MCPS Archives - Page 164 of 275

Legendary Churchill Lacrosse Coach, Jeff Fritz, Steps Down After 30 Years

Published June 9, 2023 at 7:43AM | Updated June 15, 2023 at 1:24PM

Last year, Winston Churchill High School in Potomac celebrated Jeff Fritz’s 300th victory as head boys lacrosse coach at the school and became the first Montgomery County lacrosse team (boys or girls) to ever win a State Championship. Following another successful season in 2023, Coach Fritz has announced that he’ll be stepping down as coach.

Churchill boys lacrosse won the 2022 Maryland 4A State Championship, after defeating Anne Arundel County powerhouse Broadneck 15-7 in the championship. This stories season was memorable for many reasons, as coach Fritz was celebrated for winning his 300th game. Churchill welcomed Montgomery County Councilmember and alumnus Andrew Friedson to the school’s game against Sherwood High School. At halftime Councilmember Friedson presented his old lacrosse coach with a Proclamation from Montgomery County for Coach Fritz’s 300th career win. Churchill boys lacrosse finished 13-0 in 2022.

60 Graduating Seniors Participate in Job Interview Day Event

By MCS Staff

Published June 9, 2023 at 5:27AM

Last month, MCPS held the first Job Interview Day in collaboration with Career Council/National Hispanic College Fairs, Inc. The event offered 60 graduating seniors from 14 high schools an opportunity to interview with a variety of companies that operate locally.

The following companies participated in the event: MCPS, the Washington Commanders, Montgomery County 911, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, Coldwell Banker Realty, Mentoring Path, Inc., the Maryland Department of Labor, WorkSource Montgomery (including the Latin American Youth Center) and Mr. George’s Driving School, which offers commercial driver’s license training classes. Students participated in a minimum of four interviews.

Churchill’s Ian Rubin Wins 2023 Best Actor Award

By MCS Staff

Published June 9, 2023 at 4:53AM

The National Theatre has presented the Brandon Victor Dixon Awards for excellence in high school musical theatre, a regional partner of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®), also known as The Jimmy Awards®. The awards program is named in honor of Brandon Victor Dixon, a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award nominee originally from Gaithersburg. Dixon recently portrayed Terry Silver on the STARZ hit series ‘Power.’

The award for Best Actor went to Ian Rubin, a senior at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, for his work in Matilda The Musical. Per the MD Theatre Guide website, Ian is honored to be nominated for best actor for his performance as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical. In the fall, Ian will be attending the University of Michigan where he will be pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Some of his favorite credits include Young Artists of America’s Cabaret (Emcee), A Chorus Line (Mike), Into the Woods (Wolf); WCHS’ senior showcase production of The Last Five Years (Jamie), and Ovations Theatre Spring Awakening (Moritz). Ian currently studies voice with Thomas Pedersen and dances at City Dance Conservatory.

MCPS Operating Status Remains Code Green for Friday, June 9

By Patrick Herron

Published June 8, 2023 at 7:21PM

“Dear MCPS Community, MCPS Operating Status Remains Code Green (Normal Operations) and open for Friday, June 9

We continue to monitor local air quality conditions related to wildfire smoke streaming from Canada. Local data indicate conditions may remain “unhealthy,” advising restricted outdoor activities, especially for “sensitive groups,” for Friday, June 9.Therefore guidance for MCPS schools is to remain open under the same guidelines as the past two days with restricted outdoor activities and cancellation of outdoor recess. We encourage families to limit time outdoors when students are home, and to take precautions when traveling to and from school, such as wearing a mask when walking or waiting at bus stops.

MCPS: Five Things to Know for Thursday, June 8

By Patrick Herron

Published June 8, 2023 at 6:40PM

The Montgomery County Board of Education has unanimously adopted a $3.165 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, an increase of $245 million or 8.4 percent over the prior year. The adopted budget will allow MCPS to make investments to support enrollment growth and student academic needs, while providing staff wage increases to competitively hire and retain highly qualified teachers, administrators and support service workers.

