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Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Second Day of School: 7 More MCPS COVID-19 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION LETTERS

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Greenwood Elementary School

(August 31, 2021)

Greenwood Elementary School Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified that an individual who was last present at Greenwood ES on Monday, August 30, tested positive for the coron ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at James Hubert Blake High School

(August 31, 2021)

Dear James Hubert Blake High School Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified today an individual who was last present at James Hubert Blake High School on August 30, 2021, has ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Cashell Elementary School

(August 31, 2021)

Dear Cashell Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified that an individual who was last present at Cashell Elementary School on 8/27/21 t ested positive for the coronavirus (COV ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

(August 31, 2021)

Dear Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified today an individual who was last present at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School on August 12, 2021 t ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Weller Road Elementary School

(August 31, 2021)

Dear Weller Road Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified that an individual who was last present at Weller Road on Monday, August 30th tested positive for the coronavirus (COV ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Gaithersburg High School

(August 31, 2021)

Dear Gaithersburg High School Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified today that an individual who was last present at Gaithersburg High School on Saturday, August 28, 2021 ha ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Albert Einstein High School

(August 31, 2021)

Dear Titan Families, This letter is to inform you that we were notified last evening that an individual who was last present at Albert Einstein High School on Monday, August 30, has tested positive ...(more)

@NVRDC has been hearing about other disturbing experiences shared by other community members after the arrest of Kirk Shipley, a teacher/rowing coach from Walt Whitman High School.



 


Breaking: Whitman Crew Letter: July 2018 - "parent informed the Board of a rumor of a sexual relationship between Shipley and a former crew member that began following her graduation" "MCPS was aware of the allegation"




To the Whitman Crew Community: 


We are heartbroken and disgusted by the information which came to light last week regarding Kirk Shipley’s alleged sexual abuse and sexual misconduct. When we were informed, we immediately severed all ties with him and instructed him not to have any contact with current or former athletes, parents, or other members of our community. We are incredibly sorry for the pain and anguish that all of our athletes and parents are experiencing. We regret offering Shipley a position for this fall season and, in retrospect with what we now know, that was clearly the wrong decision. We, as Board members, are also parents of athletes and we would never knowingly put our children at risk. We know many parents, current athletes, and former athletes are disturbed and angry. You have every right to be. We are as well.
 
We want to be transparent with you regarding what the Board knew, when the Board knew it, and why the Board took the actions that it did.
 
In July 2018, a parent informed the Board of a rumor of a sexual relationship between Shipley and a former crew member that began following her graduation. This rumor came to light one month after the Board had initiated an investigation in response to an unrelated individual boating complaint regarding Coach Shipley. When the Board learned of the rumor, it was told the parent had already reported it to Montgomery County Public Schools and child protective services. The Board confirmed that MCPS was aware of the allegation and the Board immediately reported the allegation to SafeSport. As a member of U.S. Rowing, Walt Whitman Crew must follow the policies of SafeSport, which gives SafeSport exclusive jurisdiction over allegations of sexual abuse and the process by which those allegations are investigated. To be clear, SafeSport policy does not allow an organization to investigate such matters itself. The Board relied on the respective expertise and experience of MCPS, SafeSport, and Montgomery County child protective services to investigate and report any findings of sexual abuse or misconduct by Shipley. Neither MCPS, SafeSport, nor Montgomery County child protective services reported any findings of sexual or physical misconduct to us..

In June 2021, the Board received disconcerting feedback regarding Shipley during our annual survey. None of the issues raised allegations of sexual or physical misconduct. However, given the nature of the concerns, we immediately suspended Shipley, and we hired an independent investigator to perform a review of the program. Our decision to hire an independent investigator was based on several factors. We wanted to:
  • have a neutral third party lead the process;
  • engage someone with expertise in conducting investigations; 
  • encourage community members to come forward; and 
  • protect the privacy of the athletes and parents who were willing to share information confidentially.
We relied on the investigator’s findings, including the categorical statement, "There have been no allegations (or findings) of any physical or sexual misconduct on the part of Coach Shipley or anyone else involved with the program." Had this fact not been reported to us, our decision for the fall would have been different. For the concerns about Shipley that were noted in the report, we believed that we could establish protocols to address them effectively. Again, it was made clear that there were no allegations or findings of sexual misconduct contained in the report that was provided to us. We want you to know that we made what we believed to be the best decision for our children and our club, based on the information we had at the time.

