Education

Churchill Student Starts Nonprofit That Offers Low-Income Communities Equal Access to Athletic Equipment

By MCS Staff

Winston Churchill High School field hockey player Laura Jablonover founded Project Happy Feet, a nonprofit that offers people living in low-income communities equal access to athletic equipment. The organization started by collecting more than 80 pairs of shoes, which were recycled by a third-party charity. Project Happy Feet has received donations and is collecting shoe donations at Churchill and at Thomas S. Wootton High School.

Earlier this school year, Churchill’s Athletic Coordinator Jesse Smith shared the following: “How can we make athletic opportunities more accessible to student-athletes in low-income areas?” Winston Churchill field hockey player Laura Jablonover wondered after attending a summer camp in Washington, DC, where she saw several schools in low-income districts. Laura, determined to help fix the problem, founded Project Happy Feet, a nonprofit that offers low-income communities equal access to athletic equipment. Over the summer, Project Happy Feet collected over 80 pairs of shoes, which were then recycled by a third-party charity. Project Happy Feet will also receive more than $90 to donate to schools in the following week. Additionally, Project Happy Feet has placed boxes in the main offices of Winston Churchill High School and Thomas Wootton High School for students to contribute and donate shoes. Boxes will soon be added to places such as gyms and sportsplex. However, if you are not looking to donate shoes, Project Happy Feet is holding a bake sale this week to gather funds for advertisements and boxes. Laura aims to grow Project Happy Feet and give a great number of student-athletes equal opportunities to play the sports they love.

Go to Churchill Student Starts Nonprofit That Offers Low-Income Communities Equal Access to Athletic Equipment Read more

Seneca Valley High School Sophomore, Sanaa Chege, Writes Children’s Book

By MCS Staff

Sanaa Chege, a sophomore at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, has written a children’s book about her experiences on the diving team at school. She began diving just last fall and now dives year-round. After seeing a lack of diversity on her team, she decided to write a book to share her journey to encourage and inspire others. Her children’s book, “A Diver Like Me” will be published in February 2024.

Additional information, per her website: “Sanaa B. Chege is not your typical high school student. Hailing from Maryland, Sanaa is a young trailblazer who has been making waves, both in and out of the pool. Her journey into the world of competitive diving began in the fall of 2022, and it’s been nothing short of extraordinary.

Go to Seneca Valley High School Sophomore, Sanaa Chege, Writes Children’s Book Read more

Two MCPS Teachers Named P.E. and Health Teachers of The Year in Maryland

By MCS Staff

Two MCPS teachers have won top honors from the Society of Health and Physical Educators Maryland (SHAPE MD). They were recognized for their work and contributions to health education, physical education (P.E.) and/or student wellness. Brian Baker of Takoma Park Middle School was named Middle School Physical Educator Teacher of the Year. Heather Giovenco of Sherwood High School was named Health Educator of the Year.

Three staff members also received the Simon A. McNeely Award, given to teachers who demonstrate outstanding innovation in teaching health education or P.E., along with active involvement in school and community affairs. They were: Heather N. Bruns, health teacher at William H. Farquhar Middle School; Jamie Unger, P.E. teacher at William Tyler Page Elementary School; and Stacy Azizirad, teacher of adapted P.E., Wheaton High School.

Go to Two MCPS Teachers Named P.E. and Health Teachers of The Year in Maryland Read more

Watkins Mill Athletic Director Provides Principal With Encouraging Update

By MCS Staff

Watkins Mill High School athletic coordinator, Lisa Magness, provided new school principal Vilma Najera with an encouraging update following an analysis of the Fall sports teams at the Montgomery Village school. The full letter can be seen below.

“Dear Ms. Najera: I have completed the academic analysis of the Fall sports’ teams at Watkins Mill High School. Using the data from the 1″ marking period report cards, I found some terrific information:

Go to Watkins Mill Athletic Director Provides Principal With Encouraging Update Read more

Approximately 50 Clarksburg High School Students Plan Walkout Thursday Morning in Support of Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

By MCS Staff

Updated to include full community letter sent out by Clarksburg High School principal, Edward Owusu.

Over 50 students are expected to participate in a walkout at Clarksburg High School tomorrow in support of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, according to the President of the school’s Student Government Association (SGA), Sabrin Niamathullah. According to Niamathullah, the walkout is being hosted by her and the school’s Muslim Student Association and will occur during second period on Thursday, November 9th.

Go to Approximately 50 Clarksburg High School Students Plan Walkout Thursday Morning in Support of Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza Read more

MCPS Pre-K/Head Start Coat Drive Begins

By MCS Staff

The Prekindergarten and Head Start offices are accepting donations of new coats for students in need. Hats, gloves, scarves and boots are also welcome. Donations are needed for boys and girls in sizes 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Items can be dropped off in person from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday– Friday, at Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Room 141, Rockville, MD 20852. Items may be dropped off in person from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday – Friday, or may be ordered online and delivered directly to Rocking Horse Road Center, to the attention of Lisa Conlon.

Go to MCPS Pre-K/Head Start Coat Drive Begins Read more

Nick News and Co-Host Khalil Greene (MoCo Native) Nominated For Children’s and Family Emmy Award

By MCS Staff

Nick News, with co-host/correspondent Kahlil Greene (a MoCo native known by many as the “Gen-Z Historian”), has been nominated for a Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Best Non-Fiction Program. He has been with the revamped version of the show since February of this year.

Greene, a Germantown native, was born at Holy Cross Hospital, attended Daly Elementary School and Fox Chapel Elementary School before moving on to Neelsville Middle School (all in Germantown) and then Poolesville High School before attending Yale University and becoming the school’s first Black student body President.

Go to Nick News and Co-Host Khalil Greene (MoCo Native) Nominated For Children’s and Family Emmy Award Read more

AP School Honor Roll Recognizes 18 MCPS High Schools for Outstanding Achievement

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is proud to announce that 18 of 25 district high schools have been recognized on the prestigious 2023 AP School Honor Roll.This achievement highlights the district’s commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities and preparing students for college, career and community.

The Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll is a recognition program across the U.S. and Canada that demonstrates important achievement in their AP programs. These schools have committed to expanding access to college credit opportunities and maximizing college readiness for their students. “AP represents an opportunity for students to challenge themselves, earn college credit and, importantly, learn at high levels,” said Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight. “This is a wonderful recognition of staff in all of our high schools working hard to prioritize rigorous learning, including in Advanced Placement and other challenging courses available to our students.”

Go to AP School Honor Roll Recognizes 18 MCPS High Schools for Outstanding Achievement Read more

Whetstone Elementary School Rolls Out the Red Carpet

By MCS Staff

Whetstone Elementary School, located at 19201 Thomas Farm Road, had a tradition that celebrates students who have demonstrated the school’s Wildcat core values. Each quarter, the school literally rolls out the red carpet.

Students chosen by their teachers receive a certificate and dance down a red carpet while their classmates, teachers, principal, mascot Wendy the Wildcat, and caregivers clap and cheer them on. “Our caregivers love this event and appreciate the acknowledgement of their children,” said principal Loretta Woods in an update by MCPS. Woods started the tradition when she arrived at the school as a way to show the students they are special, supported and loved by all and invite parents and caregivers to join in that celebration.

Go to Whetstone Elementary School Rolls Out the Red Carpet Read more
View More Stories