RHS Rams Corner News

Dear RAM'ily,

Welcome back to the 2025-2026 school year! The quiet hallways of summer are about to be filled with the energy, curiosity, and spirit that make our school a truly special place. As we stand on the threshold of a new academic year, our entire faculty and staff are united by a powerful and proactive theme: We Ready.

What does this mean for our school community?

• We are ready to connect. We are ready to build the strong, supportive relationships that are the foundation of all great learning. We are eager to get to know each student, understand their passions, and celebrate their unique identities.

• We are ready to inspire. We are ready to deliver engaging instruction, spark intellectual curiosity, and challenge our students to push beyond their perceived limits and achieve excellence.

• We are ready to tackle challenges. We are ready to provide the academic, social, and emotional support our students may face, ensuring they have the resources and encouragement to persevere and thrive.

• We are ready to make an impact, together. We recognize that education is a partnership between the school, our students, and our families. We are ready to collaborate with you to create a transformative high school experience.

This readiness is driven by a simple, unwavering truth: Our students are our 'why'.

Our commitment is directly aligned with the strategic vision for our district. This year, we will focus our work on the superintendent's four key goals:

1. Ensuring academic excellence and growth for all students.

2. Preparing future-ready graduates for college, career, and life.

3. Maintaining positive, safe, and inclusive learning environments.

4. Supporting and developing our high-quality, diverse workforce.

To ensure we begin this important work together, informed and prepared, I urge you to please read this Welcome Back Newsletter thoroughly. It contains critical information and several important updates for the 2025-2026 school year. As you review the contents, please pay special attention to the following sections:

• Updates to the Grading & Reporting Policy

• Revisions to the Student Code of Conduct

• Clarifications on our School-Wide Cell Phone Policy

• Our Plan to Increase Curriculum Transparency for Families

• NEW Protocols for Emergency Preparedness

Understanding these policies and procedures is a key part of our home-school partnership and will help ensure a smooth and successful start to the year for everyone.

The entire staff at Rockville High School joins me in expressing our genuine excitement for the year ahead. We are ready to welcome our students back to campus and begin a year of meaningful growth, discovery, and achievement.

Let’s make it an extraordinary year!

In partnership,

Principal Pyles

Below is the structure for student supervision at Rockville High School. Your student will be assigned the same administrator for grades 10-12 (last three years of high school). Upon entering 9th grade, the administrative team will split student supervision by last name. Please see the chart below.

Dear RAM'ily!

As we prepare for the start of the 2025–2026 school year, there are several key updates that will be implemented across the school system and we want to ensure you have detailed information for how they will impact your child’s educational experience. We believe that every student can meet high expectations for their learning and behavior when they are well supported and these expectations are communicated clearly to all members of our school community. The purpose for increasing expectations for all members of our school community is to provide your child with a more rigorous teaching and learning experience and improve the safety and structure of schools to foster a culture of high engagement.

We recognize that changes in expectations will require increased communication with you and your child and we will be using the first weeks of school to ensure there are multiple opportunities to share and discuss them. This letter will be the first of many efforts to effectively communicate key changes to school system structures, including here at (school name) that will be effective on the first day of school, August 26, 2025. Below is information on the following; Grading and Reporting, Student Code of Conduct, Cell Phone use, Emergency Preparedness, and Accessing Alternative Texts.

Beginning this school year, final grades for students in grades 6 through 12 will be calculated using the average of the marking period grades. Teachers will no longer use grade calculation charts to determine your child’s final letter grade. Marking period grades will now be determined using percents that are reflected in the below chart.

*Semester grades will be determined by taking (MP1 Grade + MP2 Grade) and dividing by 2.

*Final or Full Year grades will be determined by taking (MP 1 Grade + MP 2 Grade + MP 3 Grade + MP 4 Grade and dividing by 4. Colleges and universities will receive an updated school profile description outlining the MCPS grading and reporting changes with each student transcript.

This shift is designed to promote greater consistency across schools and to reinforce clear expectations for student learning and accountability. In addition to the change in final grade calculation, families and students can expect:

• Teachers will grade and return student work within 10 school days.

• Deadlines for students to submit late work will not exceed 10 school days.

• In all secondary courses, teachers will provide students with at least two reassessment opportunities in the All Tasks category per marking period. The following assessments may not be reassessed: end-of-course assessments, marking period assessments, required district assessments, end of semester summative assessments; final research papers, projects or essays; and culminating projects or performances.

