Things to Know

Board of Education Elects New Officers

Grace Rivera-Oven was elected president and Brenda Wolff was elected vice president of the Montgomery County Board of Education during a business meeting on Nov. 20.

Rivera-Oven will begin her first term as president of the Board on Dec. 1. Ms. Rivera-Oven was elected to the Board of Education in 2022 and represents District 1. Her passion for equity and family engagement stems from her experience as a graduate of Gaithersburg High School, where she remembers the challenges of growing up as a Latina student in MCPS. 

Ms. Wolff, representing District 5, has served on the Board since 2018 and was re-elected to a second term in 2022. She previously served two terms as president and one term as vice president.

Board leaders serve one-year terms. Watch the election and read more.

Join Us for Operating Budget Listening Sessions in December

MCPS is hosting three community listening sessions to discuss the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Operating Budget. Join Superintendent Thomas Taylor and MCPS leadership to share your insights on what should be prioritized for next year. Parents, staff, students and community members are encouraged to ask questions and engage in the conversation. Read more about when and where.

Engagement Sessions Set for Dec. 1-4 for Additional Boundary Options

MCPS is hosting a new round of engagement sessions on the Woodward/Northwood and Crown/Damascus boundary studies during the first week of December. Four will be virtual; two will be in person. Additional boundary options will be shared for each of the current boundary studies. These additional boundary options do not replace the current boundary options (A–D) that have already been released. Read more.

Now You Know: Climate Survey

The 2025–2026 Districtwide Culture and Climate Survey is now available — and we need to hear from you! Your feedback helps to ensure that every student and family in every school feels included, supported and ready to thrive. The survey is confidential and takes just a few minutes. Read more.

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

Take the survey.

Thanksgiving Week Schedule and Attendance

This is a reminder that schools will release students early on Monday, Nov. 24, and Tuesday, Nov. 25. It is important for students to attend school on these days and complete their work to stay on track before the holiday break. Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 26, through Friday, Nov. 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Read more.

Share Your Feedback on the 2026-2027 School Calendar

As MCPS continues to develop the 2026-2027 school calendar, the district is seeking more input from you! Please complete this survey to share input on the proposed draft traditional calendars for the 2026-2027 school year.

Parent-Teacher Conferences Coming Next Week

Parent-teacher conferences will be held Nov. 24-25 and are a great opportunity to talk with your child’s teacher about how your child is doing — academically and socially. For questions you can ask and tips to help you prepare, read more. 

BOE Seeking Comment on Four Policies

The Board of Education is seeking comment on proposed amendments to four policies: Policy DIG, Operating Fund Investments, Policy DAA, Fiscal Responsibility and Control, Policy GIG, Funding Retirement/Pension System and Policy IGS, Emerging Technologies in Education.

See the draft policies and submit comments.

Interested in Driving a School Bus?

Come meet the Division of Transportation Services’ human resources team and learn how you can have a rewarding career with MCPS. Transportation Services will have an information booth at Westfield Montgomery Mall from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, and from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

The team will be located at a table outside the Apple store at the mall, which is located at 7101 Democracy Blvd.

Prioritizing Safety in Our Schools

Last week, MCPS teams visited the Clarksburg cluster of schools and the district remains on track to complete the background check, fingerprinting and badging process by mid-December. Below is an update on the progress to date, reflecting the number of employees who have already been rescreened.

Save the Date: Used Car, Computer Sale Coming Dec. 6

Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will sell used cars and computers they have refurbished from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Gaithersburg High School. The school is located at 101 Education Blvd. in Gaithersburg. Inventory will be posted in December. Read more.

Student Opportunities

• Women Making History Award: High school seniors are eligible for the 2026 “Women Making History Award,” an honor that recognizes outstanding women in Montgomery County who make significant contributions to the community. Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. 

• Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is seeking high school students for this project-based learning program that teaches leadership skills, the importance of roadway design, law enforcement, outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community. Up to 46 Student Service Learning hours are available. Deadline: Friday, Dec. 5. 

• Speak Up; Save a Life: Create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid/fentanyl abuse and overdose among teens. Deadline: Sunday, Dec. 7.

• C-SPAN StudentCam Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to create a 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: 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. Top prize is $1,000. Deadline: Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.

• America’s Field Trip: This contest invites students in grades 3-12 to submit writing or artwork in sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — and earn the opportunity to travel for field trip experiences at historic and cultural landmarks. Deadline: March 30, 2026.

• Seeking High School Election Workers: This Montgomery County Board of Elections program provides students with an opportunity to serve voters during the 2026 Gubernatorial Elections in June 2026. Students registered to vote can submit an application. Students not registered to vote should download, complete and mail these three forms: Maryland Voter Registration, Election Worker Application and Permission Slip (for workers under 18 years old).

Reminders

• Remembrance and Reconciliation Month: Students can earn one SSL hour for attending a webinar on the Impact of Montgomery County’s Urban Renewal Programs on African American Communities, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24. Learn more and register.

• Winter Market: Rock Terrace School is hosting a Winter Market from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. This will be an evening filled with shopping, fun and community spirit. The school is looking for local businesses, crafters and artisans to showcase their gifts, crafts and treats. Admission is free; the vendor table fee is $25. For questions, send an email.

From the News Page

• Sealed with a K.I.S.S.: Students at Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary School recently welcomed loved ones to the annual K.I.S.S. (Kids Inviting Someone Special) Breakfast, a beloved school tradition that celebrates family, friendship and community.

• Leadership, Learning and Connection: More than 225 young men in Grades 4-12 and 125 parents and guardians came together for the 2025 Game Changer Conference, which  encouraged students to build confidence, strengthen life skills and prepare for success in a rapidly changing world.

• Celebrating Japanese Culture: Albert Einstein High School recently celebrated the 20th anniversary years of its Japanese language and cultural program with a special Sakura tree planting ceremony. The school received six new cherry blossom trees as part of its enduring friendship between the U.S. and Japan. 

• Edison HS Network Operations Students Put Their Skills to Work: Students refurbished and donated a full computer lab to the Prathertown Community Development Corp., helping expand digital literacy and job readiness programs for local residents.

• Giving Thanks: For the 47th year, Walter Johnson students welcomed senior citizens for a Thanksgiving luncheon, along with singing, dancing and student performances.