McAuliffe Elementary School

Turn Back Time This Weekend: Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour on this Sunday, Nov. 1, for daylight saving time. As we return to shorter days and earlier evenings, remember to stay alert on the roads, and be extra vigilant for pedestrians and cyclists.
Calendar Notes:

· Nov. 2 is Grading and Planning for the end of term; no school for students

· Nov. 3 is Election Day - Schools and offices closed

MCPS Is on the Rise! More Schools Earn Top STAR Ratings
Big news worth celebrating! 134 MCPS schools, nearly 69%, earned 4 or 5 STAR ratings on the 2026 Maryland School Report Card. Fifty-six schools improved their STAR ratings, including 50 that reached four or five STARs. Even better, ZERO MCPS schools received a 1-STAR rating! These results reflect the hard work of our students, educators and school communities, with important gains in reading and math across the district.
Read the Press Release | Read the Information One-Pager | Watch the Event Video

School Closure and Consolidation Study: Last Round One Virtual Session; Nov. 2
MCPS is wrapping up the first phase of community engagement sessions on the elementary and middle school closure and consolidation study. The final opportunity to provide feedback in a virtual meeting is: Join on Zoom — Mon, Nov. 2, 6-7 p.m.

If you’ve already attended one of our sessions, please take the time to share your perspective on our feedback form. Your valuable input will be reflected in our updated FAQs, which will be available in the coming weeks. The form is open through Wednesday, Nov. 4.

A second round of engagement sessions will be held in late November and early December.

Visit mcpsstudy.org to review study information, explore frequently asked questions, learn about the process and find opportunities to share your feedback. Learn more.

The Latest EdTalk: Supporting Multilingual Students and Families

On the newest episode of EdTalk, hear from host Board of Education President Grace Rivera-Oven and principals Alicia Deeny (Richard Montgomery High School) and Isabelle Mensah (Rolling Terrace Elementary School) about how their schools create welcoming environments, engage students and maximize family involvement for multilingual students and families. Watch EdTalk | Vea Educación al Día

You can now listen to all the EdTalk and Educación al Día episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Be Sure to Weigh In on the 2027-2028 School Calendar
As MCPS continues to develop the 2027-2028 school calendar, the district is seeking more input from you!
Complete this second survey to share input on the proposed draft calendar for the 2027-2028 school year. The survey will close on Friday, Nov. 6. Take the survey.

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

• Oct 30 - Fall Festival

• Nov 2-No School For Students

• Nov 10-Monthly Family Market 4-5:30

Linked here is the 2026- 2027 School Year Calendar for your review. We encourage any families making travel plans during the school year to carefully review the calendar. Please keep in mind that students with 10 consecutive unexcused absences will be withdrawn from school. If you have specific questions about travel or attendance, please reach out to us at [insert contact information].

Our goal is to ensure students are in school as much as possible and reduce the number of chronically absent students. Did you know that chronic absenteeism is defined as 18 or more absences per year, which equates to just 2 absences per month? Chronic absenteeism negatively impacts students’ academic performance and social development due to missed learning and peer interactions. If there is anything the school can do to support your child’s regular attendance, please do not hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to an amazing school year!

Parent Engagement: Parent engagement at school is a vital component of fostering a supportive and thriving educational community. When parents actively participate in their children's education, whether through attending school events, volunteering, or communicating with teachers, it creates a collaborative environment that enhances student achievement and well-being. Engaged parents provide valuable insights, reinforce learning at home, and build strong relationships with educators, which helps bridge gaps between school and home life. By working together, schools and families can create a nurturing atmosphere where students feel motivated, supported, and empowered to succeed academically and personally.

Bedtime Routine:A good night’s sleep is essential for your child’s success at school and overall well-being. Here are a few quick tips for a healthy bedtime routine:

• Stick to the same bedtime and wake-up time every day.
• Read a book or do a calming activity before bed.
• Turn off screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Create a quiet, dark, and cool sleeping environment.

