The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White
The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White
The Student News Site of Walt Whitman High School

The Black and White
At an August Board of Education meeting, MCPS Chief of Security and Compliance Marcus Jones shared data that there had been 84 cases of false alarms and bomb threats in MCPS in the 2023-24 school year, an increase of 11% from the previous school year.

MCPS student arrested in connection to bomb threats

By Ella Kotelanski • September 7, 2024

MCPD has charged a 15-year-old student from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in connection with bomb threats made in May against three schools in Bethesda. On May 16, B-CC went on lockdown for three...

One week later, community members notified police of bias-related graffiti at five MCPS schools — Whitman, Winston Churchill High School, Thomas Wootton High School, Strathmore Elementary School, and Fallsmead Elementary School.

Increasing instances of anti-Israel, antisemitic graffiti in past two weeks

By Rishith Alimchandani • September 5, 2024

Community members discovered anti-Israel graffiti outside Bethesda Elementary School, Aug. 11. Two days after this, pedestrians found vandalism at the Congregation Beth El Synagogue in Bethesda. One week...

The new initiative will alternate with the existing OneWhitman program each Wednesday, providing students with regular opportunities to focus on their academic progress and overall well-being.

Whitman administrators implement Walt Wisdom Time

By Allegra Bai • September 4, 2024

Whitman administrators recently introduced “Walt Wisdom Time,” providing students with a dedicated period to focus on completing schoolwork.  Walt Wisdom Time will be held every other Wednesday...

According to a study done by a Stanford University researcher, students find that homework significantly contributes to the current mental health crisis, with 56% of surveyed students considering homework a primary source of stress.

Board of Education passes proposed amendment to homework policy

By Shahmeer Ali • June 30, 2024

The Board of Education voted to pass an amendment to the current MCPS homework policy, June 25. The proposed new policy includes provisions requiring teachers to allocate in-class time for completing homework...

Miller attended Villanova University and began his career as an educator at the National Center for Children and Families, a nonprofit organization that supports vulnerable children and families.

MCPS Board of Education appoints Gregory Miller as new Whitman Principal

By Nikhita Dass and Liam Darnell • June 25, 2024

The Montgomery County Board of Education appointed current Assistant Principal Gregory Miller as the new principal of Walt Whitman High School, effective July 1. Jewel Sanders, the director of the Office...

Before serving in Stafford County, Taylor was the Deputy Superintendent in Chesterfield County, the 2016 Region III Superintendent of the Year for Middlesex County and the University of Virginia’s Alumni Outstanding Principal in 2012.

MCPS appoints Dr. Thomas W. Taylor as new Superintendent

By Rishith Alimchandani • June 24, 2024

The Montgomery County Board of Education announced this week that Dr. Thomas W. Taylor will serve as the next MCPS Superintendent. The Board will formally appoint Taylor at a regularly scheduled business...

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Staff in MCPS autism program involuntarily transferred, stoking further budget concerns

By Dani Cotlear • June 19, 2024

MCPS officials announced this March that the countywide autism support program located at Darnestown Elementary School would undergo a 50% reduction of paraeducators. The change arrived just before a per-pupil...

In March 2023, five reports of antisemitic incidents in MCPS occurred in a week and four reports of antisemitic vandalism on campus caused the indefinite closure of all outdoor facilities at Northwood High School.

Recent local antisemitic incidents lead to increased tensions in MCPS

By Noah Bloom • June 17, 2024

Board of Education President Karla Silvestre testified on MCPS’ handling of antisemitism before a U.S. House Education and Workforce subcommittee, May 8. The hearing, titled “Confronting Pervasive...

During Goodwin’s time at Whitman, the community faced deaths by suicide, illness and accident. He would send out regular emails to the community advising against drinking parties and advocating for more parental involvement.

Whitman library dedicated to Former Principal Alan Goodwin

By Shahmeer Ali • June 15, 2024

Whitman administrators dedicated the Walt Whitman High School library to former principal Dr. Alan Goodwin during an open house ceremony, May 30. Goodwin retired in 2018 after a 43-year career with...

Bill mandating Holocaust education in Maryland schools fails

Bill mandating Holocaust education in Maryland schools fails

By Allegra Bai • June 13, 2024

In March 2024, The Maryland legislature declined to take a vote on the Educate to Stop the Hate Act, which would've mandated Holocaust education in Maryland public high schools.  The bill proposed...

Maryland Legislature passes two online privacy bills

Maryland Legislature passes two online privacy bills

By Bailey Han • June 12, 2024

The Maryland Legislature passed the Online Data Privacy Act and the Maryland Kids Code this spring. These bills have the power to restrict the amount of personal data that tech platforms can access and...

Originally planned as a professional development day for teachers, the asynchronous day allowed for instructional continuity while accommodating the holiday observance of Passover, said MCPS officials.

MCPS announces removal of asynchronous days for the 2024-2025 school year

By Dani Cotlear • June 10, 2024

MCPS announced that the 2024-2025 school year will no longer have asynchronous days, May 23. During the 2024 school year, MCPS piloted its first post-pandemic asynchronous school day. Asynchronous days...

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