The Board of Education has approved agreements with the employee associations that allow for a 3.35 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all permanent employees and substitute teachers, a step increase for eligible employees, and a longevity increase for eligible supporting services employees. The pay increases will go into effect on Dec. 17, 2022. Look for the increase in your Jan. 13, 2023, paycheck.
SEIU employees will receive—
Students at North Bethesda Middle School enjoyed a visit from Kwame Alexander, poet, educator and New York Times bestselling author of 36 books. Students asked questions about his books, writing process and the new TV series Crossover that will be out on Disney+.
Alexander was born in Manhattan, New York, and grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia. His father was a scholar and book publisher and his mother was an educator. Alexander’s picture book Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band, was selected for the 2014 “Michigan Reads! One State, One Children’s Book” program. He won a 2020 Newberry Honor for his illustrated poem The Undefeated. Alexander also runs the Bookinaday program to introduce children to writing and publishing.
Per MCPS: Due to a recent change in a Maryland law, students will not be charged to participate in dual-enrollment programs. Montgomery College will refund students who have paid tuition for college courses taken this fall. Students taking college courses during the remainder of this school year will not be charged tuition, but may be responsible for other college costs, such as textbooks or fees. Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, all eligible students may take approved college courses at no cost. FAQ Below:
Per MCPS: COVID-19 rates have been increasing in the Washington, D.C. region, according to the county health department. Within our school system, we have also seen the anticipated rise in COVID-19 cases since the return from Thanksgiving. As we head into winter break, here are a few reminders:
Additional information per MCPS: While Montgomery County is currently at a “low” COVID-19 community risk level, any increase is a cause for concern and careful monitoring. There are multiple steps we can take to reduce the impact of respiratory infections on our community, especially severe illness:
The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) held a business meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. During the meeting, the Board elected new officers, adopted the 2023-2024 school year calendar, and discussed an overview of the superintendent’s recommended fiscal year 2024 operating budget. The agenda for the meeting, with related links, can be viewed on the Board website. Watch the meeting recording.
Election of Board Officers: Karla Silvestre was selected by her colleagues to serve as president of the Board. Shebra L. Evans was selected vice president. Both officers will serve a one-year term.
Per MCPS: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and County partners to discuss dangerous trend in substance use and how the school community is responding. This will include a demonstration of administering Narcan, a medicine that counteracts the effects of an Opioid overdose.
MCPS continues to work diligently alongside local government authorities and community partners on a comprehensive and coordinated approach to this dangerous epidemic. This effort is part of a series of outreach efforts to raise awareness to parents and caregivers to educate themselves and foster conversations with children about the dangers of drug use, specifically fentanyl and how to avoid use, family expectations around use, and the availability of help and support.
1. Quince Orchard 14-0: The Cougars defeated Flowers from PG county, in the 4A State title game, 32-7. RB Iverson Howard had 195 yards rushing and 2 TDs and DE Jaylen Harvey 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble & a blocked punt, in the win. QO won their 5th overall State Championship and their 3rd in 5 years. With the victory Head Coach John Kelley earned his 100th victory.
2. Damascus 13-1: The Swarmin’ Hornets beat Oakdale from Frederick county, in the 3A State title game 21-14. RB Dillion Dunathan had 228 yards rushing and 2 TDs and DT Will Terry had 6 tackles and 1 sack in the win. Damascus won their 12th State championship, tying Seneca Valley & Dunbar for the most all time in Maryland.
More than 100 French Immersion sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from Silver Spring International Middle School participated in the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. First lady Dr. Jill Biden invited the students to participate in the visit. Students and the first ladies, both educators, toured Planet Word in Washington, D.C., and enjoyed a poetry reading. Some students had the opportunity to greet and engage with them over an interactive book device in the library.
MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight will deliver a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19 at Northwest High School. The public will be able to watch live on the MCPS website, MCPS-TV YouTube channel and MCPS-TV channels in English and Spanish. There will be opening comments from Scott Smith, principal at Northwest and Karla Silvestre, president of the Board of Education. The presentation from Dr. McKnight will outline the goals, priorities and investments planned for the FY 2024 school year.
What is illicit fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a prescription medication for pain that is 50-100 times more powerful than morphine. The type of fentanyl driving overdose deaths is illegally made and sold in the form of powder, pills, liquid, or nasal sprays. Other drug products like marijuana, cocaine, heroin or illegally sold pills thought to be prescription medicine may be laced with illicit fentanyl, without the knowledge of the user.
Kamie Crawford, a 2010 graduate of Churchill High School, has just announced that she’ll be the host of the latest season of Are You The One?, which will air exclusively on Paramount+ after 8 seasons on MTV and a 3 year break. Crawford is no stranger to MTV, as she she served as part of a panel of rotating hosts for the second part of season 7 of the television series Catfish after Max Joseph’s departure from the series. In 2020, she became the permanent co-host of the MTV series.
On July 24, 2010, just weeks after graduating from Churchill High School in Potomac, Crawford represented Maryland in the Miss Teen USA 2010 pageant where she made history by being the first contestant from Maryland to win the title. While at Churchill, Crawford was the captain of the Varsity cheerleading team. She was selected into the medical program for the Congressional Student Leadership Conference at Georgetown University. In September 2010, Crawford enrolled in classes at the New York Film Academy while taking some core classes at a local college. She graduated from Fordham University in 2015 with a degree in communications and media and began a career in television and hosting.