MCPS

Inaugural Festival of Education Set for Oct. 21

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPS: MCPS staff and families are invited to attend the Inaugural USA Festival of Education from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21. The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac is hosting the event, which will bring together teachers, researchers and policymakers and include those leading school change in areas such as AI, the science of learning, student and faculty well-being, coaching and school design. This will be the first time the Festival of Education will take place in the U.S.; the event is a renowned event created by Wellington College in the United Kingdom.

The day’s agenda includes more than 50 sessions and a speaker lineup that includes Assistant Secretary of Education Roberto Rodriguez, teachers and administrators from area school districts, and policy leaders including David Steiner, executive director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy.

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MCPS: Registration Now Open for Saturday School

By Patrick Herron

Per MCPS: Registration for the George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc., also known as Saturday School, is open for the 2023–2024 school year. Saturday School provides K–12 academic support programs in math and English/Language Arts. The longest-running mentoring and tutoring program in Montgomery County began on Sept. 30 in eight locations, and also will provide a virtual option. The curriculum is aligned with MCPS and is taught by certified teachers. The locations are: Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, Paint Branch, Springbrook, Wheaton, Gaithersburg, Clarksburg and Northwest high schools.

The annual cost is $85; $40 for families eligible for Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMs). Registration for Saturday School, Grades 1–12 is here. Kindergarten registration is here. For an additional cost of $150 for a five-week session, Saturday School also offers classes in Coding and Robotics.

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MoCoShow High School Football Week 6 Preview & Predictions (2023)

By Damon Anderson

Northwest (5-0) at Paint Branch (3-2): Northwest looked very mortal against BCC and the Panthers, who were looking like distant longshots last week, may just have a shot if they can find a way to apply the film. One might think the Panthers’ defense, which has been performing consistently well in spite of the gloom, might be able to do what the Barons defense did. Could this, of all years, be the year PB gets that long sought after first ever win vs. the Jags?  WJ was able to gash PB on the ground, and NW’s offense has the personnel to run a similar attack between dual threat QB David Davis, a plethora of speedy rushers and a huge O-Line.  Prediction: Northwest by 15

Seneca Valley (3-2) at Quince Orchard (5-0): SV’s got a little mojo back after boat racing RM. Unfortunately, handling the Rockets in the trenches is not a particularly notable accomplishment and SV will likely be in for a world of hurt against QO.  Prediction:   QO by 35

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MCPS, Montgomery County Celebrate Walk and Roll to School Day

By MCS Staff
Walk and Roll to School Day at Brooke Grove Elementary School.

Schools throughout MCPS celebrated Walk and Roll to School Day today (Oct. 4) to promote health and safer routes to for students to walk and bike to school.

Brooke Grove Elementary School in Olney held a special event, joined by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s MCDOT’s Zeal the Safety Zebra and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s Sparky the Fire and Rescue Dog. The event included music, balloons, giveaways, police officers, firefighters, fire trucks and special visits from Montgomery County Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Dawn Luedtke.

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Clarksburg, Whitman High Chorus Students Perform at World Culture Festival

By MCS Staff

Last month, 250 chorus students from Clarksburg and Walt Whitman high schools performed at the 2023 World Culture Festival. Nearly 1 million people from more than 180 countries are estimated to have participated in the three-day celebration of unity, diversity and peace on the National Mall. The event included 60 performances from more than 17,000 artists, musicians and dancers representing cultures from every corner of the globe. MCPS students opened the festival singing the national anthem with the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and the U.S. Army Chorus, followed by two original compositions fusing English and Sanskrit lyrics—Blessings Invocation and One World Family, and America the Beautiful – Vande Mataram with Grammy-nominated artist Chandrika Tandon.

Amy Vanek and Michelle Kim, choral music directors at Clarksburg and Whitman, worked to prepare the students for the festival within three weeks. Others who help to coordinate the students’ appearance included: Kanan Shah, MCPS’ World Culture Festival coordinator and occupational therapist at Infants and Toddlers, Emory Grove; Elaine Chang, director of partnerships; Amita Mongia, teacher at Garrett Park Elementary School; Randy Rumpf, fine arts supervisor; Katie Murphy, choral and general music coordinator, and Ed Owusu, principal at Clarksburg, and Robby Dodd, principal at Whitman.

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MoCoShow High School Football Week 5 Top 10 (MCPS)

By Damon Anderson

1. (LW 1) Quince Orchard 5-0: The Cougars posted their 4th shutout of the season, beating Blair 41-0. Running Back Iverson Howard rushed for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns in the victory. Its Homecoming this Friday at Quince Orchard as they host Seneca Valley.

2. Northwest (LW 2) 5-0: The Jaguars earned a hard fought win over BCC 14-13.  Northwest had 301 passing yards as a team.  The Jags will travel to Burtonsville to take on Paint Branch this Friday.

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B-CC Community Mourns the Loss of Teacher and Coach Kevin Palafox

By MCS Staff

Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School math teacher and coach, Kevin Palafox, passed away on Saturday September 30th due to complications related to a recent medical diagnosis. The B-CC community, led by the Volleyball team he coached, is honoring him by putting together a fundraiser raising funds and awareness for leukemia and lymphoma.

The B-CC volleyball team shared the following via Instagram, In loving memory of Mr. Kevin K Palafox, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School volleyball program has decided to raise money and awareness for leukemia.

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Community Town Hall to Discuss Plans for a Recreation Center Takes Place Tuesday, October 3 in Montgomery Village

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: The County is discussing building a new recreation center in Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village. Tomorrow night, Oct. 3, from 7-9 p.m. at Montgomery Village Middle School, Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Laurie-Anne Sayles will be joined by community leaders, residents, and organizations to discuss the vision for a recreation center. There will be food and beverages provided. Students who attend will be eligible for SSL hours.

“The County is committed to providing an enriching amenity for the Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village communities, where there is a high need for investment in our residents, with a particular focus on our youth,” said Councilmember Sayles. “During the ‘Stop the Violence’ town hall held in July at Germantown Library, a consistent need that came up was for there to be more space where residents could live, learn, work, and play. Communities with convenient access to recreation space and opportunities have proven economic success and well-being.”

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