Please enjoy the third in a series of reflections upon my years as Superintendent. This blog highlights some of the amazing opportunities that come my way!

This is the second in a series of reflections upon my years as Superintendent. This blog highlights my second 4-year term, which began in July 2015.

Please enjoy the first in a series of reflections upon my years as Superintendent. This week, as I begin my third term as Superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools, it amazes me that 8 years have passed so quickly! In this blog, I reminisce about my first term and how much we as a system have accomplished.

People frequently ask if I work during the summer, and I have to smile. Students and teachers head off to summer vacation, but the 12-month employees in our school system are entering some of the busiest months of the year!

Hear what BOE President Brad Young, Vice President Joy Schaefer, and member Jay Mason share about their experiences at high school graduations this year.

Today’s vlog continues the “behind the scenes” at graduation series. See how American Sign Language interpreter Bobbie McLaughlin prepares to translate the ceremony.

In this week’s vlog, journey behind the scenes at a graduation ceremony! See preparations from 3 hours to 5 minutes before graduation. Take a peek 3 hours before, as equipment is prepared for a student with special needs, ticket takers report for duty, and security professionals are on the job. As the countdown nears 2 hours, the high school’s graduation coordinator directs student and staff volunteers. Some arrange areas for specially accessible seating, one ensures the school’s banner is properly placed, and another makes practice runs with a robot that will lead graduates! Chorus students warm up their voices. Administrators begin to greet graduates as they arrive and sign in. With about an hour and 45 minutes until the 7 PM graduation, Board of Education, other elected officials, and staff arrive in the VIP room, where Glory Days Grill offers them dinner. With 45 minutes to go, student musicians in the band entertain the class of 2019’s arriving families and friends. Soon-to-be grads in the Field House get ready to line up for entry into the arena. Mount St. Mary’s University campus security and Sheriff’s deputies continue directing traffic and parking. Still-arriving family and friends hurry to present their tickets for entry. Five minutes to graduation, everyone is lined up and ready to go!

Please enjoy this video blog, or vlog, of the Class of 2019 SUCCESS Program graduation ceremony, which took place May 21 at the Mount St. Mary’s University Marion Burk Knott Auditorium. In the SUCCESS Program’s largest class ever, 23 students received their Maryland High School Certificates! Each also received a United States Senate Citation with appreciation for their determination to face challenges with courage and commitment. What a proud accomplishment for these dedicated students!

As I listened to the “inspirational speaker” for the Rock Creek School graduation ceremony, one of her statements resonated with me and made me reflect. Anita Kent, a retired instructional assistant, told the graduates, “You inspire all of us to be better people.”

Dr. Alban's first ever video blog, or vlog, explores the duties of the Teacher Specialists at ESSL