MCPS Archives - Page 186 of 277

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

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.

MCPS Community Letter Regarding Antisemitism: “Parents, We Need Your Help!”

By MCS Staff

Published February 17, 2023 at 8:59PM

“Dear MCPS Community,

Far too many families and communities across MCPS have come home over the past several weeks to letters from their school condemning acts of antisemitism. A concerning number of students have drawn Nazi symbols on desks, verbally assaulted Jewish peers, spoken anti-Jewish tropes, and glorified Naziism via pictures broadcasted on social media. These acts have left me – and so many of you – feeling angry, dismayed, and horrified.

MoCo Students Looking For Car Donations to Repair for Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF); Donations Are Tax Deductible

By MCS Staff

Published February 17, 2023 at 4:08PM

The Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) is looking for car donations. Donations will help more high school students learn how to evaluate, repair and restore used cars. The ATF is a nonprofit that fosters automotive education by offering students hands-on instruction in maintenance, repair, sales and marketing. The students run a mini-dealership where people can purchase the refurbished cars.

The ATF accepts donations year-round by appointment at Damascus, Gaithersburg and Seneca Valley high schools, at Thomas Edison High School of Technology and at the Shady Grove Bus Depot. Donations are tax deductible. Call 240-740-2047 to donate. MCPS students engage in a hands-on curriculum to refurbish used cars. As part of the automotive program, students sell the cars at three sales throughout the school year. The last car sale of the year will be held from 9–11 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, at Thomas Edison High School of Technology in Silver Spring. More information

MoCo Branch of NAACP Offering Scholarships to Graduating Seniors

By MCS Staff

Published February 17, 2023 at 4:05PM

The Montgomery County branch of the NAACP is awarding $1,000 scholarships to MCPS graduating seniors. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, March 24. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or above, participate in extracurricular activities and participate in faith-based, religious-based or volunteer activities.

Completed applications should be sent to Rebecca Gibson, Board of Education office, Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 123, Rockville, MD, 20850. If you have questions, send an email here. The scholarships will be presented during the annual Freedom Fund Dinner on May 21. NCAAP Scholarship Application, 2023

Board of Education Seeks Nominations For 26th Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education

By MCS Staff

Published February 17, 2023 at 4:02PM

The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking nominations from the public for its 26th Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education. The awards are sponsored by the Board to recognize and show appreciation to individuals, groups and organizations that have made exemplary contributions to public education in Montgomery County. Nominations will be accepted in the following categories:

“Individual Pioneer” award nominees are individuals who, although they may not be currently active, have made extraordinary contributions in the past. The nominee’s contributions must have had a profound effect on the school system over a sustained period of time. Nominations in other categories must be of individuals (including MCPS students), groups or organizations that have, within the past three years, provided service, support and commitment to public education as demonstrated by: