New Partnership Provides Opportunities to Learn about Local History

June 17th, 2015

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has partnered with the Howard County Historical Society to support elementary and secondary social studies in HCPSS schools. The goal of the partnership is to inspire students to develop a sense of local history by connecting the past with the present.

The partnership will be formalized at an official signing on Thursday, June 18, at the Howard County Historical Society’s new education display featuring HCPSS artifacts at the Howard County Library Charles E. Miller Branch and Historical Center in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Howard County Historical Society representatives will support elementary and secondary social studies curricula by attending HCPSS professional development meetings to educate staff about the resources, exhibits and educational programs available through the society. The society also will serve as a resource for information regarding the collection, repository and display of historical artifacts and will include HCPSS historical items in its educational exhibits.

HCPSS will loan educational items of historical significance to the Society for community exhibits and provide a school system representative to serve on the Society’s Board of Directors. In line with the HCPSS strategic plan, Vision 2018, this partnership provides staff with access to learning experiences that support professional growth.

Howard County Board of Education Members Bess Altwerger, Sandra French and Ellen Flynn Giles, HCPSS Communications Director Rebecca Amani-Dove, HCPSS Coordinator of Secondary Social Studies and Advanced Placement Mark Stout, and HCPSS Coordinator of Elementary Social Studies Kim Eggborn will join Howard County Historical Society Board President Paulette Lutz, Education Committee Chair Anne Clark Schoenhut, Board Member Pat Greenwald and Executive Director Shawn Gladden to sign the formal partnership agreement at the June 18 event.

The Howard County Historical Society is home to the county’s most complete collection of historical records and artifacts. The society collects and preserves Howard County’s rich history and provides education about the county’s history through documents, photographs, cultural artifacts and oral history.

The Howard County Public School System’s Partnerships Office unites businesses and community organizations with schools to enhance the educational experience. These partnerships benefit schools, businesses and the community by leveraging the resources of all participants.

For more information, contact Partnerships Office Manager Mary Schiller at 410-313-6655 or mary_schiller@hcpss.org.