Sherwood Sophomore Testifies at Md. Senate To Cease Animal Testing

by Selene Ashewood ’22   New generational activists luckily seem to be getting platforms for their causes earlier and earlier. Such is the case with sophomore Ella Friedman, who not only gained a significant number of signatures for her petition to ban cosmetic tests on animals as well as support for it within Maryland, but also virtually testified for a … Read More

Teachers’ Union Organizes Protest over Return to School

by Ella Scher ‘23   Yesterday evening, as the MCPS Board of Education convened for a business meeting, more than 400 MCPS teachers, parents, and students formed an enormous car picket parade, driving by the building to protest reopening schools under what they state are unsafe conditions. Organized online, the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) sent out an email newsletter … Read More

Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival Persists, Despite Virtual Setting

by Tori Newby ‘22 The Olney community knows Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival as an essential Sherwood experience, with the entire 1,000-seat Ertzman Theatre easily selling out multiple nights year after year. The three-hour musical revue, highlighting music from as early as the 50s, features more than 200 student performers and is complete with elaborate sets and costumes.  Although 2021 was … Read More

Parent Groups Applied Pressure on MCPS Board of Ed To Reopen Schools

by Sudha Sudhaker ‘21 The MCPS Board of Education voted unanimously to return students to in-person learning, beginning with special populations of students as early as March 1. During the live-streamed Board meeting on February 9, a number of parents spoke in favor of  reopening schools. For the past few months, many parents have been increasingly vocal on Facebook and … Read More

MD Teachers Scheduled To Start Receiving Covid Vaccine By End of January

by Emily Siansky ‘22 Governor Larry Hogan announced January 5 that public school teachers and other school staff are in the next phase to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Currently, Maryland is still in Phase 1A with health care providers, law enforcements, nursing home residents and staff getting vaccinated first. Teachers and all Marylanders over the age of 75 in Phase … Read More

MCPS Delays Reopening as Cases Continue To Rise

by Jay Joseph ‘22 The MCPS Board of Education voted 7-1 to push back the previous start date of February 1 to March 15 for school reopening, almost exactly a year after schools closed, and will meet again February 23 to vote on the date. The board reviewed the metrics of January 11, where the 14-day average of new cases … Read More

MCPS Adjusts Grading as Many Students Struggle

by Emily Siansky ‘22 Starting on November 30, MCPS adjusted the grading policy after finding students, especially those who are from a disadvantaged community, have higher failing rates than normal. These adjustments include alterations to the Progress Checks, a reduction to the number of graded assignments in both the Assessments and the Practice/Preparation categories, extending due dates to accommodate late … Read More

Students’ Approach to Socializing during the Pandemic Varies

by Jenna Bloom ‘21 As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, millions of people nationwide are still figuring out ways to socialize with their family and friends, whether that means following CDC guidelines or not. In a survey sent out to Sherwood students last month before national and local cases spiked and new restrictions were announced, results showed an uneven response on … Read More

A College Application Year Like No Other

by Seth Kauffman ‘21 For high school seniors applying to college, the application process has looked a little different this year. Universities across the country have adjusted their policies to account for the academic challenges posed by the pandemic, but many students are still quite unsure about how their applications are being assessed. Often thought to be the quintessential piece … Read More

MCPS Prepares Buildings for In-Person Learning

by Bryan Kim ‘23 The MCPS Board of Education has recently assessed and approved a plan to start a hybrid model of learning for the second semester. Once certain health metrics are met, MCPS will begin a phased-in return to in-person instruction. MCPS will start by integrating students who are in specific special education and Career and Technical Education (CTE) … Read More