Kennedy High School’s Kassie Cardona Named 2022-2023Maryland State PPW of The Year

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2023 at 7:39AM

Kassie Cardona, a pupil personnel worker (PPW) at John F. Kennedy High School, has been named 2022-2023 Maryland State PPW of the Year.

Colleagues say she is a compassionate, dedicated and knowledgeable staff member, which has earned her a reputation as the go-to PPW with the answers. With a background as an ESOL counselor, Cardona is a strong advocate for equality for students and families, and she also works to build strong relationships and partnerships between schools and the community. She has worked with a number of organizations outside the school system, which have provided services to the Hispanic community. She has advocated at the state level for more inpatient resources to help teens with substance abuse issues.

MCPS Counselors of the Year Announced

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2023 at 7:24AM

Counselors of the year at BOE meeting. From left to right: Makeyda Soriano, Montgomery Blair High School; Yolanda Faerber, Westbrook Elementary School; Nicole Walter, Roberto Clemente Middle School.

Three staff members have been honored with 2022–2023 Counselor of the Year awards. The trio—one each at the elementary, middle and high school levels—were recognized at the June 6 Board of Education business meeting.

The three have one thing in common—they don’t work alone. They all say their success would not have been possible without the support of their colleagues. As one said simply, “When we work as a team, everyone thrives.” The 2022–2023 Counselors of the Year are:

New MCPS Guidance When Responding to Suspected Opioid Overdoses

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2023 at 7:21AM

Last month Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced new guidance when responding to medical emergencies in schools for suspected opioid overdoses. The new regulation includes detailed guidance on naloxone (also known by its brand name, Narcan), its use, and access in MCPS schools. Narcan is a potentially life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects due to an opioid overdose. The new guidance allows students to carry Narcan in schools and during school-sponsored activities without fear of disciplinary action. Students should continue to seek assistance from school or health room staff in the event of a medical emergency on campus.

This action is part of a series of efforts the school system is undertaking to combat the rise in youth overdose cases across the county. The new guidance allows students to carry Narcan in schools and during school-sponsored activities without fear of disciplinary action. Students should continue to seek assistance from school or health room staff in the event of a medical emergency on campus.

All MCPS Schools/Offices Are Open On Time

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2023 at 6:43AM

Per MCPS: All MCPS schools and offices are open on time. Before and After school childcare programs and Community Use occur as scheduled.

From 7pm, Wednesday, June 7th: Due to unhealthy air conditions as a result of wildfires in Canada, all outdoor recess will be canceled for Thursday, June 8. Athletics will operate under guidelines similar to heat index warnings, which include primarily indoor activities and increased monitoring of athletes. Field trips may need to be rescheduled or modified depending on the location and extent of outdoor activity. Adjustments could be made to outdoor graduations and will be communicated by individual schools. Any modifications to this guidance will be communicated as conditions continue to be monitored.

Air Quality Reminder from Montgomery County Public Schools

By Patrick Herron

Published June 7, 2023 at 8:44PM

Athletics will operate under guidelines similar to heat index warnings, which include primarily indoor activities and increased monitoring of athletes. Field trips may need to be rescheduled or modified depending on the location and extent of outdoor activity. Adjustments could be made to outdoor graduations and will be communicated by individual schools.

Substitute Teacher Sent Home Due to Possible Intoxication Tuesday Morning at Magruder High School

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2023 at 6:34PM

Magruder High School principal, Dr. Leroy C. Evans, sent a letter to the school community informing them of a substitute teacher who was sent home via ride-share service due to possibly being under the influence of alcohol on Tuesday morning.

According to the letter, administration was notified that a substitute teacher was possibly intoxicated and the school contacted the non-emergency police and the school’s Community Engagement Officer (CEO) prior to sending the substitute teacher home via ride-share service. The incident is being handled by the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Compliance and Investigations as a personnel matter. The full letter can be seen below, courtesy of FOX5: