FCPS Community Bulletin Board
Last week, we had the honor of celebrating inspiring students at our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, held at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School. This meaningful event recognizes students who exemplify outstanding leadership, character, and service within their school communities.
Each school nominates one student who reflects Dr. King’s legacy through their actions, values, and commitment to others. A complete list of this year’s honorees can be found below. The PDF of the program is below.
Our Public Affairs Department had the opportunity to speak with several nominees, who each shared the name of an FCPS employee who has served as a positive role model in their lives.
Ballenger Creek Middle School nominee Aissatou Barry recognized music teacher Windy Schmidt, sharing that she continually inspires her to keep pushing forward and offers valuable guidance.
North Frederick Elementary School nominee Kai Harrington highlighted classroom teacher Janae Aiken for making learning fun and encouraging students to persevere through challenges.
Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle School nominee Jalen White thanked science teacher Stephen Porter for being caring, supportive, and always willing to listen and answer questions.
Walkersville High School nominee Josie Ritchie shared her appreciation for school counselor Nikole Ramsay, who gives her the confidence to make strong decisions and provides support during difficult times. She also recognized Sally Huguley, Teacher Academy of Maryland instructor at the FCPS Career & Technology Center, for pushing her beyond her comfort zone and helping her grow as a future educator.
We are incredibly proud of the students honored at last week’s King Celebration and deeply grateful for the educators and staff members who continue to inspire, support, and uplift them every day.
Thank you,
Dr. Dyson
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.
The January 2026 issue of the Blueprint Quarterly newsletter, focused on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, is available now to read. Published by the office of Dr. Sarah Sirgo, Chief of Staff and the head of FCPS’s Blueprint implementation, this issue highlights key progress, priorities, and insights into how the Blueprint is being put into action across Maryland. We invite you to read, learn more about the work underway, and stay connected to the efforts shaping the future of FCPS, and all Maryland schools. TheBlueprintQuarterly0126
The FCPS Gifts for Education Fund and Gladhill Fund for Agricultural Education grant applications are now available. Both funds are managed for FCPS by the Community Foundation of Frederick County, Inc.
Earnings from the funds allow us to disburse grants from time to time. The Gifts for Education Fund is supported through community donations; its purpose is to support student enrichment activities not funded through the regular FCPS budget. The Gladhill Fund, established in 1998 by Franklin & Bess Gladhill, supports FCPS agricultural education programs.
A Grant Information Guide has been developed to guide you through the application. The submission deadline for both applications is 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4. Please contact Doreen Bass, Grants Management Specialist, with questions about the application.
The lottery for Sabillasville Environmental School - A Classical Charter School (SES) is now open. The deadline to enter is March 15. The lottery drawing will take place on March 19.
SES offers a classical curriculum with a focus on agriculture and environmental science for grade K-8. There is one grade per class with each class being capped at 24 students.
To learn more about SES join them for their Open House on Monday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 PM. The event will start with a short presentation about the school curriculum followed by a school tour. There will be activities for the kids throughout the event.
To learn more go to www.sesclassical.org/enrollment
Are you aware that FCPS has a public Classical Charter School that is currently ranked as the #1 Charter School for both Elementary and Middle school for the State of Maryland?
Find out what makes Classical Education so effective and beneficial for our scholars. Join us for one of Prospective Parent Information Nights:
February 9 at 6:30 p.m.
March 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Feel free to call or email our front office with any questions- 227-230-3840 or jennifer.tucker@fcps.org
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.
