2026-2027 Calendar Adjustments on the Table: Tell Us What You Think!
Preparing for Spring Assessments: How Families Can Support At Home
Special Ed Services, Staffing, and Support
Calendar
Contact Information
📋Take Your Child to Work Attendance Survey 🌟
Take Your Child to Work Day is THIS THURSDAY, April 23, 2026. If your child is participating in this out-of-school activity and you have made arrangements for a job shadow experience, please complete this form.
Please submit one form per child by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, so your child’s absence can be marked as excused. There is no need to email Mrs. Sanchez or Mrs. Park if you have submitted the form.
If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Park or Mrs. Sanchez through email or call the office.
We’re so excited for Career Day THIS FRIDAY, April 24! 🎉 To help us celebrate, we’ll be kicking off the fun with a Career-Themed Spirit Week!
📅 Monday, April 20 – Your Future Starts Here
💙 Show your Farmland pride! Wear Farmland spirit wear or Farmland colors
📅 Tuesday, April 21 – We’ve Got Big Dreams
🌙 Cozy up in your pajamas (please no slippers)
📅 Wednesday, April 22 – Your Future is Bright
😎 Wear bright colors and sunglasses to shine big!
📅 Thursday, April 23 – We Are College Ready
🎓 Rock your favorite college shirt or colors
📅 Friday, April 24 – When I Grow Up, I Want to Be…
👩🚒👨⚕️👩🍳 Dress up as your dream career (no pretend weapons, please)
Help Us Celebrate Student Success
Help us motivate our students to do their very best on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) state tests! 🎉
We are looking for donations of small, fun prizes to help keep students motivated throughout testing week. During this time, we will incorporate fun games, positive recognition, and small incentives to encourage and celebrate students as they show what they know.
If you can contribute, please use the Amazon Wish List link below to select an item and have it sent directly to the school by the first week in May.
The Farmland Staff Inclusion Committee is excited to share that we are planning a school-wide project in recognition of Autism Awareness Month.
Students will create sensory jars (sensory bottles) to learn about emotional regulation strategies. Sensory jars are calming tools that provide visual, tactile, and auditory stimulation to support self-regulation. They are made using plastic bottles filled with water, glitter, glue, and small items, then sealed to create a slow-moving, calming visual effect.
We are seeking family support to help provide materials for this project. If you are able, please consider signing up through the link below to donate supplies.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us create meaningful and inclusive learning experiences for our students.
🌏 International Night: A Joyful Celebration of Our Community!
International Night Thank You
Thank you to everyone who attended our International Night! It is one of my favorite events of the year, where our school community comes together to celebrate and experience the rich diversity of our families. It was wonderful to share food from a variety of countries and enjoy such a meaningful evening together. A special thank you to Megha Schaffer and Binita KC for coordinating this event, and to Mr. Zhou for his excellent emceeing and ability to keep the evening running smoothly. We are also deeply grateful to all of our volunteers and families whose time and support made the night possible. We also appreciate everyone who supported the 5th-grade pizza fundraiser; they raised $1,100 for end-of-year activities!
International Night Student Performances Appreciation
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our talented students who shared cultural dances and performances with us. It was incredible to see our students proudly showcase their talents and heritage on stage. It was shared with me that one student taught herself the dance she performed, which was especially impressive. The diversity represented through each performance made the evening truly special, and we are so proud of all the students who participated and shared their gifts with our community.
Spring Picture Day Reminder
As a reminder, Spring Picture Day will be NEXT MONDAY, April 27. Families are encouraged to pre-order photos in advance. Please click the link below to place your order:
We look forward to seeing all of our students ready for picture day!
Student Articulation Feedback Form
In the coming weeks, staff will begin the process of creating class assignments for the next school year. Your input is an integral part of this work. This form (link is below) is designed to gather information about your child as a learner, including their strengths and areas of need.
Completing this form is optional for students returning to Farmland. If you choose to participate, the deadline to submit the form electronically is Friday, May 1, 2026.
Parent/guardian input is helpful as we plan for the upcoming school year. Teachers and specialists take great care in organizing balanced, heterogeneous classes where all students can be successful and productive. As part of the articulation process, all grade-level teachers and relevant staff members will review parent feedback to help inform placement decisions.
Please note that requests for specific teachers will not be considered.