On August 18, 2021, we were notified by US Rowing that SafeSport had an open investigation of Kirk Shipley that we did not know about when we made the decision to continue his employment. We immediately contacted SafeSport and they told us the following: 
  1. They received a complaint in October 2020, which they closed in early July 2021 because there was "not enough to report"; 
  2. On July 19, 2021, they received new information, which they did not disclose to us, so they reopened the investigation and they assigned an investigator at the end of July; 
  3. Kirk Shipley was still eligible to coach; and 
  4. We were prohibited from taking action as a result of learning about their investigation.
We had no knowledge of the SafeSport investigations when we made the decision to employ Shipley this fall.

When, on August 24, 2021, we learned that a criminal complaint had been filed against Shipley, we immediately severed all ties with him.

We want to apologize to those who bravely came forward to raise concerns and who feel like those concerns were not heard. The health and safety of our kids is and always has been our primary concern. As fellow parents, we acknowledge the anguish, turmoil, and pain that this brings to our student athletes.

Our focus now is on providing resources to our athletes, healing our community, and cooperating with the investigation. With that in mind, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the fall program, including Learn-to-Row. We are working on identifying alternative fall rowing programs and will have more information to share in the coming days. 

To assist with the healing, we have also lined up several therapists who deal specifically with trauma to work with any parent and/or athlete who wants counseling. They are: 

Gavin W. Behrens & Associates - Bethesda
https://www.gbehrensandassociates.com/

Rathbone & Associates - Bethesda/Rockville 
https://rathboneandassociates.com/
Britt Rathbone or John Dunn, specifically

Julie Baron & Associates - Rockville
https://www.juliebaronandassociates.com/

Also, Georgette Saad from the Sibley Group in DC (https://thesibleygroupdc.com/) is available for psychoeducational group sessions for parents, followed by separate group sessions for female and male rowers. Tentative days/times are Friday, September 3 at 7pm, Saturday, September 4 at 1pm, and Wednesday, September 8 at 5:30, 6, or 7. If you or your child is interested in attending a group session, either in person or virtually, please contact Marianne Sullivan, mariannesullivanmd@icloud.com, who is coordinating the schedule. We are paying for these group sessions out of dedicated funds – and welcome anyone who wants to contribute to this fund to support the athletes.

 Please let us know if you have questions. You can email Dave Charlton (crewdad@davecharlton.net).


Sincerely, 
Whitman Crew Boosters Board of Directors 

COVID-19 is surging among America's youth. Doctors worry children of color face the greatest risk.


On Thursday, Ana Amira Rivera celebrated her first birthday. But earlier this month, her mom worried her baby girl wouldn’t make it.

Ava woke up one night in early August with a fever and seizures. Estefani Lopez rushed her to the emergency room, where her daughter stopped breathing, going limp in her arms. The otherwise healthy baby was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Doctors stabilized Ava and said she needed to get immediately to the ICUbut there were no beds. All pediatric ICUs in Houston were full. She was airlifted to the closest, 150 miles away in Temple, Texas.

"My heart sank to the floor,” said Lopez, 22. “I felt like I was going to lose my daughter before she even turns 1."..

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/08/28/covid-children-doctors-disparities-color-coronavirus/8254141002/

Fairfax County Schools to Require COVID Vaccine for High School Athletes. Silence from Elected Board of Education and Interim Super McKnight

 From NBC 4. Full store here.

Get vaccinated or sit out the season. 

Fairfax County Public Schools will require many high school athletes to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting later this fall, in a first-of-its-kind rule for Virginia and the D.C. area. 

Any student participating in Virginia High School League winter and spring sports, plus any other activity that requires a physical, will be required to show proof of vaccination starting Nov. 8, FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced Monday. 

The requirement is an effort to keep students safe and schools running as normal, Brabrand told families. 

