Magruder News

For over 30 years, the Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County has provided Thanksgiving and December holiday assistance to low-income households.

• If your family would like to be referred for holiday assistance, please complete the following form so that your counselor can submit on behalf of your family: English or Espanol.
• Thanksgiving requests will be accepted until November 4th. Requests for December holidays will be accepted until November 20th.
• If you have any questions, please contact your student's Magruder HS counselor.
• This program is FREE and maintains confidentiality to Magruder and Montgomery County staff.

MCPS schools have noticed an increase in lost and damaged Chromebooks this school year.

• All students must be aware of MCPS User Responsibilities.
• These responsibilities include careful handling, safe storage, and responsible use. Students should NOT let other students use their Chromebook and are responsible for the Chromebook issued to them by Magruder.
• Students are responsible for the costs of damages and loss of devices and power charging cords. New Chromebook replacement charges now go up to $495.00.
• Damaged Chromebooks must be brought to the media center for repair.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs) are available to eligible students.

• Eligibility is determined annually by submitting a FARMs application each school year.
• We encourage all families to apply, even if you are unsure whether you qualify.
• In addition to reducing meal costs, an approved FARMs application can provide access to other benefits and fee waivers.
• Apply online now at www.MySchoolApps.com.

School photos may be purchased at this link.

• Codes for galery access were emailed to families by the picture vendor, Victor O'Neill.
• Questions should be directed to www.vosphoto.com/contact-us or (703)532-0013.

Magruder's Dual Enrollment Program Assistant is holding workshops to assist with MC registration.

• Workshops are during lunch Tuesday Nov. 10th and Wednesday Nov. 11th at lunch in the media center.
• Get help with MC registration, student's DualEnrollment.com account, and selecting MC courses for the Spring 2027 semester.

Magruder's Report Card score increased to 53.3% and remained at 3 Stars.

• Our hard work paid off in many areas and produced noted improvement showed by green check marks in academic achievement areas including English Language Arts and English language proficiency.
• The Report Card is a public-facing system for measuring school performance in several areas and is available at this link .
• Join Principal Ascienzo at the next PTSA meeting (November date TBD) for a deeper dive into the Report Card and discussion of our School Improvement Plan goals and progress after the first marking period.

The Achieving Collegiate Excellence & Success (ACES) program at Magruder High School is now accepting applications from current 10th-grade students.

• ACES is a free college and career pathway program offered in partnership with MCPS, Montgomery College, and the Univ. at Shady Grove. The program provides students with tailored academic coaching, SAT/ACT test preparation, college visits, scholarship guidance, and financial aid support.
• 100% of the ACES Class of 2026 graduates were accepted into college, earning a combined total of $2.1 million in scholarship funding.
• Space is limited, as the program only accepts 75–80 new students each year. Priority is given to future first-generation college students, single-parent or low-income households, or participation in special education, 504 plans, or multilingual learning programs.
• The application window is open from August 31st through January 8th.
• To learn more or submit an application, visit the ACES Application Link: ACES Application Link or have your student visit the ACES Office, in Office 7 (located in the B-Wing across from B234).

Nov. 6th Deadline for MCPS Career & Technology Education (CTE) programs, Apprenticeships & Early College Applications.

• The MCPS High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs At-A-Glance provides more details about each program and Open House information.
• Check out the CTE Information Handout for information specific to Magruder HS & MCPS CTE programs, including locations and open house details. Students should apply during Round 1 for the best chance of acceptance (lottery system). Contact Ms. Jen Miehle for more information.
• The MCPS & Montgomery College (MC) Early College program provides the opportunity of earning an associates degree. Students complete 11th & 12th grade while completing their first two years of college as a full time MC student. Register for upcoming info sessions at MC Rockville 10/7 & MC Germantown 10/13 and contact your school counselor with questions.
• The Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) is a CTE Program of Study that allows students to work during the school day and summer to earn high school credit and earn industry recognized credentials. Contact Ms. Lesley Stroot with questions.

The PTAs in the Magruder cluster are looking to highlight student writers who are interested in explaining why a new Magruder building is important to their future education.

• Place entries in the PTA mailbox at school or email to magruderwritingcompetition@gmail.com.
• All submissions are due by November 30th.
• A winner per grade level from each school will be featured on the Fund Magruder website and grand prize winners from each grade at each school will receive their choice of school spirit wear.
• All middle school and high school students that submit a letter get one SSL hour.
• Read this flyer for more details!

The Magruder Athletics Booster Club is excited for another year of supporting student-athletes, coaches, and athletic programs.

• Concession stand volunteers may sign up for a shift at this link.
• Join Boosters today at this link to help fund athletics and become a corporate sponsor while gaining visibility in the community on a banner at boostersmhsathletics@gmail.com.

• Click here for slides shared at the last meeting and click here to join the PTSA!

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

• Click here for more information and contact Irene Johnson, Magruder NAACP Parents Council Representative, with questions and interest.

• Students are not permitted to utilize personal mobile devices from 7:45am-2:30pm. This includes during lunch and in the hallways as students transition to class and use the restroom.

• MCPS has updated the Grading & Reporting policy. 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.

• Students must wear their ID visibly upon entry and at all times in school. 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.
• A new Free Meal Application must be submitted online at www.Myschoolapps.com. Families may add funds for lunch purchases at www.myschoolbucks.com or by check payable to ‘Magruder Cafeteria’. Breakfast is free to all students at Magruder!

• All MCPS families should register for a ParentVUE account and update contact information using these links: English, Spanish, French,

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