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The Hard Truth: Aging Schools, Declining Enrollment and Rising Costs Shape Capital Budget
Today (Oct. 15), the Montgomery County Board of Education received an informational report on the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 Capital Budget and amendments to the FY 2027–2032 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The proposal focuses on targeted adjustments to the existing capital plan rather than a comprehensive review of all projects. The presentation delivered a much larger message: The hard truth is that MCPS faces difficult decisions about aging schools, declining enrollment and rising construction costs. With limited resources and growing infrastructure needs, the district must rethink how it invests in its facilities to provide safe, healthy and equitable learning and working environments. Doing nothing is not an option. Read more.
One More Chance to Weigh In on the 2027-2028 School Calendar
As MCPS continues to develop the 2027-2028 school calendar, the district is seeking more input from you!
Please complete this second survey to share input on the proposed draft traditional calendar for the 2027-2028 school year. Your feedback represents an important component of the development process. MCPS will consider educational interests, operational needs, mandated school closures by state law, compliance with minimum instructional days and credit hour requirements, inclement weather and other emergencies, staff professional days and early release days, and alignment with assessment schedules. The survey will close on Friday, Nov. 6.
Take Survey #2.
School Closure and Consolidation Study: Community Conversations Begin
Your voice matters, and we want to hear from you! As MCPS continues its elementary and middle school closure and consolidation study, families, staff and community members are invited to upcoming engagement meetings to learn more, ask questions and share their perspectives. Read more.
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Your Student’s Spring 2026 MCAP Results Are Available
Your student’s Spring 2026 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) Individual Student Report (ISR) is now available electronically in Synergy for students who participated in ELA, Mathematics, Science (Grades 5 & 8), LS MISA, Government or Social Studies (Grade 8).
The ISR provides information about your student’s performance and progress toward Maryland’s academic standards. Log in to ParentVUE to view your child’s report. Need help understanding the results? Visit the MCPS MCAP webpage for family-friendly guides, or contact your child’s school for assistance. Printed copies are also available on request.
Board Seeking Public Comment on Two Policies
The Board of Education is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to two policies — Policy IPD: Travel Study Programs, Field Trips and Student Organization Trips and Policy BLB: Rules of Procedures in Appeals and Hearings.
Draft amendments to Policy IPD have been available for comment since Oct. 9, and the comment period closes Friday, Nov. 6. Submit comments on Policy IPD.
Draft amendments to Policy BLB have been available for comment since Oct. 13, and the comment period closes Friday, Nov. 6. Submit comments on Policy BLB.
Sharing Hispanic Heritage Through Culture, Cuisine and Creativity
Hispanic Heritage Month events celebrating diversity are continuing this month throughout MCPS schools and offices. Col. Zadok Magruder High School hosted a soccer tournament, food trucks and arts and crafts for students. Roberto Clemente Middle School’s Fiesta Latina honored its namesake and spotlighted student performances, activities and speakers from the community and local businesses. Read more and see photos.
Explore What Your Child Is Learning at Curriculum Preview Day, Oct. 19
Join us for Curriculum Preview Day and explore instructional materials, discover what students are learning and access resources available to support learning at home. This event is open to K–12 families for all MCPS courses. Join us for our drop-in sessions, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. in the Carver Educational Services Center cafeteria on Monday, Oct. 19. Families can connect with MCPS instructional specialists, ask questions, explore curriculum materials and receive support accessing digital learning resources.
High School Center Programs Showcases Continue Through October
Fall High School Showcases across all six regions are continuing, connecting eighth grade students and families with expanded Regional High School Center programs in Medical Science; International Baccalaureate, Humanities & Languages; STEM; Leadership & Public Service; and Visual & Performing Arts.
- See the full Fall High School Showcase schedule and find the event near you.
- Discover the High School Center Programs: English | Spanish
- Watch: MCPS High School Opportunities Presentation — available in English and Spanish.
Synergy Update Scheduled for Oct. 15: What to Expect
Synergy will undergo an upgrade on Thursday, Oct. 15. This will ensure a smoother experience for all users, but will require downtime while the upgrade is underway. Additionally, the old ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps for iOS and Android will stop working once the update is complete. Be sure to update your apps and delete the older versions. Learn how to download the new ParentVUE app.
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The system will be down from Thursday, Oct. 15, 9 p.m. until Friday, Oct, 16 at 6 a.m.
- Impacted Applications: Synergy SIS, TeacherVUE, ParentVUE and StudentVUE.
- What to Watch For: While the systems might look like they are “up” during this window, you’ll likely run into slow loading times or unexpected logouts. To avoid frustration, MCPS recommends staying offline until the update is complete.
