MCPS Archives - Page 215 of 287

MCPS and MCDOT Collaborate on “Walking School Bus” Initiative

Published December 2, 2022 at 7:16AM

The MCPS Department of Transportation and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Safe Routes to School are looking for adult volunteers to help energize a safe and fun way for children to get physical activity as they walk to and from school with supervision.

The Walking School Bus program allows for students to walk along a set route with one or more adults leading the way, picking children up at designated stops along a predetermined route and walking them to school. Interested adult volunteers can sign up to request more information and to speak with an MCPS and/or MCDOT representative about starting this program in their school community.

MCPS: Six Things to Know For Thursday, December 1

By MCS Staff

Published December 1, 2022 at 11:14PM

Here are six things to know in MCPS for Thursday, Dec. 1. Get information about a Walking School Bus initiative, an upcoming mental health forum, how to stay involved in the operating budget process, a retirement celebration for longtime Board of Education member Dr. Judith Docca, reminders about inclement weather information, and two football teams making it to this year’s state championship.

The Walking School Bus program allows for students to walk along a set route with one or more adults leading the way, picking children up at designated stops along a predetermined route and walking them to school.

Quince Orchard vs. Flowers: Maryland Football 4A State Championship Updates

By Damon Anderson

Published December 1, 2022 at 8:37PM | Updated December 1, 2022 at 10:26PM

4A Football Maryland State Championship Game: (2) Quince Orchard vs. (1) Flowers

In-game updates by Damon Anderson:

MoCo Native Johnny Hodges Earns Two Big 12 Awards

By MCS Staff

Published December 1, 2022 at 8:13PM

The All-Big 12 Conference football teams and individual award winners have been announced and Montgomery County’s very own Johnny Hodges has earned two awards. Selections are made by the league’s 10 head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own players.

Hodges, a 6’2, 240 pound junior linebacker from Darnestown, who graduated from Quince Orchard High School in 2019, is a starting linebacker for the TCU Horned Frogs– currently ranked 3rd in the country. He has been named to the 2022 All-Big 12 Second Team and won the award for “Defensive Newcomer of the Year.” Hodges was also recently named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the week after he had a team-best and season-high 11 tackles, more than double the next-closest Horned Frog, to lead a strong defensive effort in then No. 4 TCU’s 17-10 win over then No. 18 Texas. The junior LB had 1.5 tackles for loss as part of his 11 stops and combined on a tackle for no gain on a 4th-and-1 Bijan Robinson rush on Texas’ opening series to set the tone for the game.

WIN Time Increases Math and Literacy MAP Scores Goshen Elementary School

By MCS Staff

Published December 1, 2022 at 4:43PM

All Goshen Elementary School students participate in What I Need (WIN) Time for 30 minutes per day, four times per week, for additional enrichment in reading and math. 80 percent of students increased math and literacy MAP scores between fall 2021 and spring 2022. The video below discusses WIN time and how it has been effective for students at Goshen:

Montgomery Blair Student Malaika Wande Experiences Being a Montgomery County Councilmember for a Day

By MCS Staff

Published December 1, 2022 at 3:54PM

Malaika Wande, a 10th grader at Montgomery Blair High School, was named Councilmember for a Day on Nov. 15. Wande’s passion is advocating for affordable housing, especially for families looking to move from renting to owning a home. She proposes expanding affordable housing and ownership programs in Montgomery County due to the rise in prices in Montgomery County and across the state.

Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice has selected a student to be Councilmember for a Day since 2016. Councilmember Rice created the recognition to engage youth in the county to write about issues they care about and connect with their local government to enact change.

MCPS Honors Retiring Dr. Judith Docca, Longtime BOE Member And MCPS Employee

By MCS Staff

Published December 1, 2022 at 2:18PM

MCPS held a retirement celebration for Dr. Judith Docca, longtime Montgomery County Board of Education member and former MCPS employee, at the Universities at Shady Grove on Nov. 29.

Dr. Docca spent 38 years with MCPS—as a teacher, human relations specialist, assistant principal at Montgomery Blair High School and principal at Argyle Middle School. She was elected to four four-year terms on the Board of Education. The Montgomery Blair High School Jazz Combo played during the celebration; there was also a performance from the NAACP’s Afro Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) vocalist Kevin Dukes.

Forum on Examining Mental Health in Our Communities Set for Dec. 6

By MCS Staff

Published December 1, 2022 at 10:42AM

MCPS is hosting Your Story Matters, a mental health forum for parents and caregivers that will include panel discussions and workshops. The event will be held in person from 6–8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at Richard Montgomery High School. Doors open at 6 p.m. with information tables and welcome activities; the program begins at 6:30 p.m. High school students are also welcome to attend.

The four panel discussions for Your Story Matters will be focused on the African American, Asian and Hispanic communities. For the Hispanic community, there will be a panel presented in English and a separate panel presented in Spanish. Topics will focus on anxiety and depression, grief during the holidays and academic stress. Panels will also examine the stigma around mental health in those specific communities.

MCPS: Nominate Exceptional Teachers, Supporting Services Staff, and Administrators For a Variety of Awards

By MCS Staff

Published December 1, 2022 at 8:44AM

silver cup

Awards season is here! Don’t forget to nominate exceptional teachers, supporting services staff and administrators for top honors. A variety of awards are accepting submissions and deadlines are fast approaching. More information below:

The Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award: The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Teacher of the Year Award honors a full-time kindergarten through Grade 12 teacher with a minimum of six years’ experience as an MCPS teacher. The MCPS Teacher of the Year will represent MCPS as its nominee for the Maryland State Teacher of the Year award. Submit applications to Maria Lopez-Silvero in the Office of Human Resources and Development. Deadline: midnight on Friday, Dec. 16

Marquez Cooper (QO, Class of 2020) Named to All-MAC First Team Offense

By MCS Staff

Published December 1, 2022 at 8:37AM

2020 Quince Orchard graduate Marquez Cooper has earned his first all-conference (Mid-American Conference) after posting the sixth 1,300+ yard season in Kent State football history.

In high school, Cooper led Quince Orchard to a 12-1 record and the No. 11 ranking in the state of Maryland. He helped the team to a 2019 MPSSAA 4A state semifinal appearance, rushing for 2,897 yards and 51 touchdowns in just two years of high school football.

Community Letter Addresses Graffiti With Threatening Language at Kennedy High School

By MCS Staff

Published December 1, 2022 at 8:30AM

A letter (seen below) was communicated to the John F. Kennedy High School community, in Silver Spring, informing parents and guardians of an incident that occurred at school on Wednesday involving graffiti with threatening language found in the bathroom. Per the letter, the threat is not believed to be credible, but school administrators, the security team, and the community engagement police officer will continue to be visible and on high alert this week. The full letter can be seen below:

“Dear Cavalier Parents and Guardians,