With nearly 200 public schools and scores of private schools in Montgomery County, there's bound to be plenty of news. Here are the top school headlines from across Montgomery County's Patch sites from Friday, May 11 through Wednesday, May 16.

Student's Election to County PTAs Post Draws Ire, Defenders

ROCKVILLE—The election of 15-year-old Richard Montgomery High School freshman Richie Yarrow as recording secretary of the 48,000-member organization that represents PTAs from schools around Montgomery County yields controversy. Read the full story on Rockville Patch.

Reports: MCPS Rolls Out New Curriculum

COLESVILLE—A new curriculum that focuses on critical thinking skills is now in more classrooms throughout Montgomery County Public Schools. Curriculum 2.0, an updated set of teaching standards to prepare students for a "knowledge-based global economy," had been optional for kindergarten and/or Grade 1 since the 2009-2010 school year. Read the full story on Colesville Patch.

Former Whitman HS Principal Dies

BETHESDA—Jerry Marco, who served as principal of Walt Whitman High School from 1975 to 2004, died May 9. Read the full story on Bethesda Patch.

Whiz Kid: Samuel Zbarsky Joins US Elite Math Team

SILVER SPRING—Montgomery Blair High School student Samuel Zbarsky—a junior in the Science, Mathematics, and Computer Science Magnet Program—will join an elite team of 12 as they travel to Slovenia to compete in the 2012 International Linguistics Olympiad, which will be held July 29 to August 4. Read the full story on Silver Spring Patch.

Loiederman Principal Transferring to Bethesda School

WHEATON—Principal Alison Serino is leaving Wheaton's A. Mario Loiederman Middle School to  take the helm at Westland Middle School in Bethesda, effective July 1. Read the full story on Wheaton Patch.

Hockey Standout Skarupa Honored At County Council Worksession

NORTH POTOMAC—Thomas S. Wootton High School senior Haley Skarupa was honored by the Montgomery County Council Tuesday, May 15, for her success in youth ice hockey on the international stage. Skarupa is a member of the United States Women's National Team, which took gold in 2011 at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Women's U18 Championships. Read the full story on North Potomac-Darnestown Patch.

Q&A: Kensington Native Talks About Teaching Abroad

KENSINGTON—Emma Cogan, a senior at Loyola University Maryland, was recently accepted into a teaching assistantship in Malaysia through the Fulbright program. Patch talked to her about the application process and what she's most looking forward to. Read the full Q&A transcript on Kensington Patch.

Gaithersburg Students Earn Technology Awards

GAITHERSBURG—Two Gaithersburg High School students earned awards from the Automotive Technology Foundation of the Montgomery County Public School system. Read the full story on Gaithersburg Patch.

Julia Konner Leads B-CC To County Gymnastics Title

CHEVY CHASE—The Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School gymnastics team captured its fifth team title in six seasons on Tuesday, May 8, at the county's championship meet. Read the full story on Chevy Chase Patch.