Rockburn Report
September 14, 2026
Rockburn Updates
Dear Rockburn Families,
One week until the official start of fall! Get ready for all those fun fall activities!!!!
It was wonderful seeing so many families at our back to school nights last week. If you need a recap or were unable to make it, please go to our Rockburn website. The powerpoints will be uploaded for you to access. Thank you!
See below for our updated Rockburn Spiritwear! New fun styles!
Please see below for new Rockburn updates!
Let's ROCK this week!
Hispanic Heritage Month
This month celebrates and honors the contributions, culture, and history of those from or with ancestors from the Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, Central, and South America. Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15th because several Latin American countries celebrate their independence then, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also have independence days during this time. Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish or are descended from Spanish-speaking populations. Terms such as Latina/Latino, Latine, and Latinx are used to describe people from Latin America.
Please see PDF below for more information.
Please check out some of these resources:
https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources
https://www.readbrightly.com/picture-books-celebrate-hispanic-heritage/#0
Kick off LGBTQIA+ History Month with Lesléa Newman:
Families and Community are invited to join HCPSS in partnership with the LGBTQIA+ Commission of Howard County and CARY to bring you this hybrid FAMILY Read the Rainbow and LGBTeaQi&A on Thursday, October 1, 2026 @ 6:00 pm. The first 50 families with children in grades 5 and under who register and attend the program will receive a free copy of the book, Rainbow Cookies by Lesléa Newman. FAMILY Read the Rainbow is a 30-45 minute virtual program in which participants get to meet an LGBTQIA+ inclusive author to hear them read their book aloud, and have a discussion with the author and our LGBTeaQi&A is an activity to bring together families and community who are looking to connect and learn together. This special combination program will provide attendees with the opportunity and option to join us in person at the Miller Branch Library. Registration is required as space is limited. Thursday, October 1, 2026 @ 6:00PM; HYBRID - in person at Miller Branch Library or virtual (select when registering). Registration
Links to an external site. is required.
Family Connection Academy Kickoff
All HCPSS families are invited to attend an inspiring event designed to support, connect, and empower the HCPSS Community. Discover practical strategies to enhance learning at home, explore K-12 curricular updates and academic standards. Participate in engaging sessions, access community resources, and build meaningful connections with other HCPSS families. Enjoy student entertainment and a special appearance by a former Ravens player! A light complimentary dinner, K-5 childcare and language access provided. Registration suggested. Location: Hammond High School, Wednesday, September 16, from 6:00-8:30 pm. Please refer to this flyer
Links to an external site. for additional information and how to register.
Important Attendance Information
Dear Parents/Families:
Attendance is crucial for student success from kindergarten to high school. Missing school impacts academic and social achievements.
Significance: Missing 10% or more can harm academic success. In 6th grade, absenteeism signals a higher risk of dropout. By 9th grade, regular attendance is a strong predictor of graduation.
Maryland Focus: The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) set a 10% absenteeism threshold for intervention, starting 2023-2024.
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) aims for 94-96% attendance for all students.
HCPSS Attendance Interventions:
5% Absence: Care and Concern Call or letter sent to parents/guardians to improve attendance.
10% Absence: Attendance conference may be arranged. Additional supports deployed.
15% Absence: Attendance support plan may be required.
20% Absence: Attendance Commitment Agreement may be required. Potential referral to the Central Attendance Team or State’s Attorney’s Letter may be sent.
With parents, staff, and students working together, we can improve attendance and student success.
Bullying Update from HCPSS
Parents, Guardians, and Families,
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. Preventing bullying is an important part of this goal. HCPSS Policy 9460 prohibits bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, including hate/bias incidents, and intimidation.
HCPSS recently launched a new Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation (BCHI) Reporting Form that allows students, staff, and families to easily and confidentially report concerns. The BCHI Reporting Form should be used to report known or suspected incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, and hate/bias incidents. These may include physical aggression, threats, retaliation, teasing or name-calling, rumors, exclusion, threatening gestures, online/social media behavior, or conduct related to a student's identity or characteristics.
What happens after you report?
The school will address any immediate safety concerns. The targeted student's parent/guardian will be notified as soon as possible and an administrator will begin the investigation within two school days. Both families will receive written notice of the outcome within 15 calendar days, excluding extenuating circumstances.
A Note About Cyberbullying
In today's digital world, bullying can extend beyond the school day. Cyberbullying can occur through social media, text messages, group chats, gaming platforms, apps, and other digital spaces. Online behavior that occurs outside of school may still require school intervention when it has a connection to the school setting and impacts a student's safety or educational environment. Families are encouraged to talk regularly with their children about responsible online behavior and to save screenshots, messages, posts, or other evidence when concerns arise.
Not sure if it's bullying? Please still tell us. Peer conflict or other concerning behavior may not meet the definition of bullying but may still require school support and follow-up. Students and families do not need to decide whether something “counts” as bullying before asking for help.
For additional information or to submit a report, visit the HCPSS Stop Bullying website or review HCPSS Policy 9460.
Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) Program
Many HCPSS families may be eligible to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program
.
Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including free college applications, free or reduced JumpStart dual enrollment tuition, discounted internet through the Comcast Internet Essentials program, and more.
Families must submit a new application every school year. During the first 30 school days, students with FARMs eligibility from the prior school year will continue to receive benefits. Any student whose family has not filled out an application by the 30th school day will have their status changed to full pay until a new application is received.
Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. It is very important that applications are filled out accurately and completely.
Apply by mail: Paper applications will be available at all school front offices. Applications can be returned to the school or mailed to HCPSS Food & Nutrition Services, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Answers to frequently asked questions
Information on HCPSS meals and additional meals/nutrition assistance programs can be found on the HCPSS Help site. If you have questions regarding the program, please visit www.hcpss.org/FARMs
or contact Food and Nutrition Services at 410-313-6743 or foodsvc@hcpss.org.
Car Loop and Bus Reminders
🚗 Car Loop Reminders
Please follow the directions of the staff members managing the car loop. They are there to help keep everyone moving safely and efficiently.
Please do not park and walk your student into the building during car loop.
For the safety of everyone, no dogs are permitted on school grounds.
Walkers should arrive at the designated walker entrance before the school doors open. (We can add the specific location here if you'd like.)
Please do not pull around another car unless directed to do so by a staff member.
K–5 students may exit their cars all along the building sidewalk. Cars do not need to wait to pull all the way to the front of the building. This helps us keep the line moving!
For K–5 students, please have your child ready to exit the car independently. Parents/guardians need to remain in their vehicles during car loop.
🚌 Bus Reminders
Please plan to arrive at your bus stop 10 minutes early in both the morning and afternoon. Our bus drivers are still getting familiar with routes and stops at all of the schools they serve, so arrival times may vary a little during the first week or two.
Thank you so much for your patience, flexibility, and partnership as we get our routines up and running! We know the beginning of the school year can take a little time to settle into a rhythm, and we truly appreciate everyone's help in keeping our students safe.
Thank you for helping us ROCK a great start to the school year! 💙
Lunch Visits No Longer Permitted
Parent lunch visits are no longer permitted at any HCPSS school. Limiting access during the school day ensures safe and secure school communities by removing unnecessary access to students and school buildings, reducing disruptions, supporting student routines, and minimizing non-essential traffic in student areas. Parents are encouraged to communicate with school staff to stay engaged in their child's learning and seek opportunities to volunteer in an official capacity at the school.
Prize Cart Volunteers
We are once again looking for volunteers to help at recess with our prize cart. Once a month, students in grades 1-5 have the opportunity to trade in tickets for prizes. If you are able to help, please add your name to this sheet. Thank you!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eYB2wJ-O-vribButVYYfo103jTsSvP0hSOBbx1iRAQU/edit?usp=sharing
Please make sure you complete your Volunteer Training paperwork:
https://www.hcpss.org/parents/volunteer-information/
and email it to Nicky Wolf - Nicole_Wolf@hcpss.org before coming to volunteer. Thanks!
New Rockburn Spirtwear!!!
RES Spiritwear store
Get your Rockburn gear here! Happy Shopping!
***CHECK OUT THE NEW DESIGNS!!!!***
***THEY LOOK AWESOME!!!***
Important Dates
Important Dates
September
- 21st - Schools Closed
- 30th - 3 Hour Early Dismissal
October
- 15th - Fall Pictures
- 16th - No School
- 27th - End of 1st Quarter
- 28th - No School
- 30th - Rocky Run (schedule posted later)
Past Rockburn Reports
September 8th - https://app.smore.com/n/a5nu8-rockburn-report
August 31st - https://app.smore.com/n/kvyzd-rockburn-report
PTA Updates and Information
Rock Into a New Year by Joining the PTA!
The 2026-2027 PTA Membership Drive is underway. Your PTA contribution and membership helps fund many programs throughout the year such as Cultural Arts assemblies, Family Involvement events, Back to School Celebration, Fall Festival, Holiday Shop, Bingo Night, Movie Night, Sports Park NIght, 5th grade signature shirts, school gifts, staff appreciation, and enhancements to our recess and PE programs. All parents are encouraged to join the PTA.
You can pay your annual membership dues online via our MemberHub store (https://rockburnpta.givebacks.com/shop). You can also make a direct donation to the PTA there.
Pre-Order Your Dinner for the Back to School Celebration
Please join the PTA for the Back to School Celebration on Friday, September 25th from
6-7:30PM on the RES blacktop.
We will have tons of fun activities for the students - including a DJ, sports equipment, art activities, glow sticks and Rocky himself!
Dinner, Domino's and Jimmy John's, is available to pre-purchase. Order an easy dinner for you and your family at https://rockburnpta.givebacks.com/shop?category=200414. The link is open until 9/23 at noon. Please note that besides Kona Ice, no other food options will be available on site the day of the event.
Don't forget a blanket or chairs and a drink. See you at the Back to School Celebration!
Bookmark our New Linktr.ee
Play Pickleball at Rockburn
The Rockburn PTA is once again partnering with TGA to offer pickleball classes at Rockburn after school on Fridays (unfortunately they do not have tennis classes at this time but we will add those once they start offering them again). Pickleball classes will start September 25th and last for 8 weeks. See the flyer for more information. Sign up today at https://registration.youthathletesunited.com/events/fall-rockburn-pickleball-club-3-15-4-15-pm-fridays as there are limited spots.
Save the Date for Our September Restaurant Night
Please save the date for our September restaurant night happening at the Shipley's Grant Chipotle (5715 Richards Valley Rd, Suite C3) on Wednesday, September 23rd. 25% of all sales between 4-8 pm will be donated to the RES PTA when you show the flyer below or use the code XX9CXTD when ordering online.
Save the Dates for the Upcoming PTA Meetings
Please mark your calendars with the following dates for our PTA events and meetings. More information about each event will be shared closer to the event. For the PTA meetings, in person meetings will be held in the RES media center. Virtual meetings can be accessed using the link https://tinyurl.com/RESPTAMeetings and by entering the password 572034.
