Superintendent to Deliver First “State of the Schools” Address in November

September 25, 2012

Media Contacts:
- Dana Tofig, MCPS, dana_tofig@mcpsmd.org, 301-279-3853
- Charlie Maier, Glenstone, Charlie@maierwarnerpr.com, 301-424-4141
- Jennifer Buzzell, Strathmore, jbuzzell@strathmore.org, 301-581-5190

Superintendent of Schools Joshua P. Starr will deliver his first State of the Schools address—Building the Future Together—on the morning of November 12, 2012, at the Music Center at Strathmore.

In addition to discussing his vision for the future of MCPS, the breakfast event will celebrate the accomplishments and talents of MCPS students. The event is free and open to the public and will be an opportunity for the business, nonprofit and education communities to come together to support Montgomery County Public Schools.

"The education of our children is a community endeavor and it is my hope that the State of the Schools will be an important step in building a stronger relationship with our education, business and nonprofit leaders,” said Dr. Starr. “Working together, we can provide the knowledge, skills, experience and services our students and their families need to be happy, healthy and successful.”

Dr. Starr has made community engagement and collaboration a strategic priority for MCPS in the coming year. He hosted more than a dozen events throughout the county during his first year to understand the many perspectives that make up this diverse community. He will continue to engage and meet with the community this year as the district works to strengthen its partnerships to benefit the children of MCPS.

Two partnerships making this event possible are Strathmore and the Glenstone Foundation. Their generous donations allow MCPS to host this event in the beautiful Music Center at Strathmore. Strathmore has a long-standing history of partnership with MCPS. Since the Music Center opened in 2005, the Strathmore Student Concert Series has presented concerts featuring the National Philharmonic to more than 20,000 second- and fifth-grade students each year.

“We are proud of our partnership with MCPS and are pleased to provide this opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate and support our students,” said Eliot Pfanstiehl, the Chief Executive Officer of Strathmore. “I look forward to welcoming the community to Strathmore and working with Dr. Starr to create a vibrant future for the children of Montgomery County Public Schools.”

Glenstone, in Potomac, opened in 2006 and, last year, began a partnership that allowed MCPS teachers and students to view one of the country’s preeminent collections of modern art. The partnership with MCPS is expected to expand in the coming years.

“I want to congratulate Dr. Starr on his commitment to engaging the entire community in the education of our children,” said Mitchell Rales, co-founder of Glenstone. “We are excited to be a part of the inaugural State of the Schools event and look forward to a long partnership with MCPS that benefits Montgomery County students.”

The event begins at 7:30 a.m. with a light breakfast and the opportunity to view performances and artwork by MCPS students throughout the Music Center at Strathmore. At 8:30 a.m., Dr. Starr will deliver his address in the Concert Hall. The event is expected to end by 9:30 a.m.

The Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation is continuing to seek sponsors for the event, with proceeds from the event supporting the mission of the foundation, particularly the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program. The ACES program is a collaborative effort by MCPS, Montgomery College and the Universities at Shady Grove to improve college enrollment and completion for students underrepresented in higher education. Learn more on the ACES website.

More information about the event can be found at the State of the Schools website.

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