Dear Rock View Community Families,

We are so happy to welcome our students and families back to Rock View after an unexpected week away due to the winter storm. We know that transitioning back into our school routines after several days off can take a little time, and we appreciate your partnership as we support students in settling back into their learning, reconnecting with classmates, and reestablishing daily expectations.

Mother Nature gave us a few extra snow days this winter, which means MCPS now needs to make up four instructional days. At this time, two non-instructional days will become instructional:

Friday, March 20 → Now an instructional day
Thursday, June 18 → Now an instructional day, early release, and the new last day of school

Students who observe Eid al-Fitr on March 20 will receive an excused absence.

MCPS is still exploring options for the remaining make-up days and will also request a waiver from the state for some of the missed instructional time. Once decisions are finalized, the district will share an updated plan and revised calendar with families.

Thank you for your continued support, flexibility, and partnership.

Warm regards,
Kilsys Batista

Celebrating Black History Month + Parent Read-Aloud Day

February is Black History Month, and we are excited to celebrate with a month full of meaningful learning, special activities, and schoolwide festivities that honor the achievements, voices, and contributions of African American leaders, authors, artists, and innovators. Throughout the month, students will participate in classroom projects, spotlight features, and a fun Spirit Week designed to celebrate culture, history, and community together.

We are also proud to continue one of our favorite traditions — inviting parents and caregivers into our classrooms to read aloud to students from books written by African American authors and poets. This was a huge success last year, and our students absolutely loved hearing stories shared by family members. We are hoping for another great turnout this year!

Our Parent Read-Aloud Day is scheduled for February 27th. This is a wonderful opportunity to share powerful stories, celebrate diverse voices, and inspire students through literature. If you have a favorite title, feel free to bring it — and if you’d like recommendations, we’re happy to help.

If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up using this link: Read-Aloud Sign Up. You’ll be able to select a grade level and time slot that works best for your schedule.

Thank you, as always, for partnering with us and helping make these experiences special for our students. We’re looking forward to a joyful and engaging month of celebration and learning.

~AP Helse

✨ CALLING ALL RISING STARS! ✨

Hey Rock View Family! 🌟

The buzz is in the air for our spectacular 2026 Variety Show!

Your flyers went home last Friday, and we’re already seeing incredible sign-ups rolling in!

Whether you’re a dancer, singer, musician, magician, or have a totally unique talent to share – we want YOU on our stage!

🎭 The Big Show 🎭

Thursday, March 19th is YOUR night to shine!

Solo or with friends, get ready to create an unforgettable performance that’ll have everyone cheering!

⭐ Why You Don’t Want to Miss This ⭐

Create amazing memories with your friends
Show off that talent you’ve been practicing
Feel the energy of a real live audience
Be part of one our school’s biggest event!

📝 Quick Reminder! 📝

Remember to:

Turn in your Permission Slip (attached to our beautiful flyers)
Scan that QR code to fill out your audition form or use this link: bit.ly/rvesvarietyshow

✨ Important Date Alert ✨

All forms must reach your teacher by Thursday, February 5th!

Start planning your act, gather your friends, and let’s make this the most incredible Variety Show yet!

The stage is ready… are YOU?

Sign up now and let your talent SHINE! ✨

Don’t miss out – get those forms in by February 5th and be part of the most amazing show of 2026!

Got questions? Mrs. Taupenot is here to help!

#ShowTime

#RockViewTalent

#VarietyShow2026

Happy Snowy February! We have a lot of exciting events coming up from the School Counseling Department at Rock View. This month we are focusing on Empathy. Empathy is recognizing how someone else is feeling and doing something to help them. To build off of this and celebrate Friendship day, we'll be talking about different ways to spread kindness in our school community throughout the next week. This past week was National School Counseling Week, and we would like to invite parents in on Friday, February 13th to learn more about our program here. See the attached flyer for details on that. We also are beginning to plan our next Career Day in March. Look for more communication in the coming weeks on that!

Come join us at this year's Multicultural Night on Thursday, February 12 from 6-8 pm! There will be food, music, dancing, and a performance by Albert Einstein HS's Titanes Salseros!

However, we need YOUR help to make this night the best it can be!

SIGN UP HERE if you'd like to:

- Host a cultural table (we need 10 more hosts!)

- Bring food or drink to share (does not have to be traditional food)

- Volunteer at Multicultural Night, including set up, clean up, and/or handing out food

- Have you or your children perform

Questions? Text Maddie at (240) 375-9704 or email board@rvespta.org. See you there!

All You Need to Know for Lunch
The Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMS) application is available for the 2025–2026 school year. A new FARMS application must be completed every school year. Meals are free for students who qualify for the program. Only one application is needed for all students in a household. Learn more.

Visit the Department of Food and Nutrition and Services webpage for information on breakfast and lunch menus and how to add money to your child’s account through MySchoolBucks.

Volunteers Make a Difference
MCPS welcomes volunteers! Our schools are stronger because parents, caregivers, and community members step in to help. Whether it’s chaperoning a trip, coaching, or lending a hand in the classroom, volunteers make a real difference for kids. At the same time, nothing matters more than keeping every child safe. That’s why we require all volunteers to complete the required training—and some volunteers must also complete a fingerprinted background check, including:

Volunteer coaches
Grade 6 Outdoor Education
Overnight or extended day field trip chaperones (returning after 7:00 p.m. or out-of-area/state)
Volunteers working 1:1 with students unsupervised

For more information about being a volunteer with MCPS, visit these websites

Volunteer Information
Application Form
Child Abuse and Neglect Training
MCPS Background Screening Office (for criminal background checks)

Making Up the Snow Days
As a result of the recent winter storm, MCPS needs to make up four instructional days. Two non-instructional days will be changed to instructional days: Friday, March 20 and Thursday, June 18, which will be an early release day and the new last day of the school year. Students observing Eid al-Fitr on March 20 will receive an excused absence.
Other make-up days are being considered, but no decisions have been made. MCPS will request a waiver from the state for some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome, the district will update its make-up plan and share a revised school calendar with families.

New Marking Period, New Momentum: Staying Connected for Student Success
Marking Period 3 officially started on Tuesday, Feb. 3. With the start of a new semester, families have the opportunity to reestablish communication to ensure everyone remains on the same page about student progress throughout the marking period and second semester. Read more for tips for a strong start and key dates.

Superintendent Presents Boundary Recommendations and Regional Secondary Programs Model
During the Board of Education’s work session today (Feb. 5), Superintendent Thomas Taylor presented a set of boundary recommendations regarding Charles W. Woodward and Thomas S. Wootton high schools. He also proposed a regional secondary model that would provide students with increased access to a broad range of programs. Read more.