Rockland Woods Summer News

Dear Students and Families,

As summer winds down and we look ahead to the start of the 2025–2026 school year, I want to take a moment to thank all of you once again for the warm welcome you’ve extended. It’s been a true joy getting to meet so many of you, especially those who joined us at the Popsicles with the Principal events in June and/or July. Your energy, kindness, and enthusiasm for our school have made a lasting impression, and I am incredibly excited to continue building relationships with each of you throughout the year.

Over the past few weeks, our school has been buzzing with activity as we prepare to welcome students back. Classrooms are coming together beautifully, hallways are freshly polished, and our amazing staff has been hard at work to ensure that RWE is ready for a year full of learning, discovery, and community. The student-painted rocks placed around the building continue to serve as a reminder of the creativity, diversity, and heart that define our school community.

I’m thrilled about the opportunities this year holds, for meaningful learning, new friendships, and continued growth for all of us. We can’t wait to welcome students back and begin this new chapter together. Please be on the lookout for upcoming communications with important back-to-school details, including Open House and Rock the Block on August 21st from 3:30–5:30 PM. It promises to be a fun and memorable start to our school year!

Thank you again for your partnership and support. Let’s make this a year to remember at Rockland Woods Elementary!

Respectfully,

Mr. Koogle

Nicole Coleman, First Grade Teacher

Brooklyn Welch, Multilingual Learner Teacher

Maverick Davis, Itinerant Adult Support

Margaret Capps, Board Certified Behavior Analyist

Lily Irwin, School Psychologist

Linda Shelton, Summit Teacher

Rock the Block - Rockland Woods Open House

Rockland Woods Elementary School is excited to welcome families and community members to its annual Rock the Block and School Open House Evening on Thursday, August 21st from 3:30 to 5:30 PM!

Join us for an afternoon of fun, food, and connection as we kick off the new school year. Enjoy food trucks, live music, and games for all ages. Visit classrooms during the Open House, meet your child’s teachers, and learn more about what’s in store for the year ahead.

Community organizations will be on hand to share local resources, and the whole event is designed to celebrate our school spirit while bringing families and neighbors together. We can’t wait to see you there!

If you require accommodations to fully engage with this experience, please get in touch with Mary Bowers at bowerma@wcps.k12.md.us or 301-766-8485 by August 11th.

Picture Funds for School Improvement: Commission from student picture funds will be utilized for students and staff as we strive for continual school improvement.

Arrival Procedures

Front Loop (Quick Car Rider Drop-Off): Families may use the front loop for a quick and easy drop-off. Staff will be present to assist with opening car doors, and students will walk independently into the building through the front entrance. Additional staff will be stationed in the main hallway to guide students to their classrooms.

Back Loop (Assisted Car Rider Drop-Off): If your child needs extra help during arrival—such as a parent needing to exit the car—please use the back loop between 7:10–7:30 AM, after buses have safely unloaded. This option is ideal for families who need more time or assistance with drop-off.

Bicycle Riders: Students riding bikes can park them at the designated bike rack located at the front of the school.

Walkers: Walkers are welcome to enter the school through either the front or back entrances. Please remind walkers to always look both ways and use cross walks.

Front Parking Lot Update: To help ensure a smooth and safe arrival for everyone, the front parking lot will be reserved for office business and staff parking this year. We’ve added the back loop as a convenient second drop-off location for families who need more support during morning arrival.

Please see the map below:

Dismissal Procedure

Dismissal Time: Dismissal begins promptly at 2:00 PM each day.

Bus Riders, Vans, and Clubs: Students riding the bus, in vans, or attending after-school clubs will be dismissed from the back of the school.

Car Riders:

All students will be assigned a car rider number.
This number must be clearly displayed in the front windshield when picking up your child in the car loop.
Each student will receive two copies of their number.
If you lose your number cards, please contact the school administration as soon as possible for a replacement.

Walkers & Bike Riders:

Walkers will exit through the front of the school and be directed to use either the north or south sidewalks to safely cross toward the neighborhood.
Walkers will not be permitted to walk to a parked car in the front parking lot.
Parents of Pre-K and Kindergarten walkers are encouraged to walk from the neighborhood and wait under the front porch areas to meet their child.

Please see the map below:

Essential Information:

Front Office Access After Arrival: To help maintain a safe and secure start to each day, the front office will begin welcoming visitors after the morning arrival period. This allows us to ensure that all students are safely in the building before opening the office to guests.

