MCPS Archives - Page 178 of 275

College Fair Set for April 18-19 in Germantown

Published March 25, 2023 at 7:54AM

The annual Montgomery County National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) National College Fair will be held on Tuesday, April 18 and Wednesday, April 19, at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown. This free event will feature representatives from about 300 colleges and universities, and provides resources to students and parents navigating the college admissions process. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days and is open to Grade 11 students attending with their schools.

The fair is also open to all high school students and their families from 6:30–8 p.m. on April 18. Included are two workshops: “How to Finance College” and “Applying to College 101–Simple Steps to Get You Started.” Register to attend. Courtesy of MCPS. Video below:

MCPS Student-Run Café Edison Open for Breakfast and Lunch Through May 19

By MCS Staff

Published March 24, 2023 at 2:06PM | Updated March 26, 2023 at 8:50AM

Café Edison, an in-school, student-run restaurant at Thomas Edison High School of Technology, is now open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays through Friday, May 19. The restaurant will be closed through spring break, but will reopen on Wednesday, April 12.

Breakfast is served at 8:40 and 9 a.m., and lunch at 12:05 p.m. and 12:20 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 240-740-2024 or emailing Hospitality and Tourism teacher Jason Potyk. Cash or check payments are acceptable. The menu is available on the flyer, available on the school website (via QR code). Café Edison gives students an opportunity to gain valuable, real-world skills in a working restaurant. Students greet and seat guests. They also cook and serve the meals, bus the tables and handle restaurant clean up. Edison High School is located at 12501 Dalewood Dr. in Silver Spring.

Three MCPS Students Named Carson Scholars

By MCS Staff

Published March 24, 2023 at 7:44AM

Three MCPS students have been named Carson Scholars, earning $1,000 college scholarships. Carson Scholars are students who excel academically and donate their time and talents to others. students in grades 4 –11 who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and humanitarian qualities. MCPS students who are first-time scholarship recipients are:

Six additional MCPS students also reaffirmed their status as Carson Scholars for maintaining a 3.75 grade point average, and continuing to do volunteer work. They are:

Hundreds of Students Participated in the 12th Annual Minority Scholars Retreat

By MCS Staff

Published March 24, 2023 at 7:23AM

The Minority Scholars Program (MSP), a student-led initiative, held its 12th annual retreat at Northwest High School on March 18. The event included elementary, middle and high school workshops on racism, anti-racism, community building through community circles, and dismantling stereotypes. There was also talks from four seniors about why they got involved with MCPS and a talent show, with dance, song and spoken word performances.

Per MCPS: Seventeen years ago, MSP began as a student-driven initiative aimed at tackling the opportunity gap. Through student leadership and activism, it has served as a vehicle and a blueprint for creating change. Since its inception, MSP has worked to change the conversation around race, equity and the opportunity gap. MSP has been growing steadily and now has chapters in every MCPS high school, 24 middle schools and six elementary schools. Student leaders have spoken at county, state and national events, spreading the MSP model across the state and nation.

MCPS Message Regarding the Use of Inclusive Texts

By MCS Staff

Published March 24, 2023 at 7:20AM

Per Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS): MCPS expects all classrooms to be inclusive and safe spaces for students, including those who identify as LGBTQ+ or have family members in the LGBTQ+ community. A broad representation of personal characteristics within curricular or instructional materials promotes this desired outcome. Therefore, as with all curriculum resources, there is an expectation that teachers utilize these inclusive lessons and texts with all students.

As is standard practice, when planning for instruction teachers/schools are encouraged to utilize a variety of resources to continue to promote an inclusive environment as outlined in the MCPS Core Values and Board Policy. Students and families may not choose to opt out of engaging with any instructional materials, other than “Family Life and Human Sexuality Unit of Instruction” which is specifically permitted by Maryland law. As such, teachers will not send home letters to inform families when inclusive books are read in the future.

