5 Things to Know

1. Fentanyl Awareness: Family Forum Set for Jan. 28

In partnership with MCPS, Montgomery Goes Purple invites families to come out Saturday, Jan. 28 for an event and discussion on this deadly drug.

Panelists will share important information on the dangers and prevalence of fentanyl, prevention tools and protective factors for students, and resources for treatment. The event will be from 9:30–11:30 a.m. in the Clarksburg High School cafeteria, 22500 Wims Road in Clarksburg. Please RSVP. The event will also be livestreamed on the MCPS homepage. Ride On will provide free bus rides on Saturday from 7:00–2:00 p.m. on routes 10 and 75.

2. Help Rising High School Juniors and Seniors Learn About Your Workplace and Career Field

MCPS is seeking hosts for the Summer RISE 2023 program in all career fields, particularly those in arts and entertainment, architecture, bioscience, business management, cybersecurity, engineering, healthcare, information technology, law and veterinary services. Summer RISE is an MCPS initiative to help students learn about career opportunities. If you are interested in offering an in-person, virtual or hybrid experience between June 26 and July 28, sign up today. Registration will close Friday, April 14. For more information, visit www.MCPS-SummerRISE.org.

3. MCPS is Hiring Teachers, Administrators, Support Staff and More

An in-person Teacher Job Fair will be held on Monday, Jan. 30 from 5-7 p.m. at 15 W. Gude Drive in Rockville. The district is looking for highly qualified professionals to join its workforce as teachers for the 2023-2024 school year. If you or someone you know is interested, please RSVP.

In addition, Watkins Mill principals are hosting a talent recruitment session on Thursday, Feb. 2 to promote opportunities at schools within its cluster. As the hiring season approaches, the cluster is looking to fill vacancies in teaching, administration and more. Interested educators should RSVP.

4. Celebrating Lunar New Year

Students, parents and staff at Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School attended the annual Lunar New Year show and celebration on Jan. 20. From traditional dances to vibrant costumes, students from all backgrounds celebrated Asian culture and traditions. Check out a photo gallery from the event.

The League of Educators for Asian American Progress (LEAAP) held its annual Lunar New Year scholarship dinner on Jan. 18. This event is a scholarship fundraiser for Asian and Pacific Islander American high school seniors interested in pursuing a degree in teaching.

5. Spotlighting Our Great Students and Staff

The Make-a-Wish Foundation surprised MCPS fifth grader Aubrey Campbell with a trip to Hawaii. The surprise was revealed this week in front of her classmates at Rachel Carson Elementary School.

Students at Shady Grove, William H. Farquhar, Parkland and Briggs Chaney middle schools were named winners in this year’s Invent the Future Challenge celebration at KID Museum. Almost 1,500 middle school students participated in this year's challenge. Through designing their own inventions, innovation and problem solving, students answered the question: What will you make to improve life on this planet? See the list of winners.

For the latest information and news, visit the MCPS News Center.

Montgomery County Public Schools