Weekly Message To Magruder HS Families
Message to Magruder High School Community
Community Weekly Message June 8th
Good afternoon Magruder High School families:
As we enter our final week of the continuity of learning fourth quarter, I hope you and your families were able to focus on the many positive aspects of our lives during this very difficult time. It has indeed been a difficult experience as we continually struggle with the Corona Virus pandemic at the same time when many in our nation and around the world are gathering in protest of racial injustice. This has borne out the very best in some of us, and the worst in others. I believe it is important for us to continue to come together as a community and work collaboratively to create an environment that is safe for all.
I would also like to emphasize again the importance of reinforcing appropriate use of social media. We recently have experienced incidents where some of our students were involved in a very inappropriate incident on social media. What started as a discussion of the topic, quickly led to the use of racially inappropriate and homophobic language. This interaction and was followed by threats from some of the participants. While we addressed this very inappropriate and unfortunate interaction with our students, threats continued to be made to members of our Magruder HS community. We have worked with the Montgomery County Police Department and staff from our central office to investigate and resolve the issue, however these threats have continued. I realize it is very difficult to completely monitor behavior or student use of social media, it is important to have courageous conversations about the damage inappropriate social media use can have on everyone involved. The results can also unfairly impact the lives of many innocent and unwilling participants. I would like to share the words of an anonymous author to help guide some of the discussion that comes about when inappropriate and bias language is used to address others, “nobody wins when the prize is hate”. Please take the time to help our students understand and make them aware of the impact this could have on their lives now and in the future. Together we can make a difference.
I hope all of you will be able to join us this evening for a wonderful celebration as we honor the class of 2020 with their virtual graduation ceremony. The link to this ceremony has been shared with the entire Magruder High School community. I want to congratulate the members of the class of 2020 on achieving this milestone in their lives. Please remember, “once a Colonel always a Colonel”.
I want to also congratulate those students who were honored in our annual awards ceremony. The students receive recognition from our school departments, for outstanding academic achievement, as well as recognition from many community sources and individuals to honor the outstanding accomplishments they have achieved during their time at Magruder HS. You are commended and applauded for your commitment to excellence.
We will continue to collaborate with members of a central office to finalize the closing procedures for the continuity of learning initiative. When specific details are determined, we will communicate with you immediately.
Please use the link below to access the weekly community update from MCPS: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-20200607.html
On behalf of the entire Magruder HS staff, I want to express our appreciation for your continued support and partnership especially during this very difficult time.
I hope you will remain safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lee Evans
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed,
It is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Meade-
Weekly Community Message June 1, 2020
Good afternoon Magruder High School families:
I hope you were able to enjoy your weekend while our nation is experiencing one of the most difficult social and health related tragedies of our lifetime. I realize that these very tragic events have significantly altered your lives and that of your children. I greatly appreciate our partnership on behalf of our students and staff. Please know that as a community, we can survive these unfortunate events together.
I want to express appreciation to those parents and students who took part in the first distribution and collection process for of graduating seniors. We realize that even though this was a success, there is something left to do in the clearing process. Members of our staff are working on a process to enable those families that were not able to participate in last week’s distribution and collection program. In addition, we are working to finalize a separate process for distributing diplomas when they arrive, as well as yearbooks to seniors who have ordered them.
Also members of our staff are adding the final touches to the class of 2020 graduating ceremony scheduled for June 8 at 7 PM. In addition, we are finalizing details for the student awards ceremony. You will soon receive specific details about this program. Please join us to celebrate the achievements of our seniors, as we honor them during the graduation ceremony and the awards program.
Please use the link below to view the latest in MCPS information update:
Community: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-20200531.html
It is very important that you know your continued support doing the continuity of the learning process has been a valuable resource in our efforts to provide a quality instructional program to our students.
I hope all of you will continue to be healthy and safe though these very difficult and trying times.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lee Evans
Principal
Weekly Community Message May 25th
Good afternoon Magruder High School families:
I hope you were able to enjoy the extended holiday weekend. I want to take this opportunity to remember the many fallen American heroes who have given their lives so that we can enjoy our daily freedoms. In addition, I want to remember those who lost their lives on this very tragic Corona Virus pandemic. I also salute the frontline workers throughout our county in the nation who put their lives on the line every day to serve us.
I reach out to the members of the Magruder High School Graduating Class of 2020. As you concluded your last week of distance learning on Friday, May 22nd, I was reminded of how special you are by your determination and resiliency. You refuse to surrender to this horrible pandemic. You are focused, creative, and energetic in reaching out to each other and the MHS community. I look forward to celebrating you during your virtual graduation ceremony on Monday, June 8 at 7:00 PM. I also look forward to celebrating your many achievements during the awards ceremony that will be announced soon. While I wish the culmination of your four years at Magruder high school could have been very different, I am deeply appreciative of our time together and honored to have served as your principal.
Attached below is a link to the latest Montgomery County public schools information update. In addition, I have included a link to the senior class distribution day on Thursday, May 28th, during the distribution, it is important that we ensure the distancing guidelines established by our school system and our county government. It is important to know that we continue to work with our central office staff to establish procedures and guidelines for closing school and our returning students. We will communicate these procedures and establish dates as soon as they are proved in collaboration with our central office staff.
MCPS Community Updates: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/Coronavirus-Update-20200523.html.
Senior Class Distribution Schedule: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14ZrHi_lH9bKSo04W6C-e2s5dC7K3auZnFQ6r0b54oVc/edit?usp=sharing
Your continued support, patience, and understanding are greatly appreciated during this very difficult and challenging time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lee Evans
Please stay well!
