Results of quarterfinal playoff games involving MCPS schools can be seen below. Scores will be updated as we receive them (an F will signify the score is final, no F means the score is from the game while it is/was in progress). If a score isn’t listed, it’s because we haven’t yet received a report from the game.
Gaithersburg Varsity Head Football Coach Tyler Bierly has stepped down from his position with the football program. He was hired by the school in April 2019. His full statement, originally posted on social media, can be seen below:
Featured photo courtesy of @GHS_CoachBierly on Twitter
The Montgomery County Police Department has openings for crossing guards. The position involves helping schoolchildren and other pedestrians cross the street, and providing traffic control at designated crossings. The Montgomery County Police Crossing Guard position involves the safe crossing of school children, other pedestrians, and control of traffic at designated crossings.
Contacts include school children and other pedestrians to issue instructions, such as when to proceed/stop; police officers to report motorists who do not comply with traffic laws; and school officials to report children and motorists who fail to obey instructions of the employee. Direct, routine assistance is provided to pedestrians and/or vehicles at busy intersections. Work may also be performed at other places, such as church crossings, walking field trips, or for special community County-wide events and emergencies. Work is performed independently with periodic checks by police officers at the crossing(s) to which the employee is assigned.
Here are eight things to know for Thursday, Nov. 17. Get information about vital steps taken to support our school buses, another chance to learn about the budget process, the 2022-2023 winter athletics safety plan, how to make sure your voice is heard on the upcoming school calendar, upcoming ESL classes for parents, a call for more crossing guards, exciting wins for our students in sports and music, and reminders about the upcoming school closure.
GOOD NEWS
The Poolesville HS boys cross country team and the Damascus HS cheerleading team won their respective 2A State Championship titles over the weekend. This is the first-ever cheerleading championship title for MCPS.
Congratulations to teams who also made it to the championship finals – Winston Churchill HS boys’ cross country and girls’ field hockey, Walter Johnson HS girls’ cross country, Poolesville girls’ cross country, and Sherwood High School’s cheerleading team which came in third.
Quince Orchard High School hosted a Veterans Day Celebration that coincided with their playoff football game against Northwest High School. The event featured a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter flyover, as well as a Color Guard and soldiers from the U.S. Army as honored guests. Video of the celebration below:
On Oct. 25, the Board of Education adopted a resolution to make modifications to the 2022–2023 school year calendars that include additional systemwide closure days during the winter and spring breaks. The following modifications have been made to the Traditional and Innovative School Year Calendars:
Amended calendar can be seen here. Memorandum to the board can be seen below:
The Network Operations program of the Montgomery County Students Information Technology Foundation, Inc. (ITF) will present a computer lab to American Minority Veterans Research Project (AMVRP) on Nov. 17. ITF students at Clarksburg High School reconditioned six computers with operating systems and prepared monitors, keyboards, mice and a printer. This project provides an opportunity for the ITF students to put into practice their computer maintenance skills, earn student service learning hours, and develop a deeper appreciation for charity and community involvement.
This year’s recipient, AMVRP, is an organization focused on providing research data, referral services, long- and short-term housing benefits, and referrals to veterans and their families throughout Montgomery County. The organization will be able to support MCPS students and families of veterans by offering equitable access to technology. By having students engaged in collaborative educational experiences, AMVRP hopes to strengthen community connections between veterans and students.
About 50 students in the restaurant management and culinary arts program at Thomas Edison High School of Technology participated their annual holiday bake sale. The students bake, and package assorted goodies for their sale, including 109 pies, 120 cheesecakes, 100 dozen oatmeal, cranberry and gluten-free cookies, 100 dozen macaroons, 45 pounds of peppermint bark, along with pints of cranberry sauce and cranberry orange relish. Proceeds from the sale are invested back into the program. See photos of the bake sale preparation.
More about the program: The Restaurant Management/Culinary Arts program offers students the opportunity to explore the food service industry and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to pursue postsecondary education and careers. This program is certified by the American Culinary Federation, a professional organization that works to enhance professional growth for chefs and cooks. In a professional kitchen, students study and practice food safety and sanitation principles, professional food-handling and preparation techniques, and quantity preparation. Students participate in various entrepreneurial ventures through the operation of an in-school café, catering in-school events, and a production bake sale. Students have opportunities to earn an American Culinary Federation Certified Fundamentals Cook Certification (ACF-CFC), ServSafe Food Protection Manager’s Certification, ServSafe Allergens Certification, and Montgomery County Food Handlers License.
Three MCPS teachers have won Teacher of the Year honors from the Society of Health and Physical EducatorsMaryland (SHAPE MD). The trio—Cecilia Chivers, resource teacher at Paint Branch High School; Amanda Quay, teacher at Damascus High School and Jeffrey Watkins, adapted physical education teacher at Longview School—were recognized during the state convention on Nov. 11–12 in Ocean City. More details on each are below:
Cecilia Chivers was named SHAPE MD Health Teacher of the Year. In her 14th year teaching health education at Paint Branch, Chivers teaches inclusion health education classes with special education and general education students. “I want my students to see themselves in the curriculum and be able to integrate healthy habits into their lives immediately,” she said. To accomplish this, she brings in a variety of teaching strategies, creates a warm classroom environment and builds strong relationships with students. She leads students through 10 minutes of mindfulness every Monday and brings in guest speakers to reinforce classroom learning.
The following message concerning next steps in the Antiracist System Audit was emailed to MCPS staff on Friday, Nov. 11:
“Dear Colleagues,