MCPS Archives - Page 187 of 277

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

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:

Damascus Students in Automotive Trades Program Gift Car to Local Woman

By MCS Staff

Published February 17, 2023 at 8:32AM

Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) sold used cars they refurbished last week at Damascus High School. In addition to the cars they sold, the students gifted an accessibility van to a local woman/former MCPS student, Saniya Lipford, who lost her arm and leg due to a blood clot in her lung, according to a report by Fox 5.

“This is the first time we actually did a renovation of a vehicle that didn’t belong to us that will be helping our community,” said Steven D. Boden, ATF supervisor to Fox 5. The students refurbished the van, as they do with other vehicles they sell, and gifted the vehicle to Lipford on Thursday. Video below, courtesy of Fox 5:

MCPS: Five Things To Know

By MCS Staff

Published February 17, 2023 at 8:16AM

On Policy ABC, the Board is seeking comments on proposed amendments to update processes for parent/guardian engagement in decisions affecting their students and their students’ schools. The policy has been available for comment since Feb. 9, 2023. The public comment period will extend through Thursday, April 20. The draft amendments propose—

Revisions to align with updated National Standards for Family-School Partnerships and findings from the MCPS Anti-Racist Audit final report.

Finalists Selected for Montgomery County Student Member of the Board of Education

By MCS Staff

Published February 17, 2023 at 7:24AM

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). Elections will be held on April 19. From a pool of 12 students, Mr. Saeed and Mr. Zerihun were chosen by more than 400 voting middle and high school delegates attending the SMOB Nominating Convention at Watkins Mill High School.

Mr. Sami Saeed is a junior at Richard Montgomery High School. He currently serves as the president of the Richard Montgomery Student Government Association (SGA), and is a member of the SMOB Advisory Council and the Montgomery County Commission on Youth and Children. He is an avid writer and has written for The Tide, Richard Montgomery’s student newspaper, and The MoCo Student newspaper.

MCPS Taking Steps to Ensure Bathrooms Are Safe For Students

By MCS Staff

Published February 16, 2023 at 9:54AM

In a community message regarding safety and security in Montgomery County Public Schools, MCPS has addressed concerns regarding safety in bathrooms: “Safety measures for school restrooms are currently being examined with input from students, staff and parents. Our restrooms must be safe places for students and cannot be places where activities that violate our code of conduct, such as drug and tobacco use, occur.”

“Schools are making sure restrooms are checked regularly and monitored throughout the day so they can continue to be available for use as intended. Latches are being installed on exterior restroom doors in secondary schools to ensure doors remain open. During transition periods and more unstructured times, like before school, after school and lunch periods, schools may limit access to designated restrooms. Staff are increasing the frequency of their visual monitoring and checks inside restrooms throughout the school day, in between class periods and during lunch periods. These measures, along with additional support from the Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency, are being implemented to enhance the level of security students feel. Schools will continue to keep this as a priority.”

Virtual Conversation with MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight Set for February 22

By MCS Staff

Published February 16, 2023 at 8:58AM

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.

Second Family Forum on Fentanyl Set for February 25

By MCS Staff

Published February 16, 2023 at 8:49AM

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.

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.

Nominations Open for Distinguished Service to Public Education Awards

By MCS Staff

Published February 16, 2023 at 8:41AM

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:

MCPS Athletics Teams Win County Championships

By MCS Staff

Published February 15, 2023 at 5:04PM

Congratulations to the following MCPS high schools that won recent athletics championships! The Sherwood boys’ wrestling team won the 4A North Regional Championship. The James Hubert Blake girls’ indoor track and field team are the 4A West regional champions. Swimming and diving division champs include:

And Northwood won the county championship in bocce for the first time in school history.

Wootton HS Basketball Team and Poms Squad Help Tutor First Graders at Fallsmead ES

By MCS Staff

Published February 15, 2023 at 4:37PM

When they are not playing basketball or performing at games, students from the Thomas S. Wootton High School Basketball team and the Poms Squad volunteer their time at Fallsmead Elementary School. Basketball coach Erick Graves started the Wootton Cares Reading and Mentoring program seven years ago to give his players a way to give back to their community. The poms squad also joined the effort this year.

“I think our guys get a lot out of it. They get to see, you know, the power of their presence, and how the power of a simple high five could change a kid’s day,” coach Graves said. The student-athletes visit the elementary school on Fridays after school about seven to eight times during the basketball season to tutor the students on reading and other subjects.

Message from the MCPS School System Medical Officer: Save-the-Date, Fentanyl Event

By MCS Staff

Published February 15, 2023 at 9:11AM

“Dear MCPS Community,

On Saturday, Jan. 28, more than 1,500 people participated in the Family Forum on Fentanyl at Clarksburg High School. Students, family members and staff were concerned and motivated to keep our youth and communities safe from the dangers of illicit fentanyl.