The Pine Crest Newsletter

Pine Crest Elementary School

Email: Joan_M_Stump@mcpsmd.org

Website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/pinecrestes/

Location: 201 Woodmoor Drive Silver Spring, MD 20901

Phone: 240-740-1970

• Message from Ms. Stump
• New Recess Equipment & Personal Sports Equipment
• Message from our School Counselors
• Open House
• Virtual Learning, Inclement Weather, & Emergency School Closures
• Staying Connected During Inclement Weather
• Feedback on Eastern Middle School
• Important Messages from MCPS

• Building Connections, One Grade at a Time

• First PTA Meeting!

• Two Schools One PTA

• PTA News!

• Yoga Night

• Important Dates

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. As the weather begins to change and the days get cooler, please help ensure your child dresses accordingly with jackets or layers to stay comfortable in the building or at recess. Please note that MCPS has designated Pine Crest's HVAC cooling-to-heating changeover date for October 22nd. Dressing in layers will be especially helpful for students as this building transition takes place.

As a reminder, tomorrow is picture day and Tuesday, October 13th is our first MKPC PTA meeting at 7:00.

We are happy to share that we have increased our recess supply. Due to a donation of soccer balls from the PTA and the delivery of additional recess equipment, our students now have access to plenty of brand-new balls to enjoy during their recess.

With this exciting update, we are asking for your help in keeping all personal sports equipment at home. Because our recess bins are now fully stocked, students no longer need to bring items from home. Leaving personal equipment at home will help us eliminate recent disruptions and prevent interference with school structures during lunch hours.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school day smooth, organized, and fun for everyone!

Your school counselors this year are:

• Mrs. Erin Coco-Content will work mostly with students in 4rd grade.

• Mrs. Christina Parent will work mostly with students in 3rd and 5th grade.

Our job is to help all students grow into confident, kind, and lifelong learners. We will be working with them through classroom lessons, small groups, and individual sessions. We hope that by the time they leave Pine Crest, they feel ready to try new things and can be leaders who include everyone.

We look forward to a great year!

PCES School Counseling Program: ENGLISH SPANISH

During October, students will learn about Personal Body Safety. These lessons ensure that our children are safe and understand what to do in unsafe situations. Please refer to the letters below for more information, and do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions or concerns.

Lesson of the month: Personal Body Safety letter

Additional Links and Information:

• The school counseling website

• Our SEL programs: Harmony Academy and Zones of Regulation

What are the Zones of Regulation?

Strategies of the month: 4-7-8 breathing and Grounding

Open House gives families a firsthand look at their child’s school experience. By visiting classrooms and observing learning, parents and caregivers can better understand what students are learning, how teachers support them, and how classroom routines help children succeed.

Pine Crest Open House will be November 11, 2026. We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Open House!

Please note these important details for this year's event:

• Two Time Slots: We are offering two different time slots, 9:30-11:30 and 1:30-3:30. You can choose which part of the school day works best for your schedule to observe our classrooms. SY 26-27 Comprehensive Schedule

• New Option: There will be opportunities to “Snack & Chat with Administration.”

• Short Visits: We invite you to stop by for a brief visit within your chosen time slot so we can welcome all families.

• Adults Only: For space and focus, we kindly ask that all visitors are adults.

Pursuant to guidance issued by the Maryland State Department of Education and as authorized under Maryland Code, Education § 7-103.2, local school systems are permitted to implement virtual instruction during severe weather conditions under specific statutory requirements. These requirements establish clear expectations for governance, instruction, access, and accountability.

This plan provides Montgomery County Public Schools with the ability to transition to virtual instruction—consisting of a minimum of four (4) hours of synchronous learning supplemented by asynchronous opportunities—when school buildings are closed due to inclement weather or other emergency conditions. These circumstances occur when it is unsafe to transport students or require students and staff to report to school buildings in person.

Virtual instructional days count toward the 180 instructional days required under Maryland law and are implemented systemwide at the direction of the Superintendent of Schools. The intent of this plan is to ensure that MCPS schools, staff, students, and families are prepared with the structures, resources, and supports necessary to maintain continuity of learning when operational conditions require a shift from in-person instruction. Click MCPS Virtual Inclement Weather Website to learn more information.

Note: Not all inclement weather events will result in the activation of MCPS’s virtual instructional day plan. MCPS’s Division of Communications and Community Engagement maintains established procedures for notifying students, staff, and the community of operational status changes and will clearly communicate the type of inclement weather day being implemented.

