Author: Heather Braswell-Ho

We are still collecting nominations for the following positions:

• VP: Open
• Membership Chair (Manages directory and A to Z Connect updates): Open
• NAACP Parents’ Council Representative (PTSA Representative for Montgomery County NAACP Parents’ Council): Open
• Reflections Chair (Runs art contest): Open
• Spiritwear Chair (Runs Spiritwear sales): Open
• Book Fair Chair (Organizes Fall Book Fair): Open

Our 2025-2026 PTSA Leadership Nominees:

• President: Debra Fleischer
• VP: Selena Liang
• Treasurer: Denise Schainker
• Secretary: Claire Andrews
• MCCPTA & Churchill Cluster Delegate: Heather Braswell-Ho
• MCCPTA & Wootton Cluster Delegate: Priyanka Kamat
• Webmaster: Heather Braswell-Ho
• Communications Chair: Julie Ehrlich
• Back to School Picnic Chair: Georgia Karamalikis
• School Support Chair: Selena Liang & Alex Downey
• International Night Chair: Varsha Morar  

Please stay tuned for the date and time for our election.

Please place your orders for CJMS Spiritwear as soon as possible, as the last day that the in-school store will open for purchases and online order pickups is next week: Wednesday May 28, 2025 from 11:30 am until 1:30pm. 

We have a variety of t-shirts, pants, hoodies and more in stock in a variety of sizes! 

Show your cougar pride with our summer bundle discounted to $40 that includes a white cougar tshirt, pj pants, magnet and card holder packaged together in a drawstring bag. Summer bundle tshirt and pj pant sizes go from YXL/YL to adult small and medium. 

Heartfelt thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers Amanda Moskowitz and Neslihan Yalçin for setting up and operating the weekly school store this year, and many thanks to all of our membership for supporting the PTSA!

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is conducting a boundary study in preparation for major changes, including the opening of Crown High School (which will impact our cluster), the expansion of Damascus High School, and the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School. These changes will affect school boundaries and access to academic programs across the county.

MCPS is also analyzing academic programs to ensure equitable access for all students to high-quality learning opportunities that meet the needs of our diverse student body.

How You Can Help:

• Complete the Academic Programs Survey (closes May 31, 2025) – it only takes 5 minutes!
• Attend a Public Engagement Session – learn about initial boundary options and share your input (in-person and virtual sessions available). Click here for more information.

Your voice is critical. These decisions will impact our students and schools for years to come.

Please also take a few minutes to complete the CJMS & MCPS Family Survey, open now through June 9, 2025. – Your feedback will help CJMS understand what’s working well and where we can grow — both at CJMS and across the broader Montgomery County Public Schools system.

We are excited to invite you to join us for Multicultural Night tonight, April 3rd, at 6:30 PM. The evening will conclude with a PTSA sponsored vibrant Holi celebration, the Indian Festival of Colors. If you plan to participate, kindly ensure you wear older clothing (a white t-shirt is recommended) and bring a bag in which to store your colored clothes for the journey home. We look forward to seeing you tonight! 

🗓 Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
🕒 Time: 6:30-8:30PM
📍 Location: Cabin John Middle School All-Purpose room

Come and enjoy:
🌐 Cultural Performances – Dance, music, and art from various cultures
🍽 International Food Stations – Taste authentic dishes from across the globe
🎨 Interactive Activities – Fun games and crafts for all ages
🎁 Cultural Exhibits – Explore art, traditions, and history from different countries

Bring your family and friends to celebrate unity, diversity, and inclusion!

Let’s make this a night to remember! ✨

Volunteer for the PTSA and make a lasting impact. The PTSA is already gearing up for the 2025-2026 school year and we need help filling open positions for next year. Volunteering for the PTSA is a wonderful way to get involved, and make a difference.

The following positions are open for the coming year:

• President: Oversees all PTSA activity and ensures that legal requirements are met
• Treasurer: Oversees PTSA financial transactions and taxes, and ensures that federal and state filing requirements are met
• Secretary: Records PTSA meeting discussion & votes, ensures that state PTSA records requirements are met
• Spiritwear Chair: Maintains Spiritwear Store in person during school lunchtime, and online
• Reflections Art Contest Chair: Runs local art competition in the fall, which feeds into the National PTA art contest
• Back to School Picnic Chair: Organizes Back-to-School Picnic
• Membership Chair: Manages Membership Directory Updates on A to Z connect
• International Night Chair – Come see yourself on April 3rd, from 6:30-8:30PM!

Volunteer early so you can benefit from institutional knowledge to get started! The President, Treasurer & Secretary will have virtual state and county PTA training events with excellent resources available during the summer and fall. (1-2h) 

The ’24-’25 PTA Reflections Arts Program submissions deadline is this Friday, December 6th, at 11:59 p.m. Don’t let your students miss this incredible opportunity to make their mark. This contest provides students a platform for self-expression, helping them hone their creative talents and explore different art forms. It offers an opportunity to showcase their work, fostering pride and accomplishment. 

This year’s theme, “Accepting Imperfection,” invites students to express their creativity through:

• Visual Arts
• Film Production
• Photography
• Literature
• Dance Choreography
• Music Composition

Click here for more information and submission guidelines.

If you have questions or need assistance with the online submission form, please contact Reflections Art Contest 2024 Co-Chair, Amanda Moskowitz. 

We can’t wait to see the talented CJMS artists shine!

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Submission Deadline: 11:59 pm Friday, December 6, 2024

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