KP Newsletter

Hello Families! We have a busy few weeks ahead. Please take note of these important upcoming dates:

• Sept 18: Early Release Day
• Sept 19: Kensington 8K Race + fun run! You can register on site!
• Sept 21: No School
• Sept 25: Back to School Picnic! Join us from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM for Food Trucks, Clayboy's, DJ, dancing and more!
• Oct 5: Picture Day

1. The MCPS School Calendar Survey is scheduled to close on September 20th. You would be able to provide input on the two options for early release days ahead of the Thanksgiving calendar, provide feedback on different priorities, and whether to adopt a one or two year school calendar.
2. The MCCPTA Tech Committee is conducting a survey to gather information on screen/device use at schools and collect recommendations. The survey closes on September 30th. Feedback will be used by the Tech Committee to formulate recommendations to MCPS to ensure that device use is limited and intentional. Survey link is below and the flyer is attached.

Art Contest (through Oct 7) and In-School, Student-Only Assembly will be on Oct 1. Semilla Cultural is a nonprofit organization that celebrates Puerto Rican culture, history, and the arts through dance and community engagement. We encourage you to ask your children about the experience and what they learned!

Check out the PTA board if you come to the school! Board is decorated for Latino History month and festive flair and representative flags are in the main hallway.

• Oct 1 | DEI Sponsored: Latino History Assembly
• Oct 5 | Picture Day
• Oct 7 | Walk or Roll to School Day
• Oct 12 | KP Open House: See us learn! 10 - 11:30 am; more details coming soon!
• Oct 13 | PTA Meeting; Childcare will be provided by Bar-T!
• Oct 16 | No School
• Oct 30 | Halloween Party; 2:30-3 pm

We understand parents’ frustration with the ongoing bus delays, which have become both frequent and significant. At this week’s WJ Cluster meeting, we learned that our school is not alone in facing these transportation challenges.

Our school administration is actively working to address the situation. However, outreach from KP families directly to the bus depot, whether by email or phone, can be especially impactful. Parent feedback helps ensure that the concerns affecting our route receive the attention they deserve amid the broader transportation issues across the district. Here is how you can help:

• Use the talking points below when making a phone call

• Send an email using this template

Thank you for helping advocate for reliable, safe, and timely transportation for our students.

MCPS Contacts:

Steven Wise, Bethesda Bus Depot Manager

Steven_D_Wise@mcpsmd.org

240-740-6580

Randolph Mussotte, Cluster Bus Manager

Randolph_Mussotte@mcpsmd.org

240-740-6573

Talking Points for calls:

• I’m calling about the orange bus route 1315 serving Kensington Parkwood Elementary School.

• The bus has been regularly late arriving at the school for afternoon dismissal. This has happened multiple days a week, not just occasionally.

• On multiple occasions, students have been waiting more than 30 minutes after dismissal for the bus to arrive.

• We understand that traffic and occasional operational issues can cause delays, but the frequency and length of these delays make this seem like a recurring route issue.

• What is being done to make sure the bus arrives at Kensington Parkwood closer to its scheduled dismissal time?

• Can you please document this complaint and let me know who is responsible for following up?

• I would appreciate a specific explanation of what MCPS Transportation is doing to address the recurring delays.

To recap what we learned in Back-To-School Night here are few key take-aways

What Curriculum is being used in Grades K-5?

• Math: Amplify Desmos

• Additional Practice Problems (separate and not in the student workbooks) will be printed for students to take home

• Additionally, the Caregiver Resource Guide on the Amplify Caregiver Hub is a good resource for parents and closest to a “homework helper”. Instructions on how to find it can be found here or watch this short screen recording.

• Literacy: Amplify CKLA

• FIT Time: Designated time to continue expansion of literacy intervention for all students

What should my child be learning this quarter?

Take a look at MCPS's Refrigerator Curriculum. These one-page guides show what students in each grade should be learning during the quarter. Bookmark them and check back during the year.

Does what I'm hearing match the MCPS curriculum?

Ask about the units, texts, topics, and skills students will be working on. If what is

happening in your child's classroom seems substantially different from the MCPS guide, ask your teacher about it. If you continue to have concerns about whether the

MCPS curriculum is being implemented, contact your principal. You can also explore MCPS's broader Curriculum and Academics website for information by subject and grade level.

MCCPTA stands for the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, an umbrella organization representing local PTAs and PTSAs across Montgomery County, Maryland.

• Menus and Dietary Needs: Menus, including nutrition and allergen information, canbe viewed on the DFNS website, through MealViewer (also linked on the KP website). MCPS Form 240-23, Special Dietary Needs Form, may be used to request meal accommodations for students eating school meals.

• Non-Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Schools: Students who are not automatically eligible for free school meals may still qualify for Free or Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS) via the application. Households must apply for FARMS every school year. Only one application is required per household. If a new eligibility is not determined by October 7, 2026, the student will default to the paid status and will be charged for meals. FARMS applications can be submitted online.

• New Meal Prices: Meal prices increased this year. Breakfast is $1.60. Lunch is $2.85 for elementary school students. Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will continue to receive meals at no cost thanks to the Maryland Cares for Kids Act of 2018.

Check out the slide deck below and contact info@kppta.org with any questions.

• September 2026 PTA Meeting Slides.pptx

Reminder: Next PTA meeting will be Tuesday, Oct 13 and in-person. Childcare will be provided by Bar-T. Details to follow!