Join Us for Community Engagement Sessions!

Superintendent Thomas Taylor is continuing to meet with as many stakeholders as possible to learn about the Montgomery County community. Save the date for one of his two remaining community engagement sessions:

• Monday, Oct. 21, Paint Branch High School, 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, 7-8 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 14, Walt Whitman High School, 7100 Whittier Blvd., Bethesda, 7–8 p.m.

Interpretation services will be available in Spanish and American Sign Language.

The sessions allow parents, students, staff and community members to connect with the superintendent and to share input on two key questions regarding the district's operations and academics.

• Regarding operations, what is working well in the district and what needs attention?
• Regarding academics, what should be done differently to improve student academic results?

Attendees will have the opportunity to voice feedback verbally during the session. Those who prefer to submit feedback digitally can do so on this Google form. 

Einstein to Host Marching Band Showcase on Oct. 19

Fourteen bands will participate in this year’s Marching Band Showcase, set for noon–3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Albert Einstein High School. The high school bands performing are: Montgomery Blair, James Hubert Blake, Clarksburg, Damascus, John F. Kennedy, Col. Zadok Magruder, Northwood, Paint Branch, Quince Orchard, Rockville, Seneca Valley, Springbrook, Watkins Mill and Einstein. There will also be a performance from a middle school massed band.

This event is free and open to the public. Einstein is located at 11135 Newport Mill Road in Kensington. Any changes due to inclement weather will be posted on the Fine Arts X feed @MCPSArts.

Free Parenting Support for MCPS Parents and Caregivers

MCPS is continuing its partnership with the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP), a local nonprofit that provides resources and support to parents and caregivers. The PEP Family Resiliency Program is a free, online eight-week program which helps parents and caregivers learn tools to strengthen family connections, support children’s mental health and encourage success in school. Earn a $50 gift card for taking at least five sessions and completing the evaluation. Sessions start the week of Oct. 14 and are offered in English, Spanish and Amharic. Register. 

Hispanic Heritage: A Champion for Students and Families in Community Schools

Daysi Castro is an instructional specialist in the Community Schools, where her dedication and passion have transformed the lives of students and families. Castro’s story is deeply intertwined with her Hispanic heritage. She was born in El Salvador and moved to the United States at just 2 years old. Her parents instilled in her a strong work ethic and commitment to education. Read her story.  

Register Now for Oct. 26 Game Changer Conference

The Game Changer Conference will be held from 8 a.m.–noon on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Montgomery College, Germantown Campus, Globe Hall, 20200 Observation Drive, in Germantown.

This free mentoring conference is geared toward Black or African American and Latino or Hispanic male students in 4th through 12th grades. The conference theme is “The World is Shifting Forward! Focus Forward and Compete. 

Parent workshops will also be held every half hour beginning at 8 a.m., with the last session at 11:30 a.m.

Students are encouraged to write and submit a 300-word essay based on the conference theme, “Being a Competitor is a Game Changer: How will you compete to win and own your future?” Essays are due by email on Monday, Oct. 21.

For more information, contact Dr. Everett Davis, director, Student, Family and Schools Services, or Dr. Karen D. Crews, director, Student Well-Being and Achievement.

Students and parents can register here.

Student Opportunities Available

The following leadership and extracurricular opportunities are available to students:

Health Education Advocacy: Do you want to make a difference with students’ health and well-being in MCPS? Join a Zoom meeting from 6:30–7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16 to learn more about a new countywide student-led School Health Council. More information
For questions, email Dr. Cara Grant, supervisor of prekindergarten–Grade 12 Health and P.E.

Choose Respect Student Advisory Council: Applications are now open for students who are interested in dating violence prevention and wish to serve on this council. The deadline for applications is Monday, Oct. 14. Apply here. For questions, email Ashley Noy.

Speak Up, Save a Life: The State’s Attorney’s Office’s “Speak Up, Save a Life” student video PSA contest is open to middle and high school students. The videos must focus on the dangers of using drugs, opioids and fentanyl. Students can earn 10 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours by participating; the top prize is $1,000. Entries are due by midnight on Friday, Nov. 8. Submit an entry. For questions, send an email.

The KID Museum has two opportunities available for families:
Middle School Maker Night: Friday, Oct. 18, 5-8 p.m., Register here.
When school is out on Monday, Nov. 4, the museum will be open for 2nd to 8th graders from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Register here. Scholarships are available.

Apply to Be Councilmember for a Day

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando encourages all middle and high school students to participate in the 9th Annual Councilmember for a Day Challenge by sharing their vision for a better community through digital storytelling. Video essay submissions are due Thursday, Nov. 7. The winner will be honored at council with a proclamation and serve as an honorary councilmember for a day. Submit here.

Nominations Open for 2025 Citizens Honors Awards

 The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is seeking nominations for its 2025 Citizens Honors Awards—two are youth awards.

• The Young Hero Award recognizes Americans aged 8-17 for their courage in a dire situation.
• The Youth Service Award honors Americans aged 8-17 for placing others before themselves through volunteer service.

The deadline to apply is Sunday, Dec. 1, with the awards ceremony set for Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Kagan Senatorial Scholarships Open to Students in Gaithersburg, Rockville

High school students can now apply for legislative scholarships for spring 2025 from Maryland State Senator Cheryl Kagan. Scholarships will be awarded on need and merit. Students must live in District 17 (Gaithersburg or Rockville). Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24. Apply here. Questions should be directed here.