MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

Board of Education Discusses Human Resources and Development Key Practices for a Diverse Workforce; Discusses Wellness and Restorative Practices; Takes Final Action and Adopts Updated Policy ABA, Community Engagement; Takes Tentative Action on Board of Education Policy ABC, Parent and Family Involvement and Policy BBB, Ethics; Makes Administrative Appointments

Published February 28, 2023 at 8:11AM

The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) held a business meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. During the meeting, the Board discussed Human Resources and Development Key Practices for a Diverse Workforce; discussed Wellness and Restorative Practices; took final action and adopted updated Policy ABA, Community Engagement; took tentative action on Board of Education Policy ABC, Parent and Family Involvement and Policy BBB, Ethics; and made four administrative appointments. The agenda for the meeting, with related links, can be viewed on the Board website. Watch the meeting recording.

Human Resources and Development Key Practices for a Diverse Workforce: MCPS staff presented teacher hiring data for fiscal year 2023, shared data-driven approaches to recruitment and highlighted increased efforts for the current year. Staff also outlined the Grow Your Own program for both current staff and students, and shared higher education partnerships for employees and community members, and various other supports, trainings, and professional development opportunities for staff. Read the memorandum to the Board. View the PowerPoint Presentation

MCPS

MCPS: Student Restroom Monitoring Plan

By MCS Staff

Published February 28, 2023 at 7:44AM

MCPS addressed safety concerns regarding student restrooms in a recent update sent out to the community, titled MCPS Commitment to Safety, Security and Well-Being in All Schools. The portion on student restrooms can be seen below:

Our restrooms must be safe places for students and cannot be places for activities that violate our code of conduct, such as drug and tobacco use. Staff are increasing the frequency of their visual monitoring and checks inside restrooms throughout the school day, between class periods and during lunch periods.

Crime

Rockville Man Convicted in Fraud Scheme That Stole Almost $2 Million From Churches

By MCS Staff

Published February 28, 2023 at 7:20AM

A federal jury in Maryland has convicted Diape Seck, age 29, of Rockville, Maryland for his role in a bank fraud scheme in which he and his co-conspirators obtained or attempted to obtain almost $2 million by fraud, including by stealing checks from the mail of churches and religious institutions. The guilty verdict was returned late on February 24, 2023.

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: According to the evidence presented at his eight-day trial, from at least January 2019 to January 2020, Seck, a customer service representative with Bank A, conspired with Mateus Vaduva, Marius Vaduva, Vlad Baceanu, Nicolae Gindac, Florin Vaduva, Marian Unguru, Daniel Velcu, Vali Unguru and others to commit bank fraud. Specifically, the evidence showed that Seck fraudulently opened bank accounts in fake identities in exchange for cash bribes. Co-conspirators engaged in fraud that included fraud involving rental cars and the deposit of checks stolen from the incoming and outgoing mail of churches and other religious institutions, into the fraudulently opened bank accounts. The co-conspirators then withdrew the funds and spent the fraudulently obtained proceeds.

Business

Amentum Announces Relocation of Headquarters From Germantown to Fairfax County

By MCS Staff

Published February 27, 2023 at 9:31PM

Today, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Amentum Services, Inc., a leading provider of engineering and advanced solutions and services to the U.S. government, allies, and commercial companies, will invest $495,000 to relocate its headquarters from Germantown, Maryland (20501 Seneca Meadows Parkway #300) to Fairfax County. In 2022, the company acquired PAE Incorporated, another leading government services contractor, and will consolidate its integrated operation at Amentum’s office at 4800 Westfields Boulevard in Chantilly. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland for the project, which will create 157 new jobs.

Per the announcement: “Fairfax County offers the location, access to decision-makers, and talent pipeline that global providers like Amentum are seeking, and we are proud to welcome the company’s leadership and operations team to Virginia,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Amentum joins the ranks of the Commonwealth’s diversified ecosystem of more than 800 corporate headquarters across a broad cross-section of industries.”

Gaithersburg

Collision Sends One Person to the Hospital Monday Afternoon

By MCS Staff

Published February 27, 2023 at 9:23PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a a collision that occurred on Shady Grove Rd near MidCounty Highway on Monday afternoon.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the collision trapped one person inside the vehicle. That person was extricated by MCFRS crews and transported to the hospital with priority 2 (urgent) trauma.

