
FCPS Connect
Friday, February 9

One year ago this week, FCPS announced its partnership with the Baltimore Ravens and Under Armour, which allowed flag football to be piloted as an interscholastic girls fall sport for the first time in the state of Maryland.
It’s been an amazing journey seeing our female athletes shine on the football field. From receiving their new uniforms from Under Armour to playing the championship game in Baltimore, the season was full of magical moments.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day was February 7, and we're so proud of all our girls athletic teams. Just this fall, we had eight girls teams earn region titles and the Linganore High cheerleading team earned a state championship.
The confidence, strength and character gained through sports participation is one of the many avenues girls and women have available to teach teamwork and problem-solving skills that allow them to become strong leaders.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson,
FCPS Superintendent
Black History is ... artistic!
Check out our LibGuide for essential information about the study and celebration of Black/African American History Month!
BAAHM Features: Yemi Fagbohun
In honor of Black/African American History Month, we are celebrating four Black/African-American artists. Today, learn about Yemi Fagbohun!
Born in Nigeria, Fagbohun studied art and worked successfully as a professional artist in New York before relocating to Frederick County, MD. Commercially, he has produced illustrations for well-known retailers and more than one hundred Fortune 500 companies.
In addition to several children’s books, he has designed more than 300 international postage stamps, and his “Girl Group” stamps are a part of the permanent collection of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH.
Well-known in Frederick County for his community-centered projects, he collaborates with towns across the region to design highly-collectible keepsakes highlighting area landmarks. Courtyard by Marriott, The Common Market, Creekside Plaza and many more locations are home to his large historic murals and glass installations. “The Pillars of Frederick,” on the side of the McCutcheon’s Apple Products building, features legendary Frederick County leaders, and is one of the largest murals in Maryland at 1280 square feet.
Now accepting out-of-district applications
Out-of-district applications will be accepted by the Department of Student Services office from February 1 to March 1, 2024. This applies to K-12 only.
Parents or guardians who wish to request an out-of-district transfer for the 2024-2025 school year must apply by completing the application. Out of district approvals are only good for one year, so all students/families MUST REAPPLY between February 1 and March 1, 2024.
Additional information about the out of district process is outlined in FCPS Regulation 400-15. The FCPS list of closed schools for the 2024-2025 school year can be found here.
Families will be notified of the decision regarding your out of district request by April 1, 2024. If you have questions, you may contact the Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) assigned to your child's school.
For assistance completing the form, please call 240-236-2493. Families will be notified of the decision by April 1, 2024.
Essential: Courtney Hrobak. Community School Coordinator
In our latest edition of our Essential Video Series highlighting FCPS employees and their pivotal roles, we get to meet Courtney Hrobak, the community school coordinator at Waverley Elementary. We get to learn more about her essential position supporting students and the Waverley community.
Keep checking back! More Essential videos are coming soon!
Celebrating National School Counseling Week!
This week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
FCPS employs 188 school counselors: 58 high school, 48 middle school and 82 elementary school.
Our school counselors are committed to working with all stakeholders to remove barriers, increase student achievement and provide much-needed resources for students, parents, teachers and administrators.
FCPS Impact Student: Lauren Tisdale, Oakdale Middle
Oakdale Middle student Lauren Tisdale is the latest FCPS student to be recognized with the FCPS Impact Award. Our crew surprised Lauren with this news earlier in the month.
To learn about Lauren and the impact she is making in her school community and beyond, check out our video feature!
Know a student worthy of being nominated for an FCPS Impact award? We are accepting nominations online.
Registration open for FCPS Science and Social Studies Fairs
Frederick County Public Schools is excited to announce the Elementary and Secondary Science and Engineering Fair and the Elementary Social Studies Fair will take place on Saturday, March 23 at Tuscarora High School.
Please see the links below and attached posters for more details and to register for the 2024 events:
Register for the Elementary Science Fair here: http://tinyurl.com/ElemSCIFair2024
Register for the Elementary Social Studies Fair here: https://tinyurl.com/SSfairFCPS
Register for the Secondary Science Fair Here: https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/fcsef/registration
Elijah Steele next Student Member of the Board
Congratulations to Gov. Thomas Johnson High School junior Elijah Steele for being elected the next Student Member to the Board of Education of Frederick County (SMOB)!
His one-year term will begin July 1. Until then, he will shadow current SMOB Brooke Lieberman from Urbana High School.
FCPS middle and high school students voted online to elect the 2024-25 SMOB. The election was finalized Tuesday after delegates representing each middle and high school cast their votes during the Frederick County Association of Student Councils General Assembly.
Steele was elected from a field of four candidates. During his campaign, Steele pledged to focus on mental health awareness and equitable opportunities for all students.
At Gov. Thomas Johnson High, Steele is a Student Government Association member and has served as chair for his school's Homecoming Committee. He is also a member of the Black Student Union, Future Health Professionals and Junior Executive Clubs.
The SMOB's role brings a student viewpoint on educational issues to the Board of Education. SMOBs are expected to respect the diversity of students' points of view, improve communication between the student body, staff and Board members, and engage students about board policies and decisions.
Cool Schools Polar Plunge
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2024 Cool Schools Plunge yesterday to support Special Olympics Maryland! We work together to build community and honor inclusivity throughout FCPS and beyond!
Took a look at our final totals below! FCPS donated a grand total of $92,736 for Special Olympics Maryland.
1. GTJHS Patriot Plungers: $20,310
2. Oakdale Middle School: $15,010
3. Middletown High School: $13,829
4. Urbana High School: $10,751
5. Catoctin High School Cougars: $8,231
6. Tuscarora High School Titans: $5,844
7. Windsor Knolls MS Wolverines: $5,583
8. Linganore High School Lancers: $4,650
9. Oakdale High School Polar Bears: $4,284
10. Walkersville High School: $2,215
11. Brunswick Middle School: $2,029
Fun Facts:
- FCPS Schools raised $41,416 more than last year.
- This year FCPS had four additional schools participate in the plunge.
- Dominic Goline from Middletown HS raised the most money in the state. He raised $7,652!
Board hosting community listening session in Thurmont
The Board of Education of Frederick County is looking forward to visiting the Catoctin Feeder Pattern for a listening session. All members of the community are welcome!
When: February 21, 2024 - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Where: Catoctin High School Media Center, 14745 Sabillasville Road, Thurmont
The informal structure of a community listening session provides an opportunity for the community to highlight areas of celebration and areas of advocacy or concern to the Board, and allows for dialogue and communication between the Board and the community.
The dialogue can be specific to the Catoctin feeder or across all FCPS communities.
BAAHM Student Activity
FCPS is encouraging students to send in positive messages in celebration of Black/African American History Month!
Craft a social media post related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s 'I Have a Dream' speech. Share your own dreams for a better future, encouraging others to join the conversation.
Consider the power of social media in spreading messages of equality and justice, and how your dreams align with the principles Dr. King championed.
Messages and photos can be submitted here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdbpySY25ghHR.../viewform
Check it out! FCPS Informando
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!
Contact us
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