CJMS Weekly Updates
August 31 to September 4
This is your Principal, Ms. Snider, with the Sunday announcements for the week of August 31–September 4.
Thank you to our entire Cabin John community for a wonderful start to the 2026–2027 school year! It has been exciting to see our students settling into routines, reconnecting with friends, and becoming part of our school community. We also enjoyed seeing so many families at Back to School Night. Thank you for joining us!
As we begin our second week, we appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as we work through beginning-of-year routines. Arrival and dismissal have been going smoothly overall. Families dropping off their students should use the pick-up/drop off lane, pull forward as far as possible, and students should exit cars on the side where the sidewalk runs along the building. Please do not allow students to walk through the parking lot or between moving vehicles. Also, another reminder to NOT drop off or pick up students on Gainsborough Rd. or Bells Mill Rd. Thank you in advance for following these rules for the safety of our students.
We also appreciate your continued patience with transportation as MCPS works through beginning-of-year bus adjustments. Please check the MCPS Transportation website for updated bus information.
This week is also an important week for assessment and safety at CJMS. On Monday, August 31, all students will take the MAP-R (Reading) assessment. On Thursday, September 3, all students will take the MAP-M (Math) assessment. Please encourage your child to get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast, and come prepared to do their best.
Monday is also our annual Safety Day. Students and staff will practice several Standard Response Protocol procedures, including evacuation, reverse evacuation, hold, weather shelter, lockdown, and secure procedures. Students will also participate in a teacher-guided lesson on intruder safety and situational awareness. There will be no intruder drill or simulation. These activities help our school community know how to respond calmly and safely in an emergency.
Finally, please take a moment to review your child’s information in ParentVUE and update any emergency contacts, phone numbers, or other important information as needed. These announcements highlight just a few items from our digital newsletter, so please take a few minutes to review it for additional updates and upcoming events.
Thank you for partnering with us as we begin the year focused on respect, positive relationships, and resilience. Have a great evening, and we look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!
Ms. Somer Snider
Principal, CJMS
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- Monday, August 31 - MAP-R Testing
- Thursday, September 3 - MAP-M Testing
- Monday, September 7 - No School for Staff & Students
- Tuesday, September 8 - Outdoor Education Parent Meeting
- Tuesday, September 15 - CJMS Start of After School Buses & Activities
- Tuesday, September 15 - Thursday, September 17 - Softball & Cross Country Tryouts
- Thursday, September 17 - CJMS Fall Picture Day
- Friday, September 18 - Early Release Day, Students Dismiss @12:30pm
- Monday, September 21 - No School for Students & Staff
- Wednesday, September 23 - PTSA Cougar Fest Picnic
- Tuesday, October 13 - First PTSA Meeting
- Friday, October 16 - No School for Students, PD Day for Staff
Please take time to review what students are currently learning in their classes this week at Cabin John Middle School in our weekly assignment summary.
Save the Date -- Cougar Fest Picnic, September 23, 5:30-7:30
The PTSA welcomes all CJMS students, families and staff to celebrate the new school year with a fun night of inflatables, games, food, CJ, prizes, after school activities fair, and a parent social.
Please Join our CJMS 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.
Thank you to the 244 parents, students, and staff who have joined PTSA so far!
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.
- Part one is the updated edition of the annual “Culture of Belonging.” We must take an active role to ensure students are informed and able to recognize signs of bullying/cyberbullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), hate-bias incidents, hazing, intimidation, student gender norms, and how to use the Speak Up Protocol.
- Part two ensures that students are aware of key information in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Student Rights and Responsibilities and MCPS Code of Conduct documents. This training educates students on their expectations for creating a learning environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and knows the various ways to report alleged/concerning incidents.
The MCPS Student Expectation Lessons has been developed for students in Grades 6–12. The training should take approximately two 45 minute classes to complete and will be accessible to all students via their myMCPS Classroom homepage at the start of the school year. Students are expected to complete the training by September 25, 2026. Students will earn three Student Service Learning hours when they complete this required training.
The objectives of the training module are for students to know and be able to:
Review collective responsibilities in promoting a positive school culture and ensuring the physical, social, and emotional safety for all students.
Define bullying, cyberbullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), hate-bias, hazing, intimidation, and student gender norms.
Recognize signs of hazing, bullying, and harassment, including sexual harassment/assault.
Identify reporting procedures to inform school administration of potential concerns and incidents.
Analyze different scenarios and discuss possible consequences according to MCPS Student Code of Conduct.
Discuss how students can address the situation and report it.
If you have any questions or concerns about the topics that will be covered, please contact an administrator or your child’s school counselor.
The Fall Sports season is quickly approaching and registration for all interested students is now open on ParentVue for Boys' and Girls' Softball and Coed Cross Country.
Tryouts begin on Tuesday, September 15th and information can be found on our CJMS website in the Athletics folder.
If you have any questions please email our Athletic Coordinator Mr. Fritz at Jeffrey_Fritz@mcpsmd.org
As we begin the school year, we want to be intentional about how and when students use technology at Cabin John. While Chromebooks are an important instructional tool, we also recognize the value of students spending more time off screens: reading, talking with one another, collaborating, and engaging directly with their teachers and learning environment.
We will continue using our Chromebook Cart model. Students will use Chromebooks in their classrooms when they are needed for instruction rather than carrying an assigned device from class to class. Students have also been reviewing and signing the Cougar Chromebook Commitment Agreement, which outlines expectations for caring for their device and using it appropriately for academic purposes.
