Education

MCPS Celebrates National School Bus Safety Week Oct. 16-21

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will be emphasizing the importance of school bus safety and saying thank you to all who transport MCPS students during National Bus Safety week from Oct.16–21.

National School Bus Safety Week is a public program designed to educate the public about the importance of school bus safety. Each year schools organize events to bring attention to school bus safety and to recognize the critical role school bus employees play in providing safe transportation to our students.

Go to MCPS Celebrates National School Bus Safety Week Oct. 16-21 Read more

Remarks from MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight on Need for Accountability and Transparency

By MCS Staff

Today, MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight delivered the following remarks during the Board of Education business meeting, providing an update on the comprehensive corrective action plan she has been charged with developing:

“I want to thank the Board for committing to releasing a redacted version of the Jackson Lewis report, which many in our community have asked for and is indeed an important step for restoring trust with our staff and community.

Go to Remarks from MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight on Need for Accountability and Transparency Read more

Statement From Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, Chair of the Education and Culture Committee, Regarding the Board of Education’s Redacted Release of the Jackson Lewis Report on MCPS Investigation

By Patrick Herron

“I applaud the Board of Education for taking this important step forward in accountability and transparency for the families, students and staff within the school system. It has been two months since the allegations of employee misconduct by an MCPS principal were revealed through the press. At the EC Committee session held on Sept. 28, I called for the full release of a redacted report and my colleagues echoed that sentiment. It is only through transparency that we are able to have effective accountability and facilitate improvement in processes that protect our school community.

The release of the redacted report does not impact the ongoing investigations. The investigation through the Montgomery County Office of Inspector General (OIG) continues. Once the OIG releases its investigation findings, I will work with my colleagues to schedule a public meeting to discuss the findings and any recommended actions.”

Go to Statement From Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, Chair of the Education and Culture Committee, Regarding the Board of Education’s Redacted Release of the Jackson Lewis Report on MCPS Investigation Read more

Board of Education Releases Redacted Jackson-Lewis Investigation Report

By MCS Staff

The Montgomery County Board of Education (BOE) released a statement regarding the release of the redacted Jackson-Lewis Investigation Report. In a Thursday afternoon tweet, the Board of Education stated that the redacted report can be found on the Board’s website. As of press time at 3:30pm, we have been unable to find it on the website, but it can be accessed at this link. The (BOE) statement can be seen below:

“We believe that restoring trust with our staff and community is of utmost importance and it is our hope that by releasing this report, which is redacted to protect the right of our employees, will be a step toward a renewed belief in the integrity of our public-school system.

Go to Board of Education Releases Redacted Jackson-Lewis Investigation Report Read more

MCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy No Longer Employed by the School District; Two Office of School Support and Well Being Staff Members On Leave

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight sent a message to MCPS staff on Wednesday, October 11, announcing that deputy superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy was no longer employed by the district. The message, provided to us by MCPS Communications Director Chris Cram, also states that two members of the MCPS Office of School Support and Well-Being (OSSWB), Dr. Donna Redmond Jones and Dr. Eugenia (Jeanie) Dawson are currently on leave.

Dr. Patrick Murphy was appointed as the MCPS deputy superintendent in 2022, a position previously held by Dr. McKnight. He was recently superintendent of Berkeley County Schools in West Virginia until 2022 and previously superintendent of Arlington Public Schools and in various instructional leadership positions in Fairfax County Public Schools. The message sent to staff can be seen below (note: We have been told by several MCPS staff members that they have not received this message):

Go to MCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Patrick Murphy No Longer Employed by the School District; Two Office of School Support and Well Being Staff Members On Leave Read more

Two Local Jewish Organizations Release Joint Statement Recognizing FCPS and Expressing Anger and Disappointment Towards MCPS

By MCS Staff

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington and Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Washington D.C. released a joint statement on Wednesday afternoon, recognizing Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) for the acknowledgement of the attack on Israel and expressing anger and disappointment towards Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for its response. The full statement can be seen below:

“Over the last 72 hours, JCRC and ADL DC staff have worked tirelessly to communicate to local school systems the importance of acknowledging the horrific attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists and the profound trauma being experienced by Jewish students, parents, and employees. We thank the several school districts that have released some public statement. We wish to especially recognize Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, the largest school system in our region, for speaking with JCRC staff several times and for responding personally to parents as she can.

Go to Two Local Jewish Organizations Release Joint Statement Recognizing FCPS and Expressing Anger and Disappointment Towards MCPS Read more

2023/2024 Fall Theater Productions in MCPS Schools

By MCS Staff

The curtain is rising on fall theater productions throughout the school system, at middle and high schools. Plan now to see these great performances, which run into early 2023. From “Shrek” and “Mamma Mia” to “Radium Girls” and “Lavender,” an original work by a 2023 Albert Einstein High School graduate, there’s something for everyone. Full list below, courtesy of MCPS:

Middle Schools

Go to 2023/2024 Fall Theater Productions in MCPS Schools Read more

Applications for Montgomery Virtual Academy For Next School Year Due November 3

By MCS Staff

Applications for the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) for the 2024-2025 school are now open and due Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. Applications for the waitlist for Semester 2 of the Virtual Academy’s 2023-2024 year are also due on Nov. 3. Applications submitted after Nov. 3, 2023, but by Feb. 9, 2024, will be added to the 2024-2025 waitlist. Rising Grades 2-12 students can apply in ParentVUE. Current MVA families MUST also reapply in ParentVUE.

The MVA is a comprehensive online instructional program. Students will engage virtually and synchronously five days a week during the traditional school day. The MVA provides a high quality engaging and innovative instructional program for students who thrive in virtual learning. The primary focus of the MVA is to foster a safe, inclusive online learning environment that meets the individual needs of all students. For questions about the MVA admission process, contact Cassandra Heifetz, dean of the lower school, or Jackie DeLucia, dean of the upper school.

Go to Applications for Montgomery Virtual Academy For Next School Year Due November 3 Read more
View More Stories