FCPS 101 searches for future school ambassadors
Frederick County Public Schools is searching for participants for this year’s FCPS 101 cohort.
The program is open to any parent, guardian, or community member to learn more about the school division and its operations including instructional and administrative services.
The program began in 2017 with the goal of equipping graduates to serve as ambassadors for FCPS in the community.
If chosen, participants will meet monthly throughout the school year to learn about specific topics and engage in activities and tours to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities in Frederick County’s Public Schools.
Some of the topics that are scheduled to be covered include an overview of the school system and instruction, finance, transportation, planning, development, and school security.
Before the sessions begin, FCPS will host a feedback session with alumni of the program to help fine tune the program before the next cohort begins.
Superintendent George Hummer looks forward to his first full year involved with the program stating, “I am proud of the tradition that comes along with this fantastic program, and I am glad to be a part of it at the very beginning this time around.”
To submit your application before October 27th or for more information, click here.
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Dowell J. Howard’s auto body program earns national accreditation
Dowell J. Howard’s auto body program received full, national accreditation through the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation for their collision repair and refinish technician training program.
The school’s training program went under rigorous evaluation based on nationally accepted standards in categories such as instruction, facilities, and equipment to earn the distinction.
By meeting these standards of accreditation, schools help students with career preparedness, enable employers to hire confidently, guide students to fruitful career paths with the skills needed to succeed, and ensure safer roads for all.
President of the ASE Education Foundation Michael Coley said, “This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents. Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that Dowell J. Howard’s graduates will be
employable entry-level technicians.”
The accreditation will last through September 1, 2028.
Frederick County Public Schools offers this training program to all students as part of its career and technical training program.
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Real time transportation updates available for FCPS families
Frederick County Public School families can now receive real time updates on their students location and transportation when on the school bus using the Edulog Parent Bus Portal.
The app can be set to send notifications to your phone when the bus is nearing your stop or other locations like the school or neighborhood entrance.
The FCPS transportation department can also send messages to select individuals or select bus routes regarding important updates or delays.
To get started, first download the app titled “Edulog Parent Portal” and create an account.
Then parents can add their student using their name, ID, and date of birth.
A Spanish version of the app is available by changing the language under settings.
For full instructions to download the app, click here.
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Washington Capitals host ribbon cutting in Winchester, donate supplies to schools
The Washington Capitals and Frederick County Public Schools will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new outdoor ball hockey/inline hockey rink at James Wood Middle School on Saturday at 11 am.
As part of the debut of the rink, the Capitals announced they are donating hockey equipment and instructional materials to all 16 public elementary and middle schools in the county.
After the ceremony, the Capitals and mascot Slapshot will host a Free Ball Hockey Clinic as part of the Capitals Try Hockey for Free initiative and following the clinic, the Top of Virginia Hockey Alliance will host a free pickup game.
The Alliance has used the location as their home rink since it opened in fall of 2021, but the ceremony was delayed due to the pandemic.
To view the Capitals announcement, click here.
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FCPS appoints two new administrators
Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent George Hummer announced the appointment of two new administrators.
Ms. Kristine Hickey succeeds Dr. Jessica Nail as the new principal of Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School.
She has worked in education for 30 years, most recently as an assistant principal at James Wood Middle and Sherando High.
Dr. Robin Shrum will replace Kellie Solenberger as assistant principal at Middletown Elementary.
She previously held a variety of roles in Shenandoah County Public Schools, starting as a music teacher before advancing to assistant principal, principal, and last year served as the district’s special education administrator.
Superintendent George Hummer spoke on the decision stating, “We are thrilled to recognize Ms. Hickey and Dr. Shrum in their new roles. They both have a wealth of experience in education and a strong commitment to student success. I have no doubt they will continue the strong leadership foundation already established at Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School and Middletown Elementary School.”
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Local school districts make changes for new year
As many of our local students begin their return to school, this year a few districts have made some major changes.
Winchester Public School students began classes today which also marked the beginning of the expanded walk zones for some of their schools.
Motorists should be aware of these changes and travel cautiously near campuses.
