• CHAT Link
• Video Link
• Registration Link
• Presentation (PPT format) Link

Quick recap

The meeting began with informal discussions before transitioning into an orientation session for parent representatives from Montgomery County Public Schools, where participants were introduced to the NAACP Parents Council and its various initiatives. Dr. Thomas Taylor provided updates on the new school year, including transition programs, safety measures, and academic changes, while addressing concerns about infrastructure, staffing, and diversity challenges in the school system. The session concluded with discussions on communication improvements, MCAP scores, and resource distribution, emphasizing the importance of parent engagement and advocacy for educational improvements.

Next steps

• New parent representatives: Provide their preferred email and cell phone number to be added to the roster.
• Lynnsea Smith and Yolanda Mike: Set up a table at Northwest High School’s “meet the teams” event to distribute flyers and increase engagement.
• Parent Representatives: Use the provided presentation materials when conducting meetings in their school communities.
• Parent Council: Organize field trips to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for students this year.
• Kim Francisco: Build NAACP parent representation at College Gardens Elementary as the school hasn’t had a representative for several years.

Summary

MCPS Parent Representative Orientation

The meeting served as an onboarding and orientation session for new and returning parent representatives from various Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Byron, the chair of the Parents Council and Education Committee, led the meeting, introducing participants and emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful environment. Linda Plummer, the NAACP Montgomery County branch president, expressed gratitude for the attendees’ efforts and highlighted the challenges ahead, including the push for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in schools. Participants were encouraged to use the chat feature for questions due to time constraints, and the conversation ended with a reminder of the significant turnout, noting over 200 registered attendees.

NAACP Parents Council Overview

The meeting introduced the NAACP Parents Council, highlighting its role in supporting Black, Indigenous, and students of color to perform at their maximum potential. Byron explained the council’s activities, including monthly meetings, college fairs, scholarships, and legal advocacy, emphasizing recent successes in lawsuits against MCPS and other school districts. Dr. Thomas Taylor, the guest speaker, expressed excitement about participating in the meeting and his long-standing commitment to the NAACP. The session opened with the Superintendents Welcome Back musical video performance.

Montgomery County School Year Updates

Thomas discussed the start of the school year in Montgomery County, highlighting the implementation of a transition day for kindergartners, 6th graders, and 9th graders, which aimed to ease their adjustment to new environments. He emphasized the importance of safety, introducing new security measures and a standard response protocol for emergencies. Thomas also addressed changes in grading and reporting, the focus on consistency across the county, and efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. He mentioned operational challenges, such as background check issues and infrastructure problems, but assured that these were being addressed to ensure a safe and successful school year. Thomas thanked the new and returning school representatives for their roles in advocacy and problem-solving.

Enhancing Student Support Services

Dr. Taylor shared his experiences addressing racial incidents at Wootton High School and highlighted the importance of community partnerships in supporting students. Takita raised concerns about the lack of effective interventions for students with special needs, particularly those who fall behind in reading, and asked about potential improvements to tutoring and support services. Byron and Dr. Taylor discussed the need for increased funding for tutoring and other interventions, with Dr. Taylor emphasizing the importance of leveraging data for instructional value. The group also touched on Saturday school programs and the challenges of advocating for capital improvements in underrepresented areas like Damascus.

Montgomery Schools Infrastructure Crisis

Thomas discussed the critical state of infrastructure in Montgomery County Public Schools, highlighting significant neglect in HVAC and school construction projects. He emphasized that the county is falling behind on replacing failing HVAC systems and building new schools, with a backlog of 40 non-functional HVAC systems and only three ongoing construction projects instead of the needed dozen. Thomas stressed the need for advocacy with county officials to address these issues, particularly during the election year, and encouraged conversations to create context for decision-makers about the urgency of infrastructure needs. He also agreed to visit Greencastle Elementary School to address concerns about its deteriorating conditions.

MCPS Staffing and Diversity Challenges

The meeting focused on staffing and diversity challenges in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Thomas discussed the lack of diversity among teachers, noting that while MCPS has a majority non-white workforce, the teaching faculty remains predominantly white. He highlighted the importance of hiring leaders of color to improve diversity among teachers. The group also addressed concerns about classroom sizes, staffing ratios, and the lack of paraeducators in elementary schools. Thomas explained that staffing guidelines, rather than standards, are currently in place, limiting the ability to make immediate changes to staffing ratios. The conversation ended with a discussion on intern programs and the need to better promote opportunities for students and teachers.

Student Communication and Data Transparency

Thomas discussed the need to improve communication about opportunities for students and parents, emphasizing the importance of data transparency and accessibility. Byron raised concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on absenteeism and asked about plans to address this issue. Thomas assured that protocols are in place to support affected families and mentioned ongoing efforts to enhance data transparency, including the potential integration of MCAP scores into ParentVue. The group also touched on boundary studies and the need for clear communication regarding program changes and enrollment projections.

MCPS Parent Engagement Strategies

Angela Jones, along with advisors including Wanda Brown, Sharon Mosley-Ramsey, and Wylea Chase, annually compile a slideshow and fact sheet to help parents navigate the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) system. The materials will be shared on the website and distributed after the meeting, providing guidance on holding meetings, handling challenging situations, and accessing resources. Byron suggested involving experienced parent representatives to share tips for success in the role. Wylea and Rhia discussed strategies for effective communication with school communities, emphasizing the importance of accessing and utilizing disaggregated parent lists as per the MOU with MCPS. They highlighted the benefits of the NAACP Parent Council’s resources and initiatives, such as the African American Museum field trips, and encouraged participation from all parents.

Addressing Student Performance and Communication

The meeting focused on several key topics, including the upcoming field trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which Byron emphasized should be planned immediately due to uncertainty about its future. Byron shared concerning data on MCPS students’ literacy and math performance, particularly highlighting that Black/African American students are significantly behind state averages and showing minimal improvement over time. The group discussed communication infrastructure improvements, with Kea presenting survey results indicating a preference for WhatsApp as a communication platform, and clarified the process for opting out of directory information sharing through ParentVue.

MCAP Scores and Tutoring Resources

The meeting focused on MCAP (Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program) scores and related resources. Byron shared links to school-specific MCAP data and practice tests, emphasizing the importance of understanding these scores, especially for third graders who must pass to advance. The group discussed tutoring options, including existing programs through libraries and health initiatives, as well as the need for increased funding and advocacy for tutoring services. Byron encouraged attendees to meet with principals to request field trips to the museum and to utilize available resources like IXL tutorials. The conversation ended with plans to distribute presentation materials and links to relevant resources.

Byron Johns

NAACP-MC Parents’ Council