Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: 2026 graduation

Showing posts with label 2026 graduation. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Montgomery County parents push back against plan to move graduations

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — 7News obtained an email from Damascus High School's principal sent to the school community.

It explains that the upcoming graduation on May 28 will be held at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, which is 35 miles from the school.

The letter states that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) decided to provide a "comfortable, indoor setting that's not dependent on weather.

It also refers to "ample parking and accessibility for guests."

We emailed several parents to get their responses...

https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-county-high-school-graduation-move-baltimore-damascus-umbc-2026-parents-controversy-education-reaction-tradition-ceremony-student-safety-policy-district-decisions-seniors-plans

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

MCPS parents frustrated with change in graduation venue

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - All Montgomery County Public high schools will now move their graduation ceremonies to the University of Maryland’s Baltimore County campus. School district officials say there are several reasons to do this — that it will help mitigate weather issues, make graduations more comfortable, accessible and affordable. But lots of families, particularly those I met in Damascus, really are heartbroken over this and are hoping they can get the district and school officials to change their minds. MCPS confirmed to FOX 5 that starting in 2026, all district high schools will hold their graduation at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County that’s UMBC. A letter sent to parents – obtained by FOX 5 calls the campus a "centralized venue" that’ll ensure consistency, equity and a celebratory experience. It acknowledged travel will be a concern and said the district will work on options for families. Meanwhile Damascus high school families in particular– are very upset...

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/mcps-parents-frustrated-change-graduation-venue

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Principles

Formed in 2002, the Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland seeks to achieve the goals of coherent, content-rich curriculum standards; high expectations combined with timely remediation and acceleration; a wider range of educational options for parents and children; greater transparency and accountability; and meaningful community input.

E-mail: parentscoalitionmc AT outlook.com

What The Washington Post said about the Parents' Coalition

The coalition might be the best-known parent advocacy group in the region. Its members represent several constituencies, including parents of special education and gifted education students and fiscal watchdogs. The group's defining victory came this school year when the school system scaled back the fees charged to families for course materials.

Coalition leaders have drawn attention to the misuse of funds collected from students for activities, the broadcast of a commercial radio service on school buses and, with their "Weast Watch" blog, the travel habits of Weast and his lieutenants.

The Washington Post, June 4, 2009

Jerry Weast on the Parents' Coalition

"Along the way, you’ve had a challenging relationship with the Parents’ Coalition, the network of citizen activists who use the political process and other means to hold MCPS accountable.

The thing people accuse me of is listening, but not hearing. I hear, but I do not always agree. I am sorry that the world is faster than it was 10 years ago. I did not do that. [But] if we do not keep up, then our kids will be behind. We have to stop whining and get real."

Bethesda Magazine, March-April 2011