CJMS Weekly Updates

This is your Principal, Ms. Snider, with the Sunday announcements for the week of October 19–23.

First, a huge thank you to our 8th-grade students for a great first administration of the PSAT and a wonderful field trip to Smokey Glen! We are proud of the hard work, focus, and positive attitudes our students demonstrated during the PSAT, and we hope they enjoyed the opportunity to spend time together and build connections with their classmates during their trip to Smokey Glen. A special thank you to Mrs. Hershkowitz for organizing the PSAT and to all of the staff members who helped make the day run so smoothly. We appreciate everyone’s time, preparation, and support in making these experiences successful for our students!

As we head into another week, we encourage all students to continue giving their best effort, making positive choices, and showing respect for one another in our classrooms, hallways, and throughout our campus. Every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the positive school community we are building together.

As always, let’s continue to keep our Cabin John values at the heart of everything we do: Respect, Relationships, and Resilience. One important way we demonstrate these values is by taking care of our school and our shared spaces. Please remind your student to dispose of trash properly, keep our campus clean, and treat all school facilities with care and respect. We continue to need everyone’s help keeping our bathrooms, particularly the boys’ bathrooms, clean and welcoming for all students. Caring for our school is a shared responsibility, and even small actions make a difference in creating an environment we can all be proud of.

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and commitment to our students and school. We are so grateful for our amazing Cougar community! Please take a few minutes to review this week’s digital newsletter for important reminders, upcoming events, and other updates.

Have a great evening, and we’ll see everyone on Monday!

Somer Snider
Principal, CJMS

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• Thursday, October 22 - Make-Up Picture Day
• Monday, October 26 to Wednesday, October 28 - Outdoor Education Session #1
• Wednesday, October 28 to Friday, October 30 - Outdoor Education Session #2
• Monday, November 2 - No School for Students, Grading and Reporting Day for Teachers
• Tuesday, November 3 - No School for Election Day
• Wednesday, November 4 to Friday, November 6 - Outdoor Education Session #3
• Wednesday, November 11 - CJMS Open House Periods 1, 2, and 3 - More Info to Come Soon!

Please take time to review what students are currently learning in their classes this week at Cabin John Middle School in our weekly assignment summary.

On Wednesday, October 14 students were given their school pictures to take home. If you would like to order please see the information below! Make-Up pictures will be on Thursday, October 22nd.

Are you interested in becoming a Best Buddy? Best Buddies is a club which gives you the chance to get to know new friends and hang out with students who are often left out, because of their different abilities.

The mission of Best Buddies is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships. If this sounds like an activity you would like to join, please complete the membership form at https://forms.bestbuddies.org/4904013. This can also be found on CJMS website!

OUR FIRST EVENT WILL BE HELD THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST AFTER SCHOOL IN THE MEDIA CENTER!

Established more than 10 years ago by Common Sense Media, Digital Citizenship Week is widely recognized as a time to promote discussions and activities that educate school communities about the importance of using technology in a responsible, safe, and ethical manner. Asynchronously, MCPS students may earn up to 5 SSL hours for watching Digital Citizenship videos and participating in follow-up advocacy action during the 2026 MCPS Digital Citizenship Week.

All MCPS students may participate and earn up to 5 SSL hours during Digital Citizenship Week by following the directions provided at https://bit.ly/DIGCITWEEK2026. Students must complete the 2026 Digital Citizenship Week SSL Form (https://bit.ly/DIGCITWEEK2026) using their MCPS gmail account no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Please note that the 2026 Digital Citizenship Week SSL Form will be accessible to MCPS students starting October 19. Students must use their MCPS gmail account to access the Google Form. For students who submit quality responses, SSL hours will be added by the central office team no later than January 20, 2027.

Health Room Clothing Donations Needed

Our Health Room is looking for clothing donations to help students who may need a change of clothes during the school day. We are especially in need of boys’ and girls’ pants, shirts, sweatshirts, and other comfortable, school-appropriate clothing in a variety of sizes.

We would also appreciate donations of new, unopened underwear in various sizes.

If you have gently used, clean clothing that your family has outgrown, please consider donating it to the Health Room. These items are a valuable resource for helping our students feel comfortable, confident, and ready to get back to learning.

