News & Notes - August 21, 2026

This Week

Monday, August 24: Transition Day

Tuesday, August 25: First day of school & grade-level Town Hall Meetings!

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, September 1: MAP R- 9th grade students ONLY

Wednesday, September 2: Walt Wisdom Time & MAP R Make ups

Wednesday, September 2-4: Picture Day for grades 9, 10, and 11

Thursday, September 3: MAP M-Algebra 1 students ONLY & Back to School Night beginning at 6:00pm

Friday, September 4: MAP M Make ups & Fall Sports Kick Off

We are excited to kick-off the 2026-2027 school year next week. Our staff has been actively preparing to give our students a warm Whitman welcome. We anticipate a fantastic year ahead, made possible by our outstanding students, dedicated staff, and the ongoing support from parents/caregivers, and our community.

Additionally, this summer provided an opportunity for school leadership to reflect on our school's identity and future direction. As a result, we dedicated time to develop a new vision and mission statement for Whitman. These statements define who we aspire to be as an educational community and outline the steps we will take to achieve our goals. Our vision and mission are designed to create learning spaces where all students feel welcome, valued, and can thrive.

Vision

Walt Whitman High School inspires every student to learn, thrive, and create a positive impact on their local and global communities.

Mission

Rooted in equity, collaboration, and strong relationships, Walt Whitman High School empowers every student to communicate clearly, think critically, and lead in an interconnected world.

As always, please take the time to review this message thoroughly, as there is important information to ensure that we get off to a great start. Lastly, to help support students and families in communicating with the correct administrator, please see the WWHS Administration Team Responsibilities 2026-2027 document.

Let’s have a great year and Go Vikes!

We look forward to welcoming our students back from summer vacation. Due to several MCPS and Whitman expectation and guideline changes we will be having grade level town hall meetings on the first day of school to help students with the transition.

The typical school day is from 7:45am-2:30pm. It is imperative that students arrive on time to school and each class period daily. The regular bell schedule is below. All other bell schedules are accessible via the school website.

Additionally, MCPS policy requires schools to withdraw students who have 10 days in a row of unexcused absences. Please be sure to notify us if your student will have an extended absence for any excused reasons.

Town hall meetings will occur first thing on Tuesday morning from 7:45-8:30am. Students will report directly to their town hall meeting location. Students in grade 9 and 10 will go to the main gym and students in grade 11 and 12 will go to the auditorium.

During arrival (7:00am-7:45am) students are to enter the school building through the Main Entrance or Addition doors. Students will be greeted by Whitman staff upon entry and are required to wear their school issued IDs.

• Students will ONLY be able to access the first floor, cafeteria, and/or commons area from 7:00-7:25am. Students should not be on the second, third or fourth floor hallways or classrooms until after 7:25am.

• After 7:45am students and guests can only enter the building through the main entrance. Upon entry students will be required to show ID and use their ID to sign in using the main office kiosk.

At this point all students should be able to access their schedules through StudentVUE. Please be advised counselors will only be making schedule changes for students who:

• Already passed a course listed on their schedule and it is not a course that can be taken for credit twice

• Have the same course scheduled during multiple class periods

• Have a hole in their schedule, meaning they do not have a class for one of the seven class periods

• Are placed in the wrong grade level class (e.g. should be in Honors English 11, but class listed is Honors English 10).

Counselors will continue to be in contact with students who do not have a complete eight period schedule and all of the new students who are enrolling this year at Whitman.

*Students who wish to request a schedule change for a different class than the one they are currently enrolled in will have the opportunity to do so starting September 2nd, after we have resolved the scheduling errors noted above. If we are able to address those issues earlier, we will notify students accordingly.

​**Once opened on August 31st, the window for schedule change requests will close on September 14​.

Scheduling Conflict Timeline (students should report to their counselor during the conflicted period if):

• Tuesday, August 25 & Wednesday, August 26: Students are missing a period(s), two classes in one period, and not in grade level appropriate course and/or missing lunch

• Monday, August 31: They need subject/content changes

Please refer to the WWHS counseling website for more information in regards to counseling department updates.

Open lunch is EXCLUSIVELY for Grade 12 Seniors. Seniors leaving campus will need to exit through the main office doors. Additionally, seniors will be asked to show identification leaving the parking lot of school staff. Students in grades 9 through 11 are expected to remain on campus during lunch. Students are permitted to eat outside in the bus loop and by the stadium entrance (weather permitting). Students are not permitted to eat in their vehicles regardless of grade level.

Please be advised that failure to adhere to these expectations may result in disciplinary actions in accordance with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct and could impact future eligibility for parking permits at Whitman.

• It is imperative that students do not grant building access to any individual. This includes opening exterior doors for friends or peers. Failure to adhere to this expectation will result in disciplinary action aligned to MCPS Student Code of Conduct.

• Students who leave campus without permission during the instructional day will not be permitted to attend classes for the remainder of the school day. Students will be subjected to progressive disciplinary action aligned to the MCPS Student Code of Conduct.

Throughout the year, Walt Whitman High School will conduct a number of necessary safety drills. Students and staff will participate in various drills during the first week of school.