“Vaccinating our students is a critical step in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and minimizing any disruption to learning. The majority of pauses to instruction for our high school students come as a result of exposure during athletic activities, which the Virginia Department of Education classifies as a high-risk activity,” Brabrand said in a message.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PLAGUED BY LATE AND OVERCROWDED BUSES

...According to the job posting on MCPS’ web page, the salary for a bus operator is $19.53 an hour after that person has obtained a Commercial Drivers License. It is listed as a fulltime job but then explains “Full-Time means working 20- to 40-hours per week” and comes with full time benefits.

Carolyn Kaliza drove a school bus for MCPS for about three years and loved the job. However, she said she had to quit, because working four hours a day, or 20 hours a week, did not provide her with enough money...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/first-day-of-school-plagued-by-late-and-overcrowded-buses/


'Some kids were...on the floor': Overcrowding on Montgomery County buses on first day back @mcps @mocoboe


MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — As the first day of school ended at Paint Branch High School Monday afternoon more than 100 cars lined up on Old Columbia Pike.

Some parents said they don’t want their children riding a bus. As for the buses, many arrived at the school well after dismissal time. As they rolled out one was crowded with students standing in the aisle.

Sheryl Krauthamer, whose child attends Cabin John Middle School, contacted 7News On Your Side to say her bus was overcrowded as well...

...McKnight says while some were delayed every student eligible for bus service could have ridden today.

https://wjla.com/news/back-to-school/some-kids-were-on-the-floor-overcrowding-on-montgomery-county-buses-on-first-day-of-school


Monday, August 30, 2021

First Day of School: 13 More MCPS COVID-19 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION LETTERS

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Roberto Clemente Middle School

(August 30, 2021)

Dear Roberto Clemente Middle School Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified that an individual who was last present at Roberto Clemente MS on Thursday, August 26 tested positi ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School

(August 30, 2021)

Dear Lucy V. Barnsley Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified that an individual who was last present at Lucy V. Barnsley on August 30 tested positive for the coronavirus (CO ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Highland View Elementary School

(August 30, 2021)

Dear Highland View Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified that an individual who was last present at Highland View on August 26, 2021  tested positive for the coronaviru ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Montgomery Blair High School

(August 30, 2021)

Dear Montgomery Blair High School Families, This letter is to inform you that we were notified three individuals who were last present at Montgomery Blair High School on August 24, 2021 and August ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Briggs Chaney Middle School

(August 30, 2021)

Dear Briggs Chaney Middle School Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified today than an individual who was last present at Briggs Chaney Middle School on Monday, August 16, has ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Pine Crest Elementary School

(August 30, 2021)

Dear Pine Crest ES Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified today that an individual who was last present at Pine Crest ES on August 27, 2021, tested positive for Coronavirus ( ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Darnestown Elementary School

(August 29, 2021)

Dear Darnestown Elementary School Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified that an individual who was last present at Darnestown ES on August 27, 2021 tested positive for the c ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Wood Acres Elementary School

(August 29, 2021)

Dear Wood Acres School Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified today, that an individual who was last present outside at WOOD ACRES on AUGUST 27,2021, tested positive for Coro ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School

(August 29, 2021)

Dear S.Christa McAuliffe Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified today an individual who was last present at S.Christa McAuliffe Elementary on August 27, 2021, has tested pos ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Montgomery Knolls Elementary School

(August 29, 2021)

This letter is to inform you that we were notified today that an individual who was last present at Montgomery Knolls ES on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 was exposed to someone who tested positive for Co ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Gaithersburg Middle School

(August 29, 2021)

Dear Gaithersburg Middle School Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified today that an individual who was last present at Gaithersburg Middle School on Friday, August 27, 2021, ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Albert Einstein High School

(August 28, 2021)

Dear Titan Families, This letter is to inform you that we were notified today an individual who was last present at Albert Einstein High School on Thursday, August 26, has tested positive for Coron ...(more)

Community Notification: COVID-19 Case at Cabin John Middle School

(August 27, 2021)

Dear Cabin John Community, This letter is to inform you that we were notified today an individual who was last present at Cabin John Middle School on August 26th, has tested positive for Coronaviru ...(more)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY DELEGATION 2021 CALENDAR - Priorities and Bill Hearings for Fall 2021

 

onday, November 15, 2021

Joint House and Senate Priorities Hearing - 7:00 p.m.

