Good News


Ciara Caprara
Ciara Caprara, a psychologist with MCPS for six years, has been named the Maryland School Psychologist of the Year by the Maryland School Psychologists’ Association.
For all six years, Caprara has served three elementary schools—Bradley Hills, Chevy Chase and Rock Creek Forest. She is described as a leader and a team player who brings intellect, compassion, empathy and positivity to the job. Even with a full schedule, she always finds time to support students, families and colleagues. Her kind, creative and patient demeanor allows her to easily connect with students.
Caprara provides individual and group counseling to address students’ needs with anxiety, cognitive flexibility and emotional regulation. She is an active member of MCSPA and the Maryland School Psychologists’ Association (MSPA), and also holds membership with the National Association of School Psychologists. She is the co-chair of the Professional Relations Committee for MCSPA and a member of the Legislative and Public Affairs committees for MSPA.
MCPS Celebrates Bike to School Day
Montgomery County celebrated annual Bike to School Day on May 4, with a fun-filled event at Richie Park Elementary School. Elected officials and representatives of the county’s Department of Transportation and Vision Zero programs greeted students as they arrived at school and handed out safety materials. County Executive Marc Elrich and Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin were joined by special appearances from Zeal, the Traffic Safety Zebra, and Sparky, the Fire and Rescue Dog.
Bike to School Day focuses on healthy lifestyles and safety. Schools and the surrounding neighborhoods participate in the campaign by raising awareness of traffic rules, encouraging riding a bike to school and raising neighborhood awareness to share the road with cyclists.
Fifth Graders Visit Magruder High School for STEM Day
Fifth-grade students in the Col. Zadok Magruder High School cluster recently had the opportunity to attend Magruder’s annual STEM Day.
The event was organized and coordinated by high school students who take engineering, aviation and other STEM-related classes. Watch the MCPS Moment.
PeaceJam Hosts Annual Conference at Northwood High School
MCPS partnered with PeaceJam Mid-Atlantic, a regional affiliate of the international education program that connects youth with Nobel Peace Prize winners. This year, PeaceJam Mid-Atlantic hosted their annual youth conference “Compassion in Action” at Northwood High School in Silver Spring. High school students had the opportunity to connect with children’s rights activist and 2014 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Kailash Satyarthi. Watch the video.
A Few Good Headlines
Giving students a voice: Music teacher named Montgomery County Teacher of the Year
Whitman again named top high school in Maryland on U.S. News & World Report list
‘A long journey’: Albert Einstein High graduate Arnold Ebiketie excited for NFL Draft
Food Grown Home Launches First Tower Garden in MCPS at Einstein High School