FCPS Community Bulletin Board
Great Frederick Fair a FCPS Tradition
This week, thousands of FCPS students have visited The Great Frederick Fair giving them an opportunity to see the significant role agriculture plays in Frederick County.
As you navigate through the fairgrounds, you will encounter so many FCPS students, including those who are active in FFA and 4-H.
We are so proud of current FCPS students and graduates that have earned leadership roles. For example, Middletown High junior Ella Fell was recently named Maryland Dairy Queen. Half of the current Maryland State FFA officers are FCPS graduates.
If you are still planning a visit, you’ll find FCPS students serving as ambassadors in many buildings. They are eager to share their experiences with visitors.
Speaking of the fair, a reminder that schools are closing 3.5 hours early on Friday, Sept. 20. It is Fair Day.
Enjoy!
Dr. Dyson
Congratulations, Catoctin High!
Catoctin High School earned national banner recognition from Special Olympics North America for schoolwide efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without special needs. CHS earned this status by meeting ten national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy and respect.
Catoctin High is the third FCPS school to earn national banner recognition, joining Twin Ridge Elementary and Tuscarora High.
Catoctin High, Urbana High, Gov. Thomas Johnson High, and Tuscarora High earned 2024 Special Olympics Maryland Unified Champion school status.
The first FCPS Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) guest speaker presentation is coming up next week! WISE encourages high school students to consider pursuing careers in science and engineering. The group meets once a month in the Earth Space Science Laboratory (ESSL) at 210 Madison Street, Frederick, MD from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m.
The first speaker is Sarah Donahue, the associate director for management and operations at NAID, Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick. She will present from 6:00-7:15 p.m. on September 25, 2024 at the ESSL.
In 2023, the Maryland State Board of Education updated graduation regulations that affect high school courses with required state assessments in science and social studies. Specifically, for students enrolled in American Government and Biology courses and/or their equivalents, a state-required End of Course (EOC) assessment will count for 20% of the final course grade and will be included in the final grade calculation on the student’s report card and transcript. Additional information from the Maryland State Department of Education can be found here.
In Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS), the grade calculation that includes the EOC score will be applied in a manner that maximizes benefit for students. Additional details can be found below.
Grade Calculation: Please refer to FCPS Regulation 416-01, Secondary Grading, Reporting,and Intervention (pages 8-9), for how the final course grade will be calculated, using the traditional “quality point” method and then a subsequent calculation factoring in the EOC score.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses: The AP Government exam can be taken in lieu of the required state assessment and will not be factored into the course grade. For AP Biology, students will have to take the required state assessment in science, as it is a federal accountability requirement.
Absence from Testing: EOC assessments are required for graduation. Students who do not take the assessment within the window will receive a grade of “Missing” and no credit will be awarded for the course until the assessment is taken. Students will be required to make up the assessment at the next available administration.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s science or social studies teacher.
Nominations Accepted Through September 27 at 3 p.m.
FCPS seeks nominations for the annual Veteran in Education Service Award to honor an FCPS employee who has served our nation in the armed forces and has 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.
For additional information about the award and to access nomination materials, please visit https://www.fcps.org/public-affairs/veteran-in-education-service-award. All application materials must be submitted in one electronic file to Service.Award@fcps.org, by Friday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m. All nominees and the award recipient will be recognized at the annual Veterans Day Celebration on November 7, 2024.
FCPS wishes to thank Woodsboro Bank for their support of this Award and congratulates last year’s recipient, Earl Gibson, HVAC Technician at UHS.
FCPS employees benefit from market-competitive salaries and outstanding benefits. We provide a supportive working environment, professional development training and mentoring. Most importantly, we offer the opportunity to make a difference in our students’ lives!
We recognize that educating our county's students requires a team effort. This involves contributions made by team members, both inside and outside of the classroom.
FCPS Turning to Cashless Admission for All Varsity Football Games
This school year, FCPS is elevating our fan experience and transitioning to cashless admission for all varsity football games. Tickets for these games must be purchased through GoFAN. For added convenience, GoFan credit card readers will be available at the gate for those who do not pre-purchase their online tickets.
GoFAN is the same online ticket company the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) uses for postseason play and all of their cashless state semifinal and state championship contests. Additionally, Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Harford, Howard, St. Mary’s, and Wicomico counties are currently 100% cashless for all of their sports.
Purchasing tickets via GoFAN is recommended for all other FCPS Sports held in stadiums and gymnasiums.
FCPS staff considered the numerous benefits of moving to cashless ticketing including avoiding bottlenecks and long lines, the ease of accounting, school staff being able to better prepare for athletics events due to seeing live updates of tickets sales, reducing safety concerns associated with large sums of cash being collected at the gate, fraud prevention, contactless payment and entry, and providing our spectators with a better overall experience.
The cost to attend most athletic events is $6 for adults and $2 for high school or younger students. Children ages 7 and under, FCPS employees, FCPS retirees, and all guests ages 60 or older are admitted free of charge. There is a $1 transaction fee charged by GoFan so attendees will be paying $7 and $3 when purchasing electronic tickets.
Schools continue to offer discounted seasonal pass options that may be purchased through the school's athletic department.
For additional information, please visit the Attending Athletic Events page on FCPS Athletics.
We hope to see you at an athletic contest. Go Team FCPS!
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Fall Edition of the Blueprint Quarterly
Dr. Sarah Sirgo, Chief of Staff and Blueprint Implementation Coordinator for FCPS, would like to welcome you to the 4th issue of The Blueprint Quarterly--a communication tool dedicated to providing our students, staff, families, and community members up to date information about the Frederick County Public Schools Blueprint implementation. We have been busy at work over the last quarter, and this issue takes a closer look at what we have been pursuing. Included is information on:
- Recent MSDE Blueprint Meeting
- Our Revised Steering Committee Structure
- Pillar 3 Committee Lead Spotlight
- Blueprint Spotlight
- Announcements and Resources
Thank you for taking time to read on and hear more about the tremendous efforts of our team!
