Celebrating Black History Month at the Landing

This year we will be having schoolwide events to celebrate Black History Month instead of our evening event. There is a door decorating contest in progress, "Get Caught Celebrating Black History" photo and video sharing, assemblies, and field trips to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for students in Grades 4 and 5, as well as a trip for families. The assemblies are as follows:

February 11th On The Ball, Spinny

This dynamic program features fun and amazing basketball skills while teaching the importance of respect, education, health and anti-bullying. Using audience participation, Spinny persuades the students to believe in themselves and to embrace positive thinking. This former professional’s ambitions are to perform for students and encourage them to say “Yes To Education.”

February 24th Alison Crockett

The Evolution of Jazz Grades 3-5 ONLY

"The Evolution of Jazz" is an engaging show that traces the rich history and transformative journey of Jazz music. It explores its roots in African-based songs like "Afro Blue," moving through the soulful expressions of Spirituals, Gospel, and Blues, and culminating in the vibrant era of Swing music. The show highlights the contributions of legendary artists such as Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald, illustrating how these genres and musicians collectively shaped the sound and essence of traditional jazz.

February 26th The History Of Hip Hop

This high-energy assembly brings the history of hip-hop dance to life through interactive demonstration, jaw-dropping dance, audience participation, and a compelling Q&A. The History of Hip Hop teaches the positive aspects of hip-hop art and culture, the technical elements of this dance form, and its history. Students get to share some of their own dance moves! Djing, the Human Beat Box, and the MC are also covered in the History of Hip Hop.

A Special Thank you to Mrs. Creef, our Community School Liaison, and Mrs. Tate, our NAACP Parent Representative for all that they have done to plan this month's activities.

Quarter 2 Awards Assemblies

We will be celebrating the accomplishments of our students during the second quarter of the year on the following dates/times at our Quarter 1 Awards Assemblies:

K: Tuesday, 3/3/26 at 2:15pm, APR
Grade 1: Monday, 3/2/26 at 2:15pm, APR
Grade 2: Monday, 3/2/26 at 3:00pm, APR
Grade 3: Monday, 3/2/26 at 11:00am, Gym
Grade 4: Tuesday, 3/3/26 at 3:00pm, APR
Grade 5: Monday, 3/9/26 at 1:00pm, Gym

Thank you!

We have met and exceeded our $10,000 fundraising goal, thanks to all of your support! We have raised a little over $14,000, so Mrs. Nelson, Mr. Kim and I will become a human ice cream sundae. The donation platform is open for another week, so please send anyone to your child's page who still wants to donate.

Please Volunteer at the Book Fair

We need volunteers for our Book Fair! Volunteer 4 hours and receive $5 in Scholastic Dollars toward Book Fair purchases or volunteer 5 hours or more and receive $10 in Scholastic Dollars. One per person, per Book Fair. For adult volunteers only.

Sign up to volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAEAF28ABF49-62465473-book#/

All school volunteers must complete the Child Abuse and Neglect Training for MCPS. Find for information here: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/volunteer

Information from the POD

Join the POD by clicking here. Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 6:30-7:30pm.

PTA/POD Meeting Meeting in person (Media Center @ WLES) with virtual option

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/84130778754?pwd=bXkBsrH6kcBitahzmMhn6pddd5qkqf.1

Meeting ID: 841 3077 8754

Passcode: 178124

We hope you can join us! The meeting is after the event with Principal Hammond.

Mrs. Cynthia Alvarado, Registrar

Cynthia_Alvarado@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. Evelyn Campos

Evelyn_R_Campos@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. M. Deneise Hammond, Principal

MDeneise_Hammond@mcpsmd.org

(240) 753-9472 work cell

Mr. David Kim, Assistant School Administrator

Da vid_K_Kim@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. L. Orinda Nelson, Assistant Principal

L.Orinda_Nelson@mcpsmd.org,

Mrs. Padma Radhakrishnan, Administrative Secretary

Padma_Radhakrishnan@mcpsmd.org

Free Math Help - 21 WLES families are registered for this FREE resource

MCPS is funding the IXL memberships for Elementary for the first time. Middle and high schools have it already. This can help your student with Math. Please take a moment to sign up. Last week we had 11 families registered and this week we have 21 families registered. It's not too late to register your student.

3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Girls, Sign up for Girls on the Run before March 18, 2026

Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering an after-school program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade, designed to build confidence, emotional skills, and physical health through running. The 8-10 week curriculum, led by trained coaches, uses games and discussions to teach life skills—such as managing emotions and resolving conflict—culminating in a celebratory 5K event. Click below to register:

The first practice is 3/9/26. The 5k is on 5/17/26. The last practice is 5/20/26.

Interested in Volunteering for Lunch and/or Recess at the Landing?

We appreciate all of our Parent volunteers at the Landing! Please sign up to volunteer at lunch and/or recess by clicking here. Here is the Waters Landing Elementary School Volunteer Handbook. Please review it prior to volunteering at the Landing. Make sure you have done all that is outlined on the MCPS website prior to coming to school to volunteer. Always bring your state identification when you come to volunteer at school. You will not be allowed to volunteer without it.

Are you interested in working with Oceans 25, the WLES Instructional Leadership Team?

Oceans 25 meets monthly. We'd love to have a parent perspective. Feel free to join us on any of the following dates/times to collaborate with us.

3/4/26 8:00-9:05 am in Ms. Kwon's room, #111
4/7/26 4:20-5:50 pm in Ms. Tung's room, #169
5/6/25 8:00-9:05 am in Ms. Buckley's room, #131)
6/2/26 4:20-5:50 pm in Mrs. Armogida' s room, #205

NAACP Parent's Council Newsletter

Here is the February WLES NAACP Parent Council Newsletter: https://app.smore.com/n/brehp. Please contact Mrs. Tate at waterslandingnaacprep@gmail.com with any questions or suggestions.

Click here for the Back to School version of the PODcast.

Dolphin Whistle