MCPS

Two Students, From Blair and Clarksburg High Schools, Named U.S. Presidential Scholars

By MCS Staff

The U.S. Depertment of Education announced the 161 students who were named to the United States Presidential Scholars Program on Thursday. The two Maryland students who were named are both MCPS students– Dhruv Bhandarkar Pai of Potomac, who attends Montgomery Blair High School and Sarah Rachel Thomas of Clarksburg, who attends Clarksburg High School.

According to Department of Education, The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our Nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the Program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the Nation’s highest honors for high school students. The Scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people. In honoring the U.S. Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States symbolically honors all graduating high school seniors of high potential.

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MCPS Addresses Rising Covid-19 Case Rates in Latest Community Update; Implements Focused Mask Use in Specific Classes/Schools

By MCS Staff

MCPS has addressed rising COVID-19 case rates in Montgomery County in an update sent out to the community this afternoon. In the update, seen below, MCPS states that the CDC maintains that the impact on the community is “low” and has implemented focused mask use in specific classes and schools. The update regarding Covid-19 can be seen below:

You can see the specifics on the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services data dashboard and the MCPS data dashboard.

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Flyover of What Woodward High School Will Look Like Upon Completion of Construction

By MCS Staff

MCPS has released a “flyover” of what Charles W. Woodward High School will look like upon its completion (video available below). The school originally opened in 1966. Two decades later, in 1987, its students were merged into Walter Johnson High School. Woodward and Walter Johnson High Schools had the same diminished enrollment levels, but MCPS decided to preserve Walter Johnson given the schools larger capacity.

After a brief period as a holding school while Springbrook High was being renovated, the building was used to house Tilden Middle School while that school’s facility began a major renovation project. Tilden relocated to its new building during the summer of 2020.

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MCPS Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight to be Paid Annual Salary of $320,000

By Patrick Herron

On Tuesday, the Montgomery County’s Board of Education approved a four-year contract that finalizes Monifa B. McKnight as superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools and will pay her an annual base salary of $320,000.  According to a report by the Washington Post, the contract will require McKnight, who currently resides in Prince George’s County, to relocate to Montgomery County “as soon as possible”, but no later than June 30, 2022, with the BOE paying up to $15,000 in relocation costs. McKnight and her family currently reside in Prince George’s County. McKnight will receive 30 days of paid annual leave and an additional 25 days for sick/personal leave, as well as a vehicle paid BOE. You can view the full contract here.

On Tuesday McKnight sent out a community message announcing a 3.35% cost of living adjustment and step wage increases for eligible MCPS employees.

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New MCPS Elementary School in Gaithersburg to be Named In Memory of Harriet Tubman

By MCS Staff

Earlier today, the Montgomery County Board of Education unanimously voted to name the upcoming Gaithersburg Elementary School #8 in memory of Harriet Tubman– an American abolitionist and social activist. The additional list of names the Board of Education had previously narrowed it down to can be seen below.

In February, Dr. Cavena J. Griffith was appointed as Principal at the upcoming Gaithersburg Elementary School #8. She is currently the principal intern at Whetstone Elementary School. in Griffith’s presentation earlier today, she stated that the name name aligns with MCPS core values– learning, relationships, equity, respect and excellence.

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MCPS Community Message: Superintendent Dr. McKnight Announces 3.35% Costs of Living Adjustment and Step Wage Increases for Those Eligible

By Patrick Herron

Through resolve, flexibility and agility, MCPS staff members have been heroes in our community during unprecedented and challenging times. Over the last year, our staff has operated on virtual and hybrid platforms before returning full-time to the classroom this school year. These new employee agreements recognize these efforts, and it is a privilege to provide our employees with the compensation and conditions that acknowledge their significant achievements. It is my hope that these new agreements represent one more way we are working to recognize, reward and retain our educators and staff, while providing much deserved further incentive to continue to serve our community.

These agreements maintain MCPS’ status as a premier destination for all employees. The new agreements include a 3.35% cost-of-living increase and a salary step increase, which combine to equal, effectively, an over 6% increase in the salaries of our employees. This is the highest increase, reached in the shortest amount of time, in more than a decade. Also included in the agreements is a commitment to professional development to support the desire of our teachers to perform at their best, enhancements that are directed toward administrators who have committed the greatest number of years of service to our students and community, and a renewed focus on employee well-being. All of this combines to serve as further proof of the high value we place on our employees and their contributions to our schools.

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MCPS: Special Education Summit Set for June 4

By MCS Staff

MCPS parents, staff and community members are invited to the 8th annual Special Education Summit, Leading the Way Today, Partnering for a Better Tomorrow. The summit will be held virtually from 9 a.m.–noon on Saturday, June 4.

The keynote speaker is Patricia Crain de Galarce, Ed.D., director of the Center for Inclusive and Special Education, and associate dean in the Graduate School of Education at Lesley University.

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MCPS: New LGBTQ+ Webpage Includes Resources for Students, Parents and Staff

By MCS Staff

MCPS has launched a resources webpage with helpful information for LGBTQ+ students, parents and staff. Per MCPS: The webpage includes emergency hotline numbers; resource sections for students, staff and parents, as well as a calendar of upcoming awareness holidays and visibility days.

Staff resources include information on supporting LGBTQ+ students at home and in the classroom, informational handouts for sharing and a glossary of terms supported by MoCo Pride Center. The student resource section includes links to MCPS policies, support meeting information, the curriculum and resources in relation to athletics. Parental resources include educational resources and bullying report forms.

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11 Individuals, Organizations Recognized for Distinguished Service by Montgomery County Board of Education

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Board of Education has announced its recipients for the 25th Annual Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education. The awards were established by the Board of Education to recognize and show appreciation for exemplary contributions to public education and to MCPS. Nominations were received from the general community, as well as community organizations, businesses, the superintendent and Board members. More information on the awardees will be shared in the next few weeks.

This year’s Distinguished Service Award winners are:

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Churchill Lacrosse Coach Jeff Fritz Celebrates 300th Career Win

By MCS Staff

Yesterday Winston Churchill High School in Potomac celebrated Jeff Fritz’s 300th victory as head lacrosse coach at the school.

Churchill welcomed Montgomery County Councilmember and alumnus Andrew Friedson to the school’s game against Sherwood High School. At halftime Councilmember Friedson presented his old lacrosse coach with a Proclamation from Montgomery County for Coach Fritz’s 300th career win.

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