Magnet Foundation News: Winter 2018

This winter, the Magnet Foundation Board approved several grants:

• • The Blair Hackaton ($1,000), which took place in December (@blair_hacks).

  • The Ocean Science Bowl Team was registered for the Chesapeake Bay Bowl ($600), where they won first place and third place (@MrPham_at_MBHS).

  • Middle School Math Tournament ($1,300) to be held at Blair in the spring.

Teachers and students recently used grants that were previously approved by the Foundation:

• • The Puzzle Lords went to the 2017 NCSSS Professional Conference to share the successes and challenges of PuzzlePalooza (@davidstein65).

  • The Robotics Team started the 2018 build season with a new CNC router (YouTube).

The Board of Education and County Council are currently reviewing the FY2019 budget for MCPS. There is no direct cut to the Magnet Program, but the Superintendent has proposed to eliminate the Office of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction, which could negatively impacted gifted education in MCPS. The Gifted and Talented Association of Montgomery County (GTA) is protesting these cuts, and you can sign a change.org petition supporting their efforts.