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May 27, 2026 |
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Celebrating the Class of 2026! |
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Class of 2026 — you made it! Families, teachers and staff across MCPS are incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our thousands of graduating seniors. MCPS will kick off its 2026 commencement season tomorrow (May 28) with ceremonies for Damascus, Seneca Valley and Sherwood, followed by Quince Orchard, Thomas S. Wootton and Blair G. Ewing on Friday. They will continue through Friday, June 12.
Together with families and the entire Team MCPS community, we proudly celebrate the hard work, resilience and accomplishments of the Class of 2026. Your moment has arrived — and we can’t wait to celebrate you!
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Meet the 2026 MCPS Counselors of the Year |
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Three staff members have been named 2026 Counselors of the Year. The trio — Laurenne Moreland, counselor at Bethesda Elementary School; Latisha Nelson, counselor at Lakelands Park Middle School, and Stephanie Powell, resource counselor at Wheaton High School — were recognized at the May 21 Board of Education meeting.
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MLK Principal Wins Mark Mann Award |
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Brandi K. Overton, principal at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, is this year’s winner of the Superintendent’s 2026 Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award, given for promoting academic excellence, positive human relations and community outreach. Overton has set a clear vision for excellence for all students and created an environment where risk-taking is encouraged. She is a kind and caring leader who has built extraordinary relationships with students, staff and the broader community.
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PDO Gets a Fresh New Look June 1 |
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Get ready for an updated Professional Development Online (PDO) experience that will make professional learning easier, more streamlined and more user-friendly.
On Monday, June 1, PDO will launch a new look that modernizes the way staff search, manage and register for professional development courses. While the tools and features you rely on will remain in place, users can expect improved navigation, a cleaner layout and an enhanced overall experience.
To ensure a smooth transition, staff are asked NOT log in to PDO on Friday, May 29. A quick guide is available here to support staff as they explore the updated interface and enroll in PDO courses.
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Pay Period and Payday Schedules for Fiscal Year 2027 Now Available |
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The Fiscal Year 2027 pay schedules are now available online and outline all pay dates for the upcoming year, along with the corresponding pay periods. The schedules also include deadlines for:
- employee submission of time cards and absence requests.
- timekeeper review of time cards and absence requests.
- line manager approval of time cards and absence requests.
Additional details for individual pay periods can be found in the accompanying Pay Schedule Notes. Both documents are available on the Pay Period and Payday Schedules webpage.
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Retiring Soon? Stay Connected Through the MCPS Retirees Association |
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The MCPS Retirees Association (MCPSRA) represents all Montgomery County Public Schools retirees and works with the Maryland Retired School Personnel Association (MRSPA) to support its members. A nonprofit organization, MRSPA advocates for and provides a variety of services to members. Learn more on the MCPSRA website and apply for membership.
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Work Schedule News for the 2026–2027 School Year |
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Your first work day of the 2026–2027 school year — as well as the total number of duty days for the year, any in-service days and more — is listed online in the annual work schedule. If you are a 10-month employee, your summer break may end on a different date than your coworkers’ summer break, based on your position.
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In Case You Missed It … |
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The Department of Special Education Services is holding summer professional learning opportunities for special education teachers and paraeducators. These opportunities were developed in response to staff interest in specialized training that supports high-quality instruction and student success; they will provide staff with research-based strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners.
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From the Employee Assistance Program |
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The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers support for work-life services that impact well-being, including financial, legal, food and housing information. Contact the EAP at 240-740-6500 for personalized assistance with community referrals, or visit the EAP website to learn more and to see resources by union affiliation.
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Clean Out, Give Back: Support Drive for Supplies |
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As the school year comes to a close in the next few weeks, schools are asked to encourage students to clean out lockers, backpacks and desks and donate usable school supplies to families as they prepare for the start of the next school year. Staff may also donate new or gently used school supplies that are no longer needed.
The 25th annual Drive for Supplies distribution event will be held from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. on Friday, July 24 at Gaithersburg High School, 101 Education Blvd. in Gaithersburg.
Participation in Drive for Supplies is a wonderful opportunity to emphasize MCPS’ commitment to sustainability, recycling and waste reduction while making a meaningful difference for local families. All schools and alternative programs are encouraged to participate in this end-of-the-school-year initiative. Individual families, staff members and nonprofit organizations are also welcome to attend and pick up supplies during the distribution event.
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Cornerstone Ceremony Marks Completion of Student-Built House |
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A May 26 cornerstone ceremony marked the completion of the 44th house built by students in the construction trades programs at Thomas Edison High School of Technology and Seneca Valley High School, in cooperation with the Montgomery County Students Construction Trades Foundation, Inc. For the past two years, students have worked through their architecture, carpentry, electricity, HVAC, masonry and plumbing programs to design and construct the single-family home from the ground up. Next up: look for the house, at 12402 O’Fallon Street in Silver Spring, to hit the market! Read more and see more photos.
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Board of Education Seeks Applicants to Fill Vacancy on Ethics Panel |
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The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on its five-member Ethics Panel. The appointment is for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2026. Applicants must submit a letter of interest and resumé or other supporting documentation by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 12. The appointment is scheduled to be made during the June 25, 2026, Board of Education meeting.
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Board Takes No Action on Policy JEF (Open Lunch Policy) |
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During its business meeting on May 21, the Board of Education debated proposed changes to Policy JEF (Open Lunch Policy). The Board considered a recommendation from the Policy Management Committee to rescind the policy and leave open lunch oversight to the discretion of the superintendent. However, the motion to send the proposal out for public comment failed to pass.
A subsequent motion to return the policy to the committee for language revisions also failed. As a result, the Board took no action, and the policy remains unchanged.
What this means for families:
- No Changes to Lunch Practices: Open lunch practices at all schools remain exactly as they are right now.
- No Public Comment Period: The policy is not entering a public comment period.
- Status Quo Remains: Policy JEF remains on the books as written.
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Excellence Every Day |
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MCPS is stronger because of the dedication of our staff. Throughout our schools and offices, individuals lead with care, professionalism and a commitment to excellence. Join us in recognizing these outstanding staff members and the latest Unleashing Potential Award winners.
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Reminders |
- Living Heritage: The Pulse of Culture: As part of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, this Board of Education special highlights how music, dance and tradition continue to connect generations across Montgomery County. Viewers will experience the beauty and meaning behind Indian Kuchipudi dance, Hawaiian hula and Chinese lion dance, art forms that preserve history, strengthen community and keep cultural identity alive for future generations. Watch the episode.
- Ready to Save a Life?: Learn hands‑only CPR and how to use an AED at MedStarHealth’s 3rd Annual Bystander CPR Workshop from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, at Montgomery Blair High School. Register.
- Fore the Kids Golf Tournament: Monday, June 8 at Montgomery Country Club, to benefit students at John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents.
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From the News Page |
- MCPS Educational Foundation Awards $2.3 Million in Scholarships: The Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation (MCPSEF) recognized nearly 260 recipients and $2.5 million in scholarships and awards from 17 programs, including 226 recipients of the 2026 Ruth and Norman Rales-Patricia Baier O’Neill Scholarship Recognizing Academic Excellence at the Evening of Excellence celebration on May 20.
- Reaching for the Stars: Wood Acres Elementary School students are reaching for the stars through a one-of-a-kind astronomy program powered by parent volunteers, hands-on learning and a decades-long tradition of exploration.
- Using Creativity to Lead Change: Wheaton Woods Elementary School recently transformed into a vibrant gallery of self-expression for its inaugural Celebration of Arts, Culture & Creativity, “Our Art, Our Voices.”
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