Montgomery County Public Schools

The Board of Education's business meeting will be webcast live starting at 10 a.m., Tuesday, November 11. You need the free Windows MediaPlayer on your computer to view the meeting.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School students had an opportunity to vote—not for actual candidates but for positions on issues that most closely resemble what they believe—in world studies resource teacher Jack Wooden’s class. Here, student Ipek Sarp writes in the names of candidates showing their support of a particular issue students have just voted on.

A group of 26 parents are learning about motivating children to achieve in school, improving parent–teacher communication and supporting learning at home. They are participants in the Conquista tus Sueños (Realize Your Dreams) program offered at Roberto Clement MS by the MCPS Department of Family and Community Partnerships. The free three-session training, presented in Spanish, aims to empower parents as advocates and partners in their children’s education.

More than 125 fathers and other male mentors ate lunch with students and joined them for recess at a first-ever Dine with Dads event at Woodlin ES. Principal Sarah Sirgo credits Karen Mapp, a national expert on family engagement who has been working with MCPS since last December, with inspiring her and the school’s Parent Network Committee to take family outreach to the next level.

The Rockville High School library was turned into an Internet chat room recently so students and teachers could ask questions of science experts about alcohol and other drug use. Rockville piloted the program last year and this year was one of 100 selected schools across the nation who participated. For 10 hours, scientists from the National Institute on Drug Abuse were live online to answer questions. Associated Press television covered the Rockville event.

A program at Neelsville Middle School is connecting students to college—both in class and in real life. Students recently took a field trip to Hood College to experience being on campus. At  Neelsville , College Ed is offered as an arts rotation class to help all students know that college is an obtainable choice. Other college field trips are planned during the year.

The State Board of Education voted on October 28  to proceed with implementation of the High School Assessment graduation requirement for the Class of 2009. MCPS Superintendent Jerry Weast and county Board of Education Vice President Shirley Brandman were among those who testified before the State Board, arguing for delay in implementation of the requirement. The vote coincided with the release of statewide HSA data.

Laura Weiss, a senior at Rockville High School, was honored Oct. 22 for being named one of 97 students in the nation for the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. The group will perform at the U.S. Army All-American High School Football Game in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 23. Game organizers and Army representatives recognized Weiss during their visit to the school.