Montgomery College

Montgomery College Awarded $1.45 Million Grant for Early Childhood Alternative Certification Program

By Patrick Herron

Recently approved Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation expands full-day pre-K access so that all children are ready to learn and excel in kindergarten. As a result, MSDE has created a mixed-delivery system of public and private early childhood programs to support families and their young children. A mixed delivery system requires that approved PreK Expansion programs in child care-based centers be staffed with a state-certified teacher compensated with an entry salary that matches the local school system. While many community-based programs employ child care teachers with bachelor’s degrees and several years of preschool teaching experience, these child care teachers are not state teacher certified. MC’s new certification program will address the certification requirement for MSDE’s expanded mixed delivery system for early childhood education programs.

MSDE grant funding will allow the alternative certification program to be provided at no cost to qualifying program participants pursuing certification. The target audience for the MC Early Childhood Alternative Certification Program is early childhood educators with bachelor’s degrees working in approved nonpublic nursery schools or selected candidates that meet qualifications from the local school system. Completers of the MC ECACP will be certified as pre-K to third grade teachers in the state of Maryland.

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Montgomery College

Montgomery College To Hold Inauguration of Dr. Jermaine F. Williams as College President on Oct. 19

By Patrick Herron

Dr. Williams’ work in higher education has focused his energies on improving access for students, as well as retention, graduation, and post-completion success. He has paid special attention to mitigating institutional, societal, and racial inequities, strategically creating programs and policies that support historically underrepresented and/or marginalized groups. He has years of experience designing, managing, and enhancing institutional and statewide programs and initiatives that have yielded positive student outcomes.

The inaugural ceremony on October 19 will include:

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Education

Antiracist Audit Presented to the Montgomery County Board of Education

By MCS Staff

Per MCPS: The Board of Education received a public presentation of the MCPS Antiracist Audit by independent auditors, Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium, Inc. on Tuesday, Oct. 11. In 2020, Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, in her capacity as deputy superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), initiated a study of the district’s policies and practices to ensure MCPS had a clear understanding of how well the district was serving all students. With the Board’s support, Dr. McKnight sought a full understanding of the experiences of students, parents and educators in MCPS.

“I am pleased to have the affirmation of what we have known for years and what student performance data tells us—that students of color have a different experience in our school system,” said Superintendent McKnight. “If we are truly going to ensure that all students can succeed, then we must eliminate racism and bias in teaching and learning. As a result of this work, when we ask ourselves what will be different, the answer must be—we will be different.”

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MoCo Government

County Announces New Website Links on Climate Planning, Progress and Action

By Patrick Herron

Through the new web portal, visitors can see the County’s climate progress, planning, partners, plans, reports, news, information, public resources and ways to everyone can get involved. Key documents have been translated into six different languages. “Just over a year ago, we launched one of the most aggressive Climate Action Plans in the nation with the goal of eliminating 100 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions by 2035,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Since then, we have passed important legislation, such as Building Energy Performance Standards, and committed historic levels of funding to our efforts to combat climate change. Our efforts are being assisted by new federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act. This new web portal provides a better understanding and transparency of our policies, reforms, events, and activities while tracking the progress made toward our goals. When it comes to saving our environment, every moment counts and communication is key.”

In June 2021, Montgomery County released its Climate Action Plan (CAP), a strategic plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035. The plan details the effects of the changing climate on the County and includes strategies to reduce GHG emissions and climate-related risks to residents, businesses and the built and natural environment.

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Celebrities

Former Rockville Resident Connie Britton Co-Stars in #1 Movie on Netflix, Luckiest Girl Alive

By MCS Staff

Connie Britton was born Constance Elaine Womack in Boston, Massachusetts, but moved to Rockville as a baby and spent the first seven years of her life there. Britton lived off of Norbeck Rd. and Bel Pre Rd. You might recognize her from one of her many popular roles in Friday Night Lights, American Horror Story, Nashville, 9-1-1, Dirty John, and a lot more. She is currently co-starring in the number 1 movie on Netflix, Luckiest Girl Alive.

