CJMS Weekly Updates

This is your Principal, Ms. Snider, with the Sunday announcements for the week of September 7–11. A quick reminder that school is closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. We hope everyone enjoys the long weekend and takes some time to rest and recharge.

To those in our Cabin John community celebrating Rosh Hashanah later this week, we wish you and your families a sweet and happy New Year. Shanah Tovah!

This Tuesday, at 6:00pm in the CJMS cafeteria, our 6th grade leaders will be having a parent meeting about Outdoor Education. Please attend if you are interested in chaperoning Outdoor Education which happens for us this year in late October and early November. The information will be posted and sent if you are unable to make the meeting.

We are heading into our third week of school, and it’s great to see our students and staff settling into routines and getting into the flow of the school year. Thank you to everyone for helping us start the year strong! As we move into Week 3, please continue to reinforce the routines that help our school run smoothly, including safe arrival and dismissal, checking bus information, and making sure students come to school ready to learn each day.

This phone message is short, but please also take a moment to review the digital newsletter where you will find information about 8th graders taking the PSAT in October, updating ParentVUE with your annual verification, and extracurricular activities that are starting in the next few weeks!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are off to a great start, and we look forward to another wonderful week at Cabin John!

Have a great evening, and we’ll see everyone on Tuesday!

Ms. Somer Snider
Principal, CJMS

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• Monday, September 7 - No School for Staff & Students
• Tuesday, September 8 - Outdoor Education Parent Meeting @ 6:00pm
• Tuesday, September 15 - CJMS Start of After School Buses & Activities
• Tuesday, September 15 - Thursday, September 17 - Softball & Cross Country Tryouts
• Thursday, September 17 - CJMS Fall Picture Day
• Friday, September 18 - Early Release Day, Students Dismiss @12:30pm
• Monday, September 21 - No School for Students & Staff
• Wednesday, September 23 - PTSA Cougar Fest Picnic
• Tuesday, October 13 - First PTSA Meeting
• Wednesday, October 14 - PSAT 8/9 for Grade 8 only
• Friday, October 16 - No School for Students, PD Day for Staff

Please take time to review what students are currently learning in their classes this week at Cabin John Middle School in our weekly assignment summary.

Save the Date -- Cougar Fest Picnic, September 23, 5:30-7:30

The PTSA welcomes all CJMS students, families and staff to celebrate the new school year with a fun night of inflatables, games, food, CJ, prizes, after school activities fair, and a parent social.

Please Join our CJMS PTSA!

CJMS PTSA is a major source of funding and volunteer power for school events, cultural arts programs, student activities, staff appreciation, advocacy, and academic enrichment. This year we plan to invest more than $40,000 in Cabin John but we can only do this with your help!

Membership dues only account for 15% of our budget. Most of our funding comes from membership donations so please consider donating if you are able. Every membership and donation makes a difference in our ability to support Cabin John. Membership is annual and must be renewed each school year.

Join Online using Membership Toolkit.

We're looking for volunteers to help with events and programs! By volunteering your time, you support your child’s education, build community, and make important connections between home and school. Whether it’s for a couple hours or a larger role, we need your help to make this year great! Sign up to volunteer here.

To learn more about PTSA, visit our website or join us for our first PTSA meeting on Tuesday, October 13. Questions? Send an email to Rachel Azoff, PTSA VP of Membership and Fundraising or Debbie Fleischer, PTSA President.

Thank you to the 244 parents, students, and staff who have joined PTSA so far!

In the past, yellow emergency cards and a variety of other forms were sent home with students on the first day of school so that families could communicate updates about contact information, health, directory withholdings, emergency contacts, and more.

This process will now take place in ParentVUE using Online Registration. The directions below are a general outline for how this process will take place. However, keep in mind, there are some variances depending on the grade level and options that are checked while completing the form.

A Free Opportunity for Grade 8 Students to Learn More About Their Strengths

and Prepare for High School

Following many years of interest and requests from families and advocates, MCPS is

pleased to be able to offer all 8th grade students the opportunity to take the PSAT 8/9

during the school day at no cost to families. MCPS will take care of registering students

for the assessment.

