CJMS Weekly Updates

Good evening, Cabin John Middle School families,

This is your Assistant Principal, Mrs. Hershkowitz, with the Sunday announcements for the week of October 26–30.

First, a reminder that this is the last week of Quarter 1! Please take a few minutes to check in with your student about their grades, review any missing assignments, and encourage them to connect with their teachers about questions or concerns. Let’s work together to help our students finish the quarter strong!

We are excited to celebrate our first SGA Spirit Week of the year! Thank you to our Student Government Association for bringing our Cougar community together for a week of fun and school spirit. We encourage everyone to participate in the following daily themes:

• Monday, October 26 — Cozy Cougars: Start the week by wearing something cozy!

• Tuesday, October 27 — Color Wars: Represent your grade by wearing its assigned color: red for 6th grade, dark blue for 7th grade, and black for 8th grade.

• Wednesday, October 28 — Denim Day: Show off your favorite denim!

• Thursday, October 29 — Match Up Madness: Coordinate matching outfits with a friend or group!

• Friday, October 30 — Costume Day: Wear your Halloween costume to school! Please remember that costumes may not include masks or any weapons.SGA-Spirit-Week-Fall-26.jpg

Keep an eye out for the teacher with the most spirit, too!

We are also excited to begin our Outdoor Education sessions this week! We look forward to the opportunities these experiences will provide for students to learn, build relationships, and make lasting memories together. Thank you to the staff members and families helping support this special experience for our students.

As we wrap up the quarter, we encourage all students to continue giving their best effort, making positive choices, and showing respect for one another in our classrooms, hallways, and throughout our campus. Every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the positive school community we are building together.

Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and commitment to our students and school. We are so grateful for our amazing Cougar community! Please take a few minutes to review this week’s digital newsletter for important reminders, upcoming events, and other updates, including all the new PTSA updates and opportunities highlighted.

Have a great evening, and we’ll see everyone on Monday!

Cherin Hershkowitz

Assistant Principal, CJMS

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• Thursday, October 22 - Make-Up Picture Day
• Monday, October 26 to Friday, October 30 - SGA Spirit Week (see below for specifics!)
• Monday, October 26 to Wednesday, October 28 - Outdoor Education Session #1
• Wednesday, October 28 to Friday, October 30 - Outdoor Education Session #2
• Monday, November 2 - No School for Students, Grading and Reporting Day for Teachers
• Tuesday, November 3 - No School for Election Day
• Wednesday, November 4 to Friday, November 6 - Outdoor Education Session #3
• Wednesday, November 11 - CJMS Open House Periods 1, 2, and 3 - More Info to Come Soon!

Get ready for a spooktacular week of school spirit! SGA is hosting our Halloween Spirit Week featuring fun daily themes for students and staff to participate in. We cannot wait to see our Cougars participate!

Winter Athletic Registration for basketball tryouts opens on Monday, October 26th at 12:00 Noon. Students must be registered through their parents' ParentVue account. Look for "Online Registration." If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Coordinator, Mr. Fritz, at Jeffrey_Fritz@mcpsmd.org.

Please take time to review what students are currently learning in their classes this week at Cabin John Middle School in our weekly assignment summary.

The PTSA is delighted to announce the Cabin John Middle School Book Fair, in collaboration with Bookworm Central! All students will have an opportunity to shop the fair in the Media Center during their PE class, the fair is also open before school and until 3.30pm every day.

This is a not-to-be-missed event for our readers. The Book Fair is a wonderful opportunity for students to discover new books and authors, encouraging them to continue their journey as lifelong readers. Proceeds support the Media Center.

Don’t forget to set up an eWallet for your child for a cash-free and secure buying experience. eWallets are a great option; you will only be charged for the actual amount your child spends and you can set a $ amount limit. Students will not be allowed to use their phones to pay during the school day. Simply visit our Book Fair homepage: eWallet Setup

Please also consider signing up to volunteer- we can’t do it without you!

