Magruder News Summer Edition

This summer edition of the newsletter includes back-to-school announcements and resources.

• A weekly edition of the News comes out Sunday of each school week through ParentSquare text message/email and will be posted on social media.
• More time sensitive and urgent information will be sent through email and Remind text.
  
• Daily morning announcements from the Magruder TV broadcast team are sent out daily through Canvas email.
• Follow Mr. Ascienzo for updates and links to the weekly newsletters at Twitter: @MHS_principal & Instagram: magruderhs_principal.
• Specific staff emails may be found on the the staff directory of our school webpage.
• Click here for a breakdown of counselors and counseling information at Magruder.

Senior portraits for the Class of 2026 are tentatively scheduled for September 8-9, October 1, October 29-30, and November 6-7.

• All dates are by appointment only and the signup link will be released by the photography company about a month in advance of each date.
• Appointment times on these dates will begin shortly after school dismissal and go through 8:00pm.
• If you have any questions about senior portraits, please contact seniors@vosphoto.com.

Underclassmen (grades 9-11) school photos will be held on September 8-9.

• Students will be photographed on one of these dates through their English class.
• Make-up pictures are scheduled on October 22 (walk-in).

• Monday August 25th: New Student Transition Day 7:45 am - 2:30 pm
  
• Tuesday August 26th: First Day of School; Senior Sunrise 6:00 am!
• Tuesday September 2nd: Fall Sports Meet the Coaches Night 6:30 - 8:30 pm
• Thursday, September 4th: Back to School Night 5:30 - 9:00 pm
• Friday September 5th: Friday Night Lights home varsity football game vs. Sherwood 6:30 pm
• Friday September 26th Cluster Night Home football game 5:30, game kickoff 6:30 pm
• Saturday October 17th Homecoming Dance 7:00 - 10:00 pm

Students, click here to sign up as a volunteer for the August 25th 9th Grade Orientation Transition Day and September 4th 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.

The Magruder Athletic Department is excited for the upcoming 2025-2026 Fall Season. Our 2024 fall teams won 4 division championships and had two teams advance to the Regional Finals.

• Registration for fall sports opened in Mid-July and tryouts begin for many sports on August 13th.
• All student-athletes must be pre-registered for tryouts in Parentvue and have a current physical (physicals are good for 13 months). To participate on August 13th, student-athletes must be registered by 3PM on August 12th. Registrations after that date/time may have to wait another day to tryout.
• Click here for specific information on how to register in Parentvue.
• Click here for specific information on our fall sports offered, our coaches and their contact information, and the exact date/time of tryouts.

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.

Visit the MHS website for important information now and throughout the school year including:

• Daily information such as bell schedules.
• Student Service Learning (SSL) hours information
• Administrator Roles & Responsibilities
• The Back to School Resources quick link. Links are updated as we receive info from MCPS.

• Families of students who may qualify for free and reduced-price lunch meals can apply for assistance for school meals.
• Apply here and learn more about the program.

MCPS uses SchoolCash Online as the preferred method to pay for all school-related fees.

• Parents/guardians can register now online!

Click here for a welcome letter from the Magruder Parent, Teacher, & Student Association (PTSA).

• The letter includes information on membership, the PTSA board, and ways to get involved.
• Please join principal Ascienzo and PTSA President Kim Glassman in welcoming the new school year.
• The Magruder PTSA advocates at the school and county level to support our school community, provides programming, supports student clubs, scholarships, staff appreciation, and more.
• PTSA meets bimonthly online. Meetings dates will be share once they are finalized.

Magruder needs an NAACP Parents' Council Representative!! The Parents’ Council empowers African American and other minority parents to take a more pro-active 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 Byron Johns, Chair of the Council Executive Team, with questions and interest.

Student Code of Conduct

• Important updates have been made to the Student Code of Conduct and other handbooks. Click here for the webpage with student handbooks.
• Students will be responsible for completing the annual Culture of Respect online module to learn more about expectations.

IDs and Hall Sweeps

• All students and staff must wear their ID cards visibly on themselves or their belongings upon entry and at all times in school after IDs are printed on student picture days.
• Hall sweeps will be conducted during class periods to ensure that students are in their assigned locations. Students not in their locations will receive an initial warning and then progressive discipline for repeated tardies.
• Students that are chronically tardy, absent, and/or in violation of the Code of Conduct may have privileges suspended including participation in and attendance at athletics and extracurricular activities.

Grading & Reporting Policies

MCPS has updated their Grading & Reporting policy for all schools beginning this school year. Click here for more information, including helpful videos and FAQs. Important changes include:

• Semester grades will be calculated using the average of the numeric grades from each marking period. MCPS will no longer use the grade calculation charts.
• End of Course Exams count for 20% of the second semester B final grades in Biology & NSL Gov't. District summative assessments will count for 10% of the Marking Period 2 and 4 grades in certain core subjects.
• At least two All Tasks may be reassessed in each course (except for larger, summative assessments).
• Deadlines will be within 10 days of the assignment due date. Late work will NOT be accepted during the final 5 days of each making period.
• A teacher may assign 50% credit for an assignment if the work shows evidence of making progress.
• Teachers will return graded work within 10 school days.

Seniors, did you know that Magruder is hosting several college-prep events this summer! Register now for these to make sure you're prepared for your college apps in the fall!

• Summer College Application Bootcamp August 11th - 14th 10:00 am - 1:00 pm IN PERSON at Magruder! Class of 2026, bring your laptops or Chromebooks to start your college applications, get essay support, learn about financial aid, create a Going Merry scholarship account, create your Common App account and link it to Naviance. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED—JUST SHOW UP! THERE WILL BE SNACKS EVERY DAY!
• Refer to the Events Calendar page of the Career Center website for a comprehensive list of upcoming events throughout the year. Email College & Career Navigator Ms. Lyons to schedule a college meeting or if you have any questions at any time!

• What do you do for a living? What are you passionate about? Do you have professional expertise or knowledge that you can share with our community? We are looking for community members who can speak to students and inspire them to think about what they might do "when they grow up".
• Submit this form to be part of our "Meet a Pro" series during the 2025-26 school year!

Magruder School Master Event Calendar

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

Nicole Kimball, School Business Administrator

Brian Gertzen, Assistant Principal

Marie Koch, Assistant Principal

Kristi Ricca, Assistant Principal

Mitzy Seyoum, Assistant Principal

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