Flower Valley Elementary School
2024-2025 School Year
Flower Valley Elementary School
Be bright! Be kind! Be you!
We inspire all children to become critical thinkers who are imaginative, adaptable, and collaborative. We strive to cultivate peaceful, life-long learners who contribute positively to the community around them.
Email: Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/flowervalleyes/
Location: Flower Valley Elementary School, Sunflower Drive, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-1780
Week of April 7, 2025
Spring Break: April 12th -21st
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Flower Valley Vision
From the Principal...
Dear Flower Valley Community,
Career Day is almost here! This is always a big day at Flower Valley. A special shout-out to Mrs. Atanda and Ms. Bamberger for all of their efforts in planning such a fun, educational experience for our students! This year, we are excited to have over 45 presenters, including many of our very own family members, as well as visits from Sergeant Pesseh and his K-9 assistant, the Park Police, and many other important members of our community. You may even see Mrs. Melnick, former Flower Valley principal. :)
Believe it or not, we are already beginning to prepare for the upcoming school year. Below, you will find the link to the parent input form, where you can share your thoughts about the type of learning environment that works best for your child. While we do not take specific teacher requests, we work diligently as a staff to ensure the most appropriate placements are made for every child. Your input is due by May 9th. We appreciate your insight as we begin planning for next year.
I am also seeking your input about whether or not you would like to have informal conversations with administration to receive in-person school updates and discuss topics of interest. Please provide your input regarding best times for these opportunities here. I am hoping to plan one for the month of May.
I apologize for the graphic content that is to follow, but we are seeing some interesting behaviors occurring in the bathrooms at Flower Valley. Recently, spring has sprung with some of the student behaviors we have been seeing. One, in particular, involves the proper use of the bathroom facilities. I could use your help reiterating the importance of utilizing the facilities appropriately and not flushing items other than toilet paper down the toilet. Additionally, please encourage students not to continuously flush the urinals, as this creates a flooding situation in the bathrooms. We really appreciate your support with this. Our Building Services team also appreciates your help reiterating this message.
The Lost and Found is still overflowing. Please come check out the main entrance lobby to see if any lost items are there. We will be donating all unclaimed items during spring break.
This will be the last newsletter until after spring break. I hope you all have a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying the company of friends and family. We will see everyone bright and early on April 22nd.
Wishing you peace,
Dr. Fish
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Table of Contents
Ladder of Accountability
Parent Input for Next Year: Due May 9th
Important Testing Update - Planning for Spring Testing
International Night
Information for Incoming Kindergarteners
- Tours and Information Evening
- Kindergarten Registration
- Transition Day
PTA Corner
Save the Date: Calendar of FVES and PTA Events
Calling All Volunteers! :)
Parent Handbook
What is the Ladder of Accountability?
At Flower Valley, we’ve introduced the Ladder of Accountability as a way to nurture responsibility and personal growth in our students. Our Student Government Association even created skits, which were featured in our weekly announcements, to help introduce the concept. This framework encourages students to understand the importance of making thoughtful choices, owning their actions, and learning from both successes and mistakes. As students progress through the ladder, they gradually take on more responsibility for their behavior and decisions, while developing essential life skills like problem-solving, self-reflection, and accountability. We believe that this approach not only supports their academic development but also helps them grow into thoughtful, responsible individuals. Our hope is that the Ladder of Accountability will empower students both in and outside of school.
Parent Input for Next Year: Due May 9th
With the end of the current school year quickly approaching, thoughts turn to the placement of students in classes for the next school year. Your child’s current teachers will bring all they know about your child’s individual needs and capabilities to the placement decision, as we complete a thorough articulation process for each and every student. Parental input is also valued in the process, and this form can be used to provide the school with such information. In addition, this form will be passed on to your child’s new teacher(s) in the fall.
It should be noted that this form is not a teacher request form. Flower Valley Elementary School does not honor specific teacher requests in our process for class placement.
Please complete and submit this form no later than Friday, May 9th for each current grade K-4 child if your child will be returning. Enrollment information for incoming kindergarten students will be a separate process. Further confidential concerns may be emailed to Dr. Fish at Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org.
Planning for Spring Testing at FVES
Students in grades 3 to 5 will take the MCAP assessments in April and May. The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) provides information to educators, parents, and the public on student progress towards proficiency on the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. Please refer to grade level newsletters for specific dates and times of testing. If you can avoid appointments during these times, it would be greatly appreciated.
