Superintendent’s Corner
Superintendent’s Update
Dear MCPS Families, Staff, and Students,
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a restful and rejuvenating Spring Break filled with time to recharge and enjoy family and friends As we return, we enter the final stretch of the school year the last quarter which brings both excitement and critical milestones for our students.
With the start of spring, we also welcome the return of spring sports. Our studentathletes have been working hard in practice, and I encourage everyone to come out and support our teams as they compete throughout the season Whether on the track, the field, or the diamond, our students continue to display dedication, teamwork, and school spirit, making us all proud.
For our seniors, this is a particularly momentous time of year Graduation is fast approaching, and our students are preparing for their next steps, whether college, careers, or other opportunities. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to celebrating their successes at our upcoming graduation ceremonies.
5/23 @ 6:30 p m - EMHS
5/24 @ 8:30 a m - CHS (Cassell Coliseum)
5/24 @ 11:45 a m - BHS (Cassell Coliseum)
5/24 @ 3 p.m. - AHS
As we enter the home stretch of the school year, I encourage all students to remain focused, finish strong, and continue striving for excellence Our teachers, staff, and administrators are here to support you, and we are committed to making this final quarter a success.
Additionally, I’d like to congratulate Mrs. Anna Drew for winning the Milken Educator Award Mrs Drew teaches science at Shawsville Middle School and she was recently honored as one of 42 recipients across the nation for this award We are proud of her accomplishments and are excited to see what her future holds.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and dedication to making Montgomery County Public Schools a place where students thrive Let’s make the rest of the school year one to remember!
Sincerely,
Bernard F Bragen, Jr , Ed D Superintendent
“The Oscars of Teaching”
Shawsville Middle School’s Anna Drew is one of 42 educators across the entire country to receive the Milken Educator Award this year. This award recognizes exception teachers for the work in the classroom and beyond. Along with the award, Mrs. Drew received a check for $25,000.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ukdq3LRzkA
Curriculum & Instruction Update
Helping Your Student Finish Strong in the Fourth Quarter
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, the fourth quarter can be an exciting but challenging time for students. Warmer weather and more opportunities for outdoor activities often compete for their attention, making it harder to stay focused on academics. This is also the time when end-of-year tests, projects, and performances can increase stress levels. As parents and caregivers, your support and guidance can make a big difference in helping your student finish the year strong.
Encourage Time Management and Balance
With longer days and more time outdoors, it’s important to help students balance schoolwork with extracurricular and social activities. Here are a few ways to support their time management:
Create a weekly schedule – Sit down together to map out school assignments, practice schedules, and free time. Building in time for fun helps students stay motivated.
Set priorities – Help your student identify the most important tasks each day. Breaking larger projects into smaller steps can make them more manageable. Limit distractions – Encourage a consistent homework routine in a quiet space, free from phones and other distractions.
Support Healthy Stress Management
The end of the year often brings increased pressure from end-of-course assessments and final projects. Teaching your student to handle stress in healthy ways can set them up for long-term success:
Curriculum & Instruction
Encourage movement and fresh air – Physical activity, even a short walk, can help clear the mind and improve focus. Practice relaxation techniques – Deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, and short breaks can help calm anxious feelings. Keep communication open – Let your student know it’s okay to talk about feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes just listening can make a big difference. Be prepared and avoid procrastination – Remind your student that by just doing the work, studying, and being prepared, stress will be reduced because of the high level of confidence that will be built.
Partner with Teachers for Support
Strong communication between home and school is key to helping students stay on track. Reach out to your child’s teachers if you have questions about assignments, deadlines, or areas where your student may need extra support. Many teachers provide online resources or regular communication updates—be sure to check those for important information. When parents and teachers work together, students are more likely to feel supported in their learning.
Focus on a Growth Mindset
Remind your student that learning is a process, and setbacks are a part of growth. Encourage them to:
Celebrate progress – Acknowledge both big and small accomplishments. Stay positive – Help them reframe mistakes as opportunities to learn. Keep going – Remind them that the effective effort they put in now will pay off in the long run.
