MCPS Archives - Page 170 of 278

Celebration of House Built and Designed By MCPS Students

Published May 25, 2023 at 7:03AM

Students and members of the Construction Trades Foundation (CTF) celebrated the completion of the 43rd student-build house with a cornerstone ceremony on May 23. Construction and interior design students built the house over the past two years (video below).

Located at 14105 Alderton Road in Silver Spring, the 3,100-square-foot home has four bedrooms and three upstairs bathrooms with a half-bath on the main level. It includes beautiful, large windows with an open floor plan and a two-car garage with a remote door entry. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, silestone countertops, a kitchen island, window above the kitchen sink and contemporary lighting. The house also includes HVAC units in the basement and attic, a wraparound porch, screened patio and oak hardwood flooring.

MCPS Celebrates 24 Graduates Who Are Future Educators

By MCS Staff

Published May 25, 2023 at 6:14AM

MCPS hosted a Future Educators celebration for 24 graduating seniors on May 24. This is the second year that the Office of Human Resources and Development has hosted a “Grow Your Own” strategy to attract, recruit and excite MCPS students with the possibility of a teaching career with the district.

The event recognized the students for their outstanding academic performance and commitment to return to MCPS once they have finished college. In addition, each of these students are receiving a $5,000 scholarship toward their college studies. The scholarships are funded by the Maryland Leads Grant. The Maryland Leads Grant and the MCPS “Grow Your Own” initiatives support the long-standing need to establish and strengthen teacher pipelines and development.

Former Maryland/NBA Star Walt Williams Will Speak at Sherwood’s Graduation

By MCS Staff

Published May 24, 2023 at 7:17AM

“The Wizard” Walt Williams will give the commencement speech at Sherwood High School on Friday, June 9th. Williams is a D.C. native who was a star at the University of Maryland before being taken with the 7th pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. His NBA career spanned over a decade, scoring over 8,000 points with nearly 1,000 made three pointers.

Williams is a MoCo resident with three sons who have all attended Sherwood High School. He was even an assistant basketball coach for the team for a couple years while two of his sons played basketball for Sherwood. Sherwood’s graduation will take place at UMBC on Friday, June 9th at 2:30pm.

MCPS Students Build Home in Layhill as Part of Edison’s Students Construction Trades Foundation

By MCS Staff

Published May 24, 2023 at 6:44AM

Montgomery County Students Construction Trades Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit foundation established cooperatively by the Montgomery County business and professional community and Montgomery County Public Schools to promote and encourage the interests of career education related to construction. Students actively participate each year in the Young American Design/Build Project, and this year they’ve built their 43rd Young American home in Layhill (photos below courtesy of Councilmembers Natali Fani-Gonzalez and Kate Stewart).

The Construction Technology Programs consist of courses in:

MoCo Board of Education Seeks Applicants to Fill Positions on Ethics Panel

By MCS Staff

Published May 23, 2023 at 7:02PM

The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking to fill one vacancy on its five-member Ethics Panel (Panel). The vacancies are for a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2023. Members serve without compensation.

As noted in Board Policy, BBB, Ethics, among the Panel’s responsibilities are: (1) approving financial disclosure forms; (2) interpreting the Board of Education’s Ethics Policy and issuing advisory opinions concerning its application; and (3) conducting hearings on complaints filed regarding an alleged violation.

MCPS Records New Pregame Announcements to Include Spanish Version

By MCS Staff

Published May 23, 2023 at 7:58AM | Updated May 23, 2023 at 9:06AM

By Abijah Hines of Watkins Mill High School’s student newspaper, The Current

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has decided to re-record the pregame announcements after its initial recording fifteen years ago with an added Spanish version. Having been only updated once before, in 2021, the pregame announcements have been an integral part of MCPS. The announcements serve as a way for both the athletes and spectators to know how to conduct themselves at games and to remind everyone that they are there to support and respect the athletes and officials.

