MCDOT

Applications are now open. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Nov. 30Interested students can learn about the program and apply here. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by Dec. 14. They will be required to attend a virtual orientation from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7.

Students can earn more than 40 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participating in the program. The youth ambassadors will complete the program in May 2023, where they will share project plans, outcomes and best practices at a graduation ceremony.


Beyond MoCo

A $50,000 winning Powerball lottery ticket sold November 7 at the Check Cash Depot at 8476 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring remains unclaimed as of Tuesday, November 15. The ticket was purchased for last week’s historic Powerball drawing that had a jackpot of over $2 billion.  Outside of MoCo, a $1 million Mega Millions ticket sold November 8 at 7-Eleven (9151 Riggs Road) in Adelphi and a $1 million Powerball ticket sold November 7 at One Mile Liquor (6600 Baltimore National Pike, Suite L) in Catonsville have also yet to be claimed. Additional information courtesy of the Maryland Lottery below:

Winners of prizes larger than $25,000 must redeem their tickets at the Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center in Baltimore, which is open by appointment only. Prizes of up to $5,000 can be claimed at any of more than 400 Expanded Cashing Authority Program (XCAP) locations. All Maryland Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem tickets up to and including $600. More information is available on the How To Claim page of mdlottery.com.


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Education

Last month, school staff at Rockville High School and Earle B. Wood Middle School held a day of learning, inspiration and collaboration. The first ever “RockWood Day” brought them together to discuss improving instructional strategies and meet the needs of all students.

Colleagues examined a case study through the lens of their beliefs and the principles of equity-centered trauma-informed education, arriving at reimagined approaches to teaching and learning. One staff member said, “I liked the opportunity to discuss the issues with an expanded group of colleagues” and another commented: “Bouncing new ideas of each other is impactful.”


Education

On Nov. 5, a STEAM Festival Showcase was held at Northwood High School. MCPS and educational partners feature opportunities for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) with hands-on activities and demonstrations.

Participating groups included: the Sherwood High School Chemistry Club, the Wheaton High School Society of Women Engineers and Robotics Team, the Montgomery Blair High School Robot Project team, the Clarksburg High School Robotics Team, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, NASA, Peer Outreach with Energy Resources and the Audubon Naturalist Society.


Bethesda

Ashburton Elementary School partnered with The Home Depot Foundation to celebrate its success in fostering environmental awareness, conservation and stewardship. With a Community Impact Grant, the Bethesda Home Depot donated more than $6,000 in merchandise to refresh the school’s garden, including power-washing, raised beds, soil, large planters and plants, a shed, garden arch, deck box, umbrellas, bird feeders, a wheelbarrow and paint.

“We are most excited about this project because it directly impacts so many kids,” said assistant store manager Michael Johnson. In the spring, Ashburton completed a 12-year process, achieving Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education Maryland Green Schools Sustainability status. Kindergarten teacher Erin Burrell has also been awarded an excellence in teacher award by the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation and a Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the innovative ways she uses creative experiences in the garden to enrich student learning.


Arts

Four MCPS students from two different schools have been selected to play in All-National Honor Bands and Orchestras.

Thomas S. Wootton High School sophomore Sara Bock, who plays clarinet, and Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School sophomore Shisui Torii, who plays French horn, were selected to be in the National Association for Music Education’s (NAfME’s) All-National Honor Band. Wootton sophomores Jackson Bernal, who plays bassoon, and Anderson Bernal, who plays double bass, were selected to the All-National Honor Orchestra.


Events

Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will be selling used cars and computers that they have refurbished on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Gaithersburg High School, from 9–11 a.m. The school is located at 101 Education Blvd. in Gaithersburg.

The cars and computers are refurbished and reconditioned by the students as part of their classroom and lab studies. The sales provide students with the opportunity to practice their sales skills, earn Student Service Learning hours, and develop a deeper appreciation for community involvement.


Restaurants

Silver Spring’s Beteseb (8201 Georgia Avenue) was named an “Essential Ethiopian Restaurant Around DC” according to a new list by food and restaurant website, Eater. Though there are dozens of Ethiopian restaurants in the county, many of which are very popular locally, Beteseb was the only MoCo restaurant included on the list

Silver Spring has no shortage of good Ethiopian food, but Beteseb distinguishes itself with food bursting with flavor and spice. The injera is made entirely from teff grain, unlike many American-adapted injera that incorporate wheat flour. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday to Sunday. Try the breakfast firfir combo (scrambled eggs, seasoned cracked wheat, spiced bread) or buttery bula porridge.”


Arts

This year’s exhibit features more than 1,200 unique, handmade items by members of the Gaithersburg Artist Collective, many perfect for the season’s gift giving. Items include paintings, prints, cards, ceramics, photography, jewelry, art glass, turned wood, mixed media & much more.

Artists on Market is pop-up gallery & studio space where visitors may shop for unique art and handcrafts from 27 juried collective members – all local artists – recognized for their talent in painting, collage, fiber, ceramics, jewelry, photography, glass, sculpture & more. The mission of the Gaithersburg Artist Collective, which runs Artists on Market, is to bring the visual arts to the community through not only the pop-up gallery, but also by providing events & educational opportunities for all ages, year-round. The Collective is a program of the Kentlands Community Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to volunteerism, the cultural arts and New Urbanism. For more information, please visit kentlands.org.


MoCo Government

The Montgomery County Council will will meet on Tuesday, November 15 at 9am and will interview Dr. Kisha Davis for the County Health Officer position and is expected to hold a vote on the appointment. County Executive Marc Elrich nominated Dr. David last month for the position. “Montgomery County has led the nation in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic thanks in large part to the leadership at our Department of Health and Human Services,” said County Executive Elrich. “With the nomination of Dr. Kisha Davis as our County’s next health officer, we have found a health expert and leader committed to innovation, equity, and access to healthcare. I want to thank Dr. Davis for accepting this position and I look forward to working with her, listening to her advice and following her guidance regarding the health issues and challenges facing Montgomery County.”

The health officer is responsible for continuing the County’s efforts on disease control and prevention, eliminating health inequities and promoting county-wide inclusion of health in all policies. If appointed, Dr. Davis will oversee all public health services within Montgomery County and work with the Maryland Department of Health to coordinate disease control and collaborate on state health policies.


MoCo Government

The Montgomery County Council will will meet on Tuesday, November 15 at 9am and is expected to vote on Expedited Bill 21-22, Weapons – Firearms in or Near Places of Public Assembly, which would prohibit the possession of firearms in or near places of public assembly, with certain exemptions. In addition, the bill would remove an exemption that allows individuals with certain handgun permits to possess handguns within 100 yards of a place of public assembly.

Per the Montgomery Council press release: The goal of this bill is to reduce gun violence in Montgomery County. The lead sponsor is Council President Albornoz. All other Councilmembers are cosponsors. In the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision of New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen, Superintendent of new York State Police, the Supreme Court overturned a requirement of New York’s handgun carry law. The New York law had required an applicant for a handgun carry license to show proper cause for the license, and the Supreme Court held that the requirement violated the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms. The Court explained, however, that longstanding laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places, such as schools and government buildings, are constitutionally permissible.