EPA Testing Shows the Power of D-I-Y Air Filters to Trap Viruses

The results are in: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency research testing of do-it-yourself ‘Corsi-Rosenthal Box’ indoor air filters shows they are 99% effective in removing airborne virus. The 'Owl Force One' device tested by the EPA was built by UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative researchers with Middletown, Connecticut public school children.

There is a low-cost way for you to protect yourself and reduce your risk of respiratory diseases such as flu, RSV, and COVID-19. Build yourself a Corsi-Rosenthal box (CR box) in 30 minutes with just $60 worth of common hardware store supplies.

In July, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists began several weeks of advanced bioaerosol chamber testing to assess the efficacy and power of this air filter against infectious aerosols, like the virus that causes COVID-19. The results are in, and they are good.

The U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development’s 3,000 cubic ft. bioaerosol chamber testing results show that the CR box removes 97% of infectious aerosols in just 30 minutes, and 99.4% within 60 minutes. Importantly, the device successfully captures a surrogate virus for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

A team of EPA scientists led by Katherine Ratliff conducted the bioaerosol chamber testing of the CR box after testing more expensive air cleaning technologies throughout the pandemic.

“The study results are extremely exciting,” says EPA’s Ratliff. “These CR boxes really work. The Corsi-Rosenthal box works against infectious aerosols in the air. The results are really powerful. Three different sets of biochamber testing data show that these air filters reduce the amount of infectious virus in the air and capture both smaller and larger sized particles. CR boxes are more effective at reducing concentrations of infectious aerosols in indoor air than some of the more expensive technologies that we tested.”

“These scientific results are huge!” says Marina Creed, APRN, director of the UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative. “These inexpensive, do-it-yourself air filters are for everyone. If you put this in your home, it will remove infectious germs that cause disease from the air. Schools, students, and teachers if you run one of these inside your classrooms it can reduce your exposure to viruses and bacteria, reducing the risk of disease transmission, meaning you are less likely to get sick.”..

EPA Testing Shows the Power of D-I-Y Air Filters to Trap Viruses - UConn Today

"They [MCPS] have intentionally created an environment where these things flourish and thrive to the detriment and significant harm to adults and children inside the system," said Jennifer Gross, an MCPS parent.

...The suit claims the woman was not only a victim of the harassment by Beidleman, but that school officials did not act on complaints. Parents who’ve been pushing for MCPS to explain how Beidleman was promoted despite multiple complaints told FOX 5 they expect more lawsuits to come.                                                             

"They have intentionally created an environment where these things flourish and thrive to the detriment and significant harm to adults and children inside the system," said Jennifer Gross, an MCPS parent...

Second lawsuit filed against MCPS amidst principal’s harassment and bullying investigation (fox5dc.com)

Students Forced to Cope With Frequent Bomb Threats

As Montgomery County Police officers and their dogs searched yet another school for bombs – on Thursday it was Paint Branch High School – several students told MCM what it was like to live through these events.

Three emailed bomb threats to Montgomery Blair High School proved to be invalid, but not before police and school security spent time combing through the building and students lost class time sheltering in place or evacuating their school building.

Jack (MCM is not using the last names of any of the students) said he has difficulty getting out of bed to come to school in the morning.

When alerted to a recent possible bomb, Jack recalled, “I tensed up, and I froze. I texted my mom I love her.” While standing outside the McDonald’s on University Boulevard by his school Thursday, he added, “How cruel of him, out of nowhere to do it to us.”..

Students Forced to Cope With Frequent Bomb Threats - Montgomery Community Media (mymcmedia.org)

Council Debates How to Handle ‘Broken’ Juvenile Justice System

...According to Montgomery County Police, so far in 2023, there have now been 845 juvenile arrests or referrals. Juvenile-related violent crime increased 95% since 2019, including a 108% increase in robbery since 2019, according to police.

McCarthy noted that violent crime is up, especially carjacking, stolen vehicles and possession of weapons. “Those things are off the charts.”

