The CDC describes possible symptoms of and tips for reducing the effects of wildfire smoke pollutants. We encourage all students, family members, and staff to learn more about the possible health risks related to current conditions and how to protect their health.
MCPS Athletics will follow NCAA air quality recommendations for participation, which include exertional activities that are shortened and reduced intensity. Sensitive athletes will be moved indoors.
MCPS is committed to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming learning environment and seeks to create opportunities where all students see themselves and their families in curriculum materials. In alignment with Board of Education Policy, MCPS has a responsibility to include instructional materials that reflect the diversity of the local and global community by exploring the aspirations, issues and achievements of men and women, people with disabilities, people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, as well as those of diverse gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.
As a reflection of our ongoing commitment to ensure our curriculum is inclusive and affirming of all students, the elementary and secondary English Language Arts (ELA) teams in the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs (OCIP) have approved a selection of more than 22 LGBTQ+-inclusive texts for use in the classroom.
Paint Branch Athletic Director Heather Podosek has retired from MCPS after 31 years. Podosek has been Athletic director since 2010, following two championships and 13 years as the girl’s head basketball coach. Earlier today, Podosek posted the following letter to the Paint Branch Athletics website saying goodbye to the Paint Branch community:
“Today is a emotional day for me as I retire from MCPS after 31 years, but it is also filled with reflection and gratitude! As I look back at my career (and all the stops along the way) which brought me to my “home” at Paint Branch, I will always be thankful for the guidance, patience and encouragement of the administrators, colleagues, coaches, students, and families that help me in my journey. You have been such a big part of shaping my career which is filled with love, laughter and happiness!
The Montgomery County Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:
Pamela B. Wheeler-Taylor, currently Assistant Chief, Youth and Family Engagement Bureau, Metropolitan Police Department, as Chief Safety Officer, Office of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management, Office of the Chief Operating Officer
Large crowd (hundreds as of 1:30pm) are protesting outside of the Board of Education meeting at the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville (850 Hungerford Drive). The protest stems from MCPS’ no-opt-out policy when it comes to the use of LGBTQ+ inclusive books in schools. Video of the protests can be seen below.
In anticipation of the public interest for the school board’s meeting, MCPS implemented safety measures ahead of today’s meeting. Per MCPS:
The Moco native played many sports growing up (baseball, basketball, football, and wrestling) while he was a student at Redland Middle School and Magruder High School. He was also a longtime counselor at Seneca Creek Day Camp before turning his attention to theater and participating in three productions per year.
In 2003, he starred as Luke in the first season of the Fox teen drama, The O.C. He has starred in many movies, television shows, and theatrical productions since then, including his role as Will Lexington in the ABC drama Nashville. He currently stars in Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Atticus Lincoln (Dr. Link)– a role he has played since 2018.
The MCPS Summer Meals Program is designed to bridge the “nutrition gap” when school is out. Children 18 years old or younger can come to any of the open locations to receive a free nutritious meal during breakfast and lunch at no cost. Meals are served Monday through Friday. No appointment is necessary, however, meals must be eaten at the location.
Summer food service meal sites available by clicking here: (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pM-VLHBPW5l43kIAHJsg0RCR42b6xO-DHS56zx7ihpk/edit#gid=540288845)
Per MCPS: “Dear Montgomery County Community Members, Because of the interest in the upcoming Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the following safety measures will be implemented:
The agenda for the meeting can be seen here.
Abby Meyers is Whitman High School’s all-time leading scorer with over 1,700 points and was the Ivy League Player of the Year last year before transferring to the University of Maryland for her senior season. On Tuesday, she signed a hardship contract with the Washington Mystics Tuesday. Meyers, who was a captain in her only year with the Terps, was drafted 11th overall in the first round of the WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, but was waived prior to the start of the season.
A hardship contract is commonly used when a team has fewer than 10 players available for a game. The Mystics are on a three-game winning streak and Meyers scored 2 points in 6 minutes in her debut– the team’s most recent game on Thursday. I’m the video below, Meyers talks about what it’s like playing in the DMV again, “woke up in my own house that I grew up in, and drove down a few blocks to get here.”
HESS construction is making progress at the upcoming Woodward High School at 11211 Old Georgetown Rd in Rockville, which will be used as a holding school/facility for current Northwood High School while their new high school building will be built between September 2024 and August 2026. The completed Woodward High School will officially be reopened in September 2026. MCPS Division of Capital Planning will start the process of a boundary study to determine who will go to Woodward High School 18 months prior to the opening of school (which is coming soon).
Currently, phase 1 of construction is progressing and will include all spaces necessary for Montgomery County high school students to graduate from the new Woodward High School. Phase 2 will take place between late 2023 and 2025 so that it can be completed prior to the official opening of Woodward High School. The school site sits on 27.31 acres (for reference, Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS is 16.36 acres, Walter Johnson HS is 30.86 acres). However, significant topographic change within the site limits the use of flat area for site amenities. The new Woodward HS building has been designed for a capacity of 2,700 students.
Their work was evident as Montgomery County Public Schools celebrated the graduation of nearly 12,000 students who will now continue on their pathways to success. To the graduates and their families – congratulations on reaching this significant milestone! You have demonstrated resilience, perseverance, and adaptability to change. We are proud of each graduate’s accomplishments and are excited to see where your future leads.
We made significant progress in a variety of areas since our mid-year report. The state of Maryland released its Star Rating, in which 92% of MCPS schools earned three or higher. We repeatedly reported progress on student performance and refined plans to support all students to reach their full academic potential. We released the new Pathway to Student Success in College, Career, and Community initiative. Vital work to address student security issues and incidents of racism, antisemitism, and bias became a focus for school and school system leaders.