MCS Staff, Author at The MoCo Show

The MoCo Senior Field Hockey All-Star Game, Brought to you by Koa Sports, Will Take Place on 11/13/2022

Published October 20, 2022 at 4:06PM

Koa Sports is spotlighting the top senior field hockey players from Montgomery County Public Schools. Players will be split into two teams and compete in a celebratory all-star game. Seniors are nominated by their high school coach based on the following criteria: team players, talent, and working hard both on and off the field.

Koa Sports is sponsoring this event (2^nd annual) and incurring all costs including field, officials, food, shirts, etc… to celebrate these seniors. Koa’s goal is to increase field hockey awareness and participation in Montgomery County. While there are All Star Games in MoCo for other sports (such as lacrosse & basketball) field hockey has never been represented. All are welcome to attend the free event and watch these talented players compete one final time in their high school uniforms. Event Details:

Gaithersburg

Former Nike Missile Site in Gaithersburg Not Deemed Historic; Buildings Likely To Be Demolished

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 3:58PM | Updated October 20, 2022 at 9:17PM

The former Nike Missile site at 770 Muddy Branch Road was not deemed historic in an August 24th meeting by the Gaithersburg Historic District Commission (HDC), which allows for the buildings on the site to be demolished in preparation for new development. The property is located next to Muddy Branch Square, which is currently home to Giant Food, Starbucks, Subway, First Watch, and more.

We are told the former 13.71 acre Nike Missile site was purchased earlier this year in a GSA auction (sold for 12,050,006) by a company owned by Pleasant Developments, who is interested in clearing the site. Plans have not yet been submitted to the City of Gaithersburg, so it’s unknown what could potentially go in, but the area is zoned for mixed-use.

Education

Six Named National PTA Schools of Excellence

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 2:12PM

Six MCPS schools have been named National PTA Schools of Excellence, which recognizes their work as national leaders in developing strong family-school partnerships. For the 2020–2022 years, the schools being recognized are: North Chevy Chase, Piney Branch and Rock Creek Forest elementary schools, and Parkland Middle School. East Silver Spring Elementary School and Wheaton High School are being honored for 2021–2023.

The program provides the structure and tools to evaluate a school PTA, identify areas for improvement, develop a plan of action and celebrate successes.

Germantown

Clopper Mill Elementary School in Germantown Awarded Mini-Grant to Help with Food Insecurity

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 2:07PM

Clopper Mill Elementary School in Germantown has won a mini-grant for reducing food insecurity in its community. Nine Montgomery County nonprofit organizations involved in food recovery and security work were awarded more than $65,000 to help with these efforts. Clopper Mill was awarded $2,000.

The school maintains a fresh pantry, and distributes nutritious food to families in the community, which works to eliminate food insecurity throughout the school year. Manna Food Center, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and the Montgomery County Food Council, in collaboration with the Greater Washington Community Foundation awarded the mini-grants.

DC Sports

Washington Wizards Coaches and Mascot Visit Watkins Mill Elementary School

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 1:53PM

As part of a celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month, coaches from the Washington Wizards and Wizards mascot G-Wiz visited Watkins Mill Elementary School in Montgomery Village on Wednesday, October 13th.

The Wizards hosted a basketball clinic for about 50 third graders in the school gym. The students were given Wizards T-shirts, and students and staff received two tickets to a game of their choice. The Wizards launched their season with a win on Wednesday in Indiana and will be playing in their home opener on Friday against the Chicago Bulls.

Education

Nominations Are Now Open for Teacher, Supporting Services and Principal Awards

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 1:39PM

Awards season is here! Nominations are open for several competitions to honor exceptional teachers, supporting services staff and administrators. The following awards are open for nominations:

The Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award: The Montgomery County Teacher of the Year Award honors a full-time kindergarten through Grade 12 teacher who has a demonstrated record of high academic expectations for all students, engaging students of all backgrounds and abilities, contributing to a positive school culture, and connecting with the school community. Nominees must have a minimum of six years’ experience as an MCPS teacher. The Montgomery County Teacher of the Year goes on to represent MCPS as its nominee for the Maryland State Teacher of the Year award. Submit applications to Maria Lopez-Silvero in the Office of Human Resources and Development. Deadline: midnight on Friday, Dec. 16

MCPS

MCPS Statement Concerning the Status of Negotiations with the Montgomery County Education Association

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 1:34PM

Per MCPS: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) continues to be committed to beginning and successfully completing negotiations to establish new collective bargaining agreements with its three employee associations. This work is underway with two associations – the Service Employees International-Local 500 (SEIU) and the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP), with the basic ground rules in place and negotiations started.

