Police investigate threatening Pyle Middle School text message

Montgomery County police were contacted last night, May 10, 2026, about an unspecified threat allegedly made in a student group text. The participants in the texting group were students at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School in Bethesda, police said. According to police, the threat was made in a text sent last evening, and they were then contacted by a concerned individual at 11:55 PM last night. 

Police did not state the outcome of their investigation beyond the above information. This leaves the public to assume and speculate that the absence of public action or further comment by police and Montgomery County Public Schools today suggests it was determined there was no immediate danger. One would like to think more information would be available in this day and age regarding such threats.

Clarksburg man arrested in Peeping Tom incident at Walter Johnson HS in Bethesda

Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect in a Peeping Tom incident at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda. Students found a video camera in the control booth of the school's theater. Looking at the contents, they discovered videos filmed in the girls' changing room of the theater. James Mulhern III, 43, of Clarksburg was arrested, having allegedly been identified from video that showed him placing the camera in the changing room. Mulhern is a media services technician at the school. He has been charged with sex abuse of a minor. 

Burglary at Westland Middle School in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at Westland Middle School in Bethesda late Monday morning, December 22, 2025. The burglary was reported at the school, which is located at 5511 Massachusetts Avenue, at 11:48 AM Monday. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry at the school. The timing is quite odd, as the Christmas break for Montgomery County Public Schools did not begin until yesterday.

Student arrested for carrying gun to school in Bethesda

Montgomery County police arrested a student at Northwood High School in Bethesda yesterday morning, after he was found to allegedly be in possession of a firearm at the school. Isaiah Gaunt, 17, of Silver Spring has been charged as an adult with possession of a firearm without a serial number, handgun on person, possession of a firearm by a minor, and loaded handgun on person. Police say he was carrying a loaded 3D printed privately manufactured firearm (PMF) in his waistband. 

Gaunt was arrested without incident, police say. The alleged firearm came to light during an altercation between Gaunt and another student earlier Friday morning. Police officers were then dispatched to the school, located at 11211 Old Georgetown Road, at 8:23 AM.

Assault at Westland MS in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westland Middle School this past Thursday evening, November 6, 2025. The assault was reported at the school property at 9:02 PM Thursday. Westland MS is located at 5511 Massachusetts Avenue in Bethesda.

Montgomery County IG finds 1000s of MCPS employees with access to students haven't been screened

A new report issued by the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General contains alarming findings about the safety of students in Montgomery County Public Schools. An investigation by IG Megan Limarzi and her office found that thousands of MCPS employees' criminal histories are not being monitored by the school system, about 4,900 employees currently have access to students but have not undergone a Child Protective Services background check, and that MCPS does not ensure that contractors and volunteers undergo a criminal history check before they begin working inside the school system. These are violations of Maryland law and MCPS' own rules, Limarzi wrote in her report.

MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor wrote a response to the OIG report's conclusions in which he accepted responsibility for the security failures, but also cast blame on the OIG for slowing the school system's response to the lapses, and for not recognizing the cost of implementing the report's recommendations, which Taylor estimated would be $2 million. Limarzi called Taylor's accusations "perplexing," and said she and her staff are disappointed "by the apparent attempts to transfer blame to this office" for "serious issues that have been well known at MCPS for years and yet have gone unaddressed."

"We appreciate the work of Inspector General Megan Limarzi and her team for bringing this important issue to light and providing the public with an impartial evaluation of the MCPS Background Screening Office," County Council President Kate Stewart and Vice-President Will Jawando said in a joint statement yesterday. They wrote that the Council's Audit Committee will conduct oversight hearings on the matter beginning September 26, 2025. Additional meetings will be held by two other Council committees later in the fall. "[T]he urgency with which these issues must be corrected cannot be overstated," Stewart and Jawando wrote.

This is only the latest revelation about lax security measures at MCPS. Previously, a lack of security cameras - and staff to actively monitor the ones that exist - came to light after violent crime and hate graffiti incidents inside MCPS schools. And a 2016 State of Maryland audit of MCPS uncovered lax cybersecurity protocols that did not adequately shield private student information from those accessing MCPS computer systems from inside - and outside - the organization.