This hearing is an opportunity for the public to respond to the MDOT Consolidated Transportation Program Presentation and to bring other issues of importance for the 2022 Session to the attention of the legislators. The 2022 Priorities Hearing will be held virtually and will be livestreamed on the Delegation's YouTube page.

Please click here for information on signing up to testify.

Monday, December 6, 2021

Local and Bi-County Bill Hearing - 7:00 p.m.

Local bills refer to legislation affecting issues specific to Montgomery County. Bi-County bills refer to legislation that requires the approval of the Montgomery County and the Prince George’s County Delegations. Bills will be assigned to a hearing date after the Sponsor Approval Deadline. This year's Bill Hearings will be held virtually and will be livestreamed on the Delegation's YouTube page.

Please click here for information on signing up to testify.

Monday, December 13, 2021

Local and Bi-County Bill Hearing - 7:00 p.m.

Local bills refer to legislation affecting issues specific to Montgomery County. Bi-County bills refer to legislation that requires the approval of the Montgomery County and the Prince George’s County Delegations. Bills will be assigned to a hearing date after the Sponsor Approval Deadline. This year's Bill Hearings will be held virtually and will be livestreamed on the Delegation's YouTube page.

Please click here for information on signing up to testify.

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Welcome to Wootton Marching Band. That will be $375, please.

Kicking off the 2021 to 2022 school year, Wootton High School is requiring a $375 payment from every student who participates in marching band.  No other school has any extracurricular fee that even approaches this amount.



COUNTY PUSHES ‘WALKING SCHOOL BUS’ PROGRAM AS ALTERNATIVE TO CARS AND BUSES


With Montgomery County’s push to eliminate serious and fatal collisions by 2030, and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) still in need of about 100 bus drivers, the Department of Transportation is encouraging families and neighbors to become a Walking School Bus.

A Walking School Bus is a parent or guardian-organized effort, much like a carpool, but instead of using cars, the groups walk to and from school together. There would be at least one adult leading each group on a set route that includes pick up and drop off points...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/county-pushes-walking-school-bus-program-as-alternative-to-cars-and-buses/

Florida court rejects effort by Gov. Ron DeSantis to ban mask mandates.


...Lawyers for Mr. DeSantis, a Republican, and the Florida Department of Education had countered that a “parents’ bill of rights” enacted by state lawmakers earlier this year gave parents the right to decide if their child should wear a mask. Judge Cooper disagreed, saying the new law “doesn’t ban mask mandates” and in fact gives school districts the discretion to impose them.

“I’m a parent — parents’ rights are very important,” Judge Cooper said. “But they’re not without some reasonable limitation, depending upon safety, reasonableness and a compelling state need.”..

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/27/us/florida-mask-mandates-school-ruling.html

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Breaking: All Woman MoCo Board of Education FIRST to ever Approve a NEW Cell Tower Lease on Public School Land



The Board of Education did not have to authorize a NEW lease.  The Board of Education could have decided that public school land should be used for building classrooms for students instead of for commercial uses of private companies.  



The Board of Education could have voted to not approve a NEW lease.  

But they didn't.  

The Board was fed a series of falsehoods, fell for them, and voted for the NEW lease. 


To date, none of the 12 cell towers existing on Montgomery County Public School land were ever approved by the Board of Education.  They were all approved by former Superintendent Jerry Weast without notification or approval of the Board of Education.  The Board of Education is the landowner. It is up to the landowner to decide what part of their land is to be leased.  

Below is the video from the August 24, 2021, Montgomery County Board of Education meeting where the unanimous Board of Education voted to approve a NEW lease for the Woodwards Road Future School site.  

In the discussion, MCPS staff (not under oath and not legal counsel) told the Board of Education members:
  • That the Board has delegated their authority to the superintendent (False. They have not).
  • MCPS staff called this vote the "renewal of the entire lease"  (False. It's a NEW lease.)
  • MCPS staff claimed that bringing this lease to the Board was for transparency (False. It is legally required.)
  • MCPS staff told Board members they were not turning over land to another company.  (FALSE. It is a lease for PUBLIC SCHOOL LAND.) 

During his [Kirkland Shipley] arraignment, prosecutors warned there could be more victims or witnesses who have yet to come forward. Teacher and Coach at Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda

...On Tuesday afternoon in D.C. Superior Court, Shipley pleaded not guilty to charges that include first-degree child sexual abuse of a secondary education student. Charging documents indicate the alleged offenses occurred some time between May and June of 2018, when the Whitman High School student was 18 and Shipley was 44.

