The ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps are being refreshed with a new look and customized options. Starting Friday, May 15, an upgraded version of the apps will be available. Parents will be prompted to update their ParentVUE mobile app. A step-by-step guide will explain all the new features, including notification preferences, enhanced account management and quick access for what you use most. Watch the video and learn more.

MindCraft is a program of JSSA which provides school-based mental health and wellness services to schools across Montgomery County.  This year, (2026-2027), JSSA is offering Tier I, Tier II and Tier III services at 98 elementary, middle and high schools. 

Students and parents can get information and make a referral through their grade level school counselor.

Farquhar Offers the following JSSA opportunities:

Our Minds Matter

Therapeutic Mentoring 

Therapeutic Mentoring 

JSSA, in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to offer a therapeutic mentoring service as part of the expanded MindCraft Program.  We provide children and youth with opportunities for skill-building and developing positive and pro-social peer relationships through experiences in their everyday life, at their home, in school, or other settings.  Our team of therapeutic mentors use high-interest activities to model positive behaviors to support students to identify and build their strengths and relationship skills while coaching them on how to use these skills “Using  Positive Youth Development” framework. If you are interested in participating in the therapeutic mentoring program, please complete the MCPS Authorization and Consent Form and the Referral Form and a JSSA team member will contact you with more information!  

Therapeutic Mentoring is a FREE service for students and parents. There is no cost for parents associated with participation in this service.

Interim progress reports are generated four times a year at the mid-point of each marking period, on the following dates: Oct. 3, Dec. 19, March 6, 2026, May 12, 2026 (for high school seniors) and May 22, 2026 (all other students). These reports are available for parents/caregivers to see in  ParentVue.  Here are the step-by-step directions for accessing these reports on ParentVue.

Report cards are sent home via backpack with all students for the first three marking periods. The final report card of the year is mailed to students’ homes. 

Report cards are mailed home for families who do not have a ParentVue account.

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, students have been engaging with practice questions during class to become familiar with the format and tools used on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP). These end-of-year assessments measure what students know, understand, and can do after a full year of learning.

State testing will begin April 28 and continue through May, giving students more time to learn before testing starts. As test days approach, remember that small routines can make a big difference in helping students feel confident and prepared.

• Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep before each testing day.

• Provide a healthy breakfast.

• Help your child arrive at school on time and ready to begin.

• Encourage a positive mindset — remind your child to try their best and use the strategies they’ve learned.

Here are helpful one-page information sheets that remind students what they need to know to test successfully.

Families will hear directly from their school with specific schedules and updates.

Let’s finish the year strong — together.

Watch in English | Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese | Amharic | Korean | Portuguese

All students now have access to free tutoring and 24/7 Homework Help to support success in their current courses/grade level, through two new approved tutoring providers, FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education. As part of comprehensive strategies to mitigate learning disruption associated with the pandemic, all students will have access to these virtual tutoring services through their MCPS Google Account, using Clever. More information can be found here: 

Students- To access this tutoring, at any time, just follow these steps:

• • Sign in to the Clever portal by navigating your web browser to https://clever.com/in/mcpsmd 

  • Log in to the MCPS Clever portal. a. 

    • Students | If prompted, choose Log in with Google  

  • Select the Tutoring Partner app to access the program resources  

Montgomery County Public Libraries offers free online tutoring resources.

Brainfuse HelpNow offers live online tutoring, homework help, test prep, and writing assistance for customers of all ages. Available every day from 2:00 pm-11:00 pm EDT.

Here are the details regarding the service:

Services Offered: Live online tutoring, homework help, writing assistance, and specialized test prep.

Availability: Live tutoring is available daily from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. EDT.

Requirements: You need a valid MCPL library card to access the services.

We’re excited to announce that William Farquhar Middle School Career Day is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 7:50–10:30 AM! Career Day is an opportunity for our Roadrunners to connect with real-world professionals, explore different career paths, and be inspired by the possibilities ahead.

We’re looking for parents, community members, local businesses, and professionals who are willing to share their careers, experiences, and expertise with our students.

Please help us spread the word and share this opportunity with someone who would be an inspiring Career Day guest! The sign-up will close on September 18th.

If you or someone else is interested in sharing their expertise with our community, please complete the Career Day Google Form.

Together, we can inspire the future!

MCPS Outdoor Environmental Education Programs is hosting an 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. 

Join us for a family-friendly event focused on maintaining strong mental health, preventing substance use and ensuring access to care when needed. A one-mile Color Run, Walk & Roll for Recovery will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29 throughout downtown Rockville. The event will also include a memorial ceremony and resource fair, where attendees will be able to connect with educators, community resources and treatment providers. Students can earn Service Learning hours for participating. Learn more and register to attend. 

If one of your students has had a parent die in the last few years, PLEASE SHARE the Parenting While Grieving virtual FREE support series with their remaining parent or new caregiver.

Registration is now open and the Parenting While Grieving program begins on Zoom on September 30th. The deadline for registering is September 22nd. 

Grandparents who are parenting their grandchildren due to the child's parent dying, are also welcome. 

Currently, the program is only available in English

NOW is also the time to request a Good Grief Club (grief peer support group) for your grieving students.

Email me at gillyc@caringmatters.org with questions or to get a group started. 

