Dolphin Whistle

This year we will be having schoolwide events to celebrate Black History Month instead of our evening event. There is a door decorating contest in progress, "Get Caught Celebrating Black History" photo and video sharing, assemblies, and field trips to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for students in Grades 4 and 5, as well as a trip for families. The assemblies are as follows:

February 11th On The Ball, Spinny

This dynamic program features fun and amazing basketball skills while teaching the importance of respect, education, health and anti-bullying. Using audience participation, Spinny persuades the students to believe in themselves and to embrace positive thinking. This former professional’s ambitions are to perform for students and encourage them to say “Yes To Education.”

February 24th Alison Crockett

The Evolution of Jazz Grades 3-5 ONLY

February 26th The History Of Hip Hop

This high-energy assembly brings the history of hip-hop dance to life through interactive demonstration, jaw-dropping dance, audience participation, and a compelling Q&A. The History of Hip Hop teaches the positive aspects of hip-hop art and culture, the technical elements of this dance form, and its history. Students get to share some of their own dance moves! Djing, the Human Beat Box, and the MC are also covered in the History of Hip Hop.

A Special Thank you to Mrs. Creef, our Community School Liaison, and Mrs. Tate, our NAACP Parent Representative for all that they have done to plan this month's activities.

Please take a few minutes to complete this quick two-question survey to share what you think are the top two WLES Community Needs that should be considerations for the MCPS Budget by clicking here.

Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering an after-school program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade, designed to build confidence, emotional skills, and physical health through running. The 8-10 week curriculum, led by trained coaches, uses games and discussions to teach life skills—such as managing emotions and resolving conflict—culminating in a celebratory 5K event. Click below to register:

• English
• Espanol

The first practice is 3/9/26. The 5k is on 5/17/26. The last practice is 5/20/26.

Waters Landing Elementary Families!

Our Waters Landing Dolphin Glow Run fundraiser has begun, where we will have fun and build community while we work to reach our fundraising goal. The focus today was curiosity. You can watch the video your child saw today at mybooster.com.

Curious about the event? Find an overview of our fundraiser HERE!

Key Information to help you during the fundraiser:

💵 Goal: $10,000

🎁 For: supporting the well being of students and staff

🎉 Kickoff Date (in school): 02/11/2026

👟 Event Date: 02/25/2026

Donations for our Waters Landing Dolphin Glow Run will be collected through our fundraising platform: MyBooster.com

How to Start on MyBooster.com:

• Choose “Sign Up”

• Enter your School

• Enter your Personal Information

• Once you sign up, it’s time to share via Facebook, email and text!

Tips for Success:

• Set a goal for how much to raise and make a plan with your student on how to reach it.

• Share, share, share using our easy online tools!

• Make sure to thank everyone who supported you after you reach your goal.

Thank you for helping make our fundraiser a success!

MCPS is funding the IXL memberships for Elementary for the first time. Middle and high schools have it already. This can help your student with Math. Please take a moment to sign up.

Join the POD by clicking here. Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 6:30-7:30pm.

PTA/POD Meeting Meeting in person (Media Center @ WLES) with virtual option

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/84130778754?pwd=bXkBsrH6kcBitahzmMhn6pddd5qkqf.1

Meeting ID: 841 3077 8754

Passcode: 178124

We hope you can join us!

Mrs. Cynthia Alvarado, Registrar

Cynthia_Alvarado@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. Evelyn Campos

Evelyn_R_Campos@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. M. Deneise Hammond, Principal

MDeneise_Hammond@mcpsmd.org

(240) 753-9472 work cell

Mr. David Kim, Assistant School Administrator

David_K_Kim@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. L. Orinda Nelson, Assistant Principal

L.Orinda_Nelson@mcpsmd.org,

Mrs. Padma Radhakrishnan, Administrative Secretary

Padma_Radhakrishnan@mcpsmd.org

Some of our amazing parents and staff advocated to get the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary program here at Waters Landing Elementary School. Their efforts paid off and the program starts here in February. Over 100 students were invited to attend the program. The first set of paperwork that was sent out stated that the program would be at Watkins Mill Elementary School, That is not the case. It will be right here at the Landing. If you received a packet, an email from Mrs Hammond or a phone call from Mrs. Moore or Ms. Tejada, your child was invited. We need your packet returned or completed online as soon as possible. We don't want anyone to miss out who was initially invited to the program. This program will provide academic support and recreational fun for students.

All Waters Landing ES students qualify for free breakfast and free lunch every day. Students must order their lunch in the classroom after attendance in order to receive their first choice. If they arrive late they may order, but it might be too late to get the meal they prefer.

We appreciate all of our Parent volunteers at the Landing! Please sign up to volunteer at lunch and/or recess by clicking here. Here is the Waters Landing Elementary School Volunteer Handbook. Please review it prior to volunteering at the Landing. Make sure you have done all that is outlined on the MCPS website prior to coming to school to volunteer. Always bring your state identification when you come to volunteer at school. You will not be allowed to volunteer without it.

Oceans 25 meets monthly. We'd love to have a parent perspective. Feel free to join us on any of the following dates/times to collaborate with us.

• 3/4/26 8:00-9:05 am in Ms. Kwon's room, #111
• 4/7/26 4:20-5:50 pm in Ms. Tung's room, #169
• 5/6/25 8:00-9:05 am in Ms. Buckley's room, #131)
• 6/2/26 4:20-5:50 pm in Mrs. Armogida' s room, #205

Picking students up early and notification of dismissal change: Our office is being overwhelmed at the end of the day with the number of last minute dismissal changes and people coming into the office to pick up students at dismissal time. It has been difficult ensuring students get the message that their dismissal is different and getting students down to the office and out of the door so that the bus loop is cleared for buses. Starting Tuesday, January 20, 2026, all requests to change a student's dismissal must be received before 3:15pm. Also, students who are leaving early must be picked up before 3:15pm.

Parking: WLES Staff have been given parking permits that will be enforced in the parking lots between the hours of 8:30 and 9:00am. We have been having issues with staff members not being able to find a parking space in the morning due to families parking in the parking lot instead of walking to school or getting into the car rider line. Please help us to ensure that staff members are ready to receive our students each morning.

Here is the February WLES NAACP Parent Council Newsletter: https://app.smore.com/n/brehp. Please contact Mrs. Tate at waterslandingnaacprep@gmail.com with any questions or suggestions.

Respiratory illness rates (including COVID-19, flu and RSV) are currently high in the state of Maryland and in Montgomery County, according to the Maryland Department of Health. Based on guidance from Maryland health professionals, mask wearing is recommended — but not required —only while in school health rooms. while these rates remain elevated.

Click here for the Back to School version of the PODcast.