Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announces participation in the National School Breakfast Program, the National School Lunch Program, the Afterschool Snack Program, the At-Risk Afterschool Supper Program, and the Family Day Care Program. Meals will be provided to all enrolled participants regardless of race, color, sex, age, disability, or national origin, and there will be no discrimination in the course of meal service and access to facilities. Eligibility for free or reduced-price meal reimbursement is based on the following annual income eligibility guidelines effective from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Meals will be provided at the sites listed on the MCPS Website: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/
HOUSEHOLD SIZE |
Free Meals | Reduced-Price Meals | ||||||||
| Year | Month | Twice per month | Every Two Weeks | Week | Year | Month | Twice per month | Every Two Weeks | Week | |
| 1 | $18,954 | $1,580 | $790 | $729 | $365 | $26,973 | $2,248 | $1,124 | $1,038 | $519 |
| 2 | 25,636 | 2,137 | 1,069 | 986 | 493 | 36,482 | 3,041 | 1,521 | 1,404 | 702 |
| 3 | 32,318 | 2,694 | 1,347 | 1,243 | 622 | 45,991 | 3,833 | 1,917 | 1,769 | 885 |
| 4 | 39,000 | 3,250 | 1,625 | 1,500 | 750 | 55,500 | 4,625 | 2,313 | 2,135 | 1,068 |
| 5 | 45,682 | 3,807 | 1,904 | 1,757 | 879 | 65,009 | 5,418 | 2,709 | 2,501 | 1,251 |
| 6 | 52,364 | 4,364 | 2,182 | 2,014 | 1,007 | 74,518 | 6,210 | 3,105 | 2,867 | 1,434 |
| 7 | 59,046 | 4,921 | 2,461 | 2,271 | 1,136 | 84,027 | 7,003 | 3,502 | 3,232 | 1,616 |
| 8 | 65,728 | 5,478 | 2,739 | 2,528 | 1,264 | 93,536 | 7,795 | 3,898 | 3,598 | 1,799 |
| For each additional family member, add … |
$6,682 |
$557 |
$279 |
$257 |
$129 |
$9,509 |
$793 |
$397 |
$366 |
$183 |
Please contact the Division of Food and Nutrition Services for additional information by calling 240-740-7400 or visiting our website at https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
[email protected]
On Sunday, September 10, Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron launched a 60 second public service announcement encouraging viewers to take action to end gun violence. The video aired across Maryland just before kickoff of the Baltimore Ravens home opener, and will continue to broadcast across cable and digital platforms in Maryland.
“Gun violence impacts more than one person or one family. Friends, parents, employers, neighbors – all are forced to confront the devastating realities of gun violence,” said Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron. “We are bringing together law enforcement, community organizations, and private citizens in pursuit of a common goal: protecting the places we call home.”
As a result of collaborative efforts between law enforcement and community-based organizations, violent crime is down throughout Maryland. But, more must be done. Project Safe Neighborhoods balances prevention, intervention, strategic law enforcement, and community engagement to end gun violence and keep communities safe.
“The Baltimore Police Department along with our many law enforcement partners are committed to ending gun violence and breaking the cycle of trauma it brings to our communities,” said Acting Police Commissioner Richard J. Worley. “Our residents and neighborhoods deserve better and our agency remains steadfast in implementing Community Policing strategies and working collaboratively with our communities to create a safer Baltimore for all.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office works closely with community-based organizations throughout Maryland, including Roca, a nonprofit working to intervene with the young men most likely to shoot or be shot and develop partnerships and programs that have proven effective in curbing violence at the core of communities.
“We have seen that we can lessen urban violence by relentlessly finding and engaging the young people living at the center of it,” said Kurtis Palermo, Executive Vice President of Roca Maryland. “Young men can change—and our communities can heal—if we help them address the trauma that is at the root of violence and provide the skills and support they need to learn to think and act differently.”
“No one should live in fear in their own home or neighborhood. This video encourages communities to get involved in ending gun violence.”
Dr. Sonya Bruton, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of CCI Health Services, located in Silver Spring, has been awarded the inaugural Dr. Sheila C. Johnson Game Changer Award from the WNBA’s Washington Mystics.
“I am humbled and deeply honored to be the first person to receive the Dr. Sheila C. Johnson Game Changer Award from the Mystics,” said Dr. Bruton. “Dr. Johnson has a legacy of modeling what right looks like. She has done it in television, self-care, healthcare and the arts. Her business strategies and community contributions have populated my playbook, so her recognition adds fuel to my commitment to advance health equity.”
The Washington Mystics are recognizing women who have blazed trails in their community through their Legacy campaign, dedicated to strong women who have always made the unthinkable possible, showing us that dreams that become reality require bravery.
The Dr. Sheila C. Johnson Game Changer is named after Dr. Sheila Johnson, Vice Chairman of Monumental Sports, and the only African American woman to have ownership in three professional sports teams: the Washington Mystics, Washington Wizards, and Washington Capitals. She is also the Founder & CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, a company that operates luxury resorts around the world. In 2016, she spearheaded the formation of WE Capital, a venture capital consortium to support and invest in female-led enterprises with a goal of promoting social impact while generating financial returns.