The PSAT 8/9 provides students, families and schools with helpful information about

each student’s academic progress, including areas of strength and skills that may need

additional development. Results can help students understand their progress toward

college and career readiness and identify areas to focus on as they prepare for high

school.

Most importantly, the results give students, families and schools more

information to help make decisions about what comes next, in specialized

pathways or in engaging local high school course selections. While the results will

be considered as one of the criteria for admission to criteria-based high school

programs for which Grade 8 students may apply (with the exception of arts programs),

this is only one of many admissions factors for criteria-based programs.

Schools will provide families with additional information about the testing schedule and

what students should expect as the testing date approaches. In some cases, parent

permission is required for students to receive testing accommodations. Requests for

accommodation will continue to be accepted; information about student testing

accommodations can be found here.

Additional information related to the PSAT can be found on the College Board website

linked here and by reviewing this overview document.

Model United Nations (or Model UN) is an authentic simulation of the United Nations General Assembly in which students act as country delegates and engage in acts of diplomacy, negotiation, and decision making. The program is offered through Global Minds, LLC.

** This program is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Board of Education of Montgomery County, the superintendent of schools, or this school.

Global Minds offers three, 8-week sessions (Fall, Winter and Spring) throughout the year, and serves as administrators to register students in local Model UN conferences at the U.S. Department of State, universities, high schools and middle schools throughout the DMV area.

Model UN Fall Session (8 weeks):

-- Group A will meet on Tuesdays (Sept 15 - Nov 10, 2026)

-- Group B will meet on Thursdays. (Sept 17 - Nov 5, 2026)

Room: 2233 (Mrs. Gottesman)

Students in need of financial aid should contact: globalmindsmun@gmail.com

Information brochure is linked here.

Register for the FALL 2026 Back#2#School Game Changer Conference on Saturday, October 24, 2026

This event aims to create a regional impact in the DMV and is open to all Montgomery County residents. We focus on inspiring Black or African American males and students of color from 4th grade to high school to pursue their dreams and realize their full potential.

Our mission is to inspire these students to chase their dreams and unlock their full potential. Join us and be a part of this vital initiative!

THEME: Future Ready – Reach Higher and Level Up is a Game Changer!

This year's theme inspires our students to recognize their growth potential and cultivate their skills in a world that is evolving before our eyes. We encourage our students to compete and pursue their goals with the same determination that our ancestors demonstrated. We challenge each of you to think boldly and wisely, to develop effective strategies, and to put forth your best efforts to create successful pathways for achieving your dreams.

Registration Form

Learn More about the Regional Programs here! ... and save the dates for the Information Nights (see below). Our 8th graders will be hearing more about these programs in school as well.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is committed to ensuring our students are equipped with the information needed to be able to promote a positive school culture and ensure the physical, social and emotional safety for all students.

This year’s annual student training module, MCPS Student Expectation Lessons, has two parts, and both are required learning experiences.

• Part one is the updated edition of the annual “Culture of Belonging.” We must take an active role to ensure students are informed and able to recognize signs of bullying/cyberbullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), hate-bias incidents, hazing, intimidation, student gender norms, and how to use the Speak Up Protocol.
• Part two ensures that students are aware of key information in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Student Rights and Responsibilities and MCPS Code of Conduct documents. This training educates students on their expectations for creating a learning environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and knows the various ways to report alleged/concerning incidents.

The MCPS Student Expectation Lessons has been developed for students in Grades 6–12. The training should take approximately two 45 minute classes to complete and will be accessible to all students via their myMCPS Classroom homepage at the start of the school year. Students are expected to complete the training by September 25, 2026. Students will earn three Student Service Learning hours when they complete this required training.

The objectives of the training module are for students to know and be able to:

• Review collective responsibilities in promoting a positive school culture and ensuring the physical, social, and emotional safety for all students.

• Define bullying, cyberbullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), hate-bias, hazing, intimidation, and student gender norms.

• Recognize signs of hazing, bullying, and harassment, including sexual harassment/assault.

