Sunday, March 8, 2020
Starting this fall, Maryland will have its own recovery high school aimed at helping teens who struggle with substance abuse.
MCPS Enrollment as of September 30, 2019
Enrollment: 165,267 Students
(As of September 30, 2019)
MCPS buses transport 103,000 students to and from home and school daily
62,267 students are not provided bus transportation and walk to school.
That's almost 40% of MCPS students do not take a school bus to attend public school.
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Heather Graf @ABC7HeatherGraf ·Special delivery! Remember the @MCPS student who was pushing for 2-ply toilet paper in school bathrooms? #Charmin #CabinJohnMiddleSchool #MCPSFail
Special delivery!— Heather Graf (@ABC7HeatherGraf) March 7, 2020
Remember the @MCPS student who was pushing for 2-ply toilet paper in school bathrooms?https://t.co/A4PTJLwaCb
Yesterday this truck showed up at his school in Potomac.
Inside: a donation from @Charmin — nearly 2,000 rolls of toilet paper!
🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻🧻 pic.twitter.com/jsUBzJW7E7
Here’s 14-year-old Sekayi Fraser with the cases of toilet paper he received as a surprise gift from Charmin. 🚽🚽🚽
— Heather Graf (@ABC7HeatherGraf) March 7, 2020
The rolls will all be used in bathrooms at Cabin John Middle School. pic.twitter.com/0e7SKzw2gn
And here’s the response from @Charmin:
— Heather Graf (@ABC7HeatherGraf) March 7, 2020
“Charmin was blown away by Sekayi and his determination to bring better toilet paper to his school. We immediately knew we wanted to support him and are thrilled we were able to give him and his classmates the best TP!” pic.twitter.com/ON7Gvgp0uE
MCPS has 34 Targeted Schools From State Evaluation of Performance Gaps. Is Your School on the List? Does Your School Have an Action Plan? Community Partnerships?
The Board of Education will be reviewing this information at the March 10, 2020, Board of Education meeting.
MCPS is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of its 34 TSI schools and providing support and feedback on the TSI Intervention Plan. The requirements expected to be met through the oversight process are: involvement of key stakeholders, alignment of resources, completion and feedback of school’s needs assessments, action plans, and the use of evidence-based strategies. Specifically, each TSI school is required to take the following steps:
1. Create a needs assessment with root cause analysis, collaboration support, and other areas to support students.
2. Based on the needs assessment and root cause analysis, develop an action plan that includes evidence-based interventions to address the needs that resulted in TSI identification.
3. Demonstrate that the action plan was developed by a diverse stakeholder group.
4. Identify in the action plan community partnerships that will be established to promote student achievement and overall student well-being.
TSI actions plans must be approved by the directors of learning, achievement, and administration (DLAAs) in OSSI or staff in the Division of Title I and Early Childhood Programs and Services. In order to exit TSI status, schools must demonstrate that significant progress has been made toward meeting annual targets for two consecutive years. TSI schools also must have an approved sustainability plan. In light of ESSA, our recent adjustments to the school improvement process align strategically with the MSDE expectations of TSI schools.
https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/BMBMNE5BDE1A/$file/Update%20Support%20Improve%20Schls%20200310.pdf
MCPS is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of its 34 TSI schools and providing support and feedback on the TSI Intervention Plan. The requirements expected to be met through the oversight process are: involvement of key stakeholders, alignment of resources, completion and feedback of school’s needs assessments, action plans, and the use of evidence-based strategies. Specifically, each TSI school is required to take the following steps:
1. Create a needs assessment with root cause analysis, collaboration support, and other areas to support students.
2. Based on the needs assessment and root cause analysis, develop an action plan that includes evidence-based interventions to address the needs that resulted in TSI identification.
3. Demonstrate that the action plan was developed by a diverse stakeholder group.
4. Identify in the action plan community partnerships that will be established to promote student achievement and overall student well-being.
TSI actions plans must be approved by the directors of learning, achievement, and administration (DLAAs) in OSSI or staff in the Division of Title I and Early Childhood Programs and Services. In order to exit TSI status, schools must demonstrate that significant progress has been made toward meeting annual targets for two consecutive years. TSI schools also must have an approved sustainability plan. In light of ESSA, our recent adjustments to the school improvement process align strategically with the MSDE expectations of TSI schools.
Friday, March 6, 2020
'Frustrated' lawmakers to pen letter to Kirwan leaders
ANNAPOLIS — Members of the Eastern Shore Delegation, during a weekly meeting Friday, Feb. 28, unanimously agreed to pen a letter to Kirwan Commission leaders asking them to pump the brakes in their race to seal the deal on a controversial, multi-billion-dollar education reform plan.
