TCU’s Johnny Hodges was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in 4th ranked TCU’s victory against Texas. Hodges is a 6’2, 240 pound junior linebacker from Darnestown, who graduated from Quince Orchard High School in 2019.

Hodges had a team-best and season-high 11 tackles, more than double the next-closest Horned Frog, to lead a strong defensive effort in No. 4 TCU’s 17-10 win over No. 18 Texas. The Horned Frogs held Texas to three offensive points, 199 yards and 1-of-13 third-down conversions. The junior LB had 1.5 tackles for loss as part of his 11 stops and combined on a tackle for no gain on a 4th-and-1 Bijan Robinson rush on Texas’ opening series to set the tone for the game.


Results of quarterfinal playoff games involving MCPS schools can be seen below. Scores will be updated as we receive them (an F will signify the score is final, no F means the score is from the game while it is/was in progress). If a score isn’t listed, it’s because we haven’t yet received a report from the game.


I would also like to share these health news items before the break:

The pandemic has shown us the importance of cherishing time together with friends and family, and our shared responsibility in health and safety.  Once again, I thank everyone for their commitment to the health of our school community, and for supporting each other with respect and kindness.


Gaithersburg Varsity Head Football Coach Tyler Bierly has stepped down from his position with the football program. He was hired by the school in April 2019. His full statement, originally posted on social media, can be seen below:

Featured photo courtesy of @GHS_CoachBierly on Twitter


The Montgomery County Police Department has openings for crossing guards. The position involves helping schoolchildren and other pedestrians cross the street, and providing traffic control at designated crossings. The Montgomery County Police Crossing Guard position involves the safe crossing of school children, other pedestrians, and control of traffic at designated crossings.

Contacts include school children and other pedestrians to issue instructions, such as when to proceed/stop; police officers to report motorists who do not comply with traffic laws; and school officials to report children and motorists who fail to obey instructions of the employee. Direct, routine assistance is provided to pedestrians and/or vehicles at busy intersections. Work may also be performed at other places, such as church crossings, walking field trips, or for special community County-wide events and emergencies. Work is performed independently with periodic checks by police officers at the crossing(s) to which the employee is assigned.


Here are eight things to know for Thursday, Nov. 17. Get information about vital steps taken to support our school buses, another chance to learn about the budget process, the 2022-2023 winter athletics safety plan, how to make sure your voice is heard on the upcoming school calendar, upcoming ESL classes for parents, a call for more crossing guards, exciting wins for our students in sports and music, and reminders about the upcoming school closure.

GOOD NEWS


The Poolesville HS boys cross country team and the Damascus HS cheerleading team won their respective 2A State Championship titles over the weekend. This is the first-ever cheerleading championship title for MCPS.

Congratulations to teams who also made it to the championship finals – Winston Churchill HS boys’ cross country and girls’ field hockey, Walter Johnson HS girls’ cross country, Poolesville girls’ cross country, and Sherwood High School’s cheerleading team which came in third.


Quince Orchard High School hosted a Veterans Day Celebration that coincided with their playoff football game against Northwest High School. The event featured a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter flyover, as well as a Color Guard and soldiers from the U.S. Army as honored guests. Video of the celebration below:


Two writing contests are now open for submissions—the Gaithersburg Book Festival’s poetry contest and Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE). The 2023 Gaithersburg Book Festival’s annual high school poetry contest is now open for submissions. This year’s theme is “Diversity or Inclusion.” To participate, students must be enrolled in grades 9-12. The deadline is midnight on Thursday, Feb. 23. First, second and third place winners will receive $250, $100 and $50 gift certificates, respectively.

Partners for Automated Vehicle Education’s (PAVE’s) essay contest encourages high school juniors and seniors to contemplate a future with automated vehicles, and to write about what this could mean for their communities. Learn more on the PAVE essay contest website. Submissions are due Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.The first place winner will receive $2,500; second place, $1,500 and third place, $1,000.


On Oct. 25, the Board of Education adopted a resolution to make modifications to the 2022–2023 school year calendars that include additional systemwide closure days during the winter and spring breaks. The following modifications have been made to the Traditional and Innovative School Year Calendars:

Amended calendar can be seen here. Memorandum to the board can be seen below:


The Network Operations program of the Montgomery County Students Information Technology Foundation, Inc. (ITF) will present a computer lab to American Minority Veterans Research Project (AMVRP) on Nov. 17. ITF students at Clarksburg High School reconditioned six computers with operating systems and prepared monitors, keyboards, mice and a printer. This project provides an opportunity for the ITF students to put into practice their computer maintenance skills, earn student service learning hours, and develop a deeper appreciation for charity and community involvement.

This year’s recipient, AMVRP, is an organization focused on providing research data, referral services, long- and short-term housing benefits, and referrals to veterans and their families throughout Montgomery County. The organization will be able to support MCPS students and families of veterans by offering equitable access to technology. By having students engaged in collaborative educational experiences, AMVRP hopes to strengthen community connections between veterans and students.


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