Originally delivered on 1/15/2024 8:01 am

SUBJECT: Hoover Notes January 15, 2024

Newsletter
HOOVER NOTES

Hoover Notes will be sent out weekly to help you keep track of important school community news and events.  New items are bolded.  Links are blue.

PTA News
  1. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help with outdoor recess!  Please consider signing up here for future Fridays.  We need to have at least 4 parentsper grade to cover any last-minute cancellations. Please call the main office at 301-968-3740 if there is inclement weather and notify Kimberly King at PresidentHooverPTA@gmail.com if your plans change the day of.
  2. Save the dates for our 2024 fundraising Spirit Nights: 1/23 from 4-9 pm - Fire Wok (Potomac Village), 2/9 - Shake Shack (Cabin John), and 4/10 - Potomac Pizza (Potomac Village and Travilah). 
  3. Many of you know that MLK Day is a National Day of Service. The PTA will be honoring this day of service and Dr. Martin Luther King's vision by inviting students and their families to make handmade Valentine's Day cards for adults and children who are seriously ill or homebound. Cards need to be delivered to the PTA mailbox at Hoover by 1/24.  Students who wish to have SSL hours for making these cards should take a picture of their cards and email presidenthooverpta@gmail.com. SSL forms will be provided by email.  
  4. Join us for a Parent Tea on 1/26 at 9 am.  Phyllis L. Fagell, a licensed clinical professional counselor, certified professional school counselor, and journalist will be discussing the 10 key skills kids need to thrive in middle school and beyond - and how parents can help. Help us plan for seating and refreshments by registering here. 
  5. International Night is coming to Hoover on 2/1 at 6-7:30 pm. Please join us in making this a success and sign up to represent your country with a table with items and foods representing your country and culture.  If you don't see your country listed, please sign up under "New Country" and put the country name and your information under the comments. 
  6. The Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA), of which the Hoover PTA is a member, has released its advocacy priorities for 2023-2024. If you have any questions about the advocacy priorities, please contact the Hoover delegates to MCCPTA, Martin Stuemer (martin.stuermer11@gmail.com) and Jennifer Nordin (hhmsdelegate1@gmail.com).
  7. New items added to the Hoover Staff's Amazon Wishlist include student prizes, and support for the health room, Mr. Calvert's Bay Buddies, the math department, and the Bridge Program.  Items should be delivered to the "Gift Registry Address" at 11208 River View Drive, Potomac, MD 20854.
  8. The PTA's Safety Committee is working with the MCDOT Safe Route to School to address concerns about the clogged roadways, poor driver visibility, inexperienced Churchill and St. Andrews drivers, and safe walkability for Hoover and Beverly Farms students. Learn more about the Committee's advocacy efforts here.
  9. Join the PTA if you haven't already. We would love to get to 100% participation!
  10. Link your Harris Teeter VIC card to the Together in Education program to earn money for Hoover.  Click here for more details.
  11. Stay up-to-date with PTA activities when you join the Hoover PTA Facebook Page.
Hoover News
  1. Dr. Kim's January Message is available here.  
  2. Parent volunteers are still needed for the 7th Grade Finance Park field trip on 1/22-1/24. The link to the MCPS site to volunteer is https://www.myja.org/parents/montgomery.   Parents can volunteer one or more days. Parents will get trained at Edison HS the morning of the trip.
  3. Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night is on 1/16. There will be a meeting for Special Education parents at 5:30 pm and for all parents on 6 pm. Spirit Wear will be available for purchase.
  4. Eighth Grade students must have their courses selected and submitted in Synergy by Wednesday, 1/17.  For registration information, please visit the website: Winston Churchill 24-25 Course Request Information. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s counselor. 
  5. The English & Language Arts Department Showcase is scheduled for 1/18 at 5-7 pm.  The showcase will feature a poetry recitation contest by Hoover students, a live debate by the Hoover Alumni Elevate Debate Club, and an opportunity to meet local authors. Parent volunteers are requested to host tables from 6-7 pm if they are in a career where writing is a focus and a necessity. Interested?  Contact dina_e_beatty@mcpsmd.org.
  6. The Media Center is looking for volunteers. Here is the link to sign up. Sign up is till the end of February. Volunteers will need to complete one module: Online "Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training" via your MCPS Classroom/Canvas Account. You can read the user guide here. Questions? Contact Saumya Sharma-Bhardwaj at avi.guh@gmail.com.
  7. Buy yearbooks here.  You can purchase Yearbook Recognition Ads until 1/26. The flyer has more information.
  8. Arts and crafts supplies are being collected for student projects. Please drop off donations in the Media Center.  
  9. Registration for girls' soccer opens 1/29 at noon.
  10. The Science and Math Departments are celebrating STEM on 3/14 (Pi Day) at 5-7 pm. Parent volunteers are needed to present or run activities.  Please complete the Volunteer Google Form if you're interested.  They are also looking for new organizations to participate. If you or someone you know works with an organization like NOAA, NASA, Discovery, National Geographic or any other STEM related organization, or you know someone who works in a STEM related field, please contact Julie_a_Marsteller@mcpsmd.org.
MCPS Community News
  1. MCPS Things to Know Thursday January 11 includes information about a bus tracking app announcement, upcoming virtual Parent Academy TO GO workshops, upcoming events, reminders, and more. 
  2. Read the latest edition of MCPS QuickNotes, which includes a calendar of events and MCPS news and information.
  3. Multiple elementary and middle schools in Maryland are among the best in the country, according to new rankings released by U.S. News & World. Montgomery County dominated the rankings with Herbert Hoover ranked #2 in the top 10 middle schools in Maryland!
Student Service Learning (SSL)

Student Service Learning is a Maryland state graduation requirement. 75 SSL hours are required to graduate.  For more information and SSL opportunities, visit the MCPS SSL page, the Montgomery County Volunteer Center's website, and the PTA's SSL page.  If you have questions, email Hoover's SSL Coordinator, Amalia Triantis at Amalia_D_Triantis@mcpsmd.org.

Week of January 15, 2024

1/15   No School (Holiday)

1/16   Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night, 5:30 pm (Special Education Parents), 6 pm (All Parents).  Spirit Wear will be available for purchase.

1/17   Winston Churchill HS Course Selection Deadline for 8th Grade Students

1/18   English & Language Arts Department Showcase, 5-7 pm

1/19   Friday Outdoor Recess (sign up to volunteer here)

Week of January 22, 2024

1/22-1/24   7th Grade Finance Park Field Trip

1/23   PTA Spirit Night Fundraiser at Fire Wok, 4-9 pm

1/24   Valentine's Day Cards Deadline

1/26   PTA Parent Tea, 9 am (register here)

1/26   Friday Outdoor Recess (sign up to volunteer here)

1/26   8th Grade Yearbook Congratulatory Ad Deadline

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