Cedar Grove Friday Flash

Dear Cedar Grove Families:

Thank you to all the families who came out for McTeacher night at McDonalds on Tuesday evening! The children enjoyed seeing friends, having a yummy meal and seeing some of their teachers in a different environment. Many thanks to our PTA for providing this fundraising opportunity and the opportunity to be together as a community.

We hope to see you this Monday at Open House. The hours for visitation are 9:30- 11:00 a.m. and 2:00- 3:00 p.m. As a reminder, please do not bring younger children or siblings and any cars parked on the blacktop must be removed at 11:00, as students will be going our to recess shortly after morning visitation time.

MCPS is committed to raising awareness of the importance of mental health! This year we will recognize Mental Health Awareness Week next week from Monday, October 12 to Thursday, October 15. Each day Cedar Grove students and staff will honor relationships, healthy habits, community and wellness. See below or click HERE to see our spirit week schedule.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mr. Wynne and Mrs. Roberts

To translate this newsletter, click here. Then click the "Websites" tab, choose the language desired, and copy and paste the Smore link into the box. Click on the blue arrow, and the newsletter will be translated in your chosen language

Parents, please click on your child's grade level to view class weekly newsletters. Any questions regarding the content of the newsletters should be directed to your child's teacher. Thank you.

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

Please see weekly updates from MCPS HERE.(Updated Weekly)

Over the last two weeks, we have shared the reason, schedule and the process MCPS will follow as it considers elementary and middle school closures and consolidations. This week, we’re taking the next step: a closer look at the conversations we want to have with our community and what you can expect when you attend an engagement session.

At the center of this work is a goal that goes beyond buildings: ensuring an excellent student and staff experience. Enrollment is declining for the first time in more than 40 years; growth is uneven across the county, and resources are limited. This work is about taking a thoughtful look at how our schools are organized, where students are located and how our buildings and resources are being used so schools have the people, programs and spaces needed to support students and staff.

Two Rounds, Two Different Conversations (see the full schedule here)

Round One: Fall Engagement — October

The first round is about building a shared understanding of the challenge and the experience we want for students and staff. We want participants to explore three fundamental questions:

• Why are we doing this work? Understand the changing enrollment landscape, the choices MCPS faces and the challenges we are trying to address.
• What should every student and staff member have access to? Talk about the people, programs, services and spaces that should be available in our schools to support a strong student and staff experience.
• How will the process work? How and when will decisions ultimately be made?

Round Two: Winter Engagement — December

The second round will build directly on what we hear this fall and move the conversation toward how potential closure and consolidation decisions should be evaluated.

• Criteria Development. See how community feedback from the fall is being considered alongside requirements in state law, Board policy and MCPS regulation.
• Help determine how the criteria should be applied. Discuss how different factors should inform the decision-making process — not simply what should be considered, but how.
• Collect additional feedback. What refinements should be considered for the approach?

That progression is important: October is about understanding the challenge and defining what we want our schools to provide; December is about using that foundation to help shape how potential decisions are evaluated.

What to Expect

Each in-person session will give participants multiple ways to learn, ask questions and share feedback, including:

• A brief opening presentation will explain the work ahead and what participants need to know.
• Multiple information stations focused on key topics and criteria.
• Content experts will be available to answer questions and discuss the information in greater detail.
• Multilingual staff will be available to help participants access the same information and opportunities to engage.
• Participants will be able to ask questions, offer feedback and help inform the work ahead.

Holiday Giving Program Referral:

If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred for possible assistance for the holiday season, please complete this form to provide the required information. Resources are limited: please apply only if you and your family are truly in need. While a referral is NOT a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow.

Please use the link below to complete the Google Form if your family is in need of assistance

HOLIDAY GIVING REFERRAL FORM

Please complete this form as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact our school counselor, Erin_M_Spoales@mcpsmd.org

We are excited to share that a series of community engagement sessions for the new Damascus High School Capital Improvement Project (CIP) is coming this fall! As planning continues, stakeholder feedback remains vital to our progress. MCPS Central Services invites all staff, families, and community members to join us to review project updates, ask questions, and share input.

Upcoming Community Engagement Meetings

• Meeting #1: Monday, October 12 | 6:00 p.m. (DHS Cafeteria)
• Meeting #2: Wednesday, October 28 | 6:00 p.m. (DHS Cafeteria) NEW DATE!
• Meeting #3: Monday, November 9 | 6:00 p.m. (DHS Cafeteria)

Families new to MCPS are encouraged to sign up for a ParentVUE account. ParentVUE is the online parent portal that serves as the primary communication vehicle for schools to share information regarding grades, attendance, scheduling, access to myMCPS Classroom and more.

ParentVUE Quick Guides

English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

Please take a look at our updated October Media Monthly! We are so happy that we had a successful book fair. The PTA was able to donate new books to the media center for our young readers. And I would like to personally thank Mrs. Lorey for the Lorey family book donations, as well. We had our first Pink Out this Wednesday, and I thank you for sending in your pinked out pictures. This coming week is our Mental Health Spirit Week and we encourage everyone to keep track of the different mental health connections we're making every day. I hope to see you on Monday for visitation day. Feel free to drop by and say hi! And finally, it's not too early to look at the Great Pumpkin Event criteria so your students can start thinking of a book character to carve or paint! As always, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions related to our media program and the events that we sponsor. Have a wonderful weekend!

Please click the link below for the September overview of what your students will be doing in Art, General Music, Instrumental Music, and Physical Education. We hope you will take a few moments to read what is happening during these instructional spaces.

Counseling with Mrs. Spoales started this week! If you have a specific child or family need to share with Mrs. Spoales, please use the link to access her Parent Input form. This form is confidential and will only be seen by Mrs. Spoales.

https://forms.gle/q8Y9QzyWFvG5pDfx7

Silent Auction

READY, SET, BID!!!! Our annual Silent Auction is BACK. The Auction is featuring amazing items, gift cards, services, tickets, and special experiences donated by generous local businesses and Cedar Grove Staff. All proceeds support PTA sponsored events and student enrichment initiatives.

When: bidding STARTS October 15th at NOON, and ENDS October 25th at 10pm

Click HERE to view the flier, or just use this link: https://www.32auctions.com/CGES2026

Cedar Grove Care Closet
Our Care Closet helps CGES students access essential clothing and hygiene items so they can feel comfortable, confident, and ready to learn! We are collecting:

- kid-sized pants, shirts, & shoes

- new underwear & socks

- toothbrushes & toothpaste

- menstrual products

- deodorant & more...

If you have GENTLY used, outgrown clothing, or shoes, we would love to put them to good use!

You can also shop our AMAZON CARE CLOSET WISHLIST and have items directly shipped to the school. If your child brings home an article of clothing from the Care Closet (excluding underwear), please wash it and return it to the school so we can continue helping other Bears. Thank you for your support!

SAVE THE DATE:

Fall Festival - Saturday, October 24th 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Volunteer sign up coming soon!

SSL hours available

Haven’t JOINED the PTA yet?

There’s still time to join! Your PTA membership helps support our students, teachers, and school community throughout the year. Every membership makes a difference—and we’d love to have you be part of the CGES PTA!

Sign up HERE

• Monday, October 12: Open House; 9:30-11:00 & 2:00- 3:00

• Monday, October 12- 15: Mental Health Awareness Week

• Friday, October 16: No School for Students

• Saturday, October 24: PTA Fall Festival