Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day. All schools and offices will be closed for the holiday. Regular operations and classes will resume on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
For up-to-date information on the 2025-26 GCPS calendar, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) Food & Nutrition Services Department is happy to announce we will be distributing seven days of free Breakfasts and Lunches beginning the week of June 8, 2026.
Families or a designated person will need to register to receive meals. Families can register using an online form (https://forms.gle/SiQmFArPgsWLTB8U6) or at one of the meal sites. A list of meal sites can be found on the GCPS website (https://www.gcps.net/page/summer-food-services-program). Families that have not pre-registered will be required to bring their child/children or a report card with them the first time to pick up meals.
We will supply seven days of breakfasts and lunches per week. These meals will include fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, and entrees.
There will be 28 sites to choose from on a Tuesday or Wednesday each week. Some sites will be in the afternoon, while others will be in the evening. This enables you to pick the one that best suits your schedule. Please remember that you can only pick up from one site per week.
Students attending summer school are asked not to pick up meals at one of the sites. Meals will be provided at each school, and weekend bags will be provided to those students attending. Other children in the family will need to pick up at one of the meal sites.
Families from outside of Garrett County are welcome, but will need to preregister or bring their children with them.
๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐: For families who struggle with transportation, GCPS is offering home delivery to a limited number of families. If you would like to apply for home delivery, please contact Scott Germain, Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services, at 301-334-8917.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will dismiss students three (3) hours early on Thursday, May 21, 2026, to allow for staff development in the afternoon. This is a school-based staff development, which will take place in schools and other locations throughout the county.
For up-to-date information on the 2025-26 GCPS calendar, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ฑ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐, ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The Garrett County Health Department (GCHD) has confirmed the sixth case of pertussis in the past six months. This is the third case reported in 2026.
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system. Public health officials are actively investigating this case and are working to identify and notify close contacts to help prevent further spread of the illness.
Guidance for parents, guardians, and caregivers is available in a shareable format at: https://garretthealth.org/pertussis-guidance/.
The GCHD is urging all residents, especially those in close contact with infants or young children, to review their vaccination status and be aware of the symptoms of pertussis.
About Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Pertussis is a serious and highly contagious infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is spread easily from person-to-person through droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
While typically milder in vaccinated adolescents and adults, pertussis can be life-threatening for infants and young children who are not yet fully immunized.
The incubation period for pertussisโthe time from exposure to the onset of symptomsโis typically 7 to 10 days, but can range from 4 to 21 days. Close contacts who develop any cold-like symptoms within this window should notify your healthcare provider immediately.
"Pertussis initially looks like a common cold, with a runny nose, mild fever, and a slight cough," explains Jessica Carey, MSN Ed., CRNP, Director of Personal Health at the GCHD. "After a week or two the cough progresses to uncontrolled coughing. The coughing can make breathing difficult, often resulting in the characteristic 'whoop' sound when trying to inhale, or causing vomiting and exhaustion."
The illness is known as the "100-day cough" because the cough is persistent, lasting for weeks or even months.
The Critical Role of Vaccination
The best way to protect against pertussis is through vaccination. The protection provided by the childhood vaccine (DTaP) fades over time, which is why booster shots are critical for older children and adults.
"It's important for everyone to stay up-to-date on their pertussis vaccine," Jessica Carey stresses. "For children, this means completing the DTaP series and getting the Tdap booster shot around age 11 or 12. For adults, Tdap is generally recommended every ten years.
"The Tdap vaccine is also recommended for pregnant individuals during the early part of the third trimester of each pregnancy,โ said Carey.
Action Steps for Garrett County Residents
โ Review Vaccination Records: Check your and your familyโs vaccination status. If you or your children (especially pre-teens and pregnant individuals) are not up-to-date on the Tdap vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or the Health Department.
โ Monitor for Symptoms: If you or a family member develops cold-like symptoms followed by severe, prolonged, or worsening coughing fits, seek medical attention immediately.
โ Prevent Spread: Anyone diagnosed with pertussis should stay home from school, work, or public places until they have completed at least 5 days of appropriate antibiotic treatment (or 3 weeks after the cough starts if untreated).
โ Practice Good Hygiene: Cover your coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
The Garrett County Health Departmentโs Personal Health Unit offers pertussis vaccination (Tdap) and testing.
Contact Information
For questions regarding pertussis, vaccinations, or potential exposure, please contact the Garrett County Health Departmentโs Personal Health Unit at:
Phone: 301-334-7770
Email: gchd.personalhealth@maryland.gov
Online: Visit GarrettHealth.org
๐๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฑ๐ญ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ซโ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ
During the May Board of Education Meeting, a modification was made to next school yearโs previously approved 2026-27 calendar due to recently issued requirements from the Maryland State Department of Education. As such, the GCPS Calendar Committee reconvened and presented the following recommendation to the Superintendent and Board:
โข March 30, 2027 โ Non-school day/possible make-up day
โข June 2, 2027 โ Full instructional day
โข June 3, 2027 โ Three-hour early dismissal for students
โข June 4, 2027 โ Studentsโ last day and a three-hour early dismissal for students
โข June 7, 2027 โ Teachersโ last day
โข Possible Make-up Days โ February 15, 2027; March 30, 2027; and March 29, 2027 (days will be used in this order, if possible)
These modifications were approved during the May 12, 2026, Board Meeting and are reflected in our 2026-27 Calendar at a Glance. To view this, or any other GCPS calendar, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
The Garrett County Health Department has reported a case of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, within the community. Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is sharing this information to help keep students, families, and staff informed and aware.
Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads from person to person through coughing and sneezing. According to health officials, symptoms can appear anywhere from 4 to 21 days after exposure. Early signs often resemble a common cold, including a runny nose and sneezing, and may progress to a severe, persistent cough that can last for weeks or longer. In some cases, individuals may experience intense coughing fits, difficulty breathing, a high-pitched โwhoopingโ sound, or vomiting.
The Garrett County Health Department emphasizes that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent pertussis. Families are encouraged to ensure that all household members are up to date on recommended immunizations, including DTaP and Tdap vaccines. Because immunity can decrease over time, even vaccinated individuals may still be at risk.
Health officials note that pertussis can be treated with antibiotics. Without treatment, individuals may remain contagious for several weeks and can spread the infection to others.
Families are urged to monitor for symptoms and contact a healthcare provider if pertussis is suspected. Anyone diagnosed with pertussis should notify their school or workplace and remain at home until cleared by the health department.
For more information, or if you have questions, please contact the Garrett County Health Department and ask for Jessica Carey, MSN Ed., CRNP, at (301) 334-7770.
Garrett County Public Schools will continue working in partnership with the Garrett County Health Department to support the health and well-being of the school community.
All Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will release student progress reports for the fourth grading period on Wednesday, May 6, 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.
On this Teacher Appreciation Day, Garrett County Public Schools thanks our dedicated teachers for their passion, commitment, and the lasting impact they make in every classroom. We celebrate the incredible educators who inspire, support, and shape the future of our students every single day.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is proud to share that Mrs. Jessica Fratz, Principal of Accident Elementary School, was recognized at the Maryland School Leadership Honors: Honoring Principals event, held this past Friday, May 1st, at the Maryland State House.
Hosted on behalf of Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, in partnership with The Wallace Foundation, the statewide event recognized exceptional school leaders in celebration of National Principal Appreciation Day.
Mrs. Fratz was nominated for her outstanding leadership and commitment to student success. Her experience as a principal has demonstrated a strong track record of improving student outcomes while fostering a positive, inclusive, and equitable school culture.
โGarrett County Public Schools is incredibly proud of the leadership demonstrated at Accident Elementary,โ said Mrs. Dawna Ashby, Director of Elementary Education. โThis recognition reflects a deep commitment to students, staff, and the broader school community.โ
The Maryland School Leadership Honors highlights the critical role principals play in shaping school environments where all students can thrive. GCPS celebrates this well-deserved recognition and the continued impact of strong school leadership across the district.
๐๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐!
The Maryland Sun Bucks program is back for Summer 2026! Sun Bucks puts groceries on the table when school is out. Eligible children receive $40 per month, from June through August, to help offset food costs.
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ๐ ๐๐ง ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ: families and children who were previously auto-enrolled (those receiving free or reduced-price meals) must now complete an application, as all GCPS students are currently receiving free meals.
Additional information is available by scanning the QR Code on the flyer or visiting https://dhs.maryland.gov/sunbucks/.
During the April 14, 2026, Board meeting, Mrs. Candy Maust was approved as the next Director of Elementary Education beginning with the 2026-27 school year. In this role, Mrs. Maust will provide leadership in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all early childhood and elementary programs, while promoting high-quality education for students.
Mrs. Maust is a lifelong resident of Garrett County and has spent her entire career with Garrett County Public Schools. She taught elementary school in the Crellin and Friendsville communities before becoming a principal at Kitzmiller Elementary School. She went on to serve as the principal of Route 40 Elementary before spending five years as a Supervisor of Instruction.
โMrs. Maustโs deep roots in Garrett County and her unwavering commitment to our students make her an outstanding choice for this role,โ said Dr. Nicole Miller, incoming GCPS Superintendent. โHer extensive experience as a teacher, principal, and instructional leader, combined with her passion for early literacy and student success, will be instrumental as we continue strengthening our early childhood and elementary programs. I am confident that under her leadership, we will build on our strong foundation with a focus on providing every child access to a high-quality, supportive learning experience.โ
Mrs. Maust will begin serving in her new role on July 1, 2026.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will dismiss students three (3) hours early on Monday, April 20, 2026, to allow for staff development in the afternoon. This is a school-based staff development, which will take place in schools and at Garrett College.
As a reminder, there is no school for Broad Ford students only on Monday, April 20th, as the transition to the new building continues.
For up-to-date information on the 2025-26 GCPS calendar, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
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.