Thank you for supporting our students and helping us keep the Health Room stocked!

As we continue settling into the school year, we appreciate families taking a few moments to review bus safety expectations with their children. Students should:

• Wait safely on the sidewalk and away from the roadway.
• Board the bus calmly without pushing or shoving.
• Follow the bus driver’s directions.
• Remain seated at all times the bus is in motion.
• Treat others with respect.

MCPS reminds us that the school bus is an extension of school, and the same expectations for respectful, responsible, and safe behavior apply while students are riding the bus.

Families are important partners in helping reinforce these expectations at the bus stop and on the bus.

Thank you for helping us support a safe and positive ride to and from school for all students!

We could use a little help from our Cougar community! We’ve noticed an increase in litter around our school campus, particularly in the bus loop area where students wait for their buses.

Please take a moment to remind your student that taking care of our school is everyone’s responsibility. We want our campus to be a welcoming, clean space for all of our students, staff, and families. Before heading home each day, please encourage your student to take a quick look around, pick up any trash they may have, and use the trash and recycling bins provided.

Thank you for helping us reinforce the importance of respecting our school and our environment and for partnering with us to keep CJMS looking its best!

Details:

When- October 24, 2026, 8:00 AM-1:00 PM

Where- Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Center, 5110 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD 20855

Who- any student, staff or community member. Students must attend with an adult (or a group of students can be sponsored by an adult).

SSL Hours can be earned!

Please RSVP if you can join

Register for the FALL 2026 Back#2#School Game Changer Conference on Saturday, October 24, 2026

This event aims to create a regional impact in the DMV and is open to all Montgomery County residents. We focus on inspiring Black or African American males and students of color from 4th grade to high school to pursue their dreams and realize their full potential.

Our mission is to inspire these students to chase their dreams and unlock their full potential. Join us and be a part of this vital initiative!

THEME: Future Ready – Reach Higher and Level Up is a Game Changer!

This year's theme inspires our students to recognize their growth potential and cultivate their skills in a world that is evolving before our eyes. We encourage our students to compete and pursue their goals with the same determination that our ancestors demonstrated. We challenge each of you to think boldly and wisely, to develop effective strategies, and to put forth your best efforts to create successful pathways for achieving your dreams.

Registration Form

Learn More about the Regional Programs here! ... and save the dates for the Information Nights (see below). Our 8th graders will be hearing more about these programs in school as well.

2026-2027 Quarter One

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has introduced the Refrigerator Curriculum—a one-page, easy-to-read overview of what students will be learning each marking period. Designed for the fridge at home, these guides help families stay informed about key themes and texts while highlighting MCPS’ commitment to partnering with families, celebrating our community’s diversity, and respecting individual beliefs. With this resource, parents and guardians can quickly see what’s ahead in the classroom, stay engaged in their child’s education, and, if needed, request alternative assignments when a text conflicts with sincerely held religious views.

The linked documents are for Quarter 1 of the 2026-2027 school year.

Resources for SSL:

• SSL forms, resources, and guidelines
• September SSL Opportunities
• SSL opportunities -September and Montgomery County Volunteer Center
• SSL program overview
• Step-by-step directions for viewing student SSL record on StudentVUE
• Introduction to SSL Handout: English | Español| 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse

Reminders

• Family Quick Guide Reminder: Think Before You Post — Social media can be a great way to connect, but online choices can have real consequences. Remind your child to pause before posting: Is it true? Helpful? Necessary? Would I be OK if everyone saw it? See the Family Quick Guide: Social Media English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

• Saturday School: Tutoring sessions begin THIS SATURDAY, Sept. 26, from 8:30-11 a.m.! But it is never too late to join. Programs run on Saturday mornings for students in grades K–12, focusing on reading, language arts, math, test prep and STEM enrichment, such as coding and robotics. The cost is $100/year ($50 for FARMS recipients) and MCPS buses are available to center sites. Learn more and register.

