Montgomery Community Media

On Thursday, Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles asked private schools to consider a return to fully-virtual instruction. In a letter, Gayles said a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the county will make it hard to maintain the current low rate of transmission in schools. He also cited that as of Tuesday, the […]

After a second letter from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon approved the county’s initially-rejected request asking to continue relaxed teacher-child ratios in early childcare facilities. “Since your first correspondence, we have seen Maryland reporting a seven-day positivity rate of 6.82% and a case rate of 30.9 per 100K,” Salmon said […]

After 30 years as a teacher and principal at Montgomery County Public Schools and then four years as a member of the Board of Education (BOE), Jeanette Dixon is moving on. She spoke with Montgomery Community Media about her time on the board and her years in education. Dixon is proud of her service but […]

On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted unanimously to tentatively approve a phased-in return to in-person learning beginning Jan. 12, 2021. A final vote is scheduled for Dec. 3. In-person learning will only begin if public health conditions allow it. On Friday, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) officials presented a matrix that shows […]

It’s unclear what authority Montgomery County has to make broad school closures if COVID-19 conditions get worse, Emergency Management Director Dr. Earl Stoddard said at a county council meeting Tuesday.  On July 31, Montgomery County was launched into a week-long back and forth with the state when County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles issued an […]

Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday that all 24 Maryland jurisdictions have state-approved plans to bring at least some students back into school buildings this fall.  On Aug. 27 Hogan said eight school systems did not include any in-person learning in their fall semester plans, which he said was not acceptable. “It is essential that we […]

Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday that thanks to improving COVID-19 metrics, all jurisdictions in Maryland are able to safely reopen schools for in-person learning. State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon agreed with Hogan and said school systems should re-evaluate their plans by the end of the first quarter, especially those that plan to stay virtual into […]

The Maryland State Board of Education is tabling a discussion about live instruction requirements for the fall semester until Sept. 1, one day after the first day of school for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).  On Monday, Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon recommended that the board approve a requirement that schools offer an average […]

The coronavirus dramatically altered the plans of teachers around the world. Inge Chichester, a teacher at Sligo Middle School in Silver Spring and the current Montgomery County Public Schools Teacher of the Year, spoke to MyMCMedia about the impact that online learning. How Chichester Has Continued Personalizing Online Learning Classes Before the coronavirus, students were […]

Chance the Rapper awarded a Hallie Wells Middle School teacher $30,000 during his Instagram Live Twilight Awards, which recognizes teachers who engage students in unique ways.  Michael Doggett is an English teacher at Hallie Wells. His “Hey Students” raps on YouTube help him connect with students while they learn from home. Doggett spoke with MyMCMedia […]