Back to School

Dear RICA Students and Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! Whether you are returning or joining RICA for the first time, we are excited to welcome you to our school community.

At RICA, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where every student can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Through strong relationships, meaningful instruction, and collaboration with families and our clinical and residential partners, we will work together to help each student succeed.

To our returning families, welcome back! To our new families, we are glad to have you as part of the RICA community and look forward to supporting you throughout the transition.

Students, remember that each day is a new opportunity to learn, grow, build relationships, and make progress toward your goals. Families, thank you for your continued partnership and trust.

We look forward to a successful and rewarding 2026–2027 school year.

Welcome back, RICA!

Warmly,
Dr. Belinda Penn

We are kicking off the 2026–2027 school year very soon, so be sure to join us at a Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 22!: This year, MCPS is hosting six regional fairs to kick off the 2026–2027 school year. The fairs will help families get more connected to their school communities and get their questions answered. Families will have direct access to knowledgeable MCPS staff from transportation, technology, special education, multilingual services, mental health and other central offices who can provide support! Find your school, find your fair location:

• Albert Einstein, 9 a.m.–noon (Albert Einstein, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Montgomery Blair, Northwood, Walt Whitman cluster schools)
• Paint Branch, 9 a.m.–noon (James Hubert Blake, Paint Branch, Sherwood, Springbrook cluster schools)
• Wheaton, 3–6 p.m. (John F. Kennedy, Walter Johnson, Wheaton/Thomas Edison, Charles W. Woodward cluster schools)
• Richard Montgomery, 1–4 p.m. (Winston Churchill, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Thomas S. Wootton cluster schools)
• Gaithersburg, 9 a.m.–noon (Gaithersburg, Col. Zadok Magruder, Quince Orchard, Watkins Mill cluster schools)
• Seneca Valley, 3–6 p.m. (Clarksburg, Damascus, Northwest, Poolesville, Seneca Valley cluster schools)

Please review the updated Bell Schedule for 26-27.

Join Us for Back to School Night!

RICA students and families are invited to join us for Back to School Night on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Come meet our staff, learn more about your student’s classes and supports, and connect with the RICA community as we begin a successful school year together.

We look forward to seeing you!

We value the voices, perspectives, and partnership of our RICA families. We invite parents and caregivers to join our upcoming Parent Sessions to share ideas, provide feedback, and help strengthen our school community.

If you are interested in partnering with us, please complete the Google Form. Additionally, if you are interested in taking a leadership role as our NAACP Parent Representative or PTA Lead, please indicate your interest on the form.

We look forward to working together to support our students and the RICA community!

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

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.

Grading and Reporting Information Website
Purpose: To provide updated information about the revisions to Regulation IKA-RA.

Website Resources:

• Grading and Reporting FAQs

• Grading and Reporting Revisions Quick Reference Guide

• Revised Middle School Report Card Mock-Up

• Revised High School Report Card Mock-Up

The website also includes links to centrally created community messages and the Board of Education Presentation on June 4, 2026.

Back to School Night: September 10th - 5:00-8:00pm

School Pictures: November 5th, 2026

• Retakes: December 12th, 2026

Prom: May 14th, 2027

Graduation: June 9th, 2027 at 6:00pm

8th grade promotion: (TBD)