𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐆𝐇𝐒 & 𝐒𝐆𝐇𝐒
During the September Board Meeting, Mr. Paul Edwards, Director of Secondary Education, CTE & Athletics, shared a recommendation from the School Activities Review/Evaluation Committee to add a Swimming Program at both Northern and Southern Garrett High Schools. The Board unanimously approved this request.
The swimming program will be a part of the winter athletic season, with students in grades 9 through 12 eligible to participate. Teams will start up beginning with the 2025-26 season. Practices and home competitions will take place at the CARC at Garrett College.
During the September Board Meeting, Mr. Paul Edwards, Director of Secondary Education, CTE & Athletics, shared a recommendation from the School Activities Review/Evaluation Committee to add a Swimming Program at both Northern and Southern Garrett High Schools. The Board unanimously approved this request.
The swimming program will be a part of the winter athletic season, with students in grades 9 through 12 eligible to participate. Teams will start up beginning with the 2025-26 season. Practices and home competitions will take place at the CARC at Garrett College.
𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫!
The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) Human Resources Department is thrilled to announce the upcoming substitute teacher training session on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. All those who are interested in becoming substitute teachers for GCPS are welcome to register and join us.
Please be aware that registration is necessary ahead of time to attend this training. Additional information will be supplied upon registering for the training. To begin registration, please visit https://www.applitrack.com/garrettcountyschools/onlineapp/ and look for the substitute teacher candidate pool job posting.
Any potential candidate who is unable to attend this training but is interested is still encouraged to apply. Questions may be directed to Ms. Angela Flanigan, HR Manager, at 301-334-8904.
The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) Human Resources Department is thrilled to announce the upcoming substitute teacher training session on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. All those who are interested in becoming substitute teachers for GCPS are welcome to register and join us.
Please be aware that registration is necessary ahead of time to attend this training. Additional information will be supplied upon registering for the training. To begin registration, please visit https://www.applitrack.com/garrettcountyschools/onlineapp/ and look for the substitute teacher candidate pool job posting.
Any potential candidate who is unable to attend this training but is interested is still encouraged to apply. Questions may be directed to Ms. Angela Flanigan, HR Manager, at 301-334-8904.
𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐫𝐲
During the September Monthly Board Meeting, Mr. Jason Shank, Administrator of the Hickory Environmental Education Center, presented a Tree Canopy Classroom project to the Board. This project is being made possible thanks to a grant awarded through the Community Trust Foundation, graciously funded by the Naylor Family Trust Fund. The tree canopy classroom and elevated walkway will be ADA accessible. Students will be able to view and study trees from the canopy, not just the forest floor. Hickory is a part of Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS). All GCPS students complete lessons at Hickory for environmental literacy. Work on the classroom is slated to begin in October 2025.
Pictured left to right are:
Jason Shank, Hickory Administrator and Planetarium Director, GCPS
Leah Shaffer, Executive Director, Community Trust Foundation
Tom Carr, Treasurer, GCPS Foundation
During the September Monthly Board Meeting, Mr. Jason Shank, Administrator of the Hickory Environmental Education Center, presented a Tree Canopy Classroom project to the Board. This project is being made possible thanks to a grant awarded through the Community Trust Foundation, graciously funded by the Naylor Family Trust Fund. The tree canopy classroom and elevated walkway will be ADA accessible. Students will be able to view and study trees from the canopy, not just the forest floor. Hickory is a part of Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS). All GCPS students complete lessons at Hickory for environmental literacy. Work on the classroom is slated to begin in October 2025.
Pictured left to right are:
Jason Shank, Hickory Administrator and Planetarium Director, GCPS
Leah Shaffer, Executive Director, Community Trust Foundation
Tom Carr, Treasurer, GCPS Foundation
𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓–𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
Dr. Brenda McCartney, Superintendent of Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS), has announced her plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 school year. Her retirement will take effect on June 30, 2026.
Dr. McCartney stated that the decision to retire—her second from GCPS—was made with mixed emotions. “I find what I do very personally rewarding. My successor will inherit a district filled with talented staff, fantastic students, and a supportive community,” she said. Over the coming months, Dr. McCartney will work closely with the Board of Education and her successor, once appointed, to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Dr. McCartney’s career in education spans more than five decades, beginning in 1971. Many of those years have been spent serving Garrett County students in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, teaching principal at Kitzmiller Elementary, central office administrator, and, most recently, Superintendent of Schools.
