Magruder News

• As I told students in grade level assemblies, this is NOT EASY but benefits all of us as we are able to concentrate and avoid the distractions that cell phones and other devices create.
• Please remember that all students are not permitted to utilize personal mobile devices (cell phones, smart watches/glasses, and anything with a microphone, camera, speaker, or headphones/earbuds including Beats/AirPods) from 7:45am-2:30pm. This includes during lunch and in the hallways as students transition to class and use the restroom.

School Meal Information for Families

• As we begin the school year, we encourage all families to apply for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs), even if you are unsure whether you qualify.
• A new Free Meal Application must be submitted every school year. Approved applications help reduce meal costs for families and may provide access to other school-based benefits and programs.
• The Free Meals Application is online at www.Myschoolapps.com and the Meal Account Online Payment Portal: www.myschoolbucks.com.
• Breakfast is FREE to ALL Magruder students due to our eligibility in the Maryland Meals for Achievement Program and lunch is $3.10 for students no in the FARMs program.
• In addition to www.myschoolbucks.com payments to school meal accounts may be made by check payable to ‘Magruder Cafeteria’ with your student’s name & ID number in the memo line. Cash is accepted but not recommended. Students should bring their check or cash payments to the cafeteria register during breakfast or lunch for application to their account.
• Additional information about school meals may be found on the MCPS website.

Grading & Reporting Policies

As a reminder, MCPS has updated our Grading & Reporting policy - click here for a helpful guide for students & families. Some NEW updates and important changes that continue from last year will be reviewed by teachers and include:

• Students who intentionally skip a class or school without authorization WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE eligible to make up missed work once the absence is determined to be skipping by an administrator.
• Teachers will tell students if, when, and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used for lessons and assignments. Unauthorized use of AI may be considered academic dishonesty.

IDs and Hall Sweeps

• All students and staff must wear their ID cards visibly on themselves or their belongings upon entry and at all times in school after IDs are printed on student picture days.
• Hall sweeps will be conducted during to ensure that students are in their assigned locations. Students not in their locations will receive an initial warning and then progressive discipline.
• Students that are chronically tardy, absent, and/or in violation of the Code of Conduct may lose their privileges to participate in and attend athletics & extracurricular activities.

This is a reminder that safety at Magruder is a top priority especially when it comes to driving and parking vehicles on and around our campus.

• Vehicles dropping students off at school must enter the stadium-side parking lot using the entrance off of Muncaster Mill Road and depart using the arrow routes in the diagram linked here. This are the same routes as last school year.
• Please DO NOT cut through the parking lot using other parking lanes or stop along Muncaster Mill Road to drop off or pick up students. All vehicles driven by families, guests, students, and staff are expected to abide by local traffic laws and be mindful of their surroundings.
• Starting at 7:45am students may be dropped off at the main entrance on the opposite side of the school.
• New this school year: Students may enter the building starting at 7:10am. School buses arriving prior to 7:10am will wait with students on board until 7:10am. Students may have access to the auditorium and cafeteria from 7:10am - 7:40am when they report to period 1 class.
• Students must have a valid Magruder-issued parking permit starting September 7, 2027 to park on campus during school hours 7:45am - 2:30pm.

In accordance with Maryland State Law MCPS students are screened for possible vision and hearing problems.

• Trained hearing and vision screeners will screen students new to MCPS, 9th graders who missed screening in 8th grade, and students referred by teachers because of possible signs of hearing or vision problems at Magruder on September 2nd & 3rd.
• You will receive a referral form by U.S. mail to take to a doctor if your child fails the screening. If your child is already under hearing or vision care or you do not wish your child to be screened because of conflicts with religious beliefs, please notify the school nurse at Megan_C_Wilson@mcpsmd.org
• If your child wears glasses or contacts, they should wear them every day and bring them to the screening.
• School based vision screenings may not detect every vision problem. To learn more about possible vision problems and symptoms or health conditions that may require additional evaluation visit the Montgomery County Government webpage.

We are pleased to announce that MCPS is paying the exam fees for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams for the 2026–2027 school year.

• If you are interested in taking an AP courses(s) now that MCPS will cover AP exam fees, please contact your school counselor as soon as possible to avoid missing any more time in AP courses. We encourage students to enroll in challenging coursework that aligns with their interests, strengths, and future goals.
• More information is in the letter linked here and we will share additional information about exam registration procedures and timelines as it becomes available.
• If you have questions, please email Ms. Virginia Snyder, Magruder AP coordinator.

The Magruder Athletics Department is excited for the upcoming 2026-2027 Fall Season.

