DOLPHINS' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
THE WEEK OF JANUARY 9TH
* * I M P O R T A N T * D A T E S * *
Week of January 9th: Rapid Test Pick Up @ WLES
January 12th: Early Release Day
January 17th: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Observed)
January 18th: WLES Return to In Person Learning
January 21st: End of Marking Period
Update to 14- Day Virtual Instruction (NEW RETURN DATE)
Waters Landing was a part of 11 schools that transitioned to 14 days of virtual learning last week. Waters Landing and the other 10 schools will return to in-person learning effective Tuesday, January 18. Rapid test kits will be distributed at these schools this week; all students and staff are strongly encouraged to take the rapid test and report the results by this Friday, January 14.
MCPS Community Message 1/9/22
Incase you missed the communication sent today, please find the MCPS Community Message sent today, 1/9/22,
The message outlines what steps MCPS is taking to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families; updates to school operations; and when they will consider switching a school to virtual learning. This includes information about:
- The distribution of KN-95 masks and rapid test kits to all students and staff;
- New isolation and quarantine procedures for staff, based on revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); and
- An update on school operations, including bus service and the resumption of extracurricular activities;
- An upcoming community conversation to discuss school system operations; and
- How you can help us make informed decisions about keeping schools open.
* * G E N E R A L C O V I D - 19 UPDATES ***
COVID Reporting and Safety
- Please continue to use the COVID Reporting Form as our standard tool for reporting COVID cases effective 1/3/22. You may also reach out to your child's teacher to share the reason for missing class.
- We received KN-95 masks for staff last week.
- Look for information about distribution of home rapid tests for staff & students this week.
MLK Middle School Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night
If you are a current 5th grade parent and your child will be attending Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School next school year, please join us for our Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information Night on January 18, 2022 at 7:00 pm. Zoom information can be found here. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at 240-740-6350.
Wake Up Waters Landing! (1/7/22)
In case you missed it, check out another great edition of Wake Up Waters Landing and share it with your dolphin. We truly have a talented team who creates this production with students each week!
THE LITTLE MERMAID @ Seneca Valley HS
Unfortunately, due to Seneca Valley's virtual instruction and the uncertainty behind after school activities, they will not be able to collaborate with the middle and elementary school students to join their production this year. We hope we can make this collaboration work next year !
P A R E N T * T E A C H E R * A S S O C I A T I O N
News from the PTA!
Thank you for joining us at our last PTA meeting on January 4, 2022 where we discussed the 14-Day Virtual Plan. We had record numbers of over 80 attendees and it was great to come together as such a large part of our community!
We have included the slide show used by Ms. Shorts at the meeting and the questions and answers from the meeting. We have also included family resources in the link. We will hope to see everyone at our next meeting!
**F A M I L Y * R E S O U R C E S **
Say Yes to the Test Weekly Testing
Waters Landing has weekly random screening testing. The weekly random screening testing is administered to a random sampling of our students who have signed up each week.
With testing, MCPS can minimize the number of students in quarantine. Parents/guardians must give their consent for testing. Families can fill out the consent form, which is available in multiple languages, or request paper copies from school.
*Note: One form provides consent for both types of COVID-19 testing (both Rapid and Screening Testing)
More information is available here.
Montgomery County Rec: "Kids Day Out"
Montgomery County Recreation will have special programs to keep children active when Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has scheduled days off. “Kids Day Out” will offer full-day programming from 8:30 a.m. -4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, and Tuesday, Feb. 1. Half-day programming will be available from 1:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12, which is a MCPS half-day off from school.
Kids Day Out, a partnership with MCPS, provides out-of-school supervised recreation program. The well-rounded interactive activities emphasize health, physical fitness, imagination and fun.
“One of our priorities is to ensure that all young people have equitable opportunities and access to safe, affordable recreation programs," said MCR Division Chief Adriane Clutter. "Kids Day Out is better because of our strong partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools. We will continue working together to grow and enhance the program."
The half-day program is $25 and the full-day programs are $50 for each day.
El Departamento de Recreación del Condado de Montgomery (MCR, por sus siglas en inglés) tendrá programas especiales para mantener activos a los niños cuando las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Montgomery (MCPS, por sus siglas en inglés) tengan días libres programados.
“Kids Day Out” ofrecerá programación de día completo de 8:30 a.m. a 4 p.m. el lunes 24 de enero y el martes 1 de febrero. Y por varias horas el miércoles 12 de enero de 1:30 p.m. a 6:30 p.m. ya que los estudiantes salen temprano del colegio ese día.
Kids Day Out, una asociación con MCPS, ofrece un programa de recreación supervisado fuera de la escuela. Las actividades interactivas completas enfatizan la salud, la capacitación física, la imaginación y la diversión.
“Una de nuestras prioridades es asegurarnos de que todos los jóvenes tengan oportunidades equitativas y acceso a programas de recreación seguros y asequibles”, dijo Adriane Clutter, Jefa de División de MCR. “Kids Day Out es mejor gracias a nuestra sólida asociación con las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Montgomery. Continuaremos trabajando juntos para hacer crecer y mejorar el programa".
El programa de medio día cuesta $
Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19
It is very important to remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. Use this resource from the National Association of School Psychologists provides tips to help.
Stay In Touch With MCPS for Inclement Weather Information
Please be reminded about the email from MCPS that was shared with community members to provide a summary of the places where information is posted when the school system announces school cancellations, delayed openings or early closures due to weather conditions and other emergencies.
FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS
Students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income. They may also qualify if they are receiving Food Supplement Program (FSP) or Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) benefits. Families may apply for meal benefits by completing an Application for Free and Reduced-Price Meals for the current school year.
Apply online NOW at MySchoolApps.com (Translations available)
Click here for English video tutorial. Click here for Spanish video tutorial.
Federal eligibility guidelines change each school year; therefore a new application must be submitted each school year. All students in the family should be listed on one household application. A notice will be mailed home for each student if you are approved for meal benefits or do not qualify for meal benefits. Please keep this important document for your records and use throughout the school year. Families may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year.
Households that are unable to apply online should contact their school or the Division of Food and Nutrition Services at 301-284-4900.
Please click here to apply online.
LOW-COST INTERNET ACCESS
DID YOU KNOW LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND OLDER ADULTS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY CAN GET HOME INTERNET ACCESS FOR A LITTLE AS $9.95 PER MONTH?
Please visit Montgomery County - Low-Cost Internet for more informat
EYEGLASSES FOR STUDENTS
W E * * A R E * * H E R E * * T O * * H E L P !
Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00-4:30.
(Students may enter the building at 9:10)
Below are emails and phone numbers for support in the school:
Main Office (240) 740-1020
Admin Secretary - Ms. Ramirez: Patricia_Ramirez@mcpsmd.org
Front Office Secretary - Ms. Herrera: Jeannette_Herrera@mcpsmd.org
School Principal - Ms. Shorts: Lisa_N_Shorts@mcpsmd.org
Assistant Principal- Ms. Bannon: Gina_L_Bannon@mcpsmd.org
Parent Community Coordinator - Ms.Moore: Shanique_V_Moore@mcpsmd.org
Counselors
Ms. Jessee: nichola_r_jessee@mcpsmd.org
Ms. Vandegrift: Sarah_G_Vandegrift@mcpsmd.org
Health Room
Ms. Glad: Beth_M_Glad@mcpsmd.org
Ms. Perrelli: Jean_M_Perrelli@mcpsmd.org
Home of the Dolphins!
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/waterslandinges/
Location: 13100 Waters Landing Drive, Germantown, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-1020