Magruder News Summer Edition

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

• A weekly edition of the News comes out Sunday of each school week through Parent Square text message/email and will be posted on social media.
• More time sensitive and urgent information is sent through Parent Square email and 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 X: @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.
• Student schedules should be available in StudentVUE and ParentVUE on or about August 20th.

Magruder's parking lots are getting a much-needed facelift!

• Be on the lookout for updates on entering and exiting the stadium-side parking lot for dropping off and picking up students and student parking.
• Our main entrance and other areas are also getting much-needed upgrades to ensure safe accessibility to our school.

• Saturday August 22nd: Back-to-School Fair at Gaithersburg HS 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
• 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
• 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
• 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

Attention Senior Class of 2027! It is time to take your senior photos. The second round of senior photos will be held on September 16-18. Please sign up now!

• 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.
• Please email seniors@vosphoto.com with any questions.

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

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 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 will reduce distractions to students' learning, support their social development through increased engagement, and promote 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.

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.

Grading & Reporting Policies

MCPS continues to update their Grading & Reporting policy for all schools and will post updates online here. Important changes that will continue from last year 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 second semester B final grades in Biology & NSL Gov't. District summative assessments will count for 10% of Marking Periods in certain core subjects.
• At least two All Tasks may be reassessed in each course.
• 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.
• 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.

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 Athletics Department is excited for the upcoming 2026-2027 Fall Season.

• Registration for fall sports opened in July and tryouts begin for many sports on August 12th.
• 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.
• Click here for the MCPS Athletics webpage with 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!

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.
• 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 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.

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