Back-to-School Fair Set for Aug. 24

Make the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Back-to-School Fair part of your fun this summer! The fair will take place on Saturday, August 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville.

The fair is a great way for families to learn about school system programs and services, while enjoying music, entertainment, children’s activities, giveaways and much more. The event is organized by the MCPS Division of Family and Community Partnerships.

Mark your calendars and keep checking the Back-to-School Fair website over the summer for updated information. Please be aware that backpacks will not be distributed at the fair, but will be provided to schools to be distributed to students in need.

MCPS Give BACKpacks Campaign

The MCPS Give BACKpacks campaign is underway and MCPS needs your help to raise $500,000 to purchase 50,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for MCPS students in need. The Give BACKpacks drive was created in response to the growing need in Montgomery County to help famlilies who cannot afford necessities, like school supplies. Last year, generous sponsors donated more than $80,000 to the backpack drive, and more than 8,000 MCPS students received backpacks filled with school supplies.

A backpack filled with school supplies costs $10 and donors have the option to sponsor an individual student, a classroom, a grade level or an entire school. 

Visit www.mcpsgivebackpacks.org to learn more or to donate.

Students Will Receive Free Meals During the Summer

Students enrolled in many summer school or summer recreation programs will be provided meals as part of the Montgomery County summer food program. This program ensures that children in low-income areas continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer months when school breakfasts and lunches are not available.

The free meals will be distributed at approximately 115 sites throughout the county every weekday starting June 17 and ending Aug. 16 (except July 4). Children 18 and younger are eligible to receive the meals, as are persons with physical and mental disabilities up to 21 years old.

Other community-based locations, such as religious and community sites and apartment complexes, may also be eligible for meal service. For specific information about site locations and meal eligibility, send an email.to SummerFoodProgram@mcpsmd.org.  

In addition, several schools will provide lunch daily to children 18 years and younger on a walk-in basis, from June 17 through August 16. Lunch will be served to children between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Maryvale and Fox Chapel elementary schools, Argyle Middle School and Kennedy High School. Lunches must be eaten on site.

For more information, contact the Division of Food and Nutrition Services at 301-840-8170.

Division of Food and Nutrition Services

Summer is a Great Time for Student Service Learning

Summer is a great time for students to get involved in a service-learning project and earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Check out the organizations and opportunities that are already approved for MCPS SSL hours. As a reminder, the state of Maryland requires students to earn 75 SSL hours in order to graduate. Students can begin collecting those hours the summer before 6th grade.

SSL

There also are a lot of opportunities for students to serve in leadership positions—both at the county and the state levels. Students are encouraged to visit the Student Affairs website for a full list of opportunities.

Student Volunteers Needed for Drive for Supplies

Middle and high school student volunteers are needed to sort, box, and organize donated school supplies for the Drive for Supplies project. This is a pre-approved Student Service Learning activity. Sorting will take place in the cafeteria of Richard Montgomery High School July 8-9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Supplies come from MCPS students and staff, who collect and donate new or gently used school supplies as they clean out lockers, desks and closets at the end of the school year.

The Drive for Supplies distribution will be held on Monday, July 15, in the Richard Montgomery High School cafeteria. Non-profit agencies may pick up supplies immediately after the press conference. Families may pick up supplies between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pre-registration is requested for nonprofits and schools.

Drive for Supplies

Orientations for Middle and High School Students set for Aug. 22

Student Orientation Day is scheduled for Thursday, August 22. Look for specific information from your child's school over the summer. Orientation Day is an opportunity for middle and high school students to meet their teachers for the upcoming school year, learn about class schedules, and ensure that students are ready for the first day of school. Classes start on Monday, August 26.

Contact your child's school for more information and questions regarding the school's programs and schedules.

Fall Athletic Tryouts, Practices Begin Aug. 14

Athletic tryouts and practices for most MCPS high school fall sports teams begin Wednesday, August 14. Fall sports include football, field hockey, boys’ and girls’ soccer, girls’ volleyball, girls’ tennis, co-ed cross country, co-ed golf and corollary team handball. Students should consult their school athletic director or visit their school website to determine the day, time and location of the practice. Students must have a yearly physical exam to play athletics at the high school level.

A health form signed by the student, parent and doctor or nurse practitioner, a completed emergency medical card, and a student-parent contract/permission form must be submitted before trying out for a team. Additional forms may be required. Contact your local high school for the forms.

Athletics Department  

County Council Approves FY 2014 Budget

The Montgomery County Council approved a $2.23 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 operating budget for MCPS on Thursday, May 23. The budget represents a 2.65 percent increase over the current year and is funded at the minimum level allowed by state law. MCPS is putting $27 million of its budget reserves into next year’s budget, which will allow the district to manage its continued enrollment growth, re-energize efforts to narrow achievement gaps and prepare for the future. The budget also will allow the district to invest in key areas, such as mathematics instruction, middle schools, professional learning for staff and the restoration of some positions that have been eliminated over the past several years. The Board of Education is expected to approve a final budget for FY 2014 on June 13.  Visit the MCPS budget website for more information.

FY 2014 Budget

Be Active Montgomery!

Montgomery County Public Schools is partnering with the Montgomery County Department of Recreation on the countywide wellness campaign, Be Active Montgomery! This summer-long campaign promotes fitness and healthy living for all Montgomery County residents. The campaign will kick off with a variety of fun activities for all ages on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at South Germantown Recreation Park, 18041 Central Park Circle in Boyds. The free event will include the United Way Fun, Fly and Fit obstacle course; healthy food vendors; fitness walks; and interactive demonstrations on tennis, Zumba and golf.

For more information on the Be Active Montgomery! campaign, call 240-777-6821.

“Dig into Reading” This Summer

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) invites children and teenagers to participate in this year’s Summer Reading program, which will run June 1 to August 11.

Participants can sign up for the program and keep track of the books they read or have read to them. Registration is available online and at any MCPL branch library. Each child will receive a Frederick Keys’ baseball ticket voucher with sign up; vouchers must be picked up at the branches. Prizes will also be awarded upon completion of the program—book bags for children and USB flash drives for teens.

Throughout the summer, there will be free programs, such as magic, science, animals, puppets, storytellers and music at library branches.

Summer reading

Saving for College Seminar

The Educational Systems Federal Credit Union will host a free Saving for College Seminar on Wednesday, June 5, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about the available options for financing college, specifically savings vehicles and financial aid. The seminar will take place at 15901 Frederick Road in Rockville. All attendees will be entered in a drawing to win a $100 Visa® gift card.

Registration is requested. Those who are interested in attending the seminar should email marketing@esfcu.org by June 4.

Summer Open House at the Universities at Shady Grove

Have you heard about the Universities at Shady Grove (USG)? Offering quality degree programs from nine different Maryland public universities in one convenient location in Montgomery County, USG is a smart and cost-effective choice for your child to complete their bachelor’s degree after spending two years at Montgomery College (MC).

You are invited to explore programs and services offered on the USG campus, talk to current USG students, and learn more about the "MC-USG Degree Connection" by having your family attend the free Summer Open House on Saturday, July 13th, from 9am-12pm. Learn more and register for the event at www.shadygrove.umd.edu/openhouse.

Don't Forget

Registration continues through the summer for 2013-2014 Prekindergarten and Head Start programs for children who will be 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2013. For more information, call 301-230-0676.

All Student Service Learning hours (SSL) completed during the second semester must be turned into your child’s SSL coordinator no later than June 7.

Student Service Learning