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December 17, 2025
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School-Based Background Checks, Fingerprinting and Badging Now Complete
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After nearly four months of hard work by our staff, MCPS has completed the background check, fingerprinting and badging process of all school-based staff. This effort would not have been possible without our hard-working employees who traveled the county, and to YOU, our school-based staff, who took the time to get re-fingerprinted. These updates are ensuring that the safety of our students and staff always come first.
The district began this work in September, after a report from the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General made clear that background check procedures had not been as strong or consistent as they needed to be. MCPS began this work Sept. 8 in the Paint Branch cluster and wrapped up last week in the Springbrook and Damascus clusters.
Stay tuned: the background check, fingerprinting and badging process for non-school-based staff is coming soon. Every employee is receiving a new badge displaying the “Security Certified” image, signifying completion of the updated clearance process.
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MCPS Future-Ready Plan Off to a Promising Start with Q1 Gains
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MCPS presented the district’s baseline data for all performance metrics defined in the MCPS Future Ready: Fiscal Years 2025–2030 Strategic Plan and Quarter 1 (Q1) progress for the 2025–2026 school year to the Board of Education on Dec. 11, 2025. This year marks the first full implementation cycle of the strategic plan, which outlines the collective commitment to ensure that every MCPS student graduates prepared to thrive.
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2024-2025 Annual Report Now Available
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MCPS has published the 2024-2025 Annual Report. This report captures a pivotal year of transition — one that included the development of the MCPS Future Ready Strategic Plan, which now drives and monitors progress, and sets the goals and objectives that guide the district’s work.
The report highlights key accomplishments, systemwide priorities and the foundation built for the multi-year plan now underway.
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Be Sure to Tune In!
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Superintendent Thomas Taylor will deliver his Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget presentation at 6:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Wednesday, Dec. 17. Watch online or on MCPS TV on cable (Comcast 34, Verizon 36 and RCN 88).
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Is Your Employee Information Up to Date?
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Did you move, marry or have a baby in 2025? Find out how to keep your personal information up to date with the Employee and Retiree Service Center (ERSC) to ensure your employment-related business is aligned with your wishes and you will never miss an important notification.
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Deadlines Extended for Staff Awards; Get Those Nominations In!
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The deadlines to submit nominations for MCPS awards are nearly here—make sure to get those applications in!
Read about all the awards.
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Registration for Spring Professional Development Will Open on Dec. 22
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Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for the spring semester will be available for registration beginning Monday, Dec. 22 through the Professional Development Online (PDO) system. The spring semester runs from February to mid-June. Teachers have priority registration in CPD courses.
Visit the Continuing Professional Development website for details on eligibility, registration and course fees.
Questions? Contact Michele Gessford in the Department of Talent Acquisition.
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Introducing Roth Contributions in 2026
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Good news! Starting Jan. 1, 2026, employees can boost their retirement savings in their MCPS Fidelity 403(b) and 457(b) retirement savings plans with the new Roth contribution option and higher catch-up limits for those aged 60-63. You can change your contribution at any time by logging in to the Fidelity website or by calling Fidelity at 1-800-343-0860.
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AIM Recognizes Two for Community Leadership
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An MCPS principal and high school student were recently honored during the 25th anniversary of Action in Montgomery (AIM).
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Seven Students Win Full-Tuition QuestBridge Scholarships
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Seven MCPS seniors have earned full-tuition scholarships from QuestBridge, a national nonprofit organization that connects high-achieving high school seniors with 55 colleges and universities.
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Winter Coat Drive Underway — Larger Sizes Needed
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The International Admissions and Enrollment Office (specifically, the McKinney-Vento Unit, which assists students experiencing homelessness or housing instability) is requesting donations of new coats for students in need. Medium and large sized donations of boys’ and girls’ coats (up to size 5X) are most needed. Suggested items may be found on its Amazon wish list.
Items can be dropped off at Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Room 149 in Rockville, in person from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Friday, or ordered online and delivered directly to Rocking Horse Road Center, to the attention of Heidi LeMond.
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Who’s On Fire This Week?
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Your colleagues do things every single day to make MCPS shine. Which of your colleagues deserves the spotlight? Who’s knocking it out of the park? The Unleashing Potential Award celebrates excellence in teamwork, collaboration and peer support across MCPS schools and offices.
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Ready to Quit Smoking?
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Join Well Aware and Kaiser Permanente for the three-week tobacco cessation class, Quit for Good. The next class begins on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.
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Join the List and Learn More!
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Interested in receiving updates on Employee Assistance Program (EAP) events, programs and resources? The EAP is a free and confidential benefit available to all MCPS employees, adult household family members and retirees.
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Summer RISE 2025 Host Registration Is Open
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Help guide students on their career journeys: MCPS is seeking hosts for the 2026 Summer RISE program, which will be held from June 22–July 24, 2026. Open your workplace to rising MCPS juniors and seniors for 50 hours of hands-on learning—virtual, in-person or hybrid experiences.
Learn more by scheduling an informational meeting, visit www.MCPS-SummerRISE.org or contact Davida Gurstelle at 240-740-5599.
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From the News Page
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Competing in SkillsUSA: After showcasing knowledge, skills and growth in their respective competitions, 127 Thomas Edison High School of Technology students who earned top scores will advance to regional and/or state contests.
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International Orchestra Conference: String orchestras from Robert Frost Middle School and Thomas S. Wootton High School will be taking the stage this week at the The Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
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And the Emmy Goes to …: John F. Kennedy High School’s Broadcast and Communications Academy earned two for a story on teacher retention.
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Dates to Remember
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Monday, Dec. 22—Tuesday, Dec. 23 – Early release days for students (Arcola Elementary School only)
Wednesday, Dec. 24—Thursday, Dec. 25 – Winter break; all schools and offices closed
Friday, Dec. 26—Monday, Dec. 29 – Winter break; no school for students and teachers (All Schools)
Friday, Dec. 26 – Payday
Tuesday, Dec. 30—Wednesday, Dec. 31 – Systemwide closure; all schools and offices closed
Thursday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day; all schools and offices closed
Friday, Jan. 2 – Winter break; no school for students and teachers (All Schools)
Tuesday, Jan. 6 – Board of Education’s Operating Budget Work Session
Thursday, Jan. 8 – Board of Education work session
Friday, Jan. 9 – Payday |
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