He also said that about one quarter of those arrested are not residents of Montgomery County.

“We are experiencing, I would say, it’s a small number of juveniles who do a large number of bad things,” said Councilmember Dawn Luedke.

She pointed to one youth who had been involved in three car thefts over a six week period. During one of the incidents, a nearby school was placed on lockdown...

Council Debates How to Handle ‘Broken’ Juvenile Justice System - Montgomery Community Media (mymcmedia.org)

After purchase of diesel vehicles, activists worry future of MCPS bus electrification is on fumes

In a move that has alarmed environmental activists, the Board of Education approved Montgomery County Public Schools’ request to purchase 90 additional diesel buses at its Oct. 12 meeting.

The decision is “shocking and says that the electric bus scheme has collapsed,” said Janis Sartucci, a member of the Montgomery County Parents’ Coalition, an advocacy and watchdog group, that has monitored MCPS’ bus electrification program.

The board approved a request from MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight to purchase and finance “90 transit-style diesel school buses” and the contract states that the board would fund and finance the buses over a six-year term for $14,749,919...

Activists worry future of MCPS' electric bus program is on fumes| MoCo360

Person Identified in Paint Branch High School Bomb Threat

 

For Immediate Release: Friday, October 27, 2023

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section have identified a 15-year-old as the individual responsible for making the bomb threat against Paint Branch High School on Thursday, October 26, 2023.  

 

At approximately 10:36 am, 3rd District officers, K-9 units, and Community Engagement Officers responded to the location for the report of a bomb threat that was made over the phone.  

 

After the school was evacuated, officers searched the school and determined that the threat was invalid. Students, teachers, and staff then returned to their normal curricular activities.  

 

With the assistance of Montgomery County Public Schools staff, detectives identified the 15-year-old as the individual who made the bomb threat against the school.

 

After admitting responsibility, the 15-year-old has been charged as a juvenile with Threats of Mass Violence and released to the custody of the parents. This case has been forwarded to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services for review.  

# # #

Release ID: 23-628
Media Contact: CC 

Montgomery County Maryland (montgomerycountymd.gov)

@Project_Bmore Newly released data from the Maryland State Department of Education is revealing how much some of the state's highest ranking education officials are earning.

Newly released data from the Maryland State Department of Education is revealing how much some of the state's highest ranking education officials are earning.@FOXBaltimore @chrispapst pic.twitter.com/FbGZGIoKUP

— Project Baltimore (@Project_Bmore) October 29, 2023

Horrific Antisemitism at Cornell University Now

If you have a student at Cornell University, be aware of how that campus has transformed into a cesspool. These posts are from a Cornell University discussion forum. You might want to reconsider your $61,000 tuition payment if this is what your child is learning there.

Rally to Electrify School Buses: MCPS Keep Your Promise. Clean Electric School Buses Now! @mcps @mocoboe

 

41 states sue Meta alleging that Instagram and Facebook is harmful, addictive for kids

 Lawsuit against Meta: States say Facebook, Instagram harms teens, kids (usatoday.com)

Washington Post: Brian Hull steps in as acting superintendent of Montgomery County schools

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight was hospitalized with a medical condition last week, according to a note sent to school district staff members Friday. In her absence, the school system named Brian Hull as acting superintendent of Maryland’s largest school district.

Full story at:

https://wapo.st/3FwIihN

Montgomery Co. elementary students find gun in trash can on school grounds: principal

SILVER SPRING, Md. - School officials say a group of Montgomery County elementary school students found a gun in a trash can on school grounds in Silver Spring.

In a letter to the Fairland Elementary School community, Principal Dr. Lakeisha Lashley said the students found the gun during recess earlier this week and reported it to school staff.

Montgomery Co. elementary students find gun in trash can on school grounds: principal (fox5dc.com)

Police Chief on 12-Year-Old: It is disheartening to accept that the individual responsible for disrupting the educational process and instilling fear in our community was well aware of the legal limitations surrounding their age. They understood that they could not be charged under current Maryland statutes.