This year, gaming is not permitted on school Chromebooks, including during non-instructional times. During Advisory, students should bring something to read with them. If they finish their work or have free time, reading should be their go-to activity, not playing games on a Chromebook. We are intentionally creating more opportunities during the school day for students to disconnect from their screens.
We are also introducing new guidance around artificial intelligence (AI), including a Green, Yellow, and Red light framework to help students understand appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI. Our updated CJMS Academic Integrity Policy also includes a tiered progression for addressing plagiarism, cheating, and misuse of AI.
Our goal is not to eliminate technology, but to use it purposefully and thoughtfully, making sure it enhances learning rather than becoming a distraction from it. Thank you for partnering with us in helping our students develop healthy, responsible technology habits.
If your child does not have access to an Internet connected device at home and needs a device, please complete the form linked below.
We still have a few 7th graders who have not turned in evidence of their required 7th grade immunization requirements. These are due by mid-September - please get them in! If you have already turned them in, thank you!
Maryland law requires all students attending public schools to receive certain childhood vaccinations unless they have an approved medical or religious exemption.
Students who do not meet Maryland's immunization requirements may not be allowed to attend school until they have received the required vaccines or submitted the appropriate documentation. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or a local health clinic, or visit a free immunization clinic in August and September, hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Learn about required immunizations to attend school.
2026-2027 Quarter One
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has introduced the Refrigerator Curriculum—a one-page, easy-to-read overview of what students will be learning each marking period. Designed for the fridge at home, these guides help families stay informed about key themes and texts while highlighting MCPS’ commitment to partnering with families, celebrating our community’s diversity, and respecting individual beliefs. With this resource, parents and guardians can quickly see what’s ahead in the classroom, stay engaged in their child’s education, and, if needed, request alternative assignments when a text conflicts with sincerely held religious views.
The linked documents are for Quarter 1 of the 2026-2027 school year.
Imagine the relief a child feels when they can choose their favorite school meal, knowing it's already paid for. For many of our students, this simple dignity is a daily concern. By donating to the MCPS Educational Foundation’s Dine with Dignity campaign, you directly provide a vital lifeline for students, ensuring no child goes hungry or feels anxious about a financial responsibility in the school lunch line.
Help the Foundation reach its $500,000 goal this year, ensuring every MCPS student has the fuel they need to succeed. Donate today.
Families often hear about different platforms for school communication, and it can get confusing. Here’s a quick guide:
- ParentSquare
ParentSquare is our messaging platforms used by MCPS schools, teachers, students and parents. The newsletter comes out weekly from ParentSquare and teachers use ParentSquare to message groups in our community. MCPS also uses ParentSquare to send out their messages. - ParentVUE
ParentVUE is the parent portal for MCPS. It’s your secure window into important information about your child’s education—attendance, class schedules, grades, report cards, enrollment, athletic registration and more. ParentVUE also links to MyMCPSClassroom, where you can see class materials. Available online and as a mobile app, ParentVUE is the Parent Portal that serves as the primary home-to-school communication vehicle.
ParentSquare Quick Guides
ParentVUE Quick Guides
Resources for SSL:
- SSL forms, resources, and guidelines
- September SSL Opportunities
- SSL opportunities -September and Montgomery County Volunteer Center
- SSL program overview
- Step-by-step directions for viewing student SSL record on StudentVUE
- Introduction to SSL Handout: English | Español| 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse
The PTSA Board of Directors is excited to welcome everyone back to school! The PTSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to support the educational experience at CJMS. Each year we provide programming and funding to support school events, academic improvement, cultural arts, student affairs and staff appreciation. Help us make a difference at Cabin John!
Join or Renew Your Membership: By joining the PTSA you are advocating on behalf of our students (including your own!) and showing your commitment to providing the best school experience at Cabin John. We welcome student members too! Join PTSA here or visit our website for more information. Membership is annual and must be renewed each school year. No additional commitment is required, but help and support is appreciated!
Donate to PTSA: Most of our funding comes from your donations so please donate if you are able. While we suggest $100 per family, any amount helps! Last year we only met 59% of our fundraising goal, which impacts our financial strength and ability to support our students. Every dollar we raise supports programs and activities at CJMS. Membership dues only account for 15% of our annual budget. You can donate when you join or donate separately.
Volunteers Needed! There are lots of ways to get involved – even an hour makes a difference! Fill out our volunteer interest form and we'll be in touch!
Back to School Picnic & Parent Social: We're planning a great back to school picnic on Thursday, September 18 from 5:30-7:30 with activities for kids and a social for the parents. More info to come!
Spirit Wear: Show your Cougar Pride and support CJMS at the same time! We'll be selling spirit wear at Back to School Night and the Picnic. Or, order online now and pick it up at an event!
Save the Dates: September 18 -- Back to School Picnic & Parent Social, September 30 -- Restaurant Night at Shake Shack, October 14 -- PTSA General Membership Meeting (in person)
General Cabin John Middle School Information
Main Office telephone: 240-406-1600
Counseling Office telephone: 240-406-1560
Health Office telephone: 240-406-1570
FAX: 240-740-4403
website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/
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 10th and will be 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 (email: Jordan_Murek@mcpsmd.org). CJMS Attendance policies can be found here.
Cabin John Middle School
Assistant School Administrator (6th Grade): Ms. Jennifer Wingate
Assistant Principal (7th Grade): Ms. Cherin Hershkowitz
Assistant Principal (8th Grade): Mr. Andy Lee
Main Office Phone: 240-406-1600
Fax: 240-740-4403
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
X: @CabinJohnMS