• Identify reporting procedures to inform school administration of potential concerns and incidents.

• Analyze different scenarios and discuss possible consequences according to MCPS Student Code of Conduct.

• Discuss how students can address the situation and report it.

If you have any questions or concerns about the topics that will be covered, please contact an administrator or your child’s school counselor.

The Fall Sports season is quickly approaching and registration for all interested students is now open on ParentVue for Boys' and Girls' Softball and Coed Cross Country.

Tryouts begin on Tuesday, September 15th and information can be found on our CJMS website in the Athletics folder.

If you have any questions please email our Athletic Coordinator Mr. Fritz at Jeffrey_Fritz@mcpsmd.org

You can now purchase your items online in 3 easy steps:

1. Go online to https://cabinjohn26-2.itemorder.com/shop/home/

2. Choose your items and add them to your cart

3. Securely checkout with your credit card

Online Store Deadline: Friday, September 11, 2026 (11:59pm EDT)

Are you interested in running for a Student Government Officer Position? Students of all grade levels are eligible to run for SGA office. Students interested in running may start completing their Leadership Profile Google Form now! Information is posted on our school website under the "SGA" tab.

See Ms. Pun in the counseling office if you have any questions. Our first SGA meeting is Wednesday, Oct 7th.

As we begin the school year, we want to be intentional about how and when students use technology at Cabin John. While Chromebooks are an important instructional tool, we also recognize the value of students spending more time off screens: reading, talking with one another, collaborating, and engaging directly with their teachers and learning environment.

We will continue using our Chromebook Cart model. Students will use Chromebooks in their classrooms when they are needed for instruction rather than carrying an assigned device from class to class. Students have also been reviewing and signing the Cougar Chromebook Commitment Agreement, which outlines expectations for caring for their device and using it appropriately for academic purposes.

This year, gaming is not permitted on school Chromebooks, including during non-instructional times. During Advisory, students should bring something to read with them. If they finish their work or have free time, reading should be their go-to activity, not playing games on a Chromebook. We are intentionally creating more opportunities during the school day for students to disconnect from their screens.

We are also introducing new guidance around artificial intelligence (AI), including a Green, Yellow, and Red light framework to help students understand appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI. Our updated CJMS Academic Integrity Policy also includes a tiered progression for addressing plagiarism, cheating, and misuse of AI.

Our goal is not to eliminate technology, but to use it purposefully and thoughtfully, making sure it enhances learning rather than becoming a distraction from it. Thank you for partnering with us in helping our students develop healthy, responsible technology habits.

If your child does not have access to an Internet connected device at home and needs a device, please complete the form linked below.

6th Grade Outdoor Education Trip

We are excited to announce that our 6th graders will be attending Outdoor Education at Skycroft Conference Center between October 26 and November 6! Each student will attend for 3 days and 2 nights, and your child’s specific trip dates will be shared at the beginning of the school year.

A permission packet with additional information and details about the trip will be sent home during the first week of September. Please keep an eye out for more information and updates sent through ParentSquare.

We would also love to have parents join us as chaperones! If you are interested in attending the trip with your child, you can begin the process now by completing a background check through MCPS. Please reach out to us for more information about becoming a chaperone.

Chaperone spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so completing your background check as soon as possible will help expedite the process.

We look forward to an exciting and memorable Outdoor Education experience for our 6th graders!

Best,

Dana Feldman

Dana_R_Feldman@mcpsmd.org

Katy Litzinger

Katy_A_Litzinger@mcpsmd.org

We still have a few 7th graders who have not turned in evidence of their required 7th grade immunization requirements. These are due by mid-September - please get them in! If you have already turned them in, thank you!

Maryland law requires all students attending public schools to receive certain childhood vaccinations unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption.

Students who do not meet Maryland's immunization requirements may not be allowed to attend school until they have received the required vaccines or submitted the appropriate documentation. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or a local health clinic, or visit a free immunization clinic in August and September, hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Learn about required immunizations to attend school.

Frequently Asked Questions about childhood vaccines.

2026-2027 Quarter One

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has introduced 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.

The linked documents are for Quarter 1 of the 2026-2027 school year.

Imagine the relief a child feels when they can choose their favorite school meal, knowing it's already paid for. For many of our students, this simple dignity is a daily concern. By donating to the MCPS Educational Foundation’s Dine with Dignity campaign, you directly provide a vital lifeline for students, ensuring no child goes hungry or feels anxious about a financial responsibility in the school lunch line.

Help the Foundation reach its $500,000 goal this year, ensuring every MCPS student has the fuel they need to succeed. Donate today.

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. Learn more.

Families often hear about different platforms for school communication, and it can get confusing. Here’s a quick guide:

• ParentSquare
  ParentSquare is our messaging platforms used by MCPS schools, teachers, students and parents. The newsletter comes out weekly from ParentSquare and teachers use ParentSquare to message groups in our community. MCPS also uses ParentSquare to send out their messages.
  
  
• ParentVUE
  ParentVUE is the parent portal for MCPS. It’s your secure window into important information about your child’s education—attendance, class schedules, grades, report cards, enrollment, athletic registration and more. ParentVUE also links to MyMCPSClassroom, where you can see class materials. Available online and as a mobile app, ParentVUE is the Parent Portal that serves as the primary home-to-school communication vehicle.

Resources for SSL:

• SSL forms, resources, and guidelines
• September SSL Opportunities
• SSL opportunities -September and Montgomery County Volunteer Center
• SSL program overview
• Step-by-step directions for viewing student SSL record on StudentVUE
• Introduction to SSL Handout: English | Español| 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse

Quick Answers for Families, All in One Place
Looking for clear, easy-to-use information about MCPS? Visit our Quick Guides for Families, a one-stop resource designed to help families find answers, understand important school information and support their students throughout the year.
The guides cover topics families ask about most, including ParentVUE and digital tools, transportation, grading and assessments, study skills, school safety, mental health, student conduct, social media and personal mobile devices. Many resources are available in eight languages, making important information easier for families across our community to access.
Bookmark the page and come back throughout the school year as new resources are added.
Explore the MCPS Quick Guides for Families

New this year: Amplify Desmos Math.

This school year, students in Pre-K through Algebra 1 will use Amplify Desmos Math, MCPS’ new mathematics curriculum. The curriculum is designed to help students not only learn how to do math but also understand why it works and how to use it to solve problems.

Students will explore math through engaging problems, discussion and collaboration, real-world connections, and opportunities to explain their thinking. Teachers will provide support when students need it and enrichment and advanced learning when they are ready for more challenges. The goal is for every student to build strong math skills, deepen their understanding, and grow as a confident and capable math learner.

Families are important partners in that learning. At home, simple questions like “What did you learn in math today?” “How did you figure that out?” or “How do you know your answer makes sense?” can help students strengthen their thinking. Throughout the year, families will also find resources in the Caregiver HUB that explain what students are learning and offer easy ways to support math learning at home.

Visit the Parent Hub in English: https://mcpsmd.info/ParentHubEnglish
Visite el Centro para Padres en español: https://mcpsmd.info/ParentHubEspañol

Share Your Feedback for Next Year’s School Year Calendar
MCPS is seeking your input as it works to develop the 2027-2028 AND 2028-2029 school calendar. Please complete this survey by Sept. 20 to share your input.
Your feedback is critical to the process. MCPS will consider educational interests, operational needs, mandated school closures by state law, compliance with minimum instructional days and credit hour requirements, inclement weather and other emergencies, staff professional days and early release days, and assessment schedules aligned to MCPS Board Policy IDA, School Year Calendar.
Take the survey.

Keep Earning: September SSL Opportunities Are Here!
All MCPS students need 75 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours to graduate. Be sure to check out September’s list of SSL opportunities. MCPS has updated its SSL forms; see the new forms below:

• MCPS Form 560-51 (SSL Activity Verification Form)

• MCPS Form 560-50 (Individual SSL Request): Required for students to complete service with any community organization that is not listed as an MCPS SSL organization on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website.

