Weekly Update

Good evening, Farmland Families,

As we head into the final weeks of school, we are wrapping up MCAP make-up testing, and students are now completing their MAP and DIBELS assessments. For specific testing dates and times, please contact your child's teacher directly.

As a reminder, there will be NO SCHOOL for staff or students NEXT MONDAY, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day, a federal holiday dedicated to honoring and mourning U.S. military personnel who sacrificed their lives in the service of others as members of the United States Armed Forces. 

Please read below for this week's update.

This week in the Farmland Weekly Update:

  • Lost and Found
  • Your Voice Matters: Share Your Experience
  • Field Day Reminders - THIS FRIDAY, Friday, May 23
  • Field Day T-Shirt Distribution
  • Mindfulness Moments for Kids
  • Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Updates 

Click here to access last week's Farmland Weekly Update.

Warm regards,

April 

April D. Longest

Principal

Farmland Elementary School

Lost and Found

Our Lost and Found is currently overflowing with items! Please take a moment to stop by or encourage your child to check for any items that might be theirs. Teachers will also be bringing students by to check for lost items. Any unclaimed items in our Lost and Found will be donated at the end of next week.

Your Voice Matters: Share Your Experience!
We value our partnership with families and believe your feedback is essential in helping us create the best learning environment for all students. Please take a few minutes to complete the Family Survey, open now through June 9, 2025.

Your responses are confidential and will guide improvements in programs, services, and student support.

Click here to participate: https://parentsurvey.mcpsmd.org/

Thank you for being an important part of our school community!

Field Day Reminders - THIS FRIDAY, Friday, May 23

Mr. Adkins and Mr. Berry have organized a day of fun and recreation for students. Students will participate in rope climbing, tumbling, hula hoop roll, base running, parachute games, football throw, and more! At the end of their Field Day session, students will receive a Fla-Vor-Ice. Please let your classroom teacher know by Thursday if your child should NOT receive a Fla-Vor-Ice.  

Please check the weather forecast on Friday morning. Students are encouraged to wear sneakers, sunscreen, a hat, a t-shirt, and shorts. Due to the physical activity, students SHOULD NOT wear open-toed shoes or sandals. Students should also bring a water bottle with their name on it to refill during the day

PLEASE NOTE that on Field Day this Friday, May 23, the cafeteria will only serve pizza. Students not wanting to eat pizza should bring bag lunches. 

Field Day T-Shirt Distribution

Field Day shirts will go home this Tuesday or Wednesday. Students who didn't order can still show spirit by wearing their grade color on Friday (just for fun, not required).

  • Kindergarten = lime/light green
  • 1st = light blue
  • 2nd = yellow
  • 3rd = red 
  • 4th= orange 
  • 5th = navy/dark blue

Mindfulness Moments for Kids
Looking for ways to help your child slow down and reset? Try these simple mindfulness activities:

  • Breathe with Intention: Use a finger to trace an imaginary sideways 8—breathe in on one side, out on the other.
  • Use the 5 Senses: Notice 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste.
  • Try a Sensory Bag: Fill a paper bag with different textures for your child to explore using only their sense of touch.
  • Practice Yoga Together: YouTube channels like Salamander Yoga offer kid-friendly sessions for all levels.
  • Explore Mindfulness Apps: Apps like Headspace, Calm, and Mindful Family offer relaxing, guided exercises for kids.

Resources to Check Out!

  1. Breathing exercises
  2. Try this grounding exercise
  3. Printable mandala coloring pages
  4. Salamander Yoga

A few mindful minutes can make a big difference!

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Updates 

Scarecrow's Corner Deadline is This Friday  

Be sure to submit your child's poems, short works of prose, stories, drawings, or other illustrations for inclusion by Friday, May 23. Email submissions to scarecrowscornerfarmland@gmail.com or drop off hard copies in the office in an envelope labeled "Scarecrow's Corner."

Save the Date - PTA Meeting and Elections

At the June 3 PTA meeting (time to be announced), we will vote on the slate of parents/guardians who have volunteered to serve on the PTA Board for the 2025-2026 school year. All current PTA members are eligible to vote. The slate is:

  • President: Becky Frank
  • Secretary: Erin Willcher
  • Treasurer: Anita Chan
  • Vice President of Educational Activities: Alexia Snyder
  • Vice President of Extracurricular Activities: Eve Chen
  • Vice President of Ways and Means: Monica Garcia 
  • Vice President of Farmland Together: Binita KC
  • Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) Representative: Leiona Batje 

Upcoming Important Dates

2024 - 2025 MCPS Calendar                       2024-2025 Farmland Calendar

Wednesday, May 21 5th Grade Spring Choral Concert - 7 p.m.
Friday, May 23 Farmland Field Day - Pizza Only Today
Monday, May 26 NO SCHOOL 
Tuesday, May 27

2nd Grade field trip

5th Grade Mount Vernon trip

Wednesday, May 28 Kindergarten zoo field trip
Friday, May 30 Unity Day at Farmland
Tuesday, June 3

PTA meeting and Elections, 7:00 pm

Instrumental Concert - Beginning and Advanced Strings - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 4 Walter Johnson's Graduation at UMD Xfinity Center
Thursday, June 5 Instrumental Music Concert - evening - Beginning and Advanced band only 7:00 p.m.
Friday, June 6 NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, June 11

5th Grade Promotion at Walter Johnson HS Students report at 6:40 p.m.

Farmland Class Parties

Thursday, June 12 5th Grade Bash 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Friday, June 13 

Monday, June 16

Tuesday, June 17

Half Days (June 17 is the last day of school)

Important Links and Contacts

Late Arrival / 

Early Dismissal  Form

Farmland Dismissal Board

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Transportation Survey Link

Daily Schedule / Early Dismissal /  Delayed Opening

MCPS Menu

Questions about accounts

Farmland Handbook

Farmland Master Schedule 

Lunch and Recess Schedule

Farmland Sunday Updates

Kids After Hours 

School Hours

Doors Open: 9:15 a.m.

Bell Rings: 9:25 a.m.

Dismissal: 3:50 p.m. 

Farmland Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Office Phone: 240-740-0660

School Address: 7000 Old Gate Rd, Rockville, MD 20852

Administration

Mrs. April Longest, Principal

Ms. Pam Strauss, Acting Assistant Principal

Health Room Contacts

Email the School Nurse

Email the School Health Technician

Mrs. Olga Cardenas, Food Svc Satellite Mgr II - For questions related to the menu or lunch accounts

Main Office 

Mrs. Blake, Administrative Secretary

Ms. Sanchez de Grandos, Attendance Secretary 

PTA President

Ms. Tracy Miller