Lake Seneca Family Newsletter
Sunday, October 18
A Message from Mr. Henderson
Dear Lake Seneca Families,
As we head into another week, I want to thank you for your continued support and partnership. It's been exciting to see our Cougars growing academically, building confidence, and working hard each day.
This week, I encourage families to stay connected and take advantage of the opportunities available throughout our school community. I hope you'll join me for our October Hanging with Mr. Henderson Principal's Chat on Thursday, October 22, from 9:15–10:30 a.m. in the school cafeteria. We'll share information about Title I programs, community school resources, and family support services. A light breakfast will be provided, and food boxes and donated items will be available for participating families.
Families are encouraged to register in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Thank you for all you do to support our Cougars. I look forward to connecting with many of you on Thursday!
All Hands on Deck!
Mr. Henderson
Week At A Glance
- Thursday, October 22: Principal's Chat (9:15 - 10:30); NO SCHOOL for PEP STUDENTS
- 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
*NEW: MCPS School Closure & Consolidation Study: Your Voice Matters!
MCPS is conducting a study to explore how to best serve students and families as enrollment changes across the county. As part of this process, families and community members are invited to participate in upcoming community conversations to learn more, ask questions, and share their perspectives.
Important: No schools have been identified or recommended for closure or consolidation, and no decisions have been made.
These meetings are an opportunity for families to have their voices heard before any recommendations are developed.
We encourage our Lake Seneca families to get involved!
📅 Community Meetings: Visit the MCPS Study Website for meeting dates and locations.
👶 Childcare Available: Families needing childcare may complete the Childcare Request Form.
🌎 Language Support: Interpretation will be available in Spanish and several other languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).
❓ Have Questions? Review the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the process.
Please note: A school hosting a community meeting does not mean it is being considered for closure.
Your voice is an important part of shaping the future of MCPS. We encourage all families to stay informed, ask questions, and participate in these conversations.
*NEW: 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!
*NEW: Planning for the Future: MCPS School Facilities and Investments
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is facing important challenges as school buildings continue to age, student enrollment declines, and construction costs rise.
During the October 15 Board of Education meeting, MCPS shared an update on its Capital Improvements Program (CIP), which guides investments in school buildings, renovations, and infrastructure.
While only minor adjustments were proposed to the current plan, the discussion highlighted the need to make thoughtful decisions about maintaining safe, healthy, and welcoming learning environments for students and staff.
What does this mean for our school communities?
MCPS is exploring ways to address aging facilities, prioritize essential repairs, and plan responsibly for future enrollment changes. These conversations will help shape how the district invests in schools in the years ahead.
We encourage our Lake Seneca families to stay informed as MCPS continues this important work.
*NEW:Digital Citizenship Week: Learning to Be Safe, Kind, and Responsible Online
Next week, Lake Seneca Elementary School will celebrate Digital Citizenship Week! Throughout the week, we will help students better understand what it means to be safe, respectful, and responsible when using technology and interacting with others online.
Digital citizenship is an important part of helping our students make positive choices, protect their personal information, demonstrate kindness, and develop healthy technology habits.
Here at Lake Seneca, we'll reinforce these important skills through a schoolwide Spirit Week and daily morning announcement reminders that encourage students to think about how their choices online impact themselves and others.
Families, We Want You to Join the Fun!
We've also provided family resources and challenges that you can complete together at home! These activities are designed to spark meaningful conversations about online safety, digital kindness, screen time, and making responsible choices when using technology.
*NEW: Community News & Family Resources
There are exciting opportunities happening throughout our Lake Seneca community! From family engagement events to food assistance and community resources, we encourage all families to take advantage of the programs and partnerships available to support our students and families.
Hanging with Mr. Henderson: October Principal's Chat
Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 9:15–10:30 a.m. | Lake Seneca Cafeteria
Join Mr. Henderson and members of our school community for a morning of conversation, connection, and helpful information! A light breakfast will be provided.
Here's what we'll discuss:
Title I Benefits: Learn how Title I programs and services support student success.
Community School Updates: Explore resources, initiatives, and opportunities for family involvement.
Watkins Mill Cluster Project: Learn about wraparound services, important Medicaid policy updates, and how families can access additional support. Representatives will be available to answer questions and assist with referrals.
Family Resources: Food boxes and donated items will be available for participating families.
Families are encouraged to register in advance to help us plan for breakfast and resources.
Register for October's Principal's Chat
NEW! Monthly Community Food Market
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 5:00–6:00 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School Cafeteria
We're excited to announce a new partnership with Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School! MLK will host monthly food markets for both MLK and Lake Seneca families, providing another opportunity for our community to access fresh produce.
Important reminders:
Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Enter through the side entrance to the left of the school's main entrance.
All participants must sign in before receiving produce.
Bring your own reusable bags.
We appreciate MLK Middle School for extending this opportunity to our families! Additional monthly market dates will be shared as they become available.
Weekly Snack-Bag Program: Registration Open!
Our weekly snack-bag program is accepting registrations! This program provides additional food support for participating students and families.
Distribution begins Thursday, October 22, 2026.
There are currently 62 registration spots remaining, so we encourage interested families to sign up soon.
Register for the Weekly Snack-Bag Program
For questions or assistance, please contact Mrs. Patrice Holmes, Community School Liaison.
Watkins Mill Cluster Project: Community Updates
The Watkins Mill Cluster Project continues to connect families with valuable resources, services, and opportunities throughout our school community.
We encourage families to explore the October 16 newsletter for important updates and information about available community support.
📰 Read the Newsletter in English
At Lake Seneca, we believe strong schools are built through strong partnerships. Whether you're looking for family resources, opportunities to connect with other families, or additional support, we're here to help.
Please reach out to Mrs. Patrice Holmes, our Community School Liaison, with questions about these programs or assistance connecting with community resources.
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!