Welcome Back - August 2026 | Smore Newsletters for Education

Greetings Walt Whitman High School Community Members,

Hello Whitman Viking community, hope all is well and you had a wonderful restful summer. The early August school community letter marks the beginning of a new school year by highlighting the work accomplished over the summer to strengthen our practices and better serve this outstanding community. Our work focused on reaffirming who we are as a school while identifying who we want to become as we continue to meet the needs of today’s learners. With that, our priorities and values continue to guide us in all that we do; safety, learning healthy and positive relationships, equity, excellence, togetherness, and developing leaders in an environment where everyone thrives.

Over the summer, our Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) spent a tremendous amount of time preparing for what this school year might hold. In July, school leaders evaluated existing structures, celebrated successes, and identified opportunities for meaningful improvement. As such, our conversations and learning centered around strengthening our safety and security measures, aligning our instructional framework with the school system, and (re)defining who we are as we prepare to add two additional regional programs to our school in 2027- 2028. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our central office partners and parent leaders who joined us for their valuable insights and collaboration throughout this process.

As we embark on a new school year, we are excited about what lies ahead. Whitman’s success depends on the collective efforts of students, staff, parents/caregivers, and our community partners, and we are grateful for the role each of you plays in making our school thrive. Achieving our goals will require shared understanding, clear communication, and the true essence of community, which I am truly looking forward to. I strongly encourage parents/caregivers to read this letter carefully with their students to ensure everyone is informed and prepared to have a great school year.

Thank you in advance for your commitment, support, and collaboration as we prepare to kick-off another exceptional school year at Whitman! I cannot wait to welcome our new students on Monday, August 24 and all our students back on Tuesday, August 25. Lets go Vikes!

Safety is the top priority of our school and we remain steadfast in our commitment in ensuring that all students, staff, and visitors are safe at Walt Whitman High School. I truly believe that students can only learn when they are in safe, comfortable, and supportive environments. Over the summer, school leadership reviewed and enhanced our structures and procedures related to physical, psychological, and emotional safety. As stated, this work requires a community approach and will be shared in detail as we start the 2026-2027 school year.

Research indicates that clearly communicating expectations and consistently implementing safety measures contribute to a more secure learning environment. To that end, we ask all community members to review the following.

Shared Expectations & Responsibilities

We have developed a comprehensive document outlining our shared expectations and responsibilities for maintaining a safe environment. This document will be shared and explained to students during grade level town hall meetings and we will review it with parents/caregivers during Back to School Night.
In partnership with the MCPS Department of School Safety and Security, we have improved our daily monitoring plan by increasing staff presence during unstructured times, such as transitions and lunch periods.
We have also enhanced our communication protocols for serious incidents to ensure timely and accurate information reaches the school community.
Additionally, we are forming the Whitman Safety Advisory Council consisting of students, staff, school leaders, security team members, MCPS Cluster coordinator, parents/caregivers, and community partners.
We encourage all stakeholders to please review the MCPS Department of School Safety and Security website for important information related to safety and security. During the first week of school, we will conduct drills based on Standard Response Protocols, and it is important that students understand and follow these procedures closely during drills.
An anonymous reporting system has been established to allow students to report concerning behaviors to school administrators and Whitman security. This does not replace the Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line as this is still a valuable tool for students and families.
Finally, we will continue to provide emotional and mental health supports and resources for students through our counseling department and Bridge to Wellness Team.

Building Entry Procedures

We would like to reemphasize our building entry expectations. During arrival (7:00am-7:45am) students are to enter the school building through the main entrance or addition doors. Students will be greeted by Whitman staff upon entry and are required to wear their school issued IDs.

After 7:45am students and guests can only enter the building through the main entrance. Upon entry students will be required to show ID and use their ID to sign in using the main office kiosk.
Visitors will be instructed to stand in front of the ACS camera, asked to identify themselves, present valid ID, and state their purpose for visiting the school prior to entry through the main office.
It is imperative that students do not grant building access to any individual. This includes opening exterior doors for friends or peers. Failure to adhere to this expectation will result in disciplinary action aligned to MCPS Student Code of Conduct.
Students who leave campus without permission during the instructional day will not be permitted to attend classes for the remainder of the school day. Students will be subjected to progressive disciplinary action aligned to the MCPS Student Code of Conduct.