International Night
Please join us in celebrating the cultural diversity of our school community at Flower Valley’s International Night and Art Expo. It will be on Monday, April 28th at 6:30 pm in the Rockville High School Auditorium. All students will sing songs from around the world. Families are encouraged to bring a dish to share and a display board telling us about your culture. Please see the linked Google Form and flyer for more information. We are looking forward to sharing this wonderful evening with you.
Information for Incoming Kindergarteners
Tours & Information Evening
If you have a child who will be entering kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year, Flower Valley will be providing multiple opportunities for school tours at the dates and times noted below.
May 2 8:00-8:30am
May 6 4:00-4:30pm
June 5 8:00-8:30am
June 5 4:00-4:30pm
We will also host an information evening on Thursday, August 21 (6:00-7:30) where families can visit the kindergarten classes and meet all of the teachers prior to the start of school. We will be reaching out to families of incoming kindergarteners enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year later in the spring to provide details about school tours, kindergarten play dates, and the kindergarten information night event.
Kindergarten Registration 2025
If you have an incoming kindergartener, now is the time to register, as we are actively planning for next year. Online registration for kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year opened on Monday, Feb. 3. Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2025 are eligible to register. Registration will be online through the ParentVUE portal. Families that are new to MCPS will need to create a ParentVue account here. For more information about eligibility and the registration process, visit the MCPS Kindergarten Enrollment webpage or contact your local elementary school. Please share this information with anyone who you know will have a kindergarten student next year. Make sure to scroll down on the enrollment page and enroll for the correct school year (2025-2026). If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Sintetos at 240-740-1780 or email her at Catherine_A_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org.
MCPS Student Transition Day - New Next Year
Save the Date: Aug. 25, 2025—Student Transition Day
Scheduled for Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, Student Transition Day is a new non-instructional full day designed to support students transitioning to new school levels or schools by fostering a sense of belonging and preparedness.
This full day will welcome students entering kindergarten, Grade 6 and Grade 9, and those new to MCPS schools, ensuring that they receive a positive first experience with staff and other students. Schools will share individual messaging to welcome students with their communities. Parents and guardians are asked to fill out this brief survey to provide additional input for Student Transition Day.
Note: The first day of school for all students is Tuesday, Aug. 26.
PTA Updates
- A big thank you to all who donated mulch to beautify Flower Valley Elementary School and those who also bought mulch for their homes from Rockville High School!
-We will be moving our next PTA meeting to late April or early May. New date to come!
-Don't forget to order your yearbooks. The deadline is April 18th! Yearbooks benefit the PTA and let your children take home the memories! We will not have copies to sell at the end of the year.
ORDER HERE:
https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/flowervalleyelementary
Unsure if you ordered? Check out this handy new feature which allows you to check: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/flowervalleyelementary/order-lookup
FVES 2024-2025 Calendar of Events
Spring Individual and Class Pictures: April 28th
International Night: April 28th, 6:00-8:30PM
Field Days: May 16th (3rd-5th grades) & May 20th (k-2nd grades) Rain Dates - 5/27 and 5/28
PTA Sponsored SAVERS Donation Drive: May 3rd, 9:30-1:00PM
PTA Sponsored Carnival: May 18th, 2-5:00PM
Spring IM Concert: May 19th, 7:00PM
5th Grade Promotion: June 12th (Students arrive at 5:00; program begins at 5:30PM.)
5th Grade Fun Day: June 13th
Interested in Volunteering at FVES?
Parent and caregiver volunteers support the overall success of Flower Valley. We welcome volunteers and are truly grateful for the ways you support our school each and every day. Some volunteer opportunities include serving as a mystery reader in class, sharing information about your career or hobby via a class presentation or visit, supporting lunch and recess, chaperoning field trips, supporting in-school events, and so much more! If any of our families have a speciality in coaching or soccer, we would also welcome your support with our students during their recess soccer games.
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please see the information below and contact Mrs. Atanda at Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org. Volunteer clearance lasts for 3 years. Many volunteers who completed the training upon returning to in person learning three years ago need to complete the training again.
FVES Parent Handbook
We are here to serve and help you!
Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:30PM. Below are emails and phone numbers for the following departments:
Administration (240) 740-1780
Dr. Angie Fish, Principal – Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org
Mrs. Kimberly Haden - Kimberly_D_Haden@mcpsmd.org
Main Office Staff (240) 740-1780
Ms. Nevine Peckoo, School Administrative Secretary – Nevine_A_Peckoo@mcpsmd.org
Mrs. Cathy Sintetos, Attendance Secretary – Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org
Counseling Office (240) 740-1780
Mrs. Jennifer Atanda - Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org
Ms. Nicole Bamberger - Nicole_M_Bamberger@mcpsmd.org