1. Board of Education Approves 2024–2025 School Year Calendar 

The MCPS Board of Education approved the 2024–2025 school year calendar. The calendar is responsive to community input by offering limited instructional disruptions and highlighting the system’s continued investment in our employees with the professional development learning days. Read more for key dates.

---

2. Annual Report and School Profiles Dashboard Now Available 

The district’s interactive online 2022-2023 Annual Report to the Community and the new School Profiles Dashboard are now available. 

The annual report provides the community with information about the district, student performance, operational performance data and the steps taken to fulfill the vision and mission of MCPS. 

The School Profiles Dashboard will replace the Schools at a Glance report and will provide a clearer understanding of district and school-level data, in alignment with the Antiracist System Action Plan. Read more.

---

3. Tune in Live Dec. 14 to the Superintendent’s Recommended Budget Presentation 

MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight will present her recommended Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at Odessa Shannon Middle School. The public is invited to watch the presentation live on the MCPS website, on the MCPS-TV YouTube channel, and on the MCPS-TV channels in English and Spanish. 

---

4. Winter Season and Health Reminders 

Inclement Weather Season
As we move into the winter weather season, MCPS aims to ensure you are kept up-to-date with timely and accurate information about weather-related delays, closures and early dismissals.

MCPS has six operational status options, which are reported by easy-to-understand, color-coded messages on the main page of the MCPS website, and this information is linked to each school website. Read more. 

In other news, the expiration date on the InteliSwab COVID-19 rapid test kits distributed earlier this month by MCPS has been extended another six months by the FDA. The kits are now good for 15 months from the printed expiration date. 

Health Guidance for Staying Home When Sick: Staying home when sick is important to keep our school community healthy. But how sick is too sick to go to school? Check out this guide from the National Association for School Nurses to help determine when. 

5. Bright Spots This Week 

A Tribute to Mama Wildcat

Walter Johnson High School students and staff showed their appreciation for their top Wildcat, retiring Principal Jennifer Baker, with a schoolwide surprise clap-out for her retirement on Nov. 30. Read more.

MCPS Systemwide Athletic Director Elected MPSSAA President 

MCPS Systemwide Athletics Director Dr. Jeff Sullivan was unanimously elected as president of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA). The MPSSAA oversees interscholastic high school athletics for 24 public school systems in the state. Read more. 

Students Taste Test Possible Menu Items

Students at Redland Middle School got the chance to taste test two recently developed recipes to gauge satisfaction. Students indulged in vegan pasta and loaded potato dishes and gave feedback on whether the dishes should go on school lunch menus. The Division of Food and Nutrition Services continues to hold student-driven taste testing opportunities to ensure their voices are represented in the decision-making process.

---

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