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Good evening Roadrunner Families,
I continue to feel a deep sense of gratitude to serve the Rock View community each and every day. This past Friday, in recognition of National Principals’ Day, I found myself reflecting on how fortunate I am to work alongside such dedicated staff, supportive families, and incredible students. Rock View is a special place because of the people who make it what it is, and it is truly an honor to be part of this community. Thank you for the trust, partnership, and care you show-together, we make a meaningful difference for our students.
Here are a few important updates I wanted to share with our Rock View families:
The Board of Education recently approved a new mathematics curriculum, Amplify Desmos. This resource is designed to better support all learners, with built-in differentiation, a mix of digital and print materials, and tools to monitor student progress along the way. We’re excited about what this will bring to our classrooms and will share more as we get closer to implementation. The Board will also be voting next week on accelerated math-stay tuned for more information once that decision is finalized.
In other news, boundary changes for the 2028 school year have been adopted. Central office will be sending personalized letters to families outlining each student’s projected school pathway and available options. I know this is important information, and we will continue to keep you updated as more details are shared.
On Thursday, April 29, the Board of Education approved an adjusted calendar option for the 2026–2027 school year, shaped by consistent and widespread feedback from families and staff. The survey to gather interest received more than 30,000 responses. Families and staff preferred to maintain stability where possible, including not starting the school year earlier in August and preserving the length of winter and spring breaks.
What stays the same:
- Start of school: Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 remains Transition Day.
- First full day of school: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.
- No changes to pre-service days or the early months of the school year.
Built-in flexibility for weather
- The calendar includes 181 instructional days, with multiple built-in make-up options.
- Spring make-up days (if needed): April 22 and May 17 (aligned with existing non-instructional days).
- End-of-year make-up window: June 14–16 (with additional flexibility before Juneteenth if needed).
See the 2026-2027 School Calendar.
As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership—we appreciate all you do to help our Roadrunners thrive!
-Ms. Batista
Principal
MCAP Testing Begins!
We are preparing to begin MCAP testing for some of our students in grades 3–5 starting this Monday. This is an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and growth over the course of the school year, and we are excited for them to show what they know.
Students have been actively engaging with practice questions in class to build familiarity with the MCAP format and tools. We encourage you to take a few moments to review the parent letter, which includes important details about the testing schedule, what to expect, and additional ways you can support your child at home.
There are several simple yet impactful ways you can help prepare your child:
At Home:
- Ask your child to explain their thinking when answering questions
- Reinforce strategies such as reading carefully, using evidence, and checking their work
- Encourage consistent, short practice rather than cramming
- Remind your child that mistakes are part of learning and help the brain grow
- Support your child in taking their time, reading carefully, and reviewing their answers
Small Daily Routines:
- Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep before each testing day
- Provide a healthy breakfast
- Help your child arrive at school on time and ready to begin
- Encourage a positive mindset—remind your child to try their best and use the strategies they’ve learned
By working together at home and at school, we can help our students feel confident, prepared, and ready to do their very best.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support; we are proud of our students and look forward to a successful testing experience!
~AP Helse
Contact Us
Phone: 240-740-0920
Address: 3901 Denfeld Ave, Kensington, MD 20850
Principal- Kilsys Batista, kilsys_c_batista@mcpsmd.org
Assistant Principal- Tyvae Helse, tyvae_helse@mcpsmd.org
Admin Secretary- Nancy Morin, nancy_L_morin@mcpsmd.org