• Teachers shall not assign lower than 50% if the student’s work shows evidence of making progress on the relevant standards that are being assessed regardless of product or accuracy. Teachers shall continue to offer support and intervention.

We strongly encourage all parents and caregivers to sign up for ParentVUE, which provides real-time access to your child’s academic progress. Students should continue using Canvas to track assignments, grades, and teacher feedback. Linked HERE is a one pager with additional information for your review and linked HERE is a video outlining these changes.

This year’s revised Student Code of Conduct emphasizes building a positive school culture rooted in respect, safety, and accountability. At Rockville High School, we are committed to fostering a learning environment where every student feels supported and empowered to succeed. These updates to the Code of Conduct reflect the belief that discipline and behavior are not separate from instruction, but foundational to ensuring all students are ready and able to engage in learning.

The updates reflect a focus on the following, restorative practices to repair harm and restore relationships. clear behavioral expectations and consistent responses to misconduct, and increased collaboration between home and school to address behavioral concerns.

Restorative Practices to Repair Harm and Restore Relationships

Restorative Approaches is not just a practice — it’s a mindset. The consistent use of restorative approaches strengthens student decision-making and fosters positive, trusting relationships among students and adults. When applied with fidelity, restorative practices rebuild trust, promote accountability, and repair harm in a way that punitive measures often cannot.

The revised code of conduct centers restorative approaches as a key component of our response when students do not meet our expectations for their behavior. The new Office of Student Conduct and Appeals will support our system accountability by ensuring school-based actions are reviewed with fidelity to policy and legal guidelines. Schools will be receiving on-going professional development to ensure staff are equipped to lead restorative conversations and help students take meaningful ownership of their actions.

Clear Behavioral Expectations and Consistent Responses to Misconduct

The code of conduct is based on five levels of consequences. We have reviewed how these levels are applied and ensured consistency that a serious infraction will result in a serious consequence. Students and families should have a clear understanding of what a school’s response will be should a student make a poor decision. In the code of conduct, clear levels of intervention and consequence are outlined (Levels 1–5) based on the behavior.

The consistent application of the code of conduct is important and equally important is consistency with the tools we will use to respond to support your child. The supports outlined in the revised Code — behavior intervention plans, check-ins, restorative circles, mentoring, and counseling — are not optional. Please review the MCPS Student Code of Conduct with your child, linked here. This video will also be shared with your child during the first week of school.

Increased collaboration between home and school to address behavioral concerns

Student conduct is everyone’s responsibility. When expectations aren’t met, we must respond as a team — bringing together staff, families, and students to ensure the behavior is addressed and learning continues. When the serious decision is made to suspend a student from school, families/parents, staff, and the student will be required to come in for a mandatory intake conference. During this intake conference, focus will be on reconnecting to support reentry, reviewing expectations, providing support and resources to your child, and creating a timeline to catch up on missed work. These changes reflect our shared values and our commitment to working in partnership with families to support all students.

As part of MCPS’s updated Cell Phone and Personal Mobile Device Regulation (COG-RA), there are now clearer expectations and increased consistency for when and how devices may be used during the school day. At the high school level, phones must be off and away during instruction but can be accessed during transitions to classes and during lunch. To support this, schools may implement tools such as phone pouches to store phones or simply request they remain in your child’s backpack during class to support compliance. Consequences will be implemented should a student not comply with this expectation. This could result in referral to the office, confiscation of the phone, and required conference with parent/family. These changes are intended to minimize distractions, increase instructional focus, strengthen the quality of in person engagement among students, and promote positive digital citizenship.

As always, our priority is ensuring that every student at Rockville High School is challenged academically and supported socially and emotionally. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about these updates, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or visit our school website for additional resources or review Regulation COG-RA Personal Mobile Devices.

MCPS is taking steps to enhance transparency and ensure consistent implementation of core instructional texts. To support this, all parents and guardians will be provided with advanced notification of instructional texts used in the classroom and will be permitted to inspect any text on the notification list. Additionally, parents and guardians will be permitted to inspect texts and will have the opportunity to request that their child be excused from instruction involving material that substantially interferes with their sincerely held religious beliefs.

This process requires the following steps:

• Lists of the instructional material to be used in the core areas of instruction will be made available for your review no later than the first week of each quarter. To review that list, click here.

• You will have the opportunity to review these lists and ask questions of your school about the content of the texts. You may also make an appointment with your school to view the texts in person.

• To the extent that any text on the list of instructional materials, sincerely interferes with your families’ sincerely held religious belief, you may request that your child be excused from instruction by completing and submitting a request form. That form will be made available to you on our school webpage.

