The Dolphin Whistle
WLES Family Newsletter
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Thank you for a great start to the 2026-2027 school year! Students have been doing a wonderful job learning the new routines and engaging in new math curriculum and updated English Language Arts curriculum. Our theme for the year is "Rise Up" and our students and staff are off to a wonderful start with that.
We are in need of a NAACP Parent Representative for Waters Landing Elementary School. The role is to attend a monthly meeting and share the information with our school community. Please consider taking on this role. EMail (MDeneise_Hammond@mcpsmd.org) or call (240-740-1020) Principal Hammond if you are willing to help out.
Learning and Community Agreements
As you read in a previous newsletter, this year we will be signing Learning and Community Agreements. We want to make sure that we all - students, parents/caregivers, and staff - work together and understand each of our roles, so that all students have a positive experience learning and growing at the Landing. Your teachers will be sending the Learning and Community Agreements home for you to sign and return. We would like to have them all returned before Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Testing begins next week
Next week, students will engage in Beginning of the Year Assessments. Students will be taking tests as follows:
- DIBELS (K,1,2, and 3): DIBELS is a short reading assessment given several times during the school year. It helps teachers see how students are developing important early reading skills, such as letter sounds, decoding words, reading accurately and fluently, and understanding what they read. Results help teachers identify students who may need additional reading support and monitor their progress over time.
- mCLASS Math (K-5): mCLASS Math is a short assessment connected to Amplify Desmos Math that helps teachers understand what students know and can do in math. Results help teachers identify students’ strengths, areas for growth, and instructional needs so they can provide appropriate support throughout the year.
- MAP-R (4 and 5): MAP-R is an online reading assessment that measures a student’s reading skills and growth over time. Results help teachers identify students’ strengths and areas for growth and plan instruction to meet their individual reading needs.
Amplify Desmos Math Caregiver Hub
This year MCPS is using a new math curriculum called Amplify Desmos Math, The Caregiver hub provides videos on the content being taught, a glossary of key vocabulary words, and the unit story that was shared at the beginning of the unit. Click the link to view: Desmos Care Giver Hub
All You Need to Know for Lunch
It is easier than ever to see your school’s breakfast and lunch menus, along with nutritional details, by visiting the MealViewer webpage.
Families can also learn how to add money to a child’s account through MySchoolBucks. This optional online service is for parents/guardians to make prepayments with a credit or debit card to a student's cafeteria account for breakfast, lunch and à-la-carte items. Learn more.
Are Your Student’s Immunizations Up to Date?
: Here are the latest requirements. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is holding immunization clinics in August and September. MCPS is also planning for immunizations at the regional Back-to-School Fairs on Saturday, Aug. 22.
Turn Saturdays Into Success — Register for Saturday School
Help your child build confidence and academic success with Saturday School (George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy). Programs run on Saturday mornings for students in grades K–12, focusing on reading, math, test prep and STEM enrichment, such as coding and robotics.
The opening ceremony is on Sept. 19 for families to register and learn about the program. The first tutoring session is Sept. 26 from 8:30-11 a.m.
Cost: $85/year ($40 for FARMS recipients) Note: Fees increase to $100 / $50 FARMS after Sept. 1.
Transportation: Free MCPS bus routes available to center sites.
Details & Registration: saturdayschool.org
Safety Starts Before Students Board the Bus
Getting students to and from school safely is a shared responsibility. MCPS operates more than 1,200 bus routes serving more than 100,000 students each day, and a few simple steps can help keep everyone safe.
Know your route. Families should review their student’s bus route, stop and schedule before heading out each morning.
Be safe at the stop and on the bus. Students should stay clear of the roadway, follow the driver’s directions, remain seated and avoid distractions while riding.
Drivers: Stop for the bus. Slow down around school buses and stops, and always obey flashing red lights and stop arms as required by Maryland law.
Especially early in the year, buses may run late because of traffic, congestion or student needs. Safety comes first.
Remember to Ride by the Rules!
Be at your stop on time and wait safely away from the road.
Wait for the bus to stop and the driver to signal before approaching or crossing.
Board safely—no pushing, shoving or horseplay.
Listen to the bus operator and follow directions just as you would from a teacher or school administrator.
Stay seated, keep the aisle clear and keep hands, feet and belongings inside the bus.
Be respectful of others—no bullying, harassment, fighting, inappropriate language or disruptive behavior.
Respect neighborhoods and property around bus stops and help keep buses clean.
Ride your assigned bus unless you have permission to do otherwise.
Speak up about unsafe behavior and tell the bus operator or a trusted adult if there is a problem.
Remember: Your choices matter. Safe, responsible behavior helps everyone get to and from school safely.
Ride by the Rules: Be Respectful. Be Responsible. Be Safe.
Wait, I Can’t Find My Bus Route
Looking for your student’s bus route? It’s right on your school’s homepage.
Morning and afternoon bus routes are automatically posted in the “School Information” box on every school website. Routes are available as PDFs, so you can:
Download it and keep it on your phone.
Print it and put it on the refrigerator.
Save it so it’s easy to check throughout the school year.
You can also find all MCPS bus routes on the Division of Transportation Services website, including systemwide centralized routes serving magnet, immersion and other special programs.
Find your route, save it and have it ready for the school year.
Transportation questions? Contact your transportation manager with your student ID, route number and school.
Previous editions of The Dolphin Whistle
Did you miss anything? No worries, click above to go to all editions of the WLES Family Newsletter for the 2026-2027 school year.
Waters Landing Elementary School Bus Routes: Morning Bus Routes Afternoon Bus Routes
Refrigerator Curriculum (overview of what students are learning)
Phone: (240) 740-1020 Fax: (301) 601-0392
School Office Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
Mrs. Cynthia Alvarado, Registrar
Mrs. Evelyn Campos, Attendance Secretary
Mrs. M. Deneise Hammond, Principal
Mr. David Kim, Assistant Principal
Mrs. L. Orinda Nelson, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Padma Radhakrishnan, Administrative Secretary