Whitman Safety Advisory Council

The Whitman Safety Advisory Council is a collaborative, solutions oriented structure that supports a safe and welcoming school environment. The council will serve as an advisory group that brings together school leaders, staff, students, families, community partners, and safety professionals to discuss emerging safety concerns, strengthen preventative practices, and promote shared responsibility for school safety.

The council will not replace existing MCPS safety protocols, administrative decision making, law enforcement partnerships, or Standard Response Protocols. Rather, it will serve as a collaborative forum to improve communication, elevate stakeholder voice, identify areas of concern, and recommend strategies that support the safety and well-being of the Whitman community.

More information regarding this stakeholder group will be shared during Back to School Night with parents/caregivers.

ParentVUE

ParentVUE is an important tool for parents/caregivers to receive information regarding grades, attendance, scheduling, access to myMCPS Classroom, and more. It's important to note that these documents are no longer mailed home. Furthermore, similarly to ParentSquare parents/caregivers can communicate with Whitman staff through this portal. If you have not activated your account, we highly recommend that all parents/caregivers do so as soon as possible. If you need assistance with activating or logging into your account please contact Ms. Tiona Bright, counseling department secretary, (Tionna_N_Bright@mcpsmd.org) for any assistance.

Whitman’s News and Notes Newsletter

Whitman’s News and Notes newsletter has become a longstanding tradition for school leaders to share information with the Whitman community. In its ninth year, we will be transitioning from a monthly to a weekly newsletter to improve communication clarity. News and Notes includes important dates and events, relevant updates, and departmental highlights showcasing our students and staff. It is a valuable resource for students and parents/caregivers to stay informed about happenings at Whitman. Please be sure to look out for the newsletter every Friday, which will be sent through ParentSquare.

Virtual Principal Parent Coffee

During the 2025-2026 school year, Principal Miller implemented a new communication approach to enhance communication and interactions between school staff and parents/caregivers. The webinar series, titled Principal Parent Coffee, provides parents/caregivers the opportunity to submit questions and topics in advance for discussion during a monthly session. These sessions are typically scheduled for the last Wednesday of each month. We encourage parents/caregivers to join us on Zoom with their preferred hot beverage (Principal Miller favors coffee) for important updates and discussions. Our first session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, at 9:00am. See you then!

School Cash Online & My School Bucks

MCPS uses School Cash Online as the preferred method of payment for all school-related fees. Parent login information is the same as your ParentVue account.

For school lunch payments, you can check your student’s balance using www.myschoolbucks.com. New users can click the “Sign up today!” link and create an account. MySchoolBucks allows you to monitor your child’s cafeteria account and add money using a credit or debit card. You can also add money to your account by sending a check or cash to Whitman’s cafeteria manager.

Whitman Parent Organizations

A significant strength of Walt Whitman High School is the active support from our parent organizations. While we prioritize timely and informative communications, we also value the important insights and perspectives that parents/caregivers bring. Please feel free to reach out to our parent leaders listed below, as they meet regularly with school administration and serve as vital partners in supporting our students and our school community.

PTSA President: Meg Press (WWHSPTSA@gmail.com)

Foundation Presidents: Matthew D’Uva and Allison Leotta (WhitmanEducationFoundation@gmail.com)

Whitman All-School Sports Boosters President: Katy Greenberg (president@whitmanboosters.org)

Whitman Safety Advisory Council: Coming Soon!

Cell Phones and Personal Mobile Devices (PMD)

This school year all Montgomery County Public Schools will be restricting the use of cell phones during school hours. These restrictions are in alignment with the Maryland Phone-Free School Act (HB 525). Effective the first day of school, August 24, 2026, all students are not permitted to utilize personal mobile devices (cell phones, tablets, e-readers, personal laptops, smart watches, smart glasses, and anything with a microphone, camera, speaker, or headphones/earbuds (including AirPods) during the instructional day. This includes during lunch and in the hallways as students transition to class.

We believe that by restricting personal mobile devices it will reduce distractions to your child’s learning, support their social development through increased engagement in discussions with their peers and teachers, and promote a safer school environment. For more information, including how you can support your child, please visit the MCPS Family FAQ - Personal Mobile Devices.

Lunch Expectations

Open lunch is EXCLUSIVELY for Grade 12 Seniors. Seniors leaving campus will need to exit through the main office doors. Additionally, seniors will be asked to show identification leaving the parking lot of school staff. Students in grades 9 through 11 are expected to remain on campus during lunch. Students are permitted to eat outside in the bus loop and by the stadium entrance (weather permitting). Students are not permitted to eat in their vehicles regardless of grade level.

Please be advised that failure to adhere to these expectations may result in disciplinary actions in accordance with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct and could impact future eligibility for parking permits at Whitman.

Attendance Information

A commitment to school attendance is an essential component of a quality learning experience and regular attendance and engagement are required in order to demonstrate mastery of material and receive credit for a course. If your child is absent or arriving late, then complete the attendance google form. If your child needs to leave school early, please send a note with your child to the Attendance Office. If you are not able to send a note ahead of time, you will need to come into the building with a photo ID to pick up your child. Please plan for Early Dismissals without an advanced note to take at least 15 minutes.

If your child will have an anticipated absence, complete an anticipated absence form and submit to your child’s grade level administrator at least three (3) days prior to the absence. The administrator will review the form and determine if it is an approved absence. For a list of excused absences, visit our Whitman website under the Attendance Information tab. Please refer to the Whitman Attendance Website for more information.

Digital Hall Passes

For the 2026-2027 school year, Walt Whitman High School is excited to introduce a new digital hall pass system (Synergy) designed to enhance student safety, strengthen accountability, and support a secure learning environment. This new system provides building staff improved visibility into student movement throughout the building while ensuring students have appropriate authorization and clear purpose when outside of the classroom.

Students are expected to wear their MCPS-issued Student ID at all times while in the building
Digital hall passes are restricted from the first and last ten minutes of each class. This will provide teachers the opportunity to take accurate attendance and frame the learning for the daily lesson.
Students will be required to use the digital hall pass system through StudentVUE when requesting permission to leave the classroom.
Digital hall pass requests must be approved by the classroom teacher before students leave the classroom.
Students will also be required to carry a physical hall pass while out of class to support accountability and visibility throughout the building.
Students are expected to only be out of class for the approved purpose and within the assigned time limit.
Students should return to class promptly once their approved task is complete.

The new digital hall pass system will provide teachers, administrators, and security staff with an additional tool to support student safety by improving the monitoring and tracking of student movement throughout the day. It will also help reduce unnecessary hallway traffic, minimize disruptions to the classroom, and promote a safe, respectful, and thriving environment for all students. Students will learn more about this new daily structure during town hall meetings on the first day of school.

We will continue to share additional information, updates, and resources as we get closer to the start of the school year.

Summer of Capital Improvements at Whitman

This summer, Whitman underwent a series of physical improvements designed to beautify our grounds, improve our infrastructure, and create access. Below are the construction projects completed over the summer:

Phase 1 of HVAC Replacement in Whitman’s main building -- including new air handlers and ductwork servicing both gyms, cafeteria, and classrooms
Resurfacing of Tennis Courts
Completion of Emergency Access Road to Tennis Courts and Softball Field

We are excited for you to return and enjoy these newly improved spaces!

Wednesdays at Whitman: OneWhitman & Walt Wisdom Time

We remain committed to creating a social emotional learning (SEL) space for our students. Our monthly OneWhitman periods continue to offer valuable opportunities to discuss real-world topics that affect our students. Last year, in the seventh year of the program, students led conversations on school culture, building community and belonging, addressing issues related to hate and bias, appreciating diversity and different perspectives, understanding their rights, and developing stress management strategies. As we move into the eighth year of this initiative, we look forward to the insights our students will share and the discussions they will lead to help shape a positive and safe learning environment at Whitman.

Additionally, Walt Wisdom Time (WWT) will remain in the 2026-2027 school year. WWT provides opportunities for reteaching and reassessment during the school day, allowing students to meet with specific teachers for targeted support. Ultimately this has had a positive impact on our school community and has proven to be a valuable academic support for many, if not all, of our students.

