FCPS Connect

All high school graduations have been livestreamed once again this year for those who could not attend the ceremonies live. The graduations will be available for future viewing on the FCPS Maryland YouTube Page.

Last month, a record 25 students graduated from the Frederick Community College Early College Program.

The students graduated at FCC’s commencement and participated in their own high school graduations – the byproduct of simultaneously earning a high school diploma and an associate degree from FCC.

This was the third class in the Early College Program and the most students to earn a diploma and an associate degree. Last year, 20 students completed the program. The first Early College class in 2021-22 had 15 students. The full list of Early College Program graduates is posted online.

Substitute Teacher Gregory Biggs was named the 2024 Frederick County Public Schools Substitute of the Year.

Biggs has been a substitute for FCPS since 2018 and was nominated this year by Hillcrest Elementary School.

Biggs not only accepts daily and long-term substitute positions, 11 days or more, but also volunteers during his free time to help students. He continuously raises standards by establishing relationships with staff, students, and families and by coming to work each day with a positive attitude. He uses his creativity to make learning engaging and fun, while also holding his students accountable for their education. Biggs is an unwavering role model for students who believes in their abilities and encourages them to do the same.

When asked about how he connects with students, Mr. Biggs shared, “The more you can make them laugh and build that connection, those students start to believe they belong. I would say the same for students who struggle but want to learn. Building that connection is imperative to building up their self-esteem and confidence.”

Biggs was selected to receive the FCPS Substitute of the Year award by a committee. He will receive a special trophy to commemorate his achievement, and he will be recognized at a future Board meeting.

As part of our commitment to engaging staff, students, and families in our FCPS Blueprint work, the Milestone Report provides a picture of the work that we are doing in FCPS as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a 10 year investment in transforming public education.

The Milestone report is published twice each school year, in December and June, and includes information on what we have achieved across the Blueprint pillars. It is posted below.

We're not done celebrating our FCPS Teacher of the Year Finalists just yet! Check out this video featuring Urbana High's Heather O'Brien.

Urbana High School seniors Nicole Simmons, Duncan Ways, and Sky Robisch competed as Team Woah! to earn a 2nd place overall finish, and a 1st place in the Instant Challenge, at Destination Imagination’s (DI) Global Finals held in Kansas City from May 22-25.

Team Woah! boarded an airplane just hours after their graduation ceremony to compete in DI’s Improvisation Challenge “So Extra” at the Secondary Level. After advancing from Regional and State DI tournaments, Team Woah! brought their Improvisational talents to Kansas City and competed against 21 other teams from around the world, including the US, China, Turkey, and Ukraine, in their challenge. Team Woah! was the sole representative of Frederick County to advance to Global Finals.

We embrace our differences and celebrate diversity and inclusion at FCPS. Happy Pride Month to all of our LGBTQA+ students, staff, parents and friends!

Visit https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/ for more information.

We would like to congratulate this year's 2024 FCPS School Counselor of the Year award recipients:

• Ozreen Parker, School Counselor at Monocacy Elementary School

• Michelle Watson, School Counselor at Crestwood Middle School

• Dana Brashear, School Counselor at Middletown High School

What a season! Check out our Spring Sports Recap here!

The MPSSAA was proud to honor the 18 recipients of the 2024 Minds In Motion Scholar-Athlete Scholarship at a luncheon held today in the Ravens team locker room at M&T Bank Stadium.

Congratulations to our FCPS recipients Chloe Gaines of Walkersville High and Aryaman Kantawala of Oakdale High!

Present for the event was guest speaker Jamie Sharper, who is a former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, and was an important defensive player of the 2001 Ravens Super Bowl Championship team. Currently, Mr. Sharper is a professional football coach and he spoke to the attendees about his three pillars. During his speech, he asked each of the recipients to share what they are thankful for and what they need to be mindful of.

The FCPS Career & Technical Education curriculum department virtually hosted the ninth annual Startup Frederick competition on Thursday, May 16, using the FCPS MD YouTube livestream. During the event, $3,000 in prize money was up for grabs from event sponsor Nymeo Federal Credit Union. The competition, which is modeled after the TV show "Shark Tank," is meant to encourage entrepreneurship and connect students and employers.

First place was awarded to Abhinav Kamalkannan from Oakdale High School. He pitched his innovative food truck concept, Invasive Eats, which seeks to serve delicious invasive species seafood, while protecting local waterways and ecosystems.

Did you know FCPS has a Facebook page for Spanish speaking community members? FCPS Informando has important updates for families. We encourage our community to check it out!

¿Sabía que FCPS tiene una página de Facebook para miembros de la comunidad de habla hispana? FCPS Informando tiene actualizaciones importantes para las familias. ¡Animamos a nuestra comunidad a comprobarlo!

Email: communications@fcps.org

Website: www.fcps.org
Location: 191 South East Street, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: (301)644-5000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fcpsmaryland
Twitter: @FCPSMaryland