Things to Know
August 20, 2026
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The Big Day is just around the corner! This week, teachers and staff are back in our schools, preparing classrooms, planning lessons and getting ready to welcome students back for a new school year. Next week, our hallways will be filled with the energy and excitement of our students — we can’t wait to see you for Transition Day on Monday, Aug. 24 and the first day of school for all students on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
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On the Road to a Safe School Year: Bus Routes and Safety Tips |
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Bus routes are posted on the Division of Transportation Services website or on the front of your school’s website in the School Information box. Please remember that buses may run late due to traffic, arrival and dismissal congestion, student support, etc. Questions? Find your transportation manager. Be sure to have your student’s ID, route number and school ready when calling the bus depot assigned to your child(ren).
With a new school year beginning, it is important to remind students and families about school bus safety, including expectations for when students are entering and exiting buses, as well as behavior on board the bus. MCPS has more than 1,200 bus routes that serve more than 100,000 Montgomery County students every day. To ensure student safety, read more for tips for driving around school buses and Maryland law.
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The Final Countdown Is On! |
- Back-to-School Fairs Are Saturday: See you Aug. 22 at one of our six regional fairs to kick off the 2026–2027 school year. 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)
Free immunizations will be available at Paint Branch, Gaithersburg and Seneca Valley. Student immunization records are required to be eligible for the free immunizations. An informational table will be available at Albert Einstein, Wheaton and Richard Montgomery to help families find free immunization resources and locations.
- Transition Day: Monday, Aug. 24 is our second annual Transition Day. It is the first full day for students entering kindergarten, 6th grade, 9th grade, plus some third graders and students new to MCPS in any grade. They will meet principals and teachers, tour the building, practice routines, connect with classmates and begin building a sense of community before the official first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Learn more about Transition Day: English | Spanish
- Tuesday Aug. 25 is the First Day of School for all students in all grades. Welcome back!
- No Cell, Bell to Bell: MCPS is implementing a new cellphone regulation that will help students stay focused and connected in the classroom. All personal mobile devices will be expected to be put away for all grade levels during the academic day — from the first bell through dismissal. This is expected to result in fewer disruptions, help students stay engaged in learning and keep students safer.
- Family-Friendly Calendar: New for 2026-2027, this calendar replaces the traditional month-view calendar with a simplified, more accessible format. It makes it easier to see at a glance when students are in school, have an early release day, plus winter and spring breaks, helping families plan ahead while improving readability for all users, including those with visual impairments.
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Finding What You Need Just Got Easier! |
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The Central Services homepage has been updated, making it easier for users to find what they’re looking for, provides new dropdown menus and guided access to pathways for families, students, staff and career seekers to explore relevant resources. Driven by analytics highlighting the district’s most frequently accessed resources, a refreshed calendar, and a news and information section are part of the new layout. This initial homepage makeover marks the launch of a broader, systemwide initiative to refresh the MCPS website throughout the school year.
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In Case You Missed It … |
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We're less than one week before the beginning of another school year! Get excited; this is going to be a great year! On Aug. 17, Superintendent Taylor emailed a message to families to share information about MCPS’ core mission: instruction.
A few highlights:
- Clearer expectations. Grading will be clearer and more consistent. There are also clearer expectations around late work, extended-time accommodations, absences and the use of artificial intelligence.
- Assessments give us information about what students know, understand and are able to do. Families will receive an assessment calendar so you can see what is coming and plan ahead.
- Refrigerator Curriculum. We will continue sharing the written curriculum, a simple, one-page look at what students will learn each marking period, including major topics, themes and texts.
- Build good study habits. Create a regular time and place for learning at home and talking about what happened at school that day. Regularly review papers and work from school. Stay in regular communication with teachers and the other adults supporting your child.
- Stay connected. Learn about official MCPS apps and how to access them.
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Send Us Your Best First Day Photo! |
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Help us capture the excitement of the first day of school by sharing your special moments! Parents, students and schools are invited to submit their favorite first-day-of-school snapshots on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Select photos will be shared on the district’s website and social media beginning Tuesday morning. You may submit a photo by emailing us or tagging us on social media: Facebook, Instagram or X, and on our Spanish social media channels, Facebook, Instagram and X.
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Boost Confidence and Skills at Saturday School |
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Help your child build confidence and academic success with Saturday School (George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy). Programs run on Saturday mornings for students in grades K–12, focusing on reading, math, test prep and STEM enrichment, such as coding and robotics.
The opening ceremony is on Sept. 19 for families to register and learn about the program. The first tutoring session is Sept. 26 from 8:30-11 a.m.
- Cost: $85/year ($40 for FARMS recipients) Note: Fees increase to $100 / $50 FARMS after Sept. 1.
- Transportation: Free MCPS bus routes available to center sites.
- Details & Registration: saturdayschool.org
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Help Pay Down Meal Debt and Rep MCPS; Shop the Store! |
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In an effort to pay down student meal debt (and to show off your MCPS pride!), you can now purchase MCPS-branded merchandise. As the seasons change, so will the products in the online store, so check back regularly. Check out the shop.
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Reminders |
- High school class schedules: Available now in StudentVue and ParentVue.
- Submitted Your FARMS Application Yet?: Apply today! A new FARMS application must be completed every school year, even if your children qualified the previous year. Submit the online FARMS application through MySchoolApps (translations are available). Only one application is needed for all students in a household. More information.
- Facility Advisory Committee: MCPS is seeking community members to serve on this committee for the 2026-2027 school year. Committee members will share their knowledge, experience and perspectives to help inform long-term planning for MCPS school facilities. If you're interested, complete the application by Friday, Sept. 4.
- Middle school sports registration: New this year, sixth-grade students are eligible to participate in MCPS middle school athletics. Boys' and girls’ softball and coed cross country are the fall sports offered. Have a current Pre-Participation Physical (MCPS Form SR-8) on file and register on ParentVue.
- Become a Game Official: Join the community of Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association officials and play an essential role in preserving the integrity of middle and high school sports, and make a difference in the lives of young student-athletes. Learn more.
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Stay Connected
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