The Cougar Connection

Dear Cougar Families,

As we enter the month of December, I want to take a moment to share my appreciation for our wonderful school community and reflect on what this time of year often brings for our students and staff.

December is a joyful and exciting month in elementary schools. Students feel the anticipation of upcoming breaks, special activities, and seasonal traditions. With that excitement, we also often see students needing a little extra support with routines, focus, and emotional regulation. Our teachers and staff continue to work hard to maintain predictable structures, provide engaging learning experiences, and help students navigate the many feelings that come with this busy season. Your partnership—through consistent routines at home, clear communication, and encouragement—continues to make an enormous difference.

As we look ahead to winter break, I want to extend warm wishes to all of our families. Whether you plan to stay close to home, travel to visit loved ones, or simply enjoy a slower pace, we hope the time brings rest, joy, and meaningful moments together. Thank you for your ongoing support, your trust, and the many ways you contribute to making our school a caring and vibrant place for children to learn and grow.

We look forward to a strong and positive finish to 2025 and an exciting start to the new year!

Warmly,

Principal Hambrecht

Cold Spring Elementary School Website

Cold Spring Elementary School Phone Number: 240-740-4390

Dec. 1st - Math Olympiad Contest, 7:45am

Dec. 4th - Patrol Meeting at lunch

Dec. 5th - House Color Day

Dec. 8th - Math Olympiad Practice, 7:45am

Dec. 9th - Grade 5 Field Trip to the B&O Museum

Dec. 10th - 12th - Grade 2 CogAT assessment, 9:15am Grade 4 CogAT assessment, 1:40pm

Dec. 15th - Math Olympiad Contest, 7:45am House Color Meeting

Dec. 17th - Parent Partnership Academy (1:45pm virtual)

Dec. 19th - Grade 5 Winter Carnival, Birthday Bash (October/November) 2:15pm

Dec. 23rd - Cold Spring Winter Sing-A-Long 9:15am

Dec. 24th - Jan. 2nd - System Wide Closure Winter Break

MCPS will be sending emails to families now through December with a link to the MCPS Family School Climate Survey. We strongly encourage you to take a few minutes to complete it. Surveys are now available in eight languages:

English | Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese | Amharic | Korean | Portuguese

Your feedback helps us understand what’s working well and where we can grow. The results directly guide our school improvement efforts and ensure we are meeting the needs of our students and families.

To complete the survey, you will be asked for your child’s student ID number. You can find this in ParentVUE → Student Information. Your responses are confidential—the student ID is used only to connect your input to the right school.

Your Input Matters!

Be sure to sign up for emergency alerts from MCPS. Use the link below. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/

With winter weather in the not so near future, please also see our 2 Hour delay schedule and Early Release schedule so you know how to prepare. Use the link below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PeXmZB8mj6LWKcnavg9YiIE3VaQsHPI8SNoGgDgBxVQ/edit?usp=sharing

The Accelerated and Enriched Instruction Office (AEI) is pleased to host a series of webinars to support your learning around enrichment in MCPS. This a series of 4 webinars with various topics. Click the link below for all details and we strongly suggest you attend if you are able.

Webinar

Engagement Sessions Set for Dec. 1-4 for Additional Boundary Options

MCPS is hosting a new round of engagement sessions on the Woodward/Northwood and Crown/Damascus boundary studies during the first week of December. Four will be virtual; two will be in person. Additional boundary options will be shared for each of the current boundary studies. These additional boundary options do not replace the current boundary options (A–D) that have already been released. Read more.

Save the Date: Used Car, Computer Sale Coming Dec. 6
Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will sell used cars and computers they have refurbished from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Gaithersburg High School. The school is located at 101 Education Blvd. in Gaithersburg. Inventory will be posted in December. Read more.

Student Opportunities

• Women Making History Award: High school seniors are eligible for the 2026 “Women Making History Award,” an honor that recognizes outstanding women in Montgomery County who make significant contributions to the community. Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.

• Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is seeking high school students for this project-based learning program that teaches leadership skills, the importance of roadway design, law enforcement, outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community. Up to 46 Student Service Learning hours are available. Deadline: Friday, Dec. 5.

• Speak Up; Save a Life: Create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid/fentanyl abuse and overdose among teens. Deadline: Sunday, Dec. 7.

• C-SPAN StudentCam Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to create a video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence.” Top prize is $5,000. Deadline: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

• Choose Respect Video Contest: Open to secondary students, this contest challenges teens to create an original video promoting awareness of dating violence/abuse among teens. Videos can be in English or Spanish. Top prize is $1,000. Deadline: Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.

• America’s Field Trip: This contest invites students in grades 3-12 to submit writing or artwork in sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — and earn the opportunity to travel for field trip experiences at historic and cultural landmarks. Deadline: March 30, 2026.

• Seeking High School Election Workers: This Montgomery County Board of Elections program provides students with an opportunity to serve voters during the 2026 Gubernatorial Elections in June 2026. Students registered to vote can submit an application. Students not registered to vote should download, complete and mail these three forms: Maryland Voter Registration, Election Worker Application and Permission Slip (for workers under 18 years old).

YEARBOOK PHOTOS NEEDED
We would love to include your children's special moments in the yearbook. Please use the link below to upload your photos: Yearbook Folders.
Photos may feature your child individually or in a group. We appreciate your support in making this year’s yearbook a memorable keepsake for all of our students.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Paola Garber at garber.paola@gmail.com or Julie Rachlin at juliemrachlin@gmail.com.
Thank you for your contribution!

PTA RESTAURANT NIGHT - DECEMBER 15, POTOMAC PIZZA, POTOMAC VILLAGE 4-9PM (Flyer Here)

Please join us on Monday, December 15, from 4:00–9:00 PM at Potomac Pizza to support the Cold Spring PTA. Dine in or take out during that time, and a portion of proceeds will be donated to benefit Cold Spring programs and events.

Thank you for supporting our school community!

PEE WEE POMS - DECEMBER 19TH (Flyer Here)

The Wootton High School Poms will be holding a Pee Wee Pom Clinic on Friday, December 19th which will be followed by the game later that evening. The clinic will be from 5:00-7:00pm in the Wootton High School cafeteria. Participants will learn an age-appropriate poms dance routine and have the opportunity to perform alongside the Wootton Pom squad during halftime at approximately 8:00pm in the main gym. The game starts at 7:15pm. The cost is $50 per participant and includes a Pee Wee Pom t-shirt and a set of mini poms. All are welcome; no dance or poms experience needed! For more information or to register, please email the coach at Mia_Krawczel@mcpsmd.org. Please note that you must register to attend by filling out the registration Google form or emailing Mia_Krawczel@mcpsmd.org no later than Friday, December 12th.

STOCK THE STAFF LOUNGE

Our PTA is excited to support our teachers by keeping the staff lounge stocked with snacks, drinks, and essentials throughout the school year. We invite families to contribute by signing up for items through our SignUpGenius. Thank you for helping us show our appreciation for all that our teachers do. Sign up here: CSES: Stock the Teacher's Lounge: '25-'26

The Department of Food and Nutrition Services has made it easier than ever to see your school’s breakfast and lunch menus and get nutritional details. Visit the MealViewer webpage.

Families can also learn how to add money to your 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.

Please contact Principal Hambrecht or Assistant Principal Clark with any questions!

Email: Natalie_M_Hambrecht@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/coldspringes/
Location: 9201 Falls Chapel Way, Potomac, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-4390