“It has been a privilege to work with the caring and talented people in our district whose singular focus has been our students,” Dr. McCartney noted. She expressed gratitude to the Board of Education members she has partnered with throughout her tenure, emphasizing their shared commitment to student success, stewardship, and service to the community. Dr. McCartney added, “I am proud of our shared legacy reflected in instructional initiatives; student and public school advocacy efforts at the local and state level; and capital improvement projects that reflect this district’s pride in its students and the importance of their educational experience.”
The Garrett County Board of Education will begin planning for the search and selection process for the next Superintendent of Schools in the coming months.
Dr. Brenda McCartney, Superintendent of Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS), has announced her plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 school year. Her retirement will take effect on June 30, 2026.
Dr. McCartney stated that the decision to retire—her second from GCPS—was made with mixed emotions. “I find what I do very personally rewarding. My successor will inherit a district filled with talented staff, fantastic students, and a supportive community,” she said. Over the coming months, Dr. McCartney will work closely with the Board of Education and her successor, once appointed, to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Dr. McCartney’s career in education spans more than five decades, beginning in 1971. Many of those years have been spent serving Garrett County students in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, teaching principal at Kitzmiller Elementary, central office administrator, and, most recently, Superintendent of Schools.
“It has been a privilege to work with the caring and talented people in our district whose singular focus has been our students,” Dr. McCartney noted. She expressed gratitude to the Board of Education members she has partnered with throughout her tenure, emphasizing their shared commitment to student success, stewardship, and service to the community. Dr. McCartney added, “I am proud of our shared legacy reflected in instructional initiatives; student and public school advocacy efforts at the local and state level; and capital improvement projects that reflect this district’s pride in its students and the importance of their educational experience.”
The Garrett County Board of Education will begin planning for the search and selection process for the next Superintendent of Schools in the coming months.
On this #GCPSMDWellnessWednesday, we continue our focus on building habits. Today, we focus on how to Build A Habit of Physical Fitness.
As a parent, you can help shape your child’s attitudes and behaviors regarding physical activity. Knowing the recommendations is a great place to start. Encourage your child to be physically active for at least 60 minutes each day, with activities ranging from informal, active play to organized sports. Here are some ways you can do this:
⮞ Start early. Young children love to play and be active. Encouraging lots of safe and unstructured movement and play can help build a strong foundation for an active lifestyle.
⮞ Set a positive example by leading an active lifestyle yourself.
⮞ Make physical activity part of your family’s daily routine by taking family walks or playing active games together.
⮞ Give your children equipment that encourages physical activity.
⮞ Take young people to places where they can be active, such as public parks, community baseball fields, or basketball courts.
⮞ Be positive about the physical activities in which your child participates and encourage them to be interested in new activities.
⮞ Make physical activity fun. Fun activities can be anything your child enjoys, either structured or non-structured. Activities can range from team or individual sports to recreational activities such as walking, running, skating, bicycling, swimming, playground activities, or free-time play.
⮞ Instead of watching television after dinner, encourage your child to find fun activities to do on their own or with friends and family, such as walking, playing chase, or riding bikes.
Be safe! Always provide protective equipment such as helmets, wrist pads, or knee pads for activities, like riding bicycles or scooters, skateboarding, roller skating, rock-wall climbing, and other activities where there may be a high risk of injuries. Ensure also that activities are age-appropriate for your child.
Visit the Move Your Way website for more information on helping kids become more active https://odphp.health.gov/moveyourway/get-kids-active.
As a parent, you can help shape your child’s attitudes and behaviors regarding physical activity. Knowing the recommendations is a great place to start. Encourage your child to be physically active for at least 60 minutes each day, with activities ranging from informal, active play to organized sports. Here are some ways you can do this:
⮞ Start early. Young children love to play and be active. Encouraging lots of safe and unstructured movement and play can help build a strong foundation for an active lifestyle.
⮞ Set a positive example by leading an active lifestyle yourself.
⮞ Make physical activity part of your family’s daily routine by taking family walks or playing active games together.
