UPDATE 4/2/26 1:15 PM:
๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฌ; ๐๐จ๐๐ค๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ
GCPS ALERT: The LOCKDOWN at Southern Garrett High School has been lifted. Out of an abundance of caution, A SECURE is now in effect at Southern Garrett High School. This means that while the school building is secured, operations continue as usual inside. Students are safe. We will keep families updated as we receive new information.
GCPS ALERT: The SECURE status at all other GCPS schools has been lifted. All operations have returned to normal. We appreciate your cooperation during this time.
ORIGINAL POST:
Lockdown in Effect at Southern Garrett High School;
Secure in Effect at All GCPS Schools
GCPS EMERGENCY ALERT: A LOCKDOWN is in effect at Southern Garrett High School. All classrooms and offices are locked. Students and staff are following safety procedures, and law enforcement is on site. Please avoid coming to the school. We will provide updates as soon as we can.
GCPS EMERGENCY ALERT: Out of an abundance of caution, a SECURE is in effect at all other GCPS schools. This means that while the school building is secured, operations continue as usual inside. Students are safe. We will keep families updated as we receive new information.
As we move into the final stretch of the school year, please take a moment to review these important April 2026 calendar reminders and schedule updates for Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS):
โข ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐ โ End of the third grading period
โข ๐๐จ๐จ๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐ โ All GCPS schools & offices are closed
โข ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐ โ All GCPS ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง as a make-up day
โข ๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ โ Report cards released for the third grading period
โข ๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ โ No school for ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ฅ๐ฒ (to allow for the transition to the new building)
โข ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ โ Staff Development 3-hour early student dismissal
For up-to-date information on the 2025-26 GCPS calendar, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will dismiss students three (3) hours early on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, for staff development in the afternoon. County-wide staff development will take place in various schools and at Garrett College. For up-to-date information on the GCPS calendar, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
Garrett County Public Schools' afternoon and evening activities are canceled for today, Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Garrett County Public Schools will conduct a Virtual Learning Day (with live instruction) today, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Schools will be closed for in-person learning.
๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฒ โ ๐/๐๐/๐๐
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is preparing for the possibility of a Virtual Learning Day on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. All necessary learning materials will be sent home with students today, Monday, March 16, 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 Tuesday, March 17, 2026, regarding whether a virtual learning day will be implemented.
๐๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐:
9:00 a.m. High School Band
9:30 a.m. Middle School Band
10:00 a.m. Elementary Band
11:00 a.m. Elementary Chorus
11:30 a.m. Middle School Chorus
12:00 p.m. High School Chorus
12:45 p.m. Accident Elementary Theatre
1:00 p.m. Southern High Junior Theatre
1:15 p.m. Yough Glades Elementary Theatre
1:30 p.m. Southern High Theatre
1:45 p.m. Northern Middle Theatre
2:00 p.m. Broad Ford Broadway Bobcat Theatre
2:15 p.m. Northern High Theatre
Of note, artwork will be taken down starting at 2:00 p.m., and not every student's art is represented in the arts fair.
๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐จ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐
During the March Board meeting, new curricula for Elementary English Language Arts (ELA) and Grades 6-8 Science were approved. This approval follows a public review period held from February 11 to March 4, 2026, which provided stakeholders with an opportunity to evaluate materials and submit feedback. The new instructional programs are set for district-wide implementation at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐
During the March 10, 2026, Board meeting, Mrs. Dawna Ashby was announced as the next Chief Academic Officer (CAO), effective July 1, 2026. This critical role will oversee curriculum, instruction, and academic strategy to drive student success across all Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS).
The selection follows a comprehensive search to fill the vacancy created by Dr. Nicole Miller, who will transition from her current role as CAO to serve as the next Superintendent of Schools on July 1, 2026. Currently, Mrs. Ashby serves as the GCPS Director of Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
As Chief Academic Officer, Mrs. Ashby will be responsible for:
โข Providing leadership and oversight of all district instructional programs to maximize student learning, growth, and academic outcomes.
โข Establishing a clear, systemwide instructional vision aligned with the GCPS Strategic Plan.
โข Leading the implementation of the Blueprint for Marylandโs Future, including progress monitoring and cross-departmental coordination.
โข Monitoring student achievement data and leading targeted improvement efforts across all schools.
"We are thrilled for Mrs. Ashby to serve as our next Chief Academic Officer," said incoming Superintendent Dr. Nicole Miller. โHer experience, leadership, and commitment to instructional excellence reflect our shared commitment to providing rigorous and meaningful learning experiences for every student in Garrett County.โ
Dr. Brenda McCartney, Superintendent of Schools, will hold two โCoffee with the Superintendentโ opportunities for parents, guardians, and community members in April. The first Coffee with the Superintendent is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Northern Middle School in the Community Room. The second opportunity is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Dennett Road Educational Complex 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 April sessions, both the current Superintendent, Dr. McCartney, and the incoming Superintendent, Dr. Nicole Miller, will be available to listen, answer questions, and gather community feedback on the school system and what the future holds.
These events are open to all parents, guardians, and community members interested in Garrett County Public Schools.
๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐/๐/๐๐
All Garrett County Public Schools' afternoon and evening activities are permitted to take place today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐/๐/๐๐
Garrett County Public Schools will now conduct a two-hour delay Virtual Learning Day (with live instruction) on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Schools will be closed for in-person learning. Virtual instruction will begin around 10:00 a.m.
Inclement Weather Status Update 3/3/26 7:50 a.m.: Garrett County Public Schools will now conduct a two-hour delay Virtual Learning Day (with live instruction) on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Schools will be closed for in-person learning.
๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐/๐/๐๐
Garrett County Public Schools will open three (3) hours late on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) student progress reports for the third grading period will be released on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Schools will release the progress reports according to their school-specific policy. Please refer to your student handbook or school office for any questions. Up-to-date grading periods are available on our website at https://www.gcps.net/page/gcps-calendars.
๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฒ โ ๐/๐/๐๐
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is preparing for the possibility of a Virtual Learning Day on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. All necessary learning materials will be sent home with students today, Monday, March 2, 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 Tuesday, March 3, 2026, regarding whether a virtual learning day will be implemented.
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐/๐/๐๐
GCPS will operate normally today, Monday, March 2, 2026, and will not use a virtual learning day.
๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฒ โ ๐/๐/๐๐
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is preparing for the possibility of a Virtual Learning Day on Monday, March 2, 2026. All necessary learning materials will be sent home with students today, Friday, February 27, 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, March 2, 2026, regarding whether a virtual learning day will be implemented.
๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐: ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ค๐-๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐ฒ
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will dismiss students three (3) hours early on Friday, February 27, 2026, for staff development in the afternoon. County-wide staff development will take place in various schools and at Garrett College. Please note: If inclement weather causes a delayed opening at Garrett County Public Schools, the scheduled staff development and early dismissal will be canceled. Students would follow the delayed schedule and be dismissed at the regular time.
Due to todayโs inclement weather day, Monday, June 8, 2026, will now be used as a make-up day, as pre-approved on the 2025-26 GCPS Calendar. 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.
๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐/๐๐/๐๐
All Garrett County Public Schools' afternoon and evening activities are permitted to take place today, Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐/๐๐/๐๐
Garrett County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. This is a traditional inclement weather day. No virtual learning will occur today. Code Orange is in place for employees. Central Office Facilities will open at 10:00 a.m.
