MCPS sent out a letter to the community detailing “two things you need to know” about yesterday’s Board of Education meeting.

The letter to the community can be seen below:

“Dear MCPS Community:

Here are two things you need to know about from the Sept. 21, 2021, Board of Education meeting, including remembrances of Mrs. Patricia O’Neill and a report on the Equity Accountability Framework: Evidence of Learning.

1. The Montgomery County Board of Education shared remembrances of Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, board member since 1998 who passed away on Sept 14.Board members and MCPS staff recognized the depth and breadth of institutional knowledge that Mrs. O’Neill brought to her work with the Montgomery County Board of Education in her commitment to the students and staff of MCPS. An official proclamation was presented to the O’Neill family and a video remembrance was shared.  It can be viewed here.
2. MCPS staff shared ongoing work in support of the MCPS Equity Accountability Model and the Evidence of Learning Framework. MCPS staff shared the 2020‒2021 Evidence of Learning (EOL) end-of-year performance data for students in Grades 2, 5, 8, and 11. These 2020-2021 data represent the first full-year view of academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Evidence of Learning Framework employs a multiple measures approach designed to help us answer the questions: Are our children learning and are they learning enough? The staff report included the following:
   • A review of Evidence of Learning data from 2018-2019 and 2020-2021 revealing the effect of virtual and hybrid learning in key areas of literacy and mathematics.
   • Information concerning the college and career readiness of students from the 2020-2021 school year,  including the overall success of students by student demographics.
   • The school improvement planning process.
   • A focus on literacy and mathematics.
   • The use of assessments to inform changes in instructional practices.
   • The acceleration of learning that focuses on the mastery of grade-level content.
   • Providing tutoring resources and student instructional interventions.
   • Providing necessary professional development for staff.

This work represents key strategies and tactics necessary to support students returning to in-person learning in a continuing COVID-19 environment.

More information about these items is available here.”

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich released a statement on the passing of Board to Education member Patricia O’Neill. The full statement can be seen below:

We are saddened to learn about the passing of Montgomery County Board of Education Member Patricia O’Neill. Her love of our children was only matched by her commitment to the constituents she served for nearly a quarter of a century.

Montgomery County lost a leader, public servant, and compassionate resident who was determined to make this County a better place for current and future generations. To honor her legacy, we need to continue the work she dedicated her life to.

I join all Montgomery County residents this evening in extending our thoughts and sympathies to Mrs. O’Neill’s family and friends as well everyone in our Montgomery County Public Schools community.

Montgomery County Board of Education President Brenda Wolff sent a message to the community announcing the passing of Board of Education member, Patricia O’Neill.

The message can be seen below:

The Montgomery County Board of Education regrets to announce that Mrs. Patricia O’Neill,  Board of Education member, passed away today, September 14, 2021. Mrs. O’Neill served on the Board for more than twenty years and the loss of her wisdom, passion and commitment will  be felt in the Montgomery County community for a long time. We are deeply saddened by Mrs. O’Neill’s passing and offer our deepest condolences to the O’Neill family.

“Pat had years of institutional knowledge and a deep commitment to Montgomery County Public Schools,” said Board of Education President Brenda Wolff. “We have lost an impassioned advocate for children, students and our community. Mrs. O’Neill leaves a legacy of educational excellence that will guide our work for years to come.”

“Pat O’Neill was a fierce champion for staff, students and families and the impact of her work will live on for generations,” said interim superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight.  “I am grateful for her service, her leadership, and her guidance and will miss her wisdom and partnership.”

Mrs. O’Neill was first elected to the Board of Education in 1998 and is the longest serving Board member in the history of Montgomery County Public Schools. Mrs. O’Neill was currently serving her sixth four-year term on the Board. She had served as president five times and vice president six times. Mrs. O’Neill was most recently serving as chairperson of the Board of Education’s Policy Management Committee and was a member of the Fiscal Management Committee.

Mrs. O’Neill was past president of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) and past co-chair of the Washington Area Boards of Education. She  served on numerous advisory committees for education-related issues, including the Maryland Blue Ribbon Panel on Teen Pregnancy and the Maryland Comparable HSA Task Force. In 2006, she was named by then-Governor Robert Ehrlich to represent MABE on the Task Force on School Safety. Prior to joining the Board, Mrs. O’Neill was a longtime PTA activist in the Walt Whitman cluster and served in various volunteer and leadership roles. She served as the vice chair for the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation and was a member of the Foundation’s grants committee.