⮞ Give your children equipment that encourages physical activity.
⮞ Take young people to places where they can be active, such as public parks, community baseball fields, or basketball courts.
⮞ Be positive about the physical activities in which your child participates and encourage them to be interested in new activities.
⮞ Make physical activity fun. Fun activities can be anything your child enjoys, either structured or non-structured. Activities can range from team or individual sports to recreational activities such as walking, running, skating, bicycling, swimming, playground activities, or free-time play.
⮞ Instead of watching television after dinner, encourage your child to find fun activities to do on their own or with friends and family, such as walking, playing chase, or riding bikes.
Be safe! Always provide protective equipment such as helmets, wrist pads, or knee pads for activities, like riding bicycles or scooters, skateboarding, roller skating, rock-wall climbing, and other activities where there may be a high risk of injuries. Ensure also that activities are age-appropriate for your child.
Visit the Move Your Way website for more information on helping kids become more active https://odphp.health.gov/moveyourway/get-kids-active.
GCPS Seeks Feedback on Proposed Virtual Learning Plan
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is seeking feedback for the proposed Virtual Learning Plan for the 2025-26 school year. All responses collected will be reviewed and shared with the Garrett County Board of Education members, Superintendent, and published as a public document on BoardDocs for the October 2025 Board Meeting. The window for accepting feedback on this form will run from September 10, 2025, through September 26, 2025. The plan may be reviewed at https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKBGUU458E3C. To fill out the feedback form, please visit https://forms.gle/hNfGrMH1pBD3tuc49. For questions regarding the plan, please submit an inquiry to public.info@gcps.net or by calling 301-334-8931. The Board is expected to take action on this plan during the monthly meeting on October 14, 2025.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is seeking feedback for the proposed Virtual Learning Plan for the 2025-26 school year. All responses collected will be reviewed and shared with the Garrett County Board of Education members, Superintendent, and published as a public document on BoardDocs for the October 2025 Board Meeting. The window for accepting feedback on this form will run from September 10, 2025, through September 26, 2025. The plan may be reviewed at https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKBGUU458E3C. To fill out the feedback form, please visit https://forms.gle/hNfGrMH1pBD3tuc49. For questions regarding the plan, please submit an inquiry to public.info@gcps.net or by calling 301-334-8931. The Board is expected to take action on this plan during the monthly meeting on October 14, 2025.
2024-25 MCAP and AP Results Shared
During the September Board Meeting, Mrs. Amy Warnick, Local Accountability Coordinator, and Dr. Nicole Miller, Chief Academic Officer, shared the results of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams for the 2024–2025 school year. The data reflect both areas of strong achievement and continued opportunities for increased growth.
English Language Arts (ELA):
● GCPS ranked 13th among Maryland counties for overall ELA proficiency.
● The largest gain was in Grade 10, where 66.06% of students scored proficient, a 9.76% increase from the previous year.
Mathematics:
● GCPS ranked 9th in the state for math proficiency across grade levels.
● The strongest improvement was in Grade 8 math, with a proficiency rate of 37.24%, a 20.84% increase from the previous year.
Science:
● Proficiency in grade 5 remained stable, and grade 8 increased in comparison to the previous year.
● GCPS students consistently scored above the state average in science proficiency across grade levels.
Advanced Placement (AP):
● GCPS reported five exams with a 100% proficiency rate.
● Participation increased from 270 exams to 340 exams administered.
● Overall, AP success rates increased from 72.60% proficient to 73.82% proficient.
Looking Ahead – Instructional Priorities for 2025–2026
To strengthen outcomes moving forward, GCPS will continue prioritizing teaching the standards and student engagement using evidence-based practices to support all learners. Additionally, there is an emphasis on collaboration through Professional Learning Communities, utilizing resources for school improvement, and addressing literacy and math achievement gaps. “We’re encouraged by the gains we’ve seen in select areas, and remain committed to increased progress," said Dr. Nicole Miller, Chief Academic Officer. “We will continue to build on these successes while focusing on continuous improvement and providing high-quality learning opportunities for all students.
For full details on the results, please visit https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/.