By helping your student stay organized, manage stress, and maintain a positive outlook, you are giving them the tools they need to finish the year strong. Thank you for your ongoing support—we are excited to see our students’ hard work and dedication pay off as we wrap up the school year!
Barbara M. Wickham, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Welcome to the Zen Den
Students and staff at Eastern Montgomery Elementary School have a new place to destress when they’re feeling overwhelmed or need a minute to relax. The school counselors created this space with funds from grants, including one from the MCEF.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEjYjGngxNI
Second Chance Breakfast Success
To make sure everyone has access to breakfast, Christiansburg Middle School is offering a program called “Second Chance Breakfast.” This give students an opportunity grab food during class change. The program started by serving nine meals the first day, but now staff is serving nearly 100 meals every day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcspyRsYCtI
Equity Update
Women’s History Month originated as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women launched “Women’s History Week,” choosing the week of March 8 to align with International Women’s Day The idea quickly gained momentum, inspiring similar celebrations across the country
In 1980, a coalition of women’s organizations and historians, led by the National Women’s History Project (now the National Women's History Alliance), successfully advocated for national recognition That February, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week The observance continued annually under subsequent presidents until 1987, when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, officially designating March as Women’s History Month
Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed further resolutions encouraging the president to proclaim March as Women’s History Month each year Since 1995, every U S president has issued an annual proclamation honoring the occasion The National Women’s History Alliance continues to select and announce a theme for each year’s celebration The theme for Women’s History Month 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations ”
Ramadan
This year, March also marks the observance of Ramadan, a holy month observed by millions of Muslims around the world. Ramadan is a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It teaches values such as patience, gratitude, and compassion. During this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and focus on acts of kindness and giving back to their communities.
Eid al-Fitr, or the "festival of breaking the fast," marks the end of Ramadan and is a time of celebration and togetherness. It is expected to take place on the evening of Sunday, March 30, depending on the sighting of the moon. The holiday is observed with communal prayers, giftgiving, and wearing new clothes as families and friends come together to celebrate. Eid al-Fitr occurs during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan is also an opportunity to recognize inspiring women in the Muslim community who have made a difference Women like Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first Muslim-American woman to wear a hijab while competing in the Olympics, and Dr Hawa Abdi, a humanitarian doctor who provided care for thousands in Somalia, serve as powerful examples of resilience and strength
Equity Update
Those observing Ramadan can share their experiences with classmates, explaining the significance of fasting and the importance of giving back through charity and kindness. By learning about Ramadan, students can foster understanding and appreciation for different cultures and traditions.
As we honor both Women’s History Month and Ramadan, let’s take time to appreciate the contributions of women from all backgrounds and cultures. Their stories remind us that courage, determination, and kindness can change the world!
Resources
Women’s History Month
https://womenshistorymonth gov/ https://www womenshistory org/womens-history/womens-history-month https://kids nationalgeographic com/history/article/womens-history-month https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance org/
Ramadam
https://www aljazeera com/news/2025/3/4/a-simple-illustrated-guide-to-ramadan-answers-to-10common-questions
https://www abc net au/news/2025-02-26/when-is-ramadan-2025-muslim-holy-month/104954240
https://www usatoday com/story/news/nation/2025/02/28/ramadan-2025-islamicholiday/80115290007/
https://www hrf org uk/media-centre/blog/when-is-ramadan-2025/
MCPS Spelling Bee Champion
Congratulations to Setti, from Blacksburg Middle School, for winning the 2025 MCPS Spelling Bee. He is representing MCPS at the Regional Spelling Bee at Radford University. Setti’s winning word: Auburn.
Seniors of the Month
Congratulations to our Seniors of the Month. These students were recognized for their hard work at a recent school board meeting.
Auburn High School – Callie Gallimore
Blacksburg High School – Brandon Karas
Christiansburg High School - Evan Mefford
Eastern Montgomery High School – William Covey
