Locked bathrooms spark frustration among students, staff

By the end of the school day, many of the bathrooms throughout the school are locked, causing many students to travel to other floors to use the restroom.

At RM, many students have become irritated over the lack of open bathrooms at school. Searching for open bathrooms has caused several students to miss class time, interfering with their learning. Some students have expressed that they find it to be a major inconvenience to spend so much time just to use the restroom. 

“It wastes my class time; it wastes my time to learn.” Sophomore Shyla Agarwal said, “I can’t take notes in class because I missed them which affects my grades on quizzes and tests.” 

Many students share similar stories about having to search the school for a bathroom. 

Sophomore Sara Benachenhou said, “I was on the second floor and both the bathrooms were locked so I had to go all the way to the first floor to get to a bathroom.” ..

https://thermtide.com/22277/news/locked-bathrooms-cause-frustration-among-students-and-staff/

New building for Joann Leleck Elementary at Broad Acres would become county elementary school with largest capacity

The Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday approved Montgomery County Public Schools’ plans to replace JoAnn Leleck Elementary School at Broad Acres in Silver Spring with a new building.

Issues with overcapacity and aging infrastructure made the school a candidate for potential expansion in 2019, according to MCPS. The district later decided to build a new school that is proposed to be one to three stories tall at the same site at 710 Beacon Road.

According to planning documents, the building will have a three-story classroom wing and a single-story wing that will house learning spaces, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, a kitchen, offices, a community health clinic and other support and service spaces. In addition, plans include two internal, open-air courtyards as well as 25,000 square feet of outdoor play and learning space adjacent to the building...

https://moco360.media/2024/03/21/plans-to-replace-silver-spring-elementary-school-approved-by-county-planners/

Parents, students alarmed by plan to postpone construction of auditoriums at new Woodward, Crown high schools

Parents and students in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) communities that would likely feed into the new Charles C. Woodward and Crown high schools are concerned by a school board decision Tuesday to delay the construction of auditoriums at the schools until after they open.

The Montgomery County Board of Education approved changes to the project scope of the reopening of Woodward in Rockville and the construction of the new Crown High School in Gaithersburg, adding an additional phase to construct auditoriums for both projects. Officials did not say when they plan for the auditoriums to be completed...

https://moco360.media/2024/03/22/parents-students-alarmed-by-plan-to-postpone-construction-of-auditoriums-at-new-woodward-crown-high-schools/

2023 Graduation Rate For Every MCPS High School; Districtwide Graduation Rate Is 89.6 Percent

According to data released March 26 by the Maryland State Department of Education, the four-year graduation rate for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students in the Class of 2023 was nearly 90%–at 89.6%.

The MCPS graduation rate declined by 0.7 percentage points compared to last year and is higher than the state average of 85.8%, down from 86.3% in the prior year. Students graduating in 2023 entered high school in 2019-2020 and a significant portion of their high school experience was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting virtual and hybrid learning environments.

The Class of 2023 saw increases in graduation rates for students who receive Free and Reduced-price Meals System services (FARMS) (an increase of 2.8 percentage points), students who are Two or More Races (an increase of 2.6 percentage points), students who receive Individualized Education Program (IEP) services (an increase of 2.5 percentage points), and Black or African American students (an increase of 0.3 percentage points)...

https://mocoshow.com/2024/03/26/2023-graduation-rate-for-every-mcps-high-school-districtwide-graduation-rate-is-89-6-percent/

Now is Time to Voice Concerns About Homework Policies

Board of Education members are revising homework policies that could reduce the amount of homework for younger students and ensure that all homework is designed to reinforce skills.

A draft of the proposed homework guidelines was approved March 19 and is now open to the public for comment until April 24...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/now-is-time-to-voice-concerns-about-homework-policies/

RM staff discover swastikas drawn in school building

 From The Tide, reporter Maya Nachman. Full story here.

RM staff discovered swastikas drawn throughout the school building on three occasions in the past two weeks. 

