Good Afternoon SMS 6th Grade Families,

Please see the link below and provide us with your thoughts and feedback about our August 10, 2026 Transition Day for students. The deadline to complete this survey is Monday, August 31, 2026.

Transition Day Parent Feedback Survey

Thanks,

Mr. Keith

Shawsville Middle School Athletics Fan/Spectator Expectations

August 21, 2026

Dear Mustang Athletics Parents/Guardians,

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone for their dedication to supporting our student-athletes with passion and love. I wanted to send a reminder about expectations for spectators and fan behavior during games. At Shawsville Middle School, a key component of our student-athletes is for them to carry themselves with sportsmanship and class during all athletic contests. We ask that you all do the same. We all are representatives of the Shawsville community and always aim to be viewed positively with class and respect. The following actions will result in potential removal from games or being banned from athletics events at Shawsville Middle School:

1. Yelling negative or derogatory statements at referees, student-athletes, or coaches.
2. Using profane language at any time.
3. Disrespectful behavior towards other fans/spectators.

If you experience any issues during a game, please come and see me or Mr. Hairston. Please assist us in supporting your student-athletes with class and sportsmanship as you are representing both your player and the community as a whole. Passion is always acceptable when it doesn’t turn into negativity. I completely understand the importance of passion as a former high school and college student-athlete along with my time as a middle school, JV, and Varsity coach. Please give me a call at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions.

Go Mustangs!

Sincerely,

Brandon D. Keith
Principal

2026-2027 Shawsville Middle School Girls’ Basketball

Interested in playing Girls Basketball this season? Come meet the coaches, learn about the upcoming season, and get important information about tryouts and expectations.

Date - Monday, August 24, 2026

Time - 3:10–3:45 PM

Location - Meet in the Gym

Who should/can attend - All girls interested in playing middle school basketball are encouraged to attend!

Parents are not required to attend, but are always welcome!

Please reach out to Coach CJ Kostenblatt if you have any questions at ckostenb@mcps.org.

Good afternoon!


Welcome to the new school year! My name is Katie Schendel, and I am excited to step into the role of SMS PTO President for the upcoming year.
I teach 6th grade math at SMS, and have worked in the building for the last 10 years, so I've had the privilege of getting to know so many of our incredible students and families. This school year is extra special for me as a parent because I now have a middle schooler of my own (plus a younger child at EMES, where I serve as PTO Treasurer). I deeply care about our school community, from both sides of the desk!
As we start this year, our PTO is truly getting a fresh start. Last year's entire board has moved onto the high school, which means we have a blank slate and a wonderful opportunity to build something strong, welcoming, and effective together.
Our primary goal this year is simple: to support our students, teachers, and community in meaningful ways. To kick things off, we will hold our first PTO meeting of the year to share an agenda of ideas and gather your feedback on how we can best support our school this year.


Meeting details:
Date: Tuesday, August 18
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: SMS Library
Agenda: See the PTO email sent by Mr. Keith on 8/17
Virtual option: See the PTO email sent by Mr. Keith on 8/17


I know that evenings can be incredibly busy for families and getting to the school isn't always easy. If you can't make it in person, please join us online via the virtual link. Or reply to this email with your ideas or comments.
Whether you have an hour a month to volunteer, or simply want to drop in virtually to stay connected, your presence makes a difference. Please feel free to share this information with anyone from our community that might be interested in joining us. I look forward to partnering with you to make this a fantastic year for our students and school!


Sincerely,
Katie


--
Katie Schendel (catherineschendel@mcps.org)
6th Grade Math Teahcer
PTO President
Shawsville Middle School
(540) 268-2262
sms.mcps.org

1. ParentSquare Account Activation Information

All parents/guardians who have not yet activated their ParentSquare accounts will receive a letter with detailed instructions next week. Please contact us at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions.

2. Student Reading Plan Letters

All students who qualify for Student Reading Plan will receive letters in the mail to determine parent/guardian involvement in individual plan implementation. Email were sent Wednesday with this information to qualifying families. Please contact us at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions.

3. SMS Cheer Update

We are unable to offer cheer at this time due to not having a coach. If you are interested in applying, then please contact Mr. Keith (brandonkeith@mcps.org) and Mr. Buchanan (henrybuchanan@mcps.org).

Transition Day for 6th Grade students on Monday, August 10, 2026

6th Grade Students and Families,

We are excited to have our 6th graders with us for Transition Day on Monday, August 10, 2026! Students will go through their daily class schedule and spend the last portion of the day participating in a Scavenger Hunt and a Rules/Procedures Meeting with Mr. Keith and Mr. Hairston. We have planned a fun and structured day for our 6th graders! Car riders should be dropped off at the front of the building between 7:35-8:00. They may be picked up from the front of the building beginning at 2:50. Please contact us at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Mr. Keith

*Fall 2026 Shawsville Middle School Sports Updates! (7/31/2026 Update)

-MS football started at 3:30 on July 30. Athletes must be ready to start at 3:30 at EMHS.
-MS Volleyball will hold tryouts August 5th from 5:30-7:30 and August 7th from 3-5 (if needed).
-JV Volleyball will hold tryouts on August 3rd (time TBA) at EMHS. (For interested 8th graders only)
-Cross Country - An update will be provided soon.