• If your request is granted, your child will be excused from instruction when his/her teacher is using the text you identified as objectionable and may be afforded the opportunity for other academic work during the period of time in which the student would otherwise be participating in the instruction the student is excused from.

• We will release more specific information about this process soon with links to and instructions for completing the request form.

The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families is always our top priority. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) takes a comprehensive approach to emergency preparedness that follows guidance from the Maryland State Department of Education. As part of this work, this school year, MCPS has adopted the nationally recognized Standard Response Protocol, developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation. This shared language helps students, staff, and first responders know how to respond quickly and clearly in different types of emergencies. Please see the language we will utilize during emergency situations below.

Communication During a Lock Down

It’s important that everyone in our school community understands what happens during different kinds of emergencies, especially a Lockdown. A Lockdown is used when there is an immediate and serious threat of violence inside the building or nearby. During a Lockdown, staff will be trained to “locks, lights, out of sight.”

The school’s first priority is to call 9-1-1 to receive support from local authorities and police. The school will then communicate to the school community approximately every 20 minutes (when practical) any relevant information and updates throughout and at the conclusion of the lockdown. Communication is coordinated through the Public Information Officer of the Montgomery County Police Departments and the Montgomery County Public School System’s Department of Communication. Following the conclusion of the lockdown, you can expect a more detailed communication of what occurred.

Students, families, and staff each play a part in keeping our schools safe. Being prepared starts with knowing what to expect and understanding the role each of us has during a serious situation like a Lockdown. We encourage you to review them together at home and talk with your child, so we all have a shared understanding of how to respond if an emergency ever happens.

Fall Athletics registration is well under way! Please register students via Parent Vue - tryouts began Aug 14th. Here is the link to this year's coaching staff. Please contact AD Farron Riggs Farron_S_Riggs@mcpsmd.org or the sport specific coach for information.

All student absences, tardies, later arrivals and early departures must be done by parent/guardians in writing to the attendance secretary.

For your convenience, we have placed an absence button on the Rockville High School website main page. Here is a direct link for any change to your students attendance:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/rockvillehs/about/report-absence/

To Report an Absence:

-Click on the Rockville High School Website

-Scroll down to the RHS Links (lefthand side of webpage)

-Click on Report an Absence

BACK-TO-SCHOOL FAIR

at WESTFIELD WHEATON

SATURDAY, AUG. 23, 2025

10 A.M. – 1 P.M.

WHEN: Thursday, August 28, 2025

TIME:

4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Community Time)

6:05 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. (Opening Session w/Principal, Principal Intern & AP's in Auditorium)

7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. (Class Schedule Rotation)

Back to School Night- Thursday, August 28th, 4:30–8:45 PM-Flyer

Join us for an exciting evening to kick off the new school year! From 4:30–6:00 PM, connect with extracurricular activity sponsors, community organizations, and enjoy delicious offerings from local food trucks. At 6:05 PM, gather in the auditorium for a welcome presentation from our administration. The evening will conclude from 7:00-8:45 PM with classroom visits, where you’ll have the opportunity to follow your child’s schedule and meet their teachers. We look forward to seeing you there!

The first day of school for ALL students is Tuesday, August 26th. We will have an adjusted schedule on the first day of school to include a 30-minute homeroom at the start of the day for distribution of important information and grade-level expectations assemblies with administrators and other staff to hear important information for their grade level. On the second day of school, students will report directly to their first period class and will follow the Wellness Block Schedule. Students will follow the Regular Bell Schedule on day four and five.

Rockville High School Bell Schedules can be accessed by visiting our RHS website.

Transition Day Schedule:

Modified Schedule Schedule w/Homeroom & Expectations Assembly!

Wellness Block Schedule - Block 1!

Regular Bell Schedule

I would like to welcome our new Bridge to Wellness team members, Paola Lopez, Therapist; Lili Quijano, Care Manager; and Alberto Cochamanidis, YDS. They joined the team over the summer and are looking forward to working with students and their families this upcoming school year.

If you have questions please contact Dana Gardner, Well-Being Social Worker.

Dana N. Gardner-Leacock, LMSW

Well- Being Social Worker

Rockville High School

240-740-6620 ext.11902

Dana_N_GardnerLeacock@mcpsmd.org

Department of Student Engagement and Behavioral Health

MCPS Office of School Support and Improvement (OSSI)

Well-Being and Student Services (WBSS)

It is time for the 2025-2026 school year to begin. As parents/caregivers and students prepare for the start of a new school year, please find the Transportation Parent Letters.

