Dr. Cavena J. Griffith was appointed as Principal at the upcoming Gaithersburg Elementary School #8. She is currently the principal intern at Whetstone Elementary School.
Construction has continued to progress at the site of the new Gaithersburg elementary school that will be located at Kelley Park.
In the photo below, courtesy of Matt Yates, you’ll see where things stood as of last week.
The school is scheduled to open its doors in August 2022.
13 educators who completed the National Board Certification process and became National Board Certified Teachers in December 2021, were recognized by the Montgomery County Board of Education in this morning’s meeting.Through its National Board Certification Program, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certifies highly accomplished educators who meet rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment, and peer review.
NBPTS seeks to identify and recognize teachers who effectively enhance student learning and demonstrate the high level of knowledge, skills, abilities, and commitments reflected in the Five Core Propositions that define what National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) should know and be able to do.
Since the program’s inception in 1987, more than 128,000 educators nationwide and 3,473 educators in Maryland have achieved National Board Certification. Maryland ranks eleventh in the nation for the total number of educators who have achieved certification.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) continues to lead the state in the number of educators who earned this prestigious recognition of their proficiency, with 13 new NBCTs this year and 67 renewals. The 13 new NBCTs are among the 72 Maryland educators who achieved certification from the NBPTS in 2021. This brings the total number of educators who have earned National Board Certification while working for MCPS to 998.
MCPS Educators Who Earned Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 2021:
Samantha M. Ager – Sherwood High School
Jaime L. Bohannon – Rock Creek Valley Elementary School
Treasure O. Brown – Clopper Mill Elementary School
Nicole A. Hider – Northwest High School
Diana Jenab – Winston Churchill High School
Katherine A. Lin – Richard Montgomery High School
Gabriela Mendez – Rosemont Elementary School
Lauren E. Monje – Rolling Terrace Elementary School
Sarah Parrish – Argyle Middle School
Bonnie H. Peyer – Richard Montgomery High School
Susan H. Pickell – Montgomery Village Middle School
Caitlin M. Wise – Rockville High School
Chuiyuen Yung – Newport Mill Middle School
The next superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools is scheduled to be conditionally appointed at this Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting (February 8th, 2022), according to the meeting agenda.
Back in October, the Montgomery County Board of Education announced a national search for the next superintendent of schools for Montgomery County Public Schools, who will begin serving on July 1, 2022.
The Board of Education then invited residents to participate in a series of virtual town halls to share thoughts on what characteristics are essential for the next superintendent.
Per the announcement of the national, the Board of Education worked in partnership with the search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA), to “hire the best person to lead our school system as we prepare students for success in college and career.”
“The search will be guided by the Board’s core values, strategic priorities, and desired characteristics gathered this year from input by stakeholders in Montgomery County. The Board will be gathering input from the community on the critical characteristics of the next superintendent in a number of ways. There is a survey, virtual town halls, interviews, and focus groups with a broad spectrum of community leaders. All of the information gathered will inform the selection of the next superintendent.”
Last month, former Montgomery County Board of Education members and MCPS principals Michael Durso and Jeanette Dixon wrote a letter in support of MCPS hiring current interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight as Superintendent for the next four years, effective immediately.
The decision will be the first item discussed on Tuesday’s meeting following the opening of the meeting at 9am.
February 4th:
Montgomery County Police have released a statement regarding threats that were circulating online Thursday that mentioned a shooting would occur at an MCPS school today, February 4. MCPD says that an investigation determined that the threats were from a former student and were non-credible, and that the former MCPS student no longer lives in the United States.
MCPD became aware of threats made to a Montgomery County Public School. The investigation determined that threats from a former student were non-credible, and the former MCPS student no longer lives in the United States. #Mcpnews pic.twitter.com/DY9EYdq5AA
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) February 4, 2022
February 3rd:
MCPS has posted a message on its website regarding online threats made towards MCPS schools. The full message can be seen below:
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Montgomery County Police (MCPD) have been made aware of a number of viral online threats being made toward schools in Montgomery County.
These social media threats are similar in style and content and mention a school shooting intended for Friday, Feb. 4 and include racial and hateful comments. The Montgomery County Police have investigated and determined the validity of these threats to be low-level.
MCPS and MCPD will continue to monitor social media and will actively investigate any specific threat in our community. The community is encouraged not to share these messages online but to report any such threats to local law enforcement.
Montgomery County Police held a press conference Monday evening at Magruder High School. Police Chief Marcus Jones, State’s Attorney John McCarthy, MCPS Interim Superintendent Monifa McKnight, and County Executive Marc Elrich spoke.
Chief Marcus Jones:
-The victim is still listed as critical and had an additional surgery today.