Inspire, Lead and Dream Big at the Game Changer Conference
Male students in Grades 4-12 are invited to attend the 2026 Spring Game Changer Conference for Young Males from 8 a.m.–noon on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Montgomery College, Germantown Campus, Bioscience Education Center, 20200 Observation Drive in Germantown. This event encourages students to recognize their potential, set ambitious goals, inspire others and develop strategic plans to turn their dreams into reality. Space is limited. Register.
Ready, Set, College!
Preparing for college? Get FAFSA-ready, explore Maryland’s private college and universities, and find useful tips for applications, test prep, college majors and careers as you navigate the college planning process with confidence.
- Parents of high school seniors: The 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is open. Before completing the FAFSA, students and contributors (such as a parent or spouse, if required) must create an FSA ID, which serves as their username and password for accessing and signing the FAFSA. Families who have not yet created an FSA ID are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to avoid delays. For questions about the FAFSA or the financial aid process, contact your College & Career Navigator (CCN) or school counselor.
- Applying for Maryland State Financial Aid for the First Time?: Based on recent guidance from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), seniors should not create an MDCAPS account at this time. Students will create an account through the Maryland Student Information System (MDSIS), which MHEC anticipates will be available in January.
- Recorded Summer College & Career Workshops: This summer, CCNs hosted many college and career readiness workshops to support high school students and their families. Topics covered essay writing, financial aid, Common App tips, test prep, AI use in college apps, career planning, NCAA recruiting and more. Watch them at your leisure.
- Private College Application Days: Ready to explore your future at one of Maryland’s private colleges or universities? Apply to Maryland’s private college with no application fees on Oct. 22 and Nov. 9.
Now You Know — School Meals
The MCPS Department of Food & Nutrition Services serves more than 18 million high-quality meals each year. The menus are planned by licensed, registered dietitians and include local ingredients and international flavors that reflect our diverse community. Purchased foods, recipe ingredients and preparation techniques are reviewed to ensure our menus comply with nutritional guidelines. What’s for breakfast or lunch? Find your school’s menus, with pictures and nutritional information.
Learn more: English | Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | French | Korean | Portuguese | Vietnamese
Get in the Game: Winter Sports Registration Open Now
Registration for winter high school athletics is now open through ParentVUE.
Ensure your student is ready to participate:
- Complete a physical now: Students must have a completed pre-participation physical (MCPS Form SR-8) on file before participating in tryouts or practices. The medical eligibility form is valid for 13 months from the date of the exam and covers all sports during that period.
- Trouble with ParentVUE access?: Parents/guardians who need ParentVue login information should contact your school’s registrar.
- Prepare for the season: Winter sports tryouts and practices may begin around Nov. 15. Please check your school’s athletic department website for sport-specific information and schedules.
Registration for boys’ and girls’ middle school basketball opens at noon on Monday, Oct. 26.
Reminders
- Marching Band Showcase: Starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Albert Einstein High School. Free and open to the public.
- Mary Howard Day of Service: From 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Projects will include beautifying gardens and pavilions, maintaining trails and building projects. RSVP.
- Mental Health & Wellness Fair: From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at James Hubert Blake High School. Free and open to staff, students and families.
Beyond the Classroom
- *NEW* C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to participate in C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary StudentCam competition, which encourages them to think critically about issues that affect our communities. This year, students are being asked to create a five-to-six-minute video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Mr. Speaker, I Rise To …”. Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2027.
- Speak Up, Save A Life Video Contest: Create an original video promoting awareness of the dangers of illicit opioids, overdose and fentanyl among teens. Secondary students can earn 10 SSL hours. Videos can be submitted in English or Spanish. First place wins $5,000, 2nd place, $3,000 and 3rd place, $1,000. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30. Submit an entry.
- Share Your Vision for America: Make Your Speech calls on students in Grades 5–12 to imagine they’ve just been elected president and are delivering their inaugural address in a 2-3 minute video. Win prizes up to $1,000. Learn more. Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30
- Smokey Bear Poster Contest: The Maryland Forest Service is sponsoring a Fire Prevention Month Smokey Bear poster contest for 7th grade students. Students are asked to create original artwork inspired by Smokey’s classic message: “Only YOU can prevent wildfires!” to explore wildfire safety and forest conservation. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 2. Learn more.
- Capital Weather invites K-8 kids to submit original artwork inspired by weather, seasons, climate or nature to its Kids Art Showcase. Learn more.
From the News Page
- National Principals Month: Q&A with E. Julian Pineda, Roscoe R. Nix Elementary School
- National Principals Month: Q&A with Casey Siddons, Rock Terrace School
- Paint Branch and Gaithersburg NJROTC Train Together
- Empowering Student Voices, Stories and Strengths
Open Registrations
Read the original article at mcps