You can find RHS bus schedules here. If you have bus transportation route questions, please click on the MCPS transportation link to reach the contact information for the Rockville Cluster Transportation Team.

**NEW** - "BELL TO BELL, NO CELL" - Phones put in backpack/bag/purse OR Classroom Cubby

Rockville High School is committed to supporting student learning in a positive learning environment. As a reminder, during classroom/instructional time, cell phones, earpods, headphones, and other personal mobile devices must be put away in a backpack/bag/purse or classroom cubby.

Students may use their devices before and after school, during lunch, and during class transitions only. Again, personal mobile devices may NOT be used during classes or when in the hallways during the instructional period. Parents may contact their children during the designated time periods, or contact the main office if they need to speak with their child urgently. The ONLY EXCEPTIONS made to the policy will be for those students who have documented health concerns.

WHY Bell to Bell, No Cell?

• To Improve Focus and Attention: Without the distraction of cell phones, students are more likely to stay engaged with the lesson. This can lead to better understanding and retention of the material, as students can concentrate fully on the content being taught without interruptions from notifications or the temptation to check social media.

• To Enhance Classroom Interaction: With phones out of sight, students are more likely to participate in class discussions, collaborate with peers, and engage in hands-on activities. This fosters a more interactive and dynamic learning environment, where students can benefit from real-time feedback and peer-to-peer learning.

• To Improve Academic Performance: Reducing the opportunity for distractions and cheating can contribute to more accurate assessments of students' abilities. As a result, teachers can better gauge student understanding and provide targeted support, which can lead to improved academic performance and a more honest evaluation of students' progress.

Thank you for partnering with the school staff to reinforce the importance of engaging actively in learning during classes and of using personal mobile devices during designated times only.

As we embark on this new school year, our primary goal is to foster digital responsibility in our students, preparing them for success in college, careers, and their communities. In support of this goal, we are continuing our alignment with the MCPS Systemwide Cell Phone Expectations of "Bell to Bell, No Cell" policy to minimize distractions and enhance the learning environment.

To help enforce the policy and enhance our implementation from last school year, students will have the following 2 options:

• Place their cell phone and other PMD devices (apple watches, air pods, etc.) in a backpack, bag, purse

OR

• Place their cell phone and other PMD devices (apple watches, air pods, etc.) in a classroom cubby

Here’s how the policy will be enforced, with specific consequences for insubordination:

If students choose to put their PMD items in their backpack/bag/purse, they will be responsible for leaving them there until the end of class, once the bell rings. If their PMD items are brought out of their bags during the instructional period (between the tardy bell and dismissal bell), the teacher will instruct the student to place the item(s) in the classroom cubby. Students will be able to retrieve the PMD items once the bell rings at the end of class.

**If the student refuses to adhere to the teacher's directions, their PMD item(s) will be pouched and taken to the main office for the REMAINDER of the school day.** If the student refused for their PMD item(s) to be pouched, they will be escorted to the main office to speak with their grade level administrator and/or the principal.

During the Instructional Period each day:

• First Time: The student will be instructed to place their PMD item(s) in the classroom cubby. Refusal: The student's device will be placed in a locked pouch and taken to the attendance office for the remainder of the day. Students will retrieve their PMD item(s) after the 8th period dismissal bell.

In the hallways during the Instructional Period - going to restroom, water fountain or reporting to other offices for personal business - Student's PMD item(s) should remain in the classroom:

• First Time: The student's PMD item(s) will be placed in a locked pouch and taken to the attendance office for the remainder of the day. Students will retrieve their PMD item(s) after the 8th period dismissal bell.

We appreciate your support and partnership in helping us promote responsible digital behavior. By working together, we can create a more focused and productive learning environment for all students.

Students, in grade 9 or "new" to RHS, who attend Transition Day on Monday, August 25, 2025 will receive Chromebooks during one of their rotations. If grade 9 or "new" students to RHS do not attend Transition Day they can pick up a Chromebook from the media center on the first day of school, Tuesday, August 26, 2025. (before school, during lunch, or after school)

Students in grades 10-12 should have the Chromebooks they kept at the end of last school year. If that Chromebook is lost or damaged (or if the student is new to the school and does not yet have a Chromebook), please go to the Media Center during lunch.

Students will not be given permission to use personal computer devices in class to access instruction. They are expected to you their MCPS issued Chromebooks (charged) each and every day.

