2026-2027 CJMS Back to School

It’s hard to believe that Transition Day is tomorrow and the first official day of school for everyone is Tuesday! We are excited to welcome our incoming sixth graders, as well as students who are new to Cabin John in seventh and eighth grade, and help everyone get comfortable with their new school. Before tomorrow, I have a few important reminders and updates to share.

Please check your child’s bus route! We have been informed that many bus routes have been updated for this school year, so please take a few minutes to review your child’s current route and stop information. Please do not rely on your child's route from last year. Buses will run on Transition Day, and our staff will be outside and throughout the building to help students find their way. We know that a new school can feel a little overwhelming, but we will be ready to welcome and support everyone when they arrive.

A Leadership Update

I also want to share an important staffing update from the end of last week.

After serving as an administrator at Cabin John Middle School for the past five years, Mr. Lee has accepted a position as a staffer in Human Resources. We are grateful for all that Mr. Lee has contributed to the Cabin John community during his time here, and we wish him all the very best as he begins this next chapter. Mr. Lee has included a message below.

We are also excited to welcome Mr. Zachary Morris as our acting sixth-grade Assistant Principal for the coming school year. Mr. Morris has been part of the Cabin John community for the past seven years, and we are very excited for him to begin his journey as a school administrator with us. Because this transition unfolded so quickly at the end of last week, Mr. Morris will share a more formal welcome message with families in our next newsletter.

Transition Day — Monday, August 24

A few final reminders for tomorrow:

• Transition Day is tomorrow, Monday, August 24, for all incoming sixth graders and any students new to Cabin John in seventh or eighth grade.
• Buses will run on Transition Day.
• Our staff will be available throughout the morning to help students find their classrooms and navigate the building.
• There is an optional parent meeting for incoming sixth grade families at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning. If you are unable to attend, please do not stress! We will share all of the important information families need at Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 26, and there will be plenty of opportunities to learn more about the school and ask questions.

We are looking forward to seeing our newest Cabin John Cougars tomorrow! Transition Day is designed to give students an opportunity to become familiar with the building, meet some of their teachers and classmates, and begin the year feeling a little more confident about where they are going and what to expect.

Thank you for taking a few minutes today to check your child’s bus information and review these reminders. We can't wait to welcome our students to Cabin John tomorrow and Tuesday!

Warmly,

Ms. Somer Snider
Principal
Cabin John Middle School

It is with bittersweet emotions that I share with you that I have accepted a new position within Montgomery County Public Schools as a Staffing Coordinator.

After five incredibly meaningful years, it is difficult to put into words how grateful I am for the opportunity to have served the Cabin John Middle School community. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside so many amazing students, families, teachers, staff members, and administrators. The relationships I have built here and the experiences I have had will remain some of the most meaningful parts of my career.

Cabin John is truly a special community. Our administration, Instructional Leadership Team, and entire instructional and support staff are an exceptional group of people who care deeply about students. One of the greatest compliments I can give any school is to say that I would be proud to have my own children attend here and I can say that about Cabin John without hesitation.

While I am excited about this new professional opportunity and the chance to continue serving MCPS in a different capacity, leaving Cabin John is certainly bittersweet. This school and this community have been an important part of my life for the past five years, and I will always be grateful for the trust, support, and relationships that have made my time here so special.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve this incredible community. I am very proud of the work we have accomplished together, and I will always consider myself fortunate to have been a part of the Cabin John family.

I wish each of you an incredible upcoming school year. Please know how much I appreciate all of you, and I wish you nothing but the very best.

With the sincerest of gratitude,

Andrew K. Lee

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Cabin John has always made clear communication a priority. We will continue to prioritize communication and tell the story of Cabin John Middle School through multiple venues. Please expect the following from us:

• Weekly Sunday night ParentSquare phone call @ 6:00pm from administration with information on activities and upcoming happenings at CJMS.

