Washington County Public Schools

HAGERSTOWN, MD (April 5, 2016) – The Washington County Board of Education (BOE) today approved the first reading of changes to two policies and is now seeking public comments on the proposed changes. The BOE’s Policy Committee is inviting comments on Policy DIFA, entitled “Fraud Reporting and Follow-Up” and Policy KD, “Opportunity for Public Comment at Board Business Meetings, Town Meetings, and Public Hearings and the Procedures Governing Such Proceedings.”  The policies are posted at BoardDocs:

HAGERSTOWN, MD (April 5, 2016) – Every eligible school from Washington County Public Schools is recognized on the 2016 U.S. News & World Report list of the nation’s best high schools.

HAGERSTOWN, MD (March 31, 2016) – Local and state business leaders and elected officials have been invited to a kickoff reception for the Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) Apprenticeship Maryland program. The event will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2016 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Education Services, 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown. WCPS has been selected with Frederick County Public Schools as the two school systems in Maryland to pilot the program.

HAGERSTOWN, MD (March 18, 2016) – Three elementary school teachers and three high school teachers have been selected as finalists in the Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year program. The educator chosen to succeed Teacher of the Year Sally Irwin of Washington County Technical High School will be announced at the annual dinner and recognition at Fountain Head Country Club on April 20, 2016. The winner represents Washington County in the State Teacher of the Year program.

HAGERSTOWN, MD (March 10, 2016) – The 2016 National Carson Scholars program announces 13 students from Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) for honors. Three students are honored for the first time and the remaining ten students were recognized for maintaining their Carson Scholar status through excellent performance in the classroom and commitment to their communities. The national program annually recognizes students from grades four through 11 for outstanding academic achievement and humanitarian qualities.

HAGERSTOWN, MD (March 1, 2016) – All but one graduation ceremony for the Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) Class of 2016 will be held in the evening this spring. The exception is Marshall Street School/Washington County Job Development Program, where graduation will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 10 a.m. at Hagerstown Community College’s Kepler Theater. Here is the full WCPS graduation schedule, in chronological order:

Hagerstown, MD (February 18, 2016) - Parents are invited to Washington County Public Schools’ first Parent University on Tuesday, February 23 at 6 p.m. at South Hagerstown High School. The event will feature a presentation about the school system’s new digital learning plan. After an opening presentation, those attending will be able to visit rooms set up with elementary, middle and high school teachers who will be able to discuss the digital learning plan and answer questions from parents.

January 15, 2016 (Hagerstown, MD) - The Washington County Teachers Association (WCTA) and the Washington County Board of Education (WCBOE) negotiating teams met on January 14, 2016 to finalize ground rules for open negotiations.  Negotiations for Fiscal Year 2017 will be open to the public.  Attendees are welcome to observe but not participate. Sessions are scheduled on February 9 and 24 at 4 p.m. at the Center for Education Services on Downsville Pike.

HAGERSTOWN, MD (January 8, 2016) – Boonsboro High School won the State We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution competition on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at Hager Hall in Hagerstown. Teams of students from seven WCPS high schools participated in a simulated Congressional hearing.  The only participating teams were from Washington County: Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hancock, North Hagerstown, Smithsburg, South Hagerstown and Williamsport high schools As the state winner, Boonsboro advances to the national competition in April.

Construction work continues on schedule at Jonathan Hager Elementary School. Prior to the holidays, painting of the classrooms was completed and ceiling tile and lights had been installed in most classrooms. The elevator has been installed and work on floor and wall tile and mechanical systems continues. The school is scheduled to open for the 2016-2017 school year. Kathy Stiles has been chosen as principal at Jonathan Hager.