Rockburn Report
October 5, 2026
Rockburn Updates
Dear Rockburn Families,
Welcome to October everyone!!! You can look forward to school pictures this month and several grades will be having field trips. It will be an exciting month!
Please see below for new events happening at Rockburn and in the community!
With the cooler weather coming, it would be a great time to buy some new warm spirtwear. Check out the link below!
Let's ROCK this week!
Holiday Assistance
If you would like to request holiday assistance for your immediate family, please complete the form below by 10/30.
Save The Date
What: Rocky Run
When: Friday October 30th
5th- 9-9:45
4th- 10-10:45
3rd- 11-11:45
2nd- 12:15-1
K- 1:15-2
1st- 2:15-3
LGBTQ+ History Month
LGBTQ+ Month is a time to celebrate and learn about the LGBTQ+ community. It helps us understand their lives, honor their history, and show kindness and respect to everyone.
Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP)
Please see the attached for information on HCPSS's Student Reading Improvement Plan.
Important Attendance Information
Dear Parents/Families:
Attendance is crucial for student success from kindergarten to high school. Missing school impacts academic and social achievements.
Significance: Missing 10% or more can harm academic success. In 6th grade, absenteeism signals a higher risk of dropout. By 9th grade, regular attendance is a strong predictor of graduation.
Maryland Focus: The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) set a 10% absenteeism threshold for intervention, starting 2023-2024.
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) aims for 94-96% attendance for all students.
HCPSS Attendance Interventions:
5% Absence: Care and Concern Call or letter sent to parents/guardians to improve attendance.
10% Absence: Attendance conference may be arranged. Additional supports deployed.
15% Absence: Attendance support plan may be required.
20% Absence: Attendance Commitment Agreement may be required. Potential referral to the Central Attendance Team or State’s Attorney’s Letter may be sent.
With parents, staff, and students working together, we can improve attendance and student success.
Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) Program
Many HCPSS families may be eligible to receive benefits through the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program
.
Qualifying families can take advantage of a wide range of additional resources and discounts, including free college applications, free or reduced JumpStart dual enrollment tuition, discounted internet through the Comcast Internet Essentials program, and more.
Families must submit a new application every school year. During the first 30 school days, students with FARMs eligibility from the prior school year will continue to receive benefits. Any student whose family has not filled out an application by the 30th school day will have their status changed to full pay until a new application is received.
Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. It is very important that applications are filled out accurately and completely.
Apply by mail: Paper applications will be available at all school front offices. Applications can be returned to the school or mailed to HCPSS Food & Nutrition Services, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Answers to frequently asked questions
Information on HCPSS meals and additional meals/nutrition assistance programs can be found on the HCPSS Help site. If you have questions regarding the program, please visit www.hcpss.org/FARMs
or contact Food and Nutrition Services at 410-313-6743 or foodsvc@hcpss.org.
Lunch Visits No Longer Permitted
Parent lunch visits are no longer permitted at any HCPSS school. Limiting access during the school day ensures safe and secure school communities by removing unnecessary access to students and school buildings, reducing disruptions, supporting student routines, and minimizing non-essential traffic in student areas. Parents are encouraged to communicate with school staff to stay engaged in their child's learning and seek opportunities to volunteer in an official capacity at the school.
Prize Cart Volunteers
We are once again looking for volunteers to help at recess with our prize cart. Once a month, students in grades 1-5 have the opportunity to trade in tickets for prizes. If you are able to help, please add your name to this sheet. Thank you!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eYB2wJ-O-vribButVYYfo103jTsSvP0hSOBbx1iRAQU/edit?usp=sharing
Please make sure you complete your Volunteer Training paperwork:
https://www.hcpss.org/parents/volunteer-information/
and email it to Nicky Wolf - Nicole_Wolf@hcpss.org before coming to volunteer. Thanks!
New Rockburn Spirtwear!!!
RES Spiritwear store
Get your Rockburn gear here! Happy Shopping!
***CHECK OUT THE NEW DESIGNS!!!!***
***THEY LOOK AWESOME!!!***
Howard High School Lion's Pride Athletic Boosters: Arts, Crafts & More Show
Date: Sunday, October 18
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Howard High School
Join us for a fun community shopping event featuring local artisans, independent consultants, food trucks, and much more!
Admission & Parking: FREE
Impact: All proceeds directly benefit the Lion's Pride Athletic Boosters and our student-athletes.
Come out, support our school, and shop locally!
Important Dates
Important Dates
October
- 15th - Fall Pictures
- 16th - No School
- 27th - End of 1st Quarter
- 28th - No School
- 30th - Rocky Run (schedule posted later)
November
- 3rd - No School
- 23rd - 3 Hour Early Dismissal - Parent Teacher Conferences
- 24th - 3 Hour Early Dismissal - Parent Teacher Conferences
- 25th - No School - Parent Teacher Conferences
- 26th - No School
- 27th - No School
Past Rockburn Reports
September 28th - https://app.smore.com/n/n4s1u-rockburn-report
September 22nd - https://app.smore.com/n/n8tb3-rockburn-report
PTA Updates and Information
Final Call to Order Your PTA Classwear Shirts
The PTA will be placing our second and final order for classwear shirts. Please make sure to place your order before Tuesday, October 13th as classwear shirts will no longer be available to purchase after 10/13. Also, please recall that your bundle membership gets you into PTA events, such as the upcoming Fall Festival, for free and includes one classwear shirt!
Save the Date of October 14th for the Pazani Restaurant Night
Please join the Rockburn PTA for a restaurant night on Wednesday, October 14th from 11am-9pm at Pazani (6060 Marshalee Dr Ste 111-113) in Elkridge, MD! Pazani will donate 20% of all dine in or carry out orders to the Rocburn ES PTA. Simply mention the fundraiser at the time of your order.
Walk & Roll to School Day Volunteers Needed
Help Us Walk & Roll to School! We’re looking for volunteers to help at our neighborhood meet-up locations and along the routes for Walk or Roll to School Day on Wednesday October 7th!
Sign up to help at:
https://tinyurl.com/WalkorRolltoSchoolDay2026
Then, on October 7th join us at one of these five locations to walk to school with your classmates: Marbuck Drive, Bellanca Drive, Garden View Drive, Rockburn Branch Park or Rockburn Drive.
Fall Photo Mini Sessions
The Rockburn PTA is excited to partner with RES parent and photographer, Rina Tigani, for Fall Mini Sessions. These 15 minute outdoor sessions on Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th, offer beautiful seasonal photographs including eight edited, high resolution images for $150. 20% of the proceeds will be donated back to the RES PTA to support programs and initiatives for our students and staff. Book today at https://calendly.com/rinatigani-photography/photography-session
Art Enrichment Classes
The PTA is partnering with Chrysalis Craft Club to offer art enrichment classes to our students. These classes will be held on Wednesdays after school at Rockburn from 3:15-4:30 and will begin on October 14th. Sign up today at https://chrysaliscraftclub.com/registration/registration-after-school-enrichment/ as limited spots are available.
Save the Date for the RES Fall Festival
Join us at the RES Spooktacular Fall Festival on Friday, October 30th from 6:30-8:30 pm. The popular Eric Energy Mad Scientist Show will be back for another night of wild experiments, cool science, and tons of energy. We will also have the pumpkin decorating contest voting, music, snacks, and more. Wear your costumes and join for a night of fun! This event is free for PTA Bundle Members otherwise, it is $20 per family.
To enter the pumpkin decorating contest, email a photo of your decorated pumpkin to resevents@rockburnpta.org by Monday, October 26th. Include your child's name, teacher and grade.
Rock Into a New Year by Joining the PTA!
The 2026-2027 PTA Membership Drive is underway. Your PTA contribution and membership helps fund many programs throughout the year such as Cultural Arts assemblies, Family Involvement events, Back to School Celebration, Fall Festival, Holiday Shop, Bingo Night, Movie Night, Sports Park NIght, 5th grade signature shirts, school gifts, staff appreciation, and enhancements to our recess and PE programs. All parents are encouraged to join the PTA.
You can pay your annual membership dues online via our MemberHub store (https://rockburnpta.givebacks.com/shop). You can also make a direct donation to the PTA there.
Bookmark our New Linktr.ee
Save the Dates for the Upcoming PTA Meetings
Please mark your calendars with the following dates for our PTA events and meetings. More information about each event will be shared closer to the event. For the PTA meetings, in person meetings will be held in the RES media center. Virtual meetings can be accessed using the link https://tinyurl.com/RESPTAMeetings and by entering the password 572034.
