𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Dennett Road Education Complex in the Community Room. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed for public review via https://youtube.com/live/YhAPAJv4I2A?feature=share.
Public comment for the February 10, 2026, Board Meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m., after which time the Board will go into executive session in the Maintenance Conference Room until 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and a negotiations topic. The Board of Education will reconvene for the public session from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 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.
𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: This show is full. Please look out for future opportunities.
𝐇𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰
A light show set to the music of Pink Floyd will be held on Friday, February 27, at 6:00 p.m. in the planetarium at Hickory Environmental Education Center. This show is for adults and by reservation only. Reserve your seats by emailing the planetarium director at jason.shank@gcps.net.
There is no charge, but donations are greatly appreciated. There are only 50 seats available for this event. Hickory is part of Garrett County Public Schools. Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are prohibited.
𝐇𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐫𝐲'𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Each month, staff at the Hickory Environmental Education Center proudly recognize Hickory’s Finest! 🌟 Friendsville Elementary students in Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Chapman's 4th- and 5th-grade classes were selected for January 2026. Congratulations to these students for being selected as the January Hickory’s Finest! 👏🍃
Pictured are students from both classes.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is now accepting online applications for the Pre-Kindergarten 3-year-old (PK3), Pre-Kindergarten 4-year-old (PK4), and Kindergarten programs for the 2026–27 school year. Applying as soon as possible is strongly encouraged, as it will ensure timely communication regarding program placement and registration appointments.
𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝟑
To be eligible for the PK3 program, a child must be three (3) years old by September 1, 2026. Seats are available to families with incomes up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level and students with special educational needs, English as a second language, and/or children who are experiencing homelessness, regardless of income. Use the following link to view details about the program, eligibility requirements, and to apply for PK3. www.gcps.net/page/pre-kindergarten-3-year-olds
𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝟒
To be eligible for the PK4 program, a child must be four (4) years old by September 1, 2026. PK4 is a universal program, meaning all students who meet the age requirement are eligible. Priority is given to families with incomes up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level and students with special educational needs, or English as a second language, and/or children who are experiencing homelessness, regardless of income. Use the following link to view details about and apply for the PK4 program. www.gcps.net/page/pre-kindergarten-4-year-olds
For both PK3 and PK4, online applications are date and time-stamped to prioritize placement. Students are placed at the elementary school in their home district first; however, based on enrollment and class size requirements, some students may be assigned to a neighboring school. Placement notifications for students requiring an alternate location will be sent in early August.
𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧
Children who will be five (5) years old by September 1, 2026, are required to register for kindergarten. Those who do not meet the age requirement are not eligible for kindergarten registration. Exemptions from the required 5-year-old attendance must be requested by contacting the Early Childhood/Elementary Education Department at 301-334-8927. Use the following link to view details and apply for the Kindergarten program: www.gcps.net/kindergarten.
𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Registration for all programs will take place at each elementary school in April 2026, and applicants will receive additional information regarding their application status and registration appointments in advance of their registration.
𝐎𝐮𝐭-𝐨𝐟-𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬
Applications submitted by June 15th will be acted upon by July 1st, when possible. At times, the class size may not be known, and approval cannot be given until a date nearer the start of the school year. To learn more about Out of Area Requests, open and closed transfer schools, and obtain the request form, please visit www.gcps.net/page/out-of-area-transfer-requests.
𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Parents needing assistance completing the online application should contact the elementary school in their home district and ask for the Registration Liaison. For questions about residency boundaries, please contact the Transportation Department at 301-334-8907.
For any questions about the enrollment process, please contact the Office of Early Childhood/Elementary Education at 301-334-8927, Mrs. Dawna Ashby, Director, or Mrs. Dawna Rodeheaver, Administrative Assistant.
Garrett County Public Schools will open two (2) hours late on Monday, February 9, 2026.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟐/𝟕/𝟐𝟔
All GCPS activities are canceled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, and all facilities are closed.
