Things to Know
September 03, 2026
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What’s Coming Up in the Classroom? Be on the lookout for emails from the district highlighting what your child is learning and other timely grade-level information. Updates will be sent to MCPS families on Friday mornings when there is important or helpful information to share about upcoming learning in the next week.
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Building Confident Math Learners With a New Curriculum |
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This school year, students in Pre-K through Algebra 1 will use Amplify Desmos Math, a new curriculum designed to help students understand not only learn how to solve math problems, but also why different strategies work and how to apply math to real-world situations. Students will learn through engaging problems, discussion and collaboration and opportunities to explain their thinking. Teachers will provide support when students need additional challenges based on their needs. The goal is for every student to build strong math skills, deepen understanding, and grow as a confident and capable math learner. Read more.
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A Safe Walk to School Starts With a Few Simple Habits |
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Walking to school is a great way for students to start the day, but staying alert and making safe choices is essential. Families can help by reviewing a few simple pedestrian safety habits with students:
- Use sidewalks and designated crosswalks whenever possible.
- Stop, look left, right and left again before crossing — and keep looking while crossing.
- Make eye contact with drivers and never assume a vehicle will stop.
- Put phones and headphones away when crossing streets or walking near traffic.
- Follow the directions of crossing guards and traffic signals at all times.
- Be especially careful around buses and school parking lots, where vehicles may be turning, backing up or stopping unexpectedly.
Drivers also play an important role: slow down, stay alert and watch carefully for students, especially during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal.
A few extra seconds of attention can make a big difference. Learn more.
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Find Your Bus Route |
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Up-to-date bus route information is available on every MCPS school website in the Information Box on your school’s homepage (typically on the left side). Families can also find bus route information on the Division of Transportation Services website. Please check your route regularly for the latest updates to stops, times and schedules.
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).
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Share Your Feedback for Next Two School Year Calendars |
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MCPS is seeking your input as it works to develop the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 school calendar. Please complete this survey by Sept. 20 to share your input.
Your feedback is critical to the process. MCPS will consider educational interests, operational needs, mandated school closures by state law, compliance with minimum instructional days and credit hour requirements, inclement weather and other emergencies, staff professional days and early release days, and assessment schedules aligned to MCPS Board Policy IDA, School Year Calendar.
Take the survey.
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Now You Know — Immunizations |
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MCPS has immunization requirements for students in kindergarten, Grades 7 and 9, as well as students who are new to MCPS. Check your child’s medical records with your pediatrician and make sure your child is up to date on immunizations. If you need a vaccination, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services offers free vaccination clinics for school-aged children. Find a clinic. Your child must have proof of vaccination — or a vaccination appointment scheduled — within 20 calendar days of the first day of school to remain in school.
Learn more: English | español | 中文 | français | Português | 한국어 | tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
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A Free Opportunity for Grade 8 Students to Learn More About Their Strengths and Prepare for High School |
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Following many years of interest and requests from families and advocates, MCPS will offer all 8th grade students the opportunity to take the PSAT 8/9 during the school day at no cost to families. The PSAT 8/9 will provide students, families and schools with helpful information about students’ academic progress, including areas of strength and skills that may need additional development. Results can help students understand their progress toward college and career readiness and identify areas to focus on as they prepare for high school. Read more.
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MCPS Is Hiring Bus Drivers! |
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The Division of Transportation Services is hosting a job fair for bus drivers from 10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17. The fair will be held at the Shady Grove Transportation Depot, 16651 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville.
Interested candidates are asked to scan the QR code on the flyer and create or update a profile on the MCPS Careers website. For more information, call 240-740-6080.
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Heading to a Game? Know Before You Go! |
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The 2026–2027 fall sports season is underway, and MCPS Athletics is excited to welcome students, families and fans to the stands! As we kick off another exciting season, we’re committed to making every game safe, spirited, respectful and welcoming for everyone. What you should know if you’re attending an athletic event: Read more.
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Youth Town Hall Offers Students a Seat at the Table |
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The Montgomery County Council will host its annual Youth Town Hall meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29 (a pizza reception will begin at 5:30 p.m.) Join Montgomery County Councilmembers and MCPS student leaders as they discuss important youth-centric issues, in person at the Council Office Building, Third Floor, 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville, or on Zoom. Student attendees will be able to share their questions and concerns, and participate in a conversation with county leadership. Students may earn two SSL hours for attending and participating. Register to attend.
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Turn Your Ideas Into Action With Girls With Impact |
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Girls With Impact (GWI) offers a free, online, 10-week entrepreneurship program to high school students at MCPS. Developed with Harvard leaders, this program focuses on building critical business and leadership skills through a hands-on curriculum that covers topics including business planning, marketing and financial literacy.
The fall session begins the week of Sept. 28. Classes are held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. or Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Learn more: English | Spanish
Register.
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Find Answers Fast with MCPS Quick Guides for Families |
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Looking for clear, easy-to-use information about MCPS? Visit our Quick Guides for Families, a one-stop resource designed to help families find answers, understand important school information and support their students throughout the year.
The guides cover topics families ask about most, including ParentVUE and digital tools, transportation, grading and assessments, study skills, school safety, mental health, student conduct, social media and personal mobile devices.
Many resources are available in eight languages. Be sure to bookmark the page and check back often, as new resources are added often.
Explore the MCPS Quick Guides for Families
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Sept. 18 Block Party Will Offer Food, Fun and SSL Hours |
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Montgomery County Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe is hosting a Back-to-School Block Party from 12:30-3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18 at BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown. This is an early release day for MCPS students. This free event will offer activities, a resource fair, student performances and food. Students who attend and complete a survey will receive 2.5 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. For more information, call 240-777-7960.
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Free Round House Theatre Tickets Available to High School Students |
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Round House Theatre in Bethesda is offering free tickets to its productions to high school students. Its first show this season, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, will run from Sept. 9–Oct. 11. Students can request one ticket per production. Once they’re on the distribution list, they will receive reminders to sign up for tickets for later productions. Sign up.
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Reminders |
- Monday, Sept. 7 – Labor Day; all schools and offices closed
- Refrigerator Curriculum: A one-page, easy-to-read overview of the written curriculum for the first quarter of 2026-2027 is available. This simple look at what K–12 students will learn each marking period includes major topics, themes and texts.
- FARMS Applications: Apply today! A new FARMS application must be completed every school year, even if your children qualified the previous year. Access is based on household income. Submit the online FARMS application through MySchoolApps (translations are available). Only one application is needed per household. More information.
- Saturday School: Build student confidence and academic success! Programs run from 8:30-11 a.m. on Saturdays for students in grades K–12, focusing on reading, math, test prep and STEM enrichment, such as coding and robotics. Learn more at the opening ceremony on Sept. 19. Tutoring begins at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 26. Cost is $100 for the year ($50 for FARMS). Free transportation to center sites.
- Outdoor Ed Open House: for middle school families from 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at the Lathrop E. Smith Center. Staff will share an overview of the Smith Center’s programming, provide tours of the campus, and share information and experiences about the sixth grade Outdoor Education program. The Smith Center is located at 5110 Meadowside Lane in Rockville. Learn more and register to attend.
- Shop for Gear; Do Good: All proceeds from the sale of MCPS-branded merchandise help pay down student meal debt. Products will change regularly. Check out the MCPS shop.
- Facility Advisory Committee: MCPS is seeking community members to serve 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. Applications are due Friday, Sept. 4.
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Stay Connected
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