 Thursday, August 31, 2023
This Monday was the start of Montgomery County Public Schools' 2023-2024 school year. With over 160,000 students heading back to their classrooms, this week was an exciting one! I was thrilled to be there for the opening of one of our newest schools, Cabin Branch Elementary School. Our Clarksburg and Seneca Valley clusters have been overcrowded for years, and this new school will take pressure off of nearby elementary schools that have been over capacity for many years. This school is a great win for our District 2 community, and I commend the entire staff for a successful start to the year.
Opening a new school is not easy, but the team at Cabin Branch made sure that the school was ready to welcome new students without a hitch! Go Cabin Branch bears!!
 With my fellow councilmembers at the opening of Cabin Branch Elementary School.
 Screenshot of Youtube video about the opening of Cabin Branch ES.
Ensuring that our community is safe for residents has been a priority of mine, and school safety is no exception. I sat down with Community Service Officer Marcus Dixon and Officer John Johnson, the School Safety Coordinator for Police 5th District, earlier this week to discuss school safety.
Here are some tips for students to keep in mind.
- Be where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing.
- Make friends with positive people - friends have more influence than you think.
- Put the phone down, and have your eyes up. Pay attention to traffic!
Traffic collisions are a major issue. It is important to stay alert, follow crossing guard directions while in a school zone, and stop for school busses and pedestrians!
 Thank you to Officers Dixon and Johnson for sitting down with me to talk about staying safe as we head back to school.
You can watch my conversation with Officers Dixon and Johnson by clicking the button below.
The County Council's next session is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 12th. Our committee and Council agendas will be posted online in the coming weeks, and I encourage you to check the Council website regularly for updates and information.
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Poolesville Day: Rain or shine, Poolesville Day is scheduled for September 23rd from 10-4PM! Visit the website for more information on all of the great events planned.
- I’m excited to take part in Poolesville Day this year! If you would like to walk in the parade with me, please send me an email! I can’t wait to see you there!
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Community Conversations: FY25 Operating Budget Forums
- The County Executive is hosting community conversations about the upcoming budget. The Upcounty discussion will be held on September 26th from 7-8:30PM at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Learn more here.
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Transportation Town Hall: Join me and Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo for a conversation about the transportation issues affecting our community.
- October 12th from 6:30-8PM at the BlackRock Center for the Arts. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks!
 Wishing everyone a restful and rejuvenating Labor Day! To those who still have to work on this day, thank you for all the tireless effort you put into every day.
If you would like to get in touch with me regarding anything mentioned in this newsletter or any other concerns you may have, please email me at Councilmember.Balcombe@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7960.
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