Churchill and Wootton cluster families can get registration help, pick up school supplies and meet staff from their schools Saturday, Aug. 22, at a back-to-school fair running 1 to 4 p.m. at Richard Montgomery High School.

It's the only one of six regional fairs serving Potomac-area students before the Aug. 25 first day of school.

This year MCPS replaced its single countywide back-to-school event with six neighborhood-based fairs across the county. The district said the shift removes transportation barriers and connects families with resources in their own communities. The Richard Montgomery fair also serves the Richard Montgomery and Rockville clusters.

What's available

The fair is organized into zones covering student registration, technology support, school meal information, school supplies, schedules and a chance to meet school staff, according to the MCPS announcement. District staff from transportation, technology, special education, multilingual services and mental health offices will be on hand. Community organizations, government agencies and after-school providers will also have tables. Flyers are available in eight languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Amharic.

Giveaways and family-friendly activities are planned at each location.

No free immunizations at this site

Shots aren't available here. Families looking for free immunizations should head to the Paint Branch, Gaithersburg or Seneca Valley fair sites instead, according to the MCPS community update. An informational table at Richard Montgomery will help families find free immunization resources elsewhere. Those seeking shots at the other sites should bring student immunization records.

What comes next

MCPS is implementing a bell-to-bell cellphone policy for 2026-27, requiring all personal devices to be put away from first bell through dismissal at every grade level.

Monday, Aug. 24, is MCPS's second annual Transition Day, the first full day for students entering kindergarten, sixth grade, ninth grade, some third graders and students new to the district. All MCPS students report Tuesday, Aug. 25.