Frederick County Public Schools will start the year differently with the addition of a transition day for students entering preschool, kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade.
Those groups will begin on Monday, while the rest of the students will start on Tuesday.
The transition day also allows bus drivers to become better acclimated to their new routes before the first day.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
FCPS will cut the ribbon at two schools recently renovated
Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) announced by email that they will cut ribbons at the reopening of James Wood High School and Indian Hollow Elementary School.
The two schools are reopening and cutting ribbons in celebration of the recent progression of renovations and completed construction.
Renovations at James Wood High School have been significant and will be celebrated on August 9 at 11 a.m.
Construction at James Wood will continue for approximately two more years.
Parents are going to find a new traffic pattern with an expanded student drop off area in the completed construction at James Wood.
Along with a new entrance to the school there are new administrative and guidance offices as well.
James Wood also houses 20 new or remodeled classrooms and 4 new science labs.
The renovations at Indian Hollow Elementary School are likely to be complete well ahead of schedule by several months.
The school now has an upgraded HVAC system, new windows and doors which will create a significant impact on Indian Hollow’s energy bills.
Indian Hollow Elementary School will hold its ribbon cutting on August 10 at 11 a.m.
James Wood High School is located at 161 Apple Pie Ridge Road Winchester.
Indian Hollow Elementary School is located at 1548 North Hayfield Road Winchester.
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Three local school districts awarded for innovation
Three local school districts were honored with the Everfi Empowered District seal.
Those districts include Frederick, Warren, and Shenandoah County Public Schools.
Everfi is a leading social impact education innovator that evaluates public school districts based on their exemplary commitment to comprehensive, digital-first education strategies on topics like financial literacy, social-emotional learning, sustainability, and health.
School districts are awarded the Everfi Empowered Seal on a variety of criteria based on high impact practices across diverse well-being topics that are translated into measurable technology metrics along with at least 10% of the student population utilizing Everfi’s resources.
Some of those criteria include the use of efficacy based programs, well trained staff, appropriate placement, sufficient reach, and outcomes evaluated.
Students within Empowered Seal school districts are eligible to participate in the essay-based scholarship competition which awards $6,000 in scholarships each fall and spring.
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Millbrook names new Coordinator of Student Activities
Millbrook High School named Jared Uhler as the new Coordinator of Student Activities beginning July 1st, 2023.
Uhler is a 2005 graduate of Millbrook and has been a teacher in Frederick County Public Schools since 2011, starting in special education before becoming a history teacher at his alma mater where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2021.
He has shown commitment to athletics since arriving at Millbrook.
Previously, he served as an assistant coach for varsity baseball and football.
He has held the role of Chairman for the Millbrook Athletic Hall of Fame since its inception.
Uhler succeeds T.J. Rohrbaugh who is heading to Sherando as a physical education teacher and the head football coach.
Millbrook Principal Joanne Altedorf spoke on the change stating, “I am appreciative of the year that T.J. gave to Millbrook and wish him all the best as he transitions back to Sherando next year. I am excited to bring Jared into a leadership role next year as his heart and soul bleeds Millbrook blue. I know that he will work to ensure that Millbrook continues to provide a positive experience for all students who walk these halls, just as it did for him.”
To view the school’s press release, click here.
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Shane Goodwin announced as FCPS Assistant Superintendent
Frederick County Public Schools announced the hiring of Shane A. Goodwin as the new Assistant Superintendent for Administration.
Goodwin brings with him more than 25 years of experience in public education.
He currently serves as the Director of Human Resources and Communication for Warren County Public Schools.
His start date for FCPS is effective on June 1st, 2023.
He recently held other roles in WCPS including Assistant Principal from 2018-2019 at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School before becoming Principal from 2019-2021.
FCPS Superintendent George Hummer spoke on the hire acknowledging Goodwin’s organization and work ethic as important factors and “more importantly… was his consistent demonstration of being student focused.”
Goodwin says he looks forward to “working where students come first, where people are cared for, and where success matters.”
Goodwin holds a Bachelors degree in psychology and masters of arts in teaching from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University.
He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Shenandoah University.
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