Come support the Class of 2026 at Chipotle located at 5504 Norbeck Rd, Rockville, MD 20853 on Thursday, September 4th from 4:00-8:00pm. Mention you are with RHS or use online ordering code N4F4X49.

Seniors: If you have not taken your senior portrait yet, you still can on October 21st and October 22nd, 2025.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be photographed for the yearbook! The required attire for the school’s yearbook pose are traditional Tuxedos and Drapes; provided by Victor O’Neill Studios at no cost to students. There is no charge to have the photos taken for the yearbook. Additional poses with casual clothes and the cap and gown will be offered as well for a fee. Please follow the link below to choose your session type and appointment time https://www.vosphoto.com/rockville.

You can use this link to see examples of senior portraits and prices If you choose to buy digital or printed copies of your photos. To access the prices, put in your email address and then click on the buy button. There is no cost to take the yearbook picture and get your student ID printed.

You can see an overview of the senior portrait process here. If you have any questions, please email their Senior Portraits Team at seniors@vosphoto.com Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Rockville Class of 2026” when emailing, for faster assistance

Welcome back Rams! I hope you're just as excited as the College and Career Center to get the year underway. We have been hard at work providing summer workshops and planning events for the new year. Please read the following closely and as always remember that no matter what the goal is, college, career, military, trade school, etc., they are all valid. We are here to talk through achieving those goals and everyone is welcome in the center.

To book a one-on-one meeting with me please visit: https://calendly.com/mswolk

College visits: are now live in Naviance! All students must register to attend college visits. To do so, in Naviance, click on "Colleges" and then "visits". Visits also show on the main page. It is important to attend visits to have contact with the admissions representatives and indicate your interest in the school. They provide a wealth of knowledge; please bring questions.

Once registered, passes will be delivered to the students class. Students are responsible for all missed work. Students are not advised to attend a visit on a day they have tests or large assignments. If necessary, students will want to alert Ms. Wolk of the conflict so she may collect any material from representatives to be later retrieved.

Grade level checklists: Check out the checklists on the College/Career website. Hardcopies will be provided in the first few weeks of school.

Upcoming Events:

September 9 - College Planning Night, 5:30pm, CAFE (details to follow)

September 11 - Wegmans Work Mentorship Workshop, Lunch, College/Career Center

September 12 - Resume Workshop, Lunch, College/Career Center

September 16 - College Entrance Exams Workshop, Lunch, College/Career Center

September 17 - Financial Aid Workshop & FSA ID Account creations, 5:30pm, CAFE (details to follow)

September 30 - College Checklist Party, Lunch, College/Career Center

Take a look back at the virtual summer workshops. Recordings all the way to the right.

Seniors, take a look at the checklist to help guide you through completing college applications. We're very excited to get to work and see you soon!

Ms. Victoria Wolk

College and Career Navigator

MOCOCAP

Students! I am so excited to bring MoCo CAP back for a third year. I cannot wait to meet the rising 9th graders and reconnect with the now 10th graders that I met last year. This year I hope to hold more events for all grade levels as well. Keep a look out for Meet a Pro events later in the Fall and Winter!

Over the summer, counselors have been working on finalizing student schedules and ensuring that students have rigorous yet balanced course selections. Students’ fall schedules will be accessible in StudentVue and ParentVue on August 20th, the week before school begins. All students will also receive a printed copy of their schedule on the first day of school, in homerooms.

Each year, the school’s master schedule is built on student course requests, staffing available, and school program needs for graduation requirements. For these reasons, once the school year is underway, schedule changes will be limited to incorrect levels or incorrect courses (rather than general preferences).

Students who are requesting a schedule change for first semester courses will need to pick up a Schedule Change Request Form from the Counseling Office before school, at lunch, or after school. Parent signatures are required for course change requests.

Are you looking to get involved for the 2025-2026 school year? Make your high school experience more meaningful and fulfilling. Come join one of the many clubs and organizations that Rockville High School has to offer. We also offer a variety of sports for all students. 9th graders and new students to Rockville will have an opportunity to meet the coaches and sponsors and hear from students on Transition Day. During the school year, after-school clubs and organizations will meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week when school is in session. Bus transportation will be provided. The activity buses will depart at 4:30 p.m. on the days when after-school activities are held.

