1. Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences 

Get ready! Your student’s parent-teacher conference will be this month and MCPS wants you to get the best out of it. This is a great opportunity to talk with your student’s teacher(s) about how they are doing in school, academically and socially, and ask questions. Check out the guides below for how to prepare for parent-teacher conferences. 

• Elementary Schools (English)
  español / 中文 / français / tiếng Việt / 한국어 / አማርኛ / Portuguese

• Middle School (English)
  español / 中文 / français / tiếng Việt / 한국어 / አማርኛ / Portuguese

• High School (English)
  español / 中文 / français / tiếng Việt / 한국어 / አማርኛ / Portuguese

2. Share Your Feedback for Phase Two of Developing the MCPS School Year Calendar

As MCPS continues to develop the 2024–2025 school year calendar, the district is seeking additional feedback on two draft calendars from families, students, staff and community members. This feedback, survey #2, represents the second phase in the development process to further the educational interests and operational needs of the district. 

Calendar Survey:

English  /  español  /  中文  /  français /  Português /  한국어 /  tiếng Việt  /  አማርኛ

3. Attendance Matters: Monday, Nov. 20 and Tuesday, Nov. 21 are Instructional Days

MCPS is reminding parents/caregivers that Monday, Nov. 20 and Tuesday, Nov. 21 are early release instructional days for all MCPS students. Important teaching and learning will occur on both days, and they are a great opportunity for students to engage with their peers before Thanksgiving break. Please make every effort to ensure that your children attend. If your children are experiencing any barriers to regular school attendance, please reach out to a trusted adult at school, such as a school counselor or pupil personnel worker.

4. Reminder: COVID Test Kits Are Available 

COVID-19 home test kits will be available to staff and students before Wednesday, Nov. 22. Since holiday activities like travel and large social gatherings can increase the risk of exposure to respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, we want to make sure everyone has access to home testing. If you receive a test kit, remember to look up the extended expiration date on this table under Covid testing.

 

5. Events and Opportunities

Learn About the Operating Budget and Let Your Voice be Heard! 

Tune in to the MCPS en Español page Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., for a Pregúntale a MCPS on the operating budget via Facebook Live. Division of Management and Budget Office Director Ivon Alfonso-Windsor will be in attendance to answer questions. 

Fall Theater Productions Are Underway

The curtain is rising on fall theater productions at middle and high schools. Plan now to see these great performances, which run into early 2024. Read more

Awards Season Is Underway, Nominate Today! 

Is there a staff member, administrator or teacher who deserves recognition? Nominations are open for several awards to honor exceptional staff, teachers and administrators. 

6. Bright Spots 

National Apprenticeship Week

MCPS, in partnership with Montgomery College, Worksource Montgomery and the Maryland Department of Labor hosted two events during National Apprenticeship Week  geared towards students and the business community. Approved in 2019, the Youth Apprenticeship Program is designed to create compensated, high-quality youth apprenticeships that prepare students to enter employment in high-skilled, high-growth sectors.  

MCPS Schools Give Back and Give Thanks 

MCPS students and staff are spending the days before Thanksgiving break celebrating, serving and giving back to their local communities. From holding family-friendly parades and festivals, hosting food and clothing drives and spending time with senior citizens, check out a snapshot of activities happening around the district. 

Celebrating Athletic Championships

As the winter fall sports season gets underway, check out a round up of the fall season championship season. 

Some Highlights: 

• Northwood Athletics Earns National Honors

• Poolesville Wins State Sportsmanship Award

• Damascus High School cheerleading team 2A state cheerleading champions

• Albert Einstein High School - boys’ 4A state cross country champions

• Winston Churchill High School finished as 4A state finalists

• Walter Johnson High School - girls’ cross country team to the 4A state cross country 

Edison Students Donate a Computer Lab to the Potomac School

The Network Operations program of the Montgomery County Students Information Technology Foundation, Inc. (ITF) at Thomas Edison High School of Technology donated a computer lab to the Potomac School. The school focuses on providing rigorous and educational experiences for K-12 students in Chinese communities throughout Montgomery County. Read more. 

Check out the MCPS News Center for news and information, the latest photo galleries and videos.