Things to Know
March 05, 2026
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March 3 Facilities Work Session Highlights: What the Data Really Show
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On Tuesday, March 3, the Board of Education held a Spring Facilities and Boundaries Work Session on the Superintendent’s Recommended FY 2027–2032 Capital Improvements Program (CIP), continuing a thoughtful and data-driven discussion about enrollment trends, housing development, long-range facility planning, and the proposed regions and programs plans.
Read more.
Watch the March 3 meeting.
This month, the Board is continuing to hold work sessions on a modified version of Option B for the reopening of Charles W. Woodward and a modified version of Option H for the relocation of Thomas S. Wootton High School to Crown Farm. Read more.
Watch previous meetings:
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Lace Up for a Cause: Superintendent’s Shuffle Coming April 11
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Mark your calendars and lace up your sneakers! The first-ever Superintendent’s Shuffle is coming to Bohrer Park on Saturday, April 11.
Join us for a morning of community and movement in support of the MCPS Educational Foundation’s Dine with Dignity Campaign to help eliminate student meal debt. Registration starts at $30 and includes a race bib, T-shirt and event-day activities. Learn more and sign up!
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Now You Know: High School Summer School
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Planning for summer? MCPS High School Summer Programs help students stay on track — or get back on track — for graduation. These programs give high school students the chance to earn original credit or improve grades in required courses. There will be six high school locations across the county, two sessions and classes meeting four days a week. Students should contact their school counselor to complete the registration process in Synergy.
Watch in English | Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese | Amharic | Korean | Portuguese
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RespectFest Returns with Workshops, Resources for Teens and Families
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Secondary students and parents can learn about healthy relationships, dating violence prevention and consent, and community resources during RespectFest. This annual event will offer virtual workshops from March 8–14 and an in-person festival from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 15 at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center. Earn SSL hours and win raffle prizes! Learn more.
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Submit SSL Hours by March 27 for Service Awards
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The Student Service Learning (SSL) awards documentation deadline is Friday, March 27. High school seniors with 240 or more documented SSL hours will earn the Certificate of Meritorious Service, and middle school students who complete the 75-hour requirement for the first time in middle school will receive the Superintendent’s SSL Award. To qualify, students must submit MCPS Form 560-51 to their school’s SSL coordinator by March 27. All other SSL forms should be submitted no later than Friday, May 29.
All MCPS students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school, and spring break is a wonderful time for students to participate in SSL opportunities! Learn more and find opportunities.
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Heads Up!
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2026–2027 Kindergarten: Kindergarten registration is being held online through the ParentVUE portal. Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2026 are eligible. If your family is new to MCPS, you will need to create a ParentVue account here.
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2026–2027 Prekindergarten and Head Start Enrollment: Free prekindergarten is available to income-eligible families with children who will be 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2026. Prekindergarten and Head Start registration is happening online or in-person at community locations during March.
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Summer school registration for high school opens on Monday, March 9. For information about registration, students should see their school counselor. Read more about schedules and costs.
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Interims available Friday, March 6:c Interims will be released on ParentVue. They will be mailed home no later than March 10 for any student whose family does not have a ParentVue account. As a reminder, interim reports let families know if their child is at risk of failing or has dropped more than one letter grade since the last marking period. If your child’s performance drops again after the interim, you will hear directly from the teacher — by phone, email or text.
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Service to Public Education Awards: The deadline for the Board of Education’s annual awards is Monday, March 9.
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SAT School Day: MCPS will hold its annual in-school administration of the SAT on Wednesday, March 11. All high school juniors (students who were first time 9th graders in the 2023-2024 school year) are required to take the SAT on this date. MCPS will cover the cost for students required to participate.
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Bus Driver Hiring Fair: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 at the Division of Transportation Services, 16651 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. Interested candidates are invited to create a profile on the MCPS Careers portal. For more information, call 240-740-6080 or send an email.
Live Theater: Explore the Fine Arts calendar and catch a show near you!
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USG Hosts Spring Open House
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The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) invites prospective students and guests to learn more about the USG campus and the variety of degree programs offered by its nine university partners at USG’s spring 2026 Undergraduate and Graduate Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11. Attendees will be able to tour the campus, explore scholarship opportunities, meet with program advisors, and apply on site. The event will be held in Building IV (the Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Facility), 9631 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville.
More information
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Transfer Season Underway, Closes April 7
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The MCPS 2026-2027 Change of School Assignment (COSA) transfer season, which allows families to submit a request for their children to transfer out of their assigned home school, is underway. Transfer requests will be accepted through Tuesday, April 7. Read more.
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Important Dates
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*NEW* upcoming student opportunities:
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 1890 National Scholars Program offers scholarships to U.S. citizens pursuing bachelor’s degrees in food, agriculture, natural resource sciences or other related disciplines at one of 19 1890 Land-Grant Universities. Deadline: Sunday, March 8.
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Girl Power Contest: In recognition of Women’s History Month, entries for the annual are now open. Open to Montgomery County girls aged 5 and up, this year’s theme is: Women past and present have shown incredible, real-life superpowers. Who inspires you—whether a historical figure, family member, neighbor or advocate—and how did she use her powers to make a difference? Winners will be invited to a celebration in June. Deadline: Tuesday, March 31.
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Save the date: The Leadership Academy for Social Justice (LASJ) is holding a Social Justice Fair: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, Walt Whitman High School.
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Seeking High School Election Workers: The Montgomery County Board of Elections is looking for high school students to serve as election workers for the 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election. Students can earn up to $250 or up to 25 SSL hours for each full day worked. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, Maryland residents, at least 16 years old and registered to vote. Bilingual students are encouraged to apply.
Other reminders:
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Latina Legacy Conference: Open to Latina female high school students, this conference will be held Saturday, March 7 at Gaithersburg High School. Register
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The Matt Papirmeister Award: Open to high school senior art students. Cash prizes: $3,500, $3,000 and $2,500. Deadline: Sunday, March 15.
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Keeping It Safe Video Contest: Open to middle and high school students, the contest invites students to create a 30-second video on the risks and dangers of under 21 alcohol use. Deadline: Tuesday, March 31.
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Sober Vibes Essay Contest: High school juniors and seniors are encouraged to write an essay persuading their peers not to drink before, during or after prom. Deadline: Tuesday, March 31.
Maryland Center for School Safety’s Prepare 2026 Art Showcase: This year’s theme, Future Ready Schools, calls on student artists in Grades 3-12 to share their perspectives on what school safety means to them. Deadline: Sunday, May 31.
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Education Budget Forums Set for March 11
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The chair of the Montgomery County Council’s Education and Culture Committee, Will Jawando, is hosting an upcoming Education Budget forum. He will be joined by MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor and Dr. Jermaine Williams, president of Montgomery College. The County Council’s Education and Culture Committee is responsible for making recommendations on education spending to the whole County Council. The forum will be held Wednesday, March 11, 6:30 p.m. at Albert Einstein High School.
RSVP
Event Flyer
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Stay Connected
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