FCPS Connect

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, this is a great time to provide recognition for our caring staff who support students every day. I know I am appreciative of our employees who give their best to ensure students have transportation to school, a meal to eat, and classrooms where they can learn and grow.

I'm sure you can probably immediately identify at least a few FCPS employees you would like to celebrate. Good news! We have a few ways to recognize them right now.

Support Employee of the Year nominations are open.

Nominations are open for the 2024-25 FCPS Support Employee of the Year Award program. All community members are encouraged to nominate an employee in one of several categories:

• Administrative Support

• Food Service Support

• Operations Support

• School Support

• Special Education Support

• Systemic Support

• Technical Support

• Transportation Support

Complete eligibility, nomination criteria, process and selection guidelines are located online at FCPS Support Employee of the Year Award | Public Affairs.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 31, so you have plenty of time! Contact Dorian.Munoz@fcps.org or 240-586-7102 with any questions.

Additionally, nominations are always open for our 5-Star Service Award, which recognizes FCPS employees who show excellence in supporting one of our main systemic goals: organizational culture of achievement, operational excellence, safety and wellbeing, stakeholder engagement, and student and staff experience.

Community members are encouraged to nominate any worthy FCPS employee. Those nominations are reviewed on the 15th and 30th of each month.

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

A reminder that schools are closing 2 hours early on Tuesday, November 26. Schools and Offices will be closed Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29, for Thanksgiving Break.

I hope everyone has a safe and restful holiday!

Thank you,

Dr. Dyson

FCPS is proud to announce the launch of the new Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation STEM Center at Carroll Manor Elementary with the collaboration of Rowan Digital Infrastructure.

The new center will feature STEM equipment at student workstations, providing students with opportunities to explore activities that encourage creativity, teamwork, and practical problem-solving.

We are so grateful to our veterans on staff for their service to this nation and to our students. Thank you for all you do! Here is the video from Thursday's celebration of FCPS veterans held at central office.

Our latest FCPS Exposure blog highlights the first middle school dance class at Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle.

This afternoon, the Frederick County Board of Education voted unanimously to amend the 2025-26 academic calendar to switch the following dates:

Move the 3.5-hour early release Fair Day from September 26 to September 19.

Move the 2-hour early dismissal day from September 19 to September 26.

This was done because the week of The Great Frederick Fair moved.

Join us as we celebrate American Education Week, a time to honor the dedicated school staff in our public schools!

It's important we take time to honor the team of professionals who work to create safe and encouraging spaces to grow the minds of our students.

From teachers and bus drivers to volunteers and administrative staff, we thank all of you for your unwavering commitment and contributions to education!

November is National Native American Heritage Month! Visit the FCPS LibGuide for more information.

Don't miss your chance to see one or more of our high school fall theatre productions in Frederick County. There are only a few shows left!

Linganore HS - She Kills Monsters

Nov. 21 and 22 at 7:00 pm & Nov. 23 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Oakdale HS - Godspell 2012 Version

Nov. 23 at 2:00 pm, Nov. 23 at 7:00 pm, Nov. 24 at 2:00 pm

Frederick County Public Schools is pleased to share that Brian Stocks, Instructional Assistant at Middletown High School, has been chosen as the recipient of the 2024 Veterans in Education Service Award.

In its eighth year, the award was created to honor an FCPS employee who has served our nation in the armed forces and provided exemplary service to FCPS and the community. Woodsboro Bank sponsors the annual Veteran in Education Award.

A committee of FCPS staff, community members and veterans reviewed this year’s eight nominations and chose the recipient.

In addition to Stocks, nominees included:

• John Hayden, JV Boys Lacrosse Coach, Oakdale High

• Kenji Hicks, Resident Substitute Teacher, Walkersville Middle

• Paul Hoffman, Social Studies Teacher, Walkersville High

• Kevin Jaye, User Support Specialist, Brunswick Elementary

• Randi Kirkland, English Teacher, Linganore High

• Renee Rosa, Administrative Secretary, Visual and Performing Arts, Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation

• Kenny Winters, Maintenance Area Supervisor Catoctin Feeder Schools

The public is invited to several community budget listening sessions as FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson gathers feedback prior to releasing her Recommended Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget in January.

Feedback from all stakeholders are welcome. In September and October, Dr. Dyson offered staff engagement opportunities.

Four feedback sessions are scheduled:

Community Budget Virtual Listening Session:

When: Tuesday, December 3 from 6-7 p.m.

Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/tdj-gtwf-moi

Community Budget Virtual Listening Session:

When: Tuesday, December 9 from 9-10 a.m.

Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/tdj-gtwf-moi

Community Budget In-Person Listening Session:

When: Monday, December 16 at 6 p.m.

Where: Board Room, 191 S. East St., Frederick

Dr. Dyson is scheduled to share her Recommended Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget on Monday, January 6, with a budget discussion scheduled during the Wednesday, January 8, Board of Education of Frederick County meeting.

The full FY2026 Operating Budget Calendar is available online, where stakeholders can also view the FY2026 Budget Roadmap with details about the process.

Like many school districts across the country, FCPS is facing a shortage of bus drivers. This shortage means that about 20 or more bus routes are being covered by a small number of substitute drivers, Transportation office staff, or other drivers who are filling in. While we have managed to cover these routes, it has affected pickup and drop-off times for students.

Using substitutes and office staff can cause delays, in addition to usual factors like traffic. To keep you informed about any delays, our Transportation department updates a bus status board, which you can find at this LINK and on the “Transportation” page of our website, www.fcps.org. This board shows the most current information on bus times. If a bus route is canceled due to staff shortages, we will send notifications, and you can also check the status board for updates.

We are actively looking for more bus drivers. If you or someone you know is interested, please apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/fcps/OnlineApp/. Your help in spreading the word is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your patience and support.

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 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.

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