• Weekly Smore newsletter from administration with detailed information on activities and upcoming happenings at CJMS. The link to this newsletter will be in the weekly email, also from ParentSquare.

• Staff members will also be utilizing ParentSquare, as our texting communication app.

• All updates and links will be found on the Cabin John Middle School website.

• Weekly Assignment Summary (a document briefly listing all class assignments for the week) will be included in the weekly Smore newsletter as well as posted on the CJMS website.

The Instructional Leadership team met this summer to talk more about screentime in the classroom, technology use, and the handling of Chromebooks in general. Students will be signing a Chromebook commitments agreement at the start of this year. You can find those agreements below.

Just like last year, students will not bring a Chromebook home every night but all online homework and assignments can be accessed from any Internet connected device.

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 Transition Day

When: Monday, August 24th from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00pm

Who: All CJMS 6th grade students & only 7th/8th graders who are new to CJMS

What: 6th grade students are invited to participate in a transition day to acquaint them with the CJMS school community before the official first day of school on Tuesday, August 25th. On Monday, August 24th, your students may ride their bus from their scheduled bus stops to Cabin John for the transition day. School will dismiss at 3:00 p.m. and students may ride home on their regular buses.

Transition Day Parent/Guardian Meeting (optional)

When: Monday, August 24th from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Who: All CJMS 6th grade parents & guardians and 7th & 8th grade parents & guardians who are new to CJMS are invited

What: CJMS Admin team will provide a short parent/guardian orientation to Cabin John and provide time for a short Q & A. This session is completely optional and if you can't make it, don't worry, we can address any questions you might have at our 8/26 Back to School Night as well.

FIRST Day of School

When: Tuesday, August 25th from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Who: All CJMS

What: Staff will assist students in locating their classrooms. All students will receive their schedules on the first day of school. Grade level counselors will be available to answer student scheduling questions.

• All 6th grade students will report to their homerooms.

• All 7th grade students will report to the cafeteria first & 8th grade students will report to posted homeroom assignments located in the 7th & 8th Grade PODs.

• Students in our special education programs, LFI & SCB, will report to their designated classroom teachers.

Back to School Night

When: Wednesday, August 26th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Who: All CJMS

What: Please join us at 6:00 p.m. for the following Back to School Night Activities:

• 6:00 p.m. - Optional - PTSA meet & greet in the activity lobby

• 6:00 p.m. - Room 1301 - Optional - Health Materials Review for 7th and 8th grade parents only

• 6:40 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. - Visit your students daily classes period by period. Parents and guardians will have a chance during their students lunch period to talk with Ms. Snider & the grade level administrators in the cafeteria.

Your children will bring home their daily class schedule, or a schedule can be obtained in the school’s Media Center.

Carpooling is encouraged, but overflow parking will be available at Bells Mill Elementary School, one block from our building, on Bells Mill Road.

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

This year, we will continue using the rotating Advisory schedule, allowing students to meet with different members of their teaching teams throughout the week. On Mondays students will report to the Advisory class on their student schedule, but Tuesday through Friday they will rotate through their other classes. This structure provides additional opportunities for academic support, relationship-building, and community connection.

During grade level lunches, we will continue to have Wellness time during the last 15 minutes of student lunch periods. Students will report directly to lunch and then have Wellness time for the last 15 minutes of their lunch period. Grade level administrators, counselors, and team leaders will provide activities during Wellness time, but students can expect recess outside, courtyard time, board games, and movies. More to come soon!

For the full bell schedule document, click here.

Bus routes are available on the MCPS website! While the Cabin John Middle School routes are linked below, you can find the routes for any school you may need here:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/busroutes/

Cabin John Bus Routes: morning afternoon

Following these procedures consistently helps ensure a safe, orderly arrival and dismissal for all of our students. We appreciate every family doing their part to follow these procedures so that we can keep students safe.

