MCPS Archives - Page 184 of 275

MCPS: Five Things To Know (2/24/23)

Published February 24, 2023 at 7:50AM

1. Come Out This Saturday for a Family Forum on Fentanyl & Life-Saving Narcan Training In partnership with Montgomery Goes Purple, MCPS invites families to come out Saturday, Feb. 25 for an event and discussion on fentanyl. Panelists will share important information on the dangers and prevalence of illegally made fentanyl, prevention tools and protective factors for students, and resources for treatment when needed. The event will be from 9:30–11:30 a.m. in the Northwood High School auditorium, 919 University Blvd. West in Silver Spring. Breakout discussions for students and parents/caregivers and students, resource fair, COVID-19 vaccinations and refreshments will be available. Panel and breakout sessions will be in English and Spanish. RSVP. Fentanyl Resources

2. Finalists Selected for Student Member of the Board of Education: Sami Saeed, a junior at Richard Montgomery High School, and Yoseph Zerihun, a junior at Springbrook High School, are the finalists for the 46th Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB). Mr. Saeed and Mr. Zerihun were chosen from a pool of 12 students by more than 400 voting middle and high school delegates at this year’s SMOB Nominating Convention. Elections will be held on April 19. Read more about the candidates.

Hundreds Participated in This Year’s HBCU Fair; Many Students Were Accepted Into Schools On-Site

By MCS Staff

Published February 24, 2023 at 7:41AM

Hundreds of students, educators, administrators, community members, caregivers and HBCU representatives with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) participated in this year’s HBCU Fair on Friday, February 17.

The free in-person event at The Universities at Shady Grove provided students in Grades 8–12 an opportunity to meet representatives from more than 50 HBCUs. Representatives shared information and answered questions from students and parents about admissions, financial aid, testing, majors and much more. The event also featured a college preparation workshop for middle school students and parents, a discussion on college life, FAFSA completion assistance, scholarship information and more.

Two MCPS Media Specialists Are Finalists for State Honor

By MCS Staff

Published February 23, 2023 at 7:23AM

Marylan School Librarian of the Year finalists. At left, Media Specialist Sheri Massey from Cabin John Middle School. At right, Media Specialist Meredith Hickman from Seven Locks Elementary School.

Two MCPS media specialists are finalists for Maryland School Librarian of the Year. Meredith Hickman, media specialist at Seven Locks Elementary School (Bethesda), and Dr. Sheri Massey, media specialist at Cabin John Middle School (Potomac), are two of 14 finalists for the state recognition.

The award honors a school librarian for exemplary service and outstanding achievements in the field of school library media. To be considered, nominees must be a current member of the Maryland Association of School Librarians (MASL), actively working as a school librarian and serving in the same position for three or more years. The winner will be announced at the MASL conference in April. More information on the award.

Girl Scouts Spread Kindness at South Lake Elementary

By MCS Staff

Published February 23, 2023 at 7:18AM

Earlier this year, three Girl Scout Cadettes from Troop 2219 in Damascus—Sarah Cohen, Kaylie Eising and Jadyn New—painted a series of positive messages in bathrooms at South Lake Elementary School in Gaithersburg.

This Silver Award project was motivated by the girls’ concern about students’ mental health, as well as their desire to spread kindness and promote school community well-being. The girls planned the project, shopped for supplies and brainstormed positive images and encouraging words.

Damascus Students Refurbish Accessibility Van For Former Wootton Student Who Lost Arm and Leg Due to Blood Clot

By MCS Staff

Published February 23, 2023 at 7:15AM

The Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) at Damascus High School recently refurbished a Town and Country accessibility van for the family of a former MCPS and current Montgomery College student.

In 2019, Saniya Lipford, a former student at Thomas S. Wootton High School, lost her left leg and left arm from a blood clot in her lungs. Between the medical bills, extended recovery time and rehabilitation services, Saniya and her family have struggled. Now a student at Montgomery College, Saniya requested the ATF’s support to ensure that her family’s accessibility van was a reliable source of transportation.

