Anonymous wrote:It was only from this transition day that I even heard about split (K-2 and 3-5) elementary schools!

One of my kids was at TPES k-2 and then PBES 3-5. I liked the split and wish more schools did it.

Anonymous wrote:MCPS finally posted something: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/news/mcps-news/2025/07/2025-student-transition-day/
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Who should attend Student Transition Day?
All students entering Grades K, 6, and 9.
Incoming Grade 3 students in intermediate schools.
Any student new to MCPS or transitioning to a different school (e.g., due to a move or transfer).

What’s the schedule? Transition day is a full school day. Each school creates its own schedule tailored to its community.

What’s the difference between Transition Day and an Open House?
Transition Day is for students, held during the school day.
Open House is for families, usually in the evening.

What about transportation?
Buses will operate on the regular first-day-of-school schedule.

That's not quite right. The 'Sneak peek' open house has been for families to come to school a couple days before school starts, during the daytime. 'Back to school night' is for parents in the evening a couple week after school starts. 'Open house' has been for parents to come in during the school day, often on Columbus Day in the past, but that's been less consistent lately.

MCPS finally posted something: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/news/mcps-news/2025/07/2025-student-transition-day/
.
Who should attend Student Transition Day?
All students entering Grades K, 6, and 9.
Incoming Grade 3 students in intermediate schools.
Any student new to MCPS or transitioning to a different school (e.g., due to a move or transfer).

What’s the schedule? Transition day is a full school day. Each school creates its own schedule tailored to its community.

What’s the difference between Transition Day and an Open House?
Transition Day is for students, held during the school day.
Open House is for families, usually in the evening.

What about transportation?
Buses will operate on the regular first-day-of-school schedule.

Anonymous wrote:Our ES just sent their back to school email. There is an open house for all grades from 2:30-3:30 on Friday, August 22.

I feel bad for teachers doing this in addition to transition day. Did teachers lose a workday for transition day since it doesn’t count as an instructional day? Or is it just added on to their year without additional compensation?

I think transition day just took the place of one of the instructional days, so we have 181 days + 1 transition day this year, instead of 182 like last year.

Our ES just sent their back to school email. There is an open house for all grades from 2:30-3:30 on Friday, August 22.

I feel bad for teachers doing this in addition to transition day. Did teachers lose a workday for transition day since it doesn’t count as an instructional day? Or is it just added on to their year without additional compensation?

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I have been hearing that full day transition day is only for newcomers like grade K, and no schools for other grades at ES level on this forum . Our home school will do only 1 hour for grade k and also 1 hour for grade 1 to grade 5 sneak peek . I am a bit shocked but I am fine with that. I have a 2nd grader and 4th grader. It seems like school principals can do what they want for transition day. How about your school ?

How can they do that when there’s busing involved?

Our ES hasn’t announced.

Yes, it's meant for kindergarteners and others new to the school (which would include 3rd graders at schools that start with that grade).

No, it’s 3rd grade at all schools

Why would 3rd graders go at a K-5 school but not 1st or 2nd graders? That makes no sense. They only mention 3rd graders because of the handful of 3-5 schools.

It’s easier than saying just 3rd grade at certain schools. 3rd grade is a big transition from 2nd so it can’t hurt. 3rd grade teachers at our school appreciate the extra time to set up classroom culture, etc

It was only from this transition day that I even heard about split (K-2 and 3-5) elementary schools!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been hearing that full day transition day is only for newcomers like grade K, and no schools for other grades at ES level on this forum . Our home school will do only 1 hour for grade k and also 1 hour for grade 1 to grade 5 sneak peek . I am a bit shocked but I am fine with that. I have a 2nd grader and 4th grader. It seems like school principals can do what they want for transition day. How about your school ?

How can they do that when there’s busing involved?

Our ES hasn’t announced.

Yes, it's meant for kindergarteners and others new to the school (which would include 3rd graders at schools that start with that grade).

No, it’s 3rd grade at all schools

Why would 3rd graders go at a K-5 school but not 1st or 2nd graders? That makes no sense. They only mention 3rd graders because of the handful of 3-5 schools.

+1. Third graders would not go unless they are starting at a new school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been hearing that full day transition day is only for newcomers like grade K, and no schools for other grades at ES level on this forum . Our home school will do only 1 hour for grade k and also 1 hour for grade 1 to grade 5 sneak peek . I am a bit shocked but I am fine with that. I have a 2nd grader and 4th grader. It seems like school principals can do what they want for transition day. How about your school ?

How can they do that when there’s busing involved?

Our ES hasn’t announced.

Yes, it's meant for kindergarteners and others new to the school (which would include 3rd graders at schools that start with that grade).

No, it’s 3rd grade at all schools

Why would 3rd graders go at a K-5 school but not 1st or 2nd graders? That makes no sense. They only mention 3rd graders because of the handful of 3-5 schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got a note from our CES that they’ll have a transition day as well (rising 4th)

Do all students new to MCPS and those few grades (K, 3rd if school they are coming from was K-2, 4th for CES, 6th, and 9th) also have an orientation on Thursday August 21 or is this full day of school/ransition day on Monday August 25 it?

What is Thursday August 21st? I don't see it on the calendar and our elementary school has never done anything on a Thursday.

Typically in MS and HS, MCPS students entering 6th and 9th, plus any transfers have half day orientation on the Thursday before school begins.

Now, they will have a full day of orientation on the Monday before school begins.

It is not the crisis DCUM wants to pretend it is.

Years ago, when my own children went to Blair, only 9th graders were in the building on the first day of school. 10-12 started on Tuesday.

No one said it was a crisis or is pretending it is. Pertinent communications is not the school system's forte. Useless communications is.