Communications Archives
June 25, 2024: Appointment of Interim Chief Educational Programs Officer for Frederick Campus
Wishing you all a wonderful and safe summer break.
Best regards,
June 11, 2024: Frederick Campus Chief Educational Programs Officer Update
June 7, 2024: Appointment of Our New Human Resources Director

May 24, 2024: Frederick Campus Chief Educational Programs Officer Update

May 20, 2024: School Climate Survey
Each group will receive a tailored set of questions addressing relevant aspects of their experience and interaction within the school environment. To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, the survey will be available in multiple languages, including ASL. To uphold the integrity and confidentiality of the feedback process, all survey responses will be anonymous, containing no identifiable information such as names or email addresses. This anonymity encourages honest and open communication from all participants, ensuring that the data collected is reliable and valuable in enhancing our school's climate.
May 7, 2024: Leila Hanaumi — Class of 2024 Commencement Speaker
Leila Hanaumi is a Deaf Asian creator, performer, writer, and accessibility advocate. Her recent ASL performance for Barbie earned her critical acclaim, and she had the opportunity of a lifetime to interview Margot Robbie, star actress of Barbie, onstage after the film's community screening.
April 10, 2024: Academic Calendar Updates
As we approach the end of the school year, it's a busy time filled with exciting end-of-year activities and events. I trust everyone enjoyed a restful spring break and returned to school this week with renewed energy.
Secondly, I am pleased to share with you the academic calendar for the 2024-2025 school year.
- The first day of school will be on Tuesday, August 27. We have designated Monday, August 26, as the Back to School event as part of our commitment to strengthening the family-school partnership. This will allow students and families to get acquainted with their teachers and staff before starting school.
- In a departure from tradition, we will have school on the day after Labor Day. Dorms will reopen and classes will resume on Tuesday, September 3.
- Based on survey results and community feedback, we were able to align MSD's spring break with other school counties, notably FCPS, HCPSS, and Montgomery County Public Schools. This includes a week off, followed by no school on Monday. Dorms will reopen on Monday, April 21, and classes will resume on Tuesday, April 22.
- Traditionally, Staff Day has been observed on the day after Memorial Day. However, it has been decided to reschedule Staff Day to the day after the last day of school. This adjustment will provide faculty and staff with an opportunity to conclude the school year, including tasks such as grading, classroom cleanup, as well as opportunities for staff recognition and end-of-school-year celebrations before the summer break.
- The last day of school will be Thursday, June 5.
April 5, 2024: Solar Eclipse Safety — April 8, 2024
All students, staff, and parents/guardians are encouraged to take note of the following safety tips during the eclipse:
- Avoid staring directly at the sun, particularly during a solar eclipse, as it poses a significant risk of eye damage. Looking directly at the sun, even with sunglasses, telescopes, or binoculars, can result in permanent harm to your eyesight. It's crucial to use specialized viewing glasses or filters that meet all International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.
- When acquiring viewing glasses, ensure they are from reputable manufacturers, as there have been instances of counterfeit products falsely labeled to meet international safety standards. The American Astronomical Society offers a list of companies whose products are confirmed to adhere to ISO standards.
February 20, 2024: Update on the Frederick Campus Chief Educational Programs Officer Position
January 10, 2024: Appointment of Frederick Campus Family Education and Early Childhood Principal

We are looking forward to having Amy join the Oriole Family!
Welcome aboard, Amy!
November 7, 2023: Jr. NAD National Conference at MSD
September 8, 2023: Update on the Frederick Campus Chief Educational Programs Officer Position
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- Frederick campus CEPO position is posted, and MSD begins accepting applications.
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- The Human Resources Office and the interview committee will screen applications and identify the most qualified candidates for interviews.
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- First round interviews will be conducted, consisting of a committee comprising:
- Two department principals
- One teacher
- One support staff member
- One curriculum & instruction staff member
- One CEPO/Main Office representative
- Superintendent (Interview Chair)
- First round interviews will be conducted, consisting of a committee comprising:
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- Second round interviews will take place with selected members of the MSD Leadership Team.
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- Community presentations and forums will be held at the Frederick campus, providing an opportunity for community members to engage and offer feedback.
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- The MSD Leadership Team will carefully review interview notes and community feedback to make a recommendation.
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- The Superintendent will announce the selection of the new Frederick campus CEPO and their start date.
For more details about the position, please visit this link. If you or someone you know may be interested and qualified for this position, we encourage you to apply or forward this information to that prospective candidate.
August 24, 2023: Appointment of MSD Athletic Director

August 23, 2023: Getting Ready for 2023-2024: Important Updates
The energy on our campus is charged with excitement, courtesy of our middle and high school student-athletes, who are also here participating in the fall sports camp. Their presence has breathed life into our surroundings, creating an atmosphere filled with school pride and enthusiasm.