Swastika Found Carved Into Wooden Stool at Walt Whitman High School

By MCS Staff

Published March 23, 2023 at 6:40PM

Earlier today, two Walt Whitman High School students found a swastika that had been carved into a wooden stool in the school’s science lab. Back in December, the words “Jews Not Welcome” were written on Walt Whitman’s sign and multiple Whitman staff members received antisemitic emails. Incidents of anti semitic graffiti have been found this year at several other MCPS schools, prompting the school system to release a community message asking parents for help with the ongoing problem. Whitman High School principal Robert Dodd wrote the following in a message to the Whitman community:

Yet again, I have to write and let our community know about another instance of behavior that is antisemitic. We have done so much as a school community to call out this type of activity and to educate our students while still addressing and healing from past incidents of antisemitism. Subsequently, having to write another letter is very distressing for me and profoundly upsetting for our Jewish community. While it feels like a gut punch to find another example of antisemitic hate, we remain undeterred and will forge ahead with our efforts. Unfortunately, the increase in incidents we’ve experienced at Whitman are on par with a disturbing trend in Maryland. An audit released today by ADL shows a 98% increase in antisemitic incidents in Maryland in 2022.

“Shark Tank” for Students: MCPS Business Pitch Challenge Takes Place Friday, March 24

By MCS Staff

Published March 23, 2023 at 5:28PM

• Northwood

• Paint Branch

Quince Orchard High School To Begin Enforcing New Lunch Policy For Students on Friday, March 24

By MCS Staff

Published March 23, 2023 at 3:50PM

Quince Orchard High School principal Beth Thomas tweeted the following regarding the lunch policy at the school,“In light of the continued safety concerns & disruptive behaviors that have taken place off school property, QOHS will actively enforce our lunch policy beginning tmrw Fri 3/24 for the remainder of the year. We will not waver from implementation of this policy.” The full policy can be seen below:

“Quince Orchard High School has a Closed Lunch Policy for all students in Grades 9 and 10. Students in Grades 11 and 12 may leave QO property for lunch. They must have a student ID card that reflects their lIth and 12′ grade status. If an Ilth or 12th grader wants to leave campus during lunch, they MUST show their current year school ID card to school statt. No exceptions.

Watkins Mill High School Placed on Brief Shelter in Place Thursday

By Patrick Herron

Published March 23, 2023 at 2:01PM

Watkins Mill High School at 10301 Apple Ridge Rd in Montgomery Village was placed on a brief shelter in place on Thursday afternoon after an incident involving a juvenile driver near the school. According to MCPD, “At approximately 12:06 p.m., an off-duty federal officer was picking up his child at a bus stop near Watkins Mill HS when he observed a car driving erratically and at a high rate of speed. The off-duty officer stopped the driver, a juvenile male.

Following the stop, several students in the area converged on the officer. He called for assistance and MCPD officers responded. The car was towed. Watkins Mill HS was placed on a brief shelter in place. The driver was cited for driving without a license.”

Burtonsville Elementary School Supports Wellness with Natural Beauty, Community, and Composting

By MCS Staff

Published March 22, 2023 at 10:34PM

At Burtonsville Elementary School of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), MD, nutrition and food access, family and community engagement, and staff well-being are inseparable. School staff and families have come together in leading campus beautification projects, food waste reduction initiatives, and stigma-free nutrition access for all. And the result? “Oh, they love it!” says Vice Principal Terry Gobourne, who leads the beautification initiatives.

Community-driven programs have set Burtonsville apart as one of America’s Healthiest Schools. In October 2022, they received recognition in six topic areas, including Increasing Family & Community Engagement, sponsored by Kohl’s, and Cultivating Staff Well-Being, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and Harmony SEL at National University. Burtonsville also received the 2022 MCPS Healthy Schools Award.

Quince Orchard Student Found Unconscious in McDonald’s Bathroom; Narcan Administered

By MCS Staff

Published March 21, 2023 at 5:42PM

A Quince Orchard High School student was found unconscious in a nearby McDonald’s bathroom on Tuesday, March 21. According to Montgomery County Police, “at approximately 11:56 a.m., a Quince Orchard High school student was located unconscious in a bathroom in the 12100 block of Darnestown Road. Narcan was administered. The victim left the McDonald’s where he was stopped by an MCPD officer. He has been transported to an area hospital in stable condition.” Quince Orchard High School Principal Elizabeth L. Thomas sent the following message to Quince Orchard staff, students, and families (courtesy of FOX 5):

Feature image courtesy of Google Maps.