Originally delivered on 1/2/2024 8:00 am

SUBJECT: Hoover Notes January 2, 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 made cookies and pies and contributed to our holiday gift drive.
  2. We are thrilled that we successfully advocated to provide outdoor recess at the end of lunch every Friday.  The first one is scheduled for this Friday 1/5!  We need YOUR HELP to make it happen.  We need at least three parent volunteers per grade.  Sign up to volunteer here.
  3. 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.
  4. The PTA General Membership Meeting is on 1/9 at 7 pm on Zoom. There will be a special presentation by George Simms from the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office on cyber safety and preventing cyber bullying.  Please RSVP here. Minutes and a Zoom link will be sent by email before the meeting.
  5. Save the dates for our 2024 fundraising Spirit Nights: 1/23 - Fire Wok (Potomac Village), 2/9 - Shake Shack (Cabin John), and 4/10 - Potomac Pizza (Potomac Village and Travilah). 
  6. 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.  
  7. 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. 
  8. Join the PTA if you haven't already. We would love to get to 100% participation!
  9. Link your Harris Teeter VIC card to the Together in Education program to earn money for Hoover.  Click here for more details.
  10. Stay up-to-date with PTA activities when you join the Hoover PTA Facebook Page.
Hoover News
  1. Dr. Kim's December 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. Below is a list of registration events for Churchill HS for 8th Graders.  If you have any questions, please contact your student’s counselor.  
    • Tuesday, January 9:  WCHS Counseling Visits through Social Studies classes to discuss registration process
    • Wednesday, January 10: WCHS Resource Teacher visit to discuss course options
    • Thursday, January 11:  WCHS Rising 9th Grade Parent Night at Churchill HS - 7pm
    • Wednesday, January 17:   8th grade students must have their courses selected and submitted in Synergy (window is open 1/8-1/17)
    • For registration information, please visit the website: Winston Churchill 24-25 Course Request Information
  4. 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.
  5. Buy yearbooks here.  You can purchase Yearbook Recognition Ads. The flyer has more information.
  6. Arts and crafts supplies are being collected for student projects. Please drop off donations in the Media Center.  
  7. Registration for girls' soccer opens 1/29 at noon.
  8. 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 December 21 includes information about the superintendent's FY 25 Recommended Operating Budget and news about MCPS. 
  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, Joshua Meditch at Joshua_M_Menditch@mcpsmd.org.  

Week of January 1, 2024

1/5    First Friday Outdoor Recess (sign up to volunteer here)

Week of January 8, 2024

1/9     PTA General Membership Meeting, 7 pm (Zoom).  RSVP here. 

1/9-1/10    Winston Churchill HS Counselors and Resource Teacher Visits for 8th Graders

1/11   Rising 9th Grade Parent Night at Churchill HS, 7 pm

1/12   Friday Outdoor Recess (sign up to volunteer here)

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