Garrett County Public Schools

08/24/2026

Welcome Back, GCPS Staff! 📚🍎

Today is the first day of the 2026–27 school year for our teachers and 10-month staff! We are excited to have everyone back as they prepare to welcome students on Monday, August 31st.

Have a great start to the new school year. Welcome back!

08/20/2026

𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬

Today, we continue our focus on school safety. In an emergency, knowing what a response means can help students, staff, and families understand what is happening and what to expect.

The Standard Response Protocol uses five simple, consistent responses:

📍 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃
Students and staff remain in their classrooms or current locations and continue normal activities.

“In Your Classroom or Area”
Students are trained to:
● Clear the hallways and remain in their area or room until the “All Clear” is announced
● Do business as usual
Adults and staff are trained to:
● Close and lock the door
● Account for students and adults
● Do business as usual

📍 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐄
Students and staff remain inside the building while the exterior of the building is secured.

“Get Inside. Lock outside doors”
Students are trained to:
● Return to the inside of the building
● Do business as usual
Adults and staff are trained to:
● Bring everyone indoors
● Lock the outside doors
● Increase situational awareness
● Account for students and adults
● Do business as usual

📍 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍
Students and staff take immediate action to secure themselves and their location from a threat inside the building.

“Locks, Lights, Out of Sight”
Students are trained to:
● Move away from sight
● Maintain silence
● Do not open the door
Adults and staff are trained to:
● Recover students from hallway if possible
● Lock the classroom door
● Turn out the lights
● Move away from sight
● Maintain silence
● Do not open the door
● Prepare to evade or defend

📍 𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐄
Students and staff move from one location to another, typically to a designated safe location.

“To a Location”
Students are trained to:
● Leave stuff behind if required to
● If possible, bring their phone
● Follow instructions
Adults and staff are trained to:
● Bring roll sheet and Go Bag (unless instructed not to bring anything with them, dependent on reason for evacuation.)
● Lead students to Evacuation location
● Account for students and adults
● Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method.

📍 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐑
Students and staff take specific protective actions based on the identified hazard or threat.

“State Hazard and Safety Strategy”
Hazards might include:
● Tornado
● Hazmat
● Earthquake
● Tsunami
Safety Strategies might include:
● Evacuate to shelter area
● Seal the room
● Drop, cover and hold
● Get to high ground
Students are trained in:
● Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies
Adults and staff are trained in:
● Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies
● Accounting for students and adults
● Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method.

The goal is simple: one shared language, clear expectations, and a consistent response.

📌 Save this post and talk with your child(ren) about the five responses.

08/20/2026

🎓 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝’𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞!

At Southern Garrett High School, students are getting a head start on what comes next. During the 2025–26 school year, SGHS students took 𝟒𝟎𝟎+ 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭, with 𝟏,𝟐𝟎𝟎+ 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 through Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement testing. More than 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞-𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 to student transcripts!

For families looking for a school that prepares students for college, careers, and life after graduation, these opportunities are just one more reason to choose Garrett County Public Schools.

𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬. 𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 🚀

08/19/2026

Are you looking for a school system where students are achieving? 📚✨ Northern Middle School’s 2025–26 MCAP results highlight the hard work, growth, and academic success happening in our classrooms. Discover what makes NMS and GCPS a great place for students to learn, grow, and prepare for what’s next! 💙

Strong results. Dedicated educators. A school where students are empowered to succeed.

🌟We are so proud of our recent MCAP results, placing NMS in the top 30% of schools across Maryland!

💙This achievement is a direct result of the hard work, dedication, and support of our incredible students, teachers, and families. Thank you for making our school community one of the best in the state!

08/18/2026

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐭. 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔-𝟐𝟕 𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 & 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) Transportation Department is pleased to announce that bus pass information is now available for the 2026–27 school year. Student bus passes will remain unchanged from last year, meaning families do not need to update their child’s bus pass unless there is a change in transportation needs for the coming school year. If a change to a student’s bus pass is needed, parents/guardians should use the following link as soon as possible to allow for timely updates: https://www.gcps.net/page/parent-forms.

