FCPS Community Bulletin Board
As we navigate the challenges that life often brings, it’s important to remember that even in the toughest of times, we have the power to shape our experiences. As I shared in my comments during our most recent Board of Education meeting, a teacher in our system is bravely fighting cancer. Even as she is going through treatment, she is encouraging others to make today amazing on purpose.
By choosing to approach each day with a mindset of positivity, resilience, and purpose, we can uplift ourselves and those around us. We can accomplish so much when we work together and support each other.
During the last few weeks our students and staff have been spreading positivity:
Frederick High students returned to Hillcrest Elementary and participated in Read Across America Day.
Several FCPS schools celebrated Inclusion Day, as we continue to Choose to Include all students through our longstanding partnership with Special Olympics Maryland. Two FCPS programs earned state titles this month in unified bocce – Gov. Thomas Johnson High and Tuscarora High.
Urbana Middle students who are active in student government earned the Felix Simon Award during the Maryland Association of Student Councils meeting. This is the top honor that is granted by MASC to a school.
We will continue to work together to show kindness, inspire each other, and make today amazing on purpose. We can create a ripple effect of positivity, no matter what circumstances may come our way.
Thank you,
Dr. Dyson
One of these dedicated educators will be 2025-26 FCPS Teacher of the Year and will be Frederick County's representative in the Maryland State Teacher of the Year program.
Semifinalists will be announced in early April.
All FCPS TOY nominees receive special, personal recognition by the Superintendent and Board of Education. The Teacher of the Year receives a variety of prizes from the State and FCPS, including professional development opportunities throughout the year, recognition at a state-hosted banquet, and other prizes. The Teacher of the Year’s home school also receives special recognition throughout the year.
Six employees have been recognized through the 2025 Support Employee of the Year program.
This award celebrates employees who exemplify service and excellence to the FCPS community.
The exemplary employees are:
- Administrative Support Employee of the Year: Theresa Wisner, Central Office
- Food Service Support Employee of the Year: Casandra Allison, Middletown High
- Operations Support Employee of the Year: Livida Merlos, Ballenger Creek Middle
- School Support Employee of the Year: Curtiss Belcher, Brunswick High
- Special Education Support Employee of the Year: Courtney Prahl, Centerville Elementary
- Technical Support Employee of the Year: Tammy Barlow, Middletown High
From this list of six, one overall Support Employee of the Year will be announced at the May 21 Board of Education meeting when the entire group is honored. The overall winner will receive a cash award, a personal day off, special trophy and Board of Education pin. All category winners will receive trophies and certificates.
Urbana sophomore Emily Dinh competed at the FIS Snowboard Alpine Junior World Championships in the first week of March.Dinh was one of five American girls who qualified for the junior world championships in Zakopane, Poland.
Read the Frederick News Post article about it here.
Each year the Carson Scholars Fund honors an elite group of students from grades 4-11 who not only demonstrate exceptional academic achievements, maintaining at least a 3.75 GPA, but also embody significant humanitarian qualities. This year, 13 students from Frederick County received the prestigious honor of being named Carson Scholars. These scholars are awarded a $1,000 college scholarship, an Olympic-sized medal and a certificate. In addition, 20 students from Frederick County renewed their status as Carson Scholars. These scholars were previously awarded and have continued to uphold the rigorous standards of being named Carson Scholars.
Find the full list of Frederick County Carson Scholars in the attached pdf.
FCPS is accepting nominations for the 2025 Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award. Named for a former Hood College faculty member who encouraged students to enter the teaching profession, this award recognizes an FCPS teacher who has had a significant positive impact on young people.
Hood College presents the Tressler award annually to honor distinguished teaching in the Frederick County Public Schools’ system. A gift from the late Samuel Eig of Gaithersburg, MD, established the award. Hood College will recognize the winner during its master’s degree reception in May.
FCPS has posted eligibility and nomination criteria, nomination process and selection guidelines at www.fcps.org/awards. The school system welcomes nominations from current or former students, teachers and support staff, parents, community members, administrators and supervisors. Nomination packets are due to the FCPS Public Affairs Department, 191 S. East Street, Frederick, MD 21701, Friday, March 21, 2025.
Get ready! FCPS staff from the Brunswick High and Middletown High feeder patterns will be competing on the basketball court for top honors while raising money for the Mental Health Association of Frederick.
This year’s staff basketball game will take place on March 28 at Brunswick High School. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. The game starts at 7 p.m.
Last year, Middletown High staff won in an event that raised $4,000 for the MHA.
This is a cash-only event. Admission is:
$10 - Courtside Seats (Limited Availability)
$6 - Adults
$4 - Students 18 & Under
FREE - Children 5 & Under
For the upcoming 2025 spring season, FCPS is expanding cashless admission to include all girls and boys JV and varsity lacrosse games. For added convenience, GoFan credit card readers will be available at the ticket table 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 percent cashless for all of their sports.
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 will continue to offer discounted spring seasonal pass options that may be purchased through the school's athletic department.
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.
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.
A reminder that the main FCPS phone number is 227-203-3277.
If you are trying to contact a school, be sure to check our online schools directory, which includes a direct line for each. If you need to contact a school, you can contact that school directly, rather than using the main FCPS number.
