FCPS Community Bulletin Board

August 6, 2026

The new school year is less than three weeks away! FCPS will be welcoming our students back on Wednesday, August 19.

Whether your child is stepping into our schools for the first time or returning for another year of learning, we’re here to support a smooth transition.

When you are ready to begin preparing for the new school year, this Back to School Guide is your go to resource. Inside, you'll find some helpful resources, including:

• School supply lists for each school

• Back to School Nights

• Transportation information

• Our 2026-27 school calendar

Throughout the summer, we’ve been asking members of our community and local businesses to donate school supplies to United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign. Our goal is to make sure all students begin the school year with all the supplies they need. Contact your school for more information about distribution.

Every year at FCPS is full of possibilities and we are looking forward to seeing our students grow! We will see you soon!

As we prepare for the start of the 2026-27 school year, we have a list of back to school nights and school open houses available via FCPS.org.

Back to School Night - A parent engagement activity designed for parents to meet their child's teacher(s) and learn more about classroom expectations, curriculum and procedures. The goal is to equip parents with knowledge and tools necessary to support classroom activities and ways to connect with school staff to help their child thrive in school. Staff will promote the importance of parental involvement and the shared responsibility for student success. This event is not designed to accommodate individual parent conferences.

Open House - An informal family engagement activity designed to provide an opportunity for families to visit their child's school and classroom(s), prior to the first day of school, to familiarize themselves with the school building. Staff are encouraged to be available to meet families and begin to make connections with their new students. This event is not designed to accommodate individual parent conferences.

NOTE: These events are not designed to accommodate individual parent conferences.

All FCPS graduation ceremonies will be live-streamed, allowing family and friends of graduates who are unable to attend in person to view. More information about how to view live-streamed ceremonies will be announced later in the spring. Individual schools will communicate information about how tickets will be distributed with students and parents this spring.

High schools holding their graduation ceremonies at Mount St. Mary’s University’s Knott Arena will be on the following dates:

• Frederick High: Tuesday, May 25th at 9:00 AM

• Middletown High: Tuesday, May 25th at 1:00 PM

• Catoctin High: Tuesday, May 25th at 5:00 PM

• Gov. Thomas Johnson High: Wednesday, May 26th at 9:00 AM

• Brunswick High: Wednesday, May 26th at 1:00 PM

• Linganore High: Wednesday, May 26th at 5:00 PM

• Walkersville High: Thursday, May 27th at 9:00 AM

• Tuscarora High: Thursday, May 27th at 1:00 PM

• Urbana High: Friday, May 28th at 9:00 AM

• Oakdale High: Friday, May 28th at 1:00 PM

Success Academy, Rock Creek, Heather Ridge, and the Frederick County Virtual School (FCVS), will hold their graduations at alternate locations. Each school will communicate details about their individual ceremonies to families at a later date. The dates for the graduation ceremonies will be the following:

• Heather Ridge: Thursday, May 20, 2027 atTBD, Heather Ridge

• Success Academy: Friday, May 21, 2027 at 9:00 AM, Frederick Community College

• Rock Creek: Friday, May 21, 2027 at 1:30 PM, Rock Creek School

• FCVS and Summer Session: Thursday, July 22, 2027 at 10:00 AM, Frederick High

Linganore Creek Elementary: This fall, Linganore Creek Elementary will open for students! Linganore Creek is a new school building that will help ease overcrowding on the east side of Frederick County.

New Yellow Springs Elementary: We are excited to welcome students to the new Yellow Springs Elementary building this fall.

Carroll Creek Montessori has new home: The previous Yellow Springs building will be the new home of Carroll Creek Montessori Public Charter School – one of four charter schools available to families in FCPS.

When Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) welcomes students back on Wednesday, August 19, an important change will take effect to our cell phone expectations. Starting this year, for all students and all grade levels, students may not use cell phones, smart watches, or other personal communication devices “bell to bell.” FCPS will follow an off and away model, where students must keep their devices out of sight and use while in school.

This change is a result of recent legislation passed during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly. The Maryland Phone-Free Schools Act requires all Maryland public school systems to implement policies governing the use of personal communication devices beginning with the 2027-28 school year. In support of a smooth transition, the FCPS Board of Education requested we begin implementing these expectations during the 2026-27 school year.

As a result, FCPS has updated Personal Mobile Device, Regulation 118-01 to reflect these expectations. This regulation is also aligned with the FCPS Student Code of Conduct . Exceptions may be made as outlined in Regulation 118-01, including for documented medical needs or approved accommodations.

