Things to Know
October 29, 2026
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Turn Back Time This Weekend: Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour on this Sunday, Nov. 1, for standard time. As we return to shorter days and earlier evenings, remember to stay alert on the roads, and be extra vigilant for pedestrians and cyclists.
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MCPS On The Rise: Two-Thirds of Schools Earn Top Ratings on 2026 Maryland School Report Card |
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MCPS is celebrating a major academic milestone as newly released 2026 Maryland School Report Card accountability results show 134 schools in the district (67%) earned 4- or 5-STAR ratings.
The results show significant progress toward the district's MCPS Future Ready 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, which sets a primary benchmark of having 100% of MCPS schools earn four stars or higher on the Maryland School Report Card by 2030.
In total, 36 schools achieved 5-STAR status (including 20 schools that rose from 4 to 5) and 98 earned 4-STAR status (including 30 schools that rose from 3 to 4), while 17 schools recorded double-digit gains in their overall state performance scores. Read more.
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School Closure and Consolidation Study: Join a Virtual Session; Share Your Feedback! |
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MCPS is wrapping up the first phase of community engagement sessions on the elementary and middle school closure and consolidation study. Please join us for one of the two virtual opportunities left to discuss the study:
These engagement sessions provide families, staff and community members opportunities to learn about the challenges facing our schools, ask questions and share what matters most to them. No schools have been selected for closure or consolidation, no recommendations have been made and no decisions have been predetermined.
If you’ve already attended one of our sessions, please take the time to share your perspective on our feedback form. Your valuable input will be reflected in our updated FAQs, which will be available in the coming weeks. The form is open through Wednesday, Nov. 4.
A second round of engagement sessions will be held in late November and early December.
Visit mcpsstudy.org to review study information, explore frequently asked questions, learn about the process and find opportunities to share your feedback. Learn more.
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The Hard Truth: Infrastructure, Costs and the CIP |
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As MCPS works its way through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 Capital Budget proposal and amendments to the FY 2027–2032 Capital Improvements Program (CIP), the district is facing very difficult decisions. The hard truth: our facilities are aging and inefficient; costs have exploded and our bus depots are over capacity.
Watch videos on The Hard Truth.
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School Calendar Survey Closing Soon: Tell Us What You Think! |
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As MCPS continues to develop the 2027-2028 school calendar, the district is seeking more input from you! Be sure to weigh in on the proposed draft calendar by Friday, Nov. 6. You are selecting start and end dates for the school year (all three draft calendars have the same winter and spring breaks). It is quick and easy — take the survey today!
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Bullying Prevention Month: Building Safe, Supportive School Communities |
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October is National Bullying Prevention Month.
Bullying, harassment or intimidation is unwanted, intentional repeated behavior by one or more individuals made with the intent to harm, intimidate or humiliate a person or group. There is no place for bullying in our schools. Behavior that creates a hostile school environment, disrupts learning and school activities, or negatively interferes with a student's academic, psychological, social or physical well-being will not be tolerated.
Every student deserves to feel safe, respected and included. Read more.
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Learn More about the Amplify Desmos Math Curriculum at Nov. 9 Zoom Webinar |
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Interested in learning more about your student’s new Amplify Desmos Math curriculum? MCPS is hosting a webinar for elementary school families from 6-7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9 via Zoom. (The link will be available next week.)
The webinar will explore the daily lesson structure, including access to enrichment as well as Caregiver Hub resources for families, and homework. The webinar will be available in English, with live interpretation available in Spanish, French, Amharic, Chinese, Portuguese and American Sign Language.
Can’t make it? A recording will be posted on the MCPS website after the event.
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In Case You Missed It … |
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In case you missed it, the Mental Health Matters series continued this month with a video from Superintendent Thomas Taylor on the importance of making healthy decisions and living drug-free.
Looking for ways to prioritize well-being? Be sure to join us for the Mental Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at James Hubert Blake High School, 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. Free and open to staff, students and families, this event will feature workshops, a student-led forum and community partners sharing information about mental health and wellness. Participating students can earn four Student Service Learning hours.
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The Latest EdTalk: Supporting Multilingual Students and Families |
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On the newest episode of EdTalk, hear from host Board of Education President Grace Rivera-Oven and principals Alicia Deeny (Richard Montgomery High School) and Isabelle Mensah (Rolling Terrace Elementary School) about how their schools create welcoming environments, engage students and maximize family involvement for multilingual students and families. Watch EdTalk | Vea Educación al Día
You can now listen to all the EdTalk and Educación al Día episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
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Partnering for Student Success: Parent-Teacher Conferences Coming Nov. 23-24 |
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Parent-teacher conferences will be held Nov. 23-24, and are a great opportunity to talk with your child’s teacher about how your child is doing — academically and socially. This is a time to share concerns or tell your teacher about your child’s interests. MCPS has tip sheets available to help parents as they speak with teachers. Read more.
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Marking Remembrance and Reconciliation Month |
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During November, MCPS is partnering with the Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation to host a three-part webinar series on the changes that historic Black communities experienced due to urban renewal. There are other upcoming Emancipation Day events as well, and students can earn Service Learning hours for attending. Read more.
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Athletics Roundup: Hiring a Countywide Diving Coach; R.A.I.S.E. Report and the March to the State Title! |
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MCPS Athletics is looking to hire a countywide diving coach for the upcoming winter season (Nov. 14 – Feb. 10, 2027). The role includes leading three 90-minute weekly practices at county aquatic facilities (Martin Luther King Jr. Swim Center, Gaithersburg Aquatic Center and Germantown Indoor Swim Center).
Interested candidates should apply through MCPS Careers. For questions, email Kathy Green.
The October R.A.I.S.E. Report
Take a moment to dive into the latest R.A.I.S.E. Report for updates, achievements and highlights that showcase the work happening throughout our athletic programs.
The Road to States Starts Now!
The excitement is building as fall sports teams kick off their journey to the state championships! Visit the Sports tab on the MPSSAA website for the latest playoff brackets, schedules and admission information.
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Reminders |
- Now Hiring Bus Operators: Don’t miss the Division of Transportation Services’ job fair from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Shady Grove Transportation Depot, 16651 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. Before you go, be sure to update or create an online profile on the MCPS Careers website. Need more information? Call 240-740-6080.
- Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS) Applications: Apply today! It’s quick and confidential. You only need one application for all MCPS students in your household, even if they attend different schools. Need help? View this step-by-step guide and MySchoolApps video.
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Beyond the Bell |
- *NEW* All middle and high schools have made final updates to their extracurricular activities lists for the school year. The list is available here.
- *NEW* USG Lab Crawl: Open to high school students interested in engineering, technology, health or life sciences. Discover what it’s like to learn and work in these fields through interactive simulations and hands-on activities. Event is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2 at the Universities at Shady Grove, Building IV, 9631 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. Register.
- C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to participate in C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary StudentCam competition, which encourages them to think critically about issues that affect our communities. This year, students are being asked to create a five-to-six-minute video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Mr. Speaker, I Rise To …”. Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2027.
- Speak Up, Save A Life Video Contest: Create an original video promoting awareness of the dangers of illicit opioids, overdose and fentanyl among teens. Secondary students can earn 10 SSL hours. Videos can be submitted in English or Spanish. First place wins $5,000, 2nd place, $3,000 and 3rd place, $1,000. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30. Submit an entry.
- Capital Weather invites K-8 kids to submit original artwork inspired by weather, seasons, climate or nature to its Kids Art Showcase. Learn more.
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Stay Connected
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