RM Principal Alicia Deeny wrote a message to the RM community on March 12 after the swastikas were found drawn onto the stalls in the boys bathrooms. The next day, on March 13, Ms. Deeny sent an additional message sharing that the school was able to identify the student who was the source of the graffiti after they had discovered another swastika drawing in a bathroom. 

Ms. Deeny sent an additional email on March 19 after more swastika drawings were found in a stairwell and door at RM. According to her email, the person who drew these symbols is still yet to be identified but the incident is still being investigated by school security and administration. 

And:

This incident comes amidst a 337 percent increase in antisemitic incidents in the US since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, according to the ADL. However, before the war began, Maryland was reported to have the tenth most antisemitic incidents out of any states in the US, according to the ADL.

Three Calvert County students charged with hate crime violations

 Antisemitism in Calvert County public schools, reporter Cody Boteler Full story here.

Three 13-year-old students at a middle school in Huntingtown were charged as juveniles with harassment and “violations of Maryland’s hate crimes statutes,” according to the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The students at Plum Point Middle School displayed swastikas, made Nazi salutes and “directed offensive comments” toward a classmate because of that classmate’s religious beliefs, the State’s Attorney’s Office said on Friday.

The behavior started in December 2023 and “continued over several months” despite requests to stop, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office. The victim reported the behavior to Maryland State Police Officers, who filed the charges against the three 13-year-olds.

Police were responding to an auto theft in the Burtonsville school’s parking lot

...Around 1:39 p.m., officers found a stolen vehicle in Paint Branch High School’s parking lot and attempted to apprehend the suspects who were trying to flee in a stolen car, according to Goff. The suspects then fled on foot and officers chased after them, eventually arresting the two individuals, Goff said.

The suspects were taken into custody around 2:50 p.m., according to police radio...

https://moco360.media/2024/03/11/old-columbia-pike-near-paint-branch-hs-closed-due-to-collision/

Lakelands Park Middle School ramps up security after social media threat

 https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1425073

Teenage boys arrested for robbing man of sneakers, sweatshirt in Gaithersburg. Released to Guardians.

The 14-year-old was armed with two ghost guns at the time of his arrest, according to police.

...Detectives identified both boys and arrested them on Tuesday, March 12, police said. The 14-year-old boy was charged with robbery and handgun-related charges. The 16-year-old boy was charged with robbery.

Both boys have been released to their guardians, according to police. 

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/teens-arrested-for-gaithersburg-robbery/65-82fc7fd5-0a61-42d6-9301-965df0798022

Md. elementary school students protest after losing Title I designation for next year

 WJLA 7News. Reporter Winston Rogers. Full story here.

During a March 5, Parent Teacher Association meeting for Viers Mill Elementary School earlier this month, minutes recorded show families learned that the school would not maintain its Title I status. So they've decided to react. 

Friday morning, students and adults at the elementary school staged a walkout on an on-campus field, holding signs in hopes of bringing the program back. 

Parents, students alarmed by plan to postpone construction of auditoriums at new Woodward, Crown high schools

School board cites budget shortfalls, supply chain disruptions as reasons for the delays

Parents and students in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) communities that would likely feed into the new Charles C. Woodward and Crown high schools are concerned by a school board decision Tuesday to delay the construction of auditoriums at the schools until after they open.

The Montgomery County Board of Education approved changes to the project scope of the reopening of Woodward in Rockville and the construction of the new Crown High School in Gaithersburg, adding an additional phase to construct auditoriums for both projects. Officials did not say when they plan for the auditoriums to be completed...

https://moco360.media/2024/03/22/parents-students-alarmed-by-plan-to-postpone-construction-of-auditoriums-at-new-woodward-crown-high-schools/

New Blueprint funding requirements are coming for Maryland school systems

 By reporter William Ford in Maryland Matters. Full story here.

Local school systems have less than four months to begin meeting new financial reporting requirements to ensure public school students receive the resources for a quality education, under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan.