MCPS would very much like to parallel this same work with Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), or “the teacher’s union,” to agree on the establishment of basic ground rules – rules that are foundational to any successful contract negotiation and ensure a respectful and fair approach for all parties involved.

Rockville

W. Montgomery Ave in Rockville Will Be Shut Down Until Late Afternoon

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 12:07PM

Traffic Alert Rockville Police: Washington Gas will shut down W. Montgomery Ave to vehicular traffic between N. Washington St and N Adams St for 3-4 hours starting sometime between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. today to repair a gas leak. Seek alternative route.

Traffic Alert – 10/20/22 – 9:45 a.m. Washington Gas will shut down W. Montgomery Ave to vehicular traffic between N. Washington St and N Adams St for 3-4 hours starting sometime between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. today to repair a gas leak. Seek alternative route. pic.twitter.com/EVrO2bOiq7

Rockville

Trans Maryland Holds Protest “Dance Party” in Front of Rockville Restaurant

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 11:30AM

Over 60 people attended a “Queer Dance Party” in front of That’s Amore Grill at 15201 Shady Grove Rd in Rockville on Wednesday night, October 19. The event was organized by Trans Maryland and Kristin Mink, the Democratic nominee for the County Council seat in District 5. The group was protesting a fundraiser by UARE (United Against Racism in Education) titled “True Stories About Transgenderism; It can happen to one of your loved ones!” that was taking place inside of the restaurant. UARE describes itself as a group that is “dedicated to fighting against the teaching of “Critical Race Theory”.

A flyer for the UARE event listed Nicole Eckenrode, a mother of nine who’s oldest son was “Brainwashed into the GENDER IDEOLOGY”, Lisa Ruth, a working mother that “talks about the Transgender Crisis in Maryland public high schools,” and Brandon Showalter, a “journalist” as speakers. Entry to the event was $20 and included pizza, veggies, and fruit.

Education

8 of the Top 10 (and 19 of the Top 25) Elementary Schools in Maryland Are in MoCo, According to Latest Niche Rankings

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 11:22AM

Niche, a rankings and review resource that provides information on K-12 schools, colleges, cities, neighborhoods, and companies across the United States, recently published its new 2023 Best Schools and Districts rankings. Now in its ninth year, the rankings include updated data for 92,743 public schools, 30,112 private schools, and 11,820 school districts nationwide. According to the rankings, 8 of the top 10 (and 19 of the Top 25) public elementary schools in Maryland are located in Montgomery County, with Stone Mill Elementary School (North Potomac) earning the top spot. All MoCo schools ranked in the top 25 are listed below.

The 2023 Best Public Elementary Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, student-teacher ratio, student diversity, teacher quality, middle school ratings, and the overall quality of the school district. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

Fairland

Mountain Bike Skills Park Now Complete at Fairland Recreational Park (Photos)

By MCS Staff

Published October 20, 2022 at 10:48AM

Montgomery Parks will host a ribbon cutting for The Pit at Fairland Bike Park from 1 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29. The Pit is a new mountain bike skills park that includes a variety of features such as rollers, kicker ramps, wall rides, drops, and skinnies of all types. Montgomery Parks Principal Natural Resources Specialist Bob Turnbull oversaw the completion of the project. He said Montgomery Parks’ trail crew, in collaboration with consultants American Ramp Company, has created a space that beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain bikers will love to ride.

“It’s built on the idea of progression, on the idea of building your skills so you can get better. And it’s just a lot of fun,” Turnbull said. “And honestly, I think the trail crew knocked this one out of the park.” The new mountain bike skills park is located at the intersection of Green Castle Ridge Terrace and Green Castle Road within Fairland Recreational Park. Limited parking for the event will be onsite across from Greencastle Terrace. Overflow parking will be available at the park’s soccer field No. 5 along Greencastle Road in Burtonsville.