We’re excited to announce that the CJ Spirit Shop will be open on Fridays during all three lunch periods starting October 30! Students will have the opportunity to shop for CJMS gear including T-shirts, hoodies, pants, water bottle stickers, Jibbitz, plus other fun items. Cash and credit card payments will be accepted.

Want a behind-the-scenes look at your middle schooler’s day? We’re looking for parent volunteers to help staff the store. It’s a fun and easy way to get a little glimpse into their school day while supporting the PTSA. No experience is necessary—training will be provided during your first shift! Sign up HERE to volunteer. Questions? Contact Rachel Azoff, VP-1@cabinjohnptsa.org

PTSA and the Student Government Association (SGA) have teamed up for an awesome fundraiser to support student affairs programming on Saturday, November 14 at 3PM. We'll have mascot races, student/staff relays, and the main event --- A COLOR RUN! More info to come!

SGA's annual Fall Movie Night is Friday, November 6th from 4:30-7:30pm in the CJMS cafeteria for a showing of The Parent Trap (1998, Rated PG). Tickets are $5, which includes pizza. Students may enjoy carnival games or basketball in the gym prior to the movie and snacks/drinks will be sold. This event is limited to only CJMS students. Permission slips will be shared next week and tickets will be sold during lunch starting 11/4.

Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. on October 20, 2026. The event is free to attend, but space is limited to the first 60 students who register online at https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/academics/stem/k-12/sonya-kovalevsky-program.html

Purchase your tickets now: https://woottonptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/store/25724

On Wednesday, October 14 students were given their school pictures to take home. If you would like to order please see the information below! Make-up pictures will be on Thursday, October 22.

Learn More about the Regional Programs here! ... and save the dates for the Information Nights (see below). Our 8th graders will be hearing more about these programs in school as well.

2026-2027 Quarter One

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has introduced the Refrigerator Curriculum—a one-page, easy-to-read overview of what students will be learning each marking period. Designed for the fridge at home, these guides help families stay informed about key themes and texts while highlighting MCPS’ commitment to partnering with families, celebrating our community’s diversity, and respecting individual beliefs. With this resource, parents and guardians can quickly see what’s ahead in the classroom, stay engaged in their child’s education, and, if needed, request alternative assignments when a text conflicts with sincerely held religious views.

The linked documents are for Quarter 1 of the 2026-2027 school year.

Resources for SSL:

• SSL forms, resources, and guidelines
• September SSL Opportunities
• SSL opportunities -September and Montgomery County Volunteer Center
• SSL program overview
• Step-by-step directions for viewing student SSL record on StudentVUE
• Introduction to SSL Handout: English | Español| 中文 | Français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Portuguêse

Reminders

• Family Quick Guide Reminder: Think Before You Post — Social media can be a great way to connect, but online choices can have real consequences. Remind your child to pause before posting: Is it true? Helpful? Necessary? Would I be OK if everyone saw it? See the Family Quick Guide: Social Media English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

• Saturday School: Tutoring sessions begin THIS SATURDAY, Sept. 26, from 8:30-11 a.m.! But it is never too late to join. Programs run on Saturday mornings for students in grades K–12, focusing on reading, language arts, math, test prep and STEM enrichment, such as coding and robotics. The cost is $100/year ($50 for FARMS recipients) and MCPS buses are available to center sites. Learn more and register.

Student Opportunities

• *NEW* Future Vote Program: Open to students in grades 6–12, this initiative combines civic participation and the opportunity to observe democracy in action. Students must be able to speak, read and write the English language. Students with bilingual and American Sign Language skills are encouraged to apply. Volunteers will earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Training is required for students and guardians. Apply online, more information, guardians can text FV and their email to 77788 (ex.: FV 123@email.com) or visit the High School Election Worker Program webpage. Register before Thursday, Oct. 8.

• *NEW* High School Election Workers Needed: The Montgomery County Board of Elections is looking for workers for the 2026 Gubernatorial General Election. Students can earn up to $250 or up to 25 SSL hours for each full day worked. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, Maryland residents, at least 16 years old and registered to vote. Bilingual students with Spanish or other language skills are encouraged to serve. For more information, text SERVE followed by a non-MCPS student email to 77788 (ex.: FV 123@email.com) or visit the High School Election Worker Program webpage. Application deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 13.