Luckiest Girl Alive is a 2015 New York Times Bestselling mystery novel written by the American author Jessica Knoll. The novel follows a young woman, Ani Fanelli, who has sought to reinvent herself in her adult life, following a series of horrifying events during her teenage years. The star of the movie is played by Mila Kunis, who works as an editor at a glamorous New York City women’s magazine and has a loving fiancé from a good family. Yet Ani also hides a secret – as a teenager,she underwent a series of horrifying and emotionally crippling events, including a school shooting, that have continued to impact her well into her adult years.

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Rockville

Rockville City Officials to Receive Presentation on Final Concept for Re-Imagining RedGate Park

By MCS Staff

City of Rockville Planning staff recommends that the Mayor and Council receive a presentation on the final concept for the Re-Imagining RedGate Park and adopt the attached Master Plan (a few photos below) at the upcoming October 17th Rockville mayor and city council meeting. If the Mayor and Council adopt the Plan, the Recreation and Parks Department staff will work with the City Manager to submit for FY 24 funding to begin implementing the identified priorities for RedGate Park. Once funding is approved by the Mayor and Council, staff would move forward with the necessary site plans for implementation. If the Mayor and Council request changes to the proposed Plan and choose not to adopt at this meeting, staff will revise the Plan and present at a future Mayor and Council meeting for adoption.

Background and Process Summary: In March 2020, the Mayor and Council voted to retain the entire 131-acre site, formerly RedGate Golf Course, as a public park. The Mayor and Council requested that park elements include both active and passive recreation, as well as natural open areas. The Mayor and Council also advocated for significant community engagement to help identify and prioritize the elements that would ultimately be included in the park plan. Following the Mayor and Council meeting, staff finalized the Scope of Work. A detailed Request for Proposals was then issued to secure a multi-disciplinary team to conduct a master plan process for the site. Mahan Rykiel Associates, Inc. was procured in January 2021 to join the project team as its consultant.

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Maryland

Maryland’s DNA Database Records 10,000th Total Hit

By Patrick Herron

Maryland’s DNA database, housed at the State Police Forensic Sciences Division laboratory, has now recorded 10,000 positive comparisons, or “hits,” as they are commonly referred to.  A positive comparison occurs when DNA obtained from a crime victim or scene is matched with either DNA from a known offender sample or DNA from another crime scene.  Matches occur using CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, which enables access to both the Maryland DNA database and the National DNA database.

Last month, scientists at the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division forwarded information to investigators with Homeland Security Investigations and the Prince George’s County Police Department that the 10,000th positive DNA comparison through the use of Maryland’s DNA database was connected to an open 2020 drug case they are investigating.

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MCDOT

Virtual Public Hearing on Proposed Old Baltimore Road Sidewalk Proposal in Olney to be Held on Wednesday, Nov. 9

By Patrick Herron

At the virtual hearing, MCDOT will present the project details, costs, schedules and obtain public testimony. If approved, the completed project will enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities as they travel to nearby schools and facilities. Public input is encouraged and will influence whether MCDOT constructs any, all or a portion of the proposed sidewalks.   Online registration is required to attend. On the morning of the meeting, an electronic invitation will be sent to those who registered.

Prior to the virtual meeting, the public is encouraged to review the proposal files on the project website. Written testimony or questions may be submitted to MCDOT’s Sidewalk Program by email to [email protected]. Written testimony carries the same weight as oral testimony. All information provided including questions and testimonies will become a matter of public record.

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MCPS

Week 6 MoCoShow High School Football Top 10

By Damon Anderson

1. Quince Orchard 6-0 (LW 1): The Cougars shutout streak was ended by a game Richard Montgomery squad, but QO still dominated 56-7.  QB Savan Briggs went 6 out of 7 for 137 yds and 2 TDs. Up next, Homecoming vs Gaithersburg.

2. Blair 6-0 (LW 2): The Blazers are still hot, beating Rockville 27-13. RB Kam Reynolds ran for 96  yds and 2 TDs. They will travel to Sherwood next. 

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