Education Archives - Page 191 of 310

Former Houston Schools Chief Named New PGCPS Superintendent

Published June 8, 2023 at 8:54AM

Millard House II, formerly Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, will take the helm of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) on July 1. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced his appointment Wednesday during a news conference at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building.

House led Houston ISD for two years, ending his tenure in the nation’s eighth-largest district earlier this month. He previously served as director of schools for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) in Tennessee, chief operating officer of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina and deputy superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools in Oklahoma. House founded and led a college preparatory middle school in one of Tulsa’s most economically underserved neighborhoods and served as executive consultant and executive director of New Leaders for New Schools.

Kennedy High School’s Kassie Cardona Named 2022-2023Maryland State PPW of The Year

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2023 at 7:39AM

Kassie Cardona, a pupil personnel worker (PPW) at John F. Kennedy High School, has been named 2022-2023 Maryland State PPW of the Year.

Colleagues say she is a compassionate, dedicated and knowledgeable staff member, which has earned her a reputation as the go-to PPW with the answers. With a background as an ESOL counselor, Cardona is a strong advocate for equality for students and families, and she also works to build strong relationships and partnerships between schools and the community. She has worked with a number of organizations outside the school system, which have provided services to the Hispanic community. She has advocated at the state level for more inpatient resources to help teens with substance abuse issues.

MCPS Counselors of the Year Announced

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2023 at 7:24AM

Counselors of the year at BOE meeting. From left to right: Makeyda Soriano, Montgomery Blair High School; Yolanda Faerber, Westbrook Elementary School; Nicole Walter, Roberto Clemente Middle School.

Three staff members have been honored with 2022–2023 Counselor of the Year awards. The trio—one each at the elementary, middle and high school levels—were recognized at the June 6 Board of Education business meeting.

The three have one thing in common—they don’t work alone. They all say their success would not have been possible without the support of their colleagues. As one said simply, “When we work as a team, everyone thrives.” The 2022–2023 Counselors of the Year are:

New MCPS Guidance When Responding to Suspected Opioid Overdoses

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2023 at 7:21AM

Last month Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced new guidance when responding to medical emergencies in schools for suspected opioid overdoses. The new regulation includes detailed guidance on naloxone (also known by its brand name, Narcan), its use, and access in MCPS schools. Narcan is a potentially life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects due to an opioid overdose. The new guidance allows students to carry Narcan in schools and during school-sponsored activities without fear of disciplinary action. Students should continue to seek assistance from school or health room staff in the event of a medical emergency on campus.

This action is part of a series of efforts the school system is undertaking to combat the rise in youth overdose cases across the county. The new guidance allows students to carry Narcan in schools and during school-sponsored activities without fear of disciplinary action. Students should continue to seek assistance from school or health room staff in the event of a medical emergency on campus.

All MCPS Schools/Offices Are Open On Time

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2023 at 6:43AM

Per MCPS: All MCPS schools and offices are open on time. Before and After school childcare programs and Community Use occur as scheduled.

From 7pm, Wednesday, June 7th: Due to unhealthy air conditions as a result of wildfires in Canada, all outdoor recess will be canceled for Thursday, June 8. Athletics will operate under guidelines similar to heat index warnings, which include primarily indoor activities and increased monitoring of athletes. Field trips may need to be rescheduled or modified depending on the location and extent of outdoor activity. Adjustments could be made to outdoor graduations and will be communicated by individual schools. Any modifications to this guidance will be communicated as conditions continue to be monitored.

Air Quality Reminder from Montgomery County Public Schools

By Patrick Herron

Published June 7, 2023 at 8:44PM

Athletics will operate under guidelines similar to heat index warnings, which include primarily indoor activities and increased monitoring of athletes. Field trips may need to be rescheduled or modified depending on the location and extent of outdoor activity. Adjustments could be made to outdoor graduations and will be communicated by individual schools.

Substitute Teacher Sent Home Due to Possible Intoxication Tuesday Morning at Magruder High School

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2023 at 6:34PM

Magruder High School principal, Dr. Leroy C. Evans, sent a letter to the school community informing them of a substitute teacher who was sent home via ride-share service due to possibly being under the influence of alcohol on Tuesday morning.

According to the letter, administration was notified that a substitute teacher was possibly intoxicated and the school contacted the non-emergency police and the school’s Community Engagement Officer (CEO) prior to sending the substitute teacher home via ride-share service. The incident is being handled by the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Compliance and Investigations as a personnel matter. The full letter can be seen below, courtesy of FOX5:

20 MCPS Students Earn College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2023 at 5:12PM

Twenty Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students have earned college- and university-sponsored National Merit Scholarships in the latest round of awards from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Each sponsoring college or university selected scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. The winners, their sponsoring university or college, and their intended career fields are:

Important Community Message from Montgomery County Public Schools Concerning Current Air Quality

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2023 at 11:15AM

“Dear MCPS Community,

As you may know, unhealthy air caused by smoke from wildfires in Canada’s province of Quebec is affecting much of the northeast and mid-Atlantic areas of the United States, including our area. This influx of smoke has impacted outdoor air quality, which may pose a health risk, particularly to vulnerable individuals such as children, older adults, and those with heart or lung disease.

MCPS Give Back Packs Returns For its 12th Annual Campaign; Over 10,800 Backpacks Provided Last Year

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2023 at 7:48AM

Last year, through the generosity of businesses, foundations, associations, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, staff, and community members, MCPS provided 10,823 students with backpacks and school supplies through its MCPS Give Back Packs campaign.

Over 70,000 MCPS students receive free & reduced-price meals and many families struggle to afford basic necessities like school supplies. Your donation plays a critical role in helping ALL students thrive academically, while helping to support beginning of the school years costs for a parent in need. MCPS places orders throughout the summer with a goal of providing as many students as possible with a backpack and supplies at the start of the school year.

KID Museum FREE For MCPS Students on Sundays This Summer (Registration Required)

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2023 at 7:42AM

Courtesy Kid Museum

KID Museum is dedicated to expanding access for the MCPS community by providing free opportunities to participate in our programming. “Thanks to the generous support of Montgomery County Public Schools, all MCPS students and families can register for free admission to KID Museum through June 30, 2023” (registration link below).

KID Museum opened last May in its new flagship site at Bethesda Metro Center, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 140— a brand new, 28,000 square foot facility “created to foster the “Mind of a Maker” and empower the next generation with the skills to invent the future.” The state-of-the-art makerspace is purpose-built for kids ages 4-14 to explore coding, robotics, engineering design, and hands-on maker learning, with the capacity to welcome more than 100,000 visitors every year. There will be grand opening events, becoming a member, or sponsoring us to help all kids discover a love of exploring, creating, and collaborating to become makers of the future.