News From the Falcon's Nest: 10/12
Dear Fallsmead Families,
Happy Sunday! I hope you have had a wonderful weekend and found some time to enjoy the beautiful fall season.
As we enter Week 9, we are at an important point in the quarter where teachers are taking a closer look at what students are learning, what is sticking, and where additional support or challenge may be needed. Through classroom conversations, student work, and assessments, we are using what students show us to make thoughtful adjustments along the way.
Across literacy and mathematics, we are also continuing to encourage students to think before responding and explain their ideas. Families and caregivers can support this work at home with a simple follow-up question: “How did you figure that out?” or “What makes you think that?” Giving children opportunities to put their thinking into words helps strengthen both their understanding and confidence as learners.
As One Team with One Goal, we are Champions Together—working to support our students as they grow in knowledge, confidence, and character. Thank you for your continued support as we strive for the “Treasure Cup” together! We look forward to another great week!
All my best,
Ms. Spaugh
Mission: To foster lifelong learning, promote social responsibility, and inspire personal growth.
Vision: We foster an inclusive environment that supports the holistic development of every child, empowering them to thrive academically, socially, and personally. We cultivate a community where we prioritize collaboration, accountability, growth, kindness, and building relationships in service to all students.
Core Values: Collaboration, Accountability, Growth, Kindness, Relationships
As students continue learning with Amplify Desmos Math, families have resources available to help stay connected to what students are learning and support that learning at home.
The Amplify Desmos Math Caregiver Hub provides families with information about the curriculum, what students are learning, and simple ways to encourage mathematical thinking outside the classroom. Even questions like “What did you learn in math today?” “How did you figure that out?” or “How do you know your answer makes sense?” can help students explain their thinking and build confidence.
Remember to visit the Caregiver Hub throughout the year for resources and ideas to support your student’s growth as a confident and capable math learner.
Visit the Parent Hub in English:
https://mcpsmd.info/ParentHubEnglish
Visite el Centro para Padres en español:
ParentSquare is the primary communication platform for MCPS and Fallsmead for sharing schoolwide announcements, classroom updates, reminders, forms, and important information with families.
Families are encouraged to download the ParentSquare app and review their account settings to ensure that contact information, language preferences, and notification preferences are up to date. Keeping your account current will help you receive timely messages from Fallsmead and your child’s teachers throughout the school year.
This school year all Montgomery County Public Schools will be restricting the use of cell phones during school hours. These restrictions are in alignment with the Maryland Phone-Free School Act (HB 525). Effective the first day of school, August 24, 2026, all students are not permitted to utilize personal mobile devices (cell phones, tablets, e-readers, personal laptops, smart watches, smart glasses, and anything with a microphone, camera, speaker, or headphones/earbuds (including AirPods) during the instructional day. This includes during lunch and in the hallways as students transition to class.
We believe that by restricting personal mobile devices it will reduce distractions to your child’s learning, support their social development through increased engagement in discussions with their peers and teachers, and promote a safer school environment. For more information, including how you can support your child, please visit the MCPS Family FAQ - Personal Mobile Devices.
