Category: CougarClips

Enjoy a delicious and easy way to support our school community at the Cabin John Village Shake Shack on Wednesday, May 28th, from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM! Skip the cooking, gather with family and friends, and give back to CJMS -all in one fun outing.

Get ready for a fun-filled Movie Night on Friday, April 24, from 5:30 to 8 pm, in the CJMS Cafeteria (open to CJMS students only)!

What: Enjoy Zootopia 2 along with carnival games before the movie
Cost: $5 (includes pizza, a drink, and popcorn). Extra snacks available for purchase
What to Do: Pay on the school website and have your student turn in a signed permission slip during lunch. Printed copies will be available at lunch.

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 step into openboard 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, inclusive decision-making, and long-term continuity for our community. Please consider getting involved — your voice and perspective matter!

Several board members are interested in continuing to serve and will run for reelection. 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 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 PTSA. Also, as noted below, we are seeking 3 members for a nominating committee per our bylaws. 

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!

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 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!

Our CJMS Multicultural Night is a special evening that celebrates the rich cultures, traditions, and talents within our school community, and right now, we especially need performers to bring the stage to life! We’re also looking to grow our global representation, so we encourage families to sign up to host a country table.

We are currently seeking:

• Performers (HIGH PRIORITY!): We are actively seeking students, parents, and staff to perform and showcase music, dance, storytelling, demonstrations, and more (performances should be 5 minutes or less). This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your culture while engaging and inspiring the entire community!
• Parent Country Hosts (student assistance encouraged): Share your culture by hosting a table representing your country! It’s a fun and meaningful way to celebrate and teach others about your heritage. Display cultural items, share traditions, and offer small food samples. The PTSA will reimburse up to $75 per country (with receipts) to help cover costs.

Your participation helps make this event an engaging and memorable experience, and students who volunteer can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for their time.

Sign up here
PLEASE NOTE: Countries listed were represented last year based on prior sign-ups. This list is not intended to be exhaustive or to exclude any countries. If your country is not listed, select “OTHER COUNTRIES” and include your country when signing up. We would love to expand our global reach, and we encourage you to participate.

Thank you for helping us celebrate the diversity that makes our CJMS community so special. We look forward to an incredible Multicultural Night together with your help.

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!

The Minority Scholars Program (MSP) is hosting an art exhibit, and it is a great opportunity to celebrate culture through art! We are looking for students to show off their artistic talent and heritage? 

Details:

• Submit original physical or digital artwork (no AI, no audio/video)
• Be respectful, creative, and celebrate your culture
• Submissions can be in any language

Deadline: April 20
Physical drop-off: Ms. Susanna Bonig, Room 1125
Online Submission (Student MCPS Account Login Required): http://bit.ly/MSP_Art_Exhibit
Display: Multipurpose Room (April 27–May 1) & Multicultural Night (May 1)

Let’s showcase our students’ creativity! Please encourage your child to participate.

During a work session on April 16, the Board of Education discussed proposed amendments to the 2026-2027 school year calendar. Due to a Maryland State Board of Education requirement that public school systems end their school year by June 18, 2027, the Board will need to amend the school calendar. Changes could affect: religious observances, the shortening of winter and/or spring break, or potentially beginning the school year earlier in August. 

MCPS is asking for community input on these changes. Please fill out this survey and make your voice heard! The Board will take final action at its business meeting on April 30.

Link to survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6dfSGZ9aNwxX0ZKJvs-4P2MpWltJMRG5a8Y0KrPPpRTA1PQ/viewform