During the September Board Meeting, Mrs. Amy Warnick, Local Accountability Coordinator, and Dr. Nicole Miller, Chief Academic Officer, shared the results of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams for the 2024–2025 school year. The data reflect both areas of strong achievement and continued opportunities for increased growth.
English Language Arts (ELA):
● GCPS ranked 13th among Maryland counties for overall ELA proficiency.
● The largest gain was in Grade 10, where 66.06% of students scored proficient, a 9.76% increase from the previous year.
Mathematics:
● GCPS ranked 9th in the state for math proficiency across grade levels.
● The strongest improvement was in Grade 8 math, with a proficiency rate of 37.24%, a 20.84% increase from the previous year.
Science:
● Proficiency in grade 5 remained stable, and grade 8 increased in comparison to the previous year.
● GCPS students consistently scored above the state average in science proficiency across grade levels.
Advanced Placement (AP):
● GCPS reported five exams with a 100% proficiency rate.
● Participation increased from 270 exams to 340 exams administered.
● Overall, AP success rates increased from 72.60% proficient to 73.82% proficient.
Looking Ahead – Instructional Priorities for 2025–2026
To strengthen outcomes moving forward, GCPS will continue prioritizing teaching the standards and student engagement using evidence-based practices to support all learners. Additionally, there is an emphasis on collaboration through Professional Learning Communities, utilizing resources for school improvement, and addressing literacy and math achievement gaps. “We’re encouraged by the gains we’ve seen in select areas, and remain committed to increased progress," said Dr. Nicole Miller, Chief Academic Officer. “We will continue to build on these successes while focusing on continuous improvement and providing high-quality learning opportunities for all students.
For full details on the results, please visit https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/.
𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Northern Middle School in the cafeteria. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed for public review via https://youtube.com/live/c-6h2zvv_8M?feature=share.
Public comment for the September Board Meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m., after which time the Board will go into executive session until 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel topics and a legal matter. The Board of Education will reconvene for public session from 6:00 p.m. to 7:25 p.m. in the cafeteria. Time is set aside during the public session for the hearing of constituents at approximately 7:00 p.m. Please note, this time is approximate, and public comment may be adjusted based on the timing of the presentations.
Topics excluded from Public Comment include:
• Individual personnel issues.
• Comments identifying individual students or staff members.
• Matters that are on appeal or may be appealed or have been appealed.
• Topics for which the Board schedules formal public hearings.
• Advertising or solicitation for products and/or services.
The agenda for the Public Session can be accessed at BoardDocs - https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/Public. The agenda is not considered final until the Board takes action to accept it at the start of each meeting.
Part or all of the meeting may be closed pursuant to the General Provision §3-305 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Northern Middle School in the cafeteria. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed for public review via https://youtube.com/live/c-6h2zvv_8M?feature=share.
Public comment for the September Board Meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m., after which time the Board will go into executive session until 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel topics and a legal matter. The Board of Education will reconvene for public session from 6:00 p.m. to 7:25 p.m. in the cafeteria. Time is set aside during the public session for the hearing of constituents at approximately 7:00 p.m. Please note, this time is approximate, and public comment may be adjusted based on the timing of the presentations.
Topics excluded from Public Comment include:
• Individual personnel issues.
• Comments identifying individual students or staff members.
• Matters that are on appeal or may be appealed or have been appealed.
• Topics for which the Board schedules formal public hearings.
• Advertising or solicitation for products and/or services.
The agenda for the Public Session can be accessed at BoardDocs - https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/Public. The agenda is not considered final until the Board takes action to accept it at the start of each meeting.
Part or all of the meeting may be closed pursuant to the General Provision §3-305 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
𝐅𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐮
The GCPS Food & Nutrition Services Dept. is excited to add several new LOCAL items to the menu this year. The first item is a whole-grain-rich pepperoni roll, which will be served on Wednesday, September 10th, made by Chico Bakery in Morgantown, WV. The second item is a Chesapeake Blue Catfish cake, which will be served on Friday, September 12th, made from Chesapeake Bay Blue Catfish at Tilghman Seafood in Tilghman Island, Maryland.
