Things to Know
for Thursday, Oct. 13

Here are eight things to know for Thursday, Oct. 13. They include information about bus safety, what happens when a bus route is delayed or canceled, an update on the Athletics Safety Plan, student progress reports, tutoring, SSL opportunities and more. 

1. Next Week is National School Bus Safety Week
   The week of Oct. 17–21 is National School Bus Safety Week. School bus transportation is more than a ride to and from school—it also is a means to equitable access to education. School bus transportation plays a critical role in the education of our nation's students and is the direct link between a neighborhood and the classroom. More than 25 million children ride the yellow bus every school day nationwide, and National School Bus Safety Week serves as a reminder for students, parents, teachers and the community to be safe while on the bus, near the bus and while waiting for the bus. Families and school communities are encouraged to give thank you notes, make signs and show your appreciation in different ways to your bus operators.  
   School Bus Safety Tips

2. What Happens When My Bus Is Delayed or Canceled
   There is a local and national challenge with recruiting, hiring and retaining bus drivers for school systems and the transportation industry. When a bus driver or attendant is unable to come to work due to illness or unexpected leave, it puts a strain on the system to keep that bus on the road. The MCPS Department of Transportation uses substitute drivers and multiple runs to ensure that it has as many buses as possible on the roads to deliver students to school every day. Canceling a bus route is a last resort.
   If your child’s route is delayed or canceled, here is how we let you know:

   Impacted routes are published the day before or the morning of by 6:15 a.m.	Information published on MCPS website and ConnectEd message is sent to families
   Department of Transportation continues to identify possible drivers for impacted route	Bus route information dashboard updated every half hour until 9:30 a.m.
   Updates for afternoon routes	Bus route information dashboard updated by 1:30 p.m.

   Principals and MCPS leadership are also notified of any route disruptions.
   See the Bus Route Information Dashboard.

3. MCPS Antiracist Audit Released
   The Board of Education received a public presentation of the MCPS Antiracist Audit by independent auditors, Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium, Inc. on Oct. 11. The report confirmed that MCPS has many elements needed to eliminate racial disparities for students, families and staff, however the study calls on MCPS to develop a clear, systemwide comprehensive approach to achieve an antiracist school system. The audit identifies a series of recommendations; to read these recommendations see the full Antiracist Audit linked below.

   • Read the media release.

   • Read the full Antiracist Audit and executive summary here.

4. Athletics Safety Plan
   The MCPS Athletics Safety Plan will continue to drive program operations. Varsity football games will continue in Tier 1 at this time, while actions from Tier 2 may be implemented at individual games. The decision guidelines for each tier are outlined in the safety plan. For other sports, local schools may make appropriate accommodations to the default Tier 1 restrictions, such as modifying admission procedures (verification of enrollment and/or halftime entry). MCPS continues to assess the impact of the actions across the entire program and will provide updates when modifications are made.

5. Interim Progress Reports for Marking Period 1 Released Today
   The interim progress reports for the first marking period will be distributed to K-12 students and their parents today. For students and parents with ParentVUE accounts, the report will be found in the documents section within ParentVUE and StudentVUE. For parents of students who do not have ParentVUE accounts, these documents will be mailed home and should arrive over the next few days. Questions regarding these documents should be directed  to your child’s school. Log in or learn more about ParentVUE here.

6. Free Tutoring Available to All MCPS Students
   There are several free tutoring options available to MCPS students. FEV Tutor and Tutor Me Education offer free, virtual tutoring. By logging into their Clever accounts, students can join a tutoring session. Both companies offer the same two services: On-demand homework help that require no scheduling and scheduled, ongoing tutoring for longer term support.

   FEV Tutor More information linked in English and Spanish  Offers tutoring without cameras  for students in grades 3-12 who learn best without a camera. To set up tutoring: mcps@fevtutor.com

   Tutor Me Education More information linked in English and Spanish To set up tutoring: MCPS@tutormeeducation.com or 240-618-2549

7. Earn SSL Hours by Supporting Emancipation Day in Maryland
   Emancipation Day in Maryland is celebrated annually on Nov. 1 to commemorate Nov. 1, 1864, the date Maryland abolished slavery in its constitution through an amendment that was voted on by the public. Maryland was the first state to end slavery by a popular vote. MCPS encourages students and families to visit local Emancipation Day celebrations at Button Farm Living History Center on October 29, 2022, from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. and Sandy Spring Slave Museum on Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Students can earn Student Service Learning hours for attending. See the MCPS  table at the sites for the SSL forms.

8. Good News: Athletic Officials Appreciation Week
   MCPS athletic contests would not occur without the unwavering commitment of officials and referees. In conjunction with the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA), MCPS Athletics celebrates Fall Officials Appreciation Week Oct. 10–15. Please take time to thank a ref for letting the games go on!

Montgomery County Public Schools