Per MCPS: The Montgomery County Alliance of Black School Educators (MCABSE) honored 27 graduating seniors during its annual Distinguished African-American Scholars and Community Leaders Awards Ceremony on April 26. The event was held at Rockville High School.

Distinguished Scholars and Community Leaders are committed to leadership in their high schools and communities; are passionate and committed to their education and demonstrate a deliberate pursuit of academic excellence; and are talented, positive and motivated. The keynote speaker was Brian Stockton, MCPS chief of staff. The 2023 honorees are:


The Montgomery County Board of Education has announced its recipients for the 26th Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education. The awards were established by the Board of Education to recognize and show appreciation for exemplary contributions to public education and to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Nominations were received from the general community, as well as community organizations, businesses, Board members and MCPS staff. This year’s Distinguished Service Award winners are:

Individual Pioneer


Earlier this month, MCPS announced that vape detectors were in the process of being installed in the bathrooms of a “limited number of high schools.” Student journalists Hannah Lee, Claire Yu, and Avery Wang, of Richard Montgomery’s RM Tide newspaper, have reported that installations begin this week at six MCPS High Schools: John F. Kennedy, Northwood , Paint Branch, Quince Orchard, Richard Montgomery, and Walt Whitman. The detectors will remain until at least the end of the school year.

Per MCPS: “Vape detectors are in the process of being installed in the bathrooms of a limited number of high school schools. These detectors will help to identify any instances of vaping or smoking in the bathrooms, allowing us to take appropriate action to prevent harm to our students’ health and safety.”


Students enrolled in all MCPS comprehensive high schools may apply for enrollment in one of Thomas Edison’s eighteen highly acclaimed career and technology education programs. The Cosmetology students will be opening the Edison Salon (12051 Dalewood Dr. Silver Spring MD 20906) on Thursday, May 4 to hold a SkillsUSA fundraiser catered to moms for Mother’s Day.


Two art shows showcasing the work of MCPS students will soon be open in Montgomery County– Westfield Montgomery Mall and Rockville Memorial Library. More information on each below:

The MCPS Countywide Art Show at Westfield Montgomery Mall will be available during mall hours from May 2–May 21. The elementary showcase will run from May 2–7; the middle school showcase will be available from May 9–14, and the high school showcase will be open from May 16–21.


Per MCPS: To combat a rise in hateful speech across the country, MCPS is inviting students in Grades 3–12 to create 2D visual artwork that speaks out against hate and advocates for acceptance of all people.

MCPS will showcase entries on its website and award first, second and third places to students at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Winners will have their work displayed at the Superintendent’s Fine Arts Celebration, in the Board of Education room and their school will receive a print of the artwork for display. Artwork will be judged based on creativity, craftsmanship and composition. Submissions are due Friday, May 12. Submission Form.


Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) have reached a tentative agreement on wage increases over a two-year period. If the County Council fully funds the MCPS budget proposal, the following increases would take effect beginning July 1, 2023, for MCEA unit members:

For the 2023-2024 school year, the salary for teachers would increase by $5,602 for 10-month employees and $6,583 for 12-month employees, with a step increase for those eligible employees. The new salaries would range from $59,640 to $124,416 for 10-month employees; and from $70,078 to $146,189 for 12-month positions depending on experience and years of service.


Led by team captain Meghna Singh, members Cody Gao, Lucas Kim, Zoe Gorbachev, and Kiran Oliver remained undefeated throughout the morning’s round-robin style competition before advancing to the final round. After an intense final round, Frost defeated Takoma Park Middle School, sending them home with second place, while Herbert Hoover Middle School placed in third.

“As the defending champion, there were a lot of expectations for us to live up to, and I’m glad we didn’t disappoint.” said Meghna Singh. “This year was really special because it was the first time we had competed in person after COVID.”


James Allrich, principal at Argyle Middle School, is the MCPS finalist for The Washington Post Principal of the Year. Additional information on Allrich below, per MCPS:

In the six years James Allrich has been principal at Argyle Middle School, he has been recognized as a student-centered leader, a fierce social-emotional advocate, a visionary on equitable and anti-racist practices and a community builder. Students are always at the forefront of his decision-making. He often reminds them: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”


Charles Orifici, instrumental music teacher at Clarksburg High School, is the MCPS finalist for The Washington Post Teacher of the Year. More on Charles Orifici below, per MCPS:

For 25 years, Charles Orifici has been teaching instrumental music, 24 of them in MCPS. Since opening Clarksburg High School in 2006, he built the instrumental music program into one of the hardest working and successful school marching bands, culminating in this past fall’s Maryland Marching Band Association competition, where the band went undefeated.


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