A Safe Walk to School Starts With a Few Simple Habits
Walking to school is a great way for students to start the day, but staying alert and making safe choices is essential. Families can help by reviewing a few simple pedestrian safety habits with students:

• Use sidewalks and designated crosswalks whenever possible.

• Stop, look left, right and left again before crossing—and keep looking while crossing.

• Make eye contact with drivers and never assume a vehicle will stop.

• Put phones and headphones away when crossing streets or walking near traffic.

• Follow crossing guards and traffic signals at all times.

• Be especially careful around buses and school parking lots, where vehicles may be turning, backing up or stopping unexpectedly.

Drivers also play an important role: slow down, stay alert and watch carefully for students, especially during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal.

A few extra seconds of attention can make a big difference.

Reminders

• Monday, Sept. 7 – Labor Day; all schools and offices closed

• Refrigerator Curriculum: A one-page, easy-to-read overview of the written curriculum for the first quarter of 2026-2027 is available. This simple look at what K–12 students will learn each marking period includes major topics, themes and texts.

• FARMS Applications: 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. Submit the online FARMS application through MySchoolApps (translations are available). Only one application is needed per household. More information.

• Saturday School: Build student confidence and academic success! Programs run from 8:30-11 a.m. on Saturdays for students in grades K–12, focusing on reading, math, test prep and STEM enrichment, such as coding and robotics. Learn more at the opening ceremony on Sept. 19. Tutoring begins at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 26. Cost is $100 for the year ($50 for FARMS). Free transportation to center sites.

• Outdoor Ed Open House: for middle school families from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at the Lathrop E. Smith Center. Staff will share an overview of the Smith Center’s programming, provide tours of the campus, and share information and experiences about the sixth grade Outdoor Education program. The Smith Center is located at 5110 Meadowside Lane in Rockville. Learn more and register to attend.

• Shop for Gear; Do Good: All proceeds from the sale of MCPS-branded merchandise help pay down student meal debt. Products will change regularly. Check out the MCPS shop.

• Facility Advisory Committee: MCPS is seeking community members to serve for the 2026-2027 school year. Committee members will share their knowledge, experience and perspectives to help inform long-term planning for MCPS school facilities. Applications are due Friday, Sept. 4.

Stay Connected to MCPS

• 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

Main Office telephone: 240-406-1600

Counseling Office telephone: 240-406-1560

Health Office telephone: 240-406-1570

FAX: 240-740-4403

website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/

The school day for students is from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is imperative that students not be dropped off prior to 7:55 a.m. Students being dropped off by parents/guardians at school must enter through the doors by the cafeteria. Parents/guardians, if you are using the student drop-off loop, please make sure to pull as far as possible to the stop sign at the end of the loop - students are not permitted to enter through the main office doors, so it doesn't help to drop them off at that location.

After school activities will start on September 10th and will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Students must be picked up from after-school activities by 4:35 p.m. as supervision is not scheduled outside of these hours.

If you have questions about events, schedules or other school-related matters, including reporting the absence of a student, please call us at 240-406-1600.

If you need to report an absence and would like to submit a letter via email, please send an email to our attendance secretary, Ms. Jordan Murek (email: Jordan_Murek@mcpsmd.org). CJMS Attendance policies can be found here.

In an effort to keep our weekly newsletter shorter and more concise, I am not going to add the resources that appear every week. Instead, I will link our BTS newsletter here so you have easy access to that information.

Assistant School Administrator (6th Grade): Ms. Jennifer Wingate

Assistant Principal (7th Grade): Ms. Cherin Hershkowitz

Assistant Principal (8th Grade): Mr. Andy Lee

Main Office Phone: 240-406-1600
Fax: 240-740-4403
Guidance Counseling Office: 240-406-1560
Health Room: 240-406-1570

Attendance Office: 240-406-1599 (to leave a VM)

Please call CJMS to notify us of your child's absence.

CJMS Attendance Office Procedures can be found here.

Email: Somer_Snider@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/
Location: 10701 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, MD, USA
Phone: 240-406-1600
X: @CabinJohnMS