Statement From MoCo Board of Education Concerning the FY 2024 Operating Budget

By MCS Staff

Published May 23, 2023 at 6:10AM

Statement from the Montgomery County Board of Education on FY2024 Operating Budget: “The Board of Education thanks the Montgomery County Council for their ongoing support of Montgomery County Public Schools’ students, families, and staff. We are appreciative of both how hard you worked to reach a decision and your commitment to compensating our teachers, administrators and staff who support our students each and every day. We are a community united in support of our public school system and the Board applauds the County Council’s recent action on the recordation tax, which will help fund school construction.

The Board of Education looks forward to our continuing partnership with the County Council as we address the needs of our students and families. We are thankful to live in a community that values the importance of public education and understands the critical role a high-quality public school system plays in the continued vitality of the county.”

Wheaton High School Hosts Unified Field Day in Honor of Sarah Gilbert on Tuesday, May 23; Einstein, Kennedy, and Springbrook Will Also Participate In The Event

By MCS Staff

Published May 22, 2023 at 9:13PM

After the unexpected passing of Wheaton High School LFI student Sarah Gilbert, the school wanted to honor her and her memory by having general ed students, SCB, and LFI students all working together for inclusion in their Unified Field Day event that will take place on Tuesday, May 23. Sarah is fondly remembered as always wanting to be included in every activity and every conversation.

In 2019, Wheaton High School staff wanted to have an event to showcase School Community Based (SBC) and Learning For Independence (LFI) students’ talents in a way that would bring the community together. Planning took place, however the pandemic came and shut everything down. Now, a few years later, nearby schools Springbrook, Kennedy, and Einstein have enthusiastically accepted Wheaton’s invitation to join in the excitement! For the past 6 weeks, students from leadership classes have been working with and coaching students in the SCB and LFI programs with their events.

MCPS Graduation Ceremonies Kick Off May 31, Will Feature Many Notable Speakers

By MCS Staff

Published May 22, 2023 at 4:11PM

Nearly 12,000 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students are expected to receive their diplomas during commencement ceremonies scheduled between Wednesday, May 31, and Thursday, June 15. Graduation ceremonies will take place on individual high school campuses, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., and on the campuses of Mount St. Mary’s University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

On May 31, the first seniors to cross the stage will be Poolesville High School, who will graduate at Mount St. Mary’s, and Thomas S. Wootton High School, who will graduate at DAR.

Gaithersburg High School Hosted Its Annual “Special Education Prom” Inviting Students From Watkins Mill This Year

By MCS Staff

Published May 22, 2023 at 8:16AM

Gaithersburg High School hosted its annual Special Education Prom on Thursday, May 18 from 4-6pm. SGA sponsor Nilda Keres told us the event was founded in 2018 when the school noticed that many students with special needs weren’t attending general prom. “This was a chance to have a prom where students can just be themselves.” Keres said (photos below).

“This is my favorite time of year and event to plan. The students have such a great time and that’s what this is all about.” Keres told us. Students attending the prom were able to get ready during the day, with other students from the school’s cosmetology program doing their hair and makeup during the school day. There was no cost to any of the students and this year, Gaithersburg invited students from nearby Watkins Mill High School, providing a bus for Watkins Mill to get to GHS. The funding for the event was provided by the Gaithersburg SGA.

Paint Branch High School Principal, Dr. Afie Mirshah Nayar, Named FCPS Director of School Administration and Instructional Leadership

By MCS Staff

Published May 20, 2023 at 7:59PM

Dr. Afie Mirshah-Nayar, currently the principal at Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, has been named Director of School Administration and Instructional Leadership of Frederick County Public Schools.

Per FCPS: Dr. Afie Mirshah-Nayar comes to FCPS from Montgomery County Public Schools where she currently serves as a high school principal. She has worked in the field of education for 23 years. During her career her focus has been on the education of high school students. Her professional experiences include both school-based and central office-based positions. Dr. Mirshah-Nayar served as principal of two Maryland schools, Largo High and Paint Branch High. In addition, she has served as the president of the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals. She earned a doctorate degree from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree from American University, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and an administrative certification from Hood College.