Additionally, during homerooms this week, students will be given a blue and white Parent/Caregiver Reunification (PCR) packet. The white card is essential in case we ever have to reunite families and students. Please review these important documents with your child. Parents and students are also encouraged to review the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) in the Quickguide. We will review these protocols with all students during town halls next week.

If you have any questions, please contact Jena Mejia (Jena_K_Mejia@mcpsmd.org).

We understand that you are committed to your student’s success in school, and we share that commitment. Regular school attendance is essential to academic success and completing high school. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) require students to attend school regularly, arrive on time, and remain in school for the entire instructional day. It is particularly important for students to arrive on time each day, which means being in their first-period class by 7:45 am.

Attendance is taken during each class period, and students are expected to be present and engaged throughout the entire school day. All absences and late arrivals are considered unexcused until we receive the required documentation. Parents/caregivers must submit documentation through the Attendance Google Form or provide a handwritten note within three school days of the student’s return to school. If documentation is not received within three school days, the absence or late arrival will remain unexcused. Timely submission of documentation is essential to ensure your student’s attendance record accurately reflects the reason for the absence or late arrival.

• Students must bring a written note from a parent/caregiver to the main office.

• Parents/caregivers must come to the main office in person with a valid photo ID to sign the student out.

• If a student becomes ill during the school day, they must report to the Health Room. The Health Room will contact the parent/caregiver if an early dismissal is necessary.

• Students must submit the Anticipated Absence/College Visit Form at least three school days in advance.

• Please note that submitting the form does not automatically mean the absence will be excused. Each anticipated absence will be reviewed and determined in accordance with MCPS attendance policies and procedures.

• For college visits, the Anticipated Absence/College Visit Form must be submitted at least five school days in advance.

• If the form is not submitted and approved within the required timeframe, the student will be required to provide documentation from the college confirming that the campus visit occurred. Please allow 24–48 hours for attendance records to be updated after we receive documentation.

For additional information regarding attendance policies and procedures, including absences, late arrivals, early dismissals, anticipated absences, and college visits, please visit the Attendance section of our school website.

• Senior Prom date is Friday, May 7, 2027, from 8:00pm until midnight at the Bethesda North Marriott.
• The Post Prom celebration is on Saturday, May 8, 2027, from 12:30 until 4:00am at Walt Whitman High School.
• Graduation for the Class of 2027 is Tuesday, May 25, 2027, at 6:00pm at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

Please contact assistant principal Ms. Jena Mejia (Jena_K_Mejia@mcpsmd.org) or business administrator Ms. Danielle Fus (Danielle_R_Fus@mcpsmd.org) if you have any questions.

As stated in MCPS Policy ECG-RA, student parking is a privilege. Seniors and Juniors can apply for a first semester parking permit, in two distinct windows, if they are academically eligible and have no financial obligations.

The Fall 2026 Parking Permit Letter includes a Google Form application. Once complete, you will receive an automated email notifying you that your application was received, along with a copy of your application. The linked cover sheet must be printed, signed and turned into the main office, along with a copy of the student’s driver’s license, vehicle registration, and an insurance card listing the student as an insured driver on the policy. We will start accepting applications on Tuesday, August 18. The deadline for Seniors to submit an application is Friday, August 28, 2026 at 3:00 pm. The application will re-open on September 2, 2026 for Class of 2028 students (Juniors) to apply. For safety and security purposes, vehicles parked anywhere on campus, regardless of permit status, must be registered through the parking application process.

Seniors selected for a parking permit have between September 2, 2026 and September 5, 2026 to submit payment online through School Cash Online and pick up their permit from Miss Fus. Students must present a current year Student ID to pick up their parking permit. Parking enforcement begins on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

All email notifications will include detailed instructions. If you have any questions, please contact School Business Administrator, Miss Danielle Fus.

Summer is winding down, but we’re winding up for back-to-school! The new school year will be here before you know it, and our new regional Back-to-School Fairs can help your family get ready. This year, instead of one districtwide event, we're bringing six fairs closer to you! Connect with your school team. The Whitman Cluster will be at Albert Einstein High School from 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday August 22.

Got questions? We've got answers! Get help with registration, technology, transportation, school meals, school supplies and more. Please see the video and flyer for complete information.

Get excited; this is going to be a great year! On Aug. 17, Superintendent Taylor emailed a message to families to share information about MCPS’ core mission: instruction.

A few highlights:

• Clearer expectations. Grading will be clearer and more consistent. There are also clearer expectations around late work, extended-time accommodations, absences and the use of artificial intelligence.

• Assessments give us information about what students know, understand and are able to do. Families will receive an assessment calendar so you can see what is coming and plan ahead.

• Refrigerator Curriculum. We will continue sharing the written curriculum, a simple, one-page look at what students will learn each marking period, including major topics, themes and texts.

• Build good study habits. Create a regular time and place for learning at home and talking about what happened at school that day. Regularly review papers and work from school. Stay in regular communication with teachers and the other adults supporting your child.

• Stay connected. Learn about official MCPS apps and how to access them.

We look forward to working with parents and community members to ensure that we provide the most welcoming return to school possible for our students. Thank you for your ongoing support of our efforts to ensure that Walt Whitman High School continues its long legacy of excellence.

Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Sincerely,

Mr. Gregory Miller

Principal

Go Vikes!