Lake Seneca Family Newsletter
Sunday, October 25
A Message from Mr. Henderson
Dear Lake Seneca Families,
As we wrap up another busy week at Lake Seneca, I want to thank you for your continued partnership in making our school a welcoming and supportive place for all students. Each day, our Cougars are learning, growing, and finding new ways to demonstrate what it means to be Anchored in Excellence!
As we look ahead to next week, I want to remind families that Student Picture Days will take place on Monday, October 26, and Tuesday, October 27. Each class has a specific day and time, so please check with your child's teacher to confirm when their pictures will be taken. We look forward to seeing those wonderful Cougar smiles!
I also want to thank the families who joined us for this week's Hanging with Mr. Henderson Principal's Chat. I always appreciate opportunities to connect, hear your perspectives, and strengthen the partnership between home and school. Your voices and involvement help make Lake Seneca a better place for our students.
As always, thank you for the many ways you support our school community. Whether you're helping with homework, encouraging your child to do their best, or staying connected with their teacher, your involvement makes a difference.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead!
All Hands on Deck!
Mr. Henderson
Week At A Glance
- Monday, October 26: Picture Day (Individuals)
- Tuesday, October 27: Picture Day (Individuals)
- Thursday, October 29: Bus Evacuation; PTA Trunk or Treat
- Friday, October 30: End of Marking Period 1
- Monday, November 2: NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, November 3: NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, November 10: PTA Meeting (Virtual): https://meet.google.com/meet/orv-fqja-mem
- Wednesday, November 11: Open House
*NEW: MCPS School Closure and Consolidation Study: Your Voice Matters!
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is currently exploring important questions about the future of our schools, including potential school closures and consolidations.
We want our Lake Seneca families to be informed and involved in the conversation!
MCPS has begun hosting community engagement sessions where families, staff, and community members can learn more about the study, ask questions, share concerns, and offer ideas.
It's important to know:
No schools have been selected for closure.
No recommendations have been made.
No decisions have been predetermined.
This process is about listening, learning, and planning together. Whether you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, your perspective matters!
Learn More and Get Involved:
🌐 Visit: MCPSStudy.org
🎥 Watch the Informational Videos:
We encourage all Lake Seneca families to stay informed and take advantage of opportunities to participate in this important conversation. Your voice is an important part of shaping the future of our school community!
*NEW: Inside MCPS: The Realities of Our Aging School Buildings
Did you know that many MCPS schools and facilities are facing significant maintenance and infrastructure challenges?
From leaking roofs and aging buildings to heating and cooling systems that need replacement, MCPS is working to address facility needs across the district. As construction costs continue to rise, delaying necessary improvements can make these challenges even more expensive to resolve.
To help families better understand these issues, MCPS has launched "The Hard Truth," a new video series that takes viewers inside schools and support facilities to see firsthand the challenges facing our district.
The message is clear: Doing nothing is not an option.
We encourage our Lake Seneca families to take a few moments to learn more about the condition of our school facilities and the importance of planning for the future.
🎥 Watch the MCPS "The Hard Truth" Video Series
Staying informed helps us better understand the decisions and investments that will shape the future of our schools and the learning environments our students deserve.
*NEW: MCPS Board of Education Seeks Family Feedback on Two Policies
The Montgomery County Board of Education is inviting families, staff, and community members to share their feedback on proposed changes to two MCPS policies.
Your input matters! This is an opportunity to review the proposed updates and share your thoughts before the Board considers further action.
The two policies open for public comment are:
📘 Policy IPD: Travel Study Programs, Field Trips and Student Organization Trips
This policy addresses student travel experiences, including field trips and school-sponsored trips.
📘 Policy BLB: Rules of Procedures in Appeals and Hearings
This policy outlines procedures related to appeals and hearings before the Board of Education.
Deadline to Submit Comments: Friday, November 6, 2026
We encourage our Lake Seneca families to take a few moments to review these proposed changes and share their perspectives.
For additional information, visit the MCPS Policies for Public Comment webpage.
Your voice matters in shaping the policies that guide our schools!
*NEW: Halloween Reminder & PTA Trunk or Treat
As a friendly reminder, Lake Seneca Elementary School will not be celebrating Halloween during the school day. Students should not wear Halloween costumes to school. Our staff are also aware of this expectation and will not be hosting Halloween celebrations or activities in classrooms.
We ask that families please take a moment to remind their children of this expectation before coming to school.
While we won't be celebrating Halloween during the school day, our wonderful PTA is hosting a Trunk or Treat event on Thursday after school! This will be a fun opportunity for families who wish to participate to enjoy some Halloween festivities together.
Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and continued support in helping us maintain a welcoming and inclusive school environment for all students!
*NEW: We're Going Green at Lake Seneca!
We are excited to share that Lake Seneca Elementary School is working toward becoming a certified Maryland Green School! This year, we're taking steps to make our school more environmentally friendly while teaching students the importance of caring for our planet.
