Magruder News

We look forward to seeing Magruder ninth graders and new students at Transition Day on Monday, August 24, 7:45 am - 2:30 pm.

• All new students in attendance will receive their school-issued Chromebook and Magruder swagbag!
• School bus service and food services for breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria will run as they would on a regular school day.
• The day will include an introduction from Principal Ascienzo and staff, school tour, abbreviated class visits, lunch, and an afternoon activity fair and carnival events!
• At Back-to-School-Night on Thursday, September 3 parents, guardians, and caretakers are able to visit the school, walk their student's schedule, and meet teachers.
• The first day of school for all students is Tuesday, August 25!

NEW Personal Mobile Device Policy in Effect! This school year all MCPS schools are restricting the use of personal mobile devices during school hours.

• Effective Transition Day August 23 & the first day of school on August 24, 2026, all students are not permitted to utilize personal mobile devices (cell phones, tablets, e-readers, personal laptops, smart watches, smart glasses, and anything with a microphone, camera, speaker, or headphones/earbuds including AirPods) during the instructional day. This includes during lunch and in the hallways as students transition to class and use the restroom.
• Restricting personal mobile device use reduces distractions to learning, supports social development through increased engagement, & promotes a safer school environment.
• This policy is in alignment with the Maryland Phone-Free School Act (HB 525). For more information please visit the MCPS Family FAQ - Personal Mobile Devices.

Grading & Reporting Policies

MCPS has updated our Grading & Reporting policy for all schools. Click here for a helpful guide for students & families. Some NEW updates and important changes that continue from last year will be reviewed by teachers and include:

• 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.
• Teachers will tell students if, when, and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used for lessons and assignments. Unauthorized use of AI may be considered academic dishonesty.
• Semester grades are calculated using the average of the numeric grades from each marking period. MCPS no longer uses grade calculation charts.
• At least two All Tasks may be reassessed in each course. These assignments will be marked in the gradebook by teachers.
• Deadlines will be within 10 days of the assignment due date. Late work will NOT be accepted during the final 5 days of each marking period. Teachers will return graded work within 10 school days.

Student Code of Conduct

• Important information about the Student Code of Conduct and other handbooks can be found online here.
• Students will be responsible for completing the annual Culture of Respect online module to learn more about expectations (an earn SSL hours for completion!).

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.
• 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.

Magruder administrators and counselors have adjusted the students they are supporting by the first letter(s) of student's last names starting this school year.

• Click here for a breakdown of counselors and counseling information at Magruder.
• Student schedules should be available in StudentVUE and ParentVUE on or about August 20th.

• Monday August 24th: New Student Transition Day 7:45 am - 2:30 pm
• Tuesday August 25th: First Day of School; Senior Sunrise 6:00 am!
• Wednesday August 26th: Fall Sports Meet the Coaches Night 7:00 - 8:30 pm
• Wednesday August 26th: Support LitMag club by eating at Olney Chipotle from 4-8pm! Tell them you’re with Magruder LitMag or order online with code 73JP9FB.
• Thursday, September 3rd: Back-to-School Night 5:30 - 9:00 pm
• Friday, September 4th: Friday Night Lights Opening Football Game vs. Sherwood 6:30pm
• Wednesday, September 9th: Senior Parent virtual Information Night
• 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 Sunrise is Tuesday August 24th in the Magruder stadium.
• We need food and drink donations! Sign up at this link and drop off items at the main office Monday, August 24th or bring items as early as possible on Tuesday. Thank you in advance from your class sponsors Dr. Garey and Ms. Swam!
• A second round of senior photos will be held on September 16-18. Appointments are held by appointment only. Click here to reserve a photo appointment.
• Click here to view the letter from our photo vendor, Victor O'Neill, for additional information and 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.

• 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 through 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.

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 at the school and county level to support our school community, 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.

• All student-athletes must be pre-registered for tryouts in Parentvue and have a current physical (physicals are good for 13 months). To participate in try outs on August 12th, student-athletes must be registered by 3PM on August 11th. 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.
• Visit the MCPS Athletics website for forms and other details.

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!

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