School bells will soon begin to ring as classes resume on Monday, Aug. 25, in D.C., on Tuesday, Aug. 26, in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, and on dates between Aug. 18-25 in various nearby Virginia counties.
And, as in every new school year, parents face a series of changes and challenges that they would be wise to prepare for as soon as possible.
These issues include tackling learning losses that may have occurred over the summer break, navigating funding pressures on or financial cutbacks in education, and securing needed support for students’ mental health and well-being.
In addition, there’s great concern, not only in the DMV but across the nation, that shortages in teachers, the impact of AI and other forms of technology on student learning, and deficiencies in communication between teachers and parents, may hamper students’ ability to master coursework and perform adequately on standardized tests.
Things could become even more complicated if a child is moving to a new school or isn’t simply being promoted up one grade level within the same school. So, parents are urged to make a check list now and to check it twice at the very least.
In the District, beginning fall 2025, public school students (Pre-K through grade 12) will be required to have their cellphones turned off throughout the school day. Recent reports reveal that cellphones serve as a major distraction and contribute to declines in academic performance, which have led to the change in policy.
Don’t be surprised if a student comes home one day sans cellphone after being caught texting during class— a teacher may have confiscated the device.
To improve transportation for parents who require assistance, a new parent portal was recently released online by The Office of the State Superintendent of Education Division of Transportation (OSSE-DOT). The online program helps parents whose children ride school buses to more easily set or revise pick-up and drop-off details. There’s even a $400 stipend for parents who register on the OSSE Parents Portal and chose the self-transporting option.
Finally, seven DCPS elementary schools will be closed to students with classes temporarily relocated for the 2025-2026 school year, including: Brent, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X in Southeast, John Burroughs, J.O. Wilson, and Thomas in Northeast and Harriet Tubman in Northwest .
In Montgomery County, students in grades 6-12 will now be graded on a revised scale and there is a new reporting policy. Final grades for students will be calculated differently and based on the average of numeric grades from each marking period. Parents can review a more thorough description of the grading and reporting policy in Montgomery County Public Schools by signing up for ParentVUE, which will allow them to stay up to date on their child’s grades.
Finally, while the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer required in D.C., Maryland or Virginia public schools, there are immunizations that are still required for attending public school.
Parents should check with their respective county to know health and immunization requirements, unless their students have approved medical or religious exemptions.
Summer’s almost over – make sure you and your child are ready to make this your best year ever.