Things to Know

Capital Budget Public Hearings and Work Sessions Set

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Capital Budget and FY 2027–2032 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) requests $2.7 billion over six years. However, it represents only about half of what district facilities actually need. Read more and join the upcoming public hearings and work sessions.

Don’t Miss Upcoming Boundary & Secondary Programs Analysis Engagement Sessions

In the next few weeks, MCPS is inviting the community to participate in a series of Q&A engagement sessions on the boundary studies and academic programs analysis efforts. See when and where they will be held. 

In addition, be sure to join us for a virtual “Pregúntale a MCPS” live on Facebook for Spanish-speaking families at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5. This session will focus on the boundary study options and new academic programs in secondary schools. 

School Improvement Plans Now Available Online

School improvement plans (SIPs) for all MCPS schools are now available online in three spots:

•  On the SIP webpage

•  In the School Info Box on each school's website – example: Arcola ES

•  On the School-Odex pages (for each school) – example: Arcola School-Odex under the Report tab.

SIPs are instructional plans that use data to identify strengths, address challenges and develop strategies for success to enhance student outcomes and improve overall school performance.

Mental Health Awareness Week Set for Nov. 3-8

The Division of Specialized Support Services and the Montgomery County School Psychologists’ Association are co-hosting the 2025 Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) from Nov. 3-8. The Mental Health and Wellness Fair will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Gaithersburg High School, 101 Education Blvd. in Gaithersburg. Open to staff, students and families, this free event will include workshops, community partners sharing information about mental health and wellness, a student forum and line dancing, Zumba and yoga. RSVP to attend. 

Refrigerator Curriculum’s Second Quarter Documents Now Available

The Refrigerator Curriculum — instructional materials for the second quarter, which begins on Nov. 4 — are now available online. This curriculum is a one-page overview of what students will learn each marking period. These guides help families stay informed about key themes and texts, stay engaged in their student’s education, and, if needed, request alternative assignments if a text conflicts with religious views.

In addition, families can attend community meetings tonight to preview the materials. Read more. 

High Schools Holding Financial Aid Workshops

MCPS high schools are hosting financial aid workshops for families to learn about the options available to help students pay for college. Parents can attend any financial workshop at any school. 

Financial aid is money given to students to help pay for college and career training, distributed as loans, grants, scholarships or work-study programs. About two-thirds of full-time students attend college with the help of financial aid. Learn more. 

Strengthening Our Schools: Background Checks and Badging Update

Background checks, fingerprinting and badging are moving forward as MCPS continues to prioritize the safety of all students and staff. Last week, our team visited the Blake and Wootton clusters of schools and MCPS remains on track to complete the process by mid-December. Below is an update on our progress to date, reflecting the number of employees who have already been rescreened.

Winter Athletics Registration Open Now

Registration for winter athletics will open on ParentVue at noon on Monday, Oct. 27 for middle school. Middle school sports include boys’ and girls’ basketball. More information

Now You Know: School Bus Safety

Riding the bus is a privilege, so it’s important to ride by the rules — stay seated, keep the aisle clear and always listen to the bus driver. Remember, the bus is like a rolling classroom, and good behavior keeps everyone safe. Parents, please help reinforce these rules at home, and try to arrive five minutes early in the mornings and afternoons. Read more.

Watch in Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese | Amharic | Korean | Portuguese

Also, be sure to check out a short video on the care and dedication longtime bus driver Hugo Carrion shows his students every day.

Student and Community Opportunities

C-SPAN StudentCam Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to participate in C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary StudentCam competition. This year, students are being asked to create a five-to-six-minute video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence.” Top prize is $5,000. Deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

Choose Respect Video Contest: Open to secondary students, this contest challenges teens to create an original video promoting awareness of dating violence/abuse among teens. Videos can be in English or Spanish and must be 50-70 seconds in length. Top prize is $1,000. Deadline is Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.

Remembrance and Reconciliation Month

• Earn up to three SSL hours for attending a free Emancipation Day celebration from noon-3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Button Farm’s Living History Center, 16820 Black Rock Road in Germantown.

• Attend an open house at the Sandy Spring Slave Museum and African Art Gallery from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. The museum is at 18524 Brooke Road in Sandy Spring. Learn more.

• Earn two Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for attending an online changemaker workshop on making a difference in your community from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6. Learn more.

Walking for a Good Cause: The 21st annual Step UP for Down Syndrome Walk and Celebration will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Falls Road Local Park, 12600 Falls Road in Potomac. This event brings together hundreds to promote inclusion and raise funds for the Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County.

KID Museum Has You Covered

KID Museum has camps available on days when school is closed. Day camps are open to kindergarten through 5th graders from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3. KID Museum is located at 3 Bethesda Metro Center in Bethesda. There is a cost to attend.

In addition, the museum is celebrating Native American Heritage Month throughout November. Learn about Mayan language and dance with Montgomery Blair High School’s Club Maya from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2. 

The Latest from the News Page

• 50 Years on the Road: Bus driver Vickie Owens finds joy in every mile she drives for MCPS, which she has been doing since 1975.

• Guiding Students Beyond the Bell: As director of the Excel Beyond the Bell initiative at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School, Ramon Pazmino is redefining what after-school programs can mean for Latino students.