Magruder News

• By following our instructions and steps in response to the incident this past Thursday, students and staff promote safety and prevented any serious harm from occurring.
• Click here for Principal Ascienzo's community letter follow up on the incident. Families and students have the chance to discuss the incident with Principal Ascienzo & MCPS leadership at the September 17th hybrid PTSA meeting at 7pm in the Magruder HS auditorium or virtually online.
• The Magruder administration is reviewing our response to the incident and following up on any questions from students, families, and staff.
• Parents, guardians, and caretakers, click here for a resource to help you speak with your student about serious incidents at school. Families play a critical role in helping to re-establish a sense of normalcy and security for children.

• 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 will receive their new ID card this week and 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’ with your student’s name & ID number in the memo line. Cash is accepted but not recommended. Breakfast is free to all students at Magruder!

Safety while driving and parking vehicles on and around our campus is also important.

• Vehicles dropping students off prior to 7:45 am must enter the stadium-side parking lot and depart using the arrow routes in the diagram linked here. These are the same routes as last school year.
• Please DO NOT cut through the parking lot using parking lanes or stop along Muncaster Mill Rd. 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 until 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.

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 High School Athletics Booster Club is excited for another great year of supporting our student-athletes, coaches, and athletic programs. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Our next virtual Booster Club meeting is this Wednesday Sept. 9 at 7:30pm. Join to learn more and get involved! Zoom Link: https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/4356287510?pwd=fzbwqEegGbSViAbdafRiQrp9WSFt1S.1&omn=84514246377 (Meeting ID: 435 628 7510 & Passcode: Team).
• Fall sports has begun and our concession stand needs volunteers. Parents, athletes, students, and community members can volunteer and students may earn SSL hours. Sign up for a shift at this link.
• One of the easiest ways to support Magruder student-athletes is by becoming a Booster Club member. Membership provides funding for athletic equipment, team needs, facility improvements, recognition programs & events that benefit our athletes and coaches. Join today at this link.
• We are looking for corporate sponsors for the 2026–2027 school year. Sponsorship is a great way for local businesses to support our athletes and gain visibility in the community. Sponsorship includes a sign with your company logo displayed at Magruder. Reach out for more information at boostersmhsathletics@gmail.com.
• Whether you join, volunteer, sponsor, attend a meeting, or simply cheer from the stands, your support makes a difference for our student-athletes. Thank you for supporting Magruder Athletics. Go Colonels!

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.

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.

• Wednesday, September 9th: Senior Parent virtual Information Night
• Wednesday September 8th - Thursday September 9th: Student photos grades 9-11
• 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!
• Senior photos continue September 16-18 by appointment only - click here to reserve a photo appointment.
• View the letter from photo vendor Victor O'Neill for more info & 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.

The September 2026 edition of the MCPS Student Post is HERE.

• The MCPS Student Leadership & Activities Department authors The Student Post monthly newsletter to highlight SSL opportunities and updates for middle and high school students.
• The Student Post is emailed to students' MCPS email inbox and posted on social media (@mcpsslu) on the first of every month.
• Check it out for updates on many upcoming SSL opportunities (virtual and in-person), fall athletics updates, a new countywide MoCo Student newspaper, and more!

Please come and support the Class of 2029 for their first fundraiser of the year by eating at Chipotle in Olney on September 15th from 5-9 PM.

• Make sure that you inform the cashier that you are buying for the Magruder Class of 2029 fundraiser, show the linked flyer, or enter this code for online orders: PRVAXDB
• Click here for online ordering instructions.

• 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 at 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.

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.

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