• The bus loop is on Bells Mill Road, and the car drop-off/pick-up loop is on Gainsborough Road. NO cars are permitted in the bus loop at any time.
• Families who are dropping off or picking up students should pull forward as far as possible—right up to the #1 on the map above. Not pulling forward slows traffic and creates unnecessary congestion.
• DO NOT drop students off along the road. Stopping creates an unsafe situation for students and other drivers.
• During arrival and dismissal, students who are not participating in special programs are not permitted to enter or exit through the main office entrance.
• All students should enter and exit through the cafeteria entrance (#2 on the map above) during arrival and dismissal.
• Entrances #4 and #5 are where students riding buses will typically enter and exit the building.
• Outside of arrival and dismissal, all students, families, and visitors must enter the building through the main office doors. This allows us to monitor who is entering the building and helps ensure the safety and security of everyone at CJMS.

Thank you for consistently following these procedures. When all families follow the same safe procedures, we are better able to keep our students safe and ensure a smooth start and end to each school day.

MCPS is excited to kick off another outstanding year of middle school interscholastic athletics! Whether you're a returning student-athlete or participating for the first time, now is the time to complete your athletic registration and prepare for the upcoming season. ParentVUE registration is now live.

New This Year!: Sixth-grade students are now eligible to participate in MCPS middle school athletics. Boys' and girls’ softball and coed cross country are the fall sports offered.

• To be eligible to participate, students must:

• Complete the online registration through ParentVUE.

• Have a current Pre-Participation Physical (MCPS Form SR-8) on file.

• Upload the required medical clearance and complete all required electronic forms during the registration process.

For questions regarding registration, eligibility or required forms, contact your school's Athletic Coordinator. Cabin John Middle School's Athletic Coordinator is Mr. Jeffrey Fritz.

Main Office telephone: 240-406-1600

Counseling Office telephone: 240-406-1560

Health Office telephone: 240-406-1570

website: Cabin John Middle School

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 15 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. CJMS Attendance policies can be found here.

Join the CJMS Parent Teacher Student Association (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.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students working toward a Maryland High School Diploma are required to complete 75 student service learning (SSL) hours in addition to other graduation requirements. Students may earn SSL hours beginning the summer after grade 5 and continue to accrue hours through high school. SSL hours are also awarded to middle school students who successfully pass grade 6 science, grade 7 English, and grade 8 social studies and complete all SSL activities included in these courses. Hours may be earned in school-sponsored clubs and organizations that have a service focus and through involvement with pre-approved, official nonprofit tax exempt organizations in unpaid activities that address needs in the greater community. MCPS is highly aware of the potential for growth that can occur for students involved in the preparation, action, and reflection phases of quality SSL experiences.

Further SSL information is available at the MCPS Student Service Learning website. All necessary SSL forms can be found on the homepage of the Student Service Learning website. The Superintendent’s SSL Award will be given to students who meet the high school graduation requirements by the 1st Friday in April of a middle school year. Support your child’s involvement in meeting this graduation requirement by helping them choose meaningful service-learning opportunities, follow program guidelines, and keep accurate records of participation.

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how they can find opportunities on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center's website: https://mcpsmd.info/4dcN2rO.

MCPS will host six regional Back-to-School Fairs for the kickoff of the 2026–2027 school year on Saturday, Aug. 22. Three fairs will be held in the morning and three will be in the afternoon. The host high schools and their fair times are:

• Southern Region: Albert Einstein, 9 a.m.–noon
• Eastern Region: Paint Branch, 9 a.m.–noon
• Central South Region: Wheaton, 3–6 p.m.
• Central Region: Richard Montgomery, 1–4 p.m.
• Central North Region: Gaithersburg, 9 a.m.–noon
• Northern Region: Seneca Valley, 3–6 p.m.

Find your school’s region here.

The regional fairs are designed to make it easier and more fun for families to get connected and ready for the first day of school. Each fair will feature easy-to-navigate zones where families can find exactly what they need, whether it’s student registration, technology support, school meal information, communication tools, school supplies, schedules, or an opportunity to meet school staff and learn more about their school community.