¿Está buscando participar para el año escolar 2024-2025? Haga que su experiencia en la escuela secundaria sea más significativa y satisfactoria. Únase a uno de los muchos clubes y organizaciones que Rockville High School tiene para ofrecer. También ofrecemos una variedad de deportes para todos los estudiantes. Los estudiantes de noveno grado y los nuevos estudiantes de Rockville tendrán la oportunidad de conocer a los entrenadores y patrocinadores y escuchar a los estudiantes en e Día de Transición para nuevos estudiantes el lunes 25 de agosto de 2025. Durante el año escolar, los clubes y organizaciones extracurriculares se reunirán los martes, miércoles y jueves de cada semana. Se proporcionará transporte en autobús. El autobús saldrá a las 16:30 horas. en los días en que se realizan actividades extraescolares.

Student Leadership - Montgomery County Public Schools, MD

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires MCPS to give parents/guardians the opportunity to request that directory information be withheld. MCPS Form 281-13 Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy contains the appropriate information and is available on the MCPS website in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Amharic, and Portuguese. If you do not want Rockville High School to release your directory information, please complete the MCPS Form 281-13 and return it to the Main Office or Counseling by September 12, 2024.

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) requires educational institutions to notify parents/guardians and eligible students of their rights concerning the district’s conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. The PPRA notice can be found on the MCPS website, and is available in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Portuguese and Amharic.

New 9th grade students will receive their locker assignment at the New Student Transition Day on August 25th. Locker assignments for new grade 9 students will also be viewable to students in their StudentVue accounts. Returning students in grades 10-12 may request a locker during the school year by visiting the Finance window and seeing Ms. Arata, Financial Specialist, in the main office before school, at lunch, and after school.

Our office teams are eager to welcome and assist our Rockville families with all business inquiries. The main office can be reached at 240.740.6600 and the counseling office direct line is 240.740.6620. Please continue to use the Rockville High School website. It is an excellent resource to learn about what's going on at RHS. The daily announcements will be posted there along with parent group announcements, athletic information, etc. The website can also be utilized to find important school business information.

The main office team consists of:

Ms. Inalva Bovo, (Volunteer Coordinator) and Secretary to PI Dr. Belinda Penn,

Ms. Ann Marie DelValle, (ECA Director) and Secretary to AP Jennifer Bado-Aleman,

Ms. Mary Norfolk (Attendance Secretary) and Secretary to AP Monica Kellison,

Ms. Darlyn Pineda (Counseling Office Head Secretary) and Secretary to Ms. Alejandra Crawley

The marching band practices on the front lot on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please clear your car by 3:30pm.

For students enrolled in instrumental music or choir, information on how to audition for Maryland All State ensembles can be found at https://www.mdmea.org/all-state-auditions

If you have any additional questions, please see Ms. Barion or Ms. Weiss.

Rockville High School is excited to welcome all first-time 9th graders and students new to RHS for Student Transition Day on Monday, August 25, 2025. This new, full-day initiative is part of the 2025–2026 school year calendar and is designed to support students as they enter a new school environment.

The goal of Student Transition Day is to help students build a sense of belonging, become familiar with the school layout and routines, and feel prepared for a successful school year—all before the full student body returns. This non-instructional day provides an opportunity to connect with staff, meet classmates, and ease into high school life in a supportive, welcoming atmosphere.

Full information on parking, including timeline, payment and necessary paperwork may be found at https://bit.ly/RHSParking1.

We have partnered with Grace Towing (https://gracetowingandrecovery.com/) this year for our towing needs. Failure to comply with parking policy may result in vehicles being towed at the owners’ expense.

Similarly, our nearby churches, synagogues, neighborhoods, apartments, and businesses enforce their own parking and towing policies. Rockville High School students are not to park illegally on or off campus and are subject to any liability and penalty that would result from doing so.

📅 Date: Thursday August 28th & Friday August 29th 2025 through English classes

📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001269046

📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com

The PSAT will be administered districtwide to all Grade 10 students on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. The assessment is free of charge for all Grade 10 students who entered high school as first-time ninth graders in 2024 (OYG 2028). Participation is expected for all Grade 10 students. However, non-diploma bound students and those in English Language Development (ELD) Levels 1 and 2 are not required to take the PSAT but will be given the opportunity to participate.

Grade 11 students may also take the PSAT for a fee of $17. They are encouraged to participate as a way to gain additional SAT practice and qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

For more information on the PSAT, including test format and free online test prep, please visit the College Board PSAT/NMSQT website.

• What is the Booster Club?

  The Booster Club is a non-profit, all volunteer organization that works in partnership with Rockville High School to advance and enhance extracurricular activities for the development and well-being of all RHS students. The Booster Club supports all school-sponsored teams, clubs, and organizations by providing supplemental funding to these groups and fosters the spirit of community.

