Rockville High School student wins Montgomery County BOE Student Service Award

A Rockville High School student was named the winner of the 2025 Montgomery County Board of Education Student Service Award last evening at The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda. German Diaz-Peña, a senior at RHS, was forced to cut short his student athletic career due to an injury. He maintained his involvement in sports by becoming Sports-Announcing Operations Manager for Rockville High School's Broadcast Journalism program. In this role, he organized and led coverage of all Rockville sports events, assigning reporters to games, juggling the schedules of the many sports, and providing commentary himself.

In addition to providing coaching for aspiring student announcers, Diaz-Peña also volunteered with Montgomery County Public Schools' MCPS-TV, and as a photographer at school and sporting events. He is currently vice-president of Rockville’s Student Government Association, and a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, earning the Seal of Biliteracy. Diaz-Peña plans to pursue a career in sports medicine.

Diaz-Peña was selected over the other two finalists, Samantha (Sam) Ross of Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, and Kylie Zhang of Poolesville High School, who have both been recognized for their outstanding records of service to the community. You can watch Diaz-Peña's winning moment and brief speech from last night here.

Assault at Rockville High School

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Rockville High School on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The assault was reported at 9:16 AM. No further information is available at this time.

MCPS teacher removed from classroom over mistreatment of hijab-wearing student

Montgomery County Public Schools has removed a teacher from a classroom at Cabin Branch Elementary School at 14129 Dunlin Street in Clarksburg, and ordered that he have no further contact with a student he is alleged to have mistreated. The 8-year-old American Muslim student reported that she was harassed, humiliated, threatened, and intimidated by the teacher, primarily over her hijab. She was allegedly given harsher penalties than her classmates, was denied drinking water and bathroom access, and was told to remove her hijab. 

Her father, who is a U.S. military veteran, told the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) that her alleged mistreatment - which led to anxiety and panic attacks at school - was "profoundly disheartening." He welcomed today's actions by MCPS toward resolving the issue.

“It means everything to my family that my daughter can now feel safe in class," the student's father said in a statement. "This situation caused us a lot of stress and worry as parents, my daughter was afraid to go to school before. She’s young, she was struggling with what the teacher did. No one’s kid should have to deal with this kind of situation from their teachers, no matter their religion. Our family knows we can count on CAIR for support through these situations. CAIR has had our back, their help has given my family peace of mind.” 

“We applaud this family’s courage in coming forward for their daughter’s sake and we acknowledge Montgomery County Public Schools for taking swift action to address this complaint,” CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said in a statement this afternoon. “CAIR encourages all school districts to routinely provide comprehensive cultural competency and anti-discrimination trainings for all of their educators. It’s essential that they’re accountable to fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students, regardless of their background.” 

Assault reported at Rockville High School

Montgomery County police were called to investigate a report of an assault at Rockville High School, located at 2100 Baltimore Road, late Tuesday morning, March 11, 2025. The assault was reported at the school at 11:50 AM Tuesday. No further information is available as of this writing.

Assault reported at Twinbrook ES in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Twinbrook Elementary School Friday morning, February 14, 2025. The assault was reported to police at the school, which is located at 5911 Ridgway Avenue, at 10:30 AM Friday.

Derwood students are 2nd-place winners in Montgomery County DOT "Paint the Plow" contest

Top winners from Westland MS in Bethesda

This winter, Montgomery County residents may see one or more of the County snowplows decorated by Montgomery County Public Schools students during the County Department of Transportation's "Paint the Plow" contest. Teams from 16 middle schools in the MCPS system participated. MCDOT provided the snowplows and paint materials, and each team had four days to name and decorate their plow. The plows were displayed at MCDOT's annual Truck Day on June 1, and attendees voted for the top three winning plows.

Redland MS in Derwood

Bethesda's Westland Middle School team won the top prize of $500 for its Road Runner "Beep Beep" and Pokemon Squirtle design. Redland Middle School in Derwood took second, with a prize of $300, for their team's Snoopy-inspired "Scoopy" plow. Coming in third for $200 was the team from Roberto Clemente MS in Germantown, who went full zombie with their plow's Zombinator theme.

Roberto Clemente MS in Germantown

“The annual Truck Day and Paint the Plow contest lets us showcase the vital role public works employees play in contributing to and enhancing our quality of life,” MCDOT Director Chris Conklin said in a statement. “Public works employees are on the front lines during emergency conditions, including winter weather events, and these snowplows will serve as a reminder of the valuable work they do.” 

County Executive Marc Elrich

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich praised the student winners and the County's public works employees, including snowplow drivers. “I want to thank MCPS and the participating students and teachers for helping us recognize the hard work and dedication of our public works employees. From keeping our streets clear of snow and ice, paving our roads and collecting yard debris, to maintaining our vital sanitary and storm sewer systems, their efforts keep our County safe, clean and thriving.” 

Rockville school principal charged with assaulting student

Rockville City police have arrested the principal of Ritchie Park Elementary School at 1514 Dunster Road for allegedly assaulting a student in the building. The department jointly investigated the accusation with Montgomery County police detectives after the assault was reported to the RCPD by a staff member at the school on February 9, 2024. Principal Andrew Winter, 54, turned himself into police at the Montgomery County jail central processing unit on June 3, after a warrant was issued for his arrest by Judge Roger Zepeda that day. 

According to court records, Winter has been charged with misdemeanor 2nd-degree assault. He posted $1500 bond on June 4. A trial has been scheduled for July 18, 2024 at 8:30 AM in Montgomery County District Court in Rockville. Winter has led Ritchie Park ES since his appointment in May 2020. WTOP reports that Winter is accused of stomping on a student's foot during a disciplinary interaction that was allegedly captured on video, and has been on leave since the incident was first reported.

Police called after aggravated assault at Rockville school

Rockville City police were called to a school after an aggravated assault was reported there early Friday afternoon, May 17, 2024. The assault was reported at a school in the 600 block of Great Falls Road at 1:45 PM Friday. Julius West Middle School is located at 651 Great Falls Road.

MCPS Countywide Art Show at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Here are some of the exhibits displayed during the recent Montgomery County Public Schools Countywide Art Show at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The schools represented at the show included Ashburton Elementary School in Bethesda, Candlewood Elementary School in Derwood, and Germantown Elementary School. MCPS uses the annual art show to represent student talents, and illustrate the goals of its Visual Arts curriculum. "The visual arts promote the core competencies - Academic Excellence, Creative Problem-solving, and Social Emotional Learning - identified by MCPS as essential to prepare students for success in the 21st century," the school system explained in a description displayed alongside the artwork.

Assault reported at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville

Rockville City police were called to Richard Montgomery High School, located at 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Thursday morning, May 2, 2024. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the public school. The assault was reported at 9:00 AM Thursday.

Rockville school broken into over holiday weekend

Rockville City police responded to a report of a burglary early Friday afternoon at Meadow Hall Elementary School at 951 Twinbrook Parkway. The burglary was reported at 1:13 PM Friday. Officers arriving at the scene found entrance of forced entry at the school. The school was closed at the time of the burglary for the holidays.

Assault reported at Rockville High School

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Rockville High School at 2100 Baltimore Road on March 8, 2024. The assault was reported at the campus at 4:27 PM. Police were called to investigate assaults at Wootton High School last month, and at Richard Montgomery High School in January.

Assault at Wootton High School in Rockville

Montgomery County police were called to the campus of Thomas S. Wootton High School at 2100 Wootton Parkway in Rockville this past Saturday morning, February 24, 2024, after someone reported being assaulted there. The assault was reported on an athletic field at the school at 9:10 AM Saturday.

Assault at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville

Montgomery County police were called to the campus of Richard Montgomery High School late yesterday morning, January 19, 2024. At least one person reported having been the victim of an assault there. The school, which is located at 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, was closed yesterday due to the weather. Police responded to the scene at 11:39 AM Friday.

Police investigate alleged weapon possession at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville

Rockville City police were called to Richard Montgomery High School at 250 Richard Montgomery Drive yesterday morning to investigate a report of illegal possession of a weapon. Officers responded to the campus at 7:00 AM Friday, November 17, 2023. 

2 assaults in 1 week reported at Magruder High School in Derwood

A second assault in less than a week was reported at Col. Zadok Magruder High School at 5939 Muncaster Mill Road yesterday morning, November 2, 2023. The 2nd-degree assault was reported at the school at 7:53 AM Thursday. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the public high school exactly a week earlier.

Police called after assault at school in Derwood

Montgomery County police were called to a school in Derwood yesterday afternoon, October 26, 2023, after a 2nd-degree assault was reported there. Officers responded to a school in the 5900 block of Muncaster Mill Road at 4:13 PM Thursday. Col. Zadok Magruder High School is located on that block.

Police called after assault at school in Rockville

Montgomery County police were dispatched to Parkland Magnet Middle School for Aerospace Technology at 4610 W. Frankfort Drive in Rockville yesterday afternoon, after a 2nd-degree assault was reported there. The assault was reported at the school at 5:26 PM Thursday.

2nd assault in 3 weeks reported at school in Rockville

Rockville City police returned to Julius West Middle School for the second time in three weeks to investigate another assault reported there. A 2nd-degree assault was reported at the school on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The previous 2nd-degree assault was reported there on Friday, September 22. 

Assault reported at school in Rockville

Rockville City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a school last Friday morning, September 22, 2023. The assault was reported at a school in the 600 block of Great Falls Road at 9:30 AM. Julius West Middle School is located on that block.