Families will also have direct access to knowledgeable MCPS staff from transportation, technology, special education, multilingual services, mental health, and other central offices who can answer questions and provide support — all in one convenient location. In addition, community organizations, government agencies and after-school providers will be on hand to share resources, opportunities and services available throughout the year.

To make the day more enjoyable and memorable, each fair will feature family-friendly activities, giveaways and fun!

Get your questions answered. Make connections. Start the school year with confidence.

See you at the fair!

Parents should use their ParentVue portal to update their student’s emergency information online.

You may click here to view the ParentVue Guide (Student Information: How do I see student information?) for directions on how to do so. This is the best way to update your student’s information. However, if you cannot provide this information electronically, students are given student specific pre-printed copies of these forms as well as other important forms (see complete list of forms at the end of this letter) during the first weeks of school and are asked to take them home to be reviewed and completed by a parent or guardian. Please update all family contact information as this is our only means to contact family members in the event of an emergency. This information is not shared outside of the school system. It is essential that each form be updated and returned to the student’s 1st period teacher by Friday, September 5th.

Please note that students will only be released to the parent/guardian and emergency contact person(s) identified on the Student Emergency Information form.

CJMS staff and students practice fire evacuation and emergency drills regularly. The school’s safety and crisis preparedness plan is based on a national model and is supported by central office safety and security staff. The school’s On-Site Emergency Team (OSET) is comprised of administrators, counselors, health room staff, teachers, building service personnel and other staff members. The team meets regularly to ensure the safety of the school building and our ability to respond to potential safety concerns and/or emergencies.

Our school has 40+ security cameras in public areas of the building. There are no cameras in classrooms, restrooms or locker rooms. Security cameras provide critical information should security issues or emergencies occur.

Dear MCPS Families,

With just two weeks left until the start of the school year, there is a lot of excitement in the air, and let's admit it – some trepidation too. More important than school supplies, schedules, and first day outfits, safety at school is on all of our minds.

Parents often ask me a simple question: "What are you doing to help keep my child safe?"

The reality is that there is no single program, technology, or procedure that can guarantee perfect safety all of the time. I sincerely wish I could tell you otherwise. You have the expectation when your child leaves in the morning to go to school, that they not only come back in one piece, but also that they also learn something and are better for the experience. We do too! And I need your help to make this a reality not just for your child, but all of MCPS’ 155,000 students.

Every year, we continue to strengthen the many layers of safety that protect our students and staff. Those layers include training, practiced emergency procedures, strong partnerships with law enforcement and first responders, mental health supports, secure facilities, and continual investments in other school security measures. Above all, relationships and people make the most significant difference in school safety.

The safest schools are places where students know trusted adults, where families stay engaged, where staff build strong relationships with students, and where everyone understands that safety is a shared responsibility.

Last school year reminded all of us why this matters. We experienced incidents involving the discharge of firearms at two schools. We also had some other really scary safety concerns, such as doors that should have remained secured were not, vandalism with hurtful hate biases, and several other issues.

Even though we cannot eliminate every risk, by working together, we can reduce risk.

We reduce risk when we all follow safety procedures, when we report concerns early, when we keep exterior doors closed and locked, and when we work together before a problem becomes a crisis. These aren't simply rules; they are habits that help protect people.

As we prepare for the first day of school, I am asking every family to spend a few minutes reviewing the attached information together.

Know our emergency procedures.

Please review the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) with your child. Students practice these procedures throughout the year so they know exactly what to do during an emergency. Families should understand them as well. When everyone knows what to expect, we are better prepared to respond safely. Learn more here (please print this page at home if you are able).

Speak up.

One of the most effective safety tools we have isn't a camera or a locked door (although those are important).

It's a conversation.

Please remind your child that if something doesn't feel right, they should tell a trusted adult. Most situations are prevented because someone spoke up before a problem escalated. Families can also report concerns directly to their school or anonymously through the Maryland Safe Schools Tip Line.

