The first edition of FCPS Connect for the 2023-24 school year is ready! Check it out below!
Can you believe it’s already been three weeks since we welcomed more than 46,000 students back to our school buildings? So much has already been accomplished in that time, and there is still more to come! As always, our focus is to provide every student the tools and resources they need to succeed.
When we partner with businesses and nonprofits, we create excellent opportunities for students. We have seen many examples so far this year.
For starters, FCPS is the first county in the state to offer girls flag football – an initiative supported by the Baltimore Ravens and Under Armour. While Under Armour designed uniforms for each of our 10 teams, the Ravens brought their mascot Poe, cheerleaders, and even fireworks for the first week of games at Frederick High School. It was an amazing, history-making night.
Last week, we held a ribbon cutting at Tuscarora Elementary for a new Cal Ripken Sr. STEM Center. Tuscarora and Whittier elementary are early adopters for the Ripken STEM Centers, which offer a unique space for students to engage in collaboration, problem-solving, engineering, coding, and more. The STEM Centers are made possible at no cost to FCPS and partner Edgewater Federal Solutions.
Through the Maryland Youth Apprentice Program FCPS high school juniors and seniors can “earn while they learn” through 450 hours of on-the-job training. Positions are offered by Frederick Health, Country Meadows Retirement Communities, Maryland Department of Transportation, RCI Custom Products, Thurmont Child Care, FCPS and more.
FCPS is the fastest-growing school district in Maryland and continues to work with the community to put supports in place for every child, every day. I look forward to seeing all the good this year has in store.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson,
FCPS Superintendent
Windsor Knolls Middle science teacher Nicole Rhoades was named a finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year.
Rhoades, the 2023-24 FCPS Teacher of the Year, is one of seven finalists for the prestigious honor given annually to one outstanding educator in Maryland. The 2023-24 Maryland Teacher of the Year will be announced during a gala reception and dinner at Martin’s West in Baltimore October 13, 2023.
Rhoades was surprised when informed by FCPS leaders that she was named a state Teacher of the Year finalist.
This is the second consecutive year a FCPS educator was named a Maryland State Teacher of the Year finalist. Last year, Jonathan Kurtz, the coordinator for the Academy for the Fine Arts at Gov. Thomas Johnson High, was also named a Maryland Teacher of the Year finalist.
The 2023-2024 Maryland Teacher of the Year will be announced during a gala reception and dinner at Martin’s West in Baltimore on October 13. The winner will receive cash awards, national traveling opportunities, and participate in several national meetings and conferences.
Check out our news release for more details.
Four award-winning educators were recognized this week by the Frederick County Board of Education for consistently supporting students and families!
Thank you for all you do to support every student, every day!
In order to give our community time to plan and prepare, we are excited to share more details about the Class of 2024 commencement ceremonies.
Once again this year, most graduation ceremonies will be held at Knott Arena on the campus of Mount St. Mary's University.
SUCCESS, Rock Creek, Heather Ridge, and the Frederick County Virtual School graduations will be held at alternate locations. Each school will communicate details about their individual ceremonies to families.
FCPS will once again livestream every graduation ceremony for those who cannot attend. More details about how to view will be shared this spring. Check out our news release for a graduation schedule.
Heather Clabaugh was appointed the new Associate Superintendent of Fiscal Services for Frederick County Public Schools effective January 1, 2024.
Clabaugh has worked for FCPS since 2013, most recently as the Director of Budget. She also served as Budget Officer and Construction Accountant. In her current role, Clabaugh is responsible for the supervision of the budget department, and development of the operating budget.
Clabaugh will serve as part of Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson’s cabinet. FCPS Chief Financial Officer Leslie Pellegrino will be retiring at the end of the calendar year.
FCPS is working with Insight Education Group, an independent consulting firm, to conduct an Equity Climate Survey. This survey will identify ways to ensure our school system’s policies, practices, and outcomes are equitable for all students. In addition to reviewing data and meeting with key focus groups, Insight Education Group will benefit from hearing your thoughts and experiences through a survey.
There are survey links for different stakeholders.
FCPS families can obtain information about how to complete the survey here.
FCPS employees can obtain information about how to complete the survey here.
What an amazing first night. Fireworks! Fun! And for the first time in the state of Maryland, varsity girls flag football! Thank you, Baltimore Ravens and Under Armour for helping us make this possible!
Do you know an FCPS Maryland employee who is also a veteran?
FCPS is seeking nominations for the Veteran in Education Service Award to honor an FCPS employee who has served our nation in the armed forces and provided exemplary service to FCPS and the community. Any community member, FCPS student, former student, student's parent or FCPS employee may nominate an individual.
Last year's recipient was Lisa Tucker, Multilingual Learner Teacher at Lincoln Elementary.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 6 at 3:00pm. The application is online at https://www.fcps.org/.../veteran-in-education-service-award. Only electronic applications will be accepted. Please submit all application materials in one electronic file to Service.Award@fcps.org.
Check out our news release for more information regarding eligibility.
FCPS students showed gains in state assessments this past year!
FCPS students performed above state average in all subjects and grade levels, according to the 2023 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) results for Math, English/Language Arts and Science.
The results, released by the Maryland State Department of Education last week, showed that FCPS consistently ranked in the top quartile in Maryland with year-over-year improvement in almost all subjects and grade levels.
Check out our news release for some data highlights and additional information.
First-year Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) students enjoyed an outside reading session during the first week of school at the Career and Technology Center.
The Teacher Academy of Maryland is a 1.5 year-long program at the FCPS Career & Technology Center. Students must pass four courses to be considered a program completer, one of which includes a semester-long teaching internship, a portfolio, and a portfolio presentation.
Due to the accelerated level of rigor in the program, students earn both weighted credit and college credit for completing the courses. The Academy prepares high school students who are interested in becoming a teacher and provides them with course work and real world examples to promote college and career readiness. Students will learn about the history of education, human growth and development, classroom management, lesson planning, and more. TAM partners with over 10 colleges in Maryland to award college credit.
We saw so many smiling and familiar faces on the first day of school! Check out our two photo galleries; one full of photos taken by staff and the other of submitted photos from the first day.
Gallery from around the county
Submitted Gallery
We have a wealth of resources available for families via the FCPS Safety & Emergency Management web page.
We encourage families to review the information.
Also, a reminder: We encourage motorists to be alert and aware while driving, especially near school zones to ensure the safety of all students!
Did you know FCPS has a Facebook page for Spanish speaking community members? FCPS Informando has important updates for families. We encourage our community to check it out!
¿Sabía que FCPS tiene una página de Facebook para miembros de la comunidad de habla hispana? FCPS Informando tiene actualizaciones importantes para las familias. ¡Animamos a nuestra comunidad a comprobarlo!
Email: communications@fcps.org
Website: www.fcps.org Location: 191 South East Street, Frederick, MD, USA Phone: (301)644-5000 Facebook: www.facebook.com/fcpsmaryland Twitter: @FCPSMaryland