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.
𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has released the 2025 statewide cohort high school graduation rates, reporting a four-year cohort graduation rate of 86.4%. While the statewide rate remains strong, it reflects a slight decrease from 87.6% in 2024.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) continues to exceed the state average, reporting a 2025 four-year cohort graduation rate of 93.4%. This represents a small decline from GCPS’s 95% rate last year, but it remains well above the statewide figure and reflects the school system’s continued commitment to student success.
Statewide, MSDE reported gains in students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which saw an increase to 83%, compared to 81.6% the previous year. The largest statewide decline occurred among multilingual learners. The 2025 cohort included 72,702 students statewide, with 62,842 earning a high school diploma within four years.
MSDE also released the five-year cohort graduation rate, which measures the percentage of students who graduate within five years of entering ninth grade. Of the 67,376 students who began ninth grade in the 2020–2021 school year, 89.2% graduated by the 2024–2025 school year, an increase from 87.4% the prior year.
Maryland’s graduation rates are calculated by following a cohort of students from their freshman year through graduation, in accordance with federal reporting requirements. Since the 2020–2021 school year, the state’s four-year cohort graduation rates have ranged from 85.8% to 87.6%.
“This graduation rate reflects the determination of our students and the unwavering commitment of educators, families, and community partners who support their success," said Dr. Nicole Miller, Chief Academic Officer. “We are incredibly proud of our students for reaching this milestone and remain committed to providing the opportunities they need to succeed both in high school and beyond.”
Statewide and local graduation and dropout data, including four-year and five-year cohort rates, are available on the Maryland Report Card website, www.mdreportcard.org.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 – 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕-𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools' afternoon and evening activities are canceled for today, January 27, 2026.
𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐰𝐨 (𝟐) 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.
As a friendly reminder, Thursday, January 29, 2026, is Parent-Teacher Conference Day. Schools will be closed for students. Conferences will take place from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm.
𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold a special Executive Session on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. to discuss a personnel topic, Superintendent Search. The Board will meet in open session only for the purpose of voting to close its meeting to discuss matters that the Open Meetings Act permits it to discuss in closed session.
The meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom and is not open to the public except for the open session to vote to close the meeting.
Thereafter, 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.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will conduct a Virtual Learning Day (with live instruction) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Schools will be closed for in-person learning.
A decision about Tuesday’s afternoon and evening activities will be made by midday on January 27, 2026.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) would like to share the following calendar reminders for upcoming dates of interest:
• 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕 – End of the Second Grading Period
• 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟗 – Parent-Teacher Conferences, 11:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟗 – Elementary Report Cards Released
• 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟑 – Secondary Report Cards Released (date may float due to inclement weather days)
For the most up-to-date calendar information, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 - 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will conduct a Virtual Learning Day (with live instruction for the morning) on Monday, January 26, 2026. Since this day was scheduled as a 3-hour early student dismissal, students will only be involved in morning instruction. Teachers will complete their scheduled professional development for the afternoon. All afternoon and evening activities are canceled. Liberal leave is in effect for employees.
All Garrett County Public Schools’ activities for Saturday, January 24th, must conclude by 4:00 pm. All activities scheduled for Sunday, January 25th, are canceled. All GCPS facilities will close at 4 pm on Saturday and remain closed on Sunday.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) has used three traditional inclement weather days, as required by the State. Virtual Learning Days could not be used until this occurred. Since we met this criterion, GCPS is preparing for the possibility of a Virtual Learning Day on Monday, January 26, 2026. All necessary learning materials will be sent home with students today, Friday, January 23, 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 Monday, January 26, 2026, regarding whether a virtual learning day will be implemented.
As established on the Approved 2025-26 GCPS Calendar, a three-hour early dismissal is planned for Monday, January 26, 2026. This Professional Day provides an opportunity for teachers to bring closure to the first semester/2nd grading term. This day no longer floats as it did in prior years. If GCPS shifts to a virtual learning day on Monday, the three-hour early dismissal will occur, and students should follow the schedule provided by their school.
Due to the potential impact of this system, plans are in place to utilize additional Virtual Learning Days, if needed. Full details of the 2025-26 GCPS Virtual Learning Plan are available on the homepage of our website, www.gcps.net.
Southern Garrett High School Class Selected as Hickory's Finest for December 2025
Each month, staff at the Hickory Environmental Education Center proudly recognize Hickory’s Finest! 🌟
One outstanding class is selected for demonstrating positive behavior, excellent listening skills, and strong teamwork with classmates. Students receive a certificate to celebrate their achievement, and the teacher is awarded a Hickory shirt.
For December 2025, students from Mr. Camden Nichols' class at Southern Garrett High School were chosen by Hickory staff. Congratulations to these students for being selected as the December Hickory’s Finest! 👏🍃
Pictured:
Back row, left to right - Mr. Nichols, Lukas Maracini, Ty Getson, Andrew Coddington, Rebecca Sislo, Sadie Turner, Lindsey Miller, and Paislee Spink.
Front row, left to right - Daniel Savage, Jaxson Getson, Jayden Weaver, Lily Zimmerman, and Abi Teets.
Not pictured: Alicia Council
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟏/𝟐𝟐/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will open two (2) hours late today, Thursday, January 22, 2026.
There are more influences on good health and well-being than biology and genetics alone. A wide range of factors can influence an individual’s health, many of which they may not control. Known as the social determinants of health, these factors play a significant role in a person’s ability to access necessary care.
What Are Social Determinants of Health?
Social determinants of health are defined as the environmental conditions in which people are born, live, play, and work, that can ultimately affect their physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Often referred to as SDOH, these factors can be grouped into five categories:
- Economic Stability
- Educational Access and Quality
- Health Care Access and Quality
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Social and Community
Research has shown that social factors and other non-medical factors play a significant role in the disparities in healthcare seen today. For example, people who lack access to grocery stores with healthy foods are less likely to have adequate nutrition. That raises their risk of health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity — and even lowers life expectancy relative to people who do have access to healthy foods.
More information about SDOH can be found by visiting the World Health Organization website at https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟏/𝟐𝟎/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will open three (3) hours late on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
