Cougar Courier

Cougar Courier
Cabin John Middle School
10701 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854
Dr. Paulette L. Smith, Principal
January 8, 2016
 Principal’s Message:
WELCOME to 2016! Our school year is approaching the half-way mark and we will soon be
concluding the 2nd Quarter of our 2015-2016 school year. January will be a very busy month at Cabin
John Middle School (CJMS), because all students are embarking on their Course Selections for the
2016-2017 school year. Please discuss the importance of these course selections with your child so that
when the registration cards are handed out during your child’s World Studies classes, your child will
have an understanding that you are also an important part of the academic track and course selection
process for your child in middle school and during high school in grades 9 – 12. Updated information
will be sent home soon regarding the Wootton or Churchill High School parent meetings.
As we conclude the 2nd Quarter of the school year on January 22, 2016, we remind parents to check
your child’s EdLine account regularly and to always feel comfortable discussing any academic
concerns with your child’s grade level counselor, or with the individual classroom teacher, so that your
child stays on track during the school year. The guidance counseling department may be reached at
301-469-1160 to set an appointment to review any academic or behavioral concerns you may have.
 PTSA Requests Volunteers:
The PTSA-sponsored CJMS School Store is asking for Volunteer Cashiers! Please help us operate the
school store by volunteering on Tuesdays or Thursdays during all three grade level student lunches,
11:10 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. Please visit the CJMS PTSA link to sign up:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4ba9ab2b0-cjms
 Drive Smart/Drive Safe:
Parents, please remember that it is not a safe practice to drop your children off near the busy
intersection of Bells Mill and Gainsborough Roads. This practice compromises the traffic pattern and
your child’s safety. Please follow all road signs and use safe driving habits when dropping off or
picking up your child. When using our Gainsborough entrance, please pull your vehicle up as far as
possible, along our carpool lane, to allow all vehicles access to our driveway. Please do not park your
car in the curve of the front entrance as that impedes safe egress of forward moving traffic.
Please, do not use Georgetown Hill Day School as a turn-around or a wait area in the morning before
CJMS school start times. Unless you have business with Georgetown Hill, you should not be at their
location. Use of their driveway for drop off, turn-around, and sit-and-wait is causing congestion in
their driveway for their staff and parents and possible safety issues. Please be respectful of our school
neighbors and honor this request.
 Important Dates to Remember:
 Thursday, January 14 – Exam Review Day for All Students
 Friday, January 15 – Thursday, January 21, 2016 – Exams
 Monday, January 18, 2016 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday – Schools Closed
 Friday, January 22, 2016 – Make-Up Exam Day
 Monday, January 25, 2016 – Professional Day for Teachers – No School for Students
Cougar Courier
Cabin John Middle School
10701 Gainsborough Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854
Dr. Paulette L. Smith, Principal
IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (MCPS)
Stay Connected
The new Stay Connected website serves as a one-stop shop for all the tools that students, staff, and parents
may use to stay informed and connected with MCPS.
Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/stayconnected/ for more information.
MCPS News Update
MCPS News Update and Noticias de MCPS (in Spanish) are weekly, five-minute news programs that are
cablecast on MCPS TV and may be viewed online.
 News Update: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/news/
 Noticias de MCPS: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/es/news/
Sign-up for MCPS QuickNotes and Alert MCPS
MCPS QuickNotes is a free e-mail service that provides subscribers with important news and information
about MCPS programs and activities, plus emergency information. MCPS QuickNotes is offered in six
languages: English, Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Visit www.mcpsquicknotes.org to
subscribe. Alert MCPS allows you to receive text messages or e-mail from the school system during
weather-related emergencies and other major events that impact school system operations. Signing up for
Alert MCPS is free, but please check with your wireless provider about charges associated with text
messages. Sign up at http://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov.