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Dear Rock View Families,

The first day of school is just around the corner, and we are ready to welcome our Roadrunners back!

Tomorrow, Monday, August 24, we will welcome all students who are new to Rock View for New Student Transition Day. We cannot wait to help our newest Roadrunners get comfortable, meet our staff, and begin feeling at home at Rock View.

We also hope to see all of our families tomorrow for Meet the Teacher from 2:00–3:00 p.m. Families should enter through the main entrance for this event.

Then, on Tuesday, August 25, we officially begin the 2026–2027 school year—and we are ready!

A few important reminders for arrival:

Parents may walk their children to their classrooms on Monday and Tuesday. Parents entering the building with their children must use one of our designated walker entrances:

• Denfeld Avenue Walker Door – entrance closest to the APR/Cafeteria

• Connecticut Avenue Walker Door – entrance closest to the gym

Please note that the walkways leading to the special education bus and car rider areas are for students entering independently without parents.

We know everyone is excited, and the first few days of school are always busy. We ask for your patience and cooperation in following our arrival and dismissal procedures. Our processes may move a little more slowly during the first few days as students and families become familiar with routines, but student safety will always remain our priority.

And yes...this week's newsletter is another long one! You will see some information repeated from last week, which probably means it is especially important. 😊 Please take a few minutes to review the reminders and procedures so we can all begin the year on the same page.

We are incredibly excited to begin another year together—building strong relationships, creating joyful learning experiences, challenging our students to grow, and continuing to make Rock View a place where every Roadrunner feels welcomed, supported, and proud to belong.

We can't wait to see you!

Because at Rock View, The View is Better from Here!

Warmly,

Kilsys Batista
Principal
Rock View Elementary School

At Rock View, creating a safe, welcoming, and caring environment where our students can thrive is at the heart of everything we do. In alignment with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) guidelines, our school practices standard emergency preparedness to ensure everyone feels secure and supported.

Getting Ready: First Week Safety Drills

To help our students feel comfortable and confident, we will be practicing safety response drills during the first week of school. We approach these drills in a calm, gentle, and age-appropriate way so children know exactly what to do while feeling completely safe and supported by our staff.

Parent-Child Reunification: What Families Should Know

In the event of an emergency that requires students to leave the school building, Rock View has a Parent-Child Reunification process to safely and efficiently reconnect students with their families. During reunification, students are carefully accounted for and released only to an authorized parent, guardian, or designated emergency contact.

Families may be asked to follow specific directions regarding where to go, where to check in, and what information to provide. We ask that families remain patient and follow staff instructions so that we can reunite every child with their family as safely and efficiently as possible.

Please take a moment to review the Parent-Child Reunification process below so you are familiar with what to expect should an emergency reunification ever be necessary.

How We Can Partner Together

• Chat with your child: A quick, reassuring conversation at home goes a long way! Let them know that safety drills are just routine practice to keep everyone safe, much like practice for a sport or learning a fire drill.

• Explore MCPS guidelines: We encourage you to take a few minutes to look through the official MCPS Emergency Preparedness Guide so you are familiar with district protocols and how we communicate during emergencies.

We are so grateful for your trust and partnership as we welcome our students back for a wonderful school year!

~AP Helse

Partnering with you to support your child’s learning journey is essential to their success! To help your family plan ahead, our Rock View Assessment Calendar provides testing schedules for the full school year.

The calendar includes dates for both MCPS district assessments and Maryland state assessments (such as MSTAR). We encourage all parents to review the calendar so you can stay up-to-date on upcoming testing windows and help your student feel prepared, supported, and confident every step of the way!

Access the assessment calendar using the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FMq4E1Hl0Hf2W6b6r0Q17RNne5ypPbL8/view?usp=sharing

Student hours: 9:00AM-3:25PM

Students may begin to arrive at 8:40AM

Early sign-out will end 30 minutes prior to end of student day. Students may not be signed out past 2:55PM

Please click on the link for information about our arrival and dismissal procedures.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LaVoY2283zmAS5YTl5bv157HlEzXegkKxXEbTjEyZ6I/edit?usp=sharing

Dear Rock View Parents & Guardians,

Students use chromebooks for learning, creating, and testing regularly in the classroom. These chromebooks are expensive to purchase, to update, to repair and to replace. From now on children and their guardians will be financially responsible for the repair or replacement of damage to chromebooks.

The fees for damages cost $30 for missing keys, $60 for minor case damage, $160 for a cracked screen, $225 for a cracked screen and a broken hinge and $350 for the total replacement of a chromebook.

We are all responsible for taking care of school property from parents to administrators to teachers to students. Please discuss chromebook care expectations with your child and return the signed portion to your child’s classroom teacher. Your child will not have access to a Chromebook until this agreement is signed and returned.

• I will be responsible for my Chromebook - I understand that it is the property of MCPS.
• I will use the Chromebook and my Google account for schoolwork and educational purposes only.
• I will handle my Chromebook with care. I will carry it with both hands. I will only use it on a table or desk. I will carry it in a case outside the classroom.
• I will keep the chromebook clean. Food, drinks, water bottles, sand and other items can damage it.
• I will be careful with the chromebook. Chromebooks are made of glass, aluminum and plastic. They break easily.
• I am aware that my teacher has access to my account and can track and see what I do at all times
• If there is a problem or issue with my Chromebook, I will report it to my teacher immediately.

Contracts will be available during Meet the Teacher for signature

Celebrate the start of the school year with the RVES community at the Roadrunners Return, our annual back to school picnic! This free event will feature pizza, music, bouncy houses, and new friends! It's on Friday, August 28th from 6-8 pm on the blacktop behind the school. Hope to see you there!

