1. MCPS Moment: First Week of School 2023–2024

MCPS opened its doors on Monday, Aug. 28, welcoming more than 162,000 students to the start of the 2023–2024 school year. We were also thrilled to introduce Cabin Branch Elementary School, the 211th school in MCPS, and to celebrate the opening of four newly renovated school buildings across the county.

Watch a recap and check out a photo gallery from the first day.

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MCPS Schools Implement Remind, A New Communication Tool

2. What Is the Remind App?
Remind is a messaging platform that will be used to communicate among MCPS schools, teachers, students and parents. School staff, central office staff, students and parents will all have Remind accounts to enable them to send and/or receive messages using a preferred mode of communication, such as text message, email or phone call and in their preferred language.

When and How Will My School Use it?
By winter break, schools will be transitioning to and regularly using the Remind app. When your school makes this transition, parents and older students will receive a text message or email notification from the teacher(s).

For Parents
Parents can log into their Remind account via the web or using the Remind app.

For Students
Students 13 and older will be able to reply to teachers’ messages. All students can log into their Remind account via the web using the Log in to Google option, which uses their MCPS Google apps credentials. Students 13 and older who have a mobile phone can download the Remind app and log in using the “Log in to Google” option as well.

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3. Important News for Grade 9 Students Regarding State Assessment

Starting this school year for students in Grade 9 (Class of 2027), the Maryland Comprehensive Assessments for biology and government will count as 20 percent of the student’s final grade in each course. A virtual parent night will be scheduled this fall to share additional information.

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4. Safety Updates Ahead of the Fall Sports Season Opening Night

MCPS is committed to promoting a safe and welcoming environment for student-athletes, coaches, spectators and our communities. The MCPS Athletics Safety Plan will continue to drive operations and procedures for athletic events in order to promote a safe and welcoming environment for all. Read more.

• This school year, MCPS announced a new partnership with Medstar Health to enhance the school system’s sports medicine program for athletics. Athletic trainers have been hired and have started working in all 25 MCPS high schools. A coordinator of health and safety, Shawn Hendi, has also been hired. Athletic trainers, now MCPS employees, will provide streamlined and enhanced care for student-athletes and across the program. WATCH: Learn more about this innovative program.
• Congratulations! Your Student-Athlete Has Made the Team…Now What – Quick guide for Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of MCPS Student-Athletes

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In Case You Missed It …

Schools to Host Back to School Events

The Watkins Mills Cluster will host the first ever joint “Back to School Block Party” on Thursday, Sept. 14, 6–8 p.m. It is just one of the events happening now through September to welcome back students. The event will be held at Montgomery Village Middle School, 19300 Watkins Mill Road in Montgomery Village.

Be sure to check with your student’s school for the date and time of this year’s Back-to-School night.

Thousands Attend Annual Back-to-School Fair

Thousands of MCPS students, parents and community members joined school system staff and community partners on Saturday, Aug. 26, to kick off the 2023-2024 school year at the Back-to-School Fair. See photos from the fair.

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MCPS in the News

• MCPS Begins the Year “Nearly Fully Staffed, With Abundance of Bus Drivers, and Student Literacy Scores on the Rise”
• MCPS almost fully staffed with school security
• Montgomery County schools launch comprehensive plan to combat chronic absenteeism
• Families Attend Back-to-School Fair at Wheaton Mall