patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Back To School

Monday, September 3, 2012

Montgomery Mojo

Moco Mojo: Cute Kids, We Heart Labor Day, What's That on Your Popcorn? Ew

Everything you may have missed the last week of August in these 500 square miles, plus what is surely the world's largest back-to-school photo gallery.

  Thank goodness it's a holiday after that grueling first week of school. Can't remember back to last week? Take a look at the world's cutest kids in our giant back-to-school photo gallery, and a few terrified ones as well. Can you spot the picture of the Patch editor from the first day of school, 1983? One of the hottest events in county for today's celebration is the Labor Day Parade in Kensington. It has grown from a few Brownie troops and the slow-stepping town chess club to a full-blown county event in the last couple of decades, but it's still small enough that you can usually get a curbside seat -- that is, actually sitting on the curb. It's Americana-on-a-stick complete with baton twirlers and moon bounces. This year it coincides …

stmojo

11:07 am on Monday, September 3, 2012

i also am a fan of the k'town labor day parade.   more ›

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

PHOTOS: Rachel Carson Elementary Welcomes Students for New School Year

Parents and young children made their way to Rachel Carson Elementary School in the Kentlands for the start of the 2012-13 school year.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Back to School: MCPS Tweets First Day

Follow the first day of school in Montgomery County using the hashtag #MCPSfirstday.

By 9:30 a.m., all of Montgomery County Public Schools were back in session. See what people were saying about the start of the school year on Twitter using the hashtag #MCPSfirstday.

SHARE: Upload Your Back-to-School Photos

We know you've got those cameras ready. Share your first-day photos here.

For some, it will be the first time boarding the bus. For others, it will be a day to re-unite with friends and teachers. Whether they're newbies or not, Monday is the big day for thousands of children across the county as public and many private schools open their doors for the 2012-2013 school year. We know you've got those cameras ready, so share your photos of your child's first day back with Patch readers here. Have a great first day of school!

Montgomery Mojo

Moco Mojo: School Starts! Is Your Town 'Best'? Silver Spring Snake Attack

Do you have YOUR new lunch box? Everything you may have missed in these 500 square miles.

  It's the first day of classes Monday for Montgomery County schools. Even if you don't have kids in school, beware! Traffic will be a bear as school buses, parents and carpools hit the streets. And, if you're late and you think driving around that school bus is justified, think again. Starting today, a number of school buses will have cameras attached that can catch you in the act. The fine: $250. Unless a police officer witnesses it. Then, you can get a $1,000 ticket and three points on your driver's license. Patch editors will be scouring the county and may show up at your local school to document the first-day jitters and joys. Leave it to parents to sum up the gravity of the situation. A Greenbelt mom told her kindergartener when …

Thursday, August 23, 2012

School Bus Cameras Go Into Action

When school starts in Montgomery County on Monday, new cameras affixed to school buses will start taking photos of illegally passing cars.

Passing a stopped school bus isn't just a safety hazard. That kind behavior can kill a kid...and, starting Monday, Aug. 27, it can cost you a fine in Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Public Schools department has kitted out a number of its school buses with automated school bus safety cameras. "If you illegally pass a stopped school bus come Monday ... [Montgomery County] police will use the video evidence captured by the bus’s newly installed stop-arm camera to issue traffic citations," AAA Mid-Atlantic reported in a statement.  The fine: $250. Should a police officer witness a driver illegally passing a stopped school bus, a $1,000 ticket—and three driver's license points—may be issued to the driver. Montgomery County police …

Henry Malek

10:20 am on Sunday, September 2, 2012

I would like a camera put on my bus. I drive in Mt. Prospect, IL and vehicles of all kinds drive past my stop arm all day. Not enough police around to write up tickets. Busse Rd. and Algonquin.   more ›

Monday, August 20, 2012

Montgomery Mojo

O'Malley Meddles in Moco, Farewell Fried Oreos, Everything Else You Missed in These 500 Square Miles

It may be August but you'll still want to pay attention to all that's been happening in Montgomery County.

  With the Montgomery County Fair, Shark Week and tax-free shopping over, it can only mean one thing: It's the end of August in Montgomery County. But for those of us who are still in town, there's a lot to lord over our vacationing friends and coworkers. For example, did you know that Gov. Martin O'Malley got involved in a Montgomery County dispute last week? Or that police are looking for a serial hugger/groper in Bethesda? Also, school superintendent Dr. Joshua Starr is reportedly shaking things up in MCPS as we countdown to the start of school. But first, a proper farewell to the county's paean to all things homegrown, local, fried, churned and bovine. Check out Gaithersburg local editor Greg Cohen's Man-vs.-AgFair food challenge at …

Theresa Defino

2:01 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012

O`Malley expressing an opinion on Brickyard hardly constitutes "meddling."   more ›

Friday, August 17, 2012

MCPS To Host Back-To-School Fair Aug. 25

Montgomery County Public Schools will host its annual Back-to-School fair on Saturday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carver Educational Services Center.

Two days before Montgomery County Public Schools open their doors for the 2012-13 school year, the school district plans to host it's annual Back-to-School fair. Held Saturday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carver Educational Services Center, located at 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville, the fair features a little something for everyone, including information and resources for parents, to children’s activities and entertainment for all, according to MCPS. Free backpacks and school supplies will be available to MCPS students who need them, MCPS said. Gift certificates and prizes will be given out throughout the day and free refreshments will be provided. MCPS staff members will be available to answer questions and provide …

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

SPEAK OUT: What Are You Thinking About During School?

We're betting it's not always math, science and history...

We’ve all been there—school has just started after a summer of beaches and relaxation, you’re sitting in a classroom staring out at the still-sunny weather and you start daydreaming.  We all have those moments where our thoughts are not exactly on the subject at hand—whether it’s figuring out how you can put off doing your homework or thinking about how hungry you are. Everyone drifts off in one way or another in class sometimes, especially as students transition from summer days of sleeping in and lounging by the pool to early mornings in the classroom. The first day of school is rapidly approaching—Aug. 20 for Prince George’s students and Aug. 27 for Montgomery County’s—and chances are those first few days will prove the hardest to stay …

SARAH ISSA

10:57 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012

i wish you compliment of the season with great joy in my heart for coming in contact with you and i have a special reason of contacting you which i will make known to you when i get your respond o my email address (sarahissa130@yahoo.com) there i will tell you everything about me and the reason of contacting you . SARAH GOD BLESS YOU DEAR   more ›

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Ridgeview Middle School Goes Green With Summer Mailings

Students must download the mandatory summer homework or pick up at school office

Ridgeview Middle School sent messages to community families via email and robocalls, saying that Summer Packets and the PTSA Back-to-school packet are all available online for printing. The packets can also be picked up in the school's front office. Every summer, students are expected to complete both a Summer Reading Assignment and a Multi-Page Math Packet. The homework is graded at the beginning school year. In previous years, students would bring the packets home at the end of the school year. But this year, the school decided to try to go green.  Students and their parents are asked to print the packets themselves. Packets can be downloaded from Ridgeview's Website.

Got a Hot Tip?