Montgomery County Public Schools

Edline, a web-based communication tool, allows parents of middle and high school students to monitor their child’s grades and assignments. Parents should contact their child’s school for help activating or using their Edline account. Recently, more than 140 Wheaton High School parents received training on Edline at a workshop conducted in Spanish by staff from the school and the Department of Family and Community Partnerships.

Officials announced a new countywide pedestrian safety initiative on Sept. 5. An English-language instructional video, —illustrates the important elements of walking safety so that everyone, but especially young students and people learning English, can understand the signs and rules of the road. The video will be made available to all MCPS elementary schools.

About 50 students attended this year’s Emerging Student Leaders Program of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Sept. 8 at the Washington Convention Center. Students met with Hispanic members of Congress and other leaders, attended sessions and worked with mentors from the business community. A congressional reception for participants will be held in January. Sept. 15–Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month.

This month’s MCPS Instructional TV program, “Cover To Cover,” features a segment on the Department of Family and Community Partnerships (DFCP). DFCP staff help strengthen the connection between parents and their schools by offering programs such as Parent Academy classes on a variety of subjects and Ask MCPS information fairs. This edition of Cover to Cover also focuses on preparing for a new school year, the first day of school and recycling. 

Corduroy the bear, a favorite children’s book character, paid a visit to the Gaithersburg Judy Center to mark the 40th anniversary of the book series. The center, in partnership with Barnes and Noble of Gaithersburg, hosted the first language and literacy parent involvement activities for the new school year. Judy Centers, funded by state grants and coordinated by community partners including MCPS, offer support to young children up to age 5, and their families.

All high schools are encouraged to enter the SERT Energy and Recycling Awareness Campaign this year. Students will put together campaigns with the goal of reducing energy consumption by 10 percent and increasing recycling by 10 percent at all schools. SERT (School Energy and Recycling Team) will coordinate the effort.

The new, interactive MCPS Bulletin, the bimonthly newsletter for school system staff, is now on the web. The online Bulletin, which replaces the previous print version, contains top stories, information on best practices, features about interesting people and activities, useful tips and links to websites of interest. Video and interactive tools such as a poll and “Speak Out” section are part of the new Bulletin.

The Board of Education's  business meeting will be webcast live starting at

10 a.m.,  Tuesday, September 9. You need the free Windows MediaPlayer on your computer to view the meeting.