Thomas W. Pyle MS

Welcome Pyle Middle School families, this is Mr. Nardi, your principal, with some Back to School reminders.

I hope you have had a relaxing and enjoyable summer break. I wanted to provide you with some updates as we begin to prepare to for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 26th.

On Sunday, August 24th, the PTSA is sponsoring a Back-to-School Picnic. It will be from 5 – 7 p.m. in the back, blacktop area of the school. There will be food and music. It is an opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones.

On Monday, August 25th there is a Transition Day for sixth graders and new students to our school. It will run from 8:15 a.m. to 3PM; it is a full school day. Transportation will be available Here are the bus routes for our school: Bus Routes It is important that your student remembers their bus number for dismissal time. The bus number is the four-digit number in the side window of the bus, usually beginning with 14. At dismissal time, they will ride the same bus they came to school on; therefore, they will need to know the bus number. On this day, 6th graders and new students will report to homerooms, which will be posted in the building. There will be staff available to help guide our students to their locations. On this day, students will go through their tentative schedules, take part in various get to know you activities, try their lockers, tour the building, learn about school expectations, and meet the teachers. We will send more information regarding this day as we get closer to it.

Tuesday, August 26th is the Official First Day of School. All students are expected to attend. Again, here is a link to the Bus Routes for our school: Bus Routes The school day is from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students will not be able to enter the building until 8:05 a.m. each day. At that time, there will be a bell, and students will be allowed to enter the building: 6th graders will enter by the side entrance closest to the Pick-up/Drop-off lines, 7th graders will enter by the Cafeteria Entrance, and 8th graders will enter by the Main Entrance. Students will report to their Homeroom to start the day. These are listed on their schedules. We will have staff around the building to help students navigate their way to their Homeroom.

During the first week of school, we will work to acclimate our students to the school routines and procedures. The students will engage in getting to know you activities, school system messages, organizational routines, and will begin the instructional lessons for each content area. Students should have their school supplies ready on the first day of school.

I wanted to remind you that our Cell Phone policy states that cell phones and Smart Watches are not to be out during the school day. This is in line with the MCPS cell phone policy. They can be kept at home as we do have phones in the Main Office that students can use, or you can contact them, as well, through the Main Office. If they need to bring the phones to school, they need to be kept in their lockers and out of sight. Students are not to have their phones out during the school day, even to check the time as there are clocks in the classrooms. If the cell phones are out, the teacher may confiscate them and bring them to the Main Office for pick up at the end of the day by either the student or parent. Cell phones are a large distraction for students and impact their ability to fully engage in the classroom.

The staff and I are looking forward to the first day of school. So, set those alarm clocks, get the first day outfits ready, and come prepared for a terrific start to the school year. We hope that you will make that day and every day at Pyle a great one, and remember it’s nice to be nice!!

Do Good & Be Good

Chris Nardi

Important Dates to Remember:

August 24th - PTSA Back to School Picnic - Blacktop from 5-7pm.
August 25th - Transition Day - For 6th grade and any new to Pyle 7th and 8th Graders 8:00 - 3pm
August 26th - First Day of School
August 28th - Back to School Night - 6:30 - 8:30PM
September 1st - No School - Labor Day
September 10th - 2nd Sixth Grade Back to School Night - 6:30 - 8PM
September 12th - Meet The Counselors Breakfast - Dining Hall - 9:30AM - 11AM.
September 23rd - Non-Instructional Day - No School for Students
September 26th - Early Release Day - Dismissal at 12:30PM.
October 2nd - Non-Instructional Day - No School for Students
October 17th - Non-Instructional Day No School for Students
October 20th - Professional Day - No School for Students
October 31 - End of the First Marking Period
November 3 - Grading and Reporting Day - No School for Students

Additional MCPS Information:

Ensuring Students Feel Safe, Included and Supported at School
- The MCPS Student Code of Conduct is being revised for the 2025–2026 school year. Changes include making behavior rules easier to understand and establishing a standard process across the district to investigate incidents. This document outlines expectations for student behavior and the consequences for violating various policies, regulations, and rules. The focus is on helping students learn from mistakes, repair har, and rebuild trust. Learn more. 2025–2026 Code of Conduct One Pager

Changes Coming to Grade Calculations
- Important revisions to grading and reporting at the secondary level take effect this school year. Final grades for students in grades 6 through 12 will be calculated using the average of the four marking period grades. This change, among others, is designed to increase consistency, strengthen expectations for student learning and truly measure actual student learning in school. Learn more. Video
Less Phone Time = More Learning Time
- For the 2025–2026 school year, MCPS will limit how personal mobile devices can be used during the school day. Limiting phone use during class helps students stay focused, engaged and better able to retain information. Learn more.

Preparing for Emergencies
- All MCPS schools are required to complete a series of emergency drills by the end of October. Schools will also take time to review safety procedures, such as how families would be reunited after an emergency and how staff and students might respond in the unlikely event of a serious threat. These drills and conversations are age-appropriate, focused on building confidence and preparedness in a calm and supportive way. Read more about Standard Response Protocol. Learn more. Video

Student Safety Is Our Top Priority: Here’s What We Are Doing
- Recent findings from the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General identified areas for improvement in how background checks are processed and monitored for school-based employees, contractors and volunteers. Your children are safe at school, and we are taking immediate and sustained action to make sure it stays that way. Learn more.

Apply Today for Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMS)
- Apply online for meal benefits today! A new FARMS application must be completed every school year, even if your children qualified the previous year. Households meeting federal income standards are eligible for free school meals, but must apply to receive this benefit. Only one application is needed for all students in a household. Learn more. Video

Don’t Miss It—Back-to-School Fair Is Aug. 23!
- MCPS is hosting its annual Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Westfield Wheaton mall (11160 Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton). Learn about the school system, and county programs and services, pick up giveaways and get your immunizations. Enjoy music, entertainment and children’s activities, such as the Bike Rodeo, a fun activity to teach kids essential bike safety skills. Learn more.

You Have Questions; We Have Answers!
- Just Ask MCPS! The district’s revamped website offers improved access to information. From the Most Requested webpage (simply search “most requested” in the main search box on the MCPS website) to the informational AskMCPS chatbot (it can answer MCPS-related questions in any language), we’ve got your questions answered!