Montgomery Community Media

Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Riemer is concerned that Montgomery County isn’t prioritizing getting students back into the classroom. In a letter sent to county residents Monday, Riemer explained why he was the only Councilmember to vote against allowing restaurants and bars to apply for a permit to serve alcohol after 10 p.m. “While the proposal […]

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) board members and officials discussed the possibility of allowing small groups into schools for in-person learning at a school board meeting Tuesday. MCPS Superintendent Jack Smith was very clear that the discussion is not an indication that any in-person learning is happening soon. “This is in no way a signal […]

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) employees were notified on Friday that formal planning for some in-person instruction is beginning.  Last week Gov. Larry Hogan announced that all 24 Maryland jurisdictions have state-approved plans to bring at least some students back into school buildings this fall. In late August Hogan said eight school systems did not include […]

About 2,000 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students did not log into myMCPS Classroom or Zoom last week.  Most students have successfully logged into virtual classes, Chief Technology Officer Pete Cevenini said at a school board meeting Tuesday. However 2,149 students, or about 1% of total students, did not log in last week. That is […]

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 […]

Gov. Larry Hogan announced that as a result of improving health metrics, every county in Maryland is now “fully authorized” to begin safely reopening schools for in-person learning. “Now nearly everyone agrees that there is no substitute for in-person instruction,” he said at a press conference Thursday. Hogan said he hears from parents every day […]

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is hosting a live, virtual conversation about its new draft plan for the fall semester Wednesday evening.  Officials will address questions from the school community. Residents can watch live on YouTube and on TV on Channels 21 and 995, the MCPS website, and on Comcast 34, Verizon 36 and RCN […]

After a week-long back and forth over private schools, Montgomery County has backed down.  On Friday, County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles rescinded his order to keep private schools virtual until at least Oct. 1. The announcement comes after the state health department said on Thursday that it is policy that private schools can’t be […]

Montgomery County residents rallied against the ordered closure of private schools by County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles at a protest Wednesday. It was organized by the “Open Montgomery County, MD Private Schools” Facebook group. Parents say their private schools are taking reopening seriously and are following CDC and state guidelines. During the protest, Gayles […]

The Maryland Department of Health and Department of Education released guidance for how Maryland schools should respond to a COVID-19 outbreak when in-person instruction begins and what districts need to prepare for.  At a press conference with Gov. Larry Hogan on Wednesday, State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon emphasized that a COVID-19 “outbreak” means one case. […]