News and Announcements

Science Night Coming January 21

MCPS and the Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) are hosting a Science Night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, at Gaithersburg High School. The snow date is Tuesday, January 28. At the event, parents/guardians will hear from MCPS teachers about science standards and what they can expect their children to learn in class. Sessions are targeted to parents/guardians with students in elementary and middle school.

2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Tribute Set for January 20

2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Tribute Set for January 20 The annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Tribute and Celebration will be held from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 20 at the Music Center at Strathmore. The event will celebrate Dr. King’s life through presentations, music, and theatrical performances. A visual arts exhibit prepared by MCPS students interpreting “Children of the Dream” will be displayed. There will be performances by Dem Raider Boyz Step Squad, the Akhmedova Ballet Academy, Kevin Dukes, and a special performance by Ronnie Diamond Hoard – former lead singer of the Ohio Players. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School and the Vast Expressions of Song Ensemble will be performing and lead by local artists Vohn Higgonbotham. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available the day of the celebration only on Monday, January 20 in the Music Center foyer beginning at 3:00 p.m. Seating is general admission and one ticket will be distributed per person. Seating will begin at 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Strathmore website or the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights website. The Music Center at Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda.

2020-2021 School Year Calendar

2020–2021 School Year Calendar (English and Spanish) The Board of Education has adopted the school year calendar for the 2020–2021 school year. The traditional school year will begin on Monday, August 31, 2020, and the last day is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16, 2021. The calendar includes 182 days of instruction; a 10-day spring break; closures for planning and professional development; and an operational closure in September. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/calendar/proposed-calendar-2020-21.aspx to see the calendar for all closures and early release days. The calendar was developed to comply with closings required by state law, guidance from the state superintendent of schools regarding emergency make-up days, and early release days that are contractually required by the Montgomery County Education Association. The Board also adopted an Innovative School Year for Arcola and Roscoe R. Nix elementary schools. School will begin on Monday, July 6, 2020, for these schools.  

The Facts About the Boundary Analysis

Board of Education President Shebra L. Evans and Superintendent of Schools Jack R. Smith have sent a letter to the community to clarify misconceptions related to the MCPS Districtwide Boundary Analysis currently under way. To read the letter, visit montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/boundary-analysis-update-20191211.html.

Nominate an Outstanding Supporting Services Employee of the Year

Nominations are now open for the Supporting Services Employee of the Year Award. This award recognizes a supporting services employee who extends himself/herself beyond the basic required duties and contributes to students and the school community by enhancing student learning, creating positive relationships, an