 

Statement From Chief Marcus Jones Regarding Person Identified in School Bomb Threats

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 25, 2023

The person responsible for multiple bomb threats targeting Montgomery Blair High School and Oak View Elementary School has been identified.

On October 13,16, 17, 23 and 24, Montgomery County Public Schools received threats sent via email to Montgomery Blair High School. Similarly, on October 15, Oak View Elementary School and Silver Spring International School were also targeted with a separate email threat. This reckless and dangerous behavior posed a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our schools and students.

Detectives from the 3rd District Investigative Section, with the assistance of Montgomery County Public Schools IT staff, identified a 12-year-old as the individual responsible for all seven bomb threats. Detectives spoke with the individual, who admitted responsibility, however, in the state of Maryland, children under the age of 13 can only be charged with offenses that constitute a "crime of violence."

 

It is disheartening to accept that the individual responsible for disrupting the educational process and instilling fear in our community was well aware of the legal limitations surrounding their age. They understood that they could not be charged under current Maryland statutes.

 

In addition to the fear and chaos these threats caused, it is important to acknowledge the significant financial and operational burden each incident placed on our department. Dispatching officers and K-9 units to investigate these threats, especially when our resources are already stretched thin, diverted our personnel away from other pressing calls for service. This diversion of resources is unacceptable, and it jeopardizes the safety of our community.

I commend the hard work and dedication of the 3rd District detectives and Montgomery County Public Schools staff in their efforts to identify and locate the young person responsible for these crimes.

 

The safety of our community remains our foremost priority, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to protect and serve our residents.

# # #

Release ID: 23-618
Media Contact: S.D. Goff  
Categories: public-statement

Montgomery County Maryland (montgomerycountymd.gov)

Brian Hull to serve as acting MCPS superintendent

McKnight was hospitalized, dealing with a medical condition

Montgomery County Public Schools Chief Operating Officer Brian Hull will serve as the acting superintendent while Superintendent Monifa McKnight is out of the office on medical leave, she told staff in a note Friday.

An email provided to MoCo360 by the school system said that she had been absent from the office for the past week. “I have been dealing with a medical condition that required hospitalization. I am home now, getting better every day, and looking forward to getting back to the office,” McKnight wrote.

Brian Hull to serve as acting MCPS superintendent | MoCo360

SDAT denies McKnight's Principal Residence and Homestead Claims

After additional review of Superintendent McKnight's claims that her Prince George's County home is her principal residence, the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) has changed the principal residence status back to "NO".  SDAT has also denied her principal residence claim made in her most recent homestead credit application.

McKnight's contract with MCPS includes a provision requiring her to reside in Montgomery County but there is no requirement for her to purchase a home in Montgomery County.

Circuit Court Land records do not show a home purchase by McKnight in Montgomery County at this time.   

Democracy Dies when the Montgomery County Democratic Party intimidates a Free Press

This 'notice' was given to all press and media representatives at the Montgomery County Democratic Party Gala held last night, Sunday, October 22, 2023.

A 17-year-old Walter Johnson High School student has been arrested and charged as an adult for possession of a firearm.

High School Student Found with Gun on Campus

For Immediate Release: Monday, October 23, 2023

Gaithersburg, MD - A 17-year-old Walter Johnson High School student has been arrested and charged as an adult for possession of a firearm.

Akram Nassir of Bethesda was arrested after a witness reported to school security that the student had a gun.  Montgomery County Public Schools security team members located the student, conducted a search and located a loaded 9 mm handgun.

 

At approximately 1:30 p.m., on Monday, October 23, 2023, Montgomery County Department of Police Community Engagement Officers were dispatched to the school, located in the 6400 block of Rock Spring Drive.  Based on the information provided and evidence of the gun, officers arrested Nassir.

 

Nassir has been transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he awaits a bond hearing. He has been charged with underage possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded handgun and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property.

