News & Notes - October 23, 2026
Some thoughts for the starting school year
Welcome to Imra Jauhar who recently joined Whitman as a new paraeducator in SESES this past week.
Thank you to our Bridge to Wellness Team, Counselors, and Stressbusters for presenting during our last PTSA meeting about mental wellness and academic stress.
Big shout out to the Varsity Whitman Football Team and Head Coach Galloway for their community service cleaning up at Joseph’s Branch, a stream that runs to Rock Creek and the Potomac.
Department Spotlight
The Leadership classes and the Adapted physical education classes love the scooter days. As we use the scooters more frequently in class we can see the confidence in the students grow. Students who never even wanted to sit on them, are now pulling others, and enjoying any and all of our scooter games.
AP Chemistry Update
Our AP Chemistry students have been exploring several important topics, including stoichiometry, reactions in aqueous solutions, and gas laws. Through problem-solving, class discussions, and hands-on laboratory investigations, students are building their understanding of how chemical principles apply to the world around them.
In stoichiometry, students have learned to use balanced chemical equations to calculate reactant and product quantities. They have also studied reactions in aqueous solutions, examining how substances interact in water and how to predict reaction products. Additionally, our study of gas laws has challenged students to explore the relationships among pressure, volume, temperature, and the amount of gas.
A highlight of our recent work has been a hands-on lab in which students investigated how to determine the molecular mass of an unknown gas. This experiment let students apply their knowledge of gas laws, collect and analyze experimental data, and connect theory to real-world measurements.
We are proud of the hard work, curiosity, and critical-thinking skills our AP Chemistry students continue to demonstrate as they tackle challenging concepts and develop their scientific reasoning skills!
Student IDs
IDs should not be in students wallets, cell phone cases, or stored in their backpacks.
Senior Class
The Class of 2027 is organizing a fundraiser to support upcoming senior events. All MCPS graduation ceremonies will be held at UMBC, which requires attendees to use clear bags for security purposes. Families have the option to purchase clear bags for $20, with all proceeds benefiting the senior class.
Don't have a senior? You can still rep Whitman at concerts and sporting events with your very own Whitman clear tote!
Need more than one? Contact Ms. Bagley to get more added to your School Cash Online cart!
Music Department
Support the Whitman Music Department and Families in Need!
Sponsor a poinsettia plant to help us decorate a variety of spaces at Whitman this winter, including the Auditorium stage which hosts EIGHT concerts at WWHS each December.
All proceeds will directly support our Music Trip Scholarship Fund, helping families in need of financial assistance to participate in our Bi-Annual Competition Trips! In April, 230 Whitman Music students are heading to Nashville, Tennessee to compete in the Music City Classic and we need YOUR help to support the needs of those families who cannot afford this meaningful opportunity. Sales will also support the Music Department as a whole, providing students with the resources, opportunities, and experiences they need to grow as musicians throughout the year.
We have partnered with local business, Denchfield Landscaping, to provide these beautiful & festive plants. Give the gift of music this holiday season by sponsoring a poinsettia and supporting our students!
Thank you for supporting the Walt Whitman High School Music Department and helping our students continue to learn, perform, and share their love of music with our community!
Yearbook
Promo codes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If a code is available, it will apply automatically to your cart. Order today to take advantage of the SAVINGS! Payment options, including AfterPay (allows you to make payments), are available at checkout.
Senior Portraits
Victor O'Neill Studios has schedule our last Senior Portrait sessions at Whitman. If you're unable to make an appointment on these final dates, you'll need to visit their studio in Virginia for your senior's yearbook portrait or risk not being included in the yearbook.
Visit www.vosphoto.com/waltwhitman to make your appointment!
The Conversation Is Underway. Your Questions, Concerns and Ideas Matter.
Why is MCPS studying school closures and consolidations? What does the data tell us? How will decisions be made? These are important questions, and they're exactly why we're bringing our community together. Our engagement sessions are underway, providing families, staff and community members opportunities to learn about the challenges facing our schools, ask questions and share what matters most to them. No schools have been selected for closure, no recommendations have been made and no decisions have been predetermined. You don't need to have all the answers, or even know all the questions, to participate. This is a process of learning, listening and planning together, and there's still time to be involved. Read the full story here.
Also visit MCPSStudy.org
Watch the Videos
English = https://youtu.be/vtn_QeqKZ2Q
Spanish = https://youtu.be/h2PJYSelS1c
Inside MCPS: The Realities of Our Aging Facilities
Leaking roofs. Failing heating and cooling systems. Aging buildings. Rising construction costs. The hard truth is that MCPS has significant facility needs, and waiting to address them only makes the problems more expensive.
In a new video series, "The Hard Truth," MCPS takes you inside schools and support facilities to show the real facilities challenges facing our district.
The Hard Truth: Doing nothing is not an option.
Watch the Video Series
Be Sure to Weigh In on the 2027-2028 School Calendar
As MCPS continues to develop the 2027-2028 school calendar, the district is seeking more input from you!
Complete this second survey to share input on the proposed draft calendar for the 2027-2028 school year. The survey will close on Friday, Nov. 6. Take the survey.
