Magruder News

MCPS is hosting Regional Community Engagement Events for Families of Multilingual Students.

• Magruder staff will be at Gaithersburg HS this Wednesday Nov. 11 from 5:00-8:00 pm
• Join us to meet staff and learn about school and community resources, answers to important questions, and free refreshments.
• Click here for more information in several languages.

Mental health awareness benefits the community by breaking down stigma, encouraging early support, and building safer, more resilient neighborhoods and communities.

• See Mental Health Awareness activities this week in the flyer above.
• Join Ms. Harwood for Mindful Moments during lunch in A206 on the following dates.
• We will learn about mental health, learn breathing activities and participate awareness and advocacy campaigns. Mark your calendars! You will earn 1 SSL hour for each session.

Eleventh grade students that took the October PSAT/NMSQT test will be able to access their scores in November.

• Students that tested on October 14th will be able to view their scores on November 5th and any students that took the make-up will be able to view their scores on November 12th.
• Students can either login to their College Board student account, or if they provided their phone number during PSAT testing they will receive a text message with a link and instructions for accessing scores through the BigFuture School app.
• Learn more about the app here.

The Magruder area is looking for high school students interested in volunteering at our Family Market Day Food Distribution on Monday, November 9 from 4:15-6:30 p.m.

• Students can earn 2–3 SSL hours at Washington Grove Elementary School.
• Please see the flyer linked here and above for more details or call/text Sara Orellana at (240) 506-2592.

For over 30 years, the Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County has provided Thanksgiving and December holiday assistance to low-income households.

• If your family would like to be referred for holiday assistance, please complete the following form so that your counselor can submit on behalf of your family: English or Espanol.
• Thanksgiving requests will be accepted until November 4th. Requests for December holidays will be accepted until November 20th.
• If you have any questions, please contact your student's Magruder HS counselor.
• This FREE program is confidential to Magruder and Montgomery County staff.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMs) are available to eligible students.

• Eligibility is determined annually by submitting a FARMs application each school year.
• We encourage all families to apply, even if you are unsure whether you qualify.
• In addition to reducing meal costs, an approved FARMs application can provide access to other benefits and fee waivers.
• Apply online now at www.MySchoolApps.com.

Magruder's Dual Enrollment Program Assistant is holding workshops to assist with MC registration.

• Workshops are during lunch Tuesday Nov. 10th and Wednesday Nov. 11th at lunch in the media center.
• Get help with MC registration, student's DualEnrollment.com account, and selecting MC courses for the Spring 2027 semester.

School photos may be purchased at this link.

• Codes for galery access were emailed to families by the picture vendor, Victor O'Neill.
• Questions should be directed to www.vosphoto.com/contact-us or (703)532-0013.

MCPS schools have noticed an increase in lost and damaged Chromebooks this school year.

• All students must be aware of MCPS User Responsibilities.
• These responsibilities include careful handling, safe storage, and responsible use. Students should NOT let other students use their Chromebook and are responsible for the Chromebook issued to them by Magruder.
• Students are responsible for the costs of damages and loss of devices and power charging cords. New Chromebook replacement charges now go up to $495.00.
• Damaged Chromebooks must be brought to the media center for repair.

Magruder's Report Card score increased to 53.3% and remained at 3 Stars.

• Our hard work paid off in many areas and produced noted improvement showed by green check marks in academic achievement areas including English Language Arts and English language proficiency.
• The Report Card is a public-facing system for measuring school performance in several areas and is available at this link .
• Join Principal Ascienzo at the next PTSA meeting (November date TBD) for a deeper dive into the Report Card and discussion of our School Improvement Plan goals and progress after the first marking period.

The Magruder Athletics Booster Club is excited for another year of supporting student-athletes, coaches, and athletic programs.

• Concession stand volunteers may sign up for a shift at this link.
• Join Boosters today at this link to help fund athletics and become a corporate sponsor while gaining visibility in the community on a banner at boostersmhsathletics@gmail.com.

• Click here for slides shared at the last meeting and click here to join the PTSA!

Magruder is also looking for members of our NAACP Parents' Council.

• Click here for more information and contact Irene Johnson, Magruder NAACP Parents Council Representative, with questions and interest.

• 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’. Breakfast is free to all students at Magruder!

• All MCPS families should register for a ParentVUE account and update contact information using these links: English, Spanish, French,

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