Welcome Letter
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August 1, 2025
Dear Robert Goddard Montessori Community,
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I hope you had a restful summer filled with joy, meaningful connections, and time well spent with family and close friends.
As we begin a new academic year, we remain committed to preparing our students for college and career readiness, modeling grace and courtesy, and being good stewards of the environment. At both the district and school levels, our priority goals continue to focus on mathematics achievement, a favorable climate and culture, and the social-emotional well-being of our students. We are also steadfast in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching practices. The staff and I look forward to continuing this critical work in partnership with you.
The first day of school for all returning and new students in grades Pre-K4 through 8 is Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Families of three-year-old students will receive specific start date information as well as an invitation to a school tour via email.
For the 2025-2026 school year, all full-day students will follow the same school-day hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. Student drop-off begins at 9:00 a.m. Earlier arrivals can’t be supervised by staff. “Morning Friends” half-day Pre-K3 drop-off begins at 9:00 a.m. and dismissal begins at 11:45 a.m. The updated arrival and dismissal plan will be shared before the first day of school. The Car Rider QR code/Google Form for car riders and walkers will become active on the first day of school.
Before and Aftercare (Champions) will run its regular hours. All instructional staff will report from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (main office and building-service teams follow their existing hours). The adults responsible for your child are on-site when students enter and remain after dismissal to wrap up the day.
Orientation and Welcome Events
- School Tour for new 3- and 4-year-old primary students will take place on Thursday, August 21, and Friday, August 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. All new incoming parents should have received an email from Ms. Skariah, Montessori Coordinator, with their scheduled date. If you did not receive an email, contact Ms. Skariah at karuna.skariah@pgcps.org.
- New Student Orientation for 3- and 4-year-old primary students will take place on Monday, August 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Middle School Orientation for 6th-grade students will also be held on Monday, August 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. The school system will provide transportation; however, families are encouraged to drop off and pick up students if possible. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
- We will host a schoolwide Meet and Greet on Monday, August 25, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity for families to meet teachers, receive important classroom information, and help students feel comfortable ahead of the first day of school.
Chromebook Usage
As a reminder, Robert Goddard Montessori is now officially a Chromebook cart school. Students will no longer be allowed to bring Chromebooks home. Devices will remain in the classroom on secure charging carts for instructional use and required assessments.
Communication
I recognize that strong, consistent communication is essential to a thriving school community. This year, we will continue using the following official platforms to share school information:
- RGMS Website
- SchoolMessenger (accessible via ParentVue)
- Class Dojo is our schoolwide communication tool for announcements, photos, and reminders. Please sign up here.
All families must create or activate a ParentVue account to access student schedules, grades, and attendance.
~~~~~ September Important Dates ~~~~~
Back-to-School Nights:
- September 9 (Primary and Upper Elementary)
Primary - 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Upper Elementary - 6:30 to 8:00 pm
- September 10 (Lower Elementary and Middle School)
Lower Elementary - 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Middle School - 6:30 to 8:00 pm
I look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events. If your child is changing levels or is a new student in our community, placement letters will be sent out electronically next week.
Please see the two essential resources below to help you plan the new year:
At this time, I would like to welcome the following educator to our community:
- Ms. Ebony Clinkscale, Elementary Paraprofessional
Ms. Frazier is joining the upper elementary team as a reading/social studies teacher, and Ms. Bradford is joining the lower elementary team. Ms. Jefferson is joining the middle school team as the teacher for seventh- and eighth-grade reading and language arts.
We wish farewell to Ms. Proctor and Ms. Washington. We appreciate their many contributions to our school community and wish them well in their future endeavors!
We will have a new lower elementary teacher joining our team for the 2025-2026 school year, pending HR approval. Please stay tuned!
We are excited to begin this school year with you and look forward to a year of growth, learning, and community connection.
Warm regards,
Principal Womack