Montgomery County Public Schools

It was just another lunch period in the cafeteria at Viers Mill Elementary on Monday when suddenly President Obama walked into the room! Students and staff were thrilled when the president stopped by each lunch table to chat. He asked the children what books they were reading and encouraged them to do well in school. When the President asked how many students were going to college, all hands shot up into the air.

More than 96,000 students in Montgomery County Public Schools ride 1,272 school buses every school day. This week is National School Bus Safety Week—a good time for students and their parents to refresh their knowledge of the rules for bus safety and appropriate student behavior on the bus. Visit the MCPS Ride by the Rules website for more information.

The Board of Education's business meeting will be webcast and cablecast live at 10 a.m., Tues., October 13. You need the free Windows MediaPlayer on your computer to view the meeting and you can watch on TV on Cable channels 34 (Comcast), 36 (Verizon), and 89 (RCN).

Scores of Einstein HS student artists have seen their talents grow thanks to the nurturing of teachers Michael Piechocinski and Jane Walsh. In recognition of their work, the teachers will receive the Education Award as part of the County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities. The two teach at the Visual Art Center at Einstein, which draws young artists from all over the county.

Weightlessness feels like swimming in air. That’s how one teacher described her trip high into the atmosphere with other educators in a specially designed plane. The teachers conducted experiments, took photos and video, and tried to drink water floating in air. On the Weightless Flights of Discovery sponsored by Northrop Grumman were Alexia Couch and John Hendrix, Kennedy HS; Kurt Long, Key MS; and Pam Pennington, Rocky Hill MS.

The MCPS Parent Academy is back with an exciting lineup of free workshops for parents. Brush up on algebra with the Math Dude, go behind the scenes at the MCPS food services facility and the transportation depot, take a tour of local college campuses, strengthen your advocacy skills, and more.  Workshops are held in schools and other locations throughout the county.  Free child care and interpretation services are provided.

Conserving the planet’s resources has become a bit easier for the students and staff at Francis Scott Key Middle School in Silver Spring. The school opened in the fall after a complete modernization, which included a major focus on energy savings and efficiency. Key has been designated a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Seventh graders from Shady Grove Middle School traveled to the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center as part of the 1st Annual Frontiers in Science and Medicine Day.  Students interacted with physicians, scientists and researchers while participating in hands-on activities to learn about cutting edge bio-technologies and exciting career opportunities. Students also had the opportunity to visit labs and clinical sites of the 14 biotech companies, universities, health providers and research organizations that sponsored the event.