Friday, October 15, 2021, Edition 39
The Walkersville High Marching Band prepares to take the field at the Frederick County Marching Band Festival. A note from Dr. Alban
In Frederick County Public Schools, we are lucky to have many annual events where students can showcase their talents.
The Frederick County Marching Band Festival is a great example. It’s a staple of our fall calendar. Ten talented FCPS high school marching bands performed at Oakdale High Monday.
I thought the Frederick News-Post front-page headline for their coverage of the event was perfect: “Their Night to Shine.”
It most certainly was.
I want to thank the community for their unwavering support for students this fall. FCPS students have enjoyed many nights to shine already this year. The bleachers at Oakdale High were full of supporters Monday night. Our high school athletic directors have reported excellent attendance for sporting events. When our schools have organized community events, staff and volunteers have risen to the occasion time and again.
No matter whether you are staffing a concession stand, serving as a club advisor, taking tickets, or leading an extracurricular activity, your support makes these moments possible for students. This is what #TogetherFCPS is all about.
Virtual learning poses many challenges for music educators. But even when we couldn’t be together, students were still learning new music thanks to their innovative efforts. Our high school marching band directors have been working tirelessly this year to prepare students for their fall performances. And anyone who has heard them knows they have succeeded.
Linganore High student journalists Mia Lucas and Lily Hanson wrote an excellent story about the determined effort to bring back music in their community. The story was picked up by Best of SNO, a national website that showcases outstanding student journalism from all over the country.
I encourage you to read it. And I encourage you to check out our excellent student musicians at competitions or performances this fall. I’m excited our students will have many chances to shine this year, and I’m thrilled you can join us for them.
On Thursday, I shared a message with the community about our modified quarantine protocols and protocol changes for students taking part in extracurricular activities that have interscholastic competitions. We also have more information about our COVID-19 response in the newsletter below.
Have a great weekend!
Looking Ahead
The full FCPS Maryland calendar is available online.
#TogetherFCPS: System highlights Photo of the Week: Oakdale High School
Getting creative: Oakdale High visual arts students enjoy painting as part of their school day.
FCPS Career & Technology Center Open House nears completion: Students who have worked on this project have benefitted from local business and community partners who have provided assistance for the project. The 33rd CTC House Project is located in Walkersville.
Celebrating National School Principals Month: In honor of National School Principals Month, we have asked our dedicated administrators to share inspirational messages. Thurmont Middle principal Janine Smith said she is proud of the dedicated leaders in the Catoctin High feeder pattern. They continually collaborate to ensure all students are seen, heard and appreciated.
New Frederick Health Hospice Partnership: This partnership will help the well-being of all in the FCPS community.
Latest FCPS In a Minute: Our latest FCPS in a Minute shares updates about the FCPS Marching Band Festival, Hispanic Heritage Month and a shout-out for our FCPS Teacher of the Year, Jenny Perez Ryan, from West Frederick Middle.
This week's health metrics FCPS is committed to providing the community with the latest health metrics during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FCPS health metrics dashboard is updated twice per week with COVID-19 positive cases that are reported to Frederick County Public Schools.
Total COVID-19 cases reported to FCPS this week (through Oct. 13): 32 Total COVID-19 cases reported to FCPS for week of Oct. 5: 105 Frederick County COVID-19 test positivity rate (as of Oct. 14): 4.02 percent Frederick County COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents (as of Oct. 14): 16.4
Health information for families
Recap on COVID-19 Protocol Changes The Board of Education approved the following changes to our COVID-19 protocols and response at their Wednesday meeting:
Modified Quarantining Protocol Begins: Monday, October 18, 2021 Change: Students will be identified as a close contact and asked to quarantine if they were unmasked and within 6 feet of another student who tested positive for 15 minutes or more. The identification of close contacts for adults has not changed.
Return to Play Protocol changes Begins: Monday, December 6, 2021 Who: Students taking part in athletics, performing arts and other extracurricular activities that have interscholastic competition. What: Must either show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 OR participate in a weekly screening test program.
For more details about these changes, please see our update to the community
Check out our FCPS Health Hub for more details about our COVID-19 response.
Tweet of the Week with Dr. Alban
This week's Tweet of the Week guest is Ana Letty Mejia (@FCPS_MsMejia), a community liaison for Frederick High School. She discussed Hispanic Heritage Month with Dr. Alban.
SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Theresa A. Alban ADDRESS 191 South East Street Frederick, MD 21701 301-644-5000
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