Leading this exciting effort is our newly formed student-led Green Team! These student leaders will help organize schoolwide sustainability projects, encourage environmentally friendly habits, and share simple ways we can all make a difference.
Families, we want you to be part of this journey, too! Be on the lookout for upcoming announcements from our Green Team about ways you can get involved and support our efforts.
Together, we can make a difference, one small step at a time!
Spring 2026 MCAP Results Are Now Available!
Your child's Spring 2026 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) results are now available to view electronically through ParentVUE.
These reports provide valuable information about your child's academic performance and progress toward meeting Maryland's learning standards in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Grade 5 Science, as applicable.
📌 How to Access Your Child's Results:
Log in to your ParentVUE account
Locate your child's MCAP Individual Student Report (ISR).
Review the results to learn more about your child's academic strengths and areas for continued growth.
❓ Need Help Understanding the Results?
Visit the MCPS MCAP webpage for family-friendly resources and guides to help you interpret your child's scores.
If you need assistance accessing or understanding your child's report, please contact our school. Printed copies are also available upon request.
We encourage all families to review their child's results and celebrate their progress as we continue working together to support student success!
PTA's Trunk or Treat
FREE Saturday School for ALL Lake Seneca Students!
Looking for extra academic support for your child? Through our Community School funding, ALL Lake Seneca students can attend the George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy's Saturday School for FREE!Students can strengthen their skills, build confidence, and get additional support in reading and math.
✅ 9 locations throughout Montgomery County
✅ Virtual options available for all grades
✅ FREE bus transportation available
📝 Register Today!
🚌 View Saturday School Bus Routes
Important: A parent or guardian must attend the child's first session.
Questions or need help registering? Contact Patrice Holmes, our Community School Liaison.
Let's keep our Cougars learning and growing!
PTA EVENTS
Have Your Say! Proposed MCPS School Calendars
MCPS is seeking family feedback on proposed school calendars for 2027–2028 and 2028–2029!
The Board of Education is considering a two-year planning approach that would help families plan ahead for school start dates, holidays, and breaks.
Your Voice Matters! The Board is accepting public feedback before making a final decision on November 19, 2026.
Lake Seneca families, we encourage you to take a look and share your thoughts! Your feedback matters as MCPS plans for the years ahead.
MCPS Curriculum Preview Day: October 19!
Ever wonder what your child is learning in school or how you can support them at home? MCPS Curriculum Preview Day is a great opportunity to find out!
Families can explore classroom materials, meet MCPS instructional specialists, ask questions, and discover helpful learning resources.
Monday, October 19, 2026
Session 1: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Session 2: 5:00–7:00 PM
Location: Carver Educational Services Center Cafeteria
Free drop-in event for all MCPS K–12 families! Stop by during either session at a time that works best for you.
It's a wonderful way to learn more about what's happening in your child's classroom and discover ways to support their success at home.
Stay Connected with ParentVUE!
Did you know that ParentVUE makes it easy to stay informed about your child's progress at school?
With ParentVUE, families can:
Check grades and assignments
Monitor attendance
Find bus information
View report cards and assessment results
Communicate with teachers and schedule conferences
Complete online registrations
Make the Most of ParentVUE!
Download the updated app, customize your shortcuts, and check in regularly to stay connected to your child's learning.
Each parent or guardian should have their own ParentVUE account and password. Staying connected is one more way we can work together to support your child's success!
New State Assessment: MSTAR
Beginning this school year, Maryland is transitioning from the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) to the new Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness (MSTAR) for students in Grades 3–8 in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
MSTAR is designed to provide students with a shorter and more personalized testing experience while continuing to measure their progress toward Maryland’s College and Career Ready Standards. The new assessment uses an adaptive format, which means the testing experience adjusts based on how students respond to questions.
As we learn more about MSTAR and prepare our students for this transition, we will continue to keep families informed. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has also developed several resources for families who would like to learn more.
We will share additional information with families as we get closer to the spring assessment window.
Celebrating Our Pawsitive Cougars!
At Lake Seneca, we love recognizing students who consistently make positive choices and demonstrate what it means to be Safe, Respectful, and Ready. Our Pawsitive Office Referrals are a special recognition for Cougars who demonstrate exemplary behavior, responsibility, kindness, and positive choices consistently over time.
When a student receives a Pawsitive Office Referral, we make sure it is a celebration! The student receives a positive phone call home, a shout-out during our morning announcements, and has their picture featured on our front bulletin board for our school community to celebrate.
Families, you can help by talking with your child about the positive choices they make at school and encouraging them to demonstrate our Cougar expectations each day. We look forward to celebrating many Pawsitive Cougars throughout the year! What we recognize, we reinforce!
Global Children's Center
We understand that enrolling your children in before and after care can be a financial challenge. That's why Global Children's Center is committed to helping families access scholarship programs that make care more affordable. If you need assistance with enrollment or would like more information about our scholarship options, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Voucher Specialist, Ms. Naureen, at vouchers@globalchildrenscenter.com. We're here to help!