Back to School
Welcome to Candlewood’s Back to School Information page for the 2022-2023 school year. These links will contain the information you will need to make sure that your child is ready for the school year. This page will be updated throughout the summer as we receive information that we need to share with you.
Principal's Welcome
We hope that you are enjoying your summer with your family and friends, and we look forward to providing an exciting and successful school year for your children. Also see below for additional information and important forms to begin the school year.
Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form
Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy
Community Message
Happy August Candlewood Families-
We hope that you are all well and having a wonderful summer! It is hard to believe that school will soon be back in session in a few weeks! Please review the Community message linked below for the latest and greatest information as you and your family begin to prepare for Monday, August 29!
Beginning, Sunday, August 21 at 5pm, we will be sending our Community message via email on a weekly basis.
School Supply List
Students are encouraged to have the materials on our school supply list available to help with organization, note-taking, and other important academic tasks. The complete list includes recommended supplies for each grade level.
School Year Calendar
For school holidays and other important dates for the school year, access the MCPS School Calendar.
Free and Reduced Meals:
For more information and How-To videos visit the Food Services website: www.montgomeryschools.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/meal-payments/#FARMS
Meal Accounts through SchoolBucks: To set-up an account or make a payment to purchase breakfast or lunch please use the following link: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/meal-payments/
Bus Schedule:
Transportation Parent Letter - English
Transporation Parent Letter - Spanish
Late Arrivals and Early Student Sign-Out: A Student Sign-In/Sign Out QR code is located on the office window, by the main office doorbell. Use your phone camera to scan the QR code to be directed to the questions found on the MCPS Student Sign-In/Sign Out Form 560-1.
All students who arrive at or after 9:00am must be signed in by a parent/guardian at the office using the QR code. Parents/Guardians who need to sign-out (pick-up) a student early should notify the school via email in the morning and use the QR code. Please make sure to update your emergency contacts in ParentVue with the names of guardians who are authorized to pick up students. Parents/guardians are required to show a photo ID before release of students.
Register for SchoolCash Online: Montgomery County Public Schools has transitioned to a new online payment system called SchoolCash Online as its preferred method of payment for school-related fees such as fundraisers, field trips, obligations, etc. Please note that the new payment system is NOT related to school cafeteria accounts.
SchoolCash Online helps parents/guardians and community members pay school-related fees safely, quickly, and easily. SchoolCash Online will help increase efficiency and security at schools by making payments directly into schools’ bank accounts and eliminating the need for teachers to handle money. In addition, once registered, you will be immediately informed about school activities!
Powered by KEV Group, SchoolCash Online is the industry leader in the management of school fees. The new system puts all of the school-related fees online for purchase so users can make purchases online using a credit card or e-check. A processing fee will be included on all items available for purchase, regardless of the type of payment used on SchoolCash Online or at the school.
Parents/guardians can register now at - https://mcpsmd.schoolcashonline.com/ Additional guidance can be found at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-j8hgvqjgRi2dJzPTnqAI5dJ9sI39yp1/view?usp=sharing
A Message from Mrs. Hetrick, School Counselor:
Hello! My name is Anna Hetrick and I have the honor of being the School Counselor at Candlewood Elementary. I have had the pleasure of working here since 2007 and have loved watching the children in this community grow! As the school counselor my mission is to help provide a safe and positive learning environment for all students. I have the privilege to meet and work with all our Candlewood students through a variety of interactions. Students will participate in monthly classroom counseling lessons, focusing on a number of topics from understanding and identifying feelings, to goal setting, bullying, practicing mindfulness and more. I also have the opportunity to work closely with students in either a group or individual setting to support student’s growth socially and emotionally. I work as a partner with teachers and parents to meet our students where they are and help them to be their best selves. Please keep an eye out for opportunities for group work and other fun school wide events. If you have any concerns or questions, I am always just an email, annemarie_v_hetrick@mcpsmd.org , or phone call away. I look forward to working with you and your children.