The current operating status for the school district appears on the MCPS website and on individual school websites. If there is a change in operational status, this link will provide more information about the MCPS Operating Status options.

Students will participate in practice sessions on October 15 and November 24 in class.

Coming Soon: In the event MCPS calls for implementation of Virtual Learning, you will be able to access Pine Crests' Virtual Learning schedule on the website.

If bad weather strikes, the county may activate the virtual learning plan. If your student does not have access to a device at home, you can request one from MCPS using this form: Student Home Use Chromebook Request Form. Please note that requests are approved centrally and may take a few weeks to fill. Please plan ahead now to be sure students can access essential learning during an emergency closure. We are Better Together (Virtually)!

If your home does not have internet, please contact the Pine Crest main office to request a MiFi device which can support educational internet access for up to 5 devices.

The architect and MCPS Facilities project team plans to visit Pine Crest during arrival on Monday, October 12th. They will distribute a brief survey sheet regarding the Eastern Middle School design options, along with flyers inviting parents and families to participate in the upcoming community meetings.

This outreach effort is intended to reach as many parents as possible whose students are expected to attend the new Eastern Middle School when it is completed in 2030.

Help Shape the Future of Eastern Middle School!

Board Moves School Calendar Proposals Forward for Public Comment
The Board of Education received a presentation on Oct. 8 outlining proposed school calendars for 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 and moved the proposals forward for public comment and feedback. A key feature of the discussion was a two-year calendar approach, designed to give families and staff greater ability to plan ahead by establishing major calendar dates earlier.

Under the approach, the Board would adopt the next school year’s calendar while tentatively setting major dates, such as the first and last days of school and winter and spring breaks, for the following year. The community will now have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed calendars, with final adoption scheduled for Nov. 19.

See the video of the presentation here

See the slide deck here

Board of Education Receives Update on School Closure and Consolidation Study
On Thursday, Oct. 8, MCPS updated the Board of Education on the elementary and middle school closure and consolidation study, including why the work is necessary, how the process will unfold and how the community can participate.

Important: No schools have been selected for closure, no recommendations have been made and there is no predetermined outcome. Community engagement begins Oct. 19—months before the superintendent is expected to present recommendations to the Board.

Read the full story for engagement dates, what to expect, the decision-making timeline and the facts families should know.

See the project website here https://mcpsstudy.org
See the presentation video here
See the presentation slides here

Regional High School Center Programs: Fall Showcases Are Underway
MCPS is expanding access to specialized regional high school Center programs, giving 8th grade students more opportunities to pursue programs connected to their interests while continuing to offer rigorous programming at every local high school.

Center programs span five areas: Medical Science; International Baccalaureate, Humanities & Languages; Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM); Leadership & Public Service; and Visual & Performing Arts. Additional Middle College dual-enrollment opportunities are also being explored in partnership with Montgomery College.

Fall High School Showcases are happening now across all six MCPS regions. These events give 8th grade students and families an opportunity to visit schools, explore programs and courses, meet staff and learn more about the high school options available to them.

Showcases are being held throughout October in the Southern, Eastern, Central South, Central, Central North and Northern regions.
Get informed and explore your options:

• Watch the new Center Programs overview videos: English | Spanish

• Watch: Now You Know — Center Programs: The Basics

• See the full Fall High School Showcase schedule and find an upcoming event in your region.

Middle School Program Changes Delayed One Year
MCPS is delaying any changes to the middle school Program of Study until the next school year, allowing additional time for review, engagement and thoughtful implementation. The proposals under consideration include 60-minute core classes and more consistent elective offerings across middle schools. No changes will be implemented this school year.

Why it’s happening: After testing several scheduling scenarios, MCPS determined that implementing the changes next school year would present significant logistical and operational challenges, particularly across schools of different sizes. Current budget considerations are also a factor. Delaying implementation gives MCPS time to better understand final Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements, continue working through scheduling and staffing implications, and make a more informed decision before moving forward.

See the presentation video here.
See the presentation slides here.

Explore What Your Child Is Learning at MCPS Curriculum Day, Oct. 19

MCPS is hosting Curriculum Preview Day, an opportunity for families to explore instructional materials, learn more about what students are learning and discover resources available to support learning at home. This event is open to K–12 families for all MCPS courses. Join us for our drop-in sessions, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. in the Carver Educational Services Center cafeteria on Monday, Oct. 19. Families can connect with MCPS instructional specialists, ask questions, explore curriculum materials and receive support accessing digital learning resources.

