Welcome Back, Team MCPS!

The 2025–2026 school year is here—and with it, the energy, optimism and sense of purpose that always come with a fresh start. Whether you are in the classroom, leading a school, driving a bus, preparing meals, managing operations or working in Central Services, you are part of a team united by one mission: ensuring every student is seen, supported and set up for success.

Join Us Saturday, Aug. 23 for the Back-to-School Fair

MCPS is hosting its annual Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Westfield Wheaton mall, 11160 Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton. This free event will feature family-friendly activities, entertainment and an immunization clinic, as well as information and resources from dozens of offices and departments in the school system, and from county government programs and services. MCPS will offer free, round-trip shuttle buses between the fair and Wheaton, John F. Kennedy, Montgomery Blair, Paint Branch and Richard Montgomery high schools.

New Employee? Get to Know ERSC!

The Employee and Retirement Service Center website is a one-stop shop for all employee-related needs. Head there for helpful resources on:

• Hub+: Pay statements, W-2, benefits, deductions, leave balances and more.
• PenPoint: An online self-service retirement system.
• Wellness: News, initiatives and other information.

New 10-month MCPS employees who work at least 20 hours per week may enroll in the Employee Benefits Plan within 30 days of hire. Learn more about benefit options on the ERSC website. Make sure you don’t miss the deadline!

You also may enroll in or make changes to your benefits each fall during Open Enrollment, with coverage effective Jan. 1 of the following year. Open Enrollment—to be held this year from Oct. 6–Oct. 31, 2025—is held online. Details for enrolling during Open Enrollment will be available in early October

Send Us Your Best First Day Photo!

Help us capture the excitement of the first day of school by sharing your special moments! Parents, students and schools are invited to submit their favorite first-day-of-school snapshots on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Select photos will be shared on the district’s website and social media beginning Tuesday morning. You may submit a photo by emailing us or tagging us on social media: Facebook, Instagram or X, and on our Spanish social media channels, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Registration Open for Fall Professional Development

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for the fall semester are now available for registration through the Professional Development Online (PDO) system. The fall semester generally runs from October to January. MCPS Teachers have priority for course spaces.

Welcome Back Tips from the EAP

The start of a new school year can bring up a range of emotions from excitement to uncertainty. Visit the Employee Assistance Program website to learn more about no-cost and confidential support to employees.

Employees Admitted Free to Athletic Events

Current and retired MCPS employees (and one guest) are admitted free into regular
season games hosted by MCPS schools, contingent upon proper identification and the availability of space.

Acceptable identification includes the following:

• School or central services issued photo identification card/badge.
• Retired employee card/badge accompanied by photo ID.

The season opens on Wednesday, Sept. 3. County Sports Zone is the official website for MCPS high school schedules. Opening day for middle schools is Wednesday, Sept. 24, and middle schools schedules are available here.

Welcoming Our Newest Educators

Hundreds of MCPS educators were introduced to MCPS at the New Educator Orientation from Aug. 11-14 at Paint Branch High School and at their schools. NEO welcomes first-year teachers and those who are new to MCPS. It offered educators the opportunity to meet their colleagues and learn about the MCPS curriculum. In addition, educators learned how to create and maintain a positive classroom environment, tools available for teaching and learning, and resources available to new educators.

Kick Off the School Year with Fellow Terps

Calling University of Maryland alums: Join fellow MCPS Terps for a networking reception from 4:30–6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21 to strengthen connections among Maryland alums working in MCPS. Whether you're new to MCPS or a longtime staff member, celebrate the start of the year with a professional development networking opportunity at Botanero Restaurant in Rockville

Ready to Quit for Good?

Quit for Good is a free, course-based tobacco cessation program open to all MCPS employees and their spouses. The course, offered as three, one-hour webinars, covers the skills necessary to successfully live tobacco-free. The program provides stress management techniques, healthy weight management strategies, help line support, understanding peer sponsors and other resources.
To register, email Well Aware.

From The News Page

• Best High Schools List: All 25 MCPS high schools earned spots on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best High Schools List. Four were in the top 500 nationally, and eight were ranked in Maryland’s top 25.
• Girl Power: Students from Walter Johnson, Paint Branch, Seneca Valley and Wheaton high schools showed off their flag football skills during halftime of the preseason game between the Washington Commanders and the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Celebrating Our Summer School Graduates: Don’t miss the photos!

Dates to Remember

Friday, Aug. 22 – Payday
Saturday, Aug. 23 – Back-to-School Fair, Westfield Wheaton mall
Saturday, Aug. 23 – SAT administration
Monday, Aug. 25 – Student Transition Day
Tuesday, Aug. 26 – First day of school for students
Monday, Sept. 1 – Labor Day; all schools and offices closed
Thursday, Sept. 4 – Board of Education meeting
Friday, Sept. 5 – Payday