-Initially not a call for police because it was called in as an injured person.
-First law enforcement at the scene was a Sheriff’s Deputy assigned as a community engagement officer for Magruder.
-There was an ongoing dispute between the victim and shooter and the matter was predetermined to be settled between the victim and the shooter in the bathroom at that time.
-Other students are believed to have been present in the bathroom at the time of the shooting. These students did not notify MCPS staff or 9-1-1/police about the incident.
-Students gave the suspect and victim’s information out over twitter.
-Victim was located during hall sweep by MCPS school security at 12:53.
-Ghost gun that was used by the suspect was purchased by the suspect online and delivered to his home.
-Victim did not identify who shot him and did not provide information to police.
State’s Attorney John McCarthy said that there were 16 ghost guns seized in Montgomery County in 2019, 70 seized in 2020.
Monifa McKnight:
-To support students and staff, Magruder’s schedule will be a half day tomorrow. Virtual support has been available since Friday.
-Students at Magruder will be provided with excused absences over the next few days if they do not feel safe or are too overwhelmed to return to school.
-Enhanced police officers this week at Magruder and there will be police presence at all high schools over the next week.
-County officials will reevaluate community engagement officer/SRO program.
-MCPS and Montgomery County will do a comprehensive review of all security practices.
According to WTOP’s Mike Murillo, alleged Magruder High School shooter Steven Alston Jr will remain held without bond. Alston Jr. appeared in front of a judge earlier today in Montgomery County District Court.
Prosecutors are claiming Steven Alston Jr. went into the bathroom expecting to engage in a confrontation with the 15-year-old victim and pointed the gun at the victim’s head. The victim allegedly pushed the gun away and was shot in his pelvis.
Friday’s shooting at Magruder High School was the first active shooting incident in the history of MCPS.
Prosecutors allege Alston purchased the “ghost” gun online.
In court, prosecutors claim the accused Magruder HS shooter Steven Alston Jr. went into the bathroom expecting a confrontation with the 15yo victim and pointed the gun at the victim’s head. The victim allegedly pushed the gun away and was shot in the pelvis. @WTOP
— Mike Murillo (@MikeMurilloWTOP) January 24, 2022
From MCPD:
At approximately 1 p.m., Montgomery County Police were called to the high school located on Muncaster Mill Road in Rockville, when a 15-year-old male student was discovered inside a student bathroom by school security with a gunshot wound. Montgomery County Fire Rescue responded to the school and provided medical assistance to the student, who was transported to an area hospital in serious condition.
The school went into a full lockdown at 1:05 p.m. and the building was secured. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s department, along with SWAT, assisted patrol in securing and searching the building. MCPD detectives worked simultaneously to investigate leads and identified a suspect.
The suspect, Steven Alston Jr., an 11th grade Magruder student, was located inside a classroom and taken into custody shortly after 3 p.m. A privately manufactured firearm (ghost gun) was found inside the school, which is believed to be the gun used by Alston, Jr.
During the course of the investigation, detectives determined that the incident involved Alston, Jr. and the victim, a 10th grade Magruder student. There is no evidence to suggest that the Alston, Jr. was targeting anyone else within the school.
Steven Alston Jr. has been charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, 1st Degree Assault, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony/Violent Crime, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon on School Property and Possession of a Firearm by a Minor. He is being charged as an adult. This is an active and ongoing investigation.
The victim is in an area hospital and listed in critical condition. Alston Jr. is being held without bond.
Montgomery County Public school students and staff members are being asked to wear Magruder High School’s colors – navy blue, grey, and white, on Tuesday to help unify the community after a 10th grade student was shot inside of the high school this past Friday.
Steven Alston Jr., a 17-year-old junior at Magruder High School, is facing charges of attempted 2nd degree murder, 1st degree assault, and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, after allegedly shooting a fellow classmate in the school’s bathroom. Alston is currently being held without bond is expected to appear in court today, according to FOX5.
According to the Montgomery County Police Department, a privately manufactured firearm (ghost gun) was found inside the school, which is believed to be the gun used by Alston, Jr.
The 15-year-old victim remains in critical condition.
Tomorrow will be the first day back for students since the shooting, as today was a professional day for teachers.
Thank you to our MCPS family and community for getting this started! Colonels, please wear navy blue, white and grey this Tuesday #MagruderStrong pic.twitter.com/hmKGls3jgm
— Magruder Colonels (@MagruderHS) January 23, 2022
@Northwest_Jags stand with Magruder! This Tuesday, Jan 25, we ask everyone to wear navy and white in solidarity. 🤍 🖤 #ColonelStrong #OneMCPS @nwhs_sga @AP_ews_NWJags @eddiepegues30 @ascienzo @MsB_NWJags @NWJagsAP pic.twitter.com/dSn8a6Yds3
— Scott E Smith (@NorthwestJags) January 23, 2022
The following letter was sent to Magruder High School students and families by Magruder Principal Leroy C. Evans regarding the shooting that occurred at the school this afternoon.