*****Cheer - An update will be provided very soon about cheerleading for the 2026-2027 School Year.

Please reach out to Coach Buchanan at henrybuchanan@mcps.org, if you have any questions.

2026 Shawsville Middle School Open House

Our Open House/Back to School Night will be held on Thursday, August 6th from 4:30-6:30. Attending students will receive their chromebooks, a copy of their schedule, and have an opportunity to meet their teachers and learn about extracurricular clubs and athletics! We hope to see everyone there! Call us at 540-268-2262 if you have any questions!

*2026-2027 Shawsville Middle School Electronics Policy

SMS Families,

Please carefully review our new policy for electronics expectations for SMS students during the 2026-2027 school year. Please contact us at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions. The visual flyer is attached here 2026-2027 Shawsville Middle School Copy of Cell Phones, Smart Watches & Earbuds Expectations for Students/Families.

2026-2027 SHAWSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVICE EXPECTATIONS - CELL PHONES / SMART WATCHES / HEADPHONES / EARBUDS / META GLASSES

EXPECTATION
Personal Technology Devices (Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Headphones, Earbuds, Meta Glasses, etc.) must remain silent/off and in student’s bookbags during the entire school day. Students may use electronics during the morning bus room/breakfast and after school starting at 2:50. Each morning before leaving the gym/cafeteria areas, students will be reminded and monitored by administration as they turn off and put away their devices.
CONSEQUENCES
*First offense - The student may pick up the device at the end of the day from the office.

*Second offense - The student’s parent/guardian will need to pick up their child’s phone from the main office between the hours of 8:00 - 4:30.

*Repeat offenders (3+) A meeting will be held and the student’s parent/guardian will need to pick up their child’s phone from the main office between the hours of 8:00 - 4:30. The student will receive progressive disciplinary action/consequences, including but not limited to parent involvement, silent lunch, In-School Suspension, After School Detention, loss of privileges, and no phone allowed at school.


Personal Technology Devices (Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Headphones, Earbuds, Meta Glasses, etc.) can be and are a distraction to student learning and can promote discipline issues.

Students are NOT permitted to post nor take pictures/videos of ANYONE while on school property (which INCLUDES the school bus, morning/afternoon bus rooms, cafeteria, & car rider area).

Students must keep Personal Technology Devices (Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Headphones, Earbuds, Meta Glasses, etc.) OFF, SILENT, and in their backpack. Devices may NOT be carried on a person (ex. kept in clothing or pockets)

If students need to get in touch with a parent during school hours, they should report to the main office to make arrangements (only with staff permission). Students are NOT allowed to use their own device as it is distracting to the educational day.

MCPS Cell Phone Policy - June 18, 2024


*Montgomery County Immunization Flyer

The visual flyer is attached here Montgomery County Immunization Clinic Visual Flyer.

Stay Healthy.
Stay Ready for School!
Annual Immunization Clinics at MCPS

Montgomery County Public Schools is partnering with Blacksburg
Pharmacy to provide immunization clinics for students entering 7th and
12th grade for the 2026-27 school year.
If your child needs required school immunizations, stop by the location
most convenient for you!

Friday, July 31
Eastern Montgomery High School
9:00-11:00 AM
Auburn High School
1:00-3:00 PM

Thursday, August 6
Christiansburg Middle School
9:00-11:00 AM
Blacksburg High School
1:00-3:00 PM

Vaccines Available
Meningococcal (Meningitis)
Tdap
HPV

What to Bring
Insurance Card (if applicable)
Parent/guardian photo ID

*2026-2027 Shawsville Middle School Electronics Policy

SMS Families,

Please carefully review our new policy for electronics expectations for SMS students during the 2026-2027 school year. Please contact us at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions. The visual flyer is attached here 2026-2027 Shawsville Middle School Copy of Cell Phones, Smart Watches & Earbuds Expectations for Students/Families.

2026-2027 SHAWSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVICE EXPECTATIONS - CELL PHONES / SMART WATCHES / HEADPHONES / EARBUDS / META GLASSES

EXPECTATION
Personal Technology Devices (Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Headphones, Earbuds, Meta Glasses, etc.) must remain silent/off and in student’s bookbags during the entire school day. Students may use electronics during the morning bus room/breakfast and after school starting at 2:50. Each morning before leaving the gym/cafeteria areas, students will be reminded and monitored by administration as they turn off and put away their devices.
CONSEQUENCES
*First offense - The student may pick up the device at the end of the day from the office.

*Second offense - The student’s parent/guardian will need to pick up their child’s phone from the main office between the hours of 8:00 - 4:30.