Review the Student Code of Conduct.

The Student Code of Conduct is often thought of as a discipline document. It really isn't.

It is our community's shared commitment to creating schools that are respectful, welcoming, orderly, and safe. It explains the expectations that allow students to learn, build positive relationships, and understand that everyone has a role in maintaining a safe school environment. I encourage every family to review it together before the first day of school. Students will be held accountable for their behavior and the contents of this document.

Review the Student Code of Conduct using these links.

See the MCPS Student Code of Conduct Summary
Student Code of Conduct (Updated for 2026-2027)
español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

Practice safe firearm storage.

If there are firearms in your home, or in any home your child visits, please make sure they are unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition. This is one of the simplest and most effective things adults can do to prevent tragedy. Please also remind your child that weapons of any kind — including look-alike firearms, knives, pepper spray, and other prohibited items — do not belong in our schools. English / español

Use social media thoughtfully.

Social media helps us stay connected. Sometimes what we post can also make a difficult situation much worse. During an emergency, rumors, speculation, and incomplete information spread incredibly fast. A single post can create fear, confuse families, and make it harder for emergency responders and school staff to do their jobs. The best information will always come from official MCPS communications and our public safety partners. Please talk with your child about their online presence. Think before posting or sharing. Learn more here.

Talk about mental health.

The start of school is exciting for many students, but it can also bring anxiety, stress, or uncertainty. Please remind your child that asking for help is a sign of strength. Whether they speak with a teacher, counselor, psychologist, or another trusted adult, we want every student to know they are not alone. Learn more here

Cell Phones

Beginning this school year, MCPS is implementing No Cell, Bell to Bell across all grade levels as part of our transition to the Maryland Phone-Free School Act. The safest learning environments are the ones where distractions are mitigated and managed. Limiting the use of personal mobile devices during the school day supports both learning and school safety.
Learn more here

See the poster

Thank You

We need your help to keep our schools safe. Every parent deserves to feel confident when they drop their child off at school. Every student deserves to feel safe when they walk through our doors.

Thank you (in advance) for taking a few minutes to review these resources with your child before the first day of school and thank you for your partnership. I look forward to working together to make sure all of our school communities have a great school year and a safe school year.

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D., M.B.A.

Superintendent of Schools

Montgomery County Public Schools

Montgomery County Public Schools requires school volunteers and partnership agencies to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district. Specific instructions can be found on the Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form.

• Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training via their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account
• Background check (dependent upon the type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation and FAQ)

MCPS has created a step-by-step User-Guide (with pictures) on how to access create and access their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account to complete the Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training module AND upload the Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination from the state Department of Health.

Help Shape the Future of MCPS School Facilities
MCPS is seeking community members to serve on the Facility Advisory Committee 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. Members of this committee will advise MCPS on a variety of topics related to the community’s vision for school facilities and planning that are outside the six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) time frame, but that may require attention in the 10-15 year time frame or beyond.
If you're interested in helping shape the future of MCPS facilities, complete the application by Friday, Sept. 4.

The Game Needs You: Become an MPSSAA Official
Turn your passion for sports into an opportunity to make a real impact. Become a Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) official and help shape the experience of student-athletes in Maryland and MCPS middle and high school athletics.

Every game needs dedicated officials who ensure competition is fair, safe and competitive, while serving as leaders and role models on the field, court and track. Whether you're a lifelong sports enthusiast, former athlete, coach or simply looking for a rewarding way to stay connected to the game, officiating offers the chance to give back, stay active and be part of something bigger.

Join a respected community of officials who play an essential role in preserving the integrity of middle and high school sports, while making a lasting difference in the lives of young student-athletes. Learn more.

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

Assistant Principal (6th Grade): Mr. Andy Lee

Assistant Principal (7th Grade): Ms. Jennifer Wingate

Assistant Principal (8th Grade): Ms. Cherin Hershkowitz

Main Office Phone: 240-406-1600
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