We recognize this will be a significant adjustment for some students, in particular students at the high school level. Across the country, schools have reported many benefits when personal devices were removed from the classroom, including:

• Students being more engaged in class.
• Students being more connected to one another.
• Students being less distracted during their studies.

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to discuss digital device expectations and review the FCPS Student Code of Conduct with students prior to the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

Additional information about our updated personal mobile device guidelines, including a frequently asked questions (FAQ) list can be found at https://www.fcps.org/cellphone

Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) is grateful for the thousands of family and community members who generously share their time and talents to support our students and schools through volunteering. Your partnership plays an important role in creating welcoming, engaging, and successful learning environments across Frederick County.

NEW FOR 2026-2027!

Volunteer training is now built directly into the online application.

FCPS is excited to launch a new, streamlined volunteer registration process for the 2026-2027 school year. The required volunteer training is now fully integrated into the online volunteer application, making it easier than ever to become an approved FCPS volunteer. There is no separate training platform or additional account to create.

How to Become an FCPS Volunteer

Families and community members interested in volunteering should begin by completing the online application using the appropriate language link:

• English Volunteer Application

• Spanish Volunteer Application

Before beginning the application, please note:

• The required volunteer training video must be viewed in its entirety before the application becomes available.

• The training is approximately 25 minutes in English and 31 minutes in Spanish.

• The video cannot be skipped or fast-forwarded.

• If you exit before completing the training, your progress will not be saved, and you will need to restart the training from the beginning.

• We recommend setting aside enough time to complete both the training and application in one sitting.

Once your application is submitted, no further action is required. The FCPS Volunteer Center will review your application, and you will receive an email notification once your volunteer status has been determined.

Please allow approximately 24 hours for application processing. Volunteer approval must be completed before participating in volunteer activities within FCPS schools.

After receiving approval, volunteers should contact their school directly to learn about available volunteer opportunities.

If you have questions or need assistance with the volunteer process, please contact the FCPS Volunteer Center at FCPSVolunteers@fcps.org. For additional information about the FCPS Volunteer Program, including volunteer expectations, eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions, and program guidelines, please visit the FCPS Volunteer webpage.

Thank you for partnering with Frederick County Public Schools to support our students, schools, and community. We look forward to another outstanding year of volunteer service!

Find all the information you need on our Frederick County Public Schools website or on our individual school websites.

The FCPS Back-to-School webpage is active with lots of information to help families!

We have more details about:

• Orientations and Back to School Nights

• Immunizations

• School Meals

• School Supply lists

Be sure to check it out as you prepare for the 2026-27 school year!

FCPS is proud to serve approximately 750 military-connected children and their families, primarily from U.S. Army Fort Detrick. FCPS recognizes the challenges these families face due to frequent relocations. New this year is the Military Families’ Resource Center, a webpage with content supporting students with family members who serve this country.

FCPS is so proud to be the home of two Maryland Purple Star Schools: Whittier Elementary and West Frederick Middle. This prestigious recognition program honors schools that go above and beyond to support military-connected students and their families.

FCPS is using SchoolMessenger to keep families updated about school events and systemic news. Families are encouraged to make sure they have the correct contact information entered into our student information system to ensure you are receiving updates.

Email Service

Parent/Guardians 1 & 2 are automatically registered to receive emails from their student's school. No action is needed unless you are not receiving messages.

Text Alerts Service

Parents, guardians, and staff, you can take advantage of our SchoolMessenger text messaging service by following the directions below. Community members who would like to receive these alerts can follow the directions to sign up here.

1. Ensure your mobile device is on file with your school(s). You'll want to make sure you have provided an accurate email address as well to get important email information! It's that simple!
2. Text "Y" or "Yes" to our district's short code number: 67587.
3. You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our text messages with "Stop." Please note: Opting out means missing out on urgent messages from your school(s) and FCPS, including weather-related closings and emergency information.

Trouble receiving emails/text messages? Reach out to Public Affairs for assistance.

Bus information for School Year 2026 will be available on or about Monday, August 10.

The Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) will be hosting back to school vaccination clinics from August 5 to September 30 for children who do not have health insurance, have health insurance that does not cover the cost of vaccines, or who are unable to get vaccinated by their healthcare provider.

Vaccinations will be at no cost for these children and appointments are required. Call 301-600-1733 or fill out this online form to request an appointment.

Children who have health insurance that covers vaccinations are encouraged to see their healthcare provider.

The 2026-27 FCPS Calendar is posted online. Be sure to check it out to account for days when schools are closed or have delayed openings or closures.

The 2027-28 FCPS Calendar is also approved. You can view it online.

The 2026-27 FCPS Calendar in Spanish.

