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Dear Rock View Families,

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2026, we’re excited to continue the first semester of the school year, which wraps up later this month. This is a great time to reflect on how much our students have grown so far and to stay focused on supporting them as learners and individuals as we move forward together.

I hope the winter break brought moments of joy and rest for your families—whether that meant spending time with loved ones, traveling, curling up with a good book, or enjoying the cold winter weather. I was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my son, Francisco, including a special visit to New York City where we enjoyed watching the New York Knicks play at Madison Square Garden. It was a new and memorable adventure for us both and a wonderful way to recharge before the new year.

We look forward to welcoming all of our students back to Rock View on Monday, January 5th. A strong start to the new year begins with consistent attendance. Being present each day supports learning routines, builds connections with peers and teachers, and helps students feel confident and prepared. Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring students arrive on time and ready to learn each day.

We are excited for the months ahead and the continued growth that 2026 will bring.

Warmly,

Kilsys Batista
Principal, Rock View Elementary School
The View is Better from Here

I want to bring your attention to an important concern regarding student attendance. Over the past several weeks, we have noticed a decline in daily attendance, and it is essential that we work together to support consistent, on-time attendance for all students. Regular attendance ensures children have the best opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

As of today, 20.80% of our students are identified as Chronically Absent, which is an increase of 2.47% compared to last year. This percentage is significantly higher than what we are seeing in neighboring schools, highlighting the need for renewed focus and partnership to ensure students are present and engaged every day.

Our staff, including our school counselors, are actively monitoring attendance and reaching out to families to offer support as needed. We are also meeting with grade-level teams to strengthen our schoolwide attendance plans and identify targeted strategies to help students attend more regularly.

To help families understand how attendance impacts learning, please review the guidance below:

SATISFACTORY: 9 or fewer absences during the school year.

Best chance to develop essential grade-level skills for success now and in the future.

CAUTION / WARNING: 10–17 days absent during the school year.

In danger of falling behind and not developing essential grade-level skills.

CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM: 18 or more days absent during the school year.

Missing critical instruction time and at the greatest risk of falling behind and/or dropping out of school.

Every day of school matters. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping ensure your child attends regularly and is ready to learn. If your family is experiencing challenges that impact attendance, please reach out—we are here to support you.

-Ms. Batista

WIDA ACCESS Testing Information

Each year, students in grades K–12 who are identified as English learners participate in the WIDA ACCESS assessment. This test measures students’ English language skills in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing and helps teachers understand how well students are developing academic English.

WIDA ACCESS is one of the tools teachers use to monitor students’ progress in English language proficiency and to plan appropriate instruction and language supports. Students do not need to study for this test—it is an opportunity for them to show what they already know and can do in English. Families can support students by ensuring they are well rested, eat breakfast on testing days, and feel confident and encouraged.

More detailed information about testing dates and procedures will be shared soon. If you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher to learn more about how WIDA ACCESS supports your child’s language development.

Parents take a look at the WIDA website: https://wida.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/resource/ACCESS-Parent-Handout-English.pdf

Volunteers Make a Difference
MCPS welcomes volunteers! Our schools are stronger because parents, caregivers, and community members step in to help. Whether it’s chaperoning a trip, coaching, or lending a hand in the classroom, volunteers make a real difference for kids. At the same time, nothing matters more than keeping every child safe. That’s why we require all volunteers to complete the required training—and some volunteers must also complete a fingerprinted background check, including:

• Volunteer coaches

• Grade 6 Outdoor Education

• Overnight or extended day field trip chaperones (returning after 7:00 p.m. or out-of-area/state)

• Volunteers working 1:1 with students unsupervised

For more information about being a volunteer with MCPS, visit these websites

• Volunteer Information

• Application Form

• Child Abuse and Neglect Training

• MCPS Background Screening Office (for criminal background checks)

~AP Helse

Weather Information
We’re getting ready for winter. Are you ready? Sign up for Alert MCPS/Alerta Montgomery to get texts or emails about weather closings and delays.
When bad weather hits, MCPS monitors the forecast and works closely with county agencies to decide if schools should open, delay or close. Safety always comes first!
How do we share those decisions? Our color codes are BACK!
Watch in English | Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese | Amharic | Korean | Portuguese

All You Need to Know for Lunch
The Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMS) application is available for the 2025–2026 school year. A new FARMS application must be completed every school year. Meals are free for students who qualify for the program. Only one application is needed for all students in a household. Learn more.

Visit the Department of Food and Nutrition and Services webpage for information on breakfast and lunch menus and how to add money to your child’s account through MySchoolBucks.

https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/RockViewES

A Heartwarming Reminder of Student Talent, Creativity and Promise
MCPS students from Northwest High School and Roberto Clemente Middle School proudly present Unleashing Potential, an original, student-driven music video celebrating what it means to be Future Ready in MCPS. This powerful production highlights the creativity, collaboration and innovation thriving across MCPS. From concept to performance, this project showcases the incredible talent of MCPS students and the dedicated educators who support them.
Watch the video.

MCPS Future-Ready Vision Takes Hold with Promising Quarter 1 Gains

MCPS presented the district’s baseline data for all performance metrics defined in the MCPS Future Ready: Fiscal Years 2025–2030 Strategic Plan and Quarter 1 progress for the 2025–2026 school year to the Board of Education on Dec. 11. This year marks the first full implementation cycle of the strategic plan, which outlines the collective commitment to ensure that every MCPS student graduates prepared to thrive. Read more.

Also Released: The 2024–2025 MCPS Annual Report

MCPS has published the 2024–2025 Annual Report, capturing a pivotal year of transition — one that included the development of the MCPS Future Ready Strategic Plan, which now drives and monitors our progress and sets the goals and objectives that guide our work.

Superintendent Proposes $3.775 Billion Operating Budget
MCPS Superintendent Thomas W. Taylor presented his recommended Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Operating Budget on Dec. 17, featuring people-first investments, smaller elementary class sizes amid declining enrollment, clear staffing standards that strengthen schools, and targeted instructional supports in math and literacy. Read more.
Budget Materials

• Presentation Slides

• Budget Summary Sheet

Now You Know: Operating Budget — How You Can Provide Input
Superintendent Thomas Taylor has presented his Recommended Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget to the Board of Education, and we’ll need your voice throughout the process. The Board and County Council will each hold work sessions and public hearings before its final approval. Your input and advocacy are a critical part of the process.
Watch in English | Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese | Amharic | Korean | Portuguese

Four Months. Every School. MCPS Completes Security Rescreening
After nearly four months of hard work, MCPS has completed the background check, fingerprinting and badging process of all school-based staff and transportation staff.

Total School-Based Staff Rescreened

Total Non-School-Based Staff Rescreened

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/