STUDENT’S CORNER
by Daniel Hoyle, CHS Student Writer “The Perils of Academic Dishonesty” Answer me this: how many times have you thought about cheating on a test? My guess is that it’s more than you’d like to admit. But have you ever actually studied for a test and done well? If yes, then which one felt better?…
Youth Art on Display at the Delaplaine Arts Center
On a Sunday afternoon in March, the Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick was bustling with families, grandparents, and local community members, who were all there to see the talent of the budding young artists who are part of Frederick County Public Schools. The Delaplaine Arts Center once again hosted the Frederick County Public School Youth…
Martin Luther King, Jr Award Recipients Honored
Alisha Yocum Each January, Frederick County Public Schools recognizes students who demonstrate leadership qualities based on those of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Those characteristics include responsibility, caring, fairness, trustworthiness, citizenship, and respect. Students, families, and staff attended a celebration on January 4, where students from each school in the district were recognized on stage…
Frederick County Public Schools Files Lawsuit Against Social Media Giants Over Youth Mental Health Concerns
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) filed a lawsuit in October against Meta, Google, ByteDance, and Snap Inc. FCPS is joining forces with other school districts across the nation and in Maryland, such as Anne Arundel County, Harford County, and Howard County, in contending that excessive social media usage and addiction are exacerbating the mental health…
Thurmont Lions Club Honors Teachers and Students
The Thurmont Lions Club held “Education Night” on April 26, 2023, to recognize the outstanding achievements of teachers and students in the Catoctin Feeder area. Scholarships were presented to four exemplary high school students who submitted stellar applications. Recipients of the scholarships were Michael LeGare, who received the four-year Vic Jagow Scholarship; Tanner Seiss, who…
Catoctin High School Mock Trial Team Celebrates Success
In March 2022, the Catoctin High School (CHS) Mock Trial team closed out a fantastic undefeated season, winning the Frederick County Mock Trial championship and ending the season as quarter finalists in the state tournament. Mock Trial is an academic competition where teams of high school students from different schools undertake the roles of legal…
Superintendent Recommends Conditional Approval of Sabillasville Environmental School Charter
James Rada Jr. Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Theresa Alban made a conditional recommendation to the Board of Education to conditionally grant the Sabillasville Environmental School charter. If approved, it is expected that Sabillasville Elementary would become a K-8 charter school with a focus on environmental science. “It’s a beautiful location,” Alban noted. It is…
FCPS Honors Support Employees of the Year
Recipients Selected in Eight Categories Eight Frederick County Public Schools support employees have been recognized in the 2021 Support Employees of the Year Award program. They are: School-based Custodian of the Year Michael Bowles, Linganore High; Central Office Business Support Employee of the Year Jeremy Eccard, Public Affairs; School-based Food Service Employee of the Year…
FCPS Meals-to-Go Program
Starting Monday, August 31, Frederick County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services will provide “to-go” breakfast and lunch at 26 schools under the National School Breakfast Program (NSBP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Meals will be provided based on a student’s eligibility. Students eligible for free meals will receive meals at no cost.…
Thurmont Primary School Recognizes Evan Laird, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award Nominee
Each year, all Frederick County Public Schools select a student representative to be honored at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The student is nominated for embodying the characteristics of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year, Thurmont Primary School is proud to recognize second-grade student, Evan Laird (pictured right), as its award recipient.…
Valentine Derr Awarded the Simon A. McNeely Award
Good teachers are not hard to come by. The profession by trade is dedication of time and energy into shaping the future and guiding youth to be healthy and educated adults. Jessica Valentine Derr’s efforts for Frederick County Schools have not gone unnoticed. Valentine Derr was awarded the Simon A. McNeely Award for her outstanding…
FCPS Wants to Hear from Parents
Frederick County Public Schools is asking parents to complete a perceptual survey about their children’s schools. “Helping students work to their potential is a collaborative effort involving parents, students, schools, and the community. FCPS values and appreciates feedback from parents and guardians. We use that feedback in tangible ways to improve schools and provide every…
Thurmont’s Fuse Teen Center is Born — A Positive Group for Teens
The Fuse Teen Center isn’t actually a “center.” It will be a transient teen center, comprised of a group of parents and concerned citizens hoping to provide activities for teens in the Thurmont area. Fuse is based on Christian principles; however, it is not affiliated with any particular church. The founder of Fuse, Susan Crone,…
FCPS Summer Food Service Program
The Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) Food and Nutrition Services Department is participating in the United States Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program to provide free breakfast and lunch at some local schools. The Summer Program that will be in operation at Thurmont Elementary, located at 805 E. Main Street in Thurmont, is available…
Catoctin Named National School of Character
Frederick County Public Schools received the news that Catoctin High School is named a National School of Character. The nonprofit Character.org evaluates character initiatives in schools and communities around the world. Catoctin is the only Maryland high school on the 2018 list of four schools statewide and seventy-three schools making the list nationwide. The recognition…
Church Spotlight
Lewistown United Methodist Church by Theresa Dardanell For the members of the Lewistown United Methodist Church (LUMC), community outreach means more than supporting the needs in the immediate Lewistown area; their contributions reach all around the world. Several committees and groups work together for the benefit of the church, the local community, and the world.…
Reach for the S.T.A.R.S. — YMCA Launches New Middle School Program
The YMCA is launching a new initiative, in partnership with the Frederick County Government, through the Office for Children and Families and the Frederick County Public Schools. This grant will provide funding to the YMCA that supports daily activities that will include the following: sports and recreation; tutoring and academic enrichment; arts and humanities; readiness…
Students Honored During Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Theresa Dardanell Leadership, kindness, honesty, and a caring attitude are only a few of the characteristics of the students honored during the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration on January 12, 2017, at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School. One student from each of the Frederick County Public Schools was chosen for this award. The…
Thurmont Elementary School Shares Message of Kindness and Celebrates New Playground
Theresa Dardanell On November 18, 2016, Mother Nature gave Thurmont Elementary students a perfect autumn day to hold their ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new playground and to share a message of kindness. All of the students and staff were joined by parents, PTA members, and a large group of visitors. The playground was funded by…
Thurmont Primary Receives School-wide Title I Status
Anita DiGregory After two years of receiving targeted assistance via the Title I program, Thurmont Primary School (TPS) transitioned to a school-wide Title I status on July 1, 2016. Due to the hard work of the school staff, the Maryland State Department of Education approved the school-wide Title I status for the 2016-17 school year.…
