Author: Heather Braswell-Ho

It’s Volunteer Appreciation Week, and I’d like to take a moment to share how incredibly grateful I am for the PTSA volunteers who help make Cabin John such a strong and caring school community.

It is an honor to work alongside our Executive Committee — Vice Presidents Rachel Azoff and Heather Braswell-Ho, Secretary Claire Andrews, and Treasurer Denise Schainker. Each of them brings thoughtfulness, dedication, and heart to the PTSA, and I’m so thankful for your collaboration. I’m also deeply appreciative of the rest of our Board of Directors, including Delegates Jessica McClellan and Priyanka Kamat, Communications Chair Julie Ehlrich, Membership Chair Banoo Pightling, and of course Principal Somer Snider. Their support and steady commitment drive so much of what we accomplish.

To our committee chairs and parent and staff volunteers, thank you for the many ways you support and strengthen our efforts. Your willingness to step in and bring programs to life makes a real difference for our students and staff! In particular, thank you to Divya Tonse (Cougar Clips), Frank Ross (Reflections), Dawn Bowman, Alex Downey and Amanda Klueger (Book Fair), Parastoo Ghodsi (Principal’s Teas), Joanne D’Souza, Amy Yang, Georgia Karamalikis, and Radha Rohatgi (Multicultural Night), and Petra Mudrock (who helps in more ways than we can count!). We would also like to shout out Assistant Principals Ms. Wingate, Ms. Hershkowitz, and Mr. Lee for their help and collaboration. 

I also want to recognize the many additional volunteers and our broader PTSA membership whose names may not appear here but whose support is so meaningful. Whether you’ve attended a meeting, made a donation, supported an event, or simply stayed connected and engaged, you are an essential part of this community.

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, there’s no better time! Whether you can offer a little time or take on a larger role, your participation truly makes a difference, and we would love to have you join us. Please look in this newsletter for volunteer roles for book fair and teacher appreciation week, as well as a call for nominees to serve on next year’s board. If you might be interested, please reach out to president@cabinjohnptsa.org.  

Because of our volunteers and generous community, our students have more opportunities, our teachers feel more supported, and our community feels connected.  It’s an honor to work with you, and I’m truly thankful for the difference you make.

With gratitude,
Debbie Fleischer
PTSA President

In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week, the PTSA and CJMS community would like to extend a very special thank you to our incredible PTSA President, Debbie Fleischer, for her unwavering dedication, tireless work, generosity, and tremendous support of our school community. We are truly fortunate to have Debbie’s exceptional leadership and commitment guiding our efforts, and we are sincerely grateful for all she does to strengthen and connect our community.

Lights, camera, appreciation—this Hollywood-themed Teacher Appreciation Week celebrates our incredible staff as the stars they are, and we invite families to help us roll out the red carpet in their honor. Join the PTSA as we celebrate the amazing cast and crew at CJMS from Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8. Sign up to contribute food items for meals and snacks or donate to this amazing appreciation event! 

Sign up at the following links to help or donate! 

• Monday, May 4: VIP Premiere Breakfast
• Tuesday, May 5: Directors’ Cut Café (sign up to donate refreshments and snacks)
• Wednesday, May 6: Craft Services  (sign up to donate refreshments and snacks)
• Thursday, May 7: Red Carpet International Lunch
• Friday, May 8: That’s a Wrap! After Party  (sign up to donate refreshments and snacks)

Can’t shop or cook? We are accepting monetary donations to help towards the costs of teacher appreciation week. Donate here. Thank you for your support!

Cabin John MS is excited to welcome Bookworm Central for our Spring Book Fair on Thursday, April 30th – Friday, May 8th! We had a fantastic experience with Bookworm last fall, and students really enjoyed the selection and quality of the books. A portion of the book fair proceeds are donated to the school. 

Fund your student’s eWallet: eWallet is a safe and easy digital payment option for on-site student purchases. Parents set a “not to exceed amount” and their card is only charged for what their student spends! Create or log in to your child’s eWallet. 

