pm
Where: Outside the front of Watkins Mill Elementary School. *Parking will be very limited- walking is preferred!
School Updates
Free And Reduced Meals Applications
EVERY student needs to submit a Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) application EVERY school year in order to help your student and WMES receive as many resources as possible! If you have not already completed your FARMS application this year, please complete it as soon as possible. If you would like support with completing your application, please contact a member of our Family Support Team or call the school.
*Your student will not receive free breakfast and lunch at school unless this application is submitted.
Apply online NOW at MySchoolApps.com (Translations available)
Click here for an English video tutorial. Click here for a Spanish video tutorial
Click here to view the MCPS Meal Payment/FARMS homepage
WMES Family Survey
Watkins Mill families, we want to hear from you! In order to best serve our students and families this year, we are asking ALL families to complete our WMES Family Survey. We appreciate and value your feedback! All families that complete the survey will receive a WMES tote bag.
Click here to take the WMES Family Survey in English
Friday Bags
Watkins Mill Elementary School is excited to continue our Friday Bags program in partnership with Watkins Mill High School and Manna Food! Every Friday, students who have signed up for Friday Bags will receive a bag of food to take home for the weekend. The amount of food and food items in the bag will vary based on each week's distribution.
If you would like your student(s) to receive Friday Bags this school year, please register them in the WMES Family Survey and/or reach out to Mrs. Aceves!
Class Dojo
If you have not yet created a Class Dojo account, be sure to sign up today! Class Dojo is a great way for families to communicate with school staff and receive updates about school, county, and community events and resources! If you would like support creating a Class Dojo account or are in need of your student's class code, please reach out to your student's teacher or a member of the Family Support Team!
Class Dojo is available on the web and as a free app on Apple and Android cell phone!
Click here to access the Class Dojo website
Click here for a helpful video tutorial about setting up and managing your Class Dojo account
ParentVue
Families are also recommended to activate an account using ParentVue, which is also available as a website and as a free app on Apple and Android cell phones. ParentVue is an MCPS app that families will use from elementary school through high school and gives access to student grades and report cards, county updates, and more!
Each parent/guardian has an individualized activation code to create an account. If you have not received your activation code, please reach out to your student's teacher or a member of the Family Support Team to activate your account!
WMES Social Media Pages
Twitter: @WMESCommunity
Facebook: @WMESCommunity
WMES Spirit Wear
Every Friday will be Watkins Mill SCHOOL SPIRIT DAYS!
Create your customized design for t-shirts, sweatshirts, zip-ups, polos, pants, shorts, face masks, or accessories! Don't miss out!
Click here to start your order!
Chipotle Fundraiser Monday, September 12!
Watkins Mill families, WE NEED YOU! Help support our school by placing an order for dine-in or pick-up and mention WMES for a 33% donation! Last school year, thanks to the support of our staff and families, we raised enough money with our monthly fundraisers to purchase our new school mascot, Wally the Wolf, and provide free Kona Ice to ALL WMES students on Field Days! See flyer above for more details. Thank you for your support!
Fall Girls On The Run Registration OPEN NOW!
Calling all families of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade girls! We are excited to announce that WMES will be having a Girls On The Run team for the Fall season this school year!
Girls On The Run is an after school program/club for girls in grades 3-5. The team is coached by WMES staff members- this season, our coaches so far are Ms. Soisson & Ms. Rivas! Practices are twice per week, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45pm-5:00pm (transportation home from practice required). During this time the girls work together through a Social Emotional lesson and enjoy a jog around the school!
The fall season runs from September 13-November 20. At the end of the season, all MCPS Girls On The Run Teams get together for a 5K at Westfield Montgomery Mall! All team members will receive a GOTR t-shirt, water bottle, medal, and ticket to the 5K. The cost of registration is $15 per student (financial assistance available if needed). Space is limited and first come first serve!
If you are interested and would like to register your student, please reach out to me on Dojo, email me at Chelsea_J_Aceves@mcpsmd.org, or text/call me at (240) 888-7709. See photos above for more details!
WMES Summer Community Walk Throughs!
MCPS Updates
Bus Transportation & Routes
Families are strongly encouraged to escort students to and from the bus the first few days of school as needed to acclimate them to the routine of riding the bus. Please see the following links to determine which bus your student(s) will be riding this year, what time the bus picks up and drops off students, and where the bus stop is located:
WMES Morning Bus Routes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mJ4iyk2QHPBobJ18C7kZKJiQ6zoO0wWZ/view?usp=sharing
WMES Afternoon Bus Routes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jh1uzuuVagK0YZqXDsUMJ6qm--zZloHz/view?usp=sharing
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.
Sign up for Alert MCPS
Alert MCPS provides emergency information about school closures or emergencies via text or email messages to devices you register. Sign up here.
Interested in becoming an MCPS Volunteer?
There are a few steps to complete before beginning your service as a volunteer in MCPS schools:
- Complete the MCPS Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form or the MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom form as appropriate. These forms serve as an introduction of yourself, your interests and availability in volunteering, and some important reminders about volunteers in schools.
- Complete the mandatory online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training. This training is required for any volunteer who regularly supports schools, chaperones a field trip, etc. and is available in multiple languages. When the course is completed, a report is created to serve as proof of satisfying the training requirement.
- Contact the school(s) where you wish to serve and provide them with a copy of the following:
- Appropriate MCPS Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form or the MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom Form and
- Your online course grade sheet that will show 100% for completing the online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training and an 83.3% for submission of the vaccine attestation (a total of 183.33%).