The GCPS Food & Nutrition Services Dept. is excited to add several new LOCAL items to the menu this year. The first item is a whole-grain-rich pepperoni roll, which will be served on Wednesday, September 10th, made by Chico Bakery in Morgantown, WV. The second item is a Chesapeake Blue Catfish cake, which will be served on Friday, September 12th, made from Chesapeake Bay Blue Catfish at Tilghman Seafood in Tilghman Island, Maryland.
UPDATE: The HOLD status was lifted.
𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥
GCPS EMERGENCY ALERT: A HOLD is in effect at Southern Garrett High School. This means all students and staff must remain in their classrooms or designated areas. Hallways are cleared. This is a precautionary measure. We will update you with further information shortly.
📚✨ 𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲! ✨📚
Literacy opens doors, empowers learners, and builds stronger communities. At GCPS, we are proud to inspire a love of reading and writing every day—helping students gain the skills they need for success in school and in life.
#InternationalLiteracyDay #GCPSMD #ReadToLead
Literacy opens doors, empowers learners, and builds stronger communities. At GCPS, we are proud to inspire a love of reading and writing every day—helping students gain the skills they need for success in school and in life.
#InternationalLiteracyDay #GCPSMD #ReadToLead
On this #GCPSMDWellnessWednesday, we focus on building good habits during the month of September.
𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐀 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
• Starting in preschool and kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
• Missing 10% or about 2 days each month over the course of a school year can make it harder to learn to read.
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just 1 or 2 days every few weeks.
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
• Absences and tardiness can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
• Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves.
Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day, is important. Eventually, good attendance will be a skill that will help your child succeed in high school and college.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐎:
• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Keep your child healthy and make sure your child has the required and recommended Immunizations.
• Introduce your children to their teachers and classmates before school starts.
• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
• Try to schedule appointments and extended trips when school isn't in session.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• If your child must stay home due to illness or quarantine, ask the teacher for resources and ideas to continue learning at home.
Visit Attendance Works for more information on building good attendance habits http://www.attendanceworks.org/.
𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐀 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
• Starting in preschool and kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
• Missing 10% or about 2 days each month over the course of a school year can make it harder to learn to read.
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just 1 or 2 days every few weeks.
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
• Absences and tardiness can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
• Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves.
Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day, is important. Eventually, good attendance will be a skill that will help your child succeed in high school and college.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐎:
• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Keep your child healthy and make sure your child has the required and recommended Immunizations.
• Introduce your children to their teachers and classmates before school starts.
• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
• Try to schedule appointments and extended trips when school isn't in session.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• If your child must stay home due to illness or quarantine, ask the teacher for resources and ideas to continue learning at home.
Visit Attendance Works for more information on building good attendance habits http://www.attendanceworks.org/.
𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Northern Middle School in the cafeteria. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed for public review.
Public comment for the September Board Meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m., after which time the Board will go into executive session until 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel topics and a legal matter. The Board of Education will reconvene for public session from 6:00 p.m. to 7:25 p.m. in the cafeteria. Time is set aside during the public session for the hearing of constituents at approximately 7:00 p.m. Please note, this time is approximate, and public comment may be adjusted based on the timing of the presentations.
Topics excluded from Public Comment include:
• Individual personnel issues.
• Comments identifying individual students or staff members.
• Matters that are on appeal or may be appealed or have been appealed.
• Topics for which the Board schedules formal public hearings.
• Advertising or solicitation for products and/or services.
The agenda for the Public Session can be accessed at BoardDocs - https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/Public. The agenda is not considered final until the Board takes action to accept it at the start of each meeting.
Part or all of the meeting may be closed pursuant to the General Provision §3-305 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Northern Middle School in the cafeteria. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed for public review.
Public comment for the September Board Meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m., after which time the Board will go into executive session until 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel topics and a legal matter. The Board of Education will reconvene for public session from 6:00 p.m. to 7:25 p.m. in the cafeteria. Time is set aside during the public session for the hearing of constituents at approximately 7:00 p.m. Please note, this time is approximate, and public comment may be adjusted based on the timing of the presentations.
Topics excluded from Public Comment include:
• Individual personnel issues.
• Comments identifying individual students or staff members.
• Matters that are on appeal or may be appealed or have been appealed.
• Topics for which the Board schedules formal public hearings.
• Advertising or solicitation for products and/or services.
