The Weekly Update #27-4

Dear Hoover Families,

We have officially wrapped up our fourth week of the school year, and I'm so proud of the progress our community has made. The energy in the halls is fantastic, and it's wonderful to see students settling in, building new friendships, and engaging with their learning. This is a crucial time for our students to solidify their academic foundation and explore their interests.

We are in the process of rolling out our After-School Extracurricular Activities and are looking forward to beginning these clubs on October 6. Please scroll below and click on the link to view our club choices, days and times.

As always, we thank you for your continued support of our students and staff.

Go Chargers!

Dr. Kim

HHMS Extracurricular Activities are coming! PLease click here to view all clubs for this school year.

ELA students got creative with a Hexagonal Discussion! Working collaboratively, students connected characters, events, big ideas, and themes from The Outsiders, using evidence from the novel to explain their thinking. Students then independently justified their connections and claims in writing.

7th graders made props and creative scripts for their own original infomercials- what amazing performances!!

Meet Our Cafeteria Team!

Every day, our cafeteria team works hard to make sure students have delicious meals, a clean place to eat, and a welcoming experience during lunch.

From preparing and serving food to keeping everything organized and clean, our cafeteria staff does an important job for our school community.

Our cafeteria team starts working before many of us arrive at school. They prepare meals, set up the serving areas, and make sure everything is ready for lunchtime.

During lunch, they serve hundreds of students with friendly smiles and helpful attitudes. They also make sure our cafeteria stays safe, clean, and organized. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR HOOVER COMMUNITY!

Pictured left to right:

Ms. Flores, Ms. Su Kim, Ms Glenda Rosa, Ms. Ho Sang Yi, Ms Choon Ja Kim

September 18- Early Release Day- 12:30pm dismissal

September 21- NO SCHOOL

October 2- Interim Grades Due

September 14, 2026: Zoom HS Center Programs Previews

September 23rd, 2026: Central Region Program Showcase for Students at Hoover during lunch

October 5th, 2026: Application for Central HS Programs through Parent Vue

October 7th-22: Open House Information Sessions at Central Region High Schools

November 6th, 2026: Application Deadline

Late January, 2027: Notification of Results

Program Descriptions: Regions | Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville, MD

Below is the link to Rockville's promotional video.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CTZZGOLY8RHT7dj8DYQ3G7McxrAQwzPR/view?usp=drive_link

Below is the link to the Churchill video we are running on our Center Programs Website.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17b_N1ZO2f0c2sYr5U6oV1DnkXOw96UR9/view

Here is the Center Program Promo video for Richard Montgomery.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gx6SYeJXNPHlsy00O_dVqXIdRt1o17Cu/view?usp=sharing

Have additional questions? Contact Department of Consortia and Application Program Services by emailing DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org

Mindful Moment: Finding Your Pause

Middle school moves fast—between classes, sports, tests, and friendships, it’s easy for days to feel like a blur. Taking just one minute to pause can reset your entire day.

3 Quick Ways to Practice Mindfulness This Week:

• 1-Minute Reset: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take three slow, deep breaths. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, and exhale for 4.

• Name 3 Things: When feeling overwhelmed, look around and name 3 things you can see, 2 things you can feel, and 1 thing you can hear to ground yourself in the present.

• Be Kind to Yourself: Mistakes happen—they are just part of learning. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a good friend.

"You don't have to carry everything all at once. Just focus on the very next step."

SSL Information and Updates

• Updated SSL Forms

• SSL Forms 560-50 and 560-51 have been updated with important changes as of August 2026.

• Form 560-51 (SSL Activity Verification Form – https://tinyurl.com/SSLHoursForm) now requires additional information from supervising organizations and provides additional space for student reflections.

• Students should use the new SSL form for any service completed after September 25, 2026.

• Form 560-50 (Individual SSL Request Form – https://tinyurl.com/SSLPreApproval) now requires additional information from supervising organizations.

• This form is now required for students to complete service with any community organization that is NOT listed as an MCPS SSL organization on the MCVC website.

• Students must complete and submit MCPS Form 560-50 before completing and submitting MCPS Form 560-51.

• If service is completed with an MCPS staff member or adult PTSA representative, then form 560-50 is not required.

SSL Form Submission - Recommended Due Date

• The due date for submitting SSL forms for service completed after June 1, 2025, is September 25, 2026. All students should turn in their SSL forms to Ms. Triantis, SSL coordinator, in room 27

• All SSL forms received by September 25, 2026, will be reviewed and processed by SSL coordinators by the end of the first quarter.

There are many SSL opportunities available during the month of September!

• Councilmember Balcombe’s Back to School Block Party (September 18, 2026, 12:30 PM - 3 PM)- Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe invites middle and high school students to share their experiences in Montgomery County!

• Participants will earn SSL hours for participation in this advocacy opportunity.

• To learn more, please click on this link.
  

• Montgomery County Council Youth Town Hall (September 29, 2026, 6:00PM-7:30PM) - The Montgomery County Council will host their annual Youth Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Please join our Montgomery County Councilmembers and MCPS student leaders as we discuss important youth-centric issues. Student attendees will be able to share their questions and concerns and participate in a dialogue with our county’s leadership.

• Students may earn 2 SSL hours for attending and participating in advocacy action.

• To learn more, please visit this link.
  

• 2026 ASIRT & MCR PSA Contest (Deadline: October 4, 2026) - The Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT) and the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association (MCR) are sponsoring a Public Service Announcement (PSA) competition focused on road safety and how to keep yourself and others safe on the roads.

• Middle school and high school participants who submit a quality PSA that meets the competition requirements will earn 10 SSL hours and have a chance to win an Amazon gift card.

• PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT IN FULL.

• To submit an entry: https://tinyurl.com/ASIRT2026

• The contest will be open from Monday, June 8, 2026 - Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

• Additional September 2026 SSL Opportunities

CHECK OUT THESE SSL RESOURCES!

• Monthly September SSL Opportunities

• MCPS SSL YouTube Playlist

As a reminder, students may visit the following quick links to find SSL resources:

• SSL forms, resources, and guidelines – https://tinyurl.com/SSLHubMCPS

• SSL opportunities – https://tinyurl.com/SSLOppsMCPS and https://tinyurl.com/VirtualSSL2020

• Highlighted monthly SSL opportunities – https://tinyurl.com/SSLOpps26-27

• SSL organizations – https://tinyurl.com/SSLOrganizations

• SSL program overview – https://tinyurl.com/SSLOverview2020

• Step-by-step directions for viewing student SSL record on StudentVUE – https://tinyurl.com/SSLonVUE

• SSL YouTube Playlist – https://tinyurl.com/SSLYoutubePlaylist

• Introduction to SSL Handout:

English | Español | 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse

Do you have your Hoover Spirit Wear yet? Every purchase of spirit wear helps support our After School Programs, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to fund enriching opportunities for our students.

Can't wait for a Hoover school event to purchase your swag? Contact the main office for purchase directions and we will send the clothing home with your child!

Be sure to check the Hoover Athletics icon on our website for the latest schedules, news, and information about fall and spring sports. If your student is playing a Fall sport, please make sure all forms are in!

https://www.hoovermspta.org

The September 2026 edition of the MCPS Student Post is HERE. Check it out for updates on many upcoming SSL opportunities (virtual and in-person), fall athletics updates, a new countywide MoCo Student newspaper, and more!