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January 21, 2026
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Save the Dates:
Don’t Miss the Rhythm for Dance, Drumline Showcases + Film Festival
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Three February events showcasing talented student dancers, musicians and filmmakers are coming up:
- Dance Showcase: This 12th annual event will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20 at Montgomery College’s Cultural Arts Center at the Silver Spring campus (7995 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring). Tickets for the public will be available on Saturday, Feb. 14.
- Drumline Showcase: Will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 at Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Road in Kensington. This event, which will be held indoors, will feature more than 10 high school drumlines. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door.
- Youth Anti-Racist Film Festival: Sponsored by the Minority Scholars Program and Listen Tell Media, this event will feature student-made films from 10 a.m.–noon on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Montgomery College, Cultural Arts Center (7995 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring). The festival hopes that the films created and produced by MCPS students will push for positive change within schools and communities.
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Who’s Hot 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? See the latest winners of the Unleashing Potential Award.
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Tickets Now Available for Feb. 26 Lunar New Year Banquet
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Tickets are now on sale for the Lunar New Year scholarship dinner, set for 6–8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at China Garden Han Gong (note new location), 11333 Woodglen Drive in Rockville. The snow date is Thursday, March 5.
The annual dinner, presented by the League of Educators for Asian American Progress (LEAAP), is a scholarship fundraiser for Asian Pacific American high school seniors interested in pursuing a degree in education. This year’s event celebrates the Year of the Horse.
Individual tickets are $75. Tables for 10 are also available for purchase. Sponsorships are also available.
Buy tickets.
LEAPP Scholarship Banquet 2026
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IRS Announces 2026 Limits for Defined Contribution Plans
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If you have a 403(b) and 457(b) defined contribution plan (retirement savings plan), be sure to take note of this year’s contribution limits. If you are not already participating, you can save for retirement with pre-tax dollars and with a Roth after-tax plan. Learn more. |
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Board of Education Requests Public Comment on Three Policies
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The Board of Education is seeking comments on three policies:
- Policy IGS, Emerging Technologies in Education, to update guiding principles for integrating emerging technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence, into MCPS operations and instruction. Comments due: Monday, Jan. 26.
- Policy BFA, Policysetting, to update and clarify how policies and regulations are developed and made available to the public. Comments due: Saturday, Jan. 31.
- Policy GCC, Background Screening of MCPS Employees, Candidates for MCPS Employment, Contractors, and Volunteers, to consolidate into an umbrella document the requirements for fingerprint-based checks of national and state crime information databases and additional safety measures. Comments due: Saturday, Jan. 31.
Review the draft policy language and submit comments.
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Reset, Refocus, Reconnect with Wellbeats
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Start 2026 feeling calm and focused with the Wellbeats Stress Relief program. Whether you have 2 minutes or 20, enjoy short, expert-led sessions designed to reduce stress, improve focus and support mindful movement. Learn more.
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Reminders
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- EAP Training: Are you an MCPS supervisor, administrator or in another leadership role? Join the Employee Assistance Program for supervisory training on Cultivating Psychological Safety at noon on Monday, Jan. 26. Register on PDO course #92917, section #143006.
- School Counselor of the Year Awards: Completed packets must be submitted by Friday, March 13 (nominees must be notified by Feb. 13).
- Athletic Administration: A seminar from 4:30–7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26 will be held for anyone interested in athletic administration within MCPS at the high school level. Register.
- Montgomery County History Day: This March 7 competition is looking for judges to evaluate student work. The event is from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Sligo Middle School.
- Calling Middle School Science Teachers: NIST is accepting applications for a career development workshop, the Summer Institute Program, from July 6-17 at its Gaithersburg campus. Deadline: Friday, May 1.
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