Montgomery County Public Schools

Parents have the opportunity to attend upcoming information nights to learn about the implementation of a new elementary English Language Arts and Math curriculum. Information nights will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21 at Paint Branch High School; 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22 at Gaithersburg High School and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at Rock Terrace School.

MCPS is beginning the implementation of a three year roll-out of curricular and instructional materials and supports for elementary and middle English Language Arts (ELA) and Math to maintain high levels of teaching and learning for all students. Parent and community members are encouraged to come learn more from MCPS staff and the new curriculum vendors about what will be implemented in schools. The information nights will take place on May 21, 22 and 23. There will be a presentation of both the elementary ELA and Math curricular and instructional materials and supports, and an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

On May 11, more than 800 middle school students showcased inventions at the Invent the Future Challenge Summit. Community members, school administrators and county government officials celebrated the amazing and thoughtful inventions the students created with the challenge to save the planet.

The Montgomery County Board of Education will hold its business meeting on May 14. Closed session will begin at 10 a.m. and public items will start at 12 p.m. Watch live on Comcast Channel 34, Verizon Channel 36 and RCN Channel 88.

Summer school registration is under way for the high school regional summer school program. The high school program is open to all students who are residents of Montgomery County. The high school program will be offered at four locations: James Hubert Blake, Winston Churchill, Gaithersburg, and Northwood high schools. The first session runs from June 24–July 12; the second session runs from July 16–August 1. Parents should contact the summer school coordinator at their child’s school for information on the middle school program.

The 2019 Gaithersburg Book Festival will take place Saturday, May 18, on the grounds of Gaithersburg City Hall, 31 S. Summit Avenue in Gaithersburg.



The festival features a great lineup of authors and activities for children of all ages. Several members of the MCPS community will be conducting readings at the festival, and there will be programs, workshops and activities in the Children’s Village that are designed to promote interest in reading and writing.

The Rocky Hill Middle School Archery Team has won the state title two of the last four years and has competed at the NASP National Tournament for the past four years. The team is busy preparing to compete at the national tournament again this year.

MCPS celebrated winners of its third United We Learn contest at a May 8 reception held at Westfield Wheaton. The district launched the contest in 2017 with the goal of providing students a creative, structured opportunity to explore topical issues and learn about the values of respect, diversity and civility. This year's theme, Schools of the Future, challenged students to design their dream classroom and think critically about how their physical environment affects their ability to learn.