Brunswick Area School News

Class of 21 Yard Signs Available For Order

There’s no doubt it’s been a tough year, and the loss of a true senior year is being felt by the Class of 2021… Shout your excitement for their upcoming graduation with a yard sign!! Signs for our Seniors’ yard AND Signs for all the friends, family, and community members that support them available!!

Please help to support our Seniors of 2021!!! Profits benefit the Class of ’21 Safe & Sane

Preorders available NOW:

$15/sign via Venmo or PayPal – Indicate in the comment section of either:

Yard sign preference HONK or SUPPORTING, name, address, phone and email contact

*Venmo: @BHS-Safe-Sane

*PayPal: bhssafeandsane2021@gmail.com

(Select “paying a friend/family” to avoid fees)

Seniors’ Yard Sign (https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/Frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=14174)

Friends/Family/Community Yard Sign (https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/Frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=14175)


BHS Announcements 2-4-21

BHS announcements for February 4, 2021 are available at: https://youtu.be/kZkHNL2ZyJc


Board Approves Memorandum of Understanding With FCPS Unions

Agreement Addresses Unique Challenges Presented Due to COVID-19

The Board of Education of Frederick County approved a memorandum of understanding with three FCPS unions representing Frederick County Public Schools employees at its Wednesday, February 3, meeting.

The MOU was reached with the Frederick Association of School Support Employees (FASSE), Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA) and the Frederick County Administrative and Supervisory Association (FCASA).

The MOU represents a collaborative effort between the Board, FASSE, FCTA and FCASA leadership to address unique challenges presented in the current school year due to COVID-19 and addresses important health and safety protocols and expectations for the reopening of schools via a hybrid model of instruction.

“We are pleased to see this agreement was reached and that educators throughout Frederick County are focused on what is best for students,” Board of Education President Jay Mason said. “We know that the hybrid return will greatly benefit students and the community at large.”

The MOU is available online<https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/files/BXUS4H70A09C/$file/02.03.21%20FASSE-FCTA-FCASA%20MOU_backup1.pdf>.

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban indicated the time spent collaborating with chief negotiators and union leadership was productive and insightful.

“I believe each person in our group had a unique and important perspective to share,” she said. “Key to the success of finalizing the agreement was the willingness of all parties to listen to one another and recognize the challenges we are facing in this unprecedented time we are facing together. I also want to thank the Board for making this a priority and being quick to call specific meetings to discuss and finalize.”

“We are pleased to be able to come to an agreement on this MOU,” FCTA President Missy Dirks said. “It brings much needed clarity to educators on unique health and safety items necessary in a pandemic, such as quarantine protocols.”

The Board voted to entrust FCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban the authority to make decisions regarding the implementation of the hybrid model of instruction.

Students are scheduled to return to school buildings for the hybrid model beginning February 16. A final decision will be made next week after Dr. Alban consults with Frederick County Health Department Officer Dr. Barbara Brookmyer.


FCPS to Host 40th Annual Science and Engineering Fair

Registration Closes at the End of February

Registration is now open for the 40th Annual Frederick County Secondary Science and Engineering Fair. 

This is an International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) regional event, which will be virtual this year. Registration closes February 28 at 11:59 p.m. The event is open to all (middle and high) students who live or go to school in Frederick County. FCPS hosts two divisions, one for middle school and one for high school students.

Dr. Terry Alban, Superintendent said, “I’m thrilled that we are able to have the Science & Engineering Fair this year as our science and engineering students today may very well invent and discover solutions to world problems in the future.”

The fair will be held March 20; high school students will participate in virtual interviews from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All awards will be announced the following week. FCPS winners will advance to national and international competitions. All registered projects must be submitted by March 14. 

For more information on this year’s FCPS Secondary Science and Engineering Fair, please contact Secondary Science Curriculum Specialist Colleen Beall at (301) 644-5259, e-mail colleen.beall@fcps.org or visit the event website: https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/fcsef/home


Board of Education Retreat
Friday, February 5, 2021
9:00 AM, Administrative Function

Pursuant to the Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-104, the meeting will be closed to the public.

For information about the above-listed meeting(s), please see the Board of Education/Agendas and Minutes section at www.fcps.org or use this direct link:

https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/fcps/Board.nsf/Public

There you will also find minutes from previous meetings and other general information about the Board of Education of Frederick County.

Please feel free to email kathryn.fostik@fcps.org if you need help accessing this information.

Jim Castle

Posted by: Jim Castle

The community news source for the Brunswick, Maryland area