Del. Jeff Ghrist, R-36-Caroline, a member of the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee, lit a flame beneath the delegation when he told them he nearly walked out of a Feb. 27 subcommittee meeting as Kirwan leaders reportedly sped through a reading of 20 to 30 amendments they made to “The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future” legislation — House bill 1300 and Senate bill 1000...
School threats allegedly made by former student posing as woman he is accused of sexually assaulting
https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/courts/school-threats-allegedly-made-by-former-student-posing-as-woman-he-is-accused-of-sexually-assaulting/
Montgomery County School Board Forums Stack Up as Primary Nears
- 7 to 9 p.m. March 10 at Poolesville Baptist Church, sponsored by the Fair Access Committee for Western Montgomery County
- 6:30 to 7 p.m. (Districts 2 and 4), 7 to 8:30 p.m. (at-large) March 16 at Potomac Community Center, sponsored by the Federation of Republican Women
- 2:30 to 4 p.m. March 22 at the Islamic Center of Maryland, sponsored by the center
- 7:30 to 9 p.m. March 26 at the Aspen Hill Library, sponsored by the Aspen Hill Civic Association and Aspen Hill Friends of the Library
- 7 to 9 p.m. March 27, location to be determined, with only at-large candidates, sponsored by the Chinese American Parents Association
- 3 to 5 p.m. March 28 at Beall Elementary School, sponsored by the Montgomery County Muslim Council
- 7 to 9 p.m. March 30 at MCPS central offices in Rockville, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, NAACP Parents Council, MCCPTA and Identity
- 7 to 9 p.m. April 1 at Thomas S. Wootton High School, sponsored by the school’s parent-teacher association
- 5 p.m. April 2 at the Leisure World Clubhouse.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Adam Longo to Board of Ed.: "Your projections are wrong. I urge you to connect with the great folks in your planning office and dig down deeper. Find out why the numbers are wrong." #ClarksburgElementarySchool
Adam Longo
Testimony to the Montgomery County, Maryland
Board of Education
March 5, 2020
Re: Clarksburg Cluster ES #9 Proposed Amendment
President Evans.
Members of the Board
Dr. Smith.
Good evening.
My name is Adam Longo and I address you today in opposition of the
proposed amendment to close Clarksburg Elementary School in
September of 2022 when the new Clarksburg Elementary #9 school is set
to open.
I currently have two children at Clarksburg Elementary School and next
year it’ll be three.
This is a fantastic school.
I’d like to publicly praise the teachers and staff at CES who are amazing,
deeply engaged and highly responsive.
But most of all incredibly caring and empathetic.
The Principal, Carl Bencal, assistant principal Darshan Jain.
The office administrators Shinita and Yvette and everyone who’s been
involved in my daughters’ education and success. There are obviously too
many to name.
I know when I send my kids off to Clarksburg Elementary each morning I
don’t have to worry because I know they’re in good and capable hands.
My worry instead rests with the decisions made by Montgomery County
leaders when it comes to the Clarksburg area.
The Planning Board, the County Council, the Superintendent and this
Board of Education.
I know none of you live in Clarksburg.
But it’s the wild west up there.
A cumulative lack of foresight and planning by each of the afore mentioned County boards has led to an explosion of development and growth while infrastructure and education .. have been an afterthought.
My biggest question for everyone on those Boards and this one: why aren’t we building schools and roads AT THE SAME TIME we’re building new neighborhoods?
But one step at a time .. let’s get to the meat of what we’re all here to
discuss.
The numbers and projections this Board will use to make it’s decision are
wrong.
(**see attachment)
This enrollment projection document was introduced to
the board in November of 2017 .. so 2 years and 3 months ago.
It was produced by the Site Selection Advisory Committee for CES #9.
So just two years ago, it was projected Clarksburg Elementary would have
462 students.
Guess what, we’re at 640 students. More than DOUBLE the intended
capacity of the facility.
The projections for 2023-2024 is that there’d be 589 students .. 4 and a half
years from now.
Again .. We’re at 640 students.
Its my understanding the planning office estimates CES will have 722
students .. in 6 years.
Nice try everyone. We’ll have that many next year.
Your projections are wrong. I urge you to connect with the great folks in your planning office and dig down deeper.
Find out why the numbers are wrong.
Take fifteen minutes and drive around in Clarksburg.
Bring your boots and saddle and stop in at the saloon.
We’ve got no less than 3 major neighborhood developments happening
simultaneously within the Clarksburg Elementary School zone: The Cabin
Branch development, rapid construction of townhomes on Shawnee Lane
within sight of Clarksburg high school and another single family home
development on the west side of 355 about a mile north of Clarksburg high
school.