Board Seeking Public Comment on Two Policies
The Board of Education is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to two policies — Policy IPD: Travel Study Programs, Field Trips and Student Organization Trips and Policy BLB: Rules of Procedures in Appeals and Hearings.
The comment period for Policy IPD closes Friday, Nov. 6. Submit comments on Policy IPD.
The comment period for Policy BLB closes Friday, Nov. 6. Submit comments on Policy BLB.
Now You Know — Career & Technical Education Program Changes
Important changes are coming to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Starting in fall 2027, MCPS will move from 51 to 37 state-approved CTE programs of study. Some will be phased out; others will be combined or updated. These changes provide great opportunities for students to explore new, integrated and modernized pathways that prepare them for high-wage, high-demand careers.
So, what does this mean? Some CTE programs will be integrated into our new six-region high school model, helping expand access to high-demand programs across the county. The programs will also align with Maryland’s new 14-career-cluster model.
If your student is already enrolled in a CTE program, there’s no disruption. They’ll be able to complete their existing program and earn their intended credentials.
Learn more: English | Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | French | Korean | Portuguese | Vietnamese
Are You Getting the Most Out of ParentVue?
ParentVUE: it’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected to your student’s school experience. Families can monitor grades and assignments, check attendance, find bus information, access report cards and assessment results, complete online registrations and communicate directly with teachers.
Download the new ParentVue app, customize your Gradebook and favorite shortcuts, and check ParentVUE regularly. You can even schedule parent-teacher conferences directly through the app. And remember: each parent or guardian should use their own ParentVUE account and password.
Learn more: English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
College Planning? Tips, Tools and Resources to Help
Preparing for college? Get FAFSA-ready, explore Maryland’s private college and universities, and find useful tips for applications, test prep, college majors and careers as you navigate the college planning process with confidence.
Parents of high school seniors: The 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is open. Before completing the FAFSA, students and contributors (such as a parent or spouse, if required) must create an FSA ID, which serves as their username and password for accessing and signing the FAFSA. For questions about the FAFSA or the financial aid process, contact your College & Career Navigator (CCN) or school counselor.
Applying for Maryland State Financial Aid for the First Time?: Based on recent guidance from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), seniors should not create an MDCAPS account at this time. Students will create an account through the Maryland Student Information System (MDSIS), which MHEC anticipates will be available in January.
Recorded College & Career Workshops: Check out college and career readiness workshops covering many topics, including essay writing, financial aid, Common App tips, test prep, AI use in college apps, career planning, NCAA recruiting and more.
Private College Application Days: Apply to one of Maryland’s private colleges or universities with no application fees on Nov. 9.
Wear Your MCPS Pride—It’s for a Good Cause!
Show your MCPS spirit with official gear for the whole family! From sweatshirts and pullovers to shirts and more, there’s something for every MCPS fan. Every purchase gives back—all proceeds help offset student meal debt.
Shop the MCPS Gear Store today!
Student Opportunities
Game Changer Conference: Male students in Grades 4–12 are invited to attend this event from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Montgomery College, Germantown Campus, Bioscience Education Center, 20200 Observation Drive in Germantown. Register.
Marching Band Showcase: Starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Albert Einstein High School. Free and open to the public.
Mary Howard Day of Service: From 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Projects will include beautifying gardens and pavilions, maintaining trails and building projects. RSVP.
Middle School Winter Sports Registration: Opens at noon on Monday, Oct. 26 for boys’ and girls’ basketball.
Mental Health & Wellness Fair: From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at James Hubert Blake High School. Free and open to staff, students and families.
*NEW* All middle and high schools have made final updates to their extracurricular activities lists for the school year. The list is available here.
*NEW* USG Lab Crawl: Open to high school students interested in engineering, technology, health or life sciences. Discover what it’s like to learn and work in these fields through interactive simulations and hands-on activities. Event is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2 at the Universities at Shady Grove, Building IV, 9631 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. Register.
C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to participate in C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary StudentCam competition, which encourages them to think critically about issues that affect our communities. This year, students are being asked to create a five-to-six-minute video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Mr. Speaker, I Rise To …”. Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2027.
Speak Up, Save A Life Video Contest: Create an original video promoting awareness of the dangers of illicit opioids, overdose and fentanyl among teens. Secondary students can earn 10 SSL hours. Videos can be submitted in English or Spanish. First place wins $5,000, 2nd place, $3,000 and 3rd place, $1,000. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30. Submit an entry.
Share Your Vision for America: Make Your Speech calls on students in Grades 5–12 to imagine they’ve just been elected president and are delivering their inaugural address in a 2-3 minute video. Win prizes up to $1,000. Learn more. Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30
Smokey Bear Poster Contest: The Maryland Forest Service is sponsoring a Fire Prevention Month Smokey Bear poster contest for 7th grade students. Students are asked to create original artwork inspired by Smokey’s classic message: “Only YOU can prevent wildfires!” to explore wildfire safety and forest conservation. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 2. Learn more.
Capital Weather invites K-8 kids to submit original artwork inspired by weather, seasons, climate or nature to its Kids Art Showcase. Learn more.
Stay Connected to MCPS
VISIT the MCPS homepage.
CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845). Visit the AskMCPS website.
READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.
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WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89
More MCPS Resources