RICA May Family Newsletter

May 5th-9th RICA Staff Appreciation Month

May 9th- 9th/10th Montgomery College Visit 10-1pm

May 16th- MP4 Interims available for review

May 16th RICA Prom 7-10pm

May 29th- RICA Graduation at 9am in the Gym

May 30th- RICA 8th Grade Promotion and Middle School Awards Ceremony at 10:30 in the gym

We will hear from our MCPS social workers as well as include a special session for Class of 2025 Senior Parents as we gear up for the final stretch of their student's senior year in high school.

Thanks!

Please use the zoom link below:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/86938738920?pwd=FkRJsheb6Q5s58SDOm9HS0RBIlaTaz.1

Meeting ID: 869 3873 8920

Passcode: 221169

As educators who respect our students and their diverse backgrounds and needs, we will work to help them:

GET READY...

by supporting them with a safe, structured behavioral program to address social emotional concerns.

GET SET...

by providing a rigorous academic environment for learning.

GO...

to less restrictive schools, to higher education, to the world of work.

Happy May Royals!

As we enter the beautiful month of May, I want to take a moment to reflect on how much our students have accomplished this year. From academic achievements to personal growth, it has been a joy to watch them learn, lead, and thrive.

May is a busy and exciting month filled with end-of-year activities, celebrations, and opportunities to come together as a school community. I encourage you to check calendars regularly and stay involved—your support means so much.

This is also the time of year when we begin looking ahead. We are already making plans for summer programs, staff development, and a strong start to the next school year. More details will be shared soon.

Thank you for your continued partnership, positivity, and commitment to our school. Together, we are creating a place where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to succeed.

Wishing you a wonderful May!

Shout out to Mx. Buckley for working with our students to create our 2025 yearbook. It has been a while since we had one and we are so excited for this return. They are $15 and available and inclusive of all RICA students. If you would like to purchase please use the link here: www.yearbookforever.com.

Family Technology Resources:

1. Use this Family tech planner to spark conversations with your kids about their digital lives and how to be a good digital citizen

1. Check out these family tips to help your kids balance their digital use:

Media Balance & Well-Being English

| Spanish | More Languages (Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese)

MCPS has clear procedures in place to ensure student safety if immigration officials visit a school. These steps help staff respond appropriately while prioritizing student well-being:

• Verify the visitor's identity and obtain official documentation.
• Notify MCPS legal counsel for guidance.
• Contact the impacted student’s family in their preferred language.
• Follow security protocols to protect all students and staff.

For more information and Frequently Asked Questions, visit the MCPS Immigration Supports page.

MCPS is reviewing the current cell phone use in schools due to so many issues occuring over social media causing unsafe situations in schools. At this time all day students can have phones and resident students who attend Edison can have their phone when they leave but must return them when they arrive back to RICA. We know many issues we have had at school have had a social media involvement as well as may record incidents that have occured at school. At this time we will be starting focus groups with students, families and staff about the cell phone use in school and looking to begin a new cell phone policy during the 25-26 school year.

Please find below link for “Get Emergency Alerts. Get Alert Montgomery”

The Alert Montgomery System provides accurate and immediate emergency notifications from Montgomery County to your cell, work, or home phones via text, email, or voice message. Receive notifications about emergencies that may affect your home, workplace, child's school, or any other locations within Montgomery County, Maryland.

• Government and School Status for County government and public-school closures, cancellations, or delays due to inclement weather or other emergencies
• Weather Alerts for your family's home, business, school, childcare, and more
• Infrastructure Issues including Water and Power Outages
• Severe Traffic Issues including accidents and prolonged road closures

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/oemhs/alertmontgomery/