For nearly 30 years, Dr. Bruton has served in leadership positions with community health centers working to increase access and improve health outcomes among underserved populations. She maintains a successful track record in philanthropy, strategic innovation, and community economic development and is a former adjunct professor in graduate-level nonprofit management.
She is also an executive coach and mentor with a two-decade-strong record of empowering emerging leaders in the nonprofit sector. Her expertise is in identifying and activating the drivers that transform people, ideas, initiatives, and organizations to the next level.
Dr. Bruton sits on numerous boards, advisory councils, and governor-appointed task forces, including the Priority Partners MCO Board of Directors, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Board of Directors and Innovation Advisory Council, the Maryland Association of Community Health Centers, and the Montgomery County Workforce Development Board of Directors.
She holds a Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, an M.A. in Public Administration from NC State University, and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was named the 2022 NACHC John A. Gilbert awardee, a 2022 Women Making History (Herstory) awardee, and a 2021 Health Care Hero by the Daily Record.
In February 2023, Dr. Bruton published her first book, Finding Your Way: Your Portable Mentor for Avoiding Pitfalls and Seizing Opportunities. Learn more about Dr. Bruton and her new book in her interview with the Principal Post. Read more about the award: Sheila C. Johnson Game Changer Award Winner – Washington Mystics (wnba.com)
On Monday, December 18, Metro will begin a two-week construction project on the Red Line to perform critical safety repairs to the tunnel and track infrastructure, upgrade signal and communications systems, and install new platform edge lights.
During construction, Red Line service will be unavailable at Farragut North, Metro Center, and Gallery Place stations with free shuttle buses replacing trains from December 18 through Saturday, December 30. While the Red Line is closed, service will continue to be available on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines on the lower level at Metro Center and Green and Yellow line service on the lower level at Gallery Place.
In addition, Judiciary Square Station will be closed from Friday, December 22, through Sunday, December 24. To complete this work as safely and efficiently as possible, both tracks must be taken out of service. Crews will address structural issues in the tunnels which are nearly 50 years old and date back to the original stations. The work will involve building supports to repair a concrete beam overhead. Crews will need to remove the concrete and pour approximately 1,000 square feet of concrete for the new beam, reinforced with additional rebar.
Customers will continue to have normal or near-normal service outside the work zones, with Red Line service every eight minutes from Shady Grove to Dupont Circle and Union Station to Glenmont.
“We are proud of the important system improvements our team completed over the summer and are prepared to continue these upgrades on the Red Line during the holiday season,” said Metro Chief of Infrastructure Andy Off. “Thanks to our customers for their understanding of these service outages this year. Completing these critical repairs will improve the reliability of our system for years to come.”
The shutdown, first announced nearly nine months ago, comes at a time when ridership historically is 40 percent lower than a normal week and will impact the least customers. Without the two-week shutdown, the same work would have taken at least three months of weekend closures to complete.
- Replacing the severely deteriorated concrete ceiling of a box fan shaft above both tracks between Farragut North and Dupont Circle.
- Replacing a switch machine near Judiciary Sq that has reached the end of its usable life. Work on this machine has been deferred in the past. Switch machines allow trains to switch from one track to another and reroute around incidents that may lead to customer delays.
- Installing nearly 40,000 linear feet of fiber-optic cables. The upgrade to fiber-optic cables along the Red Line will provide a foundation for advanced communications-based train control (CTBC) technology to improve service reliability and efficiency.
- Replacing grout pads and leak repairs between Dupont Circle and Gallery Place.
- Installing new platform edge lighting at all stations between Farragut North and Judiciary Sq.
- Replacing rail fasteners and repairing rail joints.
- Adding extra third rail insulation for added safety during winter conditions.
Montgomery Parks invites the community to the Wheaton Ice Arena Open House, where guests can learn about and try out ice sports and activities. Stations will be set up to assist members of the community who want to try hockey, speedskating, and figure skating. Guests will be able to meet clubs that operate at Wheaton Ice Arena, get information on group lessons, birthday parties, camps and clinics, and take advantage of sign-up specials on September 17, 2023, from 9 – 11 a.m. The Open House is free, but there is a $4 per person fee to skate (which includes skate rental).
“The Open House is a great opportunity for members of the community to learn about, and experience ice skating and ice sports” said Kimberley Ransfield, Wheaton Ice Arena Facility Manager. “There will be lots of information available for those looking to join a team or club, or who are interested in taking group lessons.”
What: Wheaton Ice Arena Open House
When: September 17 | 9–11 a.m.
Where: Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton
Skate schedule:
- 9:15–9:45 a.m., Try ice skating station
- 9:30–10 a.m., Try ice hockey station
- 9:45–10:15 a.m., Try speedskating station
- 10–10:30 a.m., Try ice skating station
Participants can also skate in the public skating session for half price from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The Open House is free, but there is a $4 per person fee to skate (which includes skate rental). Registration is required for skating activities.