Visiting the Office After 7:30 AM: If you need to visit the front office or health office, such as to drop off a tardy student, medication, forgotten items, or lunches, please plan to park in the visitor spots after 7:30 AM, when the front lot becomes available.

Car Rider Numbers: Car rider number tags will be available at Back to School Night and on Friday, August 22 between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. If you're unable to pick them up in advance, they will be sent home with your child on the first day of school.

Special Circumstances? Let’s Talk:
If you have a unique situation or need, we encourage you to contact us by email or phone. We understand that changes in routine can be an adjustment, and we’re here to support you. Your help in prioritizing student safety is greatly appreciated.

Assistant Principal (Grades Pre-K to 2), Carly Kollman, kollmcar@wcps.k12.md.us
Assistant Principal (Grades 3-5), Emily Nicholson, nichoemi@wcps.k12.md.us
Principal, Rob Koogle, kooglrob@wcps.k12.md.us

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure a safe, smooth, and successful school year!

At RWE, safety is a shared responsibility and a top priority. Our goal is to ensure that all classrooms provide a secure, welcoming, and healthy environment for every student and staff member.

Please be mindful of strong scents, including perfumes, colognes, and scented lotions and sanitizers. Even pleasant smells can cause discomfort, allergic reactions, or headaches for some individuals. When in doubt, opt for unscented products whenever possible.

By following this practice, we help create a safe and inclusive space where all students and staff can focus on learning without unnecessary risks or distractions.

Thank you for your cooperation and care in maintaining a safe classroom environment.

As we gear up for an exciting start to the new school year, we want to share this important message from Washington County Public Schools about student dress expectations:

Keep Your Fit Check in Check

This quick and helpful reminder outlines what’s appropriate for school, emphasizing the importance of dressing in a way that’s comfortable, respectful, and ready for learning. We encourage you to review the guidelines with your student before the first day.

Thank you for partnering with us to support a positive, focused school environment. As always, we appreciate your support and look forward to a great year ahead!

As we count down the days to the first day of school, we are excited to welcome our students back to a year full of learning, connection, and growth! One of the most important ways you can help your child succeed this year is by supporting strong school attendance—starting on day one.

Why does attendance matter?
Students who attend school regularly are more likely to feel connected, stay on track academically, and develop lifelong habits for success. Just a few missed days—especially early in the year—can quickly add up and make it harder for students to catch up.

At Rockland Woods, we are committed to building a warm, welcoming environment where every student feels known, valued, and excited to come to school each day. Our staff is ready to greet students with smiles, support, and meaningful learning experiences from the moment they walk through the door.

How can you help?

Set routines now to help your child get enough rest and feel ready each morning.
Talk positively about school and what they’re looking forward to.
Reach out early if you need support—whether with transportation, school supplies, or adjusting to routines. We’re here to help!

Let’s work together to make 2025–2026 a year of strong attendance and even stronger community. When students are present, they thrive—and we can’t wait to see all their faces back in the building soon!

All students at any Washington County Public School can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits. The on-line application process can be completed on a computer or smartphone; is available in multiple languages; is faster and more accurate than a paper application. Go to https://www.linqconnect.com to start your application. Should you wish to complete a paper application, please let us know at bowerma@wcps.k12.md.us.

If your family is approved for free or reduced-price meals, your child(ren) will receive their meals at no cost. The Maryland legislature has set aside addition funding so students approved for reduced-price meals receive their meals at no cost.

Apply any time during the school year after August 1st

You must complete a new application each year to be considered
All the information is confidential
Only complete one application for all your children who attend WCPS
Eligibility is based on family size and income guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
You will be emailed the eligibility status for your child(ren) once the application is validated if you provide a valid email address when submitting the application
If you do not provide an email address on your application, you will be mailed the eligibility status for your child(ren) once the application is validated

Start your application today at https://www.linqconnect.com

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, please be assured that our foremost priority is to create the most supportive and effective learning environment for each and every student. Classroom placements are determined through a comprehensive and collaborative process, carefully considering a range of factors such as academic readiness, social-emotional development, and the overall balance and dynamics of each classroom community.

Updated 8/12/25: Finalized classroom assignments will be available in ParentVUE by 4:00 PM on August 14th. If you have any questions or concerns regarding access to ParentVUE, please reach out to Mary Bowers at bowerma@wcps.k12.md.us or 301-766-8485.