Events

Montgomery Parks March Special Events and Programs

By MCS Staff

Published February 27, 2023 at 3:53PM

Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, has an inviting lineup of special events and programs in March, including a variety of hikes, birdwatching, Parks Ale Trail and more. March events in Montgomery Parks include:

Mini Open House | March 1 | 6 – 8 p.m.: Lodge at Little Seneca Creek, 14500-A Clopper Road, Boyds, MD 20841 Surrounded by 26 acres of wooded parkland, The Lodge at Little Seneca Creek is the perfect natural setting for all types of special occasions, as well as business meetings. Free.

Bethesda

Vuori to Open First Location in the DMV at Bethesda Row in 2023

By MCS Staff

Published February 27, 2023 at 3:46PM

Federal Realty has announced that Vuori will open its first location in the DMV at Bethesda Row in Bethesda, Md., in 2023. Vuori makes premium performance apparel inspired by the active Coastal California lifestyle — an integration of fitness, surf, sport, and art. It will join Bethesda Row’s sophisticated scene of recently opened and soon-to-be-opened retail:

▪ ANINE BING, a Los Angeles-based fashion brand, featuring everyday wardrobe essentials and investment pieces for modern women seeking a timeless, yet rebellious approach to style, open.

Crime

Burglary Prevention Tips By Takoma Park Police

By MCS Staff

Published February 27, 2023 at 12:32PM

Burglary Prevention Tips by Takoma Park Police: Burglary is an opportunist crime. A burglar will select his target because it offers him the best opportunity to carry out his crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in his way. A home that presents itself as insecure is far more likely to be targeted than one which is properly secured. Please review the following in order to protect your home and your valuables:

1. The MOST important thing YOU can do is CALL THE POLICE to report a CRIME or any SUSPICIOUS activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes! Report burglaries immediately! Get to know your neighbors!

Maryland

Beyond MoCo: Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month Set to Begin

By MCS Staff

Published February 27, 2023 at 12:15PM

Maryland Vegan Eats is hosting a ramped up version of what was previously Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week, as it has now become Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month. “Maryland Vegan Eats welcomes back returning restaurants and invites new restaurants to participate in a compassionate campaign by encouraging them to offer healthy, plant-based, and/or vegan items as part of their menu selections.” As of now, there aren’t any Montgomery County restaurants participating, but many in nearby areas with the ability for your favorite MoCo restaurants to join, according to Maryland Vegan Eats.

“Maryland is an exciting and vibrant state full of unique counties, towns, and neighborhoods boasting incredible diversity. Nothing brings people and community together quite like good food. The mission of Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month (formally known as Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week) is to bridge the gap by increasing the awareness, benefits, and accessibility of a plant-based diet through a fun, innovative, and community-based experience.” Additional information can be found here. Below is a video of MoCo vegan restaurant, St. Veg, courtesy of Taste MoCo.

Takoma Park

Temporary Removal of USPS Blue Mailbox at 7500 Maple Ave

By MCS Staff

Published February 27, 2023 at 9:30AM

Effective Friday, February 24, the USPS Blue Mailbox at the back of the Community Center at 7500 Maple Avenue in Takoma Park will be removed. The Blue Mailbox will be removed for the duration of the Community Center construction. Listed below are other USPS Blue Mailbox locations in the area (see the link to find your specific address):

Potomac

Gregorio’s Hopes to Open Park Potomac Location By Fall; Signs New Lease at Cabin John Village

By MCS Staff

Published February 27, 2023 at 8:48AM | Updated February 27, 2023 at 9:08AM

In September 2021, we let you know that Gregorio’s Trattoria would be opening its third MoCo location, and fourth overall, at Park Potomac– taking over the space that was previously home to Sugo. Sugo closed its doors permanently last in the summer of 2021. According to a report by Store Reporter, Gregorio’s is now aiming for a September opening after encountering issues replacing the HVAC system in the Park Potomac Space.

Gregorio’s started out in Reston in 2008 and opened a second location in what’s now Cabin John Village in Potomac. The restaurant opened its second MoCo location in November 2020 at the Shops at Sumner Place in Bethesda, in the spot that was home to China Pavilion for over two decades until it closed almost three years ago. For those concerned about the Cabin John Village location’s future, Store Reporter also mentioned that Gregorio’s has signed a new ten year lease to remain in the shopping center.