FCPS Community Bulletin Board
Last week, the Board of Education voted to reappoint me to serve a second term as Superintendent. This new term will begin on July 1, 2026, and continue through June 30, 2030.
I am deeply grateful to the Board for its continued trust and partnership, and I am honored to continue serving this extraordinary community. It is a true privilege to work alongside such dedicated educators, staff, families, and community members who care so deeply about our students and our shared future.
Over the past four years, we have focused on strengthening systems, building organizational coherence, and keeping students at the center of every decision. Together, we have reinforced a strong foundation and positioned our district for sustained success.
As we enter the next phase of our work — Every Child, Every Day: Moving Forward Together — we remain firmly committed to leading with integrity, advancing excellence in teaching and learning, and ensuring that every student is supported, challenged, and inspired.
Looking ahead, we will continue to prioritize the recruitment and retention of high-quality staff, address the needs of our growing student population, and uphold fiscal responsibility while maximizing our impact in classrooms across the district.
I am energized by the work ahead and confident in what we will accomplish together. Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we move forward—together—for every child, every day.
Thank you,
Dr. Dyson
to the 61 FCPS educators who are 2025 Newly Certified Teachers by the National Board for Professional Teaching. Four FCPS educators also earned recertification.
Find the full list below.
Gov. Thomas Johnson High student Thora Mintz elected next Student Member of the Board
Gov. Thomas Johnson High sophomore Thora Mintz was elected as the next Student Member of the Board of Education of Frederick County (SMOB).
The role of the Student Member of the Board is to bring a student viewpoint on educational issues to the Board of Education. SMOBs are expected to respect the diversity of students’ points of view, improve communication between the student body, staff and Board members, and engage students about board policies and decisions.
Mintz’s one-year term officially begins July 1, 2026. Until then, she will shadow Alexander Thomas, a Linganore High student who is currently serving as Student Member of the Board.
Find the full press release about Thora Mintz being elected as SMOB below.
The Board of Education of Frederick County approved the 2027-28 FCPS Maryland calendar at its most recent meeting after being presented with four different options by the FCPS Calendar Committee. The full 2027-28 calendar is posted online.
For those interested in planning ahead, here are some key dates in the approved 2026-27 and 2027-28 calendars:
2026-27 Calendar at a Glance
First Day of School for Students: August 19, 2026
Elementary and Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences: October 28-30, 2026
Thanksgiving Break: November 25-27, 2026
Winter Break: December 23, 2026, through January 3, 2027
Spring Break: March 26-April 2
Last Day of School for Students: June 4, 2027
Inclement Weather Make-Up Days: June 8, 9, 10, 11, and 14, 2027
2027-28 Calendar at a Glance
First Day of School for Students: August 18, 2027
Elementary and Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences: September 30-Oct. 1, 2027
Thanksgiving Break: November 24-26, 2027
Winter Break: December 23, 2027, through January 2, 2028
Spring Break: April 10-17, 2028
Last Day of School for Students: June 1, 2028
Inclement Weather Make-Up Days: June 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2028
Nominations Due: Friday, March 6, 2026
Frederick County Public Schools is accepting nominations for the 2026 Charles E. Tressler Distinguished Teacher Award. Named for a former Hood College faculty member who encouraged students to enter the teaching profession, this award recognizes an FCPS teacher who has had a significant positive impact on young people.
Hood College presents the Tressler award annually to honor distinguished teaching in the Frederick County public schools’ system. A gift from the late Samuel Eig of Gaithersburg, MD, established the award. Hood College will recognize the winner during its master’s degree reception May 13th at 7pm.
FCPS has posted eligibility and nomination criteria, nomination process and selection guidelines at www.fcps.org/about/award_programs. The school system welcomes nominations from current or former students, teachers and support staff, parents, community members, administrators and supervisors. Nomination packets are due to the FCPS Public Affairs Department, 191 S. East Street, Frederick, MD 21701, Friday, March 6, 2026.
