Get your free tickets now for the annual MCPS Dance Showcase, which will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17 at James Hubert Blake High School. The snow date is Tuesday, Feb. 21. Blake is located at 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. Additional information below:

Students from the following 10 middle and high schools are expected to perform—A. Mario Loiederman, Forest Oak, Kingsview and Silver Spring International middle schools and Albert Einstein, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Blake, Montgomery Blair, Northwood and Wheaton high schools. There will also be a performance from the All-County Dance Ensemble. These students thrive in dance class and exemplify their school’s instructional program. Student dancers in the ensemble are nominated by their dance teachers, and rehearse as a group for three months.Reserve your tickets here.


The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair returns as an in-person event from 6–8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17. Co-sponsored by MCPS and the Montgomery County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), this free event at The Universities at Shady Grove will provide students in grades 8–12 an opportunity to meet representatives from more than 50 HBCUs. Representatives will share information and answer questions from students and parents about admissions, financial aid, testing, majors and more. There will also be a college preparation workshop for middle school students and parents, a discussion on college life, FAFSA completion assistance and scholarship information.

Students and parents must register to attend. Register. From Feb. 13–17, qualified seniors will be able to virtually interview with HBCU representatives. Students will be able to receive application fee waivers, scholarship awards and on-site admission. This free in-person event at The Universities at Shady Grove will provide students in Grades 8–12 an opportunity to meet representatives from more than 50 HBCUs. Representatives will share information and answer questions from students and parents about admissions, financial aid, testing, majors and much more. The event will also feature a college preparation workshop for middle school students and parents, a discussion on college life, FAFSA completion assistance, scholarship information and more. This event is co-sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).


In partnership with MCPS, Montgomery Goes Purple is hosting a Family Forum on Fentanyl and life-saving Narcan training from 9:30–11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Clarksburg High School. Panelists will share important information for families on the dangers and prevalence of fentanyl; prevention tools and protective factors for students, and resources for treatment when needed. This event will be a family discussion about what you need to know about this deadly drug, including Narcan training and distribution of Narcan kits to help reverse an overdose. The Community Opioid Prevention & Education (C.O.P.E.) trailer (a mock teen bedroom) will be available for tours to learn signs of substance use. There will also be a resource fair. Students can earn two Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for attending this event.

The event will be held in the cafeteria at Clarksburg, located at 22500 Wims Road in Clarksburg. RSVP to attend. In addition, be sure to tune in to a press conference set for 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19. MCPS leaders, county health and law enforcement leaders, and community partners will hold a news conference to raise awareness about the deadly trend of fentanyl use and accidental overdoses. A livestream of the press event will be available on the MCPS homepage.


Montgomery College (MC) and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will host a virtual forum in Spanish at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 for parents and students to learn more about how to get help paying for college.

This event is targeted to Spanish-speaking families who have questions about options available for high school graduates with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The virtual event will also discuss the Maryland Dream ACT (MDA) and will answer questions live and submitted in advance. Participants can submit their questions and register here.


On January 28, from 9:30 – 11:30 am, Clarksburg High School will host a Family Forum on Fentanyl & Life Saving Narcan Training. Panelists will share important information for families on the dangers and prevalence of fentanyl, prevention tools, and protective factors for students and resources for treatment when needed.

This is a family discussion about what you need to know about this deadly drug, including Narcan training and distribution of Narcan kits to help reverse an overdose. The Community Opioid Prevention & Education (C.O.P.E.) trailer (a mock teen bedroom) will be available for tours to learn signs of substance use, plus a resource fair, refreshments, Covid-19 vaccinations, and SSL Hours available. You can register here.


The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Department of Partnerships is seeking employers who would be interested in hosting students that will be part of the 2023 Summer RISE program. Summer RISE is a hands-on career learning experience for rising MCPS juniors and seniors during the summer to engage in learning opportunities related to their field of interest. MCPS is seeking employers in all career fields who would be willing to help prepare students for life after high school. Hosts could benefit by gaining extra help at a time when it is tough to find workers, and by building a future talent pipeline for the organization.

Hosts should be able to offer a minimum of 50 hours with in-person, virtual or hybrid options between June 26 and July 28. It is suggested that employers host at least two students for 10-30 hours per week and no more than eight hours a day for a total of 50 hours up to five weeks. Since 2017, 2,400 students have participated in the program, gaining skills and connections with industry professionals. This year, the program is looking to serve 800 MCPS students in more than 60 industries. Those who are interested in becoming a Summer RISE host can learn more about the program from:


Per MCPD: Rockville City and Montgomery County Police responded to Richard Montgomery High School on Friday, January 13, 2023, for the report of a gun on the school’s grounds. At approximately 10 a.m., two students from an area Montgomery County school entered Richard Montgomery High School (RMHS) without authorization and allegedly assaulted an RMHS student inside of the school.

The students left RMHS and reportedly returned to the campus, which is located at 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, at approximately 12:30 p.m., but did not enter the school. During this second incident, an RMHS student reported what they thought might have been a gun on one of the students outside of the school and reported it to school security. That information was shared with the RMHS principal, the police were called, and the school was placed on lockdown. The students outside of the school ran away.


MCPS has sent a letter providing an update to the community of the new process for informing the community when weather requires an operational status change and when a closure might justify a shift to virtual instruction. The color-coded messages and additional information can be seen in the full letter below:

“Dear MCPS Students, Families and Staff,


Update: The lockdown at Richard Montgomery HS has been lifted. No weapon was found on campus. The school will remain in a shelter in place through dismissal.

Richard Montgomery High School at 250 Richard Montgomery Drive in Rockville is currently on lockdown following the report of a weapon on campus. Montgomery County Police tweeted the following update at 1:50pm on Friday, January 13: “Richard Montgomery HS is still on lockdown. Officers are on scene. They are looking into the report of a weapon on campus and whether that report is legitimate.” We will post an update when additional information is available.


WHAT: Create your own Rap about the harmful effects of Menthol. Facts: More than 18.9 million people currently vape/smoke menthol cigarettes. Flavors, including menthol, are one of the main reasons kids start using tobacco products.* Also, Tobacco Companies target minority communities using  the more addictive menthol flavor.

WHEN: Entries due by April 15, 2023 by 9 PM.


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