The Mustang Monthly

Dear Mustang Families,

What a wonderful start to the school year! I have truly enjoyed seeing our students settle into their classrooms, reconnect with friends, and begin building relationships with their teachers.

I also want to thank you for the warm welcome and for the many conversations we have already shared. Whether you joined us at Popsicles with the Principal, our Parent Roundtable, the Block Party, or simply stopped to say hello during arrival and dismissal, I appreciate every opportunity to connect with you.

As we move into September, there is a lot happening at Marlton, from family events and school celebrations to important student assessments and learning opportunities. I hope you will take a few minutes to look through this month’s newsletter and stay connected with all that is happening in our Mustang community.

I am excited about the year ahead and grateful to be on this journey with you.

With Mustang Pride,

Principal Baynham

September 1–22 | Spirit Gear Drive

Show your Mustang pride! Families may purchase Marlton spirit gear during our September drive.

September 7 | Labor Day
Schools and Offices Closed.

September 8 | Back-to-School Night | 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Join us to meet your child’s teacher, learn about classroom expectations and curriculum, and hear ways to support learning at home. Families of students with disabilities will also have an opportunity to meet our Special Education Team, learn more about special education at Marlton, review helpful family resources, and ask questions.

September 12 | Rosh Hashanah

September 15–October 15 | National Hispanic Heritage Month
Throughout the month, we will celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

September 16 | Professional Development Day
Schools Closed for Students.

September 21 | Yom Kippur
Schools and Offices Closed.

September 25 | Granolas with Grands | 7:30 a.m.
We look forward to welcoming grandparents and other special adults for a morning of connection and community.

September 28 | 1st Quarter Lunch Bunch
Come have lunch with your scholar! Mark your calendars and stay tuned. More information will be shared soon.

October 2 | Early Dismissal for Students
Students will dismiss at 10:50 a.m.

Friday, September 25

We are excited to celebrate the grandparents and special grand-figures who mean so much to our Mustangs! 💙💛

Please join us for Granolas with Grands on Friday, September 25 at 7:30 a.m. for a special morning of breakfast, connection, and time together at Marlton Elementary.

Families are asked to RSVP by Friday, September 18 using the link provided. We look forward to welcoming our Grands!

Grands & Granola RSVP

Show your Mustang Pride! Our Spirit Gear Drive is underway and will continue through September 22.

Spirit gear is available in adult sizes, so parents, caregivers, and family members can represent Marlton too. Ten percent of all proceeds will come directly back to our school to support our students and school community.

Ordering information is included in the flyer next to this post.

September is Attendance Awareness Month, and we are making every day count at Marlton! Each week, the class with the highest attendance will earn a surprise reward, and we will also celebrate the most improved class with a special shout-out and prize.

At the end of the month, the class with the highest overall attendance will earn a VIP Mustang Party! Thank you, families, for helping our students arrive on time, ready to learn, and prepared for a great day. 💙💛

Please make sure you are connected to the communication platforms used by Marlton Elementary.

ClassDojo
Check regularly for classroom and school updates.

ParentVUE
Use ParentVUE to access important student information and grades.

Instagram
Follow us at @marltonmustangs for school highlights, reminders, and celebrations.

Monthly Newsletter
The Mustang Monthly will be shared on the first Friday of each month.

🍎 School Meals & MySchoolBucks

Mustang Families, we want to make sure you have the information you need regarding school meals for the 2026–2027 school year.

🥗 Free & Reduced-Price Meals
Families may apply for free or reduced-price meals using the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/lunchapp27

💳 MySchoolBucks
Create an account or add money to your child’s meal account here:
https://tinyurl.com/myschoolbucks27

Meal Prices:
🍳 Breakfast: FREE
🍎 Lunch: $2.75 per day

Please take a moment to complete the meal application if needed and make sure your child’s lunch account is ready for the school year.

Thank you for helping us keep our Mustangs fueled and ready to learn! 🐎💙💛

September also marks the beginning of several important assessments. These assessments help teachers understand where students are academically and determine how to best support their learning.

September 8–11

September 8–October 10

September 14–October 10

Please help your child arrive at school on time, well rested, and ready to do their best. These assessments are one piece of information teachers use to plan instruction and identify student strengths and areas for growth.

Mustang families, we would love to have you volunteer and take an active role in our school community!

1. Complete the online volunteer application.
   New and returning volunteers must submit an application each school year.
2. Complete the required background screening.
   New volunteers who plan to serve more than once during the school year must complete fingerprinting and Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance at least 15 business days before volunteering. This is a one-time requirement.
3. Complete the required SafeSchools training.
   After submitting your application, you will receive a Volunteer Identification Number (VIN) and instructions for completing the annual online safety modules.

Once all three steps are completed and your status is approved, you will be ready to support our Marlton Mustangs!

Click here to begin the PGCPS volunteer process.

Have a question or concern about your child’s transportation? Please use the PGCPS Transportation Resolution System to report late or missed buses, routing concerns, unsafe bus stops, driver concerns, or unresolved bus assignments. Submitting a request allows the Transportation Department to track and respond to your concern.

Submit a Transportation Request

Other Transportation Resources

• Check Bus Eligibility and Locate Nearby Stops
• Review Transportation FAQs for SY 2026–2027
• Visit the PGCPS Transportation Help Center
• Transportation Phone Bank: 301-952-6570, Monday–Friday, 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Email: bushelp@pgcps.org

As we move through the first weeks of school, teachers are focused on building strong classroom routines, getting to know students as learners, and establishing expectations for academic success.

Families can support learning at home by:

• Asking your child what they learned each day.
• Reading together regularly.
• Practicing math facts and real-world math skills.
• Encouraging your child to explain their thinking.
• Making sure your child completes assignments and comes to school prepared.

Small routines at home can make a big difference in student success.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Marlton staff for the time, energy, care, and commitment you have poured into the start of this school year. From preparing classrooms and welcoming families to supporting students through the first days of school, your dedication has helped create a strong beginning for our Mustangs. I am grateful for all that you do each day to make Marlton a place where students feel supported, challenged, and cared for. 💙💛

A new school year brings new teachers, new routines, new expectations, and sometimes… a LOT of feelings! For parents, a new school year can mean new schedules, earlier mornings, and a lot of moving pieces. New things can feel exciting, scary, or a little bit of both and that’s okay!

For your child: Remind your child that adjusting to a new school year takes time.

Try this at home:

Instead of asking “How was school today?” Try asking:

• “What feels comfortable and what feels challenging?”

• “What was the best/ worst part of your day?”

• “What is something you’re looking forward to?”

• “Is there anything you need help with?”

For Parents and Caregivers: Give yourself time to adjust, too. You don’t have to have the perfect routine yet. Instead, pick one part of your routine to focus on getting settled this week.

Here’s to the start of a wonderful school year!

Need support? If you have concerns about your child’s social-emotional well-being, please reach out to Ms. O at pg_amy.ogbuaku@pgcps.org