The Eagle's Nest

Good evening, Gaithersburg ES Families,

The first week of school was filled with excitement as we opened our doors and welcomed both new and returning families to Gaithersburg ES!

Throughout the week, our teachers and staff focused on building strong connections with students while introducing them to classroom routines, learning expectations, and safety procedures. Our students practiced several safety drills, and we were all impressed! Our first fire drill was truly the smoothest first-week drill we have ever seen. Students were excellent listeners and followed directions carefully. In classrooms, students were already diving into learning by exploring what it means to be a mathematician and enjoying interactive read-alouds.

This week, we begin our fall baseline assessments in mathematics and literacy. These tools help us understand where each student is starting academically so we can tailor our instruction to meet their individual needs. You can support your child by ensuring they get a good night’s sleep and arrive on time each day.

We also invite you to join us for our upcoming monthly Parent Cafes! These sessions are a wonderful opportunity to partner together on key topics like attendance, math and literacy strategies, and ways to support your child’s growth at home.

• First Parent Cafe: Friday, September 4, 2026 @ 9:15 a.m. in our Cafeteria

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. We are looking forward to a fantastic school year!

Warm regards,

Paula Summers

Principal

Monday, August 31, 2026

• DIBELS English Literacy testing in Kindergarten
• LECTURA Spanish Literacy testing in Grades 1st - 3rd
• mClass Mathematics testing in Grades 1st - 3rd

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

• LECTURA Spanish Literacy testing in Grades 1st - 3rd
• DIBELS English Literacy testing in Kindergarten
• MAP-R English Literacy testing in 4th and 5th Grade

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

• LECTURA Spanish Literacy testing in Kindergarten
• DIBELS English Literacy testing in Kindergarten - 3rd Grade

Thursday, September 3, 2026

• LECTURA Spanish Literacy testing in Kindergarten
• DIBELS English Literacy testing in 1st- 3rd Grade

Friday, September 4, 2026

• LECTURA Spanish Literacy testing in Kindergarten
• DIBELS English Literacy testing in 1st- 3rd Grade
• mClass Mathematics testing in Grades K, 4, & 5th
• 9:15 a.m. Parent Cafe in Cafeteria

Upcoming Dates:

9/7 - No School for Students - Labor Day

9/10 - Back to School Night - 5:30-7:30 pm

8/31 - Lasagna or Chicken Patty

9/1 - Chicken Taco or Veggie Burger

9/2 - BBQ Turkey or Cheesy Pull Apart

9/3 - Egg Bites Pork Sausage or Chik'n Nuggets

9/4 - Pizza or Chicken Salad

• Back to School Night – Thursday, September 10:
  5:30-7:30 p.m. One of our favorite traditions! We will start in the APR to review the school year expectations, then students will lead their families on a tour of the school, visiting different spaces, meeting teachers and receiving important information for their child, all while trying to complete their bingo card for a chance at a raffle prize. Students who attend with their families will earn extra recess the next day!

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.

Is your child in 4th or 5th grade and interested in joining or returning to Instrumental Music? If the answer is yes, please complete this form: Instrumental Music Interest Form

Online or paper forms due on Wednesday, September 9th! Questions or comments? Please email Mrs. Oeur at Stephanie_E_Oeur@mcpsmd.org

Dear Families,

The City of Gaithersburg is excited to offer Fantastic Fridays, a free after-school program held once a week on Fridays for students in 1st through 5th grade at Gaithersburg ES.

Program Details and Registration:

• Program runs from Friday, September 25 through December 11 from 3:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

• Students will enjoy a variety of recreational and art activities in a fun, safe, and supportive environment.

• Click here to register online, or complete a paper registration form and return it to the school or the Activity Center at Bohrer Park (506 S. Frederick Ave.) from 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Should you have any questions, contact Paul Barrow at 240-805-1530 or email at paul.barrow@gaithersburgmd.gov.

Estimadas familias,

La Ciudad de Gaithersburg se complace en ofrecer Viernes Fantásticos, un programa gratuito después de clases que se lleva a cabo una vez por semana, los viernes, para estudiantes de 1.º a 5.º grado en la Escuela Primaria Gaithersburg.

Detalles del programa e inscripción:

• El programa se llevará a cabo desde el viernes 25 de diciembre hasta el 11 de diciembre, de 3:30 p. m. a 6:00 p. m.

• Los estudiantes disfrutarán de una variedad de actividades recreativas y artísticas en un ambiente divertido, seguro y de apoyo.

• Haga clic aquí para inscribirse en línea, o complete un formulario de inscripción en papel y entréguelo en a la escuela o el Activity Center en Bohrer Park (506 S. Frederick Ave.) de 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p.m.

Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con Paul Barrow al 240-805-1530 o por correo electrónico a paul.barrow@gaithersburgmd.gov.