The Blueprint’s Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), which oversees the 10-year $3.8 billion plan, approved a policy Thursday that would require officials from all 24 school systems to ensure at least 75% of per pupil funding follows that person to the school attended.

That percentage must also be shown in specific categories for students who, for example, are English language learners, enrolled in special education and college and career readiness programs.

The policy, called the minimum school funding requirement, will go into effect for school systems, also known as local education agencies, or LEAs, on July 1, when fiscal year 2025 begins.

Montgomery County parents slam plan to cut staff for autistic students

DARNESTOWN, Md. - Parents in Montgomery County are expressing major concerns over a planned staffing change in the upcoming school year impacting students with autism.

Currently, 60 students attend the Darnestown Learning Center at Darnestown Elementary School. The center has 12 paraeducators, which are school employees who work under the supervision of teachers or other professional practitioners.

Half of them will be reassigned to other locations in the next school year, a Montgomery County Public Schools spokesperson confirmed Tuesday...

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-county-parents-slam-plan-to-cut-staff-for-autistic-students

MCPS Revamping How it Addresses Hate-Bias Incidents

Board of Education members spent two hours Tuesday discussing how better to handle, and prevent, hate-bias incidents.

So far this school year, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) received almost three reports of hate-bias incidents every day. As of March 6, there were 337 incidents reported, of which 60% were racial, 30% were religious and 10% involved the LGBTQ community.

While stating these statics, school administrators stressed that many bias incidents go unreported...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-revamping-how-it-addresses-hate-bias-incidents/

School District Changing Where Students with Autism Diagnosis are Enrolled

Five parents who urged members of the Board of Education (BOE) not to reduce its Darnestown Autism Learning Center learned Tuesday that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is changing the way it educates students with an autism diagnosis.

Currently, 60 students attend the Darnestown center. Beginning with the next school year, fewer students with autism will be sent to this center. However, all students requiring special services as required by their Individual Education Program will attend schools where their needs will be met...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/school-district-changing-where-students-with-autism-diagnosis-are-enrolled/

Former Superintendent McKnight to get $1.3M in MCPS separation deal

In a bombshell dropped Friday night, FOX 5 received a public information request revealing Montgomery County Public School’s former superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight will receive $1.3 million as part of her separation agreement. FOX 5’s Sierra Fox reports from Rockville with more...

https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1427645

More Antisemitism in MCPS - this time, Richard Montgomery High School

Letter from the Richard Montgomery HS principal, March 13, 2024:

 Dear Parents/Guardians:

I am writing to share an update on the message that I shared yesterday regarding swastikas drawn in two of our boys’ bathrooms.  Today we discovered another instance of a swastika in a bathroom and also were able to identify the student who was the source of the graffiti.  The student will be addressed in accordance with the MCPS Code of Conduct. We have also shared this information with the Rockville City Police Department and are following MCPS hate-bias protocols.

As I shared yesterday, our counseling department is available to meet with any students who may have concerns about this incident. We have also been in contact with the MCPS Restorative Justice Team to organize an opportunity for students who would like to come together to share their thoughts regarding this incident.

I am grateful to our administrators, security, and building services team for their speedy response to this incident. We will continue to support our students with any concerns they have about this situation.

Sincerely,
Alicia Deeny
Principal

MCPS to pay McKnight $1.3 million in separation agreement

Former superintendent agreed not to sue the district, secures permission for son to attend county school

Former Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight will receive a total of $1.3 million under a separation agreement between herself and the Montgomery County Board of Education, according to documents received Friday by MoCo360.

The agreement, which MoCo360 received from the school district after filing a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) request, outlines the conditions reached between the two parties when McKnight resigned in February.

In addition to receiving the payment, which also includes legal fees and deferred compensation, McKnight agreed not to sue the school board, to a mutual non-disparagement agreement and secured permission for her son to continue attending county public schools, according to the agreement...

https://moco360.media/2024/03/15/mcps-to-pay-mcknight-1-3-million-in-separation-agreement/

Teen with loaded handgun at Gaithersburg High School under arrest, police say

 

Weapon found Tuesday was privately manufactured

An 18-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday at Gaithersburg High School after he was allegedly found in possession of a loaded privately manufactured handgun, according to Gaithersburg police.