As we begin a new school year, our top priority remains the same—safe, secure, and supportive schools where every student can thrive. FCPS continues to enhance safety and emergency preparedness efforts across all schools. Below are key updates and reminders:

School Safety Practices

• Standard Response Protocols (SRP): A uniform, practiced plan used across schools for responding to emergencies like severe weather, fires, and intruders. SRP is action-based and developed with input from safety experts and first responders.
  
  

• Standard Reunification Method (SRM): Ensures a safe, organized process for reuniting students and families after a crisis. Each school now has a trained staff member following SRM protocols.
  
  

• Avoid | Deny | Defend: A personal safety method used in active assailant situations. It emphasizes action over hiding and offers clear steps to protect oneself.
  
  

• Required Safety Drills: All schools conduct annual drills including fire, lockdown, shelter-in-place, and active assailant scenarios to ensure staff and students are prepared.
  
  

Threat Prevention & Response

• Every school has access to mental health professionals and is supported by School Resource Officers (SROs), who serve as both safety partners and mentors.
  
  

• All reported threats are investigated. Remember: See Something, Say Something. On social media, Report It, Don’t Repeat It.
  
  

• If a trusted administrator, SRO, or school staff member is not available to share a concern with about school safety, there are a variety of Community Resources available for students and families, as well as an anonymous reporting system offered by Safe Schools Maryland.
  
  

Important Information About Maryland’s Firearm Storage Laws

In 2024, Maryland passed House Bill 416 (Chapter 182), which requires school systems to share educational materials about safe firearm storage. This law was created to promote responsible gun ownership and prevent accidents.

In accordance with this law, we are providing the MCSS bulletin “A Parent’s Guide to Firearm Storage.” This guide includes:

• Steps gun owners must take to securely store firearms

• Various safe storage methods

• A reminder of Maryland’s legal requirement to secure firearms
  
  

Firearm safety is an important concern for many in our community. We encourage all families to review the guide carefully and help keep our students and community safe.

Visit our Safety & Emergency Management webpage for more details and resources. Let’s work together to make 2026–2027 a safe and successful school year.

As we begin the new school year, we encourage all family members and students to review several key Board policies and FCPS regulations that support a safe, welcoming, respectful, and effective learning environment. These resources outline student responsibilities, school expectations, student support, and district procedures that help ensure consistency across Frederick County Public Schools.

Key policy and regulation updates are in the attached pdf, however we recommend reviewing all policies and regulations before the start of the school year.

The Partners for Success program serves parents and educational professionals of all Frederick County children and youth with disabilities from ages 3 through 21. Their goal is to educate and connect families of children and youth with disabilities to vital knowledge and resources while supporting families in being equal partners in the educational decision-making process.

See the Partners for Success flyer for more details! English| Español

Additional information regarding the family resources and the Year-at-a-Glance calendar for family events, support groups, and activities can be found at the Partners for Success webpage.

Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) is proud to join in with the Frederick County Government and other county agencies in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. FCPS students are invited to explore our nation’s history, envision its future, and showcase their unique talents in the Rich History to Bright Future: Students Weaving America’s Tapestry with Legacy and Vision Student Creative Contest.

Through categories such as essay, oratory, visual arts, performing arts, culinary arts, and innovation, students can showcase their talents while exploring our nation’s history and envisioning its future. Entries will be accepted from September 1 - September 30, 2026.

Interested in learning more? Click here for details or see the pdf attached below.

The Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC) is seeking applications from Parents, Community Members, and Staff. Anyone interested is invited to apply online at https://frederickcountymdsecac.com/membership-application.

• Parent Members (3)
• Community Members (2)
• Staff Member (1)

The latest edition of our Blueprint Quarterly Newsletter has arrived! In this 11th issue, you’ll find timely updates, key milestones, and insights into the ongoing implementation of Maryland’s landmark education reform initiative, and how it is being implemented in FCPS. Discover highlights of recent progress, learn about our Blueprint committee member in the spotlight, and explore the work being done to support our students, educators, and communities.

Whether you’ve been following the Blueprint from the beginning or are looking to stay informed, this issue offers valuable information and perspectives you won’t want to miss. Stay connected to the progress shaping the future of education in FCPS and Maryland.

The Milestone Report for Semester 6: January 2026 - June 2026 is now available. Discover how FCPS is putting the Blueprint into action through meaningful progress, innovative programs, and strategic investments that are strengthening opportunities for every student, every day. This report highlights the milestones that are shaping the future of education in FCPS. Take a few minutes to explore how our collective efforts are making a difference across the district. More information on the Blueprint in FCPS can be found on our website at https://www.fcps.org/about/blueprint_for_mds_future.

Wednesday, August 12: First day for fall sports