Welcome Back to School MCPS Style 2009

Tomorrow, August 31, is the official start of school in Montgomery County Maryland (unless you are a sophomore, junior, or senior at Blair HS, in Silver Spring, where the rules don't apply).

We're looking forward to see what has changed and what is the same for this school year, and are eagerly waiting to see the questions and challenges facing MCPS parents and students.

What's the same? The Maryland Constitution guarantees a right to a free public education. See Maryland Constitution Article VIII, Section I.

What's new? See the MCPS Guidelines for Course Related Fees. From the webpage:

The new guidelines will reduce the number of course-related fees families are asked to pay while preserving the broad array of course offerings our students deserve. All students, regardless of their economic circumstances, will have full access to all courses.

For our friends at Blair HS - note that the infamous Blair towel fee is now history:

Physical Education Towel Fee—A towel fee may not be charged.

• Schools are not required to provide towels.
• A student may bring a towel if desired.

My favorite part is the waiver. Elementary and secondary school FAQs provide the same language:

How will schools know that the student is eligible for a waiver?

Response: No verification of hardship is required. However, schools must keep a record of waivers provided. Once a parent, student, or staff member requests a waiver for a student, the request is not questioned.

So, what is a parent to do if a child comes home with a request for a check for course related material? You have two choices:

1. Send your child's teacher a copy of the Parents Coalition Guide to Fees. Remind the teacher that he/she is to be a role model for students and obey the law - including the Maryland Constitution.

2. Ask for a waiver.

On behalf of the Parents Coalition, we want to wish all students and teachers across Montgomery County a safe, healthy, and productive school year.

For the upperclass students at Blair - enjoy your extra day of summer! See you on September 1.