This week, GCPS proudly celebrates the strength that comes from honoring every student’s unique abilities, experiences, and perspectives. Inclusive Schools Week is a reminder of our shared commitment to creating welcoming, supportive learning environments where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
Thank you to our students, families, educators, and staff for working together to build classrooms that embrace diversity and foster belonging every day.
Together, we are a stronger, more inclusive community. 🌟
GCPS is looking for a reliable, hardworking full-time custodian to help keep our school clean, safe, and welcoming. This 12-month position offers competitive pay ($43,681–$50,006), great benefits, and immediate availability.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: general cleaning, basic maintenance, setting up for events, and supporting daily school operations.
𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: HS diploma/GED, ability to follow instructions, strong work ethic, and ability to lift 50–75 lbs.
𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: December 7, 2025
𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? Contact HR at 301-334-8904
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: https://www.applitrack.com/garrettcountyschools/onlineapp/
GCPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
UPDATE 12/9/25 10:30 am:
The Garrett County Board of Education will now meet at 4:00 p.m., December 9, 2025, at Dennett Road Educational Complex, due to an illness. The meeting was originally slated to begin at 3:00 p.m., but it will be delayed by an hour. The meeting will be held in the Community Room and is open to the public, and will be live-streamed for public review.
𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Dennett Road Educational Complex in the Community Room. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed for public review.
Public comment for the December Board Meeting will begin at 3:00 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 the public session from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room. Time is set aside during the public session for the hearing of constituents at approximately 6:45 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.
On this Giving Tuesday, we recognize and celebrate the generosity that strengthens our community. Whether you give your time, resources, or a simple act of kindness, every contribution makes a difference. If you’re looking for a way to support local students, donations can be made to the Garrett County Public Schools Foundation.
More information about the GCPS Foundation may be obtained by visiting https://www.gcps.net/page/gcps-foundation.
Thank you for helping our students thrive!
Please take note of the following calendar reminders from Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS). GCPS will dismiss students three (3) hours early on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Additionally, all schools and offices will be closed from Thursday, November 27th, through Monday, December 1st, for Thanksgiving Break. Operations are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Full calendar details are available at https://www.gcps.net/page/gcps-calendars.
Today, GCPS celebrates our amazing Substitute Educators—dedicated professionals who step in with flexibility, patience, and care to keep learning moving forward. Thank you for your commitment to our schools and for helping ensure that teaching and learning never miss a beat! 📚
If you're interested in becoming a substitute educator, please be on the lookout for our next sub training, which will take place in January 2026.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐅𝐘𝟐𝟕 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲
The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) FY27 Operating Budget development is underway. Mrs. Ashley Glotfelty, Director of Finance, presented preliminary revenues during the November Board Meeting. The slideshow and other budget development materials are available on our website.
GCPS is committed to transparency throughout the process. As we work to prioritize student success, classroom resources, and the needs of our schools, we encourage families, staff, and community members to stay engaged. Updates, timelines, and documents on the FY27 Budget have been shared on our website at www.gcps.net/page/fy2027-budget-development.
GCPS proudly celebrates the dedicated professionals who keep our schools running smoothly and our students supported every single day. From paraprofessionals, secretaries, and custodians to bus drivers, food service staff, tech teams, and so many others—you are the backbone of our school community.
Thank you for your hard work, your care, and the countless ways you help students succeed. We appreciate you today and every day!
#ESPDay #GCPSMD #GCPSMDProud #ThankYouESP
𝐇𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
The Hickory Environmental Education Center's annual holiday open house will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The public is invited to tour the Nature Hall and view a short program in the planetarium. Light refreshments will be provided. This special event is the only occasion when the facility is open to the general public. Hickory is located at 604 Pride Parkway, Accident, MD 21520. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Hickory Environmental Education Center at 301-746-8461.
This week, GCPS proudly celebrates our incredible educators, support staff, students, and families who make learning possible every day. Every role matters in helping our students grow, achieve, and thrive.
Join us in thanking the dedicated individuals who keep GCPS moving forward and make our schools vibrant, welcoming places to learn.
#AmericanEducationWeek #GCPSMD #ThankATeacher #PublicSchoolsStrong
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) was honored to welcome Dr. Joshua Michael, President of the Maryland State Board of Education, for a visit earlier this week. Dr. Michael spent time at both Crellin Elementary School and Southern Garrett High School, engaging with students and staff and learning more about GCPS’s instructional programs.