• *NEW* Speak Up, Save A Life Video Contest: Create an original video promoting awareness of the dangers of illicit opioids, overdose and fentanyl among teens. Secondary students can earn 10 SSL hours. Videos can be submitted in English or Spanish. First place wins $5,000, 2nd place, $3,000 and 3rd place, $1,000. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30. Submit an entry.

• Design + Build at Blackrock Center for the Arts: This free program will focus on developing a conservation landscape, including native plants and trees at BlackRock Center for the Arts. Starting Oct. 3, high school students will spend six consecutive Saturdays designing and installing the project to help improve the Seneca Creek watershed. Students can earn up to 18 SSL hours. Apply.

• Latina Legacy Conference: This event for Latina female high school students will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 at 15 W. Gude Drive in Rockville. To register, students should reach out to their assistant principal by Thursday, Oct. 15.

• Share Your Vision for America: Students in Grades 5–12 can write and perform a presidential speech and win prizes up to $1,000. Make Your Speech calls on students to imagine they’ve just been elected president and are delivering their inaugural address in a 2-3 minute video. Learn more. Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30

• Smokey Bear Poster Contest: Open to 7th grade students. In celebration of its 120th anniversary, the Maryland Forest Service is sponsoring a Fire Prevention Month Smokey Bear poster contest for 7th grade students. Students are asked to create original artwork inspired by Smokey’s classic message: “Only YOU can prevent wildfires!” to explore wildfire safety and forest conservation. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 2. Learn more.

• Capital Weather invites K-8 kids to submit original artwork inspired by weather, seasons, climate or nature to its Kids Art Showcase. Learn more.

Stay Connected to MCPS

• VISIT the MCPS homepage.

• CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845). Visit the AskMCPS website.

• READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.

• FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages:
  x.com/mcps / facebook.com/mcpsmd / instagram.com/mcps_md facebook.com/mcpsespanol / x.com/MCPSEspanol / instagram.com/mcpsenespanol

• SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.

• WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89

More MCPS Resources

• School calendar

• Parent resource page

• News and Information page / Noticias en Español

• Latest photo galleries

• MCPS TV videos

• MCPS TV español

Main Office telephone: 240-406-1600

Counseling Office telephone: 240-406-1560

Health Office telephone: 240-406-1570

FAX: 240-740-4403

website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/

The school day for students is from 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is imperative that students not be dropped off prior to 7:55 a.m. Students being dropped off by parents/guardians at school must enter through the doors by the cafeteria. Parents/guardians, if you are using the student drop-off loop, please make sure to pull as far as possible to the stop sign at the end of the loop - students are not permitted to enter through the main office doors, so it doesn't help to drop them off at that location.

After school activities will start on September 10th and will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Students must be picked up from after-school activities by 4:35 p.m. as supervision is not scheduled outside of these hours.

If you have questions about events, schedules or other school-related matters, including reporting the absence of a student, please call us at 240-406-1600.

If you need to report an absence and would like to submit a letter via email, please send an email to our attendance secretary, Ms. Jordan Murek (email: Jordan_Murek@mcpsmd.org). CJMS Attendance policies can be found here.

In an effort to keep our weekly newsletter shorter and more concise, I am not going to add the resources that appear every week. Instead, I will link our BTS newsletter here so you have easy access to that information.

Assistant School Administrator (6th Grade): Mr. Zach Morris

Assistant Principal (7th Grade): Ms. Jennifer Wingate

Assistant Principal (8th Grade): Ms. Cherin Hershkowitz

Main Office Phone: 240-406-1600
Fax: 240-740-4403
Guidance Counseling Office: 240-406-1560
Health Room: 240-406-1570

Attendance Office: 240-406-1599 (to leave a VM)

Please call CJMS to notify us of your child's absence.

CJMS Attendance Office Procedures can be found here.

Email: Somer_Snider@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjohnms/
Location: 10701 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, MD, USA
Phone: 240-406-1600