MES Family Update- Week #7 September 25, 2026
Grading
RCPS Central Office is making an effort to communicate with families through 6 weeks of messaging. In case you missed it, this is the message shared with families this week.
Week 2: How is a grade assigned?
Not every assignment affects a grade the same way. In grades K–5, assignments are grouped into three categories:
20% PRACTICE. Practice helps your child learn.
30% PROGRESS. Progress shows growth along the way.
50% PERFORMANCE & PRODUCT. Performance and Product show what your child can do independently.
This week: Review your child's assignments and note the different categories.
As a reminder, the podcast "Understanding Your Child's Grades" is now available.
In the latest episode of the RCPS Community Partner Café, RCPS parent Charlie Parrish sits down with Mountain View Elementary instructional coach Michele Hillbert and principal Drew Miller to talk about what grading looks like in elementary school and what families can expect.
They discuss:
• How different types of assignments contribute to a student’s grade
• What families should look for in PowerSchool
• What the new grading language in kindergarten through second grade means
• When a grade may signal that it’s time to check in with your child’s teacher
• Why a single grade doesn’t always tell the whole story of a student’s learning
We encourage families to listen to the conversation, explore the resources available from RCPS, and, most importantly, reach out to your child’s teacher or school with questions about your student’s progress. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-44fgm-1b67f2e
Other Announcements/Reminders from the MES Office:
2026-2027 MES Student/Parent Handbook- Certain sections, particularly those including new policies or information, will be highlighted in upcoming family updates.
Reminder, when visiting for lunch:
Outside food-1 student may join, please do not share food for safety reasons
No outside food- 2 students may join
MES Car-Riders Morning Drop off and After School Curbside Pick-up
Please review the information if your child will be dropped off or picked up this year.
Open this LINK to see events the PTO has planned for this year.
If you need assistance logging in to PowerSchool, please call the office or contact Heather Derrow at hderrow@rockingham.k12.va.us
If you are interested in hearing more about Special Education in RCPS, or even joining the conversation, please see the information about the SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee)
If you are interested in reading more about Family Life Education, please see this link.
Help MES win a Teacher Lounge Makeover! See the link for the Lottery Flyer
Activities & Events at MES:
Title I Annual Meeting & Open House-September 29, 6-7:30PM
House Day #1- October 22
Teacher Workday-No School for Students- October 23, 2026
Fall Literacy Night- October 27 6-7:30PM