Student Opportunities

• *NEW* Future Vote Program: Open to students in grades 6–12, this initiative combines civic participation and the opportunity to observe democracy in action. Students must be able to speak, read and write the English language. Students with bilingual and American Sign Language skills are encouraged to apply. Volunteers will earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Training is required for students and guardians. Apply online, more information, guardians can text FV and their email to 77788 (ex.: FV 123@email.com) or visit the High School Election Worker Program webpage. Register before Thursday, Oct. 8.

• *NEW* High School Election Workers Needed: The Montgomery County Board of Elections is looking for workers for the 2026 Gubernatorial General Election. Students can earn up to $250 or up to 25 SSL hours for each full day worked. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, Maryland residents, at least 16 years old and registered to vote. Bilingual students with Spanish or other language skills are encouraged to serve. For more information, text SERVE followed by a non-MCPS student email to 77788 (ex.: FV 123@email.com) or visit the High School Election Worker Program webpage. Application deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 13.

• *NEW* Speak Up, Save A Life Video Contest: Create an original video promoting awareness of the dangers of illicit opioids, overdose and fentanyl among teens. Secondary students can earn 10 SSL hours. Videos can be submitted in English or Spanish. First place wins $5,000, 2nd place, $3,000 and 3rd place, $1,000. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30. Submit an entry.

• Design + Build at Blackrock Center for the Arts: This free program will focus on developing a conservation landscape, including native plants and trees at BlackRock Center for the Arts. Starting Oct. 3, high school students will spend six consecutive Saturdays designing and installing the project to help improve the Seneca Creek watershed. Students can earn up to 18 SSL hours. Apply.

• Latina Legacy Conference: This event for Latina female high school students will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 at 15 W. Gude Drive in Rockville. To register, students should reach out to their assistant principal by Thursday, Oct. 15.

• Share Your Vision for America: Students in Grades 5–12 can write and perform a presidential speech and win prizes up to $1,000. Make Your Speech calls on students to imagine they’ve just been elected president and are delivering their inaugural address in a 2-3 minute video. Learn more. Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30

• Smokey Bear Poster Contest: Open to 7th grade students. In celebration of its 120th anniversary, the Maryland Forest Service is sponsoring a Fire Prevention Month Smokey Bear poster contest for 7th grade students. Students are asked to create original artwork inspired by Smokey’s classic message: “Only YOU can prevent wildfires!” to explore wildfire safety and forest conservation. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 2. Learn more.

• Capital Weather invites K-8 kids to submit original artwork inspired by weather, seasons, climate or nature to its Kids Art Showcase. 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

Main Office telephone: 240-406-1600

Counseling Office telephone: 240-406-1560

Health Office telephone: 240-406-1570

FAX: 240-740-4403

website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/

The school day for students is from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is imperative that students not be dropped off prior to 7:55 a.m. Students being dropped off by parents/guardians at school must enter through the doors by the cafeteria. Parents/guardians, if you are using the student drop-off loop, please make sure to pull as far as possible to the stop sign at the end of the loop - students are not permitted to enter through the main office doors, so it doesn't help to drop them off at that location.

After school activities will start on September 10th and will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Students must be picked up from after-school activities by 4:35 p.m. as supervision is not scheduled outside of these hours.

If you have questions about events, schedules or other school-related matters, including reporting the absence of a student, please call us at 240-406-1600.

If you need to report an absence and would like to submit a letter via email, please send an email to our attendance secretary, Ms. Jordan Murek (email: Jordan_Murek@mcpsmd.org). CJMS Attendance policies can be found here.

In an effort to keep our weekly newsletter shorter and more concise, I am not going to add the resources that appear every week. Instead, I will link our BTS newsletter here so you have easy access to that information.

Assistant School Administrator (6th Grade): Mr. Zach Morris

Assistant Principal (7th Grade): Ms. Jennifer Wingate

Assistant Principal (8th Grade): Ms. Cherin Hershkowitz

Main Office Phone: 240-406-1600
Fax: 240-740-4403
Guidance Counseling Office: 240-406-1560
Health Room: 240-406-1570

Attendance Office: 240-406-1599 (to leave a VM)

Please call CJMS to notify us of your child's absence.

CJMS Attendance Office Procedures can be found here.

Email: Somer_Snider@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/
Location: 10701 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, MD, USA
Phone: 240-406-1600