1. Tune in Live Tonight to the Superintendent’s Recommended Budget Presentation

MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight will present her recommended Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget TONIGHT at 6 p.m. at Odessa Shannon Middle School. You are 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. The superintendent will unveil her priorities for the next fiscal year. 

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2. Testing Dates Available for the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy 

Qualifying high school students are encouraged to sign up to test for the prestigious Maryland Seal of Biliteracy at various high schools.

Juniors and seniors who are native/heritage speakers of languages other than English, currently enrolled in upper-level world languages classes and/or attend outside language schools are encouraged to register for testing. Students can contact their school’s World Languages resource teachers to inquire about the Seal of Biliteracy. Read more for testing dates at each high school. Visit the MCPS website for more information.

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3. Become a Summer RISE 2024 Host and Help a Student Gain Work Experience

Are you interested in sharing your career experience with rising 2024-2025 MCPS high school juniors and seniors? Learn more about how to become a host for the 2024 Summer RISE program!

The Department of Partnerships is seeking businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations to host students for a minimum of 50 hours of in-person, virtual or hybrid experiences. Read more. 

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4. Reminders and Opportunities

Maintenance and Operations Job Fair Set for Dec. 15

The MCPS Division of Maintenance and Operations is hosting a job fair on Friday, Dec. 15. There will be on-the-spot hiring opportunities for skilled plumbers, electronic technicians, maintenance carpenters, maintenance electricians and HVAC-R technicians.

Two sessions will run from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. and from 3–7 p.m. The fair will be held at the Division of Maintenance and Operations offices, 8301 Turkey Thicket Drive, Building A, First Floor, Gaithersburg. Jobs available are for first and second shifts.

FREE English Classes Available to MCPS Parents

The Class to Community (C2C) organization offers free English as a Second Language (ESL), GED and college prep, and digital literacy classes. Visit the C2C website for more information.

Enrollment form

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5. Bright Spots This Week 

Students Showcase Their Skills at Local SkillsUSA Competition

From cosmetology and electrical construction wiring to auto refinishing, Thomas Edison High School is hosting this year’s local SkillsUSA competition. SkillsUSA is students’ first opportunity to demonstrate their career skills in a competitive setting. Students have the chance to apply the skills they have learned in classrooms, labs and on work-based learning projects. Read more. 

Stone Mill Elementary School Community Raises Blue Ribbon Flag

Stone Mill Elementary School held a school assembly on Dec. 13 to raise its National Blue Ribbon flag. The school was given the Blue Ribbon distinction by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) in September. Stone Mill is the 43rd MCPS school to be named a National Blue Ribbon winner Read more.

MCPS Sixth Grader Gives Back This Season 

Annabelle Lee, a sixth grader at Montgomery Village Middle School, is on a mission to bring warmth and joy this holiday season with her annual toy drive. She received toys, coats and socks from the Wheaton Dance Twirl Teams to give to kids in need in Montgomery County.

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