Montgomery County Public Schools

The swearing in of newly elected Board of Education members will be webcast live starting at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 4. You need the free Windows MediaPlayer on your computer to view the meeting.

It’s that time of year when winter weather may cause schools to close, dismiss early or delay opening. Be the first to know about changes in school operations by subscribing to the MCPS QuickNotes e-mail news service. When you sign up, be sure to select the school your child attends.

Cloverly Elementary School students had front row seating in the White House Rose Garden at the 61st National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony. Students were given a tour of the White House and were able to pet the pardoned turkey. Cloverly Principal Melissa Brunson had an opportunity to shake hands with President Bush. The students are part of the Cloverly Cubs Care Club, an afterschool service club affiliated with the Points of Light Foundation.

With the SAT coming up this Saturday, Dec. 6 and ACT on Dec. 13, students may want to take advantage of FinalPrep, a free online prep course available to all MCPS high school students. FinalPrep is available for the SAT and the ACT and is ideal for use during the final week prior to taking either of the two tests. Completing the prep course will take about 2 ½ hours, but can be taken in sections.

Students at Julius West Middle School are learning how to put together a magazine with the help of Richard Montgomery High School students. Daniel Raeder, an editor for Richard Montgomery’s literacy magazine, forged a partnership with Julius West to help the students there develop their own literary and arts magazine. The middle schoolers are learning how to solicit and critique submissions, along with other skills involved in publications.

Check out MCPS sports on MCPS Instructional TV. Athletic events will include boys’ football and basketball, girls’ soccer, field hockey, volleyball and lacrosse, as well as the cheerleading and pompon competition this winter. A boys’ game, followed by a girls’ game, will be aired on Comcast Channel 33, Verizon Channel 35 and RCN Channel 88 at 7:30 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

County schools, the police department, and state’s attorney’s office have united to provide parents and students with information about Internet safety and protection against cyberbullying. A kickoff event on Nov. 25 introduced the new CyberSafety Program to PTA leaders. The program includes a wide range of resources for parents. Curriculum and classroom activities for students will be launched in schools starting in December.

Broad Acres Elementary School honored National Chess Day (Oct. 9) by conducting different chess activities throughout the school during the fourth week of October. Each teacher conducted chess warm-up lessons to reinforce academic and social skills. Activities included an art and poetry contest, an exhibition match against State Senator Jamie Raskin, and chess on the playground using a large outdoor chess set.