How do I join?

The Booster Club welcomes anyone who has a desire to be involved, give back to the community, and wants to enrich the Rockville High School experience for all students.

You can join by CLICKING HERE

Where can I get more information and stay informed?

• Visit our website: https://www.rhsramsboosterclub.com/

• Follow us on Instagram:

🎶 Friends of Rockville Music (FORM) News 🎶

Who are Friends of Rockville Music?

We are an all-volunteer, private, charitable 501(c)(3) organization that supports the outstanding Instrumental, Choral and Band programs that comprise the Music Department at Rockville High School. We also help support the Music Department at Earle B. Wood Middle School via our annual cluster concert.

We expect all families with music students at Rockville High School to become members and get involved. We encourage all RHS cluster parents and community members to also become members.

All donations — including your membership fee — are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

How You Can Help the Music Department - All Links on our New Website! Friends of Rockville Music Home or https://www.friendsofrockvillemusic.org/

Join FORM - membership is $20 per family per year.

● Scroll to MEMBERSHIP Google Form and follow the brief instructions to pay via our PayPal account.

● FORM members are the first to know RHS music news and have a voice in music department plans via member meetings the 2nd Monday of the month.

● Join us Monday, September 9, 7 PM for our first member meeting of the school year.

Make a Direct Donation - you choose the amount and frequency.

Scroll to the DIRECT DONATION Google Form and follow the brief instructions to pay via our PayPal account. In PayPal, you can add an optional personal note.

Participate in our Flocking Fundraiser:

Scroll to the FLOCKING Google Form and follow the brief instructions to pay via our PayPal account.

THANK YOU for your support!!

Friends of Rockville Music Board:

Kris Petrie (President, Band Parent), Anna Pfaff (VP, Choir Parent) Steve Silvestro (Digital Secretary, Band and Color Guard Parent), Doug Pike (Treasurer, Band Parent)

Welcome Back, Rams!

Meet your 2025–2026 PTSA Board:

Nicole Hennessy – President

Michelle Dingle – VP

Trish Armstrong – Treasurer

Rachel Schiffenbauer– Secretary

Joining the PTSA means supporting the people and programs that make Rockville High thrive, like staff appreciation, teacher mini-grants, senior awards, and the After Prom party. There’s no volunteer or meeting requirement, and every membership helps us advocate for students, support staff, and strengthen our school community. Let's start this year strong!

First PTSA Meeting: September 16 at 7:00 PM (In-person) – Q&A about new grading Policy.
Join the PTA Today: https://forms.gle/kE1d2ns2vik4Sgg18

August:

No Meeting

September:

16th @7pm September PTA Meeting - in person Q&A about new grading rules (will need a staff member to do Q&A)

October:

21st @7pm PTSA Meeting - In Person College Career speakers (need to set up)

November:

No meeting

December:

No Meeting

January:

No Meeting

February:

17th @7pm PTSA Meeting - In Person theme is TBD

March:

No Meeting (board will meet on 16th to review the upcoming events)

April:

No Meeting

After Prom is TBD at this time

May:

19th @7pm PTSA Meeting

Staff Appreciation Week

June:

No Meeting

We will be utilizing School Cash Online for all payments made to the school. Please make sure you are registered and can see all of your students under your profile.

NOTE: Payments to the cafeteria are separate. See this website for more information about paying for student meals and the Free and Reduced Meals Program.

Rockville SGA is back in full swing. We are looking forward to a fun filled year.

Please save the date for the following activities:

9/5 Back to School Pep Rally

9/27 Ram Rumble

Week 9/29-10/3 Homecoming Week

Details are soon to come. Tickets for the Homecoming Dance will be available via SchoolCashOnline beginning the first day of school.

To help prepare students for college and career, as well as to help maintain safety and security in the school building, all RHS students will be REQUIRED to have their SCHOOL ID's VISIBLE when on school property. Students will receive their id, a lanyard, and an id case on picture day. Student ID's will be EXPECTED to be visible, beginning Tuesday, September 2nd.

The student IDs will also used by students for check-in/check-out processes and to obtain a tardy pass for admittance into class during the school day.

Students are expected to comply with staff requests to show their student IDs, and staff will be required to wear their staff IDs visibly displayed during the school day.

Student Emergency Information: It is a requirement for all students to have updated emergency contact information in Synergy.

