Student allegedly assaults staff member with laptop at Northwest High School

Man was conscious, ‘having trouble breathing,’ according to police radio transmissions

A Montgomery County Public Schools student allegedly assaulted a Northwest High School staff member by striking him in the head with a laptop Monday, according to police radio transmissions.

Around 11:53 a.m. Monday, police responded to the report of an assault at the school at 13501 Richter Farm Road in Germantown, according to the transmissions...

Student allegedly assaults staff member with laptop at Northwest High School | MoCo360

Former First Grade Teacher Indicted on Felony Drug Charges

 

Sarah Katherine Magid, a former first-grade teacher at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), was indicted Thursday on felony drug charges and ordered held without bond.

Magid, 34, of Burtonsville, was arrested in August following the March 23 death of a Washington, D.C. man from fentanyl toxicity. She is not charged in the man’s death.

She is charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, which is a felony, as well as five other drug charges. A scheduling hearing is set for Oct. 18.

Magid was taken into custody without incident following a search of her home by Montgomery County Police and special agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA).

According to a previous police report, Montgomery County police detectives and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration specialists learned that the victim was in Montgomery County “in the days leading up to their death” and that a person identified as Sarah had been in contact with him.

Magid remains on leave from the school district, according to a spokesperson. She is listed in the staff director as unassigned in human resources and development.

https://www.mymcmedia.org/former-first-grade-teacher-indicted-on-felony-drug-charges/

Reminder: BOE Candidate Forum this evening in person! 7pm W. Gude Drive, Rockville

Reminder the BOE Candidate Forum is this evening at 15 W. Gude Drive, Rockville, right off the Rockville Pike. Plenty of free parking. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters and other co-sponsors. Please attend. This is a critical election.

TONIGHT: October 9th, 2024, Tour New MCPS High School Building ***Northwood/Woodward (11211 Old Georgetown) ***

Come take a tour and attend a community meeting at Northwood/Woodward (11211 Old Georgetown) Wednesday, October 9, 2024, cafeteria. This is an opportunity to hear updates from @MCPS @mcpnews @cmkatestewart and more. You can pre-submit a question:https://t.co/Dhgi5ChlY9 pic.twitter.com/jrM1kSi5f9

— 2D Commander (@2dCommander) October 8, 2024

‘Worst part of day is recess': Elementary school awaits new playground

Several parents say Montgomery County Public Schools removed unsafe playground equipment from an elementary school but have been slow to replace it, leaving students with little to do during recess.

Parents are often looking for ways to keep their kids active. One said that’s been a challenge for her third grader at East Silver Spring Elementary School this schoolyear.

She said the school hasn’t had a playground since April.

“That leads to maybe more behavioral challenges in the classroom when they can’t get their wiggles out,” she said.

“My son comes back and says the worst part of the day is recess, which is pretty sad for a third grader,” Liz Osborn said.

Parents like Osborn even came out of pocket donating almost $200 worth of play equipment to the school. She said it shouldn’t have reached this point...

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/worst-part-of-day-is-recess-elementary-school-awaits-new-playground/3728170/

Applications Open for MCPS Virtual Program for Students With Medical Needs

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has opened applications for a new virtual learning program designed for students with long-term medical needs.

The school system had a virtual academy—the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA)—which was closed this year. According to MCPS, eliminating the academy was a decision made due to a lack of budget funding. The school board approved the operating budget with cutbacks in June.

According to MCPS, the new program is meant to provide synchronous and asynchronous virtual education for students who cannot attend school in-person for up to a year due to medical conditions. The application form has space to specify a physical or mental health condition. Applicants have to submit medical verification from a practitioner...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/applications-open-for-mcps-virtual-program-for-students-with-medical-needs/

The Reign of the Yellow School Bus Is Over

The reign of the yellow school bus is officially over. According to data from the National Household Travel Survey, more American students aged 5-17 arrived at and departed from school by private vehicle than all other means combined...

The Reign of the Yellow School Bus Is Over (strongtowns.org)

Former MCPS Director Eric Minus: 5 Principles for Protecting Your Professional Brand

Remember The Washington Post's stories about the issues surrounding former MCPS principal Joel Beidleman?  

There was this part of the coverage that discussed how former MCPS Director Eric Minus handled reports: 

...The Post’s initial story disclosed that then-Director of School Support and Improvement Eric Minus, Beidleman’s boss, contacted Farquhar teachers about reports that Beidleman had called middle school students “hos and thots” (derogatory terms for supposedly promiscuous women) at two assemblies in 2018. When teachers tried to tell him about other misconduct, they said Minus waved them off and asked to stick to the question at hand...

https://wapo.st/3TIi5En

A year later on LinkedIn:  

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7236710374937427968/

Board of Education Funds Private School with Wing of MCPS School, Classrooms, Principal, School Buses and More [No Bid Funding]

Please note the report below is from a June 2018 document.  The funding for this no bid, private school is not disclosed in the Board of Education's annual public Operating Budget document. June of 2018 is the most recent information the public has for the Board of Education's funding of this private school.  

The image to the left shows a wing of Sligo Middle School in Silver Spring with the Saturday School awning permanently installed.  The private school uses the Sligo Middle School address as their business address.  

Source:  George B Thomas Learn Academy 190409.pdf (boarddocs.com)

Superintendent Thomas Taylor Not Available to Discuss $1.5M @mcps @mocoboe

Montgomery Co. Council questions MCPS on shortcomings of electric school bus contract

“What we’re looking at here is a failure at every level,” Janis Sartucci of the Parents’ Coalition of Montgomery County told 7News.

“What’s needed now is a dedicated inspector general for Montgomery County Public Schools,” she said.

7News requested an interview with MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor to find out what he’s doing to correct the problem.

MCPS Public Information Officer Liliana Lopez told us he wasn’t available...

https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-county-public-schools-mcps-electric-school-bus-contract-costs-maryland-students-transportation-mismanagement-inspector-general-report-wasteful-spending-concerns