January 21, 2022
Dear Magruder High School Families:Montgomery County Police are conducting an investigation into the serious incident that occurred at our school today. Police have confirmed that a student has suffered an injury resulting from a gunshot on our campus. The student was transported to a local hospital in serious condition. Our thoughts are with the student, and we wish him a speedy recovery. The police have taken a suspect into custody. The police have also assessed that the school is now safe, and we are preparing to dismiss students.
Dismissal will begin between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. In concert with Montgomery County Police, students who ride buses will be dismissed before all other students. Parents picking up their children at the school will do so at the stadium parking lot. We will notify parents when it is appropriate to come to the school to pick up your children. Dismissal must proceed in an orderly manner to ensure safety as we reunite families with our students. Our goal is to facilitate students’ exiting the building as quickly as possible, but we ask families to be patient as we coordinate with our police partners who remain onsite.
In an effort to share information as quickly as possible, the message that we sent upon entering lockdown indicated there was no immediate threat to student or staff safety. We regret using that language as the police continued to actively conduct an investigation inside the school. Our following message clarified that the police continued to be involved in resolving the situation and confirming the school’s safety.
We will have more information about social-emotional support available for students and staff in follow-up communications, starting this evening via Zoom and continuing over the weekend and into next week. We commit to keeping you informed and will do so thoroughly and frequently in the coming days.
Leroy C. Evans Ed. D.
Principal, Col. Zadok Magruder High School
The letter to the Magruder High School community concerning today's serious incident may be seen here https://t.co/mTrSXCIM7a
— MCPS (@MCPS) January 21, 2022
Article will be updated as new information becomes available.
Montgomery County Police are investigating a possible shooting that occurred at Col. Zadok Magruder High School at 5939 Muncaster Mill Rd in Derwood around 1pm on Friday, according to our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh.
A juvenile teen male was found with a gunshot wound and seriously injured in a restroom and transported to a local trauma center.
The is an isolated incident and there is not an active shooter.
At 3:44pm, Montgomery County Police confirmed a male student was shot and that a suspect is in custody.
We will post more information as soon at is becomes available.
MCPS tweeted the following: “We are aware of an incident at Magruder HS and are working with the Montgomery County PD. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”
Magruder High School sent a message to the community stating the following: “Magruder High School is currently in aLockdown addressing a student health situation. There is no immediate threat to the safety of staff or students. We are remaining in a lockdown out of an abundance of caution and will share more information shortly. Please stand by.”
Montgomery County Police at 2:56pm: “We are still investigating a serious incident at Magruder High School. PIO is on scene. Media staging area will be determined shortly.”
Montgomery County Police at 3:44pm: “Montgomery County Police can confirm a male student was shot on campus at Magruder High School. The school is still currently on lockdown.
We can confirm that a suspect is in custody. More information will be released when available.”
URGENT UPDATE: HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING: ~1PM Friday in Colonel Zadok Magruder High School (Montgomery County, MD). Juvenile teen male found shot and seriously injured in a restroom; school remains on lockdown. Victim headed to Trauma Ctr. ISOLATED INCIDENT; *NOT* ACTIVE SHOOTER.
— Cordell (@CordellTraffic) January 21, 2022
MCPD is investigating an incident at Magruder High School. One student is injured and has been transported to an area hospital. More information will be released as it becomes available. #MCPD #MCPNews
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) January 21, 2022
During this morning’s County Council meeting, Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight and Board of Education Vice President Brenda Wolfe gave an update on MCPS’ COVID-19 response.
McKnight said that an announcement will be coming later today regarding more schools going virtual beginning this Thursday, January 20th. The schools were not listed during the meeting.
Meeting Notes:
Brenda Wolfe:
-Expressed appreciation towards students, staff, and community for their passionate advocacy for students.
-Challenges and obstacles shifted during pandemic.
-No central agreement on how to proceed, must listen to a vast array of voices.
-Listening closely to what health, education, and operational experts say.
-BOE is committed to an open conversation.
Monifa McKnight:
-Began by thanking the Council and saying she was deeply appreciative towards leaders of the county and families.
-Pandemic has taken a lot of patience, 20 months later still shifting and making adjustments.
-Unlike anything our school system has experienced in modern history.
-MCPS has been a leader in the response to COVID-19. 53,000 students served during summer school program last year.
