Quick Links

County Officials Help Fifth Graders Learn about the Constitution in Simulated Hearings

Fifth graders from 19 Howard County elementary schools will put their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights to the test in the second annual We the People Simulated Congressional Hearings, scheduled to begin on May 15, 2005, at Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School, l3400 Triadelphia Road in Ellicott City.

The Simulated Congressional Hearings have been received with resounding praise. One parent stated, “This is what public schooling should be all about.”

One student, who participated in the Simulated Hearings last year, found the event very educational. "First I didn't know all our rights as citizens and about the Constitution. Now I know more about our rights and more about the Constitution than most people," he said.

Participating fifth grade classes are divided into five groups and each group delivers four minutes of prepared testimony and then fields questions. Topics include:

• The founders’ basic ideas of government
• How the Constitution was written
• The three branches of government
• The responsibilities of citizens
• How the Constitution protects our basic rights, including such topics as freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Five simulated congressional committees—comprised of public officials, lawyers, community representatives, constitutional scholars, and curriculum representatives from the Howard County Public School System and Maryland State Department of Education—will judge the student performances. Also participating are public officials representing the US Congress, the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland judiciary, the County Executive, the County Council and the Board of Education.

"It was cool to have real government experts there asking questions that really made us think hard. We had a fun and educational time learning. After this I feel strongly about participating in government, maybe even for my profession,” said another student who participated in last year’s event.

All events will take place at the 19 elementary schools participating. The approximate schedule for the events is as follows:

9 - 10 a.m. -- Judges’ training
10 - 11 a.m. -- Opening ceremony - keynote speaker and overview of the day’s events.
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. -- Students testify in simulated congressional hearings
1 - 2 p.m. -- Lunch
2 - 3 p.m. -- Closing ceremony/awards

Schools are participating in Simulated Congressional Hearings according to the following schedule:

May 15 - Triadelphia Ridge Elementary
May 16 - Hollifield Station Elementary
May 17 - Atholton Elementary and Forest Ridge Elementary
May 18 - Centennial Lane Elementary
May 19 - Elkridge Elementary and Bollman Bridge Elementary
May 22 - Bushy Park Elementary
May 23 - Ilchester Elementary and Fulton Elementary
May 24 - Pointers Run Elementary
May 25 - Thunder Hill Elementary and West Friendship Elementary
May 26 - Laurel Woods Elementary
May 26 - Waterloo Elementary
May 31 - Lisbon Elementary
June 1 - Clarksville Elementary
June 2 - Phelps Luck Elementary
June 6 - Clemens Crossing Elementary

The events culminate the fifth grade social studies curriculum in which students study historical, political, and constitutional issues. The simulated hearings are adapted from a similar activity included in the We the People textbook used in fifth grade Social Studies.

The We the People program is administered by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the US Department of Education. It is the most extensive education program in the country, developed to teach young people about the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the principals and values they embody. Research studies indicate that students exposed to the program are more interested in politics, feel more politically effective, and perceive fewer limits on their own political freedom than most other students and adult Americans.

For more information about the program, contact HCPSS Social Studies Resource Teacher, Kim Pearre at 410-313-5678 (kpearre@hcpss.org) , or Social Studies Coordinator, Corinne Gorzo at 410-313-6642 (cgorzo@hcpss.org).

Board of Education to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Revisions to Policy 2911, Religion and Religious Materials, and Policy 13111, Religious Observances

The Board of Education will hold a public hearing on proposed revisions to policy 2911, Religion and Religious Materials, and Policy 13111, Religious Observances, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2006. The hearing will take place in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. The public is encouraged to attend.

The proposed policy revisions may be viewