Forest Knolls Mustang Message

Email: Jennifer_Taylor-Cox@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/forestknollses
Location: 10830 Eastwood Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901, USA
Phone: 240-740-1640

3rd-5th grade Rainbow Club starts this week! Your student must have a signed permission slip in order to attend.

Rainbow Club Flyer

Pursuant to guidance issued by the Maryland State Department of Education and as authorized under Maryland Code, Education § 7-103.2, local school systems are permitted to implement virtual instruction during severe weather conditions under specific statutory requirements. These requirements establish clear expectations for governance, instruction, access, and accountability.

This plan provides Montgomery County Public Schools with the ability to transition to virtual instruction—consisting of a minimum of four (4) hours of synchronous learning supplemented by asynchronous opportunities—when school buildings are closed due to inclement weather or other emergency conditions. These circumstances occur when it is unsafe to transport students or require students and staff to report to school buildings in person.

Virtual instructional days count toward the 180 instructional days required under Maryland law and are implemented systemwide at the direction of the Superintendent of Schools. The intent of this plan is to ensure that MCPS schools, staff, students, and families are prepared with the structures, resources, and supports necessary to maintain continuity of learning when operational conditions require a shift from in-person instruction. Click here to learn more information.

Note: Not all inclement weather events will result in the activation of MCPS’s virtual instructional day plan. MCPS’s Division of Communications and Community Engagement maintains established procedures for notifying students, staff, and the community of operational status changes and will clearly communicate the type of inclement weather day being implemented.

The safety of our MCPS community is critical, and being able to communicate with students, staff, and families during severe weather or other emergencies is of the utmost importance. The current operating status for the school district appears on the MCPS website (https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/) and on individual school websites. If there is a change in operational status, this link will provide more information about the MCPS Operating Status options.

In the event MCPS calls for implementation of Virtual Learning, you can access Forest Knolls ES Virtual Learning schedule here: Forest Knolls ES Virtual Learning or the Forest Knolls ES website. Students will participate in practice sessions on October 15 and November 24 in class.

Make sure your student stays connected to learning in case of inclement weather!

If bad weather strikes, the county may activate the virtual learning plan. If your student does not have access to a device at home, you can request one from MCPS using this form: Student Home Use Chromebook Request Form. Please note that requests are approved centrally and may take a few weeks to fill. Please plan ahead now to be sure students can access essential learning during an emergency closure. We are Better Together (Virtually)!

If your home does not have internet, please contact the Forest Knolls main office to request a MiFi device which can support educational internet access for up to 5 devices.

Open House gives families a firsthand look at their child’s school experience. By visiting classrooms and observing learning, parents and caregivers can better understand what students are learning, how teachers support them, and how classroom routines help children succeed.

The Forest Knolls ES Open House will be Noember 11, 2026.We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Open House!

Please note these important details for this year's event:

• Two Time Slots: We are offering two different time slots, 9:00-10:30 and 1:45-3:15. You can choose which part of the school day works best for your schedule to observe our classrooms.

• New Option: There will be opportunities to “Snack & Chat with Administration.”

• Short Visits: We invite you to stop by for a brief visit within your chosen time slot so we can welcome all families.

• Adults Only: For space and focus, we kindly ask that all visitors are adults.

Board Moves School Calendar Proposals Forward for Public Comment
The Board of Education received a presentation on Oct. 8 outlining proposed school calendars for 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 and moved the proposals forward for public comment and feedback. A key feature of the discussion was a two-year calendar approach, designed to give families and staff greater ability to plan ahead by establishing major calendar dates earlier.
Under the approach, the Board would adopt the next school year’s calendar while tentatively setting major dates, such as the first and last days of school and winter and spring breaks, for the following year. The community will now have an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed calendars, with final adoption scheduled for Nov. 19.

