Per MCPS: Extreme heat conditions continue today, Thursday, September 7, with the local heat index forecast to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon. School-based outdoor activities such as recess should be moved indoors after 12pm; if morning activities are held outdoors, adequate rest and water breaks should be permitted. Marching band and athletics programs will follow guidance in accordance with the MCPS Athletics Heat Safety plan.  The National Weather Serviceprovides hourly heat index information.

Community members are encouraged to stay well hydrated, limit outdoor activities if necessary, and review the information below on extreme heat safety. MCPS will continue to monitor conditions and communicate any changes as necessary.


For the 2023–2024 school year, Glenstone Museum has launched a new booking page that will make scheduling an on-site, guided visit more seamless for educators. This system provides real-time availability to schedule guided visits between Sept. 1 and Jan. 26, 2024.

The Potomac museum provides opportunities for middle and high school students to learn in an environment that encourages direct connection with art, architecture and nature. Glenstone offers guided on-site visits and virtual engagement options. The school program is intended for a broad range of curriculum and grade levels and uses interactive exercises to encourage direct engagement. In conjunction with Glenstone’s temporary exhibit, Ellsworth Kelly at 100, school visits have been expanded to include Kelly’s important contributions to the contemporary art world. To learn more about school visits, visit the website.


It is important that everyone continue to practice healthy habits, such as good handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick. These vital health strategies and vaccination are key prevention measures we use every day to prevent the spread of illness in our schools. For COVID-19, other measures may be temporarily introduced during outbreaks, including screening testing, distancing, and masking to control spread in a specific space where transmission is high. Multiple strategies are used, and students who cannot safely and consistently mask due to young age, a medical condition, or developmental disability are not required to do so.

In school, identifying and responding to outbreaks early is a key step to ensure staff and students are ready to teach and learn.


Updated to include letter sent home to the Travila ES community

Travilah Elementary School, located at 13801 Dufief Mill Rd. in North Potomac, was in a brief lockdown this afternoon following a domestic incident between two people that are not associated with the school community.


1. (LW 1) Quince Orchard: The Cougars shutout South County from Virginia 33-0.  Running Back Iverson Howard ran for 2 Touchdowns in the victory.  Quince Orchard will host Gaithersburg this Friday.

2. (LW 2) Damascus: The Swarmin’ Hornets defeated Einstein 44-12. As a team Damascus rushed for 191 yards and 4 Touchdowns. Damascus will travel to the Black Hole in Germantown to take on Northwest in the MoCoShow Game of the Week!


Per the Office of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney: “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Michael McAuliffe sentenced defendant, Charles Ewald, 37, of Knoxville, MD, to 15 years in prison suspend all but five years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release.

Ewald pleaded guilty on May 18th, 2023 to charges of felony theft scheme having a value of over $100,000 and misdemeanor misconduct in office. He stole approximately $324,500 from the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Transportation between at least 2016 and 2021 while he was working there in the role of Assistant Director.


Montgomery County Public Schools sent out the following community message on Wednesday, September 6:

Community members are encouraged to stay well hydrated, limit outdoor activities if necessary, and review the information below on extreme heat safety. MCPS will continue to monitor conditions and communicate any changes as necessary.


Montgomery Village Middle School (19330 Watkins Mill Rd, Montgomery Village) is partnering with nearby Stedwick Elementary School and Watkins Mill Elementary School to host a Back-to-School Block Party on Thursday, September 14th from 6-8pm. The event will feature a DJ, food, games, free haircuts, free immunizations, and more.

“Our purpose is to bring the community together and create a sense of belonging for all of our stakeholders. Now more than ever, schools should serve as a resource hub for the communities they serve. Our schools created this event to raise awareness of the wealth of resources available to them, right here in The Village. We’re most excited to see our beautifully diverse community come together and celebrate our schools. We can’t wait to see the smiles on the faces of our students, families, and staff as they enjoy all of the free activities and services.”


View More Stories