Forest Knolls Mustang Message

Email: Jennifer_Taylor-Cox@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/forestknollses
Location: 10830 Eastwood Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901, USA
Phone: 240-740-1640

The MCPS Back-to-School Fair was a success. Several of our families stopped by the Forest Knolls ES table. Ms. Stump was there representing Pine Crest ES. Dr. Redman Jones, our Area Associate Superintendent, joined us, too!

Transition Day (Monday, Aug. 24) is the first full day of school for students entering kindergarten, sixth grade, and 9th grade (plus third grade at intermediate schools) and students new to MCPS. This is an all-day, non-instructional school experience designed to ease the transition for students entering new school levels or buildings. It is a good day to try out your school routine. Learn more about Transition Day: English | Spanish
Students will get a head start on navigating their new school before the official first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 25. They will meet principals and teachers, tour the building, practice routines and connect with classmates.

We are excited about the first day of school. At 8:40, staff begin supervision of arriving students. Our doors open at 8:45 and instruction begins at 9:00. All students enter through the front entrances of the school building. Kindergarten walkers and car riders enter through the side door. First, Second and Third Grade walkers and car riders enter through the front door. Fourth and Fifth Grade walkers and car riders enter through front sliding doors. Dismissal begins at 3:25. Students exit through the same doors. Please make sure your child’s teacher knows how your child goes home.

As we strive to ensure the safety and efficiency of student arrival and dismissal at Forest Knolls ES, we want to provide you with important procedures and reminders for our car loop drop off and pick up area.

Drop Off and Pick Up Times: Please adhere to the designated drop off and pick up times to avoid congestion and delays. The arrival time is 8:40-9:00 and pick up time begins at 3:25.

Follow Traffic Flow: Please follow the designated traffic flow patterns in the car loop area. This helps maintain order and ensures the safety of all students and staff. Please see the diagram that indicates the differences between arrival and dismissal traffic flow to the car loop.

Stay in Your Vehicle: For safety reasons, we kindly ask that drivers (and passengers who are not students) remain in their vehicles during car loop drop off and pick up. Staff members will assist students as needed in the car loop.

Unload and Load Quickly: To keep the traffic flow smooth, please have your child ready to exit the vehicle promptly during drop off and be prepared to pick them up efficiently at dismissal. For safety, please try to have your child exit your vehicle from the passenger side.

Follow Staff Instructions: Our staff members are there to assist you and ensure the safety of all students. Please follow their instructions and guidance at all times.

Be Patient and Courteous: We understand that drop off and pick up times can be hectic, but we appreciate your patience and cooperation. Please be courteous to fellow parents and staff members.

Parking: If your child needs extra assistance exiting or entering your vehicle, please park in the designated parking lot. Please use the crosswalk at the far end of the parking lot or near the front entrance to escort your child to the school. We kindly request that you do not walk across the bus loop and do not park in the car loop as we need to keep the flow of traffic moving.

Pre-Kindergarten and PEP Families: Pre-K and PEP students need to be escorted to the Pre-Kindergarten and PEP classroom doors at arrival, and they need to be picked up outside of the same door for dismissal. Please use the parking lot to park instead of the car loop as the traffic in the car loop needs to keep moving.

Autism Program Families: Autism students should be escorted to the exterior door of the cafeteria for arrival and picked up outside of the cafeteria for dismissal. Please park in the parking lot and walk your child to their teacher.

Late Arrivals: Students who arrive after 9:00 are considered tardy. Please park your car, walk your child into the building, and sign them in with Ms. Mao or Ms. Hurtado.

Please see the picture depicting the car loop arrival and dismissal procedure.

By working together and following these procedures, we can ensure a safe and efficient drop-off and pick-up experience for all students and families. Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school community safe.

Here are the MCPS Bus Routes by School. Please use the link to ensure you are accessing the most updated version of the bus routes. School bus routes are subject to change during the first few weeks of school and any updates will be posted with a time and date stamp to indicate a change. For any questions about your bus route, please contact your Transportation Cluster Manager. Here are some Safety Tips and Reminders for students, families, and motorists as we begin the new school year.

Forest Knolls Bus Arrival Routes

Forest Knolls Bus Departure Routes

Every school is required to complete a number of safety drills each year. This year all schools are mandated to practice the 5 immediate response drills by Friday, August 28th. Our teachers and staff will discuss and practice the drills with students to prepare them prior to the school wide drills. Please feel free to review the resources again with your child(ren) to avoid any undue anxiety. School Safety & Emergency Procedures

Apply online for meal benefits today! A new FARMS application must be completed every school year, even if your children qualified the previous year. Households meeting federal income standards are eligible for free school meals, but must apply to receive this benefit. Only one application is needed for all students in a household. Learn more.

Visit the Department of Food and Nutrition and Services webpage for information on breakfast and lunch menus and how to add money to your child’s account through MySchoolBucks.

Throughout the school year, there may be occasions when treats are shared in class. If your child has any food allergies, we want to ensure they have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Please let us know how you would like to handle this:

• Would you like to send in some alternative treats to keep on hand for your child?

• Would you prefer that the school provide an alternative? If so, please share specific examples of treats that would be safe for your child.

All food that is brought in for any celebration or parties must be store bought and be clearly labeled with ingredients.

Don’t Forget Your Immunizations! The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is offering free back-to-school vaccinations for Montgomery County school-aged children at county locations through September. More information

Returning students may need certain forms if they have a health condition that requires medication, other health support or accommodations, or an emergency health plan at school (for example, asthma, food allergies or a seizure disorder). Common forms include:

• Form 525-13 (for medications to be given or available at school): Authorization to Administer Prescribed Medication / Autorización para Suministro de Medicamento Recetado

• Form 525-14 (emergency plan for severe allergic reactions): Emergency Care for the Management of a Student with a Diagnosis of Anaphylaxis / Atención de Emergencia para Estudiantes con Diagnóstico de Anafilaxia

• Form 240-23 (for food services to be aware of special diets due to an allergy or another health condition): Special Dietary Needs Form / Formulario de Necesidades Alimentarias Especiales

• Other health forms or forms in other languages are on the MCPS website.