In 2015, Mrs. O’Neill was named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian magazine. Mrs. O’Neill was a graduate of Walter Johnson High School and held a degree in Social Science from Southern Methodist University. Survivors include her husband, Rick, and two daughters, Jenny and Melissa, who are graduates of MCPS, as well as two grandchildren and her sister.  Services have not been planned at this time, but information will be shared in the coming days.

The Board of Education passed a unanimous resolution requiring that all MCPS staff be vaccinated.

Per MCPS:

The resolution requires that all staff employed by MCPS provide verification that they have received at least the first COVID-19 shot by Sept. 30, 2021, and verification of the second shot by Oct. 29, 2021, unless staff request an exemption based on a medical reason documented by a medical doctor.

If a medical exemption is granted, the employee must submit to regular COVID-19 testing as required by MCPS.

The Board passed this resolution as an added layer of protection, particularly for younger students who are not eligible to be vaccinated.

A series of vaccination clinics hosted by MCPS, DHHS, and other healthcare providers will be conducted across the county.

MCPS released a letter to the community with 10 items from this week’s Board of Education meeting.

The letter can be seen below:

Here are 10 things you need to know about the Aug. 24, 2021, Board of Education meeting and the reopening of schools. The first day of school for MCPS students is Monday, Aug. 30, 2021.

Staff, parents and students are invited to submit their favorite first-day-of-school snapshots. After you have snapped moments from the first day, select the best photo and email it to [email protected]. For social media, parents and students can post photos on Twitter using the hashtag #MCPS1stday. The pictures will be posted to an online gallery.

1. Health and safety is our top priority. MCPS is implementing a multi-layer health and safety protocolto prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and protect school community members. Strategies include the use of masks, enhanced sanitation, improved ventilation, and processes for testing students in Prekindergarten–Grade 6, contact tracing and quarantine, as necessary. In addition, all staff are required to submit proof of vaccination or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing.
2. Schools will host virtual Back-to-School Nights at all levels and virtual/outdoor Open Houses at the elementary level. This is due to the significant rise in COVID-19 cases across the county and state. Student orientation will take place in-person as scheduled.
3. MCPS will provide COVID-19 screening testing for students in Prekindergarten–Grade 6. Families will need to opt-in for testing; a random sample of students will be selected each week. This preventive testing provides early detection of COVID-19.
4. Schools are maximizing available spaces inside and outside school buildings during lunch. This will reduce the number of students in school cafeterias.
5. MCPS will begin assessing student learning in September. Data from these assessments will enable schools to develop plans to best meet student needs.
6. MCPS will minimize learning disruption when students are in isolation or quarantine in accordance with the guidelines established by the Maryland Department of Health. At the elementary level, individual students in isolation or quarantine will receive live, virtual instruction from a teacher on a separate schedule from their peers; if an entire class is in quarantine, the teacher will provide virtual instruction for the class. At the secondary level, students in isolation or quarantine will have opportunities to connect with their teachers for live check-ins.
7. Student Well-Being Teams will remain in place for the 2021-2022 school year. These teams provide critical support to students to reduce barriers to learning, conduct outreach to families, support students’ mental health needs, and/or connect with students not engaging in the educational program.
8. MCPS will continue to partner with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to host COVID-19 vaccination clinics for staff and students aged 12 and older. There are several clinics scheduled in the next 10 days.  Appointments are not required, but to reserve an appointment, please register using the links below:
   • Friday, Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Paint Branch High School, 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Register here.
   • Wednesday, Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Shady Grove Bus Depot, 16651 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. Register here.
   • Saturday, Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Watkins Mill High School, 10301 Apple Ridge Road in Gaithersburg. Register here.
9. Everyone entering an MCPS facility will be required to wear a face covering, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings are also required on school buses. So Mask Up, MCPS. Be Smart. Do Your Part. Stay Safe. 
10. MCPS will not close school buildings and move to fully virtual instruction for all students unless state government officials order the school system to do so. If state government orders reduced capacity in school buildings, MCPS is developing a plan for hybrid instruction where students would receive in-person instruction on some days and virtual instruction on other days.

The Board of Education will hold its business meeting (in-person) on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. Closed session will begin at 9 a.m. Public agenda items will begin at 12 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 34, Verizon Channel 36, and RCN channel 89.

The Board will resume in-person testimony at its August 24 business meeting, but will continue to accept pre-recorded audio or video testimony through their website.

The meeting (in-person) will take place on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. Closed session will begin at 9 a.m. Public agenda items will begin at 12 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 34, Verizon Channel 36, and RCN channel 89.

The agenda, with related materials attached, can be found on the Board of Education’s BoardDocs site (please visit this link for the most up-to-date agenda).