Register now and take advantage of our Early Bird registration rate! Through August 31, registration is $85 for the year and $40 for students who receive FARMS. Beginning September 1, 2026, registration will increase to $100 and $50 for students who receive FARMS.

Saturday School provides MCPS-aligned academic tutoring and instruction led by certified teachers, along with enrichment opportunities that include:

• Academic support for students in Grades K–12, including reading/language arts, mathematics, and high school core subjects
• SAT/ACT preparation and college/career readiness
• Coding and Robotics
• Additional enrichment opportunities, including programs such as Cosmetology and Automotive Concepts

Please encourage your families to register before September 1 to receive the Early Bird rate and share this opportunity through your school newsletters, websites, social media, and back-to-school communications.

Registration and additional information: SaturdaySchool.org

Program Details

Program: Focus for Better Grades - Rockville & Olney/Sandy Spring
Length: 3 weeks
Cost: FREE
Ages: 5-12

Throughout the three weeks, students will learn basic karate skills while working on important habits that can help them become more focused and successful in the classroom. Each class will incorporate lessons on concentration, listening, discipline, goal-setting, and perseverance.

There is no cost or obligation for students to participate.

How to Register:
https://tinyurl.com/3Weeks-FocusForBetterGrades

Registration Deadline: September 6th

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or text us at 240-866-1604

Detalles del programa:

This survey represents one component of the initial process for developing a school year calendar for the school years 2027-2028 AND 2028-2029 incorporating feedback from our students, staff, families, and community members.

School Year Calendar Survey:

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.

Apply today! A new FARMS application must be completed every school year, even if your children qualified the previous year. Access is based on household income, but it is easy to apply. Submit the online FARMS application through MySchoolApps (translations are available). Only one application is needed for all students in a household. More information
Learn more: English | español | 中文 | français | Português | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | አማርኛ

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

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.

• 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.

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.

MCPS is committed to promoting a safe and welcoming environment for student-athletes, coaches, spectators and our communities. MCPS Athletics is kicking off the school year with Spirited Sportsmanship and Spectator Safety Week from Sept. 4–11. Parents and spectators play an important role by modeling good sportsmanship and supporting student-athletes, coaches, officials and opposing teams.
As the district kicks off the fall season on Friday, Sept. 4, the Fall Athletics Safety Plan includes clear expectations for respectful fan behavior, designated seating and student sections, increased staff presence, crowd-control procedures and timely end-of-game processes. Incidents involving hate, discrimination, bias or inappropriate behavior will be addressed in accordance with MCPS protocols.

• VISIT the MCPS homepage.

• CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845). Visit the AskMCPS website.

• READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.

• FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages:
  x.com/mcps / facebook.com/mcpsmd / instagram.com/mcps_md facebook.com/mcpsespanol / x.com/MCPSEspanol / instagram.com/mcpsenespanol

• SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.

• WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89

More MCPS Resources

• School calendar

• Parent resource page

• News and Information page / Noticias en Español

• Latest photo galleries

• MCPS TV videos

• MCPS TV español

Montgomery County Public Schools policy on the attendance of students states, “A student is counted present for a full day if a student is absent no more than one hour of the school day. A student is counted absent for a full day if the student is present for 1 hour or less of the school day. A student is credited with one half-day attendance if the student is present more than one hour of the school day and is absent more than one half of the school day.” Also please note that an excused absence is due to illness and not for vacation travel. We will be monitoring attendance carefully and will be in communication with families when habitual attendance concerns rise.

ABSENT: Please call our school office (240- 740-4900) by 9:30 am to report your child's absence. The office opens at 8:00 a.m. If you need to call prior to that time please call and leave a message on the answering machine stating your child’s name and classroom teacher. If a child is absent and we have not heard from the family we will be calling to verify the absence and reason. Please send in a note regarding your child's absence.

GO HOME WITH A FRIEND: If a child is to go home with a friend, the parent must send in a note or the child will not be permitted to go. The note should be given to the homeroom teacher at the beginning of the day.

Regular school attendance is a major predictor of academic success

• Routines should be established for good attendance patterns
• Parents/guardians should notify the school when their child is going to be absent on any given day
• Parents/guardians needs to provide a written note or physician’s certificate for absences or tardiness within 3 days of the students return to school
• Parents/guardians can be required to submit a doctor’s note for excessive absences
• Parents/guardians can be held responsible for failure to send their child to school regularly
• Please call the school if you are in need of support in order to get your child to school on time everyday

Note: Students need to bring a note to school if there is any change in the bus that they will be riding or how they will get home at the end of the day. Students are NOT allowed to come to the office or ask their teachers to make a phone call to create plans or playdates. These need to be determined prior to the start of the school day. Your cooperation will help ensure your child's safety!

Classroom assignments will be ready and posted on the front windows of the school at 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21. Teachers will be available for Open House on Monday, August 24, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Your child’s teacher can be found via ParentVue on the week before.