Parenting While Grieving Online Workshop Series

Good Grief Clubs

• Join us!: We are kicking off the 2026–2027 school year very soon, so be sure to join us at a Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 22!: This year, MCPS is hosting six regional fairs to kick off the 2026–2027 school year. The fairs will help families get more connected to their school communities and get their questions answered. 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)

• Are Your Student’s Immunizations Up to Date?: Here are the latest requirements. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is holding immunization clinics in August and September. MCPS is also planning for immunizations at the Back-to-School Fairs on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Transition Day (Monday, Aug. 24) is the first full day of school for students entering kindergarten, sixth grade and 9th grade (plus, third grade at intermediate schools) and students new to MCPS. This is an all-day, non-instructional school experience designed to ease the transition for students entering new school levels or buildings. It is a good day to try out your school routine. Learn more about Transition Day: English | Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese| Amharic | Korean | Portuguese

Students will get a head start on navigating their new school before the official first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 25. They will meet principals and teachers, tour the building, practice routines and connect with classmates. 

Please review this community message emailed to families on Aug. 11.

Some highlights:

• Know our emergency procedures. Review the Standard Response Protocol.

• Speak up. Remind your child that if something doesn’t feel right, they should tell a trusted adult. Learn more about MCPS hate/bias protocols.

• Review the Student Code of Conduct. This document helps us create schools that are welcoming, respectful, orderly and safe.

• Practice safe firearm storage. Have firearms? Unload them, lock them up and store the ammunition separately.

• Use social media thoughtfully. Talk to your children about their online presence.

• Talk about mental health. The start of school is exciting, but it can also bring anxiety and stress. Remind your child that asking for help is a sign of strength.

No Cell, Bell to Bell. Limiting the use of personal devices during the day supports learning and school safety. 

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

MCPS is excited to kick off another outstanding year of middle school interscholastic athletics! Whether you're a returning student-athlete or participating for the first time, now is the time to complete your athletic registration and prepare for the upcoming season. ParentVUE registration is now live.

New This Year!: Sixth-grade students are now eligible to participate in MCPS middle school athletics. Boys' and girls’ softball and coed cross country are the fall sports offered.

• To be eligible to participate, students must:

• Complete the online registration through ParentVUE.

• Have a current Pre-Participation Physical (MCPS Form SR-8) on file.

• Upload the required medical clearance and complete all required electronic forms during the registration process.

For questions regarding registration, eligibility or required forms, contact your school's Athletic Coordinator. 

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) by Sept. 1. Note: Fees increase to $100 / $50 FARMS after Sept. 1.

• Transportation: Free MCPS bus routes available to center sites.

• Details & Registration: saturdayschool.org

As you may know, Maryland is faced with five recent drownings of nonverbal autistic children who eloped from home and/or under the supervision of an adult. Together, we believe the information attached in this correspondence is critical to share with parents, family members, school staff, support staff, and community members who engage with children and students with disabilities.

• Flyer to obtain a Safety Kit

• 911 flyer in English

• 911 flyer in Amharic

• 911 flyer in Korean

• 911 flyer in Mandarin/Chinese

• 911 flyer in Spanish

With winter weather just around the corner, updates to school schedules and operations may sometimes need to be made. To receive the latest information on delays, closures and operational changes, Stay Connected, subscribe to Alert MCPS, and monitor our color-coded status system.

Keep Your Contact Information Current

To ensure you receive timely notifications, please update your contact details via the ParentVUE link on the MCPS Community Tech Support website.

Learn more about the color codes.

MCPS Operating Status Inclement Weather, 2024-2025

MCPS is continuing its partnership with the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP), a local nonprofit that provides resources and support to parents and caregivers. The PEP Family Resiliency Program is a free, online eight-week program which helps parents and caregivers learn tools to strengthen family connections, support children’s mental health and encourage success.

• VISIT the MCPS homepage.

• CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845)

• READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.

• FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in English and Spanish.

• http://twitter.com/mcps
  https://www.facebook.com/mcpsmd
  https://www.instagram.com/mcps_md

• https://www.facebook.com/mcpsespanol
  https://twitter.com/MCPSEspanol
  https://www.instagram.com/mcpsenespanol/

• SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.

• WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89

Kids ride free with the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card on MCDOT Ride On buses and most Metro buses in the County. Get your card now at any MCPS middle or high school location or any Montgomery County Public library. 

Flyer English

Flyer Spanish 

Learn more at http://ow.ly/sagl50JOBsh 

You don’t always get all the time you’d like with your child’s teachers. And there’s a lot to get through! We can help you learn how to prepare a solid game plan so you can leave feeling accomplished.

Parent-teacher conferences: Toolkit for families

How to have a successful parent-teacher conference

We are pleased to announce the launch of new walk-in hours for mental health and substance abuse screenings ACCESS to Behavioral Health Services. Our goal is to provide easy access to resources and support for those in need. Effective September 30th, 2024.

Walk-In Hours:

• Mondays thru Friday:

• Please arrive by 8:30am for a morning appointment and by 12:30 an afternoon appointment

Services Provided:

• Confidential mental health screenings

• Substance abuse assessments

• Referrals to treatment programs and additional resources

• One-on-one consultations with trained professionals.

Location: 27 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, Rockville, MD. We are located in the Grey Courthouse Office Building on the bottom level.

Free parking is available at the Council Office Building Garage (COB) corner of East Jefferson Street (Route 28) & Monroe Street (accessible from both streets). We will validate after your appointment

Bus Routes* Ride-On 46 S. Washington St. & Courthouse Sq. 1 block

Ride-On 46, 54, 63 E. Jefferson St. & Maryland Ave. 1 block

Ride-On 301, Metrobus T2 W. Montgomery Ave. & Washington St. 2 blocks

Ride-On 46, 55 E. Middle Ln. & N. Washington St. 2 blocks

Ride-On 45, 55, 301, Metrobus T2 E. Middle Ln. & Maryland Ave. 2.5 blocks

Ride-On 44, 46, 47, 54, 56, 63 Monroe St. & Monroe Pl. 3 blocks

For more information, please contact us at 240-777-1770