Parents must confirm the contact information in ParentVUE at the beginning of each school year, and make updates whenever there is a change in contact information, such as cell or home numbers, home address, etc..

Updates can be submitted via ParentVUE Annual Verification in your ParentVue portal or by completing and submitting to the main office a printed and signed copy of Student Emergency Form 565-1 (available in multiple languages at https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/detail.aspx?formNumber=565-1&catID=1&subCatId=25).

For more information on how to sign-up for ParentVue, please go to https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/parents/tech-info-support.aspx.

Doing so facilitates two-way communication between staff and parents/caregivers, especially in cases of urgent matters.

Please make sure your contact and emergency contact information is up to date in ParentVUE. Contact the counseling office if you need help accessing your account.

Thurs, August 21

9th Grade & New Student Parent Meeting

Mon, August 25
Student Transition Day

Tue, August 26
First day of school for students

Thur, September 28

Back to School Night

Mon, September 1
Labor Day—Schools and offices closed

Tue, September 23
Non-Instructional Day—No school for students and teachers

Fri, September 26
Early release day for students

Thu, October 2
Non-Instructional Day—No school for students and teachers

The Annotated Code of Maryland (10.06.04.03) requires all Maryland students new to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and those entering Grade 7 and Grade 9 provide documentation of required, age-appropriate vaccinations or a medical or religious exemption. This documentation is required within 20 calendar days from their date of admission. Principals will receive a list of students who have not provided documentation by the deadline from School Health Services (SHS) staff. Students on this list must be excluded from school until such documentation is provided.

Important Dates

● Tuesday, August 26, 2025: Students must provide documentation of required vaccinations or a permitted exemption as explained above by the first day of school or their date of admission. Students who have not received their vaccinations may enter school if they provide evidence of an appointment to be vaccinated by Monday, September 15, 2025, (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission).

● Monday, September 15, 2025: Students who have not provided documentation of the required vaccinations by this date (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission) must be excluded from school until such documentation is provided.

● Incoming Grade 9 students need to have two doses of the varicella vaccine and documentation is required.

Links/Additional Information

● Maryland Department of Health: 2025-2026 School Year Vaccination Requirements and MSDE Website

● Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Back to School Immunization

Rockville High School welcomes our families and volunteers! We love for you to visit with us!

We want our school to be as accessible to our families and community as possible, while balancing the safety of all students. Montgomery County Public Schools requires all visitors and volunteers to sign in in the main office using the Visitor Management System (VMS). A driver's license, MCPS ID, or state-issued photo ID are required. You will receive a visitor badge at this time, please wear it while you are on school grounds.

All volunteers who regularly support schools and school sponsored activities must complete the Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training for volunteers and contractors. This training requirement also applies to student teachers and interns, volunteers who regularly help with school dismissal or recess, and those who attend field trips and chaperone outdoor education. The online training is provided in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, Amharic, and Vietnamese. Volunteers are required to complete the training every three years beginning after the 2017 school year.

You can access and complete this training via your parent portal account. If you need assistance with your parent portal account, please contact Ms. Darlyn Pineda, Counseling Secretary.

For more on the MCPS volunteer policies and regulations, please click here.

Understanding the importance of supporting the whole person in our students, RHS will continue to promote social emotional wellness opportunities for students through Wellness Wednesdays. Every Wednesday (except for early release or special program days), following period two, students will return to one of their scheduled classes to engage in wellness activities and community building that promote social emotional learning and wellness.

In SY24-25, we will also continue to include Leader In Me lessons, which will introduce students to The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens. These lessons will be facilitated by student leaders and supported by teachers via Wellness blocks. Any juniors or seniors who are interested in becoming Leader in Me Student Ambassadors should join the interest meeting on Wednesday, Sept 11, in the cafeteria during Wellness Block 3.

On the Wednesday before interims and at the end of the marking period, students will have an Academic Support Day in all classes. On Academic Support Days, students will have opportunities for reteaching, make-up work, additional support from teachers, and more.

The Wellness Wednesday bell schedule is available on the RHS website and linked here: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/contentassets/ff589b22b8ef4a4c8b54ba4161ac9a7e/fy-23-bell-schedules-update.pdf

Our entire staff is ready and eager to begin this journey, and we are thrilled to have you with us. Please be sure to save this newsletter for future reference, especially regarding the new policies on grading, conduct, and cell phones. A strong start is a shared responsibility, and your engagement is the key to our collective success.

Best wishes for a SUCCESSFUL and rewarding school year!

Next Newsletter: October 2025