MCPS Archives - Page 227 of 275

Poolesville High School Breaks Ground For Modernization/Expansion and More Good News Out of MCPS

Published June 11, 2022 at 2:16PM

Poolesville High School held a ceremonial groundbreaking for its modernization and expansion currently underway. Poolesville is adding 160,000 square feet and renovating 60,000 square feet of the existing school. When completed in December 2024, the school, which currently has 1,274 students, will be able to house 1,500 students.

On June 2, Gaithersburg Middle School hosted the second annual joint Model UN Conference with Silver Spring International Middle School. Ninety students participated in the one-day event. The four committee sessions, run by seventh and eighth graders, debated climate change and press freedom. This was the first in-person middle school Model UN conference at an MCPS school. The program is in its seventh year and taught by Julie Sanders.

Seneca Valley High School Achieves LEED Silver Certification

By MCS Staff

Published June 11, 2022 at 2:10PM

At more than 439,000 square feet, Seneca Valley High School is the largest MCPS project to have achieved certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system, the most widely used green building rating system in the world. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Points are assessed during project design and after construction to achieve a final rating of Certified, Silver or Gold. With Seneca Valley’s Silver certification, the total number of MCPS schools with LEED certification is 37.

“Seneca Valley High School students and families prioritized environmental consciousness throughout the design process for their new building, noting that we must all play our role in ensuring a safe and sustainable future for our children and our community,” said Dr. Marc Cohen, principal at Seneca Valley.

MCPS: Board of Education Administrative Appointments

By MCS Staff

Published June 11, 2022 at 2:08PM

The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments at its June 7 business meeting:

Lisa J. Bain, school secretary at Lakelands Park Middle School, died on May 25. She was 54 years old and had been with MCPS for more than 13 years.

MCPS: Seven Things to Know for Thursday, June 9

By Patrick Herron

Published June 9, 2022 at 6:10PM

MCPS piloted the Out-of-School Time program to provide students and families with engaging options for students on days when school was not in session. These in-person and/or virtual activities supported academic skills, physical and emotional wellness, art and digital learning skills.

Please participate in a focus group for parents, guardians, and caregivers. This is an opportunity for your voice to be heard! As part of the Antiracist System Audit, MCPS is looking for parents and guardians from different racial and cultural backgrounds to share their experiences. These will be 60 to 90 minutes on Zoom. The conversations are completely confidential.

Board of Education Approves $2.92 Billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2023

By MCS Staff

Published June 9, 2022 at 5:49AM

On June 7, the Montgomery County Board of Education adopted a $2.92 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. This is an increase of $137.9 million (5 percent) from the current FY 2022 budget. The budget will allow MCPS to provide a continuation of key services, provide critical support to students for mental health and well-being and cover pandemic increases on operating costs.

“This budget will help the school system to continue moving forward, improving teaching and learning for all students, and advancing equity and excellence in MCPS,” said Board President Brenda Wolff. “We must continue to do all we can to eliminate disparities in academic achievement and ensure our students have the resources needed for a healthy and safe school environment. We want to thank County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Gabe Albornoz and the entire County Council for its commitment to the students of Montgomery County Public Schools.”

MCPS Hosts First “Grow Your Own” Recruitment Event

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2022 at 7:21PM

MCPS hosted a Future Educators celebration for 12 graduating seniors on June 8. The Office of Human Resources and Development has been working on a “Grow Your Own” strategy to attract, recruit and excite MCPS students with the possibility of a teaching career with the district.

The event recognized the students for their outstanding academic performance and commitment to return to MCPS once they have finished college.

Myles Frost, a 2017 Wootton Graduate, Earns Tony Award Nomination For His Performance as Michael Jackson in MJ The Musical

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2022 at 7:49AM

Myles Frost graduated from Wootton High School in Rockville in 2017. Four years later, in December of 2021, he took over the role of Michael Jackson on Broadway’s MJ. Frost, who plays the King of Pop in the new musical, received a Tony Award nomination for his Broadway debut.

He was nominated for ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical. “It’s been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I’ve been introduced to so many different things…it’s been an amazing honor.” Frost told Broadway World in a recent interview.

Wootton High School To Begin Search For New Principal Following Promotion of Current Principal, Ms. Kimberly Boldon

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2022 at 1:02PM

The Montgomery County Board of Education today appointed Wootton principal Ms. Kimberly Boldon to the role of Consulting Principal, following 19 years at the school as an administrator and teacher, with the last seven as principal.

A letter was sent to the Wootton community providing information about the timeline and process for the selection of the new principal. The selection process will include an opportunity for staff and families to provide input. The full letter can be seen below.

MCPS Students Win Congressional Art Contest

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2022 at 7:54AM

Congressman David Trone (MD-06) announced the winners of the Congressional Art Competition from Maryland’s 6th District. Each year, the House of Representatives hosts the Congressional Art Competition, recognizing high school artists who live or attend school in each Congressional district.

“Maryland is home to some of the most creative students in the nation, and their talent was put in the spotlight during this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” said Congressman David Trone. “We selected our first place winner through public voting on social media, with Emily Duan of Richard Montgomery High School receiving the most votes for her artwork entitled, ‘Reminiscence.’ Thank you to everyone who participated, and congratulations to Emily and our other winners for their incredible work.”

MCPS Releases “After-Action” Report on January Shooting at Magruder High School

By Patrick Herron

Published June 6, 2022 at 8:39PM | Updated June 7, 2022 at 8:18AM

As required by Maryland state law, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) submitted a required “After-Action” report of the Jan. 21 shooting incident to the Maryland Center for School Safety. The center has reviewed the report and is making it available to members of the media by request. We provide that report to you here so that our community has a full understanding of what happened and what is being done to implement lessons learned.

Highlights of the report include:

Help a Student in Need by Donating to Annual GIVE BACKpacks Campaign

By MCS Staff

Published June 6, 2022 at 9:33AM

Consider donating to the 11th annual MCPS GIVE BACKpacks campaign to support the distribution of backpacks and school supplies to students in MCPS schools. We need your support, now more than ever, as the cost per backpack with supplies has increased to $15 due to supply chain and inflation issues and we have even more students who will need help accessing school supplies this fall.

MCPS places orders throughout the summer with a goal of providing as many students as possible with a backpack with school supplies at the start of the school year. June, July and August are critical months to raise funds and place orders. Please help spread the word about this campaign by sharing the campaign flyer with colleagues, family, friends and faith-based organizations and community members and asking them to donate. Every donation helps a student in need.