FCPS Community Bulletin Board

January 9, 2025

Before I begin with this week’s message, I would like to thank everyone who supported snow and ice removal efforts during our chilly and snowy start to the month of January.

Next week, FCPS students and staff will celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School. This is a free event, scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, at 7 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” During this ceremony, we will be recognizing students who have served their school communities well by showcasing positive leadership qualities characteristic of Dr. King: responsibility, caring, fairness, trustworthiness, citizenship and respect.

I am so proud of the students nominated by their schools for this recognition!

This time of year, weather can always be a consideration. So, we do have a snow date scheduled for this ceremony just in case: Tuesday, January 28, at 7 p.m. at T.J. High.

More information about the celebration is below.

Thank you,

Dr. Dyson

Our latest FCPS Exposure blog highlights the 2024 year in photos.

Check out this FCPS Exposure blog which highlights Middletown High graduate Audrey Fisher who began her career with Frederick County Public Schools this year.

When inclement weather is forecasted, FCPS must make decisions about whether to close, delay opening, or dismiss early. The FCPS Public Affairs Department shares these communications in a number of ways:

• Via Social Media: Delays and closures are shared via our FCPS Maryland Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts. We also update our FCPS Informando Facebook page.
• Via FCPS.org: An alert is posted to FCPS.org at the top of the page, which links to the full inclement weather message.
• Via SchoolMessenger emails and text messages: The text messages are shared via the five-digit code 67587. If you would like to receive these alerts, you can follow the directions here to sign up.
• Via FCPS-TV: We post our full message to FCPS-TV, our TV channel, which is also available online.
• Via our local media partners: We share our inclement weather delays, closures and early dismissals with local radio and television stations.

While FCPS makes every effort to ensure timely delivery of weather delays, closures, and early dismissals, we can not guarantee that information being shared by outside organizations and sources is accurate.

We also appreciate the patience and understanding of our community as all communication platforms are not updated simultaneously.

If you have questions about the decision, we encourage you to check our communications platforms listed above.

More information about our inclement weather policies and procedures is available online.

Frederick County Public Schools uses SchoolMessenger for email, text messages and automated phone calls. Community members can sign up to receive SchoolMessenger updates. This step-by-step guide will show you how to quickly sign up to get messages!

Who can sign up

Anyone interested in receiving FCPS and/or school updates. This can include family members not already signed up for messages and community members.

Who Does Not Need to Sign Up

All FCPS employees automatically receive messages to their work email address and contact information they have entered in via PeopleSoft. All FCPS family members who are listed as a primary contact in our Student Information System do not need to sign up.

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson shared her recommended Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget intended to build on the successes of recent years while providing students with the resources they need.

Dr. Dyson’s recommended budget is based on the feedback received at community and employee listening sessions held throughout the fall. The budget focuses on maintaining programs and services for students, including:

• Preserving current class size formulas for staffing.
• Retaining the technology replacement and refurbishment cycle for technology students use.
• Ensuring access of up to 4 dual enrollment courses per year in grades 11 and 12 at no cost to students and families.
• Continuing to provide preschool to all 3 and 4 year old students who are income eligible.
• Advancing our work for high quality instructional materials with the implementation of comprehensive math and literacy plans grounded in the Science of Reading.
• Supporting our ongoing efforts to ensure services and supports for students with disabilities.
• Maintaining our Remote Virtual Program for grades 6, 7, and 8 with entrance opportunities for students in grades 4 and 5.
• On average, 2% for the salary resource pool pending negotiation.

“The budget I am presenting reflects both realism and hope,” Dyson said. “It prioritizes what matters most: keeping our students safe, engaged, and supported, while ensuring our staff have the tools they need to thrive. It’s a budget shaped by your voices—by the dreams, concerns, and questions we’ve heard from parents, staff, students, and community members.”

More details are available in Dr. Dyson’s video message, which can be viewed via the FCPS Maryland YouTube page.

A quick snapshot of the budget request is available online.

Today’s release of the superintendent’s recommended operating budget request is one of several key steps in the budget process. The Board of Education of Frederick County will host a public hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 29, at Tuscarora High School. The full budget calendar is posted online.

Thursday, January 16 Shows on the Hour from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m.

facility is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Shows are open to the general public. Tickets are $6 each and are available online only here. Admission includes a chance to view ESSL exhibits and animals!

The Blueprint Milestone Report for semester 3, is available for review and can be found on the FCPS website at the following location: https://www.fcps.org/blueprint/blueprint-milestone

Feedback can be shared at BlueprintComments@fcps.org

The Sabillasville Environmental School, a Classical Charter (SES), has opened the lottery for the 2025-26 School Year. SES is a public charter school that is free to residents of Frederick County in grades K-8. The school offers a classical curriculum with a focus on agriculture and environmental studies. The deadline to enter the lottery is March 12.

SES will hold an Open House on Monday, February 3 at 6 PM at the school. Parents can learn more about the school and tour the building. There will be hands-on activities for the kids.

For more information and to enter the lottery visit www.sesclassical.org.

The Frederick County Academic Tournament is officially underway. This year’s matches take place at Frederick High School.

Every FCPS high school is represented in this year’s tournament. Teams will compete weekly against two or three other high schools. Each week’s matches will feature a theme, starting with Fun with Flags in Week 1. Some of the other topics include Culinary in Week 2, Women in Science in Week 4, and Pixar in Week 7.

The tournament finals will be held Friday, February 21. The public can view the full tournament lineup and the weekly recaps of the competitions on the FCPS website.