In a statement, police said Josue Rivas of Gaithersburg was charged with underage possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded handgun, and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property. He was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

According to police, community engagement officers were called to the school at 10:46 a.m. While conducting an investigation, the school’s security team members “made contact with Rivas, conducted a search, and located a loaded handgun in the presence of officers,” according to the statement. Rivas was then arrested...

https://moco360.media/2024/03/12/teen-with-loaded-handgun-arrested-at-gaithersburg-high-school-police-say/

It's Sunshine Week!

 Because sunlight is the best of disinfectants. Celebrate by filing your MPIA today!

Board of Education Begins Search for Next Superintendent

The Board of Education (BOE) initiated its national search for a superintendent following former Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight’s stepping down and the appointment of Interim Superintendent Dr. Monique Felder.

The BOE intends to hire a search firm that will recruit and vet candidates...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/board-of-education-begins-search-for-next-superintendent/

Board of Education Candidates Forum Tuesday, April 9

 Moderately MoCo is sponsoring a Board of Education Candidates Forum

College Board fined $750K for selling NY test-taker personal data: AG

College Board is paying up to settle claims that the SAT administrator peddled personal info about teenage test-takers to colleges and others, allowing the group to profit off New York student data.

State Attorney General Letitia James announced that the test developer agreed this week to cough up $750,000 and will be prohibited from monetizing student data it obtains through contracts with New York schools and districts.

The attorney general said College Board for years licensed information to colleges, scholarship programs and other customers who used it to coax young people to their programs.

“Students have more than enough to be stressed about when they take college entrance exams,” James said in a statement, “and shouldn’t have to worry about their personal information being bought and sold.”..

https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/02/14/college-board-fined-750k-for-selling-test-taker-personal-data-ag/?share=btad0watoertpe2nlnw1

Top Videos - Burnt sugar waste pollutes major Bangladesh river

Former MCPS Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sexual Child Abuse

A former Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) teacher pleaded guilty Friday to sexually abusing multiple students at Cloverly Elementary School.

John Vigna, who started teaching at the school in 1991, pleaded to one count of sexual child abuse and three counts of sexual abuse of a minor. He was accused of inappropriately touching several female students at Cloverly between 2001 and 2016.

Vigna was convicted in 2017 on nine counts related to four victims. However, his conviction was overturned in 2023 while he was serving a 48 years-long prison sentence. The Montgomery County Circuit Court tossed out his conviction when his new lawyers argued that Vigna had “ineffective assistance of counsel”...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/former-mcps-teacher-pleads-guilty-to-sexual-child-abuse/

Former teacher pleads guilty to sexual child abuse after conviction overturned in Montgomery County

A former elementary school teacher whose conviction for sex crimes against children was overturned in 2023 pleaded guilty to charges on Friday.

The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office said John Vigna, 57, of Silver Spring entered pleas to charges of Sexual Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse of a Minor (3 counts). Prosecutors said the crimes of which Vigna was accused involved a number of students at Cloverly Elementary School between 2001 and 2016...

Former teacher pleads guilty to sexual child abuse after conviction overturned in Montgomery County (msn.com)

Former Montgomery Co. elementary school teacher pleads guilty to sexual abuse of students after being granted new trial

A former Montgomery County, Maryland, public school teacher pleaded guilty Friday to multiple counts of sexual abuse against children after his 2017 conviction was vacated.

In a news release, prosecutors said 57-year-old John Vigna pleaded guilty to one count of child sexual abuse and three counts of sexual abuse of a minor against a number of students at Cloverly Elementary School in Silver Spring...

Former Montgomery Co. elementary school teacher pleads guilty to sexual abuse of students after being granted new trial - WTOP News