MCPS Archives - Page 163 of 277

Penn State Commit, Xavier Gilliam, Announced Transfer to Quince Orchard High School

Published July 16, 2023 at 5:17PM

Xavier Gilliam, who has committed to attending and playing at Penn State University, has announced that he will be transferring to Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg. Gilliam previously attended Wilde Lake High School in Howard County, where he was a 4-star prospect EDGE.

Gilliam will join a Quince Orchard squad that will be looking to win its third straight State Championship (they defeated Prince George’s County schools Flowers 32-7 last year and Wise 31-13 in 2021). Gillian’s tweet can announcing his move for the upcoming school year can be seen below.

The Blair Witch Project, Created by a Wheaton HS Grad and Filmed Primarily in MoCo, Was Released 24 Years Ago Today

By MCS Staff

Published July 14, 2023 at 1:06PM

The Blair Witch Project was released on this day in 1999, 24 years ago– the first installment of the Blair Witch franchise. Did you know The Blair Witch Project was primarily filmed right here in Montgomery County?

In the indie supernatural horror, three film students camp in the fictional Black Hills Forest of Burkittsville, Maryland in October of 1994 to film a documentary on the local legend of the Blair Witch. Mysteriously, the trio vanishes, leaving behind hours of footage to be discovered a year later by University of Maryland anthropology students. What the viewer witnesses is this purportedly real home video style footage.

Sami Saeed Sworn In as Montgomery County Student Member of the Board of Education

By MCS Staff

Published July 11, 2023 at 8:09PM

Sami Saeed, a rising senior at Richard Montgomery High School, was sworn in as the 46th Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) on July 11. Saeed was sworn in by Assistant Chief Deputy Clerk Delores Riggs, Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Mr. Saeed was elected to serve a one-year term on the Board by middle and high school students of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). He received 70 percent of 55,598 votes cast in the April 19, 2023, election. Mr. Saeed has served as the president of the Richard Montgomery Student Government Association (SGA) and as a member of the SMOB Advisory Council and the Montgomery County Commission on Youth and Children. He is an avid writer and has written for both The Tide, Richard Montgomery’s student newspaper, and The MoCo Student newspaper.

Watkins Mill Principal Carol Goddard Retires After Almost 50 Years in Education

By MCS Staff

Published June 30, 2023 at 9:22PM

This article was written by Ashley Huynh, Editor-in-Chief of Watkins Mill’s student newspaper The Current

Watkins Mill High School principal Carol Goddard has completed the 2022-23 school year– officially retiring after spending almost 50 years working in education and 30 years in Montgomery County Public Schools. Goddard’s retirement comes with mixed emotions for the community, including herself. “I love this place. Love the kids. Love what I do,” Goddard said. She will miss the kids and staff, and “all the tight, tight friendships I’ve made in the professional world.” “I am happy for Ms. Goddard to retire,” social studies teacher Lauren Squier said. “I’m sure it was a very difficult choice for her to ‘hang up her pencils,’ but I’m excited for her to enjoy a new chapter in her life.”

MCPS: “Students and families may not choose to opt out of engaging with any instructional materials other than certain units within the state-mandated health curriculum as specifically permitted by Maryland law”; New Document With FAQs on Inclusive Texts Published By School System

By MCS Staff

Published June 30, 2023 at 3:08PM

We value the partnership we share with our parents, caregivers, community members, and stakeholders in providing our students with the best possible education, so that they emerge from MCPS college, career, and community ready. MCPS follows all Maryland and federal Department of Education laws and uses a process that aligns with the school system’s core values when choosing supplemental curriculum materials for students in all grades. We encourage all interested stakeholders to read the information provided here about the LGBTQ+ inclusive books that have been introduced as supplementary material for grade level standards instruction.

-Montgomery County Public Schools”

Recreational Cannabis Information: A Message from Montgomery County Public Schools

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2023 at 3:07PM

Please remember that just because a substance is legal, does not mean it is safe. Alcohol, tobacco products, and cannabis pose greater potential harms to young people, whose brains and judgment are still developing. Due to the dangers of underage use, these products remain illegal for individuals under 21 years old.

For staff members, alcohol and cannabis use may impair work performance or judgment, and is not permitted during the workday, or at school sponsored activities and events that occur outside of the regularly scheduled workday. This behavior does not align with MCPS’ commitment to student safety and professional excellence and is a violation of the Employee Code of Conduct. Federal law requires public schools receiving federal funds to be drug-free settings, and additional federal restrictions on substance use for commercial vehicle drivers apply to our transportation staff.

MCPS Transportation Employees Enter Guilty Pleas for Misconduct in Office and Theft Scheme

By MCS Staff

Published June 30, 2023 at 2:18PM

From the Office of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney: Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Michael McAuliffe, defendant, Todd Michael Watkins, 56, of Jefferson, MD, pleaded guilty to one count of the misdemeanor charge of misconduct in office. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 11^th, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.

The defendant, Watkins, was appointed Director of the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Transportation in 2009. Beginning in at least 2016 and continuing into September 2021, the defendant failed to properly manage the contract for the purchases of school buses and the use of purchasing cards in his department such that Charles Ewald, the Assistant Director of the Department of Transportation, was able to steal over $320,000.

MCPS Air Quality Message for Friday, June 30

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2023 at 8:49AM

The CDC describes possible symptoms of and tips for reducing the effects of wildfire smoke pollutants. We encourage all students, family members, and staff to learn more about the possible health risks related to current conditions and how to protect their health.

MCPS Athletics will follow NCAA air quality recommendations for participation, which include exertional activities that are shortened and reduced intensity. Sensitive athletes will be moved indoors.

MCPS Things to Know: Inclusive Texts FAQ Sheet, Free Summer Meals Schedule, and more

By Patrick Herron

Published June 29, 2023 at 6:44PM

MCPS is committed to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming learning environment and seeks to create opportunities where all students see themselves and their families in curriculum materials. In alignment with Board of Education Policy, MCPS has a responsibility to include instructional materials that reflect the diversity of the local and global community by exploring the aspirations, issues and achievements of men and women, people with disabilities, people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, as well as those of diverse gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

As a reflection of our ongoing commitment to ensure our curriculum is inclusive and affirming of all students, the elementary and secondary English Language Arts (ELA) teams in the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs (OCIP) have approved a selection of more than 22 LGBTQ+-inclusive texts for use in the classroom.

Paint Branch’s Heather Podosek Announces Retirement in Letter to the Panther Community

By MCS Staff

Published June 29, 2023 at 5:29PM

Paint Branch Athletic Director Heather Podosek has retired from MCPS after 31 years. Podosek has been Athletic director since 2010, following two championships and 13 years as the girl’s head basketball coach. Earlier today, Podosek posted the following letter to the Paint Branch Athletics website saying goodbye to the Paint Branch community:

“Today is a emotional day for me as I retire from MCPS after 31 years, but it is also filled with reflection and gratitude! As I look back at my career (and all the stops along the way) which brought me to my “home” at Paint Branch, I will always be thankful for the guidance, patience and encouragement of the administrators, colleagues, coaches, students, and families that help me in my journey. You have been such a big part of shaping my career which is filled with love, laughter and happiness!

New Principal Named at Paint Branch High School, And More MCPS Administrative Appointments

By MCS Staff

Published June 27, 2023 at 8:27PM

The Montgomery County Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:

Pamela B. Wheeler-Taylor, currently Assistant Chief, Youth and Family Engagement Bureau, Metropolitan Police Department, as Chief Safety Officer, Office of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management, Office of the Chief Operating Officer