Shady Grove Matters

Dear SGMS Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! We are excited to begin another year of growth, learning, and community at Shady Grove Middle School. To help you stay informed, MCPS has created a centralized document for middle school updates—please be sure to review it and read the information below for details specific to Shady Grove’s start of the year.

🌳 Transition Day – Monday, August 25, 2025

We look forward to welcoming all incoming 6th graders and new 7th & 8th graders to SGMS for Transition Day! While students enjoy activities to help them settle into their new school, parents will have the chance to:

Connect with other SGMS families through fun and engaging icebreakers
Learn more about our school and our “Rooted in Growth” theme for the year
Share your hopes for the year ahead
Ask questions during an open Q&A with school leadership

📅 Date: Monday, August 25, 2025

📍 Location: SGMS Media Center

🕒 Parent/Guardian Session: 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM

Click here to RSVP no later than Friday, 8|22 at 1 PM to ensure adequate preparation

Let’s start this school year, Rooted in Growth – Stronger Together!

🚌 Transportation Information

The most recent SGMS bus routes are available here:

👉 Download Bus Routes PDF

You can also visit the MCPS Transportation website for the latest updates and helpful resources:

👉 MCPS Transportation Website

If you still need assistance after reviewing these resources, please contact the SGMS Main Office at 240-740-1440.

📅 First Day of School – Tuesday, August 26, 2025

The first day of school for all students—including our returning 7th and 8th graders—is Tuesday, August 29, 2025. We can’t wait to see everyone back in the building!

🚗 Car Rider Information

Car rider drop-off and pick-up will continue in the rear of the building. Please follow staff directions and posted signage to ensure a safe and smooth process.

📅 Save the Date!

Mark your calendars for our Timberwolf Welcome & Back-to-School Night on Thursday, August 28, 2025. This special evening is a chance for families to connect with our school community, meet teachers, and kick off the new year together. More details will be shared soon—we can’t wait to see you there!

We are thrilled to begin this new school year with you and your children. Thank you for being an important part of the Timberwolf community—together, we are Rooted in Growth!

Warmly,

~Shenice Brevard

Principals

August - September 2025

August Upcoming Events:

Monday, August 25th - Student Transition Day

Tuesday, August 26th - First Day of School for All Students

September Upcoming Events:

Hispanic Heritage Month (1st Half)

Monday, September 1st - Systemwide Closure (Schools & Office closed)

Monday, September 8th - Friday, September 12th - Spirit Week

Friday, September 12th - Back-to-School Dane (3:00 pm - 4:15 pm)

Tuesday, September 23rd - No School for Students or Teachers

Friday, September 26th - Early Release Day for Students

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Back-to-School Fair is coming!

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Westfield Wheaton, 11160 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton

This free event is open to all MCPS students and families and kicks off the 2025-2026 school year.

Stop by to learn about MCPS, and county programs and services, pick up giveaways and get your immunizations. Enjoy music, entertainment and children’s activities.

MCPS will have free transportation from five high schools to the event. Visit the event website to learn more and plan your visit.

English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

Menus and Special Dietary Needs

Menus, including nutrition and allergen information, can be viewed on the DFNS website through MealViewer. MCPS Form 240-23, Special Dietary Needs Form, may be used to request meal accommodations for students eating in the cafeteria.

Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMS) Applications for Non-CEP Schools

Apply online NOW so students receive free meals on the first day of school!

Households meeting federal income standards are eligible for free school meals, and students who qualify for reduced-price meals will continue to receive meals at no cost. To receive this benefit, a new FARMS application must be completed every school year. Please submit the online FARMS application through www.MySchoolApps.com. Only one application is needed for all students in a household.

Meal Prices, Payment Policy, and Procedures for Non-CEP Schools

There are no changes in meal prices this school year. Funds can be added to student meal accounts at no charge by bringing cash, check, or money order directly to school cafeteria managers. Payments to student meal accounts can be made through www.MySchoolBucks.com.

Breakfast: $1.30 (All levels), Lunch: $2.55 (Elementary), $2.80 (Middle and High)

Parents/guardians are responsible for school cafeteria account balances incurred by their student(s), and MCPS must collect unpaid school cafeteria charges. The Meal Payment Policy details payment responsibilities.

For more FARMS information and How-To videos, visit the Department of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) website

Dear Parents/Guardians:

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. Please click buttons below for more details.

MCPS Student Expectation Lessons - English | Spanish

Dear Shady Grove Staff and Families,

I hope you’ve all had an amazing summer season! On behalf of the Parent Student Teacher Association (PTSA), we're excited to welcome you all to the 2025-2026 school year!! My name is Reem Sharaf and I am our new PTSA President. I’m a mom to an incoming 6th grade timberwolf, a psychotherapist, and an explorer at heart. I look forward to getting to know you all, and making our efforts impactful.

We have a wonderful board who are here to support the students, families, and school to build a strong school community and culture where everyone feels valued and included. Our hope is to continue planning the typical favorite events, new events as chosen by the school community, enrichment activities, fundraising, and other functions for students, families, and school to connect and support one another. To plan the most meaningful and relevant functions, we need to hear from YOU!

We hope you will join our PTSA this school year and help us achieve our mission at SGMS. Memberships are through Giveback and to join, click here: https://shadygrovemsptsa.givebacks.com/shop

Your PTSA membership does NOT mean you have to volunteer at events or serve on the board. Rather, by joining the PTSA, you have a voice and a vote in the decisions the PTSA makes throughout the school year. We invite you to join us at our general PTSA meetings, even if you are not a member, to give your input. The first general PTSA meeting is scheduled for: September 9th, 2025 at 6pm.

To stay up to date on news, events, and other information shared by the PTSA, check out our website and join our facebook group, Shady Grove MS PTA. Thank you for your support and please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for how we can make this coming year amazing.

Warm regards,

Reem

sgmsptapresident@gmail.com

Annual Notification of Asbestos Management Plan

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Maryland laws and regulations for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Maryland public schools require that:

Notification be sent home to parents/guardians of each student attending the school and distributed to all staff members each school year.
Pesticide and herbicide applications within MCPS are applied only as a last resort or in an emergency situation, and only by licensed and registered pest control applicators.
If at any time a pesticide application becomes necessary, IPM staff will inform you and provide the necessary written notifications to be sent home with students.

Annual IPM Notification

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