Application Deadline: February 23, 2026
Maryland high school students are invited to apply for the United States Senate Page Program for Summer 2026. This distinguished opportunity offers students the chance to serve on the floor of the US Senate while Congress is in session providing firsthand insight into the legislative process.
Senate Pages assist with the daily operations of the Senate, deliver legislative materials and attend the Senate Page School while continuing their academic studies in Washington DC.
Eligible applicants must be high school juniors or seniors at the time of service, be at least 16 years old, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, be US citizens and Maryland residents and demonstrate leadership maturity and an interest in public service. Please review the full eligibility requirements online.
Application Deadline: February 23, 2026
Learn More and Apply: www.alsobrooks.senate.gov under the Senate Page Program section
Submissions Accepted Through March 5, 2026
Each year, the Maryland Municipal League (MML) asks 4th graders for their 2 cents on what they would do if they were Mayor. MML hope your students will participate in the annual "If I Were Mayor" Essay Contest and share how they would honor the traditions of the past while keeping up with the innovation for the future. The Maryland Municipal League essay contest is a fun and easy way to help students learn about municipal government and the role of a Mayor. Submissions will be accepted through March 5, 2026. 11 winners will be selected from around the state to be honored in Annapolis for their winning essay. Let your students share how they would respect their community's past, while helping them innovate and move forward.
Resources & Submission Form
- Submission Form & Guidelines: 2026 submission guidelines & form FAQ and guidelines on how to complete our digital form
- Testimonial Page: Essay Contest Testimonials Hear from past winners and teachers on their experience with our contest
- Essay Tips: Essay Contest Tips Our advice on how to help your students build strong essay entries.
For questions, please contact Sharon Easton at sharone@mdmunicipal.org or Dionna Richardson at dionnar@mdmunicopal.org.
Safe Actions Save Lives Themed Poster Contest
Students are invited to create a poster that highlights how drivers should behave to keep workers, other drivers, and passengers safe while driving through construction zones as part of the Maryland Work Zone Safety Poster Contest. Students from all grades and ages can submit until February 20, 2026. Students should consider safety measures such as slowing down, paying attention to signs, staying distraction-free, and keeping a safe distance from workers. All entries must focus exclusively on the safety theme “Safe Actions Save Lives.” Posters must display the theme exactly as written, including all punctuation marks.
All poster submissions should be mailed to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration with a postmarked date of February 20, 2026, or earlier. CAD submissions can be submitted electronically to MDHighwaySafetyOffice@gmail.com. Questions regarding the contest can be directed to Gabriel Rose, State Director for Pupil Transportation and Emergency Management, MSDE, at Gabriel.rose1@maryland.gov.
More information, and criteria for poster submissions can be found below on the attached Work Zone Safety Contest Flier.
Women in Science and Engineering
You’re invited to join the Frederick County Public Schools WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) program designed to encourage high school women who show academic interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers.
WISE encourages high school students to consider pursuing careers in science and engineering. The group meets once a month in the Earth & Space Science Laboratory (ESSL) at 210 Madison Street, Frederick, MD from 6:00 to 7:15 PM.
Next Meeting: February 25, 2026 – Jennifer Whitmore, Director of Technology & Communications,
Bookbinders
Learn more about the program and find the meeting dates on the flyers below.
The 5-Star Service Award is for community use in recognizing FCPS employees who show excellence in one of the 5 FCPS goals. Community members are welcome to nominate any worthy FCPS employee.
This award is designed to provide recognition by community members to employees for excellence in one of the 5 FCPS goals.
Community members are encouraged to nominate any worthy FCPS employee.
Nominations will be reviewed on the 15th and 30th of each month by staff in the Offices of the Chief of Staff, Human Resources, and Public Affairs.
More information on the selection timeline and next steps can be found on the 5-Star Service Award nomination form.