During his arraignment, prosecutors warned there could be more victims or witnesses who have yet to come forward — stating they believe Shipley also coached at a private club in D.C. and at Woodrow Wilson High School in the District. WTOP has reached out to D.C. Public Schools and awaits a response...

https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2021/08/walt-whitman-high-school-teacher-faces-sex-charges-related-to-a-student/

DC Prosecutor: the [Walt Whitman HS - Kirkland Shipley] investigation is continuing and she wanted a restrictive stay-away order so other current or former students could “feel safe coming forward.”

Walt Whitman High School teacher, community rowing coach charged with sexual abuse


...Shipley’s attorney, Amy Phillips of the D.C. Public Defender Service, argued in court that an initial version of the stay-away order proposed by the prosecution was overly broad, encompassing all former Whitman students.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Burrell narrowed her request to students Shipley had currently or previously coached or taught, noting that the criminal complaint identifies a second student who told police she had a sexual relationship with Shipley starting in 2013, after she had graduated but while she was 17.

Burrell said Shipley had been employed by Montgomery schools since 2001 and coaching crew since 2002. Before that, she said, he taught at a school in the District.

The prosecutor noted that both students told police they exchanged sexually explicit text messages with Shipley. Burrell said the investigation is continuing and she wanted a restrictive stay-away order so other current or former students could “feel safe coming forward.”..

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/rowing-coach-shipley-abuse-charges/2021/08/24/1ac67bca-0504-11ec-8c3f-3526f81b233b_story.html

@Brad7News #BREAKING @pgcps to enroll 12,000+ K-6 students for virtual learning. Several weeks ago as the delta variant surged a wait list was created. Everyone who signed up will be accommodated says system spokesperson. The virtual program will end when children that age are vaccinated.

COVID-19 Outbreak at Quince Orchard High School makes Maryland Schools Outbreak List with 24 Cases

Maryland School for the Blind Baltimore City 2 08/25/21

Reginald F. Lewis High School Baltimore City 2 08/25/21

Century High School Carroll 2 08/25/21

Gerstell Academy Carroll 2 08/25/21

South Carroll High School Carroll 2 08/25/21

Winfield Elementary School Carroll 3 08/25/21

Butterfly Ridge Elementary School Frederick 2 08/25/21

Hillcrest Elementary School Frederick  2 08/25/21

Lewistown Elementary School Frederick 3 08/25/21

Orchard Grove Elementary School Frederick 2 08/25/21

Success Program Frederick 2 08/25/21

Tuscarora Elementary School  Frederick 2 08/25/21

Tuscarora High School Frederick 4 08/25/21

Quince Orchard High School Montgomery 24 08/25/21

Parkside High School Wicomico 2 08/25/21

Wicomico Day School Wicomico 2 08/25/21

Wicomico High School Wicomico 2 08/25/21

Steven Decatur High School Worcester 2 08/25/21



As a reminder, the Maryland Dashboard uses the following criteria for reporting COVID-19 cases.  Not all cases are reported, only those that satisfy the following criteria.

  Note: This dataset reflects public and non-public K-12 schools in Maryland that have COVID-19 outbreaks. Data are based on local health department reports to MDH, which may be revised if additional information becomes available. This list does not include child care facilities or institutes of higher education.

Schools listed meet 1 or more of the following criteria:

    1) At least two confirmed COVID-19 cases among students/teachers/staff within a 14-day period and who are epidemiologically linked, but not household contacts; or

    2) Three or more classrooms or cohorts with cases from separate households that meet the classroom/cohort outbreak definition that occurs within 14 days; or

    3) Five percent or more unrelated students/teachers/staff have confirmed COVID-19 within a 14 day period (minimum of 10 unrelated students/teachers/staff).

Cases reported reflect the current total number of cases. Schools are removed from the list when health officials determine 14 days have passed with no new cases and no tests pending. Archival data is available through the COVID-19 open data catalogue.

These data are updated weekly on Wednesdays during the 10 a.m. hour. MDH is continuously evaluating its data and reporting systems and will make updates as more data becomes available.

 https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/school-resources