As we approach the opening of the Pre-K and Kindergarten application period for the 2026-27 school year, we continue our closer look at each program. Today, we are focusing on the Kindergarten program (K).
Kindergarten at Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is an exciting step in your child’s educational journey. Our program is designed to nurture curiosity, build confidence, and create a strong foundation for lifelong learning in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment.
At GCPS, we believe kindergarten is about more than learning letters and numbers—it’s about helping children grow socially, emotionally, and academically while developing a love for school.
Our kindergarten classrooms provide a balanced, developmentally appropriate approach to learning. Children are introduced to essential academic skills while exploring the world through play, creativity, and hands-on experiences.
Students will:
- Build early reading, writing, and math skills
- Develop problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities
- Explore science and social studies through discovery and discussion
- Strengthen fine motor skills through art, music, and movement
The GCPS Kindergarten program for 5-year-old children is a full-day program, designed to support school readiness and a successful transition to first grade and beyond. To be eligible for this 2026-27 program, a child must be five (5) years old by September 1, 2026.
Applications for the 2026-27 school year will begin on February 9, 2026. Learn more about the Kindergarten program at https://www.gcps.net/page/kindergarten-program.
𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄:
If your child is currently enrolled in a GCPS PK4 program, you will not need to reapply. Your child will automatically be moved up from PK4 to Kindergarten, but you will need to provide updated proof of residency if your child was enrolled in a PK4 program outside of your home-district school.
𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐/𝟕/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will dismiss two (2) hours early today, Friday, February 6, 2026. Central Office Facilities will close at 3:00 p.m. All afternoon and evening activities are canceled for today.
All activities scheduled before noon on Saturday, February 7, 2026, are canceled. Conditions will be reassessed on Saturday morning and a notice will be shared if additional cancellations are necessary.
During the January 27, 2026, Maryland State Board of Education meeting, Dr. Jeffrey Lawson, Superintendent of Cecil County Public Schools, shared how the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) measures more than correct answers. Students are asked to analyze, write, and demonstrate deep understanding. Parents are encouraged to watch the full 12-minute presentation to learn more about how MCAP reflects today’s classroom learning via https://youtu.be/JUMc7_lEg5M.
In partnership with the Maryland State Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented (GTAC), MSDE is inviting 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 & 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 (𝐆𝐓) 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 to share their feedback through an 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲. The survey focuses on experiences with GT programming, including scheduling, instruction, policy implementation, and family engagement.
🕒 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝟏𝟎–𝟐𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞
🗓️ 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲–𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡
There are no right or wrong answers—your honest perspectives are valued. Responses will be kept confidential and reported only in summary form. Survey results will inform statewide decision-making, including an official report to the State Superintendent.
All GT stakeholders are encouraged to participate. Thank you for helping strengthen Gifted & Talented programs across Maryland!
Parent Survey: https://msde.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5vhIkhzEOJ8BzfM
🎨✨ 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫!!🎶🖌️
Garrett County Public Schools invites you to celebrate the incredible talents of our student artists at the Student Arts Fair on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College!
Enjoy a day filled with visual art displays, theatre and dance showcases, and honor chorus and band performances from students across the county. This is a wonderful opportunity to support the arts and the amazing young people who bring them to life!
🎭 Free admission
🖼️ Open to the public
🎼 All ages are welcome
Mark your calendars now! Come be inspired by the future of the arts in Garrett County.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝑲𝟒!
As we approach the opening of the Pre-K and Kindergarten application period for the 2026-27 school year, we continue our closer look at each program. Today, we are focusing on the Pre-K 4-Year-Old program (PK4).
GCPS offers a full-day PK4 program for children designed to support school readiness and a successful transition to kindergarten. The program provides a safe, nurturing environment where children learn through play, exploration, and meaningful interactions with peers and adults.
Our PK4 program focuses on developing the social, emotional, academic, and physical skills children need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.