Update: Spirit Halloween locations in Germantown and Rockville have fallen through. Additional information available here.
According to EDENS, Spirit Halloween is coming to 12940 Middlebrook Rd. in the Germantown Commons shopping center. It will be located in the space that was previously home to Bed Bath & Beyond, next to the recently opened Gold’s Gym. The chain is also scheduled to open Montgomery County locations at 2210 Veirs Mill Rd. (former CVS location) in the Twinbrook Center in Rockville and at 30 Grand Corner Ave (former Pier 1 location) in Gaithersburg’s Rio. Last year, Spirit had an additional Montgomery County location in Burtonsville. While no opening dates have been provided, all three stores are expected to open this month.
During the Halloween season, Spirit operates over 1,400 stores in North America. The Spirit Halloween website is open year-round, offering its in-store products online. The store usually open 30-60 days prior to Halloween.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 19-year-old Bill Gomez with auto theft related offenses that occurred over the span of several months in the Rockville and Baltimore areas. Detectives from the Auto Crime Enforcement Section (ACES) were investigating the rise of Infiniti G37 models being stolen in the county and developed Gomez as a suspect.
The investigation revealed that Gomez was running a pseudo “chop-shop” out of his residence located in the 800 block of Westmore Avenue in Rockville. Gomez had also obtained Vehicle Identification Numbers from wrecked/salvaged vehicles and placed them onto stolen vehicles to conceal their stolen status.
On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, ACES Detectives arrested Gomez, who was driving a stolen Infiniti at the time. Gomez was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and charged with multiple auto theft related charges. Gomez was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal bond.
On Thursday, September 7, 2023, Detectives executed a Search Warrant at Gomez’s residence and located an additional stolen vehicle along with evidentiary items connecting Gomez to the thefts.
Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Government has nearly 1,000 full-time and part-time jobs, currently open for employment. Interested job seekers 18‐and‐over are encouraged to attend the Montgomery County Career Fair and Hiring Expo from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, located at 1 Veterans Place in downtown Silver Spring.
This is the County’s second major job and hiring event this year designed to attract job seekers across various careers. During the County’s first career fair and hiring expo in May, one in seven attendees received a contingent job offer.
“When you choose to work for Montgomery County government, you are not just getting a job; you are opening doors to incredible career opportunities,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “With a robust package of benefits, we are committed to providing our employees a work environment that values their talents and fosters their professional growth. The average Montgomery County employee has worked for the County for over a decade, over twice as long as the average U.S. worker. Our goal is to create a culture where our employees will want to spend their entire career working for our residents, businesses, and visitors.”
Registration is not required, but attendees are encouraged to register in advance at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/JOBFAIR
County departments will be onsite to discuss available opportunities and conduct same‐day interviews for select positions, make on‐the‐spot offers or extend offers within 30 days after the event. Departments that will be represented will include:
- Alcohol Beverage Services
- Board of Elections
- Community Engagement Cluster
- Correction and Rehabilitation
- Fire and Rescue Service
- Health and Human Services
- Human Resources
- Labor Relations
- MC311
- Permitting Services
- Police
- Public Libraries
- Recreation
- Sheriff’s Office
- Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions
- Transportation
Positions available include:
- Administrative and professional
- Health care and social services
- Information technology
- Public safety
- Retail, trades and labor
To see the full list of available job opportunities and exhibiting departments, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/JOBFAIR.
Update: Postponed due to weather. Look out for updates with new dates.
The Jolly Shows Carnival will be at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda) from Wednesday, September 20th until Sunday, September 24th. There will be over 30 attractions, including carnival rides, games, and food wagons. According to their website, “We are a new generation of carnival operators who strive to be more progressive and professional. We realize that we must produce a premium product for our customer’s hard earned money. We won’t forget our proud traditions, but we are committed to overcoming the stigmas which have hindered our industry for far too long.”
Pre-Sale – Until 5pm on September 20:
1 Wristband: $25 (save up to $5)
4-Pack: $85 (save up to $35)
50 Ride Tickets: $45 (save $15)
After 5pm on September 30th:
1 Weekday Wristband (Tuesday-Thursday): $27
1 Weekend Wristband (Friday-Sunday): $30
4-Pack: $100 (save up to $20)
50 Ride Tickets: $55 (save $5)
Individual Ride Tickets:
single tickets: $1.75 each
book of 30 tickets: $40.00
book of 50 tickets: $60.00
(Rides Take 3-5 Tickets)
Tickets can be purchased here.
Beginning the week of September 26th, Clark Construction will perform night work activities on Old Georgetown Road between Commerce Lane and Woodmont Avenue. Clark will be performing a double lane closure each night from the hours of 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
The road will be opened for full traffic operations at 5:00 AM each morning. This lane modification will be in effect until the end of October 2023, and is in addition to the single lane closure on the right side of Old Georgetown Road that will remain in effect through February of 2024.
Those with questions should contact Mr. Rick Rocha, Clark Construction Group Senior Superintendent, at (202) 528-8198 or [email protected]. Featured Photo courtesy of Google Maps.