Volunteers are needed to make our fair a success! We need volunteers to help setup, clean up, and work the fair before, during and after school (especially during Multicultural Night!). Any and all help is appreciated! SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE BOOK FAIR

Multicultural Night is May 1st, and we are still looking for volunteers (especially performers) to help celebrate the diverse cultures in our community. Students, parents, and staff are encouraged to share music, dance, or other cultural talents, and families can host a country table with displays and food samples (reimbursement available). Student volunteers can also earn SSL hours for their participation. Click the link here to learn more! We hope to see you there!

The PTSA is pleased to announce that three CJMS students have been recognized at the Maryland state-level competition for the Reflections Arts Program!

• Emerson Field’s entry, “Voicebox,” received the Outstanding Interpretation recognition in the film category. 

• Victoria Kaydanov’s entry, “Interwoven,” received the Outstanding Interpretation recognition in the visual arts category.

• Layla Najafi’s entry, “School is No Place for Hate,” received the Award of Merit in the photography category.

Additionally, Emerson and Victoria were selected to represent Maryland in the National Reflections Arts Program competition!

Congratulations to our creative Cabin John students on these outstanding artistic achievements!

A huge thank you to this year’s PTSA Board for their time, leadership, and dedication to our school community. Your efforts have made a meaningful impact on our students, staff, and families. We’ve been able to increase membership, add new events, engage students in PTSA, and ensure our long-term financial stability as an organization.

As we look ahead, we’re seeking parents and caregivers to fill open board positions. With upcoming changes to our feeder elementary schools, it’s especially important that we have strong representation from all four schools. Your involvement will help ensure a smooth transition, promote inclusive decision-making, and help maintain continuity within our community. Please consider getting involved—your voice and perspective are important.

Several board members are interested in continuing to serve and will run for re-election. We are actively recruiting for the following open Board of Directors positions for next year: 

• VP for Communication & Events — This individual helps oversee committees for our communication channels and individual committees for events such as the Back to School Picnic and Multicultural Night
• VP for School Support – This is a new role added in our recent bylaw update. This person will help oversee the committees for student affairs, after school programs, teacher appreciation, and the Reflections Art contest
• Communications Chair — Working with the VP for Comms & Events, this individual coordinates communication and supports our weekly Cougar Clips newsletter
• Membership Chair — Working with the VP for Membership & Fundraising, this individual helps to promote and track membership.

Please reach out to Debbie Fleischer at president@cabinjohnptsa.org if you are interested in discussing a role in our PTSA.

The PTSA needs your help! We are looking for 3 volunteers who are current PTSA members to serve on the nominating committee to elect next year’s PTSA Board of Directors. The nominating committee formally nominates interested & eligible persons for open PTSA board positions and reports the nominees to the membership before the election at the general membership meeting in May.

We estimate the time commitment to be less than 1 hour and can be done remotely! Being a member of the nominating committee is a great way to meet other families while supporting the school community. If you are able to serve on the nominating committee, please email us at president@cabinjohnptsa.org as soon as possible. A list of open board positions will be distributed soon – reach out if you might be interested in learning more!

Cabin John MS is holding a School Beautification Day on Saturday, April 25 from 9-11am. This is a chance to show our pride in the school and our community. Families and students are encouraged to attend! Students will earn SSL hours. PTSA is helping to coordinate volunteers and provide supplies (gloves, bags). Volunteers may wish to bring their own gardening gloves, clippers, rakes, reusable water bottle, etc. PTSA and CJMS are not responsible for the use or loss of this equipment. 

SIGN UP HERE (Note: MCPS student accounts don’t allow form access so guardians should complete for students)

By completing this form, you are giving your child permission to participate in this event. If you have any questions, please email the CJMS Assistant Principal, Mr. Lee, or parent volunteer Riyad Aile. Thank you for helping beautify CJMS!