MCPS Policy & Regulation Updates

Grading and Reporting - Beginning in the 2025–2026 school year, MCPS made updates to secondary grading and reporting practices (Grades 6–12) aimed at increasing consistency and strengthening accountability across schools. Additional updates have been made for the 2026-2027 school year.

Key changes include:

Grade Weights: No one assignment or assessment can count for more than 20% of the total grade for the marking period (previously it was no more than 25%).
Reassessments: Teachers must provide students with at least two opportunities per marking period to retake or revise an assessment. Teachers shall communicate to students and parent/guardians those assignments eligible for reassessment using the online gradebook, accessible through StudentVue and ParentVue, and indicated with an “R” for “Reassessment” at the beginning of the assignment name.
Make-up Work: Secondary Teachers are responsible for allowing makeup work. Teachers may assign an equivalent, but different task or assessment to students when they return from any lawful absence. Students who are found to be unlawfully absent from school or class as defined by MCPS Regulation, JEA-RA, Student Attendance, may not be given the opportunity to make-up class work or assignments/assessments. Students who are intentionally absent for portions of the school day without authorization from parents, guardians or the school (i.e., “skipping” class), or specific classes, will NOT be eligible to make up classwork or assignments/assessments.
Late Work: Late work will not be accepted after the deadline. To ensure timely grade reporting, no assignment deadline or assessment should be administered after the final five school days leading up to the end of the marking period (unless a make-up assignment or assessment).
Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to (1) plagiarism, taking credit for work or ideas created by other or Artificial Intelligence (AI), (2) cheating, acting unfairly in order to gain or give an advantage, including the unauthorized use of resources or AI, and (3) forgery, such as faking the signature of a teacher or parent/guardian.

Grading and Reporting Information - Website

More information and guidance about this update will be provided for students during the beginning of the school year and for families during Back to School Night.

Updated MCPS Student Code of Conduct- Information Coming Soon!

Save the Date: "Transition Day"

On Monday, August 24th, we will host the second annual Transition Day! In lieu of a traditional first day, we will welcome all of our Grade 9 students and students who are new to Walt Whitman High School in grades 10-12 exclusively that day! Students will begin the day in the athletic stadium followed by being welcomed by different members of the school community (SGA, Drumline, Counseling, Cheerleaders, and Poms) in the auditorium. After the welcome, students will have an opportunity to meet each of their teachers in their classrooms (periods 1-8), receive a tour of the building, participate in informational rotations to prepare them for their high school experience at Whitman, receive critical materials like Chromebooks and Student IDs, enjoy a lunch featuring food trucks and end their day with fun and ice cream! We look forward to this first opportunity to welcome and meet our new students.

A New Parent Coffee for parents new to Whitman will also be held on Monday, August 24 from 9:00 to 9:45am, in Whitman’s courtyard, while your students are at school for Transition Day.

First Day of School - Tuesday, August 25

We look forward to welcoming our students back from summer vacation. Due to several MCPS and Whitman expectation and guideline changes we will be having grade level town hall meetings on the first day of school to help students with the transition. A schedule will be shared in News and Notes on August 21st.

The typical school day is from 7:45am-2:30pm. It is imperative that students arrive on time to school and each class period daily. The regular bell schedule is below. All other bell schedules are accessible via the school website.

Additionally, MCPS policy requires schools to withdraw students who have 10 days in a row of unexcused absences. Please be sure to notify us if your student will have an extended absence for any excused reasons.

Accessing Schedules through StudentVUE

On Thursday, August 20th all students will be able to access their tentative schedules through StudentVUE. Schedules will be finalized by the first day of school. Our counseling department is currently working extremely hard to ensure that all students have complete schedules for the first day of school. Please be advised counselors will only be making schedule changes for students who:

Already passed a course listed on their schedule and it is not a course that can be taken for credit twice
Have the same course scheduled during multiple class periods
Have a hole in their schedule, meaning they do not have a class for one of the seven class periods
Are placed in the wrong grade level class (e.g. should be in Honors English 11, but class listed is Honors English 10).

Counselors will continue to be in contact with students who do not have a complete eight period schedule and all of the new students who are enrolling this year at Whitman.

