Signs of Suicide
All students in Grades 6 through 12 will participate in the Signs of Suicide ® (SOS ® ) Prevention Program. The program will be implemented at Quince Orchard High School on Thursday, March 23, 2023, during Cougars Connect. Students also receive handouts that include the Act to Save a Life student newsletter and a list of school, local, and national resources that are available on mental health needs. A copy of the resource list is attached. If you have any questions or concerns about this program, please do not hesitate to contact Douglas Rivera, Resource Counselor at Douglas_A_Rivera@mcpsmd.org.
Please take time to review these valuable resources:
Signs of Suicide (SOS) Parent Newsletter
5 Things to Know from MCPS - Thursday 3/23/23
1. Revised Message Regarding the Use of Inclusive Texts
MCPS expects all classrooms to be inclusive and safe spaces for students, including those who identify as LGBTQ+ or have family members in the LGBTQ+ community. A broad representation of personal characteristics within curricular or instructional materials promotes this desired outcome. Therefore, as with all curriculum resources, there is an expectation that teachers utilize these inclusive lessons and texts with all students.
As is standard practice, when planning for instruction teachers/schools are encouraged to utilize a variety of resources to continue to promote an inclusive environment as outlined in the MCPS Core Values and Board Policy. Students and families may not choose to opt out of engaging with any instructional materials, other than “Family Life and Human Sexuality Unit of Instruction'' which is specifically permitted by Maryland law. As such, teachers will not send home letters to inform families when inclusive books are read in the future.2. Kindergarten Registration Opens March 27 for the Next School Year
Registration opens on March 27 for parents who wish to register their child for kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year. Children must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2023. For more information about eligibility guidelines, registration or required documents to complete an application, call 240-740-4006 or visit the kindergarten enrollment website.
Learn more about the online registration process.
3. Next Family Fentanyl Forum Set for Saturday, March 25
Montgomery Goes Purple, in partnership with MCPS, is hosting a third Family Forum on Fentanyl from 9 a.m.–noon on Sat., March 25, at Paint Branch High School. This forum will focus on in-depth learning opportunities with dozens of sessions, as well as Narcan training, resource tables and opportunities for fitness. The forum will include sessions for youth and adults, individually and jointly, in English and Spanish. Discussion topics will include:
Starting a conversation with your child
Starting a conversation with your parent
Mental health care
Finding and accessing resources
Healthy boundaries with friends
Paint Branch is located at 14121 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville.
4. SSL Hours Documentation Deadline is March 30
Students who wish to earn the Certificate of Meritorious Service (for seniors who have 240 or more SSL hours documented on their record) or the Superintendent’s SSL Award (which is awarded one time to students who meet the 75 hour graduation requirement during middle school), must submit all SSL forms to their school’s SSL coordinator by March 30.
MCPS students must earn at least 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school, and Spring break is a wonderful time for students to participate in SSL opportunities! All other SSL forms should be submitted on a rolling basis, but no later than the deadline of June 2.5. Spotlighting our Great Students and Staff
Students Named Carson Scholars
Three MCPS students have been named Carson Scholars, earning $1,000 college scholarships. Carson Scholars are students in grades 4-11 who excel academically, donate their time and talents to others, and demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and humanitarian qualities. MCPS students who are first-time scholarship recipients are:
Taian Chen, Northwest High School
Claire Kirner, Odessa Shannon Middle School
Allison Xu, Walter Johnson High School
Six additional MCPS students reaffirmed their status as Carson Scholars for maintaining a 3.75 grade point average. Read more.
Hundreds of students participated in the 12th Annual Minority Scholars Retreat
The Minority Scholars Program (MSP), a student-led initiative, held its 12th annual retreat at Northwest High School on March 18. Seventeen years ago, MSP began as a student-driven initiative aimed at tackling the opportunity gap. Through student leadership and activism, it has served as a vehicle and a blueprint for creating change.
Montgomery County Public Schools
Email us: ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.org
Elizabeth L. Thomas
