Author: Julie Ehrlich

We invite you to join the MCCPTA Gifted Education Committee for our first Zoom meeting of the 2025-2026 school year.

Monday, September 29 at 7:00 p.m.

Please register here to attend.

The meeting will provide an overview of key issues affecting gifted students in MCPS, including:

• Student Rights – What Maryland state law and MCPS policies say about gifted education
• Acceleration & Enrichment Opportunities – What’s available at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, both in local schools and criteria-based magnet programs
• Advocacy & Engagement – How you can support gifted learners at your school and across the county, including by volunteering with the committee

We hope you will join us whether you’re new to gifted education or already involved. The presentation will be recorded for those who can’t attend. The Q&A will not be recorded to encourage candid discussion.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for a fun-filled Back to School Picnic on Thursday, September 18, from 5:30–7:30 PM! Kids can enjoy an inflatable soccer field, gaga pit, obstacle course, lawn games, a photo booth, and music from our DJ. Pizza and other concessions will be available (cash, credit, and paypal accepted). The school store will be selling spirit wear. Parents and guardians are invited to socialize and connect in the cafeteria. 

Important! By attending the picnic or having your child attend the picnic, you are approving their participation and also consenting to the following waiver. This event is free and open to CJMS students and families only. 

Volunteers Needed! We’ve added more activities to the picnic this year based on student feedback, but we need your help to make it a success. If you can help for an hour or two we would appreciate it. SSL opportunities available for cleanup. Sign-up Genius

Questions? Reach out to info@cabinjohnptsa.org. See you on the 18th!

By joining the PTSA, you are advocating on behalf of our students (including your own) and showing your commitment to providing the best school experience at Cabin John. We welcome student members too! Join online today on our Membership Toolkit. No additional commitment is required. Membership is annual and must be renewed each school year.

Donate to PTSA – Most of our funding comes from your donations so please donate if you are able. While we suggest $100 per family, any amount helps! Last year we only met 59% of our fundraising goal, which impacts our financial strength and ability to support our students. Every dollar we raise supports programs and activities at CJMS. Membership dues only account for 15% of our annual budget. Please add a donation to your cart when you join! Learn more about ways we support Cabin John.

Volunteer – There are lots of ways to get involved—even an hour makes a difference! Complete this form to discover available opportunities and indicate your interest.

Keep in Touch – Make sure you are subscribed to Cougar Clips for weekly updates and mark your calendar for the Back to School Picnic (Thursday, September 18th) and our first PTSA meeting of the year (Tuesday, October 14th).

Wootton Athletics is excited to host six Spirit Games this fall, celebrating elementary and middle school students from the Wootton cluster. These events are designed to showcase school spirit, support our student-athletes, and strengthen community connections.

All students ages 11 and under will receive free admission!

Join us for an evening of fun, including concessions, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Wootton merchandise, spirited cheer and pom performances, and a special halftime game or activity just for kids.

Come out and cheer on the Patriots!

We’re thrilled to announce that Odyssey of the Mind is returning to Cabin John Middle School —and we’d love for your child to be part of the journey!

Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition that empowers students to think outside the box, work collaboratively, and bring imaginative ideas to life. Whether they love building, performing, designing, or dreaming big, there’s a place for them on a team.

Program Kickoff: Friday, October 10 at 3:15 PM at Cabin John Middle School

Registration Deadline: Monday, September 29 using this link: https://forms.gle/g52g7CTVEbvQn6da8

Virtual Info Session – Learn More! We’ll be hosting a student/parent information meeting on Monday, September 29 at 7:00 PM to share more about the program, answer questions, and help families get started. Sign up for the information session here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D45AEAC2DA46-58667231-cabin

Calling All Coaches! We’re also looking for parent volunteers to coach teams this season. No experience needed—just enthusiasm and a willingness to guide students through the creative process.

If you have any questions or are interested in coaching, please reach out to cabinjohnodyssey@gmail.com. We can’t wait to see what your kids will create this year!

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is conducting safety assessments at 15 schools, including Bells Mill Elementary and Churchill High School, to better understand the needs of students who walk or bike to school. As part of this effort, MCDOT is seeking parent feedback through a brief survey to help identify areas where new crosswalks or sidewalks may be needed, as well as potential safety concerns that should be addressed.

Although Cabin John Middle School is not directly included in these assessments, many of the sidewalks, crosswalks, and roadways used by our students are part of the review. If you live in the Churchill or Bells Mill areas, we encourage you to complete the survey and help MCDOT make our students’ school commutes safer. 

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-PedSafety/srts/SRTS_FY26_Survey_Landing_Page.html

Do you want a voice in how curriculum and instruction are developed in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)? Are you passionate about making sure students, families, and teachers are heard in shaping MCPS’s educational vision?

The Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) is seeking PTSA representatives to serve on MCPS’s Curriculum Advisory Committees (CACs) and the Curriculum Advisory Assembly (CAA). These committees, run by MCPS, meet just four times a year—but your impact can last for years to come.

What you’ll do:

• Join subject-specific CACs (like math, science, or language arts) and the broader CAA to learn about and weigh in on big-picture curriculum, assessment and instructional issues.
• Ask questions, preview changes before they’re rolled out, and share your perspective.
• Ensure the voices of parents, students, and teachers are represented.
• Meet other MCCPTA reps, hear from central office, teachers and students, and share knowledge and experiences from all parts of the County

 Important details:

• Meetings are held quarterly, usually from 4:15 to 6 p.m. by Zoom. Dates TBD. Reps only need to attend the half of the meeting dedicated to the subject matter-specific issues but are welcome to attend the broader Assembly as well.
• We especially encourage representatives who can bring Special Education, ESOL, and Gifted Education perspectives, as well as voices from across Montgomery County’s diverse schools and communities.

 Apply by September 30!
Fill out this quick form to find out more information and get started: Apply Here.

Note that returning members must still fill out the form.

 Questions? Email esolvicechair@mccpta.org.

Together, we can make a real difference in strengthening MCPS’s curriculum for all students

Evelyn Chung

ESOL Committee Vice Chair | CAC Coordinator