The Dolphin Whistle
WLES Family Newsletter
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Hispanic Heritage Month Resources for Families
Disability Awareness Month Resources for Families
Bullying Prevention Resources for Families
Calendar Reminders:
You can sign up to volunteer for lunch and recess, Mother Figure Monday, and Father Figure Friday in the "Useful Links" section at the bottom of this newsletter.
See the MCPS School Year calendar online here, or download the family-friendly calendar here.
The Book Fair Closes at 3:30pm tomorrow, Friday, October 9, 2026
Our Chronic Absenteeism rate is down almost 10% from last year!
Thank you for working with us to make sure students come to school on a regular basis. Attendance matters!
- If you are not sure if your child should come to school, you may call our School Nurse starting at 8:30 am. to discuss your child’s symptoms. Please call (240) 740-1022. This is not to provide treatment. It is only to assist in the decision of whether or not it is appropriate for your child to attend school.
- If your child did not pass the hearing and vision assessment, please follow up with your child’s pediatrician. The updated results should be sent to our School Nurse, Mrs. Lange, at jennifer_Lange@mcpsmd.org.
Please help us get your child’s belongings back to them if lost. We need you to label EVERYTHING: sweaters, hats, jackets, bookbags, lunch bags, water bottles, etcetera. We have already gathered many items in our Lost and Found. We can donate the clothes, but everything else will go into the trash right before the Thanksgiving Break. Please ask your children to look for their lost items when they come to lunch.
Save the date for ELD Parent Night!
Save the Date for Trunk or Treat!
Getting the Most from ParentVue
Are you getting the most out of ParentVUE? It’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected to your student’s school experience. Families can monitor grades and assignments, check attendance, find bus information, access report cards and assessment results, complete online registrations and communicate directly with teachers.
Be sure to download the new ParentVUE app, customize your Gradebook and favorite shortcuts, and check ParentVUE regularly. You can even schedule parent-teacher conferences directly through the app. And remember: each parent or guardian should use their own ParentVUE account and password.
Learn more: English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
Board Moves School Calendar Proposals Forward for Public Comment
The Board of Education received a presentation on Oct. 8 outlining proposed school calendars for 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 and moved the proposals forward for public comment and feedback. A key feature of the discussion was a two-year calendar approach, designed to give families and staff greater ability to plan ahead by establishing major calendar dates earlier.
Under the approach, the Board would adopt the next school year’s calendar while tentatively setting major dates, such as the first and last days of school and winter and spring breaks, for the following year. The community will now have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed calendars, with final adoption scheduled for Nov. 19.
See the video of the presentation here
See the slide deck here
Board of Education Receives Update on School Closure and Consolidation Study
Are You Getting the Most Out of ParentVUE? Well, it’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected to your student’s school experience. Families can monitor grades and assignments, check attendance, find bus information, access report cards and assessment results, complete online registrations and communicate directly with teachers.
A few tips: Download the new ParentVUE app, customize your Gradebook and favorite shortcuts, and check ParentVUE regularly. You can even schedule parent-teacher conferences directly through the app. And remember: each parent or guardian should use their own ParentVUE account and password. Parentvue
Check out the Family Quick Guide Pull-Out: ParentVUE Tips & Tricks for Fall 2026. English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
Explore What Your Child Is Learning at MCPS Curriculum Day, Oct. 19
MCPS is hosting Curriculum Preview Day, an opportunity for families to explore instructional materials, learn more about what students are learning and discover resources available to support learning at home. This event is open to K–12 families for all MCPS courses. Join us for our drop-in sessions, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. in the Carver Educational Services Center cafeteria on Monday, Oct. 19. Families can connect with MCPS instructional specialists, ask questions, explore curriculum materials and receive support accessing digital learning resources
https://mcpsmd.info/ParentHubEnglish https://mcpsmd.info/ParentHubEspañol
Previous editions of The Dolphin Whistle
Refrigerator Curriculum (overview of what students are learning)
Waters Landing Elementary School Bus Routes:
Phone: (240) 740-1020 Fax: (301) 601-0392
School Office Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
Mrs. Cynthia Alvarado, Registrar
Mrs. Evelyn Campos, Attendance Secretary
Mrs. M. Deneise Hammond, Principal
(240) 753-9472
Mr. David Kim, Assistant Principal
Mrs. L. Orinda Nelson, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Padma Radhakrishnan, Administrative Secretary