To be eligible for this 2026-27 program, a child must be four (4) years old by September 1, 2026. PK4 is a universal program, meaning that every applicant who meets the age requirement is offered a seat. Priority for these seats is given to families with incomes up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level and students with special educational needs, English as a second language, and/or children who are experiencing homelessness, regardless of income.
Applications for the Pre-Kindergarten Program for 4-year-olds for the 2026-27 school year will begin on Monday, February 9, 2026. Learn more about the PK4 program at https://www.gcps.net/page/pre-kindergarten-4-year-olds.
𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒊𝒈 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚𝒔!
As we approach the opening of the Pre-K and Kindergarten application period for the 2026-27 school year, we are taking a closer look at each program. Today, we are focusing on the Pre-K 3-Year-Old program (PK3).
PK3 offers a nurturing, play-based learning environment specifically designed for young learners beginning their educational journey. This program focuses on helping children develop essential social, emotional, and early learning skills that build a strong foundation for future success in school and in life.
To be eligible for the 2026-27 program, a child must be three (3) years old by September 1, 2026. Seats are available to families with incomes up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, and students with special educational needs, English as a second language, children who are experiencing homelessness, and/or a child in foster care, regardless of income. Full income guidelines are available on our website, referenced below. As an example, a family of four may make up to $8,250 monthly, or $99,000 annually.
Applications for the Pre-Kindergarten Program for 3-year-olds for the 2026-27 school year will begin on Monday, February 9, 2026. Learn more about the PK3 program at https://www.gcps.net/page/pre-kindergarten-3-year-olds.
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Dennett Road Education Complex in the Community Room. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed for public review.
Public comment for the February 10, 2026, Board Meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m., after which time the Board will go into executive session in the Maintenance Conference Room until 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and a negotiations topic. The Board of Education will reconvene for the public session from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 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.
This week, we celebrate our incredible school counselors who support students’ academic success, social-emotional growth, and future goals every single day. Thank you for being trusted listeners, dedicated advocates, and champions for our students and families. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟐/𝟐/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will open two (2) hours late today, Monday, February 2, 2026.
📣 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐬! 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐊 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 📣
Applications for Kindergarten and Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) for the 2026–27 school year open on February 9, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.* Learn more about each program by visiting https://www.gcps.net/o/gcps/page/student-enrollment and selecting your desired program. 🌐
*𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝟐- 𝒐𝒓 𝟑-𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒚, 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝟏𝟎:𝟎𝟎 𝒂.𝒎. 𝒐𝒓 𝟏𝟏:𝟎𝟎 𝒂.𝒎., 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚.
Follow along over the next week, and we will take a closer look at each program. If you have questions about a program or desire school-specific questions, please reach out to your local school's office or the Office of Elementary Education at 301-334-8927. 📲
Your child’s learning journey starts here, in GCPS! 📖
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟏/𝟑𝟎/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will open two (2) hours late on Friday, January 30, 2026.
𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐲 – 𝟏/𝟑𝟎/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is preparing for the possibility of a Virtual Learning Day on Friday, January 30, 2026. All necessary learning materials will be sent home with students today, Wednesday, January 28, 2026. No decision has been made at this time. A message will be sent through our regular media outlets and school system alerts no later than 6:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, regarding whether a virtual learning day will be implemented.
In reviewing the extended forecast, students may be sent home prepared for the possibility of virtual learning daily.
Full details of the 2025-26 GCPS Virtual Learning Plan are available on the homepage of our website, www.gcps.net.
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓-𝟐𝟔 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐮𝐩 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐝
The Maryland State Board of Education approved the Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) request to use Monday, February 16th, Presidents’ Day, and Monday, April 6th, Easter Monday, as make-up days. Additionally, as pre-approved on the GCPS 2025-26 Calendar, Friday, June 5th, will be used as a make-up day.
Should any additional traditional inclement weather days occur, those make-up days will be added to the end of the school year. For up-to-date information on the GCPS calendar, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
