MCPS Community Message: 10 Things to Know This Week

Here are 10 things to know for Thursday, Aug. 25, per MCPS.  They include information about the MCPS 2022-2023 Back-to-School Fair, Free and Reduced-Price Meals applications, important school system tools for families, bus route information and a request for first-day photos.

1. Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year!
   On Monday, Aug. 29, MCPS will open its doors to nearly 160,000 students. For teachers, staff and administrators, this is a day we have been anticipating for months and preparing for all summer. MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight and Montgomery County Board of Education President Brenda Wolff welcome back students, families and staff as the district kicks off the new school year.
   Watch the video.
   The 2022-2023 school calendar is available here.

2. The Fair is Saturday! Join Us to  Celebrate the Return to School
   Come join MCPS staff and community partners in our highly anticipated kickoff for the 2022-2023 school year from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 at Westfield Wheaton mall. Visit the Back-to-School Fair website to learn more and to make an appointment for vaccinations or immunizations.

3. Apply Online Now for Free and Reduced-Price Meals Benefits
   Families of students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals can now apply for assistance for school meals. Eligibility is based on family size and gross income. Students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will receive free breakfast and lunch meals.
   Apply here. Learn more about the program.

4. Sign Up For ParentVUE to Stay in Touch With Your School
   Families new to MCPS are encouraged to sign up for a ParentVUE account at the beginning of the school year. ParentVUE is the online parent portal that serves as the primary communication vehicle for schools to share information regarding grades, attendance, scheduling, access to myMCPS Classroom and more.
   ParentVUE provides a way to view school-related information and data for students. Register for athletics, special programs, communicate with teachers and verify your student information annually.
   ParentVUE also allows access to Canvas/MyMCPSClassroom, a digital learning platform. Parents and guardians can view instructional information and resources, and get alerts about assignments and grades.

5. Sign up for Alert MCPS
   Alert MCPS provides emergency information about school closures or emergencies via text or email messages to devices you register. Sign up here.

6. High School Families: Sign Up for Naviance
   Naviance: This program helps students simplify the college and career planning process. Naviance is the platform the College and Career Office uses to email high school families. Contact your student’s school counselor for more information.

7. Know These Important System Resources

   • GoFan: This online digital ticketing platform offers fast and easy access to tickets for high school events, and allows fans to enter games quickly and safely. For ticketed sports, tickets are no longer sold at the gate and must be purchased online.

   • SchoolCash Online: https://www.schoolcashonline.com MCPS has transitioned to this online payment system as its preferred method of payment for all school-related fees. Schools and offices will now use SchoolCash Online for fundraising, field trips, course fees and extracurricular activities. This new payment system is not related to school cafeteria accounts.

   • MySchoolBucks:Use MySchoolBucks to add school meal money to your child’s account. This will eliminate the need for your child to bring money to school every day. This year, meals (lunch and breakfast) will not be universally free. If your student wants to buy lunch in school, they will need a MySchoolBucks account. Families who believe they qualify for free and reduced-price meals can apply here.

8. Back-to-School Snapshots to be Featured on MCPS Website
   MCPS is inviting parents to submit their favorite first-day-of-school snapshots on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022. Many pictures will be shared on the district’s website and social media beginning Monday morning. By submitting a photo, parents are agreeing to its use for publication on the MCPS website or social media channels. If you have questions, contact the Department of Public Information and Web Services at 240-740-2837 or email us at [email protected].

9. Application Open for SMOB Advisory Cabinet Members
   Arvin Kim, the 45th Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB), is putting together a student cabinet to advise him on matters of importance to students. Cabinet members will help the SMOB explore student concerns and ideas, determine potential policy goals and engage with the MCPS community. Learn more here and apply.

10. MCPS Bus Schedules for 2022–2023 are Available Online
    Bus schedules for the 2022–2023 school year are currently posted online. Transportation staff are working diligently to ensure all routes are covered; however, some routes may experience service delays due to double backs and staffing challenges. Updates with information about delays and uncovered routes will be communicated on a daily basis and available on the MCPS website.
    In an effort to improve communication of bus route coverage, Connect-Ed calls will also go out each evening alerting families to whether their student’s route will be uncovered for the next day.
    Other information:
    • Prioritization of special education student transportation will continue.
    • Transportation continues to use all available staff including administrative and maintenance employees to drive buses.
    • Recruitment, training and hiring efforts continue to increase staffing availability.
    • Families are urged to routinely check the websiteif experiencing service delays for updates on route coverage.

    Important information regarding transportation policies and contacts can be found on the Transportation page on the MCPS website.