And these are only the developments ACTIVELY under construction. How
much land is left that’s zoned for residential development that could be
bought and shovel ready within a few months?
We needed the new #9 elementary school like yesterday.
It’s already been delayed by a year .. and word going around is it could be
delayed ANOTHER year if the Capital Improvement Plan isn’t fully
funded??
Are we going to have to start stacking portables ON TOP of the school?
It’s clear to me the MCPS administration doesn’t have the right vision.
There’s no vision on how to address the current overcrowding situation at
Clarksburg elementary school.
There’s no vision about opening a new #9 school in 2 and a half years that
.. if you close Clarksburg Elementary .. will be over capacity the minute it
opens its doors.
Do not close Clarksburg elementary school in 2022. We need more
schools. Smaller schools. Not monstrosity education farms where a child could go all the way from K to 5 without the principal knowing their name.
Let me close by being real with you.
As a news reporter for the past 20 years, I have spent countless hours in
school board meeting rooms like this across the country.
Suffice to say, I’ve seen it all.
Here’s one thing I haven’t seen: School Board members actually lending
weight to the testimony they hear from the public.
I’d like to give this board the benefit of the doubt.
But then I watched from the sidelines what you did with the boundary
changes involving Seneca Valley, Neelsville and Cabin Branch.
Despite the enormous public outcry.
Not cool.
This is the first time I have ever addressed a group of elected officials in my
personal capacity.
Perhaps I’ve been jaded into thinking it’s a waste of my time and it won’t do
any good.
Please prove me wrong.
Thank you for the opportunity.
I yield the balance of my time.
https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/BMEP2W602DD6/$file/Attachment.pdf
Testimony to the Montgomery County, Maryland
Board of Education
March 5, 2020
Re: Clarksburg Cluster ES #9 Proposed Amendment
President Evans.
Members of the Board
Dr. Smith.
Good evening.
My name is Adam Longo and I address you today in opposition of the
proposed amendment to close Clarksburg Elementary School in
September of 2022 when the new Clarksburg Elementary #9 school is set
to open.
I currently have two children at Clarksburg Elementary School and next
year it’ll be three.
This is a fantastic school.
I’d like to publicly praise the teachers and staff at CES who are amazing,
deeply engaged and highly responsive.
But most of all incredibly caring and empathetic.
The Principal, Carl Bencal, assistant principal Darshan Jain.
The office administrators Shinita and Yvette and everyone who’s been
involved in my daughters’ education and success. There are obviously too
many to name.
I know when I send my kids off to Clarksburg Elementary each morning I
don’t have to worry because I know they’re in good and capable hands.
My worry instead rests with the decisions made by Montgomery County
leaders when it comes to the Clarksburg area.
The Planning Board, the County Council, the Superintendent and this
Board of Education.
I know none of you live in Clarksburg.
But it’s the wild west up there.
A cumulative lack of foresight and planning by each of the afore mentioned County boards has led to an explosion of development and growth while infrastructure and education .. have been an afterthought.
My biggest question for everyone on those Boards and this one: why aren’t we building schools and roads AT THE SAME TIME we’re building new neighborhoods?
But one step at a time .. let’s get to the meat of what we’re all here to
discuss.
The numbers and projections this Board will use to make it’s decision are
wrong.
(**see attachment)
This enrollment projection document was introduced to
the board in November of 2017 .. so 2 years and 3 months ago.
It was produced by the Site Selection Advisory Committee for CES #9.
So just two years ago, it was projected Clarksburg Elementary would have
462 students.
Guess what, we’re at 640 students. More than DOUBLE the intended
capacity of the facility.
The projections for 2023-2024 is that there’d be 589 students .. 4 and a half
years from now.
Again .. We’re at 640 students.
Its my understanding the planning office estimates CES will have 722
students .. in 6 years.
Nice try everyone. We’ll have that many next year.
Your projections are wrong. I urge you to connect with the great folks in your planning office and dig down deeper.
Find out why the numbers are wrong.
Take fifteen minutes and drive around in Clarksburg.
Bring your boots and saddle and stop in at the saloon.
We’ve got no less than 3 major neighborhood developments happening
simultaneously within the Clarksburg Elementary School zone: The Cabin
Branch development, rapid construction of townhomes on Shawnee Lane
within sight of Clarksburg high school and another single family home
development on the west side of 355 about a mile north of Clarksburg high
school.
And these are only the developments ACTIVELY under construction. How
much land is left that’s zoned for residential development that could be
bought and shovel ready within a few months?