This marks the 43rd year of the Frederick County Academic Tournament. Since 1982, Linganore High teams have won the tournament ten times, Walkersville teams have won seven, Frederick High teams have won six, teams from Gov. Thomas Johnson and Middletown have each won five, Urbana and Brunswick four, and teams from Catoctin and Tuscarora have each won once.

Walkersville High won the tournament championship last year. Gov. Thomas Johnson High won the regular season title.

In the 1820s, a group of All Saints’ Episcopal Church members donated funds to establish an orphanage to support and educate needy children. In the 1940s, the community's need for the orphan house declined, so the orphanage was closed, and the sale proceeds were used to establish an educational fund.

The board strives to award scholarships to Frederick County residents based on need and promise as we administer this fund. Historically, 10-15 awards, ranging from $500 to $2,500, have been given each year to one immediate family member at a time. Available only at the undergraduate level, these awards may be renewed by students reapplying each year while still an undergraduate student.

To apply students need to complete the online application that can be found HERE

In addition to submitting the application per the link above, students are also required to upload information, such as high school transcripts and FAFSA information, using this LINK. The required information to upload is listed on the application form.

Completed applications (with required supporting documentation) are due by Monday, March 31st. Please review the checklists at the end of the application and carefully follow the instructions. Incomplete applications or applications received after March 31st will not be considered. We will notify you if your scholarship is considered, and we will send you several questions to answer in a small video that you will send to us in place of in-person interviews. More information will be forthcoming. Award decisions will be made soon after the videos are viewed, and the committee meets, which is generally in the April/May timeframe.

Greetings students, parents, teachers, and staff of South Asian ancestry,

The Maryland Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs is committed to supporting the educational success and growth of our community. We would love to hear about your experiences and perspectives on education. Your valuable input will help us develop initiatives and strategies to better support students, families, and educators in the South Asian American community across Maryland and ensure that no one is left behind. After inputting your responses, please remember to click "Submit" to have your responses submitted anonymously.

Please click here to complete the survey.
Survey link: https://forms.office.com/r/vCLGkeweWM

Click here for more information on the Commission.
Website address: https://goci.maryland.gov/governors-commission-on-south-asian-american-affairs/

Thank you for helping us work together to create a brighter educational future for all in the State of Maryland.

Maryland Governor’s Commission on South Asian Affairs
Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives (GOCI)
100 Community Pl, Crownsville, MD 21032

FCPS has revised our standards and requirements for field trip procedures and chaperones. Chaperones for overnight field trips will now have to complete an Overnight Field Trip Form and undergo fingerprinting and a criminal background check.

These revised standards are aimed at ensuring compliance with state regulations and enhancing safety procedures across FCPS that align with public school systems across Maryland. FCPS Regulation 414.01 Field Trips has been updated to better align with these standards. The revised requirements for chaperones are essential for maintaining a secure and compliant field trip environment.

Any overnight field trips, taking place prior to December 31, 2024, are exempt from the fingerprinting requirement.

Effective January 1, 2025 any chaperones participating in overnight field trips must undergo the more comprehensive screening process. In addition to completing the standard volunteer screening, all overnight chaperones are required to:

• Complete an Overnight Field Trip Form: This will help verify the chaperone has completed the standard volunteer training and initiate a request for FCPS fingerprinting.

• Undergo Fingerprinting and a Criminal Background Check: This step is essential for maintaining the highest safety standards and confirming the identity of the chaperones. This is at no cost to chaperones.

These new procedures are designed to provide an added layer of security and peace of mind for students, families, and school staff. The safety and well-being of our students is one of our top priorities, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards in all aspects of school activities.

Do you know an FCPS support employee who goes beyond the call of duty? Have you observed a support staff member excelling in their day-to-day activities? Have they done something particularly noteworthy? There are so many reasons to nominate someone for the FCPS Support Employee of the Year Award! The Support Employee of the Year Award categories have been updated to make them more balanced. The new categories are listed on the Support Employee of the Year Award page found at the link below, as well as in the nomination packet. Complete eligibility, nomination criteria, process and selection guidelines are located online at www.fcps.org/awards.

• Administrative Support
• Food Service Support
• Operations Support
• School Support
• Special Education Support
• Systemic Support
• Technical Support
• Transportation Support

The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 31. (No nominations will be accepted after this date.) It is important to follow the directions for submissions. Please contact Dorian.Munoz@fcps.org or 240-586-7102 with any questions.

The Washington Post is looking for exceptional principals who go above and beyond to create inspiring and supportive educational environments for both their staff and students. This prestigious award celebrates leadership that drives excellence and fosters positive change in schools.

Nominate a principal who makes a difference!

To submit your nomination, follow these instructions:
https://www.fcps.org/public-affairs/wapo-principal

Let’s honor those who lead with passion and dedication!

The 5-Star Service Award is for community use in recognizing FCPS employees who show excellence in one of the 5 FCPS goals. Community members are welcome to nominate any worthy FCPS employee.

This award is designed to provide recognition by community members to employees for excellence in one of the 5 FCPS goals.

Community members are encouraged to nominate any worthy FCPS employee.

Nominations will be reviewed on the 15th and 30th of each month by staff in the Offices of the Chief of Staff, Human Resources, and Public Affairs.

More information on the selection timeline and next steps can be found on the 5-Star Service Award nomination form.

So far this year, FCPS has used two inclement weather days:

Monday, January 6

Tuesday, January 7

Five inclement days are built into the 2024-25 calendar.