Getting the Most from ParentVue
Are you getting the most out of ParentVUE? It’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected to your student’s school experience. Families can monitor grades and assignments, check attendance, find bus information, access report cards and assessment results, complete online registrations and communicate directly with teachers.

Be sure to download the new ParentVUE app, customize your Gradebook and favorite shortcuts, and check ParentVUE regularly. You can even schedule parent-teacher conferences directly through the app. And remember: each parent or guardian should use their own ParentVUE account and password.

Learn more: English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

Now You Know — Stay Connected
Want to make sure you don’t miss important information from MCPS?
Sign up for ParentSquare, the district’s mass communication and direct messaging platform for parents, high school students and staff. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play, and log in with the phone number or personal email on file with MCPS. You can also follow MCPS on Facebook, Instagram and X, or visit montgomeryschoolsmd.org.

Learn more: English | Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | French | Korean | Portuguese | Vietnamese

Center Programs 101: Get the Details on EdTalk

On the newest episode of EdTalk, join host Board of Education President Grace Rivera-Oven and guests Anjali Wells, coordinator in the Department of Academic Programs, and Jeannie Franklin, director in the Department of Consortia and Application Program Services, as they discuss the new MCPS Center Programs. Learn how 8th grade families can apply to a variety of four-year academic high school Center Programs in their region. Watch.

Mental Health Matters: Save the Date to Join Us on Nov. 14
The Division of Specialized Support Services and the Montgomery County School Psychologists’ Association are co-hosting 2026 Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) from Nov. 9-14. The Mental Health and Wellness Fair will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at James Hubert Blake High School, 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. Open to staff, students and families, this free event will include workshops, community partners sharing information about mental health and wellness, and a student forum. Students can earn four Service Learning hours for their participation in the fair. Learn more.

Stay Connected to MCPS

• VISIT the MCPS homepage.

• CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845). Visit the AskMCPS website.

• READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.

• FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages:
  x.com/mcps / facebook.com/mcpsmd / instagram.com/mcps_md facebook.com/mcpsespanol / x.com/MCPSEspanol / instagram.com/mcpsenespanol

• SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.

• WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89

More MCPS Resources

• School calendar

• Parent resource page

• News and Information page / Noticias en Español

• Latest photo galleries

• MCPS TV videos

• MCPS TV español

Building a strong community starts with staying connected. The PTA invites you to join your child's official grade-level WhatsApp group chat. These parent-run groups are a casual, friendly space to meet other families, ask questions about school activities, and build lasting relationships within our school community.

Whether you want to coordinate weekend playdates, ask about homework deadlines, or simply share a word of encouragement, these groups make it easy to stay in the loop.

Here is how you can join the conversation:

3rd Grade: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ci59i3txQTtGPhKDBBcAO4?mode=gi_t

4th Grade: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ELVzrtO9yanCviImm3426W?mode=gi_t

5th Grade: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Cdta1DbOzcd1pNyaVoykeI?mode=gi_t

Note: To keep our spaces safe and welcoming, please keep conversations respectful and focused on school/family community life.

We look forward to connecting with you!

Warmly,
Your PTA Board

This year, we’re making it easier than ever to get involved with a hybrid meeting format. Join us in person at Montgomery Knolls ES or join us live on Zoom if you can’t make it in person.

Guest Speakers - Dr. Davis and Mr. Urgessa will be discussing Head Lice Care & Prevention!

See full agenda here: https://www.mkpcpta.org/minutes-documents

Come hear what’s ahead for the year, learn about upcoming events, initiatives, and share your ideas with us. Whether you’re joining us in person or from home, we’d love to see you there!

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82795034274?pwd=Oraq6z2UhJA9MnSMaOh13aftJdhZo4.1

The MKPC PTA is a parent-volunteer organization dedicated to providing Montgomery Knolls and Pine Crest Elementary School ongoing support to achieve excellence for our students, teachers and the community.

Check out our fabulous PTA's website.

Join the PTA here.

MKPC Family Calendar

September 15 - October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month

October 12 Picture Day

October 13 1st PTA Meeting at 7:00 (@MKES / Hybrid)

October 15 4th Gr Field Trip to African American History Museum

October 15 Student Virtual Instruction Practice Session

October 16 No School Professional Day

October 22 5th Gr Field Trip to Strathmore Hall

October 22 PTA/MKPC Family Yoga Night 6:15-7:30pm

October 28 3rd Grade Field Trip to Butler’s Orchard

October 30 Marking Period 1 Ends