The Sunday Message
MLK's Weekly Communication for Scholars, Families, & Staff
Acting Assistant Principal Update
Dr Marc Cohen is excited to return to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, where he had the honor of serving as principal from 2006 to 2010. With more than 30 years in education, including 14 as principal of Seneca Valley, Dr. Cohen has remained focused on what matters most: creating student-centered schools where every child feels supported and every staff member has the opportunity to grow. He believes deeply in fostering cultures of collaboration, equity, and excellence. Now serving as a substitute assistant principal, Dr. Cohen is grateful to once again work alongside the MLK community. His goal is to help nurture a positive environment for students and support a culture of continuous improvement for staff. Dr. Cohen will serve as the acting sixth-grade administrator through Winter Break.
Fall Picture Day - November 10
MLK's Fall Picture Day will be held November 10. Click the link below for ordering information. Students will take their class photo through their P.E./Health class.
Grade 8 Families - High School Program Updates
All Grade 8 families must complete the HS Possibility Form. If your student is interested in a specialized Center Program, you can also submit an application by Friday, November 13, 2026.
Center Programs offer themed course pathways, capstone projects, and regional bus transportation. Please note that the deadline to submit your form or program application has been extended to Friday, November 13.
3 Ways to Submit Your Form or Application
- ParentVUE (Recommended): Log in to ParentVUE to fill out the form and apply for Center Programs. For step-by-step guidance, watch this instructional video.
- Google Form: If you cannot access ParentVUE, complete the online Google Form for your region**. Your student must be signed in with their MCPS account (ID@mcpsmd.net) to access this form. HS Center Application via Google Form
- Paper Application: Request a paper copy from your middle school counselor or download one here. You must know your region**.
Important Reminder: The Center Program application is optional, but completing the HS Possibilities Form is required for all Grade 8 students.
If you already submitted your form via ParentVUE, no further action is needed!
Need Help?
Join our drop-in Zoom session for live assistance: visit here to see the upcoming dates. The next session is Friday, November 13, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Access the Zoom link here.
For additional details, contact your middle school counselor, visit the MCPS Center Programs website, review our FAQs, or email DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org
Report Cards - Synergy
Report Cards will be available for view in Synergy beginning November 10.
PTSA Meeting - November 10
Our October PTSA Meeting will be held at 7:00p on Tuesday, November 10. During this time we will highlight the Humanities Program at MLK and the 2025-2026 Maryland State Report Card results. Students who attend the meeting will receive SSL hours for their participation.
***Details regarding the format of this meeting will be shared on Monday, November 9.
Pre - Screening Hearing and Vision
In accordance with Maryland State Law students in Montgomery County Public Schools are screened for possible vision and hearing problems. Trained hearing and vision screeners will be screening students new to MCPS, students in Grade 8 and students referred to by teachers because of possible signs of hearing or vision problems. The screeners will be at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School on November 17-18, 2026.
Children who do not see clearly or are unable to hear what their teacher and classmates are saying have a harder time learning at school.
You will receive a referral form, via US mail, to take to your child’s doctor if your child fails the screening. If your child is already under care for a hearing or vision problem, or you do not wish your child to be screened at school because of conflicts with your religious beliefs, please notify the school nurse in writing.
If your child wears glasses or contacts, they should wear them every day and bring them to the screening.
School based vision screenings may not detect every vision problem. To learn more about possible vision problems and symptoms or health conditions that may require additional evaluation go to Montgomery County Government’s website at this link:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/PHS/SchoolHealth/HearingVision.html
Contact your school’s nurse if you have questions about your child’s screening.
MLK PTSA Family Engagement Survey
We need your help! By December 8th, please complete this survey. Review the prompts and mark the answer that most accurately expresses how you feel about your experience.
** Parents and Guardians: Please log in with your personal Google account.
Our PTA is participating in the National PTA School of Excellence program, which supports and recognizes efforts between PTAs and schools to strengthen family-school partnerships and enrich the educational experience and overall well-being of all students. By completing the program, our school will earn the PTA School of Excellence designation, along with national and community-wide visibility for the positive impact we are making.
MYP in November - Open Minded
November’s focus IB Learner Profile Attribute is open-minded. As part of the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) we are supporting the development of learner traits that will help support the International Baccalaureate (IB) mission. IB seeks to “develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through education that builds intercultural understanding and respect”. The attribute of being open-minded is so valuable in our ever-growing interconnected world.
This month at MLK we are encouraging our students to consider the ideas and comments of others respectfully. We support them to listen and offer their responses with kindness and respect. We hope that our students keep an open mind when they listen to their teachers and when they hear and see information. We challenge our students to keep an open mind as they move through their lives in the community and at home.
Principal Overton
Thank you and remember, “The time is always right to do what is right," and that’s The MLK Way.
Follow me on Twitter/X: @BrandiKOverton to stay updated on everything MLK!