Dolphin Whistle
WLES Family Newsletter
Thursday, March 26, 2026
The next newsletter will be sent on April 9, 2026.
What's Happening at the Landing?
This weekend, our TIDES Cheer & Dance program student athletes will be participating in the Cheer & Dance Extreme Finale Competition in Richmond, Virginia. The TIDES Cheer & Dance program is a unique opportunity within MCPS, bringing together students from multiple schools to compete at a high level. We wish them much success this weekend!
Maryland State Department of Education Expert Review Team Visit
On April 9, 2026 we will be visited by the MSDE Expert Review Board. They will be visiting several math classrooms and meeting with panels of teachers, leaders, parents and students about math. Click here for more information after reviewing the flyers below. We are in need of a maximum of ten (10) parents to take part in the Parent Focus Group from 2:00-2:45 pm on Thursday, April 9, 2026. If you are interested in being part of this, please email Principal Hammond at MDeneise_Hammond@mcpsmd.org to let her know.
After tomorrow, school is closed until April 7, 2026.
It's Not Too Late to Sign up for our free Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary (EBBE)!
We still have some free spots available for families who want to sign their students up for EBBE at the Landing. Please email Mrs. Moore at Shanique_V_Moore@mcpsmd.org to sign your students up. Students and parents who are currently enrolled love the program. It is full of learning, fun and friends! It is important that we fill as many spots as possible to show that our community is interested in keeping this program at the Landing. THIS IS A FREE PROGRAM.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration
Are you the parent of a 3- to 5-year-old who’s ready to get started with MCPS? Prekindergarten and Head Start help 4-year-olds — and some 3-year-olds — build early skills in reading, math and social development. Eligibility is based on age and family income. If your child turns 5 by Sept. 1, register for full-day kindergarten. NOW is the time to sign up!
There will be camp after ELO to provide a full day of learning and fun for students. Make sure you have a ParentVue account so that you can register your students starting 4/8/2026!
Information from the POD
Join the POD by clicking here. Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 7, 2026 from 6:30-7:30pm.
PTA/POD Meeting Meeting in person (Media Center @ WLES) with virtual option
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/84130778754?pwd=bXkBsrH6kcBitahzmMhn6pddd5qkqf.1
Meeting ID: 841 3077 8754
Passcode: 178124
We hope you can join us!
WLES Garden Club:
Do you love growing things? Do you secretly talk to your houseplants? Then you will be among friends at the WLES Garden Club! Mr. Nelson and Ms. Tapscott are building a community garden, and we all know it takes a village to raise a garden so we need you! The purpose of the WLES Garden Club is to build community by planting and maintaining fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs. We specifically need community members who will be able to take care of the garden in the summer (water it, weed it, and harvest it.) If you are interested in becoming a member of the Garden Club, please fill out this Google form by Friday, March 27th. The first event for our Garden Club will be to build the raised beds for the garden. Hope to hear from you!
This is Us:
Come and join us for a FREE celebration and learn about our school community's diverse culture. Eat delicious food, create fantastic crafts, listen to great music, and play fun games - all in one night! Does this sound good to you? Then we'll see you at our annual event called This is Us on Thursday, April 30th from 6:30-8:00 pm. Want to bring food and/or artifacts that represent your culture? Please respond on this Google form. Looking forward to seeing you!
Free Math Help - Students can earn prizes While PRacticing Math! Please Sign Up!
MCPS is funding the IXL memberships for Elementary for the first time. Middle and high schools have it already. This can help your student with Math. Please take a moment to sign up. Last week we had 11 families registered and this week we have 21 families registered. It's not too late to register your student.
Interested in Volunteering for Lunch and/or Recess at the Landing?
We appreciate all of our Parent volunteers at the Landing! Please sign up to volunteer at lunch and/or recess by clicking here. Here is the Waters Landing Elementary School Volunteer Handbook. Please review it prior to volunteering at the Landing. Make sure you have done all that is outlined on the MCPS website prior to coming to school to volunteer. Always bring your state identification when you come to volunteer at school. You will not be allowed to volunteer without it.
Are you interested in working with Oceans 25, the WLES Instructional Leadership Team?
Oceans 25 meets monthly. We'd love to have a parent perspective. Feel free to join us on any of the following dates/times to collaborate with us:
- 4/14/26 4:20-5:50 pm in Ms. Tung's room, #169
- 5/6/25 8:00-9:05 am in Ms. Buckley's room, #131)
- 6/2/26 4:20-5:50 pm in Mrs. Armogida' s room, #205
School Office Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
Phone: (240) 740-1020 Fax: (301) 601-0392
Mrs. Cynthia Alvarado, Registrar
Mrs. Evelyn Campos
Mrs. M. Deneise Hammond, Principal
(240) 753-9472 work cell
Mr. David Kim, Assistant School Administrator
Mrs. L. Orinda Nelson, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Padma Radhakrishnan, Administrative Secretary