This theme serves as a daily prompt to seize opportunities for growth and progress. It encourages us all to establish ambitious personal and academic goals, take proactive steps, and tackle challenges with determination. "Level Up" fuels motivation, ambition, and resilience, propelling us beyond comfort zones. Just as characters level up in video games to confront greater challenges, the theme readies students for real-world obstacles by urging them to step out of comfort zones and cultivate skills necessary to navigate a rapidly changing world.
August 9, 2023: Appointment of Career & Technical Education Principal for Frederick Campus

August 8, 2023: Preparations for the Upcoming School Year
- Mary Keane, Ph.D.
- Michelle Morales, Ed.D.
- Lawrence Musa
- Katrina Patterson
- Alia N. Thomas
- Julie Tibbitt, Ph.D.
With Oriole Pride,
May 2, 2023: MSD Updates on Recent Developments
April 6, 2023: MSD Updates on Recent Developments
As we move through the academic year, I want to take a moment to update you on the recent developments within our school. These updates will offer insight into the progress we are making toward our shared goals and provide updates on our approved budgets, facilities, stakeholder sessions, diversity efforts, planning for the 2023-2024 school year, and student and staff achievements.
March 16, 2023: MSD's Colloquium–MSA Accreditation Mid-Cycle
On Tuesday, March 14, MSD hosted a colloquium as part of the current Middle States Association (MSA) accreditation mid-cycle. The colloquium was designed to showcase our efforts and share its action research processes and progress findings with the MSD community, the public, and MSA representatives who watched the proceedings. Our action research question focused on the use of technology to foster engagement, involvement, education, and collaboration with MSD families to support and enhance student academic achievement.
- Make communication via technology more accessible to parents/families
- Create a digital family support center
- Connect all families
- Create a user friendly digital presence to improve school/home communication
- The use of educational software and apps
- Implementation of PowerSchool and Schoology
- The use of various school communication methods to disseminate information to stakeholders
- The use of digital family newsletters to make connections with families
- The process of soliciting input on curriculum resources from families
- Provision of resources and services for families with infants to toddlers
- Provision of ASL classes for families, both in person and online
- Parent training series for families with students with additional needs
- Extended IEP meeting options
- Mid-cycle survey results and MAP assessment results
- Ann Behm, Curriculum and Instruction Specialist
- Caitlin Blake, Director of Enhanced Services
- Tara Duboski Finkle, Family Education & Early Childhood Assistant Principal - Frederick
- Patricia Germundson, Elementary Assistant Principal, Frederick
- Dawniela Halischak, Columbia Principal
- Tara Holloway, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
- Jenna Kuschmider, Curriculum and Instruction Specialist
- Amy Mowl, Director of Public Relations
- Deb Myers, ASL Instructor
- Shannon Negussie, Middle School Assistant Principal - Columbia
- Patricia Muldowney, Family Education & Early Childhood Assistant Principal - Columbia
- Milagros Rodriguez-Gonzalez, PowerSchool Administrator
- Chet Virnig, High School Assistant Principal
- Jessica Willoughby, Data & Assessment Coordinator
- Charlene Ward-Marr, Director of Student Support Services
With Oriole Pride,
February 24, 2023: Invitation to MSD's Sustaining Excellence Colloquium
The Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) achieved full accreditation through the Middle States Association using their Sustaining Excellence Protocol on May 1, 2019. This is a significant achievement for our school community and reflects our commitment to providing the best possible education for our students.
I am excited to announce that we will present our findings to the community on Tuesday, March 14, at 1:00 p.m. during our Sustaining Excellence Colloquium. This event will be virtual via Zoom Webinar, and I encourage everyone to attend. Please register online to receive the webinar link.
February 9, 2023: 90-Day Entry Plan
The intention of this letter is to share with you what you can expect of me within my first three months as superintendent. It is important that you have an overall idea of what my priorities and key focus areas will be for the next three months. By the time you read this and watch my video, I will have been at MSD for two weeks. I cannot begin to describe the amazing warm welcome I received from MSD students, staff, and families. It was indeed an inspiring experience that strengthened my commitment and resolve to ensure that I succeed in my role as superintendent. I'd like to recognize the many staff members who have been instrumental in preparing for my arrival to ensure a smooth transition. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
- Onboarding
- Community & Stakeholders Engagement and Relations
- School Operations and Processes
- As a new staff member of the MSD community, I will undergo the onboarding process that is required of new staff members, including completing the required trainings and becoming familiar with essential processes and protocols.
- Settle in my new offices on both the Columbia and Frederick campuses, which includes establishing work procedures and routines to allow me to work effectively on both campuses.
- Become familiar with the various buildings, departments, and their functions on both campuses.
- Attend and participate in scheduled legislative hearings concerning the MSD budget. I had the opportunity to attend my first Operating Budget hearing with the Senate during my first week, in which the Chief Financial/Operating Officer and myself testified on MSD's behalf.
- Develop and establish positive relationships with key legislators and state constituents that have a vested interest in MSD and give them the opportunity to learn more about MSD to ensure they continue to support full funding of our school.
- Identify internal and external stakeholders that are essential to the operations and support of MSD and create opportunities to meet with them. Examples of external stakeholders include but are not limited to parent/staff associations, MSD Foundation, American Federation of Teachers union representatives, Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the state counsel's office representing the school, etc.
- Work closely with each member of the school leadership team, including both campus principals, the Dean of Student Affairs, Human Resources Director, and the Chief Financial/Operating Officer.
- Identify opportunities to engage with various members of the school community and learn more about the highlights, opportunities, and areas of growth for the school.
- Visit all departments and buildings on both campuses. My goal is to conduct frequent, brief visits and attend school events to meet as many MSD students, staff members, families, and community members as possible.
- Develop and strengthen a working relationship with the Board of Trustees leadership and the board members to identify key board priorities for the year.
- Review the current leadership structure and decision-making processes and how the decisions are communicated and implemented.
- Become familiar with policies and procedures in all aspects of school instruction and curriculum, operations, personnel, and student life.
- Educate myself in fiscal operations, budget planning and facilities/maintenance including familiarizing myself with state regulations concerning school funding and capital projects.
- Review and become familiar with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work that MSD has done over the past several years.
- Understand and become familiar with various professional development opportunities and training requirements for MSD staff.
January 10, 2023: Message from Incoming Superintendent John A. Serrano