• Click here for specific information on our fall sports offered, our coaches and their contact information, and the exact date/time of tryouts. Girls Flag Football, Field Hockey, & Cross Country still needs athletes - NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!
• All student-athletes must be pre-registered for tryouts in Parentvue and have a current physical (physicals are good for 13 months). Click here for specific information on how to register in Parentvue.
• Visit the MCPS Athletics website for forms and other details.

• Thursday, September 3rd: Back-to-School Night 5:30 - 9:00 pm
• Friday, September 4th: Friday Night Lights Opening Football Game vs. Sherwood 6:30pm
• Wednesday, September 9th: Senior Parent virtual Information Night
• Friday September 18th: Cluster Night Home football game 6:30 pm
• Friday October 9th: Homecoming Football Game
• Saturday October 10th: Homecoming Dance 7:00 - 10:00 pm

Class of 2027 Senior Photos & Events

• Senior class of 2027, click here for an early calendar of school year events!
• A second round of senior photos will be held on September 16-18. Appointments are held by appointment only. Click here to reserve a photo appointment.
• Click here to view the letter from our photo vendor, Victor O'Neill, for additional information and email seniors@vosphoto.com with any questions.

School photos for students grades 9-11 are September 8 & 9.

• Students will be photographed on one of these dates through their English class.
• Make-up pictures are scheduled on October 21 on a walk-in basis.

• Ninth grade students will vote for officers on September 17 & 18 in Canvas. Click here for more details.

• Each class has 5 officers (president, vice president, secretary, historian, and treasurer) who work with their class sponsors to support their grade level. This includes planning for Homecoming, banquets, fundraisers, and any Class of 2030 needs/wants! Follow along on IG at @magruderclassof2030 and @magruder_sga.

Magruder's Homecoming Dance will be on Saturday, October 10 from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

• You can purchase your ticket NOW through School Cash Online, cash, or check. The deadline for purchasing a ticket is October 7.
• If you would like to bring a non-Magruder guest, pick up a permission slip from the main office and return it by October 2. If you would like to pay for another Magruder student using School Cash Online, complete this Google Form.
• We are looking for donations & volunteers for the Homecoming Dance! If you are able to help, please sign up using this link.

The Magruder Parent, Teacher, & Student Association (PTSA) welcomes you to a new school year!

• Please join principal Ascienzo and our new PTSA President Shivaun Wilkinson in welcoming the new school year. Click here to join the PTSA!
• The Magruder PTSA advocates for our school community by supporting student clubs, scholarships, capital improvements, staff appreciation, and more. Support Magruder staff by Stocking the Teacher's Lounge! Details in the flyer.
• PTSA meets bimonthly online. Meetings dates will be share once they are finalized.

Magruder is also looking for members of our NAACP Parents' Council.

• The NAACP Parents’ Council empowers African American and other minority parents to take a more proactive role in school. The Council is made up of parents, guardians & grandparents of minority MCPS students and county residents who share the goal of equal education for all children, particularly minority children.
• Priorities this school year include working with the Black and Brown Coalition, looking at school boundary analysis, equity & accountability, MCPS budget parent advocacy, student achievement, & community partnerships.
• Click here for more information and contact Irene Johnson, Magruder NAACP Parents Council Representative, with questions and interest.

Students, click here to sign up as a volunteer for the August 24th 9th Grade New Student Orientation Transition Day and September 3rd Back-to-School Night.

• Students will earn SSL hours for the time they serve!
• Students may also submit the Student Translation Interest form linked here to serve as language interpreters for events at Magruder and Magruder cluster schools.

• Students may serve as interpreters for individuals and/or families.

All MCPS families should register for a ParentVUE account and ensure your contact information is up-to-date.

• Click here for instructions on how to register and update your account.
• Parents and guardians can view instructional information and resources, and get alerts about assignments and grades through ParentVUE
• Click on these links to set up your ParentVUE account: English, Spanish, French,
• Students, please go HERE to set up your StudentVue accounts.
• MCPS uses SchoolCash Online as the preferred method to pay for all school-related fees. Parents/guardians can register now online!

MHS Administrative Roles/Responsibilities

Follow Mr. Ascienzo for updates and links to the weekly newsletters at X (Twitter): @MHS_principal and Instagram: magruderhs_principal.

Administrator Email Contact Information:

Chris Ascienzo, Principal

Karla Barrow, Assistant Principal

Nicole Kimball, School Business Administrator

Brian Gertzen, Assistant Principal

Marie Koch, Assistant Principal

Kristi Ricca, Assistant Principal

Scott Zanni, Athletic Director

Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/magruderhs/
Location: Col. Zadok Magruder High School, 5939 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood, MD 20855, USA
Phone: (240)740-5550
X (Twitter): @MHS_principal & @Magruder_HS

Instagram: MagruderHS_Principal & MagruderColonels