Assault reported at Pyle Middle School in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Thomas W. Pyle Middle School early Friday afternoon, February 14, 2025, after someone reported an assault there. The incident was reported to police at the school, which is located at 6311 Wilson Lane in Bethesda, at 12:40 PM Friday. 

Assault at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The assault was reported at 3:36 PM at the school, which is located at 4301 East-West Highway. It reportedly took place in the parking lot outside the school.

Radnor Elementary School in Bethesda burglarized again

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at the Radnor Elementary School building at 7000 Radnor Road in Bethesda on June 29, 2024. At least two suspects entered the school at 3:20 PM that afternoon. Officers responding to the scene found no evidence of forced entry, and could not identify anything as having been stolen from the building.

However, police were successful in catching the alleged burglars. Two juveniles were arrested: A 17-year-old male from Bethesda, and a 17-year-old female of Cabin John. The case will be handled through the juvenile justice system.

Westland MS students win Montgomery County DOT's "Paint the Plow" contest

Top winners from Westland MS in Bethesda

This winter, Montgomery County residents may see one or more of the County snowplows decorated by Montgomery County Public Schools students during the County Department of Transportation's "Paint the Plow" contest. Teams from 16 middle schools in the MCPS system participated. MCDOT provided the snowplows and paint materials, and each team had four days to name and decorate their plow. The plows were displayed at MCDOT's annual Truck Day on June 1, and attendees voted for the top three winning plows.

Redland MS in Derwood

Bethesda's Westland Middle School team won the top prize of $500 for its Road Runner "Beep Beep" and Pokemon Squirtle design. Redland Middle School in Derwood took second, with a prize of $300, for their team's Snoopy-inspired "Scoopy" plow. Coming in third for $200 was the team from Roberto Clemente MS in Germantown, who went full zombie with their plow's Zombinator theme.

Roberto Clemente MS in Germantown

“The annual Truck Day and Paint the Plow contest lets us showcase the vital role public works employees play in contributing to and enhancing our quality of life,” MCDOT Director Chris Conklin said in a statement. “Public works employees are on the front lines during emergency conditions, including winter weather events, and these snowplows will serve as a reminder of the valuable work they do.” 

County Executive Marc Elrich

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich praised the student winners and the County's public works employees, including snowplow drivers. “I want to thank MCPS and the participating students and teachers for helping us recognize the hard work and dedication of our public works employees. From keeping our streets clear of snow and ice, paving our roads and collecting yard debris, to maintaining our vital sanitary and storm sewer systems, their efforts keep our County safe, clean and thriving.” 

Vacant Chevy Chase school broken into for third time this year

The vacant former Rollingwood Elementary School at 3200 Woodbine Street in Chevy Chase continues to be a magnet for burglars. It was broken into for the third time this year on May 25 at 8:44 PM. Previous illegal entries into the Montgomery County Public Schools-owned building that drew a police response occurred on February 18 and February 25. The empty school was leased by Rochambeau French International School until 2022, and has been vacant since. 

Neighbors have continued to express concerns about typical exploits by local teenagers in the school building, including vandalism and drug use. However, the alleged February 18 burglar who stole property from the building was a 37-year-old man from Owings Mills. He is still facing felony 2nd-degree burglary charges, with his next Montgomery County Circuit Court hearing scheduled for June 7.

It's intriguing that, given the supposed fiscal woes of multi-billion-dollar-budget MCPS, they can mysteriously afford to pay $49,153 a month rent for their new offices, rather than stay in - or move to - a vacant building they already own. Chevy Chase is a much glitzier address than Rockville, for a school board with an avowed taste for the high life on the taxpayer's dime. Perhaps the venerable Rollingwood ES just wasn't spiffy enough for them.