The agenda for the Public Session can be accessed at BoardDocs - https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/Public. The agenda is not considered final until the Board takes action to accept it at the start of each meeting.
Part or all of the meeting may be closed pursuant to the General Provision §3-305 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
📚✨ 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤, 𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒! ✨📚
We are excited to kick off the 2025–26 school year! 🎉 Whether you’re starting a new adventure at a different school, meeting new friends, or diving into new learning opportunities, this year is full of possibilities.
𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐮: https://www.gcps.net/page/food-and-nutrition
𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬: https://www.gcps.net/o/gcps/page/transportation
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨: https://www.gcps.net/
#GCPSMD #BackToSchool #WelcomeBack #GCPSMDPride
We are excited to kick off the 2025–26 school year! 🎉 Whether you’re starting a new adventure at a different school, meeting new friends, or diving into new learning opportunities, this year is full of possibilities.
𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐮: https://www.gcps.net/page/food-and-nutrition
𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬: https://www.gcps.net/o/gcps/page/transportation
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨: https://www.gcps.net/
#GCPSMD #BackToSchool #WelcomeBack #GCPSMDPride
𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬’ 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
The start of the new school year is upon us. Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will begin classes on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, for the 2025-26 school year. This day will be a three-hour (3-hour) early dismissal for students. Also, all GCPS schools and locations will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025, in honor of Labor Day.
Additionally, the GCPS Transportation Department would like to remind all students, parents, and community members that our buses will be running starting Tuesday. Maryland law requires that all drivers stop for school buses when the red lights are flashing. Please use the utmost caution as students enter and exit the bus or are waiting for the bus to arrive. Drivers may not be able to see every child after they exit the bus, so please proceed slowly until you are clear of the bus and pedestrians.
If you are a parent who is unsure of the bus information for your child:
Please visit our website, https://www.gcps.net/o/gcps/page/transportation. Once on the transportation page, click on the Infofinder i. This will direct you to the app, where you can check your address to access student-specific information. You can also log in to the PowerSchool parent portal to obtain this information. Anyone who experiences any issues or needs further assistance may contact the Transportation Department by calling 301.334.8907 or emailing transportation@gcps.net.
The start of the new school year is upon us. Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will begin classes on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, for the 2025-26 school year. This day will be a three-hour (3-hour) early dismissal for students. Also, all GCPS schools and locations will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025, in honor of Labor Day.
Additionally, the GCPS Transportation Department would like to remind all students, parents, and community members that our buses will be running starting Tuesday. Maryland law requires that all drivers stop for school buses when the red lights are flashing. Please use the utmost caution as students enter and exit the bus or are waiting for the bus to arrive. Drivers may not be able to see every child after they exit the bus, so please proceed slowly until you are clear of the bus and pedestrians.
If you are a parent who is unsure of the bus information for your child:
Please visit our website, https://www.gcps.net/o/gcps/page/transportation. Once on the transportation page, click on the Infofinder i. This will direct you to the app, where you can check your address to access student-specific information. You can also log in to the PowerSchool parent portal to obtain this information. Anyone who experiences any issues or needs further assistance may contact the Transportation Department by calling 301.334.8907 or emailing transportation@gcps.net.
📢 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠! 📢
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is currently seeking three Speech/Language Facilitators to join our team!
✅ These are contractual positions
✅ Part-time applicants are welcome – if you’re interested but only available part-time, we encourage you to apply!
✅ Positions are available throughout the county.
Help make a difference in the lives of students by supporting their communication and learning needs.
👉 Apply today and learn more: https://www.applitrack.com/garrettcountyschools/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1
Please contact Ms. Angela Flanigan at angela.flanigan@gcps.net or 301-334-8904 with any questions.
#GCPSMD #GCPSMDcareers #NowHiring #SpeechLanguageFacilitator
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is currently seeking three Speech/Language Facilitators to join our team!
✅ These are contractual positions
✅ Part-time applicants are welcome – if you’re interested but only available part-time, we encourage you to apply!
✅ Positions are available throughout the county.
Help make a difference in the lives of students by supporting their communication and learning needs.
👉 Apply today and learn more: https://www.applitrack.com/garrettcountyschools/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1
Please contact Ms. Angela Flanigan at angela.flanigan@gcps.net or 301-334-8904 with any questions.
