Three MCPS Elementary Schools Named 2026–2027 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools

Beverly Farms, Somerset and Travilah elementary schools have been named 2026-2027 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools.

The awards recognize the schools’ exceptional performance on state and national assessments, as well as their success in closing achievement gaps among student groups as compared to the state average. Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools honored 23 exemplary schools throughout the state, 12 of which are public schools, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced on Oct. 20. The program is administered by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Read more.

MCPS Continuing Staff Meetings on Potential School Closures and Consolidations

MCPS is holding a series of community engagement meetings for school-based staff to get a “sneak peak” of the information on the potential for school closures and consolidations. Staff is able to provide feedback and ask questions, and can attend at any location.

MCPS is reviewing elementary and middle schools across the county and developing a clear, transparent framework for considering possible school closures and consolidations. The goal is to review schools against that framework and determine whether — and which — school closures or consolidations should be recommended by the superintendent to the Board of Education. No decisions have been made, and no countywide boundary studies are happening during this phase.

The meetings are continuing through Monday, Nov. 2. In-person sessions will be from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the media center. The Nov. 2 virtual session will be held from 6-7 p.m. (The virtual session is a public meeting and not dedicated to staff only).

Meetings are:

• Thursday, Oct. 22, A. Mario Loiederman Middle School
• Wednesday, Oct. 28, Julius West Middle School
• Thursday, Oct. 29, Eastern Middle School
• Monday, Nov. 2, Virtual

Be Sure to Weigh In on the 2027-2028 School Calendar

As MCPS continues to develop the 2027-2028 school calendar, the district is seeking more input from you!

Complete this second survey to share input on the proposed draft calendar for the 2027-2028 school year. The survey will close on Friday, Nov. 6. Take the survey.

Nominate an MCPS Star!

Awards season is here! Nominations are open for several competitions to honor exceptional educators, supporting staff and administrators. They are—

• The Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award: Honors a full-time prekindergarten through Grade 12 teacher. Nominees must have at least five years of teaching experience, including at least three in MCPS. The winner will represent MCPS as its nominee for the Maryland Teacher of the Year. For nomination information, contact your school’s nomination committee.
  Deadline: Friday, Nov. 20
• Montgomery County Public Schools Rising Star Teacher Award: Honors a full-time prekindergarten through Grade 12 teacher within their first five years of teaching. For nomination information, contact your school’s nomination committee.
  Deadline: Friday, Nov. 20
• SEIU Chapter Awards and 2027 Supporting Services Employee of the Year Award: These awards recognize first, second and third place winners in each of SEIU’s eight chapters. Nominees must be active, permanent support professionals with a minimum of three years of service with MCPS. The top winner from each of the eight chapters will be nominated for the Supporting Services Employee of the Year. Nominate
  Deadline: Midnight, Tuesday, Dec. 1 
• Worksite Support Staff Excellence Award: This award honors one outstanding supporting services professional in every MCPS building and worksite who exemplifies excellence, commitment and service to their school or office community. To nominate, contact your building’s worksite committee.
•  The Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award: This award recognizes preeminence in teaching; encourages creativity and quality in the classroom, and contributes in a substantial way to the improvement of education in the Washington, D.C. region. Nominate
  Deadline: 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11 
• The 2027 Washington Post Principal of the Year Award: This award recognizes principals who go beyond their day-to-day demands to create an exceptional educational environment. Nominate
  Deadline: 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11
• The Shirley J. Lowrie Thank You for Teaching Award: This award honors extraordinary elementary school teachers. Nominate
  Deadline: 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11
• The Superintendent’s Annual Mark Mann Excellence and Harmony Award: Honoring MCPS principals who excel in promoting academic excellence, positive human relations and community outreach. Nominate
  Deadline: 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11

MCPS Wraps Up Vibrant Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations

MCPS schools and offices wrapped up a lively month of Hispanic Heritage Month festivities last week. Check out the festivities from East Silver Spring Elementary School, Newport Mill Middle School and Central Services. Read more. 

Board Seeking Public Comment on Two Policies

The Board of Education is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to two policies — Policy IPD: Travel Study Programs, Field Trips and Student Organization Trips and Policy BLB: Rules of Procedures in Appeals and Hearings.

• The comment period for Policy IPD closes Friday, Nov. 6. Submit comments on Policy IPD.
• The comment period for Policy BLB closes Friday, Nov. 6. Submit comments on Policy BLB.

Policies for Public Comment

National Principals Month: Q&A with Tiffany Awkard, Silver Creek Middle School

October is National Principals Month. Throughout the month, MCPS is recognizing the dedicated leaders who guide our schools and support students, staff and families every day. Read more. 

Trailblazing MCPS Leader Alicia Deeny Wins ALAS Principal of the Year

Alicia Deeny, principal at Richard Montgomery High School, has been named Principal of the Year by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS). When Deeny was appointed principal at Richard Montgomery in 2021, she became the first female principal in the school’s history, and the first Latino high school principal in MCPS history. Richard Montgomery has maintained a 95 percent graduation rate under Deeny’s leadership, along with strong Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate performance, according to ALAS. Read more.

