Magruder News
Community Newsletter September 20, 2026
Important Parking Reminders
All students must have a valid parking permit issued to them and their vehicle and displayed on the rear view mirror to park at Magruder 7:00am-3:00pm each school day.
- New this year: Students may no longer park in the spaces at the furthest edge of the parking lot along the treeline.
- Student vehicles that do not have a valid parking permit displayed will receive posted warnings and then may be towed at the owner's expense.
- As a remind, approval of a parking permit and parking on campus during the school day is a privilege that may be denied and revoked at any time by Principal Ascienzo.
PTSA, Boosters, & NAACP Parent Council
Thank you to everyone that was able to join our PTSA meeting last week.
- Click here for the slides and resources shared during the meeting.
- Please join principal Ascienzo and PTSA President Shivaun Wilkinson in welcoming the new school year. Click here to join the PTSA!
The Magruder Athletics Booster Club is excited for another year of supporting student-athletes, coaches, and athletic programs.
- Concession stand volunteer may sign up for a shift at this link.
- Join Boosters today at this link to help fund athletic equipment, facility improvements, recognition programs, & events.
- Local businesses may become a corporate sponsor and support athletes while gaining visibility in the community on banner with your company's name and logo. Reach out for more information at boostersmhsathletics@gmail.com.
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.
- Click here for more information and contact Irene Johnson, Magruder NAACP Parents Council Representative, with questions and interest.
Updated Senior Photo Info
Senior Class of 2027, there is still time to take your senior photos!
- The third and FINAL round of senior photos will be held on October 28-30. If you have not signed up for attended a previous session, please sign up now!
- Photos are by appointment only at this link: https://www.vosphoto.com/magruder
- Click here to view the letter from our photo vendor, Victor O'Neill, for additional information.
- Please email seniors@vosphoto.com with any questions.
Volunteer & Job Opportunities for Students!
Are you interesting in volunteering at a school event to earn SSL hours? We need student ambassadors and translators to help out at our Fall Showcase on October 5th from 5:30-8:00PM.
- Jobs will include passing out maps, showing families around, translating, and more.
- If you are interested in the October event, please reach out to counselor Jodie_M_Ackerman@mcpsmd.org or see her in the Counseling Office by September 25th.
- 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 other events at Magruder and Magruder cluster schools.
Bilingual students are encouraged to serve as election workers.
- Students earn up to $750 or receive 75 SSL hours by working during Early Voting weekend (October 24–25) and on Election Day (November 3).
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old and registered to vote. Individuals under 18 must obtain parental consent.
- For more information, text the word SERVE followed by a non-MCPS student email address to 77788 (for example: SERVE email@email.com).
The Montgomery County Forensics League is looking for judges on Saturday, October 24, December 5, and January 16.
- This paid opportunity allows you to see some of the best public-speaking talent across MCPS's high schools.
- Competitions are at Richard Montgomery HS and typically run from 8 AM to 4 PM.
- For more information, email katie.l.sconce@mcpsmd.net.
College Financial Aid Application Opens Oct. 1st!
If you have a senior who is even considering going to college, MC or trade school, your family needs to submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)!
- The FAFSA application opens October 1st and is essential for ALL families regardless of income level. Many colleges will not even award merit-based aid (scholarships and grants based on academic record) without a FAFSA on file.
- Maryland's priority deadline to submit FAFSA (and the final-no-exceptions-allowed deadline for MDCAPS) is March 1st. Maryland also offers financial aid to students without social security numbers.
- Magruder supports your FAFSA application and the Maryland state financial aid platform, MDCAPS, through in-person evening monthly sessions and ongoing virtual events.
- Check out Ms. Lyons' financial aid resources in the Money for College section of the CCIC website (Spanish section!!).
- Reach out to Jennifer_Lyons@mcpsmd.org with questions and set up a time to meet in her online scheduler.
CTE, Apprenticeship, Early College & STEM Ready Application
The MCPS application window is open Wednesday, Oct. 7 - Friday, Nov. 6 for students in grades 9-11 who are interested in Career & Technology Education (CTE) programs, Apprenticeships & Early College.
- 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 is offered at each MC campus and provides the opportunity of earning an associates degree. Students complete 11th & 12th grade while simultaneously 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.
Magruder Homecoming Dance October 10!
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.
Reminders for 2026-27 School Year
- 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’ 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!
All MCPS families should register for a ParentVUE account and ensure your contact information is up-to-date. Click on these links to set up your ParentVUE account: English, Spanish, French,
General Magruder Info
MHS Administrative Roles/Responsibilities
Follow Mr. Ascienzo for updates and links to the weekly newsletters at X (Twitter): @MHS_principal and Instagram: magruderhs_principal.
Magruder High School
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