# # #

Release ID: 23-612
Media Contact: S.D. Goff 
Categories: firearm

Montgomery County Maryland (montgomerycountymd.gov)

***TONIGHT 10/23/2023: Board of Education Meets with Principals' and Administrators' Unions*** Meeting to Share "Critical Issues and Concerns." 5:15 PM at 30 West Gude Drive, Suite 100, Rockville #sexualharassment #promotions

20231023 MCAAP BOE Agenda.pdf (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)

Bake Sale from the MoCo Jewish Student Organizations this Sunday, Oct. 22 12-4pm Corner of Woodmont and Bethesda Ave.

 

Inexpensive, do-it-yourself air cleaner that can be easily constructed out of a box fan and MERV-13 furnace filters.

 The Corsi-Rosenthal Cube (sometimes called a Comparetto Cube) is an inexpensive, do-it-yourself air cleaner that can be easily constructed out of a box fan and MERV-13 furnace filters. The Corsi-Rosenthal Cube can give whole-room air cleaning performance comparable to commercial HEPA air cleaners that are 10x or more the cost. Total cost is around $100USD ($130CAD)...

Corsi-Rosenthal Cube - Encycla

Data: 2023 MSDE Report Summary for Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)

Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP)

2023 MSDE Data Summary · Streamlit (2023-msde-report.streamlit.app)

~~~~

Data taken from:

The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments of Maryland College and Career Ready Standards (MCCRS) will build a pathway to college and career readiness by the end of high school, mark students’ progress toward this goal from grade 3 through high school, and provide teachers with timely information to inform instruction and provide student support.

This site hosts all of the tools necessary to prepare for and administer MCAP assessments.

data source: https://support.mdassessments.com/reporting/

Turf debate heats up again ahead of Ravens-Titans game at Tottenham Stadium: ‘Just look at the results’

LONDON — Odell Beckham Jr. is not a fan of artificial turf.

Last December, in the wake of New York Giants veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepherd suffering a torn ACL in a game against the Dallas Cowboys, Beckham took to social media to blast the MetLife Stadium playing surface. “Just get rid of it all the [expletive] bro,” Beckham tweeted in response to a video of the noncontact injury. “Billions made off this game I can’t understand why we can’t play on grass.”

Beckham knows the field well. As a member of the Giants in 2017, he suffered a season-ending broken ankle there in a game against the Chargers when his leg got twisted with that of defensive back Casey Hayward. Ever since, the star wide receiver has had issues with the ankle, including each of the past few weeks after tweaking it in the Ravens’ win over the Bengals in Cincinnati, which also plays on a synthetic surface...

Turf debate heats up again ahead of Ravens-Titans game at Tottenham Stadium: ‘Just look at the results’ (baltimoresun.com)

PCMC Exclusive: McKnight officially reclaims her PG County home as her principal residence

In early July 2023, we reported that government records showed that Superintendent McKnight was still claiming her Prince George's County home as her principal residence even though she was contractually required to relocate to Montgomery County by June 30, 2023.

On August 15, 2023, the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) changed the status of McKnight's PG County home to "Principal Residence: No" after our story was shared with SDAT officials.

SDAT officials have now revealed that McKnight contacted them on August 30, 2023, claiming that her PG County home was still her principal residence.  At her request, SDAT changed the principal residence status back to "YES."  

Click on image to enlarge

In early July 2023, McKnight's PG County home appeared in the Realtor MLS as "for rent".  A few days later, the status changed to "Rented".  

As of today, October 17, 2023, the "rented" status has been removed from the MLS.

State officials also confirmed that McKnight is using her PG County address on her driver's license.  It's not clear whether she had ever changed her address on her driver's license to her Montgomery County address (if, indeed, she really ever had a Montgomery County address) as required by state law.

Freshening up lunch options: Fairfax launches salad bars at all 198 schools

WASHINGTON (7News) — Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Food and Nutrition Services announced the launch of salad bars at all 198 schools on Thursday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Annandale High School at 10:30 a.m.

The ceremony featured remarks from FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Bonnie Moore, Executive Director of Real Food for Kids.

Attendees had the opportunity to personally experience Annandale High School’s Salad Bar and build their own healthy school lunch...

Freshening up lunch options: FCPS launches salad bars at all 198 schools | WJLA