MCPS Countywide Art Show at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Here are some of the exhibits displayed during the recent Montgomery County Public Schools Countywide Art Show at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The schools represented at the show included Ashburton Elementary School in Bethesda, Candlewood Elementary School in Derwood, and Germantown Elementary School. MCPS uses the annual art show to represent student talents, and illustrate the goals of its Visual Arts curriculum. "The visual arts promote the core competencies - Academic Excellence, Creative Problem-solving, and Social Emotional Learning - identified by MCPS as essential to prepare students for success in the 21st century," the school system explained in a description displayed alongside the artwork.

Radnor Elementary School broken into in Bethesda

Vacant Montgomery County Public School buildings continue to be inviting targets for burglars in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area. Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at Radnor Elementary School at 7000 Radnor Road on the evening of April 9, 2024 at 8:22 PM. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry. Radnor was closed by MCPS in 1981, but has served as one of the system's holding schools at times since, when another school is being remodeled or replaced.

Walter Johnson student is National Honor Society finalist for 2024

Allison Xu, a senior at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, is one of the 25 finalists out of nearly 17,000 applicants who will receive a $5625 scholarship award from the National Honor Society. She is now also eligible for the $25,000 national winner scholarship, which will be awarded at a gala event on April 5. 

Xu is Editor-in-Chief of her countywide student newspaper, The MoCo Student, and her high school’s newspaper, The Pitch. She was named the 2023 Youth Poet Laureate of Montgomery County, and has performed at Kennedy Center, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and the American Courage Awards.

"I feel incredibly honored to earn this prestigious recognition," Xu said in a statement yesterday. "Winning the NHS Scholarship also inspires me to continue striving for excellence and serving as a role model for others."

"Allison has gone above and beyond to excel academically and lift up her community through selfless service and leadership," National Association of Secondary School Principals CEO Ronn Nozoe said. "Her actions today exemplify the incredible leader she is, and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes." NASSP is the parent organization of the NHS.

Davina Canagarajah of Sherwood High School, and Raei Tamiru of Wheaton High School, were named as two of the 575 semi-finalists yesterday, and will each receive a $3,200 scholarship.

Suspect arrested at second break-in at vacant Chevy Chase school

The former Rollingwood Elementary School at 3200 Woodbine Street in Chevy Chase was broken into on the evening of February 25, 2024. Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect in relation to an earlier break-in at the campus, on February 18. Around 3:24 PM that afternoon, a suspect allegedly forced his way into the school and stole property. Antonio Perry, 37, of Owings Mills has been arrested in that burglary. Perry's mugshot has not been released.

Vacant Chevy Chase school broken into

Montgomery County police officers responded to a report of a burglary at a vacant school building in Chevy Chase early Sunday evening, February 25, 2024. The break-in was reported at the vacant Rollingwood Elementary School at 3200 Woodbine Street at 7:15 PM Sunday. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry at the school.

Neighbors have previously raised concerns about crime, vandalism and drug use taking place on this abandoned Montgomery County Public Schools campus. After MCPS closed Rollingwood in 1982, the building eventually became home to the private Rochambeau French International School until 2022, and the community awaits a decision on its future use.

Assault reported at Pyle Middle School in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were dispatched to Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Wednesday morning, February 14, 2024, after a 2nd-degree assault was reported there. The assault was reported at 8:07 AM Wednesday.

Assault reported at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at the campus of Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda early Tuesday morning, February 13, 2024. The assault was reported at the school, located at 7100 Whittier Boulevard, at 12:00 AM.

Bethesda restaurant bans students during early lunch hour

It's been a rough week for Montgomery County Public Schools, ranging from an imploding leadership structure in disarray to a violent assault, and the media coverage that results from such events. The week isn't ending on a high note, as one Bethesda restaurant has banned students during the early lunch hour. Bite of Asia, located at 7613 Wisconsin Avenue, has posted a notice that no students under the age of 18 are permitted inside the restaurant between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. The ban appears targeted at students from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Assault reported at Luxmanor Elementary School in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Luxmanor Elementary School at 6201 Tilden Lane in North Bethesda Monday afternoon, November 6, 2023. The assault was reported at the school at 1:00 PM.