FCPS Community Bulletin Board

August 7, 2025

NASA will be at the Earth and Space Science Lab for a first come, first served FREE event with a limited number of tickets for each planetarium show. This is a free public event with activities for kids set up by NASA, but the shows in the planetarium have limited seating. Tickets are NOT available online, and you must get a physical ticket in person. Doors open to the public at 12:30 PM. Planetarium shows will be at 1:00 and 2:00 PM on August 15th.

The ESSL is located at 210 Madison Street in Frederick.

Behind every great school system is a comprehensive and strategic budgeting process. FCPS fiscal services ensures that every dollar is allocated where it matters most, improving students' success, supporting educators, and strengthening our schools.

Find the Blueprint Action Area 4 video here: https://youtu.be/W53d5uxxK4o

Frederick County Public Schools is proud to share our first Blueprint Stakeholder Feedback Report, highlighting the progress we've made toward implementing the Maryland Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

Read the report here: FCPS Blueprint Stakeholder Feedback Report

This report provides an overview of key initiatives, investments, and outcomes aligned with our commitment to ensuring excellence and equity for every student. This is an important tool to help us understand how the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is being implemented across our school system. This report captures insights from a range of stakeholders, including students, staff, families, and community members, about their direct or indirect experiences with Blueprint initiatives. The findings help us monitor progress toward key milestones and ensure that our efforts are making a meaningful impact. This report will be published every other year as part of our broader commitment to learning from multiple perspectives and continuously improving our work.

We invite staff, families, and community members to explore the report and see how this work is shaping the future of education in FCPS.

To learn more about our Blueprint work, please visit FCPS Blueprint Webpage.

Each year generous Frederick County businesses and citizens help students start school with the necessary supplies that some families cannot provide. This year is no exception.

The 17th annual Stuff the Bus school-supply drive began in June and ran through August 4th. More than 40 Frederick businesses and organizations helped the public to participate by having bins out to collect supplies.

This year, families seeking assistance with school supplies can reach out to the student’s school for information on distribution for their school community.

Schools within the following feeders will distribute supplies directly from the school.

• Brunswick
• Frederick
• Governor Thomas Johnson
• Linganore
• Oakdale
• Tuscarora
• Urbana
• Walkersville

Additionally, community partner agencies will assist the following feeders in distributing supplies in other areas of the county.

• Catoctin
• Middletown

More information on distribution schedules can be found on the flyer below.

Find the new Maryland Civil Rights Guide to understanding and protecting your rights from the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and Maryland Office of the Attorney General Civil Rights Division is attached below.

FCPS Participates in National School Breakfast and Lunch ProgramFrederick County Public Schools (FCPS) Food and Nutrition Services is participating in the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program during the 2025-2026 school year.

Free and reduced-price meal benefits are available at all Frederick County Public Schools. Online

applications for the 2025-2026 school year are available at https://linqconnect.com.

We encourage families who think they qualify or unsure if they qualify to complete the free and

reduced-price meal benefits application (MBA), to determine your child’s eligibility. Eligibility for free or reduced-price meals is based on the following annual income eligibility guidelines effective from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

Find the Income Eligibility Guidelines Chart in the press release below.

As we begin a new school year, our top priority remains the same—safe, secure, and supportive schools where every student can thrive. FCPS continues to enhance safety and emergency preparedness efforts across all schools. Below are key updates and reminders:

School Safety Practices

• Standard Response Protocols (SRP): A uniform, practiced plan used across schools for responding to emergencies like severe weather, fires, and intruders. SRP is action-based and developed with input from safety experts and first responders.
  
  

• Standard Reunification Method (SRM): Ensures a safe, organized process for reuniting students and families after a crisis. Each school now has a trained staff member following SRM protocols.
  
  

• Avoid | Deny | Defend: A personal safety method used in active assailant situations. It emphasizes action over hiding and offers clear steps to protect oneself.
  
  

• Required Safety Drills: All schools conduct annual drills including fire, lockdown, shelter-in-place, and active assailant scenarios to ensure staff and students are prepared.
  
  

Threat Prevention & Response

• Every school has access to mental health professionals and is supported by School Resource Officers (SROs), who serve as both safety partners and mentors.
  
  

• All reported threats are investigated. Remember: See Something, Say Something. On social media, Report It, Don’t Repeat It.

• If a trusted administrator, SRO, or school staff member is not available to share a concern with about school safety, there are a variety of Community Resources available for students and families, as well as an anonymous reporting system offered by Safe Schools Maryland.
  
  

Important Information About Maryland’s Firearm Storage Laws

In 2024, Maryland passed House Bill 416 (Chapter 182), which requires school systems to share educational materials about safe firearm storage. This law was created to promote responsible gun ownership and prevent accidents.

In accordance with this law, we are providing the MCSS bulletin “A Parent’s Guide to Firearm Storage.” This guide includes:

• Steps gun owners must take to securely store firearms

• Various safe storage methods

• A reminder of Maryland’s legal requirement to secure firearms
  
  

Firearm safety is an important concern for many in our community. We encourage all families to review the guide carefully and help keep our students and community safe.

Visit our Safety & Emergency Management webpage for more details and resources. Let’s work together to make 2025–2026 a safe and successful school year.

If you have a student that is entering a new school this year, please know your student’s information has been updated in the SchoolMessenger platform to ensure families get the emails and text messages they need from their school communities.

For example, if a student is transitioning into sixth grade, our file reflects the change in schools. No action is needed by families.

SchoolMessenger pulls family contact information from our student information system. If a student’s family member has contact information within the student information system, they should receive messages without any action being taken.

For other family contacts or others interested in receiving updates, we have information about how to just that via FCPS.org.

A planned elementary school at the intersection of Mussetter Road and Whiterose Drive near Md. 144 will be named Linganore Creek Elementary.

This new school is scheduled to open for students during the 2026-27 school year and is part of the FCPS Capital Improvement Plan.

The Board approved the school’s name at its August 5 meeting. The Linganore Creek Elementary name was brought forward by a committee that vetted potential name choices. Linganore Creek Elementary was the top choice of the committee. Other finalist names included Rolling Hills Elementary and Old National Elementary.

• The BOE approved a revised lease extension for Sabillasville Environmental School to be aligned with their 5 year charter.

• The BOE approved the name of the new Elementary School #41 to be Linganore Creek Elementary School.

• Staff presented information from Linganore Creek Elementary School redistricting study (Elementary School #41) to the BOE. Staff will hold another engagement session with the community to share an additional alternative option. After that engagement, the Board will hold a public hearing in October.

• Staff presented an overview of the students with disabilities population within FCPS, including the range of supports as well as an update of the student support audit action plan.

• Policy 119, Communicable Diseases and Policy 409, Promotion of Health and Wellness - Students were approved for publication.

Meet the dedicated staff and students of Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland, where we support every child, every day through our FCPS All-Stars Blog.

The 5-Star Service Award is for community use in recognizing FCPS employees who show excellence in one of the 5 FCPS goals. Community members are welcome to nominate any worthy FCPS employee.

This award is designed to provide recognition by community members to employees for excellence in one of the 5 FCPS goals.

Community members are encouraged to nominate any worthy FCPS employee.

Nominations will be reviewed on the 15th and 30th of each month by staff in the Offices of the Chief of Staff, Human Resources, and Public Affairs.

More information on the selection timeline and next steps can be found on the 5-Star Service Award nomination form.