MCPS has released a community message welcoming parents, students, and community members to the 2022-2023 school year. The full message and video can be seen below:
“Dear Parents, Students, and Community Members,
MCPS
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Montgomery County Public Schools and Wheaton Mall (11160 Veirs Mill Rd) will host a free back-to-school event this Saturday, August 27, from 10am-1pm at the mall’s outdoor event and dining space, known as “The Streetery”. Shoppers and members of the community will have the opportunity to learn about the school system, county programs and receive free curriculum resources in addition to family-friendly activities/entertainment and COVID-19 vaccinations. MCPS will be providing shuttle service to the event from Gaithersburg, Montgomery Blair, Paint Branch and Richard Montgomery High Schools. Full details below per Westfield:
Westfield Wheaton will host an annual back-to-school fair in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) on Saturday, August 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will take place in The Streetery, the center’s outdoor event and dining space situated between Macy’s and the food court on Parking Level 2. Shoppers and members of the community will have the opportunity to learn about the school system, county programs and receive free curriculum resources. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will also be providing a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic located at entrance 14 near Dick’s Sporting Goods. To make an appointment with DHHS for vaccination and immunization, please visit the link here.
On Friday Afternoon, MCPS sent an e-mail to teachers offering a $5,000 incentive for dual-certified teachers to transfer from their current assignment into an identified special education program. The e-mail states that the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) agreed to the incentive, “Through a collaborative negotiation with the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), MCPS has agreed to provide a one-time $5,000 incentive to any dual-certificated teacher who volunteers to transfer from their current assignment into an identified special education program. The incentive will be paid in two equal installments, in October and in February, to any teacher selected by MCPS to transfer.”
On Friday evening at 7:30pm, the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) sent a message to members in response to the e-mail offering the incentive. In the message, MCEA states that they have “been engaged in negotiations with MCPS throughout the summer over special education staffing concerns”, but that “when MCPS disseminated their communication MCEA had not ratified or signed any agreement related to incentives for current employees who are dual-certified educators.” The MCEA Board of Directors (BOD) held an emergency meeting on Friday afternoon, following the MCPS email, and voted to reject the tentative agreement because it lacks a binding commitment from MCPS for equitable treatment for current special educators. The BOD has instructed the MCEA negotiation team to go back to the bargaining table to achieve a tentative agreement that includes a complete package that honors the commitment of all special educators.
A notice was sent out by the Democratic Party of Montgomery County informing residents of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden’s visit to the county on August 25th. The event, which has just named Richard Montgomery High School as the location, is to rally Democrats to vote in November’s General Election. Richard Montgomery High School is located at 250 Richard Montgomery Drive in Rockville.
The event requires registration and the full notice sent by the Democratic Party of Montgomery County can be seen below:
Per MCPS and Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight: The Montgomery County Board of Education and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) are committed to providing students with a world-class education, while also addressing their social, emotional and academic needs. This commitment is shared by teachers, administrators, supporting services staff, parents and the community. This letter presents the 2022-2023 School Year Reopening Guide for Schools.
The health and safety of our students and staff remain a top priority. Although COVID-19 is still with us, MCPS intends to carry out its continued commitment to deliver in-person instruction, five days a week, for all of our students. Our new MCPS medical officer, Dr. Patricia Kapunan, will partner with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to help implement COVID-19 guidance, with the goal of maintaining in-person learning while promoting the wellness of our entire school community.
The application is now open for parents and guardians to complete and submit for assistance with the cost of school meals. Families of students who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals can apply for this service. Eligibility is based on family size and gross income. Beginning this year, students in Maryland who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for breakfast or lunch meals. Additional information below, per MCPS:
Apply online NOW at MySchoolApps.com (Translations available) Click here for an English video tutorial. Click here for a Spanish video tutorial.
The Thomas Edison High School of Technology will be holding a Back-to-School Open House between 5:30pm and 7pm on Wednesday, August 17th. The school is attached to Wheaton High School and located at 12502 Dalewood Drive. The event will allow community members to join the TEHST leadership team for games, conversation, and school tours.
Anyone interested in joining the waitlist for one of the school’s programs for the upcoming school year (2022-2023) can click HERE to access the application page.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has reached an agreement with the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) to provide a $2,750 financial incentive to special education teachers who are hired for the 2022-2023 school year.
“We are happy to be able to offer this incentive to help fill these critical positions,” said Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight. “We are working diligently to fill every position and be 100 percent staffed come the first day of school, especially for our most vulnerable students in special education.”
After seeing a similar Facebook group in Frederick County reach over 3,000 members, MCPS teachers Jennifer Wilson and Kate Stone decided to create a Montgomery County version that allows community members to “adopt” an MCPS teacher and support them buy purchasing items for the teacher off of the teacher’s Amazon wishlist. “People have always want to donate to teachers, so we just wanted to make it easier for them to be able to do it.” Wilson told us. In less than three days, the Facebook group has over 1,000 members with hundreds of gifts already donated to local teachers.
Here’s how it works: Teachers create and share their public wishlist in a post, making sure to include the wishlist link in a post. Teachers are encouraged to include information about themselves and the school they teach at. Community members then have the option to purchase one or more items from any wishlist they choose to support. Community members are encouraged to let the teacher know they purchased something from the wishlist. If they choose to, multiple people can adopt one teacher and one person can adopt multiple teachers. Everyone is encouraged to be nice to each other.
On Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Northwest High School will host a clusterwide event featuring activities, games, and MCPS and PTA resources. Learn more here.
On Aug. 21, from noon to 4 p.m., Rockville High School will host Rockville Day, a back-to-school bash also with activities and community partner support. Learn more here.