Back-to-School Night is a wonderful opportunity for families to learn more about their child’s classroom and the year ahead. During the evening, teachers will share information about classroom routines, curriculum, learning expectations, communication, and ways families can support learning at home. We want to be able to gather together initially and then move to classrooms. Because we anticipate a large crowd, we will have two Back-to-School Nights. September 16th is for Grade K-2 and September 17th is for Grades 3-5.

Montgomery County Public Schools has the Refrigerator Curriculum—a one-page, easy-to-read overview of what students will be learning each marking period. Designed for the fridge at home, these guides help families stay informed about key themes and texts while highlighting MCPS’ commitment to partnering with families, celebrating our community’s diversity, and respecting individual beliefs. With this resource, parents and guardians can quickly see what’s ahead in the classroom, stay engaged in their child’s education, and, if needed, request alternative assignments when a text conflicts with sincerely held religious views.

Assessments give all of us information about what students know, understand, and are able to do. They also show us where your child is growing (academically), and where they may need additional help. They aren't meant to define a child or turn every testing day into a high-stress event. We are committed to providing more regular updates on how your child is performing - this is an area that we know we can improve to strengthen our partnership.

This year, we are providing families with an assessment calendar so you can see what is coming and plan ahead. Our best advice: keep normal routines, make sure your child gets some sleep and breakfast, encourage their effort, and please don't turn a test into a "make or break" moment. If you have questions about an assessment, don’t hesitate to ask your child's teacher. Learn more here

• Elementary School Assessment Calendar (Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade)

• Two-way Immersion Assessment Calendar (TWI Kindergarten, TWI 1st Grade, TWI 2nd Grade, TWI 3rd Grade, TWI 4th Grade, TWI 5th Grade)

• One-way Immersion Assessment Calendar (OWI All Grades)

Important Information for Families for the 2026-2027 School Year

As we get ready for the new school year, we encourage families to take a few minutes to review two recent messages from Superintendent Thomas Taylor. The Aug. 11 message on school safety shares important information and resources about the role we all play in keeping our schools safe. The Aug. 17 message on teaching and learning highlights what families should know about learning this year, including grading, assessments, curriculum, study habits and the tools that can help you stay connected to your child’s education. Safety and learning are at the heart of a successful school year, and strong partnership with families makes both possible.

Here are the highlights:

Safety

• Know our emergency procedures. Review the Standard Response Protocol.

• Speak up. Remind your child that if something doesn’t feel right, they should tell a trusted adult. Learn more about MCPS hate/bias protocols.

• Review the Student Code of Conduct. This document helps us create schools that are welcoming, respectful, orderly and safe.

• Practice safe firearm storage. Have firearms? Unload them, lock them up and store the ammunition separately.

• Use social media thoughtfully. Talk to your children about their online presence.

• Talk about mental health. The start of school is exciting, but it can also bring anxiety and stress. Remind your child that asking for help is a sign of strength.

• No Cell, Bell to Bell. Limiting the use of personal devices during the day supports learning and school safety.

Welcome Coffee for Caregivers

Stop by the PTA table for a cup of coffee (and maybe a tissue!) when you drop your kid(s) off on Monday (Transition Day) and/or Tuesday (First Day of School). Learn more about how the PTA supports our school and how you can get involved!

Save The Date: 1st General Meeting

The first PTA General Meeting of the year will be held Tuesday, September 1 at 7PM in the FKES APR. Mark your calendars--Spanish translation and childcare (courtesy of KAH) will be provided.

Hispanic Heritage Night

We're quickly approaching a signature event for the FKES community--Hispanic Heritage Night! Volunteers are greatly needed to plan and execute--contact vicepresident@fkespta.org to join the team and help find performers, coordinate food, setup/cleanup, etc.

Howdy Dear FKES Community!

Did you know Forest Knolls Elementary has a bike bus ride to school on Fridays? “What’s a bike bus,” you ask? The Forest Knolls Bike Bus is a parent-led group bike ride to school. These rides to school run on Fridays, rolling from the two main starting points. One leaves at approximately 8 from the corner of Procter and Dryden in Sligo Woods and another group leaves at 8:05 from Margate and Snowy Owl. The bike bus arrives to school by 8:35 am. Like a bus to school it follows a fixed route (attached) and students and their parents join the group either at the starting point or along the route.

We have music along the way and when we get to school we have donuts and milk for the kids, and coffee for the adults. The FKES bike bus is for all members of the Forest Knolls community, regardless of ability. If you have a student with a disability who would like to join the bike bus (or would like to know more) please reach out to me so that we can work on an adaptive solution for your child. Kids do not need to ride a bike independently in order to participate. We have many kids who ride on a tag-along, in a trailer, or on an adult driven e-bike. I am aware of different possibilities for adaptive solutions and I am more than happy to work with you to figure out what will work for your child taking into consideration their specific circumstances.

Please contact me at 703-400-9560 or stop by and chat on a Friday morning when the bike bus rolls in. If your child typically rides the bus from outside the Forest Knolls area, you are welcome to pick a week that works for you and park at my house so that you and your child can ride with us. The Bike Bus has been a positive experience for the FKES kids and grownups over the past 3 years. It helps them build confidence and community. We would love for your family to join us.

Please give me a call if you are interested.

Sincerely, Ema Perez