Please keep in mind that teacher assignments are not finalized until late summer, and we are unable to share homeroom placements before the release of classroom assignments in Synergy in August. Changes in enrollment throughout the spring and summer require us to remain flexible, making class placement an ongoing process deep into summer.
Please complete one Farmland Student Feedback form for each child attending Farmland.
Field Day (May 29, 2026) is a fun in-school opportunity for all students to practice their P.E. skills and showcase their grade spirit! Every grade is assigned a color to wear that day.
Kindergarten = navy (or dark) blue
1st = lime (or light) green
2nd = Carolina (or light) blue
3rd = yellow
4th = red
5th = orange
The PTA is selling Field Day t-shirts. Every grade color is available for purchase at $16/ea, as are black Farmland shorts for $20/ea. Purchasing a shirt is optional; your child is encouraged to wear any shirt of their grade’s color during Field Day if you choose not to purchase one.
If you are an adult planning to volunteer at Field Day (see email from Mr. Adkins for details), you may purchase a gray volunteer shirt if you'd like.
Shirts must be ordered online by May 1 and will be delivered to your child's homeroom the week of Field Day.
Don’t miss out on our annual Silver Diner Dine out on Thursday, April 23, from 5-9 pm at the Rockville location. Silver Diner will donate 20% of sales to Farmland PTA. Valid on DIne-in, To-Go and catering orders. Note - Orders via DoorDash, Uber Eats, and other third-party delivery services do not count. Come dine out, support our school, and be on the lookout for some Farmland celebrities to make an appearance! 👀
International Night Thank You
Thank you to Megha S, Binita KC, emcee Mr. Zhou, and all of the Farmland families that hosted tables at International Night! It was wonderful to come together to celebrate each other and our vibrant community. We know it is a lot of work to set up a country table, and we appreciate everyone’s efforts and enthusiasm. Thank you for making Farmland such a welcoming place!
As the days get longer, it’s time for our spring clothing drive! Please donate your new or gently used clothing in sizes baby, child, and adult in the bin outside Farmland Elementary School this week. Thank you!
Montgomery County Public Schools Updates
2026–2027 Calendar Adjustments on the Table; Tell Us What You Think!
During its work session today (April 16), the Board of Education discussed proposed amendments to the 2026-2027 school year calendar. Due to a Maryland State Board of Education requirement that public school systems end their school years by June 18, 2027, the Board will need to amend the school calendar. Changes could affect: religious observances, the shortening of winter and/or spring break, or potentially beginning the school year earlier in August.
MCPS is asking for its community’s input on these changes. Please fill out this survey and let us know your preferences for making changes to next year’s school calendar.
The Board will take final action at its business meeting on April 30.
Preparing for Spring Assessments: How Families Can Support at Home
Now that we’re in the fourth quarter, 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—and provide an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge so we can better plan and support their instruction moving forward.
Families can support their students at home by:
Ask your child to explain their thinking when answering a question.
Reinforcing strategies such as reading carefully, using evidence, and checking their work.
Encouraging your child to practice a little each day, rather than all at once.
Reminding your child that mistakes are part of learning and help the brain grow.
Supporting your child in taking their time, reading carefully, and checking their work.
Make Sure You Get the Latest on Special Education Services, Staffing, and Support
The Division of Specialized Support Services will hold a webinar for families from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, focused on what’s new in special education services, staffing, and supports — and why. MCPS special education leaders will provide context for what this means for schools and classrooms. The session will be held virtually, featuring a brief presentation followed by questions and answers. The Zoom link is availablehere.
There are two other upcoming events for special ed families — the monthly SECAC meeting on April 23 and the Special Education Family Resource Fair on May 9. Read more.
7000 Old Gate Rd Rockville, MD 20852
Farmland Weekly Update
In this issue:
📋Take Your Child to Work Attendance Survey 🌟
Career Day Spirit Week! 🚀
Help Us Celebrate Student Success
Farmland Staff Inclusion Committee – Autism Awareness Month Project
🌏 International Night: A Joyful Celebration of Our Community!
International Night Thank You
International Night Student Performances Appreciation
Spring Picture Day Reminder
Student Articulation Feedback Form
Order Field Day T-Shirts: Order by May 1
Parent Teacher Association News and Updates
Montgomery County Public Schools Updates
Calendar
Contact Information