At Crellin Elementary, Dr. Michael toured the school, visited classrooms, and spoke with teachers and students in the Environmental Education Laboratory. At Southern Garrett High School, Dr. Michael observed a variety of instructional settings, including a Computer Science class, an eighth-grade math class, and an Algebra II class.
GCPS appreciates Dr. Michael’s time and interest in the district and looks forward to continued collaboration with the Maryland State Board of Education.
During the November 11, 2025, Board Meeting, Dr. Nicole Miller, Chief Academic Officer, and Mrs. Ashley Glotfelty, Director of Finance, presented an update on Weighted Student Funding and proposed FY26 waiver requests. The presentation outlined the district’s progress toward compliance with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and detailed two specific waiver requests.
Blueprint legislation requires school systems to allocate a minimum percentage of funds at the school level—either 75% or 100%, depending on the category—across areas such as compensatory education, multilingual learners, special education, pre-kindergarten, and concentration of poverty.
Following an analysis supported by the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) and APA Consulting, GCPS has established a strong compliance baseline and continues refining financial coding structures to ensure full alignment with reporting expectations.
The presentation is available for review at https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJUFHY3F2D30. GCPS invites parents, staff, and community members to share feedback on the proposed waiver requests from November 12–21, 2025, through the following online form, https://forms.gle/v2cukFeXy9MVfjr16, which is also embedded in the presentation.
In addition, two in-person opportunities for feedback will be available during Coffee with the Superintendent events:
• Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Dennett Road Educational Complex, Community Room at 8:15 a.m.
• Friday, November 21, 2025 – Northern Middle School, Community Room at 8:15 a.m.
For more information about the waiver process, please visit www.gcps.net.
𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 11, 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/jXhDnIrtsKM?feature=share.
Public comment for the September Board Meeting will begin at 3:00 p.m., after which time the Board will go into executive session until 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel topics, a negotiations topic, and a legal matter. The Board of Education will reconvene for the public session from 6:00 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. in the cafeteria. Time is set aside during the public session for the hearing of constituents at approximately 6:45 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.
Please join us for the Broad Ford Broadway Bobcats' theatrical debut! Winnie the Pooh, Kids, is a whimsical tale that takes place in the Hundred Acre Wood. Winnie the Pooh is, once again, in search of honey. Along the way, he meets his pals, Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit, and Owl, but soon discovers that Christopher Robin has been captured by the mysterious Backson! As they prepare for a rescue operation, the animals learn about teamwork, friendship, and, of course... sharing snacks!
All shows will be conducted at the Garrett College Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5 (plus processing fees) for all ages.
Click a showtime link below to purchase tickets.
Shows:
𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏, 𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 - https://performingartscenteratgarrettc.ticketspice.com/winnie-the-pooh-kids
𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟐, 𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 - https://performingartscenteratgarrettc.ticketspice.com/winnie-the-pooh-kids2
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 - https://performingartscenteratgarrettc.ticketspice.com/winnie-the-pooh-kids-112325
For additional information, please contact Mrs. Annalea Burgess, Director Broad Ford Broadway Bobcats Theater Program, via email at annalea.burgess@gcps.net.
Dr. Brenda McCartney, Superintendent of Schools, will hold two “Coffee with the Superintendent” opportunities for parents, guardians, and community members in November. The first Coffee with the Superintendent is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Dennett Road Educational Complex in the Community Room, and the second is scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2025, at Northern Middle School in the Community Room. Both meetings will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Coffee with the Superintendent is a way for parents, guardians, and community members to share ideas, ask questions, and discuss the future of the school district in a relaxed, informal setting. During the November sessions, the Superintendent will be available to listen, answer questions, and gather community feedback on the school system’s Weighted Student Funding Waivers, which will be discussed at the November Board of Education meeting.
These events are open to all parents, guardians, and community members interested in Garrett County Public Schools.
Thank you for your service. ❤️🤍💙
#VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #GCPSMDProud
Garrett County Public Schools proudly recognizes our dedicated school psychologists for the vital role they play in supporting the academic, social, emotional, and mental well-being of our students. 💙
Their expertise helps create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive.
This year's theme, "Finding Your Path," reflects the ways that school psychologists help students, families, and school communities set and achieve their goals.
Please join us in thanking our GCPS school psychologists for all they do to make a difference—every day, in every school! 👏💫
#SchoolPsychWeek #ThankYouSchoolPsychologists #GCPSMDProud