1. Closed Session Approval – 9:00 a.m.

1.1 Acknowledgement of Quorum

1.2 Resolution for Today’s Closed Session

2. Opening of Meeting – 12:00 p.m.

2.1 Approval of the Agenda

3. Human Resources and Development – 12:01 p.m.

3.1 Monthly Report

3.2 Recommended Appointments

4. Recognition – 12:10 p.m.

4.1 National Suicide Prevention Week

5. Public Comments – 12:15 p.m.

6. Item of Discussion – 1:15 p.m.

6.1 Fall Return to School

7. Recess – 3:45 p.m.

8. Item of Discussion – 4:05 p.m.

8.1 School Resource Officer Program Next Steps (oral discussion)

9. Item of Discussion/Action – 5:05 p.m.

9.1 Contract Approval for RFP No. 4305.2, Executive Search Firm for Selection of a Superintendent of Schools

10. Consent Items – 5:20 p.m.

10.1 Procurement Contracts of $25,000 or More

10.2 Contract Approval for Bid No. 4414.1, Apprenticeship Programs—Extension

10.3 Contract Approval for Bid 9140.3, Miscellaneous Foods—Extension

10.4 Relocatable Classroom Unit Leases

10.5 Lynnbrook Center—Childcare Lease Renewal

10.6 Woodwards Road Future School Site—Telecommunications Lease Renewal

10.7 Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget End-of-Year Categorical Summary and Transfer

11. Items of Information – 5:30 p.m.

11.1 Construction Progress Report

11.2 Legal Fees Report

12. Board of Education Items – 5:35 p.m.

12.1 Future Closed Session Resolution

12.2 Report of Previous Closed Sessions

12.3 New Business

13. Informational Summary – 5:40 p.m.

13.1 Informational Summary for the July 15, 2021, Meeting

13.2 Informational Summary for the July 27, 2021, Meeting

14. Adjournment – 5:45 p.m.

The agenda, with related materials attached, can be found on the Board of Education’s BoardDocs site (please visit this link for the most up-to-date agenda).

MCPS Fall 2020 vs. Fall 2021 (Opening Schools)

At yesterday’s Montgomery County Board of Education meeting, plans were discussed for fall 2021, which include schools being open at 100 percent capacity for 5-day-a-week learning for all students.

See slides from the meeting below.

Watch the full discussion: https://youtu.be/tK7cHLMgXOY?t=3733

Board of Education Approves Administrative Appointments

The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments at its June 10, 2021, Business Meeting:

James N. D’Andrea, currently principal, Northwest High School, as Chief of Staff, Office of the Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Marjorie D. Lope Moutsatsos, currently Coordinator, Administrative and Supervisory Staffing, Office of Human Resources and Development, as Assistant Chief, Professional Learning and Development, Office of Human Resources and Development

Damon A. Monteleone, currently Principal, Richard Montgomery High School, as Assistant Chief, Teaching, Learning, and Schools, Office of Teaching, Learning and Schools

Dr. William L. Blake, currently Director of Social Emotional Learning at District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, D.C., as Director, Student Engagement, Behavioral Health, and Academics, Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement

Steven N. Blivess, Labor Relations Manager, Office of Labor Relations, Montgomery County Government, Rockville, Maryland, as Lead Negotiator, Office of Districtwide Services and Supports

Barbara W. Harral, currently Acting Director, Division of Food and Nutrition Services, Department of Materials Management, as Director, Division of Food and Nutrition Services, Department of Materials Management

Tamara K. Hewlett, currently Coordinator, Two Way Immersion, Department of English for Speakers of Other Languages, as Supervisor, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Pre-K‒12, Department of Pre-K–12 Curriculum, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs

Melaika A. Brown, currently Learning and Achievement Specialist, Office of Teaching, Learning and Schools, as Supervisor, Pre-K‒5 English Language Arts, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs

Joshua H. Munsey, currently Principal, John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents, as Principal, Wheaton High School

Paula G. Summers, currently Principal Intern, Clopper Mill Elementary School, as Principal, Gaithersburg Elementary School

Maryland Board of Education Raises Health Credit Requirement From .5 to Full Credit, Makes Change to World Language Requirement

The Maryland Board of Education voted to raise the health credit requirement from half of a credit to a full credit.

For decades the health requirement for graduation in the state of Maryland has been half of a credit. In Montgomery County Public Schools, comprehensive health education is taught for a semester of 18-weeks during 10th grade.

All students have been required to successfully complete the course prior to high school graduation. Students have also been able take the course online or in summer school.

Starting next year, the requirement will be upped to a full credit (1.0), which equates to two semesters of comprehensive health education. The requirement will start with 9th graders in the 2021-22 school year.

