by Emory Gun ‘22 After Jack Smith unexpectedly quit as superintendent in June of 2020, Monifa McKnight took over as the interim superintendent for MCPS. On February 8, McKnight was named permanent superintendent of public schools in Montgomery County, the 14th largest county in the nation.This is a tough year to be superintendent in any school district in the United … Read More
by Ella Scher ‘23 Just a few weeks into the New Year, MCPS has already been shaken by not one but four reports of guns in schools–one of which left a Magruder student in critical condition after being shot in the abdomen during a dispute in a school bathroom. More than 5,000 MCPS students, parents, and teachers have now signed … Read More
by Emily Siansky ‘22 MCPS has changed the health education graduation requirement starting with this year’s Freshman Class. Previously, students needed to take only a semester of Health, or half a credit. Now, the Class of 2025 and younger will need to take two semesters to fulfill the requirement. The Maryland State Board of Education met on May 25 and … Read More
by Lauren Hill ‘22 Beginning next school year, Sherwood sophomores will no longer have the option to take On-Level English 10. The only available options for English 10 classes will be honors and accelerated honors classes. According to English Resource Teacher Shelley Jackson, the MCPS Central Office requested that schools in the county change the English 10 course options, and … Read More
by Daisia Smith ‘22 Many students can attest that fictional books helped them as children and young adults learn things about themselves and their world that they never had the personal experience to understand on their own. However, efforts to censor what students may access and read has intensified in recent months. Across the country, parents and even some school … Read More
by Bryan Kim ‘23 As students and teachers have adjusted to in-person learning during an unpredictable pandemic, unexcused absences and tardiness has been an issue. Procedures such as hall sweeps were briefly introduced in November to address the problem. However, because of the pandemic and following virtual learning for most of last year, many attendance policies used in past school … Read More
by Erica Kuhlman ‘22 MCPS is currently seeking comments on proposed amendments to the board policy on disciplinary action for students. These amendments aim for “restorative approaches” to student discipline as required by Maryland law in hopes to foster a more positive and constructive learning environment. Suggested revisions to Policy JGA, Student Discipline, focus on proactive intervention to prevent disruptive … Read More
By Tori Newby ‘22 As MCPS upgraded their Chromebooks to accommodate students during the pandemic, another new piece of technology has also made its way into classrooms this year: Boxlights. These interactive flat panels serve the purpose of Promethean Boards while offering new benefits, provoking a countywide transition. Scott Hughes, a supervisor at the Department of Integrated Technology and Support … Read More
by Apurva Mahajan ‘22 Despite Sherwood’s efforts at promoting gender equality in academic subject areas, the percentages of boys and girls often significantly varies in upper-level STEM and humanities courses. These courses are different from others as students choose to be in these classes out of their own volition as upperclassmen, and they are usually not required to take them. … Read More
By Ella Scher ‘23 Many students and teachers were surprised and pleased when the MCPS Board of Education voted to close schools one day early for the Thanksgiving holiday. However, it was only a small indicator of a much larger problem. MCPS is experiencing an extreme shortage of substitutes, with hundreds of open positions, forcing teachers to take on the … Read More