#GCPSMD #GCPSMDcareers #NowHiring #SpeechLanguageFacilitator
🎉👏 Garrett County Public Schools proudly recognizes eight Central Office employees who have reached milestone years of service with our school system:
- Dr. Chelsie Manges, Director of Special Education, 10 years
- Mrs. Tonya Sanders-Manges, Early Childhood/Elementary Education Administrative Assistant, 5 years
- Ms. Angela Flanigan, HR Manager, 10 years; Mrs. Rebecca Sleeman, HR Generalist, 5 years
- Mr. Larry Carr, Manager of Operations, 20 years; Mr. Tim DeWitt, Maintenance Manager, 15 years; and Mrs. Mindy Durst, Operations Administrative Assistant, 5 years.
- Mr. Steve Shaffer, IT Specialist, 5 years
Not pictured: Gary Bittinger, Maintenance, 5 years
Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to students, families, and staff across the county are truly appreciated. Thank you for the positive impact you continue to make in education and in our community. 🌟
Please join us in celebrating their achievements and years of service to GCPS!
#GCPSMD #GCPSMDEmpowers #TeamGCPSMD #YearsOfService #ThankYou
🍎✨ 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤, 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬! ✨🍎
GCPS is excited to welcome back our incredible educators for the 2025–26 school year! We are looking forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and success for our students and staff.💡📚
#GCPSMD #GCPSMDPride #BackToSchool #ThankATeacher #2025-26SchoolYear
GCPS is excited to welcome back our incredible educators for the 2025–26 school year! We are looking forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and success for our students and staff.💡📚
#GCPSMD #GCPSMDPride #BackToSchool #ThankATeacher #2025-26SchoolYear
𝐆𝐚𝐂𝐨 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝
Garrett County Public High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition Team 1629, GaCo, will be holding its second “biennial” telethon on Saturday, August 30, 2025. It will be broadcast as a live YouTube event.
The telethon will start at 7:00 am and continue until 11:29 pm for a total of 16 hours and 29 minutes in recognition of the team’s official number, 1629. During the telethon, GaCo will be reminiscing and celebrating its 21-year history as well as kicking off its Fall Fundraising Campaign. The team’s fundraising goal is $16,290, which will be used to help meet the team’s expenses for its 22nd year.
The team is excited to announce that Gary and Luanne Ruddell of Total Biz Fulfillment have offered to match the first $5,000 that is donated as part of their 2025 telethon. According to a team spokesperson, “We are so grateful to the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce for hosting our telethon and to the Ruddells for their very gracious offer. Their match will certainly get our fundraiser off to a great start and is so encouraging!”
During the telethon, GaCo will be talking with current and past members of the team and those who support GaCo, including representatives from Garrett County Public Schools. According to GaCo, “we want to highlight not only what we do, but many of the other wonderful nonprofits, businesses, and organizations that make Garrett County such a special place.”
A link to the telethon will be posted on the day of the event on the team’s website at stemreadykids.org and on the team’s social media. @gaco1629. Those interested in knowing more about the event can reach out to gaco@gcps.net.
𝐅𝐍𝐒 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬 – 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) Department would like to remind families that next week will be the final week for meal handouts. To ensure students have meals beyond the program’s end date, FNS will be providing 10 days of meals instead of the normal 7 days during the final distribution.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬:
If you have not yet registered for the Summer Food Service program, you must bring your children with you to receive meals.
GCPS thanks all participating families for their support of the meal distribution program and encourages everyone to plan ahead for the last pick-up.
For more information, please contact Mr. Scott Germain, Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services, via phone at 301.334.8917 or 888.262.2792, or via email at scott.germain@gcps.net.
The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) Department would like to remind families that next week will be the final week for meal handouts. To ensure students have meals beyond the program’s end date, FNS will be providing 10 days of meals instead of the normal 7 days during the final distribution.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬:
If you have not yet registered for the Summer Food Service program, you must bring your children with you to receive meals.
GCPS thanks all participating families for their support of the meal distribution program and encourages everyone to plan ahead for the last pick-up.
For more information, please contact Mr. Scott Germain, Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services, via phone at 301.334.8917 or 888.262.2792, or via email at scott.germain@gcps.net.