MCPS Supervisor of Health & Physical Education, Dr. Cara Grant, tweeted her satisfaction with the decision soon after it was announced that the Maryland Board of Education adopted the amended high school graduation requirements.

The amended requirements also include 2 credits in the same world language. The requirement previously did not make it necessary for the credits to be in the same language, allowing students to take beginner level courses of two different languages to earn their credits.

MCPS Community Update After 5/11 Board of Education Meeting

Per MCPS:

Dear MCPS Community:

Here are five important things you need to know about the May 11 Board of Education meeting, the MCPS recovery plan and what’s ahead:

1. MCPS will provide an in-person, five-day-a-week schedule for students in the fall. We are committed to a full reopening in the fall. This has been shared with the community in a number of recent updates. Students will be expected to attend school in person, five days a week (unless they are accepted into the Virtual Academy). Additionally, on April 27, the Maryland State Board of Education passed a resolution stating that schools should be open in person for the required 180 days of instruction for the 2021-2022 school year.
2. Vaccines save lives. Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting the COVID-19 vaccine and signing up your children (12 years old and older) to get the vaccine. All Marylanders 16 and older can schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine at one of Maryland’s mass vaccination sites or at any vaccination clinic in the county. In anticipation of final approval of the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-old children, you may preregister your child for an appointment now. Once final approval occurs, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will email you to make an appointment. The county expects to begin vaccinating this age group at its clinics within the next several days.
3. MCPS will continue to provide free meals to all MCPS students and county residents (18 years and younger) through the summer. Students participating in in-person summer school will receive breakfast, lunch and snacks on site. Students participating in virtual summer school and other county children will be able to pick up 7-Day Bulk Meal Boxes. Pick-up sites for bulk boxes will be located throughout the county. Community partners, including faith-based organizations, local recreation departments and other community organizations,  will also receive meals to provide to county children and youth.
4. Montgomery County has entered the first phase of reopening based on the percentage of the county’s population that has received the COVID-19 vaccine. On April 27, the Montgomery County Council Board of Health Regulation added phases of reopening based on the percentage of the population receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 
   • Phase 1: At 50 percent of the population receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, indoor gathering limits increase to 50 people and outdoor gathering limits increase to 100 people. (please note: six feet of distancing would still be required)
   • Phase 2: At 60 percent of the population receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, indoor gathering limits would increase to 250 people and no limit for outdoor gatherings. (please note: six feet of distancing would still be required)
5. Summer programs registration closes June 4. Summer programs are an important part of the district’s efforts to address learning loss and provide access to fun and engaging programs. Programs for elementary and middle school students will focus on mathematics, literacy, specials, enrichment and preparing for the next grade level. At the high school level, there will be opportunities to earn credits in all subject areas required for graduation, for both repeat and original credit, as well as non-credit options in local schools. Programs will:
   • Be offered at no cost to all students, with transportation available
   • Be offered in all local schools/clusters
   • Have all-virtual and in-person options

   Depending on the program, registration will be in ParentVUE or through your local school. High school programs will begin Monday, June 28, and elementary and middle school programs will begin Tuesday, July 6. More information is available here. If you need help activating your ParentVUE account, contact the Community Support Hotline at 240-740-7020 or email [email protected].

Hana O’Looney Elected the Student Member of the Board

Per MCPS:

Hana O’Looney, a junior at Richard Montgomery High School, has been elected the Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) for the 2021-2022 school year. Ms. O’Looney’s term begins on July 1, 2021.

All secondary students were eligible to vote virtually in the SMOB election and nearly 33,000 students cast ballots. Ms. O’Looney received 78.3 percent of the vote, while her opponent, Henry Kaye, a junior at Richard Montgomery High School, received 21.3 percent. This SMOB election was held remotely on April 22–23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. O’Looney serves as vice president of the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association, and as chair of MoCo EmpowHER. She has also served as president of Montgomery County Junior Councils (MCJC), the countywide middle school student government; on the MCPS District Assessment Committee and on the Systemwide Wellness Committee.

The SMOB is a voting member of the Montgomery County Board of Education. The SMOB can vote on matters related to collective bargaining, capital and operating budgets, and school closings, reopenings and boundaries. The SMOB cannot vote on negative personnel actions. The SMOB is not paid, but does receive a $5,000 college scholarship, Student Service Learning hours, and one honors-level social studies credit.

Ms. O’Looney will replace Nick Asante, a senior at Richard Montgomery High School, who will graduate in June.

For more information, visit the Student Member of the Board website.