Beginning this school year, MCPS is implementing No Cell, Bell to Bell across all grade levels as part of our transition to the Maryland Phone-Free School Act. The safest learning environments are the ones where distractions are mitigated and managed. Limiting the use of personal mobile devices during the school day supports both learning and school safety.

Parents, please set up or update your ParentVUE accounts. The information you provide is used for communications from RVES and MCPS, including in the case of an emergency.

If you need technical support please visit this link https://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/parents/tech-info-support/

This notice informs parents/guardians and eligible students (emancipated minors or those 18 and older) of their rights regarding conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These rights are spelled out in the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (20 U.S.C. § 1232h; 34 CFR Part 98). The law and regulations require educational institutions, such as Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to notify parents/guardians and eligible students of their rights.

Student bus stop information available now in ParentVue/StudentVue. Click on the image below for the Department of Transportation site.

Funds can be added to student meal accounts at no charge by bringing cash, check, or money order directly to school cafeteria managers. Payments to student meal accounts can also be made through www.MySchoolBucks.com.

Students may qualify for Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMs) by completing a FARMs application or through Direct Certification.

Families who need to apply for FARMs must submit a new application every school year. If your child was approved last school year, those meal benefits will continue for the first 30 school operating days. If a new application is not approved by October 7, 2026, your child's meal status will change to paid, and charges will apply for school meals.

Please submit the online FARMS application through www.myschoolapps.com. Only one application is needed for all students in a household. Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will continue to receive meals at no cost.

This school year all Montgomery County Public Schools will be restricting the use of cell phones during school hours. These restrictions are in alignment with the Maryland Phone-Free School Act (HB 525). Effective the first day of school, August 24, 2026, all students are not permitted to utilize personal mobile devices (cell phones, tablets, e-readers, personal laptops, smart watches, smart glasses, and anything with a microphone, camera, speaker, or headphones/earbuds (including AirPods) during the instructional day. This includes during lunch and in the hallways as students transition to class.

We believe that by restricting personal mobile devices it will reduce distractions to your child’s learning, support their social development through increased engagement in discussions with their peers and teachers, and promote a safer school environment. For more information, including how you can support your child, please visit the MCPS Family FAQ - Personal Mobile Devices.

Important Information for Families for the 2026-2027 School Year

Here are the highlights:

Safety

• Know our emergency procedures. Review the Standard Response Protocol.

• Speak up. Remind your child that if something doesn’t feel right, they should tell a trusted adult. Learn more about MCPS hate/bias protocols.

• Review the Student Code of Conduct. This document helps us create schools that are welcoming, respectful, orderly and safe.

• Practice safe firearm storage. Have firearms? Unload them, lock them up and store the ammunition separately.

• Use social media thoughtfully. Talk to your children about their online presence.

• Talk about mental health. The start of school is exciting, but it can also bring anxiety and stress. Remind your child that asking for help is a sign of strength.

• No Cell, Bell to Bell. Limiting the use of personal devices during the day supports learning and school safety.

Learning

• Know about Student Transition Day. For kindergarteners, sixth and ninth graders, third graders in intermediate schools, and students new to their schools, Aug. 24 is a full day designed to build familiarity, confidence and belonging before all students return. Learn more here and watch a video here English / español

• Understand what’s changing with grading. Assignments will have clear due dates and deadlines, limits on how much individual assignments and homework can count toward a grade, and opportunities to retake or revise eligible assessments.

• Know when assessments are coming. Assessment calendars help families and students see what’s ahead, prepare and keep testing in perspective.

• Stay connected to what your child is learning. Review the Refrigerator Curriculum for a simple, one-page look at the major topics, themes and texts students will learn each marking period.

• Build good study habits at home. Regular routines, breaking larger tasks into smaller steps, encouraging questions and praising effort and progress can make a big difference.

• Know your MCPS apps. Familiarize yourself with the official tools families will use for grades, assignments, schedules, school messages, meals and other important information.

One last item to print and put on the refrigerator: the new family-friendly calendar.

Start Strong: Transition Day Is Aug. 24

Send Us Your Best First Day Photo!

Help us capture the excitement of the first day of school by sharing your special moments! Parents, students and schools are invited to submit their favorite first-day-of-school snapshots on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Select photos will be shared on the district’s website and social media beginning Tuesday morning. You may submit a photo by emailing us or tagging us on social media: Facebook, Instagram or X, and on our Spanish social media channels, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Saturday School Registration Is Now Open: Taught by certified teachers, Saturday School provides Kindergarten through Grade 12 academic support programs in math and English/Language Arts. There are in-person and virtual options. Tutoring begins Sept. 26. Fees increase Sept. 1. Register early!

Submitted Your FARMS Application Yet?: Apply today! A new FARMS application must be completed every school year, even if your children qualified the previous year. Submit the online FARMS application through MySchoolApps (translations are available). Only one application is needed for all students in a household. More information

Are Your Student’s Immunizations Up to Date?: Here are the latest requirements. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is holding immunization clinics in August and September.

Stay Connected to MCPS

• VISIT the MCPS homepage.

• CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845). Visit the AskMCPS website.

• READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.

• FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages:
  x.com/mcps / facebook.com/mcpsmd / instagram.com/mcps_md facebook.com/mcpsespanol / x.com/MCPSEspanol / instagram.com/mcpsenespanol

• SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.

• WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89

More MCPS Resources

• School calendar

• Parent resource page

• News and Information page / Noticias en Español

• Latest photo galleries

• MCPS TV videos

• MCPS TV español

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

Website: montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/rockviewes/