See the video of the presentation here

See the slide deck here

Board of Education Receives Update on School Closure and Consolidation Study
On Thursday, Oct. 8, MCPS updated the Board of Education on the elementary and middle school closure and consolidation study, including why the work is necessary, how the process will unfold and how the community can participate.
Important: No schools have been selected for closure, no recommendations have been made and there is no predetermined outcome. Community engagement begins Oct. 19—months before the superintendent is expected to present recommendations to the Board.
Read the full story for engagement dates, what to expect, the decision-making timeline and the facts families should know.
See the project website here https://mcpsstudy.org
See the presentation video here
See the presentation slides here

Regional High School Center Programs: Fall Showcases Are Underway
MCPS is expanding access to specialized regional high school Center programs, giving 8th grade students more opportunities to pursue programs connected to their interests while continuing to offer rigorous programming at every local high school.
Center programs span five areas: Medical Science; International Baccalaureate, Humanities & Languages; Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM); Leadership & Public Service; and Visual & Performing Arts. Additional Middle College dual-enrollment opportunities are also being explored in partnership with Montgomery College.
Fall High School Showcases are happening now across all six MCPS regions. These events give 8th grade students and families an opportunity to visit schools, explore programs and courses, meet staff and learn more about the high school options available to them.
Showcases are being held throughout October in the Southern, Eastern, Central South, Central, Central North and Northern regions.
Get informed and explore your options:

• Watch the new Center Programs overview videos: English | Spanish

• Watch: Now You Know — Center Programs: The Basics

• See the full Fall High School Showcase schedule and find an upcoming event in your region.

Middle School Program Changes Delayed One Year
MCPS is delaying any changes to the middle school Program of Study until the next school year, allowing additional time for review, engagement and thoughtful implementation. The proposals under consideration include 60-minute core classes and more consistent elective offerings across middle schools. No changes will be implemented this school year.
Why it’s happening: After testing several scheduling scenarios, MCPS determined that implementing the changes next school year would present significant logistical and operational challenges, particularly across schools of different sizes. Current budget considerations are also a factor. Delaying implementation gives MCPS time to better understand final Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements, continue working through scheduling and staffing implications, and make a more informed decision before moving forward.
See the presentation video here.
See the presentation slides here.

Explore What Your Child Is Learning at MCPS Curriculum Day, Oct. 19

MCPS is hosting Curriculum Preview Day, an opportunity for families to explore instructional materials, learn more about what students are learning and discover resources available to support learning at home. This event is open to K–12 families for all MCPS courses. Join us for our drop-in sessions, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. in the Carver Educational Services Center cafeteria on Monday, Oct. 19. Families can connect with MCPS instructional specialists, ask questions, explore curriculum materials and receive support accessing digital learning resources.

Getting the Most from ParentVue
Are you getting the most out of ParentVUE? It’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected to your student’s school experience. Families can monitor grades and assignments, check attendance, find bus information, access report cards and assessment results, complete online registrations and communicate directly with teachers.
Be sure to download the new ParentVUE app, customize your Gradebook and favorite shortcuts, and check ParentVUE regularly. You can even schedule parent-teacher conferences directly through the app. And remember: each parent or guardian should use their own ParentVUE account and password.
Learn more: English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

Now You Know — Stay Connected
Want to make sure you don’t miss important information from MCPS?
Sign up for ParentSquare, the district’s mass communication and direct messaging platform for parents, high school students and staff. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play, and log in with the phone number or personal email on file with MCPS. You can also follow MCPS on Facebook, Instagram and X, or visit montgomeryschoolsmd.org.
Learn more: English | Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | French | Korean | Portuguese | Vietnamese

Center Programs 101: Get the Details on EdTalk

On the newest episode of EdTalk, join host Board of Education President Grace Rivera-Oven and guests Anjali Wells, coordinator in the Department of Academic Programs, and Jeannie Franklin, director in the Department of Consortia and Application Program Services, as they discuss the new MCPS Center Programs. Learn how 8th grade families can apply to a variety of four-year academic high school Center Programs in their region. Watch.

Help Needed for Oktoberfest

The Staff Appreciation Team is planning an Oktoberfest Celebration on Monday 10/19. We will be purchasing pretzels for the event, but could use some help with some side dishes and beverages. Contributions appreciated, click here to Sign up!

Spiritwear

Sales are live! Check out our store here--more info coming soon.

Coming Soon

Family Social at Babycat: Thursday, October 22 from 5-7pm

Fall Festival Parties: Friday, October 30 (times vary--check with your classroom volunteers)