Robert R. Gray Elementary Welcome Letter.pdf

Robert R. Gray Elementary Welcome Letter-Spanish.pdf

July 2026

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We trust that this communication finds each of you doing well and enjoying the remainder of the summer!

We are rapidly approaching the opening day of school year 2026-2027 at Robert R. Gray Elementary School. The FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL is TUESDAY, August 25, 2026 at 8:30 a.m..

We are excited and proud of the progress and perseverance of all of our scholars, families, and staff during the prior school year. The support of your children and our staff was phenomenal and we want to take this time to let you know that you are appreciated!

We would like to personally thank each of you for ensuring that students came to school each day – ready for a day of rigorous learning. We applaud all of our scholars for their academic efforts across all content areas and look forward to the academic growth that SY 2026-2027 will bring. While there is continued room for growth around attendance and our academic progress, we are pleased to partner with you through this journey towards academic excellence.

It is important for us to inform you that this school year brings another level of academic rigor with our curriculum and opportunities to close gaps of learning through interventions and extended learning programs. More information around curriculum updates will be provided by your child's teacher during Orientation/Back to School Night. We will spend that time ensuring that you are aware of our academic program and the high expectations for ALL learners. We are preparing students for success in a global society. WE can do it! Each student, parent/guardian and teacher must work collaboratively to maximize student learning and to prepare them for success!

Our school theme for the 2026-2027 school year is, “ELEVATE: Keep Rising to the Top!” In order for each student to be successful, it is critical that he/she reads with comprehension at or above grade level and shows competency in basic math facts and data analysis. To address this, we are excited to provide an instructional design which emphasizes hands-on learning experiences, instructional technology platforms, differentiated instructional practices, individualized learning strategies, assistive technology, independent reading fluency, comprehension, strategic reading, research, and analytical writing skills of our students. Further, students will utilize their data analysis skills and basic computation skills to demonstrate proficiency around the 8 Standards of Mathematical Practice.

The Robert R. Gray Elementary School staff is committed to excellence as we work with you and your child(ren) to ensure that every student:

• is exposed to a nurturing and caring school environment
• achieves and is successful in all subject areas
• continues to develop outstanding social skills and character
• feels safe at school

We welcome your involvement in your child's education. Both student achievement and social-emotional wellness are significantly improved when parents/guardians are actively and positively involved in their child's education. Therefore, I am asking you to be actively involved by working cooperatively with your child's teacher throughout the school year. Schedule conferences when needed, join our PTA, join our community of parent volunteers - Partner with us!

This year we will continue to serve as a Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) school. This means that we will enhance our school-wide focus on EAGLE P.R.I.D.E. (Prepared, Respectful, Integrity, Determined, and Excellence). Your scholar will have lots of opportunities to engage in fun activities as a reward for demonstrating EAGLE PRIDE throughout our school community.

Important Information

School Hours

8:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

• Please do not drop students off onto the school property prior to 8:30 a.m. as there is no supervision for them before this time. Safety first!
• Please be on time to pick up your child as there is no supervision after school unless your child is enrolled in the AlphaBest Before and After Care Program.

Student Drop Off And Pick Up

• The parking lot loop at the front door is NOT for parking and walking students Please use this option if you are dropping off your child quickly and they can walk in independently.
• The parking lot with the side loop can be used for you to park and walk your child to the main entrance.
• Please be mindful that this is school Please lower your speed and exercise caution.

Health Protocols

• All PGCPS facilities are mask optional. Should anything change regarding this protocol, we will inform you.
• All individuals in our facility will wash their hands and sanitize regularly throughout the school day.
• Our facility is cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized per PGCPS protocols.
• It is important that all individuals entering our facility monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 or other communicable If symptomatic/positive, please follow the guidance of your physician. Students are not able to return to school unless they are symptom and fever free for 24 hours.
• If a student is symptomatic/positive for a communicable disease, they must be picked up within 1 hour.

School Supply List

Our School Supply List is included on ClassDojo, the School Website, and a copy can be picked up from the main office. Please stay tuned to ClassDojo and our School Website for more information.

Food Services - Time Sensitive

Applications for free and reduced meals must be completed by EVERY STUDENT each year. The quickest way to complete this process is to complete an application online at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application.

You may call (301) 952-6517 to have a form mailed directly to your home.

PIN Numbers will be provided to students on the first day of school
All students will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost to you
You may still use the www.myschoolbucks.com online system to add money to your child’s account. Cash, Cashier's Check or Money Order will be accepted at the school. No Personal Checks.

Medical Needs

Here is a link to medical forms that have to be turned into the school nurse should medication need to be dispensed to your child during the school day. Students are not allowed to keep medication, inhalers, or other medications on their person.

Should you have questions, please contact Nurse Ball or Nurse Okoh at the school (301)636-8400.

https://www.pgcps.org/offices/school-health/health-forms-for-parents-and-prescribers

Onsite Before and After Care Options

AlphaBest | https://www.alphabest.org/ | (866)300-7750

ONSITE BEFORE AND AFTER CARE OPTIONS - AlphaBest

https://www.alphabest.org/ or (866) 300-7750

School Uniforms

Please see ClassDojo or the School Website for additional information.

• Uniform Policy

Transportation

Please use the contact information below for any transportation related questions: 301-952-6570

Volunteer Process

Please visit this site to register and apply to be a volunteer:

• Volunteer Registration

In-Person Orientation Day - Pre-k and Kindergarten Families Only

An In-Person Orientation will take place on Monday, August 24, 2026, for students in grades Prekindergarten and Kindergarten.

• Pre-K: 9:00 a.m.
• KINDERGARTEN: 10:00 a.m.
• Back to School Fair: Monday, August 24, 2026: 9:00AM-12 Noon (Please see the flyer posted on ClassDojo for more information.)

*To assist with safety protocols, please do not arrive early for your session. Participants will be invited into the Multi-Purpose Room ten minutes before the start of their session.

We Communicate Using ClassDojo

Your child's teacher will provide you with instructions regarding how to sign up for ClassDojo to remain aware of class assignments and school announcements.

We are excited about working with you as we provide a quality education for every child. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (301) 636-8400. Our Main Office Hours are 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m..

We look forward to seeing you and your child on the first day of a GREAT school year!

Educationally,
Dr. Cheryl Franklin
Principal

Enclosures

• School Supply Lists
• Uniform Policy
• PGCPS School Year Calendar (Posted to Classdojo and on the school website)
• PTA Membership Information