Clearspring Howl

We had a great week at Clearspring. Thank you to all who attended back to school night, our next large fall event will be Camp Clearspring on Tuesday, Oct 7th. Thank you for making sure they are ready for school each day, checking folders and communicating when needed.

• You can send in a check, cash or add money to your student's cafeteria account at myschoolbucks.com.

Great news! We are excited to share that our Focused Instructional Time (FIT) program will begin next week for students in grades 2–5.

On Wednesday and Thursday, students will meet with their assigned FIT staff member. These initial sessions will help students practice transitioning and engage in activities designed to build connections. During FIT, the entire grade level will shift, and each student will work with a staff member who will provide targeted instruction to strengthen literacy skills. Our goal is to ensure that all students develop the tools they need to perform at or above grade-level standards.

The week of September 8th, families will receive a formal letter with more details about their child’s FIT group and instructional focus.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Reading Specialist, Mrs. Del Balzo, at erin_e_delbalzo@mcpsmd.org.

We look forward to implementing this important component of our school year to best support your child’s growth and success.

We are starting our instrumental music classes and your child is invited to join us!

All 4th and 5th grade students are invited to join our program.

**Returning 5th grade must re-register.

Mrs. Dahlin will meet with your child in the next few weeks to determine what instrument will work for your child. Once that process is complete, you will receive information on how to get an instrument. Please do not get an instrument until you hear from Mrs. Dahlin.

Please register your child in the online form below or the paper version - not both. Your child has received the paper copy in their backpacks, but it is linked below for your convenience.

Here is an online registration option:

https://forms.gle/A7KM7pnGJpx7w8vB7

Here is the paper copy your child received:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UpofmTQIlMHHXdrlagRbokgFz_U3sw1NEGST35sWzAo/edit?usp=sharing

Here is a slide presentation with lots of information on the program:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MbF2eSUFpIlbjCHgczMEguX0mAwYolfjDamOmvvgEow/edit?usp=sharing

Please email our instrumental teacher with any questions you have.

Mrs. Dahlin alaina_k_dahlin@mcpsmd.org

MCPS is seeking input as it works to develop the 2026-2027 school calendar. Please complete this survey to share your feedback. Your input represents an important component of the development process. The survey will close on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Take it today!

WHAT: Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity-based positive youth development program. We teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program aims to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. Completing a 5K on November 23rd gives them a tangible opportunity to apply everything they have learned. Each participant receives a program t-shirt, water bottle, entry to the GOTR 5K, and a finisher medal.

WHO: The program is open to girls in 3rd-5th grade.

WHERE: Clearspring Elementary School 9930 Moyer Road Damascus, MD 20872

WHEN: Tuesday and Wednesday 3:30 - 4:45pm

The team will meet twice per week for eight weeks, starting the week of September 28th and ending on November 23rd.

COST: $210.00

FINANCIAL AID: The online registration process includes the fee reduction approval process. Simply answer the financial aid questions during registration, and the computer will determine your eligibility and adjust the fee accordingly.

HOW: Register here to sign up by October 2nd. Space is limited.

QUESTIONS? Visit www.girlsontherunofmoco.org or call 301-881-3801 for more information.

These materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed

This notice informs parents/guardians and eligible students (emancipated minors or those 18 and older) of their rights regarding conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These rights are spelled out in the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (20 U.S.C. § 1232h; 34 CFR Part 98).

If a request to withhold directory information is received, the decision affects all lists of or references to students distributed or used outside MCPS, whether prepared by the school, organizations or any combination of parents, teachers and students of a school, or central services. Students for whom no directory information is to be released should not appear on any school lists, athletic programs, directories of organizations or any combination of parents/guardians, teachers and students of a school, or other school publications that are distributed/available to the public. This includes, but is not limited, to yearbooks, Paw Prints, website, concert programs. The form remains in effect until the end of the school year on June 30, 2025.

• Schools provide directory information for public listings such as honor roll, awards, and other notices in the newspaper or on the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) website. A student’s name, address, and telephone number may also be released to organizations of any combination of parents/guardians, teachers, and students of a school. Unless you tell them not to, schools can release the information without your prior consent.
• Teachers may also record virtual lessons for future viewing by students in the same class. If you do not want your student’s image and voice captured in such recordings, please indicate using the form linked below.
• Directory Information includes the following items: student’s and/or parent’s/guardian’s name, address, email address, and telephone number; student’s date of birth; major field of study; grade level; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; degrees and awards received (including honor roll); most recent school attended; dates of attendance; photograph, or other likeness; the weight and height of members of athletic teams; and other similar information.
• If you do not want your school to release your directory information, complete the information below and return this notice to your school by September 12, 2025.
• This form must be completed every year.
• Your school will assume you agree to the release of the directory information, unless this form is returned by Thursday, September 12, 2025.
• If you need to change your decision at a later date, just contact your school directly. If you enroll after September 12, 2025, you can complete this form at the time of enrollment.

The MCPS community is invited to participate in upcoming public information meetings for the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School boundary study and the opening of Crown High School and the expansion of the Damascus High School boundary study. In these sessions, the next round of proposed boundary options for the 2027-2028 school year will be presented, including accompanying maps, articulation patterns, data tables and an interactive map tool. MCPS will also share surveys for each boundary study so that attendees can provide meaningful feedback after exploring the options and accompanying resources.

Boundary Study Options for Opening of Crown High School and Expansion of Damascus High School

Virtual Sessions for the Crown/Damascus Study

• Monday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m.-noon (Zoom Link)
• Monday, Oct. 13, noon-1 p.m. (Zoom Link)
• Monday, Oct. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Zoom Link)
• Monday, Oct. 13, 7:30-8:30 p.m. (Zoom Link)
• Thursday, Oct. 16, 7:00-8:00 p.m. (Zoom Link)

In-Person Sessions for the Crown/Damascus Study*

• Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Seneca Valley High School
• Tuesday, Oct. 14, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Seneca Valley High School
• Wednesday, Oct. 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Quince Orchard High School
• Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Quince Orchard High School

*Please note that boundary study maps and additional resources will be available for the in-person sessions.

Registration for the George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc., also known as Saturday School, is open for the 2025–2026 school year. Saturday School provides K–12 academic support programs in math and English/Language Arts. There are in-person and virtual options.

Saturday School’s opening session is Sept. 20; the first tutoring session is Sept. 27. The curriculum is aligned with MCPS and is taught by certified teachers.

The annual cost is $85 and $40 for families eligible for Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMS). Registration and more information

September 16 - Jimmie Cone Spirit Night 5pm-10pm

October 6-10 - Book Fair

October 14 - Q1 PTA MEETING

October 26 - Trunk or Treat