October 2019, Volume 11, Number 3
SAT Scores Outpace State and Nation FCPS Participation Rate Increases to 95 Percent
With FCPS participation rates in SAT assessments rising to 95% for the class of 2019 from 64% for the class of 2018, it's great news that our students' scores continue to outpace their peers state- and nationwide.
The FCPS combined score was 1058, which is 17 points higher than Maryland's 1041 and 19 higher than the nation's 1039.
For details and a link to individual school reports, please see the news release: FCPS SAT Scores Outpace State and Nation
FCPS All-Stars
Kimberly Martin is a masterful teacher who excels at providing student agency. Her classroom allows student choice and self-reflection. She holds herself and students to high expectations.
Principal Kristen Canning says that Kim's 5th grade classroom at Ballenger Creek ES "is an exciting place to be! Her students are collaborating regularly and self assessing to determine where they are in their learning and where to go next. She creates an environment where all students feel valued and are empowered to take risks. Above all, Kim builds relationships with her students that are grounded in her belief in each one of them and her investment in their success."
Congratulations to employees earning FCPS All-Star Awards since our September newsletter: Celia Hartman and Therese Ragland.
Know an amazing employee? Nominate a colleague for FCPS All-Star recognition!
Accolades
NATION'S BEST Windsor Knolls MS is 1 of only 6 schools in Maryland named a National PTA School of Excellence this year. Kudos to Principal Brian Vasquenza (shown above in the purple shirt) and all who helped the school earn this award! See the news release with photo caption at the bottom.
POSITIVELY WONDERFUL Tuscarora HS literacy specialist Lydia Kowalski coordinates the Titan Reading Buddies program, which recruited 23 students to visit their neighboring Tuscarora ES to share the pleasures of reading while gaining presentation skills.
NATIONAL PRINCIPALS MONTH Cheers to the Catoctin feeder-area principals shown sharing their school spirit, left to right: Dana Austin, Lewistown ES; Kate Krietz, Sabillasville ES; Danny Enck, Thurmont MS; Debra O'Donnell, Thurmont ES; Michele Baisey, Thurmont PS; Mary Ann Wiles, Emmitsburg ES, and Jennifer Clements, Catoctin HS. Read the blog that North Frederick ES Principal Kim Seiss shared about this photo.
GOAL EXCEEDED Sabillasville ES exceeded the school's 96% attendance goal and celebrated with Hat Day! Left to right are Administrative Secretary Jane Savage, Principal Kate Krietz and School Counselor Niki Kayser. IT'S ACADEMIC The Frederick HS Academic Team won their It's Academic show match! Kudos to team advisor Beth Strakonsky. The show will air Saturday, December 14, 10 AM on channel 13.
HOMETOWN HEROES Recognized as a Frederick County Office of Economic Development Hometown Business Hero, Frederick Community College was asked to select its own Hometown Business Hero and chose FCPS and our Career and Technology Center (CTC) for vital work serving students.See the photo, in which CTC Principal Michael Concepcion and Career and Technology Education Supervisor Dr. Kristine Pearl (second and third from the left) accept the award.
GENEROSITY HealthWell Foundation employees donated $500 to pay school meal charges for students. In the photo, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services Senior Manager Robert Kelly (far left) accepts the check.
MUSIC IN MOTION A drum roll is in order for high school band directors for their hard work preparing students for the countywide Marching Band Festival and for Frederick HS, which hosted this year: Evan Felmet, Matthew Fowle, Nicholas Gasemy, Mike Harrison, John Karos, Kevin Lewis, Alex Loy, Kevin Lloyd, Matthew Shearer and Benjamin Zamostny.
News to Use
CASH FOR LEAVE 12-month, benefited employees with at least 5 years full-time experience at FCPS are eligible to cash in up to 5 days annual leave. Requests are due by Friday, November 1 for disbursement November 30 and by April 1 for disbursement April 30. Only one request per fiscal year is permitted. For more information: Payroll@fcps.org.
REDISTRICTING FINALIZED On October 16, the BOE finalized new attendance areas to balance enrollment in the Linganore-Oakdale-Urbana areas and for the new Blue Heron ES and Sugarloaf ES. See the newest information: https://www.fcps.org/louredistrict.
WHAT MAKES YOU FCPS PROUD? Please email good news about student and staff achievements: FCPSProud@fcps.org. Captioned photos with permission to share are appreciated. Your news may appear in Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban's monthly FCPS Proud video!
BREAKING GROUND Rock Creek School students, parents and staff joined Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban, Principal Katie Buckley and others breaking ground this month for their new school in Walkersville, slated to open in winter/spring 2021. See the news release.
Students and parents also joined Principal Tracy Hilliard and others for a groundbreaking ceremony at Urbana ES, where guests signed a beam that will go in the new school, slated to open for the 2020-2021 school year as a replacement for the former Urbana ES. See the news release.
OMBUDS: UNUSUAL NAME, IMPORTANT SERVICE For help navigating FCPS concerns in a confidential, neutral, impartial and independent manner, contact the school system's Office of the Ombuds: ombuds@fcps.org or 301-696-6852. More: www.fcps.org/ombuds
GIFTS FOR EDUCATION Applications are online to apply for grants from the Gladhill Fund for Agricultural Education and the Gifts for Education Fund. The deadline is Thursday, November 14 at 4 PM.
FLU SEASON Getting vaccinated every year is the single best way to prevent seasonal flu. Find out more.
VANGUARD TEACHER PROGRAM Friday, November 8 is the deadline to apply for this 3-year, competency-based, teacher-leadership program. Find out more.
OFF THE CUFF Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban blogged about the following topics:
See them here. VIDEOS Released since our September issue: FCPS In a Minute - October 4 October 11 October 18 October 25 Tweet of the Week - Sportsmanship and Safety with Athletics Supervisor Kevin Kendro Early College at FCC with Dual Enrollment Coordinator Diana Sung Unified Sports with Teacher of the Year Mike Franklin and Catoctin HS Student Vanguard Program with Waverley ES EL teacher Jessica Myers Project Lead the Way with Tuscarora HS teacher Trish Crowell FCPS Proud - October FCPS Breaks Ground for Rock Creek School Groundbreaking Ceremony at Urbana ES Hispanic Heritage Month: Gov. Thomas Johnson HS Student Alyna Waverley ES Parent Gov. Thomas Johnson HS Student Victor BOE Meetings - Watch any meeting or select a portion by topic here
NEWS RELEASES Issued after our September newsletter BOE Student Member Nominations Open FCPS Partners with Frostburg State University FCPS Celebrates National School Lunch Week Students, Officials Celebrate Groundbreaking for Rock Creek School FCPS Celebrates Groundbreaking at Urbana Elementary Gifts for Education and Gladhill Grants Application FCPS SAT Scores Outpace State and Nation FCPS Reports Preliminary Enrollment Windsor Knolls Middle Is National PTA School of Excellence Helping 8th Graders Plan for High School
FCPS Fast Fact
43,900 Students
As of September 30, FCPS enrollment shows a net increase of 1,111 students over last year. Beth Pasierb and the FCPS Facilities Planning team came within six-tenths of one percent accuracy in projecting this year's enrollment! See the news release.
The FCPS Insider is published monthly August-May by FCPS Public Affairs Department, 191 S. East St., Frederick, MD 21701. It features employee news and accolades.
Brief information, subject to edits, and captioned photos for possible inclusion are due to Dian.Nelson@fcps.org by the 15th of the month. For more information: 301-696-6911.