Consistency is key to helping kids feel rested and ready to learn

Join us for a OUR FAMILY market

2nd Tuesday of each month

Time: 4:30-6:00 P.M.

Location: McAuliffe Elementary School

Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

Please bring your own reusable bags!

Supplies are limited!

FREE for McAuliffe Families

If you or someone you know is in need of a hot meal, The Lord’s Table Kitchen is here to help. They provide a free, nutritious three-course meal every day to families facing food insecurity. This welcoming community kitchen ensures that no one goes hungry by offering a warm space and a hearty meal to those in need.

Hours of Operation:
🍽 Hot Meals (October – April)
Monday – Friday | 3:30 – 4:30 PM

🥪 Bagged Lunches (May – September)
Monday – Friday | 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Location:
Epworth United Methodist Church
9008 Rosemont Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Enter at the back of the church

No registration is required

MCPS STANCE:

Our schools are and will always remain safe places where every child—regardless of immigration status—is welcomed, valued, affirmed, validated, respected, and loved.

• HOC Housing Path: The centralized portal used to apply for housing choice vouchers and access affordable rental opportunities within Montgomery County.
• HOC Properties: The Housing Opportunities Commission owns and manages a variety of amenity-rich, affordable communities in and around Germantown that accept vouchers.
• MC311 List of Rentals: A county-managed resource that provides a listing of current affordable rental units available specifically to Housing Choice Voucher holders. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Local Support & Counseling

If you need help navigating the voucher system, landlord negotiations, or finding participating apartments, reach out to these local resources:

• Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP)
  • Location: Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Suite 1500, Germantown, MD 20874
  • Contact: 301-916-5946
  • Services: Provides housing counseling, rental opportunities, and eviction prevention for low-income individuals.
• Upcounty Regional Services Center (HOC/DHHS)
  • Location: 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD 20874
  • Contact: 240-777-4448
  • Services: Montgomery County DHHS offices where you can connect with housing stabilization services and local rental assistance programs.

Next Steps for Voucher Holders

If you already hold a Housing Choice Voucher, contact your assigned Housing Specialist at the main HOC office at 240-627-9400 for a current list of participating landlords in the Germantown area.

A Wider Circle is a local organization dedicated to helping individuals and families by providing essential household items and professional attire at no cost. Whether you're setting up a home or preparing for a new career opportunity, they offer resources to help you succeed.

Your child may qualify for Care for Kids, a program that provides healthcare services for uninsured children.

To learn more and apply, click on the image.

If you or someone you know needs a cervical cancer screening in Montgomery County, call 240-858-0663, 301-962-6173, or 240-393-5950.

Volunteer Legal Advocates – Free Legal Support for Survivors and Families
Volunteer Legal Advocates provides pro bono (free) legal assistance to survivors of violence and their children, helping to end the cycle of abuse. Their Montgomery County, MD team can assist with protection orders, custody, divorce, and other family law matters.

Visit a Free Legal Clinic:
Montgomery County Domestic Violence and Family Law WALK-IN Clinic
📍 Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850
🗓 Every Wednesday
⏰ 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Appointments are welcome. To schedule a clinic visit, please call the MD intake line at (202) 464-1700 or email MarylandIntake@volunteerlegaladvocates.org

Hello! My name is Marie Umali Gasaway, and I am both honored and excited to

introduce myself as the next principal of S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School

beginning July 1, 2025. I am eager to partner with the dedicated McAuliffe staff to

provide an engaging learning experience for our All-Star students. As a proud graduate

of Montgomery County Public Schools, I know firsthand the lifelong impact of a

positive education experience. I credit my own success to the incredible teachers who

believed in me and helped shape my future. It is this same belief in the power of

education that drives my passion for school leadership.

I’m Luisa Jauregui I am the Community School Liaison(CSL) at S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School!

I will support and serve our students and families by connecting them with wraparound services and accessing valuable community resources to meet their needs.

Contact me!!

Email: Luisa_jauregui@mcpsmd.org

Cell: 227-216-1194

Instagram: Mcauliffe_CSL

If your family needs help with school supplies, clothing, or food, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m here to assist!