“As we prepare to welcome students back, our transportation team is focused on making sure families have the information they need for a safe and smooth start to the school year,” said Mr. Ronald Bray, GCPS Supervisor of Transportation. “Including bus routes and schedules to bus passes, we want to make the transition back to school as easy as possible for our students and families. Returning students can continue to use their existing bus passes, helping simplify the process for everyone.”

In addition, bus stop information for all GCPS students is now available. As some routes have changed from the past school year, ALL families are encouraged to review their child’s stop location and time to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

For more information or to review bus stop details, visit the GCPS Transportation webpage at https://www.gcps.net/page/transportation or contact the department at 301-334-8907 or [email protected].

08/18/2026

This is a friendly reminder that our August substitute training happens one week from today. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a sub, please fill out an application as soon as possible. Links and additional information are available in the original post below.

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞, 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫!

Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will host its first Substitute Training for the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

If you're interested in making a difference in the lives of students while enjoying a flexible work schedule, we encourage you to apply today. An online application is required prior to attending the training. To begin the application process, visit the GCPS Substitute Candidate Pool application. Applicants must complete the application before attending the training at http://applitrack.com/garrettcountyschools/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute.

Can't make the August 25 training? No problem. Additional substitute training opportunities will be offered throughout the remainder of the 2026-27 school year, so interested candidates are still encouraged to submit an application. Other opportunities may be found using the same link above and include substitute custodians, cafeteria assistants, and school nurses.
We look forward to welcoming new members to our team!

08/18/2026

🎓 Big opportunities start close to home! Northern Garrett High School students are taking advantage of dual enrollment opportunities at Garrett College, earning valuable college credit while still in high school.

This past year, 200+ NGHS students earned more than 1,000 college credit hours across 350+ courses added to their transcripts! We are proud to see our students taking the next step toward their future. 🚀

08/18/2026

𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: The third and final Law Enforcement Safety Tours will take place this Thursday, August 20th. The tours will take place at each of our schools at varying times throughout the day.

𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

As part of its ongoing commitment to school safety and emergency preparedness, Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is partnering with local law enforcement agencies to conduct school facility tours prior to the start of the 2026-27 school year.

The coordinated tours will take place on Tuesday, July 28th; Tuesday, August 11th; and Thursday, August 20th, providing law enforcement officers assigned to Garrett County with an opportunity to become familiar with our school buildings and campus layouts before students and staff return.

Approximately 10 to 15 law enforcement personnel are expected to participate each day. Each tour will be led by GCPS personnel and the school's assigned School Resource Officer (SRO). Participants will tour the main hallways and common areas within each building to enhance their understanding of school facilities and improve emergency response preparedness.

"Maintaining strong partnerships with our local law enforcement agencies is an essential component of our comprehensive school safety efforts," said Mr. Michael Bittinger, Manager of Safety & Security. "These tours help ensure that first responders are familiar with our facilities, allowing them to respond as efficiently and effectively as possible, should an emergency occur."

The initiative is one of many proactive measures GCPS takes to maintain safe and secure learning environments for students, staff, and visitors. By strengthening collaboration with emergency responders, the school system continues to prioritize preparedness and the well-being of the entire school community.

08/17/2026

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦!

Garrett County Public Schools is seeking a full-time ALO Special Education Teacher to join the team at Accident Elementary School for the 2026–27 school year.

This position provides specially designed instruction and support for students with disabilities, while collaborating with families, staff, and service providers to help students reach their goals and thrive.

𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
📍 Accident Elementary School
📚 Special Education
⏰ Full-time, 187 days
💰 $60,010–$69,169, based on education and experience
🏥 Comprehensive benefits and Maryland retirement

If you are passionate about supporting students and making a lasting difference, we would love to have you join GCPS!

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: https://www.applitrack.com/garrettcountyschools/OnlineApp/JobPostings/View.asp?AppliTrackJobId=1126

08/17/2026

🎒 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤-𝐭𝐨-𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬

Are you ready to check one more thing off your back-to-school list? ✏️📚

Make sure your student has everything they need for a successful first day! School supply lists are available now, with items tailored to each school and grade level, as appropriate.

📋 View school supply lists in the Back-to-School Hub: https://www.gcps.net/page/back-to-school-hub