BOE Names Three Finalists for Student Service Awards; Be Sure to Join Us for Awards Night!

The Montgomery County Board of Education has named three student finalists for its Student Service Award. This award honors a current student who contributes a significant amount of time and expertise to MCPS programs, develops and/or implements exemplary programs or projects, and makes contributions that benefit the entire school system.

The finalists are: German Diaz-Peña, a senior at Rockville High School, Samantha (Sam) Ross, a senior at Montgomery Blair High School, and Kylie Zhang, a sophomore at Poolesville High School.

Read their stories.

The winner of the Student Service Award will be announced at the Distinguished Service to Education Honors celebration on Tuesday, May 6 at The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda.

Mark your calendars! The entire community is invited to attend this free event that will celebrate the power of public education and also honor top educators, supporting staff and community partners. It will be held at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.; the program begins at 6:30 p.m.

RSVP.

In Case You Missed It …

Due to inclement weather earlier this year, the 2024–2025 school year will be extended to Tuesday, June 17, with Friday, June 13, Monday, June 16, and Tuesday, June 17 all being early release days for students. Read this community message emailed to families on Wednesday, April 9, for the details.

Next Stop for the Opportunity Express: April 30!

The next stop for the MCPS Opportunity Express is the Division of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS), 8401 Turkey Thicket Drive in Gaithersburg. MCPS’ new mobile recruitment vehicle will stop there between 8:30–11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, and will be hiring for jobs within DFNS and the Division of Maintenance and Operations. The Opportunity Express will be visiting locations throughout the county to promote job openings the district has available. Spread the word to your friends and neighbors, and join us on April 30 for your chance at a new career!

Opportunity Express, April 30, 2025.

Summer School Registration Now Open

Registration is open for Summer School 2025. Please contact your student’s school counselor to register. The in-person summer school program will run in two sessions—June 30–July 18 and July 22–Aug. 8— at Gaithersburg High School. Classes will be held daily from 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Virtual options are also available. More information

Summer school offers students the opportunity to stay on track academically or get ahead in their studies. For details about fees, other summer programs and credit recovery options, visit the MCPS Summer School website.

Visual Art Center to Celebrate 50th Anniversary on May 16

The Visual Art Center (VAC) at Albert Einstein High School will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Friday, May 16, in conjunction with its annual art show at the school.

The event will include a meet and greet from 5-6 p.m. with VAC historian and former VAC art teacher Jane Walsh, and the art show and alumni celebration from 6-8 p.m.

The MCPS Visual Art Center is the oldest and longest running magnet program in the county. This nationally recognized portfolio preparation program is an Honors-AP level, pre-college, art portfolio development countywide program. Started in 1974, there have been just seven teachers in its 50-year history.

RSVP.

Explore Careers in Construction on May 2

High school juniors and seniors are invited to an interactive day exploring in-demand careers in the construction industry on Friday, May 2. Montgomery College is hosting the Skilled Trades Day of Exploration from 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at its Germantown campus.

The event is a collaboration between MCPS and Clark Construction. Students will be able to explore rewarding career opportunities, experience construction in action and connect with industry professionals.

Students are asked to register by Monday, April 28. Those who wish to participate should contact their school’s College and Career Information Coordinator (CCIC).

Skilled Trades Day of Exploration, May 2, 2025

Mental Health and Wellness Fair Set for April 26

The MCPS Black Mental Health and Wellness Fair will be held from 1–5 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd. East in Silver Spring. This event is free and open to all MCPS students, families and staff. It will offer information about mental health and wellness.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Nina Ashford, Chief of Public Health Services for Montgomery County. Workshop topics will include the Principles of Parenting Young School Children in Today's Social Climate; Practicing Self-Care + Healthy Habits and Encouraging Help-Seeking Behavior; Coping with Stress (for students); and Digital Stress & Mental Health in the Social Media Age.

RSVP.

Don’t Miss the Latest from Our News Page

• Walter Johnson High School senior Seyun Park has been named Maryland’s 2025 Journalist of the Year, but his story goes beyond the award. In four years with The Pitch, the school’s student newspaper, Park helped transform the publication’s digital presence and inspired a newsroom of nearly 60 student journalists. Read the story.
• From Gymnast to State Medalist: See how one John F. Kennedy High School senior turned a reluctant “yes” into a love for diving — and built a team along the way.
• Check out our salute to the contributions of media specialists: Finding Joy Beyond the Bookshelves.
• MCPS hosted the 2025 Youth Climate Summit: See how students learned how to make a difference in their own communities.

County Safety Day Set for May 10

The Montgomery Department of Transportation invites all MCPS families to Safety Day from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 in the Carver Educational Services Center parking lot, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. Safety Day is a family-friendly event that brings the community together to learn more about traffic safety in a fun and festive environment. The event is appropriate for all ages, with dozens of activities and community partners to visit for giveaways and prizes. Free shuttle buses are available for attendees at: Seneca Valley, Gaithersburg and John F. Kennedy high schools. Students can earn Student Service Learning hours for volunteering. The rain date is Saturday, May 17.

Safety Day, May 10, 2025.

Save the Date: Used Car, Computer Sale Coming May 10

The last used car and computer sale of the school year will be held from 9–11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Thomas Edison High School of Technology, 12501 Dalewood Drive in Silver Spring.

Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will sell used cars and computers they have refurbished as part of their classroom and lab studies. More information and an inventory list will be posted here as the sale gets closer.

Reminders

Series of Free College and Career Planning Webinars Available: The ACT My Journey is a series of free virtual events for college and career planning. Join Collegewise presenters at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16 for the Building Skills in Middle School for Success in High School, College and Beyond event. Register and learn more.

ACT My Journey - College and Career Planning Event Schedule, 2025

KID Museum Programming: Upcoming opportunities for students include:

• Spring After-School Classes: 6th–8th Grade: 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, Wednesdays, 4:30-6 p.m., Invent the Future Club
• Spring Break Camp: Monday, April 14-Thursday, April 17, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., KID Museum, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda. Register
• Middle School Maker Night: Friday, May 9, 5-7:30 p.m., 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda. Register

Celebrate Ride On: Middle school students can submit artwork celebrating 50 years of Ride On bus service in Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is hosting the contest. Participants will earn five Student Service Learning hours, and the top three winners will receive gift cards. Learn more. Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15.