MCPS is partnering with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to begin vaccinating children ages 6 months to 5 years old on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, by appointment only.
Parents are encouraged to check with their pediatrician for vaccine availability as the majority of vaccine received in Montgomery County has been delivered to the private sector (physicians and pharmacies). County-operated clinics will offer one type of vaccine at each clinic.
One of my top three priorities is rebuilding community trust in MCPS. Relationship building is a two-way endeavor, and these events mark an important step towards upholding our commitment to a strong, trusting relationship, as we collectively work on behalf of the awesome students we are honored to serve. MCPS can be of better service to you if we know each other–if we know and understand the issues of greatest importance to our community. I am committed to transparency and responsiveness as we work to address our challenges and celebrate our many strengths. I am all in for our students, their families and our MCPS staff; I am excited about the conversations we’ve had and those that we have in the future.
We captured your feedback during our recent engagement sessions and you can see it reflected in this document. Your feedback covers a variety of interests, and each item will be examined to identify areas where we can make important improvements or adjustments that will serve students and staff. We spoke with one another about mental health, school safety, staffing concerns, operating budgets, special education student services and so much more. While community feedback is part of my commitment to informing our work, we have to ensure that any resulting action or decision fully supports students, staff and excellence in MCPS. Students First is my commitment to every family across the district.
This school year, more than 1,500 MCPS high school graduates will earn the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy in over 28 languages. the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy recognizes a student’s high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English and one or more languages.
The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by participating school systems that recognizes a student’s high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English and one or more languages. Starting in California in 2011, the Seal of Biliteracy is now offered in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Maryland’s Seal of Biliteracy Bill was signed into law in 2016 and implemented for the first time in 2017.
In honor of Asian Pacific American Islander Heritage Month, 95 K–12 students in 49 schools participated in a poster contest hosted by the Asian Pacific American Student Achievement Action Group. The contest called on students to create original art work to commemorate the histories, challenges and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. All 21 student winners and honorable mentions were honored during a ceremony last month. See the winning artwork.
Winners are:
Samantha Jayasundera will be honored during the 11th annual Montgomery Serves Awards, the county’s highest honor for service and volunteerism, tonight (June 15). This year’s honorees represent volunteers dedicated to programs including social justice and educational advocacy, safety-net healthcare services and outreach to vulnerable populations.
Samantha, a senior at Montgomery Blair High School, will be named a Youth Volunteer of the Year. She is a co-founder of Sankofa Empowering Women in Ghana (SEWING), a women’s empowerment and human rights program combating child labor and female exploitation. Committed to her personal focus of “education for all,” she has spoken on the local, national and international stage, hosted conferences and led large-scale initiatives for education and equity.
Magruder Hugh School’s Colin Abrams has picked up his second national title in four days, easily winning the Emerging Elite 800m race with a personal best of 1:52.6 at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. The Nike Outdoor Nationals are currently wrapping up at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field (June 16-June 19).
According to Magruder Track’s Instagram account, the time is “one of the fastest-ever run by a 14-year-old in the WORLD. It is also the 6th fastest time posted by a freshman, ever, the fastest time run by any American freshman in the 2022 season, a new school record and a new Maryland Freshman Class record.” Colin Abrams will now come home from Oregon a two-time National Champion after his previous first place finish in the Freshman 400m with a time of 49.46.
Magruder High School freshman Colin Abrams will come home from Oregon a National Champion after his first place finish in the Freshman 400m with a time of 49.46. The Nike Outdoor Nationals are currently taking place at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field (June 16-June 19).
According to MileSplitMD, Colin “has a personal best in the 800m of 1:54.71, which is a Maryland freshman class record, and US Frosh No. 1 this season. He sits MD No. 5 overall this season. Abrams is also MD Frosh No. 1 in the 400m this season with his 50.70 FAT personal best.
Learn more:
If you have a child in an MCPS summer program, continue to report positive cases via this form: COVID-19 Google Reporting Form
Updated to reflect the lockdown has been lifted
Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring was in a lockdown earlier this afternoon after a report of a weapon seen outside on school property, according to a message sent to the Blair community by principal Renay Johnson at 2:06pm. The lockdown was lifted after a review of video footage and school administrators are now coordinating dismissal plan. The message sent home at 2:06pm can be seen below:
College Conversations: Connecting Students of Color to Top Colleges is being held from 6:30–8:30 p.m. on July 22. The event is sponsored by MCPS, the NAACP Parents’ Council and Johns Hopkins University. It is geared toward rising seniors of color and their families.
This event will feature college admissions officers discussing financial aid, scholarships and the college admissions process. Other breakout sessions will highlight the college experience, writing college essays and others. Representatives from more than 25 colleges and universities are planning to attend.
Current MCPS Chief of Staff, James D’Andrea, has been announced as principal of Cheltenham High School, effective Friday, July 1, 2022. D’Andrea, who is still listed on the MCPS website as Chief of Staff, was appointed to the position on June 10th, 2021, but did not begin to serve in the position until July 1, 2021. Cheltenham High School is located in Wyncote, PA, which is coincidentally in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The full press release from the school district can be seen below:
“After an extensive search and interview process, Mr. James D’Andrea has been appointed as the principal of Cheltenham High School, effective Friday, July 1, 2022. The board voted to approve his appointment at the Tuesday, June 14 legislative board meeting.