*Repeat offenders (3+) A meeting will be held and the student’s parent/guardian will need to pick up their child’s phone from the main office between the hours of 8:00 - 4:30. The student will receive progressive disciplinary action/consequences, including but not limited to parent involvement, silent lunch, In-School Suspension, After School Detention, loss of privileges, and no phone allowed at school.


Personal Technology Devices (Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Headphones, Earbuds, Meta Glasses, etc.) can be and are a distraction to student learning and can promote discipline issues.

Students are NOT permitted to post nor take pictures/videos of ANYONE while on school property (which INCLUDES the school bus, morning/afternoon bus rooms, cafeteria, & car rider area).

Students must keep Personal Technology Devices (Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Headphones, Earbuds, Meta Glasses, etc.) OFF, SILENT, and in their backpack. Devices may NOT be carried on a person (ex. kept in clothing or pockets)

If students need to get in touch with a parent during school hours, they should report to the main office to make arrangements (only with staff permission). Students are NOT allowed to use their own device as it is distracting to the educational day.

MCPS Cell Phone Policy - June 18, 2024


*Montgomery County Immunization Flyer

The visual flyer is attached here Montgomery County Immunization Clinic Visual Flyer.

Stay Healthy.
Stay Ready for School!
Annual Immunization Clinics at MCPS

Montgomery County Public Schools is partnering with Blackburg
Pharmacy to provide immunization clinics for students entering 7th and
12th grade for the 2026-27 school year.
If your child needs required school immunizations, stop by the location
most convenient for you!

Friday, July 31
Eastern Montgomery High School
9:00-11:00 AM
Auburn High School
1:00-3:00 PM

Thursday, August 6
Christiansburg Middle School
9:00-11:00 AM
Blacksburg High School
1:00-3:00 PM

Vaccines Available
Meningococcal (Meningitis)
Tdap
HPV

What to Bring
Insurance Card (if applicable)
Parent/guardian photo ID


*Fall 2026 Shawsville Middle School Sports Updates!

-MS football will BEGIN at 3:30 on July 30. Athletes must be ready to start at 3:30 at EMHS.
-MS Volleyball will hold tryouts August 5th from 5:30-7:30 and August 7th from 3-5 (if needed).
-JV Volleyball will hold tryouts on August 3rd (time TBA) at EMHS. (For interested 8th graders only)
-Cross Country - An update will be provided soon.

Please reach out to Coach Buchanan at henrybuchanan@mcps.org, if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Mr. Keith

Good morning SMS Families!

Schedules will be mailed home starting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. In order to have your child's schedule mailed home, all registration documents must be completed including School Care. The registration link is located here https://www.mcps.org/page/returning-student-registration. Our office staff will begin reaching out to families this week who have not yet completed the registration process. Please be sure to complete this very important process in order to ensure that your child receives their 2026-2027 course schedule as early as possible. Requests for schedule changes will be accepted through 3:00 on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. As a reminder, all schedule change requests may not result in adjustments being made due to the limited availability of class times and course offerings. Please contact us at 540-268-2262 with any questions.

Thanks for understanding,

Mr. Keith

Good morning All,

Please see the important reminder below about Returning Student Registration.

Returning student registration is now open! Complete the registration process for your student at https://www.mcps.org/page/returning-student-registration.

Registration is required for all families enrolled in MCPS. Completing registration now will allow your child's 2026-2027 class schedule to be mailed home in Mid-July with the first batch. Students' schedules will be held until registration has been completed. Feel free to come to Shawsville Middle School, and we will help you to complete the registration process. Please contact us at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions. 

SMS Returning Student Registration

Thanks,

Mr. Keith

Good morning SMS Families,

This is a reminder for families that MCPS summer nutrition programs will be available throughout June, July, and early August.

Children 18 years old and younger can receive free breakfast and lunch at select school locations, and SUN Meal Kits will be available weekly at Shawsville Middle School. Meals will be served at SMS from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM on the following dates:

Monday, June 22nd

Monday, June 29th

Monday, July 6th

Monday, July 13th

Monday, July 20th

Monday, July 27th

Monday, August 3rd

Meal kit pickup times across MCPS, meal schedules, and additional program details are available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program

Please contact us at SMS at 540-268-2262, if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Mr. Keith

Parents/guardians,

Please ensure that students bring all Chromebooks to school on tomorrow, May 27th as they will be collected for the summer. If your student has a loaner chromebook, please be sure that it is returned as well. Please bring all mi-fi devices and library books as well.

All,

Please see the attached link below for information about The Shawsville Girl Scout Troop.

Shawsville Girl Scouts

Thanks!

Mr. Keith

Good morning,

Our 8th Grade Awards Ceremony will be held at 1:30 on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 in the SMS auditorium. All families are invited to attend. All students will not receive awards, but parents/guardians of those who are scheduled to be awarded will be contacted directly starting on Monday, May 11, 2026. There will be an 8th Grade slideshow at the end of the awards ceremony with pictures of all students. Please contact us if you have any questions at 540-268-2262.

Thanks,

Mr. Keith