Weekly Community Message May 18
Good afternoon Magruder High School families:
I hope you have enjoyed a safe and healthy weekend.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Betel Tenna a Magruder HS senior who will be receiving a Certificate of Achievement from the Washington, DC Princeton University Prize in Race Relations Committee. Betel will be attending Princeton University in the fall on a full scholarship.
A few weeks ago, I reached out to you to share a concern regarding cyber bullying and inappropriate social media behavior. The incidents of cyber bullying, harassment, and intimidation are continuing. I am asking our parents to monitor closely their student’s use of social media. The use of social media as a vehicle for “one-way fun” is totally unacceptable. It should be noted that any Magruder HS student involved in these incidents will be subject to Montgomery County Public Schools disciplinary policy. In addition, Montgomery County police will be involved in the investigation of each incident. This may also have legal ramifications. Please take the time to help us eliminate these very inappropriate and harmful behaviors.
It is very important that you stay informed in order to be involved in the continuity of learning program. Listed below are links to the latest MCPS updates regarding school related activities such as graduation, distribution of materials, and the formal closing of school for all students. This week is the final week of instruction for the Graduating Class of 2020. Members of the Magruder HS staff are working collaboratively with MCPS central office staff to develop a process for the 2020 graduation ceremony and student recognition programs. In addition, we continue to work closely with them to establish procedures for returning and retrieving items from the school. We hope to finalize the procedures and dates for these events and activities. Every effort will be made to keep you informed in a timely manner.
Community message: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-20200517.html
All in Blog Post: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/all-in/All-In-2020-05-17.html
Your support, patience, and understanding are greatly appreciated. I hope you continue to stay safe and well.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lee Evans
Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery, and triumph; a beginning, a struggle, and a victory.
Mohandas Gandhi
Indian nonviolent nationalist
Weekly Message to the Magruder High School Community May 11th
Good afternoon Magruder High School families:
I wish you continued good health and safety during this very difficult time as we seek to work together to survive this devastating pandemic.
I want to share that the majority of our students have been actively engaged in the MCPS continuity of learning program. It is our goal that every student will be an active participant in this learning opportunity as we move through phase III of this program. We continue to need your help in making sure every student stay engaged and participates in all learning opportunities. The link below provides you with the latest update from MCPS regarding the continuity of learning phase III specifics. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-20200510.html
If you are still in need of a Chromebook or MiFi access, the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Technology will be distributing these resources at 45 West Gude Drive, Rockville, Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until noon.
I would like you to know that we will continue to work with our central office staff to answer questions regarding marking period four grading and reporting procedures, student recognition programs, graduation, and procedures for officially closing school at the end of the academic year. Every effort will be made to keep the Magruder high school community informed and involved.
Please stay healthy and well,
Dr. Lee Evans
______________________________________________________________
Good afternoon Magruder High School families, I hope you continue to be healthy and are doing well.
As we continue our distance learning program, we maintain a very important effort to reach out to students who are not participating in the many learning opportunities. We are asking parents to contact your student’s teacher or school counselor if your child needs a Chromebook or MiFi access. Montgomery County Public Schools is entering its fourth phase of Chromebook and Mi Fi distribution. We will be sharing information in the coming days regarding locations and times when distribution will take place. Please continue to support our efforts to provide every student with the opportunity to engage in the distance learning initiative. Your help has made a difference.
Senior class members and their parents are invited to take part in a survey to share your input regarding graduation options. We know that for many of you there are significant concerns around when and if a graduation ceremony will take place. Please know that every effort is being made by our school system to make your final experience in MCPS a meaningful one in spite of this very tragic pandemic. It is important that you use the link below to share your thoughts on the proposed graduation options.
Currently, MCPS is considering these three options:
1. A virtual senior recognition ceremony in May or June
2. An in-person graduation once distancing requirements are lifted
3. A virtual senior recognition ceremony in May or June AND an in-person graduation once distancing requirements are lifted.
We are asking parents of seniors to complete the following survey https://mcpsweb.wufoo.com/forms/2020-parent-graduation-survey. We are asking members of the Class of 2020 to complete this survey https://mcpsweb.wufoo.com/forms/class-of-2020-graduation-survey. The survey will be sent to seniors tonight, April 25. The survey for the parents will go out in the community message tomorrow, April 26.
This additional link will connect you with the most recent community information from Montgomery County Public Schools.
Community Message: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-20200426.html
Your continued patience and support of distance learning is greatly appreciated.
I wish you continued good health as we travel this very difficult journey together.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lee Evans
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Weekly Message To Magruder HS Families
Good afternoon Magruder HS families,
I hope you continue to be healthy and safe during this very challenging period in our lives. I want to use this opportunity to share messages from our school system leadership.
The link below provides information to those families who still need access to Chromebooks or MiFi access. It is very important that every student has an opportunity to participate in the distance learning opportunities.
· RESOURCES: For families from OCTO
o Site for Parents that Provide Resources in Different Languages: o https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus/continuity-of-learning/#parents
This message features an overview of phase II of the continuity of learning plan.
Community Message: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-
We continue to seek your help in notifying us if your child is not able to participate in the distance learning program for any reason. Please contact your child’s teacher or counselor via email. It is important that you let us know how we can help you.
I greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation.
Stay healthy!
Dr. Lee Evans
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.
-John Quincy Adam