Community members are invited to share their thoughts and ideas about Montgomery County Public Schools' major strategies to improve education for all students at the third of three community forums scheduled for Thursday, October 6, at 7 p.m. at Northwest High School.

The forums are focusing on the annual update of the school system's strategic plan, Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence, and the operating budget. Previous forums were held on September 22 at Albert Einstein High School and September 8 at Rockville High School.

Each forum is similar in format. After a general overview, participants discuss all of the strategic plan goals in small groups. Representatives from each group then participate in a panel discussion to close the evening.

Input from parents and community members in last year's forums had a direct impact on the current school system budget, which includes smaller class size, more support for special education, and increased translation services for families.

“Our Call to Action/Pursuit of Excellence” is a video outlining important issues that will be discussed at the forums. It airs on Mondays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. on Cable Channel 34 through October 6.

For more information, call 301-279-3626 or visit the MCPS Web site at the link below.