Dancers From 10 Schools Showed Off Their Moves at the MCPS Dance Showcase This Past Weekend

By MCS Staff

Published February 23, 2023 at 7:09AM

Dancers from 10 middle and high schools showed off their moves in the MCPS Dance Showcase on February 17th (access to photo gallery below).

During the day, students attended master classes in ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theater and yoga, and listened to guest speakers. In the evening, students performed for parents, peers and the community. Students from the following schools performed: A. Mario Loiederman, Forest Oak, Kingsview and Silver Spring International middle schools and Albert Einstein, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, James Hubert Blake, Montgomery Blair, Northwood and Wheaton high schools.

RSVP For Second Family Forum on Fentanyl (February 25)

By MCS Staff

Published February 23, 2023 at 7:05AM

In partnership with Montgomery Goes Purple, MCPS is hosting a second Family Forum on Fentanyl from 9:30–11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, in the Northwood High School auditorium. A representative from the Montgomery County Police Department talks with parents during the first forum on fentanyl at Clarksburg High School in January.

Panelists, including representatives from the county health department and the police department, will share information on the dangers and prevalence of illegally made fentanyl, prevention tools and protective factors for students, and resources for treatment. There will be Narcan training and distribution of Narcan kits to help reverse an overdose, breakout discussions for students and parents/caregivers (in English and Spanish) and a resource fair. The Community Opioid Prevention & Education (C.O.P.E.) trailer (a mock teen bedroom) will be available for tours to learn signs of substance use. Students can earn two Student Service Learning hours for attending.

Board of Education to Take Action on Superintendent’s Recommended $3.15 Billion Operating Budget at Thursday’s Meeting

By MCS Staff

Published February 23, 2023 at 6:58AM

The Board of Education business meeting on Thursday, Feb. 23, will cover key items of public interest, including discussions and Board decisions on The Recommended FY 2024 Operating Budget (Agenda Item 5.1).

The Board will take tentative action on the superintendent’s recommended $3.15 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. The Board amended the superintendent’s recommended budget, which includes additional staffing for support, monitoring and oversight of math and literacy programs, and investments that will strengthen recruitment and retention of quality and diverse staff and other supports to enhance two-way communication with families. The request includes a $245 million increase from FY 2023.

Board of Education to Discuss Boundary Changes For Multiple Schools With Two New High Schools Opening in MoCo

By MCS Staff

Published February 23, 2023 at 6:55AM | Updated February 23, 2023 at 8:08AM

The Board of Education business meeting on Thursday, Feb. 23, will cover key items of public interest, including discussions and Board decisions on Future School Boundary Analyses (Agenda Item 7.1).

Future openings of two new high schools will require boundary studies in multiple areas throughout the county. The new Charles W. Woodward High School is scheduled to reopen in 2026 and will impact current school boundaries. The clusters included in the superintendent’s recommendation for the boundary scope include Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, Walter Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Northwood, Wheaton and Walt Whitman high schools. Additional future boundary studies will address midcounty overutilization with the opening of Crown High School (2027) and upcounty with the expansion of Damascus High School (2026).

Virtual Conversation with MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight Takes Place This Evening (Wednesday, February 22)

By MCS Staff

Published February 22, 2023 at 8:30AM

The Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence, the NAACP Parents’ Council and Identity, Inc. are hosting a virtual conversation with MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The event will take place via Zoom from 6:30–8 p.m.

The event will provide an opportunity for families to ask questions on topics, including how well students are doing in school; the anti-racist audit and equity, and student well-being. RSVP and ask a question here. Spanish interpretation will be available. Feb. 22 Virtual Conversation with Dr. McKnight.

MCPS Kids’ Shoe Drive Underway

By MCS Staff

Published February 18, 2023 at 9:08AM

MCPS is hosting a shoe drive until Tuesday, Feb. 28 for students of all ages. New and gently used shoes for boys and girls in all sizes are needed. The donations will support students in the 26 community schools.

Donations can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday–Friday in the Carver Educational Services Center auditorium at 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. For more information, email Amy Beal or call 240-551-6101.