*Students who wish to request a schedule change for a different class than the one they are currently enrolled in will have the opportunity to do so starting September 2nd, after we have resolved the scheduling errors noted above. If we are able to address those issues earlier, we will notify students accordingly.

**Once opened on August 31st, the window for schedule change requests will close on September 14.

Scheduling Conflict Timeline (students should report to their counselor during the conflicted period if):

Tuesday, August 25 & Wednesday, August 26: Students are missing a period(s), two classes in one period, and not in grade level appropriate course and/or missing lunch
Monday, August 31: They need subject/content changes

Please refer to the WWHS counseling website for more information in regards to counseling department updates.

Below you will find a list of our administrators and staff that you can contact if you have any questions or need assistance:

Principal’s Administrative Secretary: Ms. Stephanie Mathis
Grade 9 Administrator: Ms. Kristin Rudolph
Grade 10 Administrator: Mr. Sean Kelly
Grade 11 Administrator: Mr. George Lavelle
Grade 12 Administrator: Ms. Jena Mejia
School Business Administrator: Miss Danielle Fus
Athletic Director: Mr. William Toth
Special Education Resource Teacher (LAD, LFI, SCB, FC): Mr. Craig Fontenot
Social Emotional Special Education Support Services: Ms. Whitney Baughn
Bridge to Wellness Team

Youth Development Specialist: Ms. Anna Burton
Case Management Services:Ms. Oliva Traub
Therapist: TBD

Resource Counselor: Ms. Anne Fletcher
Pupil Personnel Worker: Mr. David Earley
Registrar: Ms. Blenda Legrande
IT Systems Specialist: Mr. Alexander Evans

Counseling Updates

As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, we're pleased to share a few updates from the Counseling Department. We are excited to welcome our new counselor, Ms. Marcia Johnson, an experienced school counselor who has spent most of her career serving students in MCPS. Ms. Johnson will assume the caseload previously managed by Ms. Lang.

Additionally, this past spring, Ms. Tionna Bright joined our team as our new Counseling Secretary, replacing Mr. Sasu. Since joining the Counseling Department, Ms. Bright has been a tremendous addition to our team, consistently demonstrating professionalism, warmth, and exceptional support for our students, families, and staff.

As stated in MCPS Policy ECG-RA, student parking is a privilege. Seniors and Juniors can apply for a first semester parking permit, in two distinct windows, if they are academically eligible and have no financial obligations.

The Fall 2026 Parking Permit Letter includes a Google Form application. Once complete, you will receive an automated email notifying you that your application was received, along with a copy of your application. The linked cover sheet must be printed, signed and turned into the main office, along with a copy of the student’s driver’s license, vehicle registration, and an insurance card listing the student as an insured driver on the policy. We will start accepting applications on Tuesday, August 18. The deadline for Seniors to submit an application is Friday, August 28, 2026 at 3:00 pm. The application will re-open on September 2, 2026 for Class of 2028 students (Juniors) to apply. For safety and security purposes, vehicles parked anywhere on campus, regardless of permit status, must be registered through the parking application process.

Seniors selected for a parking permit have between September 2, 2026 and September 5, 2026 to submit payment online through School Cash Online and pick up their permit from Miss Fus. Students must present a current year Student ID to pick up their parking permit. Parking enforcement begins on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

All email notifications will include detailed instructions. If you have any questions, please contact School Business Administrator, Miss Danielle Fus.

As you and your families start planning for the return to school, please save the dates for a few upcoming events:

Tryouts/practices for Fall sports begin on August 12. More information can be found here
Transition Day is Grade 9 and New Student Orientation is Monday, August 24 from 7:45am-2:30pm. Regular school bus transportation will be provided
New Parent Coffee is Monday, August 24 from 9:00-9:45am
Meet the Coaches Night for all parents who have a student athlete in a fall sport, August 18 at 6:00pm
Underclass photos are scheduled for Wednesday-Friday during the first week of September. Students will be issued their student ID and are required to wear them by the third week of school. Pre-order your fall photos today!
Back to School Night is Thursday, September 3 at 6:00pm
Virtual Senior Parent Meeting is September 9 at 6:00pm
Clubs Night is Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 pm.
Homecoming Football Game vs. Walter Johnson High School is Friday, October 23 at 7:00pm

Welcome Back - August 2026