-Increase in pay to substitute teachers as part of alleviating shortage challenges.
-There is no specific threshold for automatic transition to virtual learning.
-Multiple factors to determine if schools go virtual, including staff absences, student absences, unserved bus routes, unfilled substitute positions, and COVID-19 case rates.
-MCPS is requesting support from DHHS (or another government agency) to assume all responsibility for contact tracing.
-MCPS is asking Montgomery County to provide 190K rapid tests every other week in order to provide kit to every student and every staff member.
Per MCPS:
Dear MCPS Community,
Here are six things you need to know for Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Included below is a recap from the Jan. 12 MCPS Community Conversation, key factors considered for any individual school to move to temporary virtual learning, information about students’ masks, take-home rapid COVID-19 testing kits, and more.
- MCPS Community Conversations Address Overarching Community Questions
School district leadership and county leaders participated in a live online community conversation on Jan. 12 that can be viewed here. Elected officials and school system leaders answered questions on school health and safety protocols, coronavirus testing, and guidance for transitioning to virtual learning.
Following the community conversation, the dialogue continued with students live on Instagram, in a discussion between Student Member of the Board Hana O’Looney. Watch here. - Possible Future Transitions to Virtual Learning
To determine if any individual schools will transition to virtual learning in the future, MCPS will be looking at trends in: staff absences; unfilled substitute teacher requests; student absences; unserved bus routes; and positive case rates for students and staff over a 10-day period. See a visual example of these key factors. When a school is high in multiple areas as compared with other schools, MCPS will confer with the Department of Health and Human Services and then convene a team including central office representatives, the school’s principal, staff representatives, and parent leaders at the school. This team will make a recommendation to the Superintendent’s Cabinet.
If an individual school is determined to transition to virtual learning, notification to staff, students and community will occur on the website, through email, Connect-ED, and school-based social media, if it exists. The entire process of decision-making, notification and transition will take no longer than two business days, and parents will be notified at least one day in advance of a school transitioning to virtual learning for 10 calendar days. - Plans for Students to Access Instruction Virtually
During the Board of Education meeting on Jan. 13, MCPS staff presented instructional plans for any students not in school due to isolation and quarantine. Watch that presentation here.At the Elementary Level (Beginning Jan. 18):
- Students at home can access on-demand video screencast recordings of class through their MCPS
- Canvas portal (not through Zoom)
- Instruction will prioritize literacy and math
- There will not be interaction with teachers or high-stakes assignments
- This model will apply for any student in quarantine learning beginning Jan. 18
At the Secondary Level (Already in Place):
- Individual teachers are currently serving students in quarantine through either: Zooming students into their class for live streaming or meeting with them during a non-instructional period of the day
On a case-by-case basis, we will be expanding the availability of quarantine instruction to students who are not in quarantine but have concerns about attending school due to COVID-19. Families interested in this option should contact their child’s school, and the absences will be excused. This option will be available through Monday, January 31, and may be extended.
- KN95 Masks for Students
This week, all staff members at schools and central office locations received KN95 masks. KN95 masks for students were delivered to secondary schools. MCPS is procuring child-sized KN95 masks for younger students and those will begin to arrive at elementary schools next week. We strongly encourage students and staff to wear them when inside MCPS facilities, where masks continue to be required. - Take-Home Test Kits
Students and staff have received take-home rapid test kits. Parents are asked to help students administer these tests at home and to report whether their child has tested positive or negative using the MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Form. (You may also call your child’s school if you are not able to submit the information electronically.) All students and staff are strongly encouraged to use these kits and report all results, both positive and negative, by Friday, Jan. 14.Please also continue to report all positive test results for students and staff that come from tests not provided by the school system. Any student who tests positive will be required to isolate for 10 days from the date of the positive test, or 10 days from the onset of symptoms, whichever is earlier. Central office and non-school based staff also received masks and rapid test kits this week and are strongly encouraged to use these kits if showing any symptoms and to report positive test results. Tests for both students and staff will continue to be distributed over the coming weeks.
- Bus Transportation Disruptions Decreasing
Since returning to school on Jan. 5, staffing shortages due to COVID-19 illness and vacant positions have caused disruptions and cancellation of multiple routes. Those numbers are trending downward, declining from a peak of over 100 routes affected to only 29 today, Jan. 13.
Staff in the MCPS Department of Transportation are continuing to recruit, hire and train bus drivers. The Department of Transportation continues to:- Communicate specific routes and affected schools by posting daily updates on this page.
- Prioritize routes that serve students with special needs.
- Continue to use available staff to drive multiple routes serving one school.
Montgomery County Public Schools