Montgomery Co. releases redacted report on MCPS principal misconduct investigation

...For years, anonymous complaints were made to MCPS about principal Dr. Joel Beidleman harassing and bullying co-workers, but these allegations were not investigated because MCPS had a policy of not looking into anonymous complaints.

Five key MCPS leaders knew of these allegations and apparently did not push for answers

This led to Beidleman being promoted to Principal at Paint Branch High School which has since been pulled. Dr. Beidleman remains on leave and the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General is picking up the investigation into how the situation was handled. They said they would investigate every allegation made against Beidleman to set the record straight...

Montgomery Co. releases redacted report on MCPS principal misconduct investigation | WJLA

MCPS official tampered with investigation of principal, report says

An inquiry by an outside law firm found flaws in the district’s promotion and record-keeping systems that allowed alleged abuse to go unchecked

Montgomery County Public Schools witnessed systemic failures, a potential coverup and employee conduct that kept crucial information from people who needed it, according to a heavily redacted report released Thursday by the Montgomery County Board of Education about the June promotion of Joel Beidleman, the former Farquhar Middle School principal. Beidleman was elevated to run Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville despite numerous complaints by staff, parents and union stewards of sexual harassment, bullying, retaliation and other inappropriate conduct submitted to the district since 2016...

...The report also listed six complaints to the district about Beidleman that were not included in The Post’s original story: five via Lighthouse Hotline, a third-party complaint hotline service, and a third Maryland Safe Schools report. A Feb. 7 Lighthouse Hotline account obtained Thursday by The Post described a “hostile work environment” at Farquhar “for at least 5 years.” The complaint alleged that Beidleman “sexually harasses, gaslights, and manipulates his staff on a daily basis. Both men and women. If he does not get his way, there is bullying and vindictive behavior (removal from leadership positions, stipends taken away, grade level changes etc).”

MCPS also twice ignored inquiries from Maryland’s Office of the Inspector General for Education (OIGE) about a complaint it had received against Beidleman — once June 28, the day after Beidleman’s promotion, and another June 30. These additional notifications add up to 25 reports of misconduct submitted to MCPS about Beidleman since 2016, according to interviews and documents obtained by The Post...

https://wapo.st/46MqdIf

 

Nobody involved in Montgomery Co. principal’s promotion engaged in ‘intentional misconduct,’ report finds

Nobody involved in the promotion of Montgomery County, Maryland, Principal Joel Beidleman violated a school system policy or engaged in intentional misconduct when he was promoted earlier this year while under investigation for harassment and bullying, according to a report released Thursday...

Nobody involved in Montgomery Co. principal’s promotion engaged in ‘intentional misconduct,’ report finds - WTOP News

Opinion: MoCo education must be influenced by new groups of activists

MCPS needs a greater range of opinions and different mindsets to have true diversity in the system.

Letter to the Editor by Caleb Michaud, in Moco360. Full letter here.

2023 is clearly a year that MCPS would like to do over.  

For decades, MCPS has been successful at silently covering up scandals, providing publicly accepted justifications for shortcomings, and engineering a community image that easily deflected any form of critique. Until 2023, MCPS has been able to exist much like a 1920s mobster – in a way that was self-sustaining and self-beneficial and removed from any blame or repercussions. 

But 2023 has been different.  This year, a hole has punctured the dam of MCPS immunity.  Decades of mismanagement, broken promises, lost focus, and misused resources have begun to flow through the community. 

In addition to the continuation of subpar testing scores, the community has learned about the Vigna conviction, the Damascus settlement, the East Silver Spring settlement, embezzlement, the Biedleman promotion and the bias showed toward religious families that want to opt-out of sexually explicit material. 

Parents who previously might not have questioned the quality of an MCPS education are now wondering if the flaws on display are systemic.  Parents who previously had no doubts in the direction and leadership of the school system find themselves wondering if the leadership could be trusted to run a bake sale. 

