Community Corner
đą Patch AM: Will Germantown actually get the countyâs only charter school?
Coming up: Say It Loud - An MLK Event on the Germantown Patch calendar

Morning Germantown! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. âď¸ď¸
In today's newsletter:
- Will Germantown actually get the countyâs only charter school?
- How a Germantown man ended up in a poaching crackdown
- Germantown school community mourns Charles âCharlieâ Ellison Jr.âs passing
Also on today's calendar: Say It Loud - An MLK Event.
Find out what's happening in Germantownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Germantownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sunday: Increasingly windy, with a high of 45 and low of 28 degrees.
- Monday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 47, low: 27.
- Tuesday: Sunshine; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 51 and low of 37 degrees.
đ° News we're reading
⢠Montgomery County schools weighing the fate of its only charter school (wtop.com) â Families in Germantown should know that Montgomery Countyâs only charter school, MECCA Business Learning Institute, is fighting to keep its charter as it plans a new Germantown campus. Enrollment plunged after the school couldnât open there this fall and instead operated from Bethesda, while MCPS cites serious special education and leadership concerns ahead of a key Jan. 22 board decision.
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⢠Maryland Natural Resources Police Report: Fall 2025 (einpresswire.com) â A Germantown resident is among those charged in a statewide Maryland Natural Resources Police roundup, accused of using an off-road vehicle and handgun to illegally hunt deer during archery season near Mount Airy. The fall 2025 report details numerous hunting, fishing, and firearms violations across Maryland, with seized weapons, fines, and donated game meat illustrating stepped-up enforcement of wildlife and safety laws.
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⢠Roberto Clemente Middle School Mourns Passing of Beloved Employee Charles Ellison Jr. (mocoshow.com) â Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown is grieving longtime building service worker Charles âCharlieâ Ellison Jr., who died peacefully at his Germantown home on December 28 at age 70. A fixture at the school for nearly three decades, heâs remembered for his steady presence, kindness, and deep devotion to family, students, and staff.
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đ¸ Around Germantown
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
đ Upcoming Events in Germantown
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Say It Loud - An MLK Event
BlackRock Center for the Arts , 12901 Town Commons Dr , Germantown
12:00 pm - JCA Montgomery County Virtual 50+ Employment Expo
Zoom
10:00 am - BSO Presents Instrument Zoo Woodwind Quartet
BlackRock Center for the Arts , 12901 Town Commons Dr , Germantown
11:00 am
Saturday January 17
Tuesday January 20
Saturday January 24
đŁ Germantown Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
đ Events Nearby
- Family Storytime
Rockville Memorial Library , 21 Maryland Ave , Rockville
10:30 am - Teen Study Hall - In-person
Olney Library , 3500 Olney Laytonsville Rd , Olney
12:00 pm - Pasta Making Class
Waredaca Brewing Company , 4017 Damascus Rd , Laytonsville
12:00 pm - Chess at Rockville Memorial Library
Rockville Memorial Library , 21 Maryland Ave , Rockville
1:00 pm - Adult Community Craft Club
Rockville Memorial Library , 21 Maryland Ave , Rockville
3:00 pm - ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND
Hank Dietle's Tavern , 11010 Rockville Pike , Rockville
6:00 pm - B JV Basketball @ Watkins Mill HS
Watkins Mill HS
5:30 pm - G JV Basketball vs Watkins Mill Hs
Poolesville High School PHS
5:30 pm - G V Basketball vs Watkins Mill HS
Poolesville High School PHS
7:15 pm
Sunday January 11
Monday January 12
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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Thank you đđđ to the local businesses for making Germantown PatchAM possible:
- NVHomes â (202) 931-5230
Luxury Main Level Living Throughout Maryland by NVHomes - Mindsee.it â (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - Summer At Sandy Spring â (301) 774-7455
Your Kids Can Have An AWESOME FUN Summer!
Click here to show your appreciation! đ
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
đŹ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Kindness is like the first snow;
it falls quietly, without noise or spectacle, yet it changes everything it touches and makes the world gentler. (Nextdoor Fountain Hills) - Fanis Solutions - Your Trusted Home Cleaning Experts!
Looking for a reliable cleaning service? Look no further! Fanis Solutions offers top-notch cleaning for homes, apartments, offices, and more. We make⌠(Nextdoor Gunner Branch)
- TJX Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Merchandise Associate in Germantown. Apply here.
- Weichert, Realtors posted a job opening for Real Estate Agent in Germantown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Germantown here.
đ Nearby News
Montgomery Village
- Brenda Wolff won't seek reelection to a third term (mymcmedia.org)
- Charter school leaders urge school board not to revoke its license (mymcmedia.org)
- MoCo vs the Region: Establishments (montgomeryperspective.com)
Clarksburg
- Parris, Carr lead U.S. group at 2026 Henri Deglane Grand Prix in Nice, France (themat.com)
Silver Spring
Ok Germantown! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I see food and I eat it.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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