We needed the new #9 elementary school like yesterday.
It’s already been delayed by a year .. and word going around is it could be
delayed ANOTHER year if the Capital Improvement Plan isn’t fully
funded??
Are we going to have to start stacking portables ON TOP of the school?
It’s clear to me the MCPS administration doesn’t have the right vision.
There’s no vision on how to address the current overcrowding situation at
Clarksburg elementary school.
There’s no vision about opening a new #9 school in 2 and a half years that
.. if you close Clarksburg Elementary .. will be over capacity the minute it
opens its doors.
Do not close Clarksburg elementary school in 2022. We need more
schools. Smaller schools. Not monstrosity education farms where a child could go all the way from K to 5 without the principal knowing their name.
Let me close by being real with you.
As a news reporter for the past 20 years, I have spent countless hours in
school board meeting rooms like this across the country.
Suffice to say, I’ve seen it all.
Here’s one thing I haven’t seen: School Board members actually lending
weight to the testimony they hear from the public.
I’d like to give this board the benefit of the doubt.
But then I watched from the sidelines what you did with the boundary
changes involving Seneca Valley, Neelsville and Cabin Branch.
Despite the enormous public outcry.
Not cool.
This is the first time I have ever addressed a group of elected officials in my
personal capacity.
Perhaps I’ve been jaded into thinking it’s a waste of my time and it won’t do
any good.
Please prove me wrong.
Thank you for the opportunity.
I yield the balance of my time.
https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/BMEP2W602DD6/$file/Attachment.pdf
Balt. Sun on H.B. 974: Hidden Predator Act of 2020
Synopsis: Allows adult victims of child sexual abuse to file “an action for damages” at any time, regardless of how long ago the incidents occurred.
Analysis: This bill was first introduced last year by Del. C.T. Wilson of Charles County, himself a survivor of child sexual abuse, and it sailed through the House only to be crushed in the Senate — the victim of a 5-5 deadlock in that body’s Judicial Proceedings Committee, when progressive Democrat Jill Carter unexpectedly sided with four conservative Republicans to kill it.
Indeed, the bill has had strong opposition, most of it coming from the Catholic Church, no doubt terrified by the monsoon of lawsuits and settlement conferences that could result from such a law change, as well as a provision within the bill that would open a two-year window for those who were previously barred from suing to do so retroactively...
Editorial board recommendation: Pass...
Some Springbrook HS Students have 1 hr and 10 min Bus Rides, other Elem. and Middle 1 hr.
Superintendent Jack R. Smith put out a very brief memo to the Board of Education giving some information on the length of time MCPS students ride school buses.
For the 2019‒2020 school year, 103,960 students are transported daily on 1,203 routes:
630 regular education routes with 92,860 students;
512 special education routes with 5,900 students; and
61 magnet program routes with 5,200 students.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/boe/meetings/memorandum/200205%20Bus%20Routes%20Ridership%2001-09-20-02-B-C%20BD.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0TfFBY_77_MgQWbhsN6-dwj1I2GUnpoNsTh9Xc7outgPwnpxBVaeIukuc
For the 2019‒2020 school year, 103,960 students are transported daily on 1,203 routes:
630 regular education routes with 92,860 students;
512 special education routes with 5,900 students; and
61 magnet program routes with 5,200 students.
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/boe/meetings/memorandum/200205%20Bus%20Routes%20Ridership%2001-09-20-02-B-C%20BD.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0TfFBY_77_MgQWbhsN6-dwj1I2GUnpoNsTh9Xc7outgPwnpxBVaeIukuc
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
BREAKING NEWS: Maryland lawmakers defeated the bill that would have expanded the sales tax to services and dropped the rate from 6% to 5%.
BREAKING NEWS: Maryland lawmakers defeated the bill that would have expanded the sales tax to services and dropped the rate from 6% to 5%. Story forthcoming. #mdga20— Pamela Wood☀️ (@pwoodreporter) March 5, 2020
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Delegate Eric Luedtke's "bill did not dedicate increased sales tax revenues to education"
As Businesses Oppose Tax Bill, Sponsor Willing to Deal
Monday, March 2, 2020
Vaping THC caused one Montgomery Blair H.S. student to fall unresponsive, and a second to become ill Monday morning.
STORY: Vaping THC caused one Montgomery Blair H.S. student to fall unresponsive, and a second to become ill Monday morning.— Kevin Lewis (@ABC7Kevin) March 3, 2020
"Please note that we will issue consequences for students caught vaping or juuling on school property." - school letter to parentshttps://t.co/JfRcMQehuc
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