As a result, there are new voices speaking up across the county.  This is refreshing if you believe that when new perspectives, voices previously not included, are added to the conversation that they strengthen the end result. However, this is incredibly scary if you are one of the voices that for years have been successful in silencing others, and you feel your power and influence slipping away. 

Special Education Alert: OPEN to the Public - Join our State Complaints webinar on Oct 19 at 1 p.m. ET. Registration is REQUIRED for the public

 

https://x.com/COPAA/status/1713543946482106545?s=20

MCPS releases redacted report of investigation into handling of complaints against former principal

...As for the findings of the investigation, the report states that while all student and formal complaints were looked into, no anonymous complaints were formally investigated. 

Five complaints were reported anonymously through the Lighthouse Hotline, an independent third-party hotline provider. Investigators say those complaints, as well as an email that included several anonymous allegations, were received by the MCPS's Department of Compliance (DCI).

"All of these anonymous complaints were received by DCI, but none were formally investigated because DCI has a long-standing practice of not formally investigating anonymous complaints," the report reads.

As for the student complaints that were investigated, the report redacted what exactly those allegations were but says all three were investigated and resolved...

MCPS releases redacted report of investigation into handling of complaints against former principal (msn.com)

Redacted report released on MCPS principal who received promotion despite numerous sexual harassment allegations

 Redacted report released on MCPS principal who received promotion despite numerous sexual harassment allegations (fox5dc.com)

Opinion: Montgomery County Public Schools Is Trying to Silence Jewish Students

 From Moderately Moco. Story here.

October 13, 2023 – Darci Rochkind – Senior at MCPS High School

On Wednesday, Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, released a statement encouraging parents to “be vigilant regarding distressing social media content.” She urged parents to talk to their students “about the content they may currently be viewing and sharing.”

McKnight’s statement is beyond offensive. Numerous Jewish students, including myself, have been deeply impacted by the ongoing events in Israel. I spent the past summer in Beer Sheva which is located about 25 miles from Gaza. My great-grandparents fought in the Haganah, the Israeli resistance, after escaping from Nazi Germany. I also have many friends in the IDF and family that lives in the region.

Like many teenagers, I am active on social media, but even more so during and after the outbreak of violence this past early Saturday morning. I am mindful of what I choose to post, but what is going on in Israel is distressing and must not be silenced. I have watched as many of my favorite towns have been destroyed and am living in a constant state of anxiety regarding the safety of my friends and family.

The world must bear witness to the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas. Encouraging students to remain silent about Israel, as Dr. McKnight is suggesting, sets a dangerous precedent. During the Holocaust, millions of people paid with their lives because the world failed to acknowledge their suffering and the mass killings taking place. Seeing some of the graphic content circulating on Instagram of dead bodies, decapitated babies, and destroyed villages, is deeply distressing. However, when the dead are our peers, silencing and sheltering students is the least effective approach our education system can take.

On Thursday, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Jewish Student Union held a meeting to discuss the ongoing events in Israel. After witnessing today’s meeting, it is clear from what was said that students need to feel heard and Montgomery County Public Schools is failing to address this need. A number of leaders from various Jewish Student Union Clubs across Montgomery County Public Schools have started to work collaboratively to fill in where the county is lacking. The schools include Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Walt Whitman, Wheaton, Rockville, Wootton, Walter Johnson, Richard Montgomery, Blair, Quince Orchard, and Kennedy high school.

Students are working on a bake sale to raise money for victims impacted by the violence in Israel on October 22nd, a recorded video lesson for schools regarding antisemitism, and a joint event with Jewish speakers, to name a few projects. There is a lot of work to be done, but it is amazing to see the Jewish community come together in such difficult times. It is unfortunate that MCPS is not doing more to support Jewish students.

Proper education is crucial to prevent history from repeating itself. MCPS should be promoting open dialogue and encouraging students to seek the facts and voice their opinions rather than silencing them.