Support guides with complete step-by-step instructions, the link to Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training, and answers to frequently asked questions can be found below.
*If you have an MCPS middle or high school student in your family that is in need of SSL hours and would to volunteer, please reach out to Ms. Aceves!
Covid-19 Updates
What you Need to Know
Health and safety measures in our reopening guide have been updated to reflect new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Maryland State Department of Health and the Maryland State Department of Education.
A set of core health practices that prevent the spread of infection in schools, such as good handwashing and staying home when sick, are complemented by specific strategies to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Recommendations and requirements for COVID-specific strategies may change during the school year, as COVID-19 science and data trends change.
What has not changed in our COVID-19 strategy?
Vaccination: Vaccination remains a critical strategy to protect against severe illness from COVID-19 infection. MCPS continues to strongly encourage eligible individuals to remain up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines and will continue to support access and opportunities for COVID-19 vaccination for our staff and students. At this time, students are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend school. MCPS staff members are currently required to submit proof of vaccination or a medical exemption.
Masking: According to the Maryland State Board of Education, masks are no longer mandatory in Maryland public schools and local school districts may decide how to use masks to maintain safe, in-person learning. Masks will be made available to all staff and students, and supported for individuals who choose to wear a mask at any COVID-19 community risk level. Masking may be temporarily recommended or required in local outbreaks, high-risk situations, or, more broadly, when COVID-19 community transmission is high.
What has changed in our COVID-19 strategy?
Testing: The CDC no longer recommends routine screening in K-12 schools. MCPS has discontinued weekly school-based PCR screening testing. Rapid testing will still be used for diagnostic testing of students who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms during the school day or screening in higher-risk situations like outbreaks or following school breaks.
Quarantine: The CDC no longer recommends quarantine of all students or staff identified as close contacts of individuals positive for COVID-19. Regardless of vaccination status, close contacts may continue in-person learning and will not have to quarantine as long as they remain asymptomatic, and other prevention measures can be used to reduce transmission.
What do I do if my student tests positive?
MCPS is asking all students and staff with a positive result to report it on the MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Form. Individuals who have a positive COVID-19 test will need to follow CDC guidelines for isolation.
As we renew our commitment to another year of quality teaching and learning, we all have the same goal and belief that schools must provide the best opportunity for our students and the future.
Community Updates
Parent Resource Website
Be sure to check out our Parent Resource website! We will continue to update and add on throughout the year. If you have any requests, please contact Ms. Aceves
Click HERE to view our WMES Parent Resource Page
Introducing WMES Family Market Days!
We are very excited to announce that we will be hosting Family Market Days at Watkins Mill Elementary School once a month this year. Family Market Days are an opportunity for families to come to the school and receive fresh produce and other food items, diapers, wipes, and more FREE of charge to our community! Please see flyer above for dates and times.
WMES Diaper Distributions
If you are in need of diapers and/or wipes at any time throughout the school year, please complete our WMES Diaper Request Form at the link below!
Order Free Covid-19 Test Kits
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order a 3rd round of free at-home tests. Order yours today. Click here to order yours today!
Fall Recreation Opportunities
Montgomery Village Foundation
FREE 4-week Karate Program with Master Method Karate Academy!
This Fall, the seminar - “FOCUS FOR BETTER GRADES & OVERCOMING CHALLENGES,” will be in person at our studios, focusing on helping students: stay healthy & active, develop a positive mindset for achievement this school year, and practice some really fun and important introductory martial arts skills!
FOCUS FOR BETTER GRADES, Saturday, September 10
Duration approximately 45 minutes
GAITHERSBURG: (limit 30 spots)
SATURDAY, 09/10/2022 @ 1:30 pm
PowerHouse Studio
615 S. Frederick Avenue (Rear, Lower Level)
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
TO REGISTER:
Please use this link:
http://www.ilovemykarateschool.com/event-info/focus-for-better-grades or send an email to success@mastermethodkarate.com
**Please note: SPACE IS LIMITED.**
Montgomery Village Farmers Market
BRINGING LOCAL PRODUCE TO THE RESIDENTS OF MONTGOMERY VILLAGE!
2022 Season
Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm
June 4 through October 29
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church Parking Lot
9801 Centerway Road
*Limited parking will be available at the market*
Outdoor Family Movie Night!
Who: The Montgomery Village Foundation
What: Family Movie Night showing the movie Space Jam: A New Legacy
When: Saturday, September 10, 2022 - 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Where: 19003 Watkins Mill Road, Montgomery Village
*Families are encouraged to bring their blankets, pillows or lawn chairs and settle in for a cozy evening in front of the big screen.
*Parking is available behind Watkins Mill Elementary School. Handicap accessible parking is available by calling 301-948-0110 in advance of the performances.
*Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnics/food and beverages for an evening out at the outdoor amphitheater.
*For weather cancellation information, call 301-948-0110, option 6 in advance of the performances.
FREE Citizenship Preparation & English Classes!
The Gilchrist Center is providing free online Citizenship Preparation classes (register here) and English Conversation classes (no registration required)! Click here for class brochure.
Check out classes and/or clinics offered by our partners at Gilchrist Center sites. Visit or call 240-777-4940 for information and referrals about programs and services.
You can now dial 988 to access the National Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline. Call or text 24/7 to access counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention network. Counselors will listen, provide support, and connect to resources.
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