Last Friday we let you know that Kusshi Sushi, a popular sushi and Japanese cuisine restaurant in Pike & Rose that has just opened its second MoCo location in Downtown Silver Spring (8512 Fenton Street), will be feeding the staff members of 48 different Montgomery County schools. The restaurant has now upped it to 65 schools (full list available below), following an outpouring of support.

Kusshi Sushi co-owner Wesley Yao posted a contest to social media offering to feed the staff of one MCPS school that would be randomly selected after participants tagged and MCPS teacher or school. 48 different schools were tagged and Yao was going to start the process of randomly selecting a school. “When I saw how much each of those who entered wanted to win, I couldn’t choose just one…so we’re going to feed every school that was nominated.” Yao told us.


Jake Funk was drafted in the 7th round of the 2021 draft by the Los Angeles and won a Super Bowl with the team in his first year in the NFL. He remained with the team for the first part of the 2022 NFL season, but was released earlier in the week before finding a new home in New Orleans when the Saints signed the running back to the practice squad on Wednesday.

Jake Funk holds the Maryland state record for career touchdowns from when he was a student at Damascus High School. He went on to play at the University of Maryland before getting drafted by the Rams with the 5th pick of the 7th round in 2021. In New Orleans, he joins veteran Jordan Howard who was also signed to the teams practice squad, to prepare begging active roster running backs Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, and Dwayne Washington.


“Dear MCPS Community,

Last week, we saw an increase in classroom outbreaks of COVID-19. While the overall Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Risk Level is LOW for Montgomery County, we should remain vigilant about preventing the spread of COVID-19, as well as other respiratory viruses, including influenza and RSV. There are a few things we can do to promote health in our school community:


Walk to School Day demonstrated another great example of the amazing experiences we can create when we come together to rally behind our schools, students and their safety. And I want to thank you for investing in our school community in so many different ways.

At Glen Haven Elementary School, for example, principal Tara Strain, physical education teacher Mary Jo Stolte and counselor Rebecca H. Willis led an effort to gather the community at a local park so that everyone could safely walk to school together, supported by our police partners who ensured the proper precautions were in place on the roads.


Kusshi Sushi, a popular sushi and Japanese cuisine restaurant in Pike & Rose that has just opened its second MoCo location in Downtown Silver Spring (8512 Fenton Street), will be feeding the staff members of 48 different Montgomery County schools.

The restaurant posted a contest to social media offering to feed the staff of one MCPS school that would be randomly selected after participants tagged and MCPS teacher or school. 48 different schools were tagged and Kusshi co-owner Wesley Yao was going to start the process of randomly selecting a school. “When I saw how much each of those who entered wanted to win, I couldn’t choose just one…so we’re going to feed every school that was nominated.” Yao told us.


Donald De La Haye Jr., also known online as Deestroying, is a Costa Rican-American YouTuber with almost 5 million followers on the platform and millions more across other forms of social media. He played college football at the University of Central Florida, where he was a kicker for the team. On Friday, September 30th he was at Seneca Valley High School to watch the then-undefeated Screaming Eagles take on undefeated Quince Orchard High School (video below).

De La Haye is known for his videos demonstrating his kicking ability as well as his sports-related skits and vlogs talking about his life journey. He also made news while in college when the NCAA controversially banned him for profiting off his name and YouTube videos, which sparked reform for student athlete compensation and became a driver for the implementation of a fair and balanced set of rules for student-athletes to monetize their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).


On Wednesday it was announced in a letter to the community  by Gaithersburg High School Principal Cary Dimmick, Northwest High School Principal Scott Smith, and MCPS Systemwide Director of Athletics Jeff Sullivan that the Gaithersburg High School Athletic Specialist position and the Northwest High School head and assistant varsity football coach positions will be vacated following an investigation by MCPS of a physical altercation that occurred during the football game between the schools on September 16th.

On Thursday afternoon a petition was created anonymously in support of the reinstatement of Northwest head football coach Travis Hawkins. In four hours the petition has been signed by over 1,000 people.


The Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award: The Montgomery County Teacher of the Year Award honors a full-time kindergarten through Grade 12 teacher who has a demonstrated record of high academic expectations for all students, engaging students of all backgrounds and abilities, contributing to a positive school culture, and connecting with the school community. Nominees must have a minimum of six years’ experience as an MCPS teacher. The Montgomery County Teacher of the Year goes on to 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

 Montgomery County Public Schools Rising Star Teacher Award: The MCPS Rising Star Teacher Award honors a full-time pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 teacher who is in their first, second or third year of teaching. This award winner is a teacher who demonstrates a passion for the success of all students, creatively engages students in learning and contributes to a strong, positive partnership among students, staff, parents and the community. The winner will be recognized at a celebration in the spring and will receive a monetary award. Submit applications to Maria Lopez-Silvero in the Office of Human Resources and Development. Deadline: midnight on Friday, Dec. 16


View More Stories