Look Who’s On Fire This Week!

Shout out to Meghan Wolf, English Language Arts (ELA)/English Language Development (ELD) Content Specialist at Gaithersburg Middle School, for being on fire this week. According to her colleagues, she is a fearless and visionary leader who consistently champions literacy, equity and student achievement. 

MCPS Fire Ribbons recognize those who make a difference through teamwork, collaboration and peer support in MCPS schools and offices. See this week’s winners.

Leaders: Build Strategies to Prevent and Recover from Burnout

The Employee Assistance Program is holding a Professional Development Series for Leaders: Session 1 on Burnout Prevention & Recovery will be held from 11:15 a.m.-noon on Monday, Nov. 2. Participants will explore the signs, causes and impact of burnout in leadership. They will also identify personal barriers to well-being and develop realistic strategies to prevent and recover from burnout. Register on Professional Development Online (PDO), course #94848, section #147886.

Learn to Recognize and Respond to Signs of Domestic & Dating Violence

Join Board of Education Member Rita Montoya for a staff webinar on recognizing the signs of domestic and dating violence, what warning signs and behaviors you might see in the classroom, and how to connect individuals with critical support services. The Zoom webinar will be held from 4:30-5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28. 

Speakers will be: River Paganini, student member, Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, who will share student perspectives on dating violence, and Smita Varia, program manager, Montgomery Family Justice Center, leading the presentation on recognizing signs, and offering an empathetic and supportive response.

Join on Zoom.
Register.

Investing in Our Team: DMM Holds First-of-Its-Kind Professional Learning Day

The Department of Materials Management (DMM) held a Professional Learning Day — the first of its kind — for its truck drivers and warehouse workers on Oct. 16. The professional learning was designed to invest in the skills, knowledge and practices of the employees who ensure schools receive materials, furniture, equipment and supplies to directly support teaching and learning across the district. The focus was on:

• Workplace, warehouse, vehicle and equipment safety.
• Professionalism, accountability and customer service.
• Effective communication and teamwork.
• Understanding how their daily work supports students, teachers, schools and MCPS priorities.

The day also recognized team accomplishments and celebrated staff, before moving on to hands-on, supervisor-led rotations. In the final, fast-paced, whole-group activity, What Would You Do?,” teams tackled real-world scenarios drawn directly from daily DMM operations, working together to decide the best, safest and most efficient course of action.

See photos from the day.

Grow with MCPS! Sign Up for a Higher Ed Partnership Program

Higher education partnership opportunities are available to MCPS employees who are seeking teacher certification or licensure, continuing professional development, or who are pursuing career advancement. Register on Professional Development Online (PDO).

More information 
October Opportunities

Educators Invited to Glenstone Museum Open House on Oct. 29

Glenstone Museum is hosting an MCPS Educator Open House from 5-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29. The event will offer an opportunity to connect with the Glenstone team and fellow educators, visit the gallery and outdoor campus, and check out new learning resources. There will also be a chance to explore a library of art books in need of a new home. The museum is located at 12100 Glen Road in Potomac. RSVP.

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Reminders

• Marching Band Showcase: Starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Albert Einstein High School. Free and open to the public.
• Mary Howard Day of Service: From 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Projects will include beautifying gardens and pavilions, maintaining trails and building projects. RSVP.  
• Mental Health & Wellness Fair: From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at James Hubert Blake High School. Free and open to staff, students and families. 
• MCPS and Fidelity Investments are hosting virtual workshops this month to help employees budget, save and manage debt; protect your accounts, identity and devices, and learn about investing for retirement. Get details and register.
• The Maryland Retired School Personnel Association is offering grants of up to $500 to classroom teachers to fund special projects or activities not funded through the school system or PTA. Applications are due Monday, Nov. 2. Apply.
• The MCPS Educational Foundation provides grants of up to $2,000 for individual departments and schools, and up to $10,000 for collaborative projects for multiple departments or schools. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30. Apply.

Dates to Remember

Thursday, Oct. 22 – Board of Education business meeting
Monday, Oct. 26 – Board of Education’s Capital Budget and CIP Hearing #1
Tuesday, Oct. 27 – Board of Education’s Capital Budget and CIP Hearing #2 (Virtual)
Friday, Oct. 30 – Payday
Friday, Oct. 30 – Open Enrollment ends
Monday, Nov. 2 – Grading and planning for end of term; no school for students
Monday, Nov. 2 – Board of Education’s Capital Budget and CIP Work Session #2
Tuesday, Nov. 3 – Election Day; schools and offices closed
Thursday, Nov. 5 – Board of Education’s Capital Budget and CIP Work Session #3, if needed
Saturday, Nov. 7 – SAT administration