FCPS Connect

As we enter a week of reflection and giving thanks, we are so fortunate to have support from our community, our staff, students and families. It’s amazing that there are so many people willing to help others to be successful. We have so many partners who make Frederick County a better place for us all.

The Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) works to coordinate the New Horizons Summer Academy within FCPS. The program provides local high schoolers experiencing housing insecurity access to learning opportunities as a pathway out of homelessness and poverty. Participating students receive a stipend and food security for a majority of their summer so that they can access core academic courses required for graduation as well as life skills workshops.

For 15 years, The United Way of Frederick has organized their Stuff the Bus Campaign, where generous Frederick County businesses and citizens help students start school with the necessary supplies that some families cannot provide. Historically, thousands of items are collected and distributed to FCPS students.

Every year we have staff members who participate in the Combined Charities Campaign, an initiative that provides employees of Frederick County Government, The City of Frederick, and FCPS an opportunity to give to the nonprofit agencies around the county. This year, FCPS employees donated $24,554.16.

There’s a lot to be grateful for this time of year. We want to thank all of our partners who support public education, including Woodsboro Bank, which supports our Veteran in Service Award recipient annually.

Each year, our Department of Public Affairs publishes the FCPS Partnership Report, which has more details about how so many organizations and businesses support FCPS. I look forward to seeing this year’s edition soon.

A reminder that schools and offices are closed November 22-24. I hope you have a restful break!

Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson,

FCPS Superintendent

Urbana High School HVAC technician Earl Gibson was selected as the 2023 Frederick County Public Schools Veteran in Education Service Award recipient.

In its seventh 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 five

nominations and chose the recipient.

In addition to Gibson, nominees included:

Emma Jackson, Lead Custodian, Yellow Springs Elementary

Mateaki Niko, Volleyball Coach, Walkersville High School

Michael Simpson, Transportation, Middletown

Amanda Sinclair, Teacher, Yellow Springs Elementary

Gibson proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps as Lance Corporal, in Combat Logistics Battalion 8, specialized as a Refrigeration Mechanic. He has served FCPS with distinction for nearly four years.

Read more about Gibson and his nomination in our news release.

Earlier this month, FCPS hosted a special Veterans Day Ceremony to recognize staff who have served our country. If you missed the event or want to watch again, check out a video of our ceremony here!

Oakdale High School was recognized in our nation’s capital on Friday for earning the National Blue Ribbon Award! Congratulations, Oakdale!

Oakdale High was one of 353 schools nationally and one of six schools in Maryland to achieve National Blue Ribbon Status this year. The school is the 14th FCPS school to earn National Blue Ribbon Status.

Check out our news release for more information about the achievement.

Last week was National Apprenticeship Week! NAW is a nationwide celebration to showcase the opportunities that apprenticeship offers for workers to develop the workplace experience and skills employers value.

Interested sophomores and juniors have an upcoming opportunity to attend the Youth Apprenticeship Summit! See your WBL coordinator or Career Coach for more information.

The Academy for the Fine Arts music focus will present a formal recital on Wednesday, November 29 at 7 p.m. in the Gov. Thomas Johnson High School auditorium.

Mark your calendars to hear our students perform everything from Beethoven to Ellington as they prepare for college auditions and build their performance repertoire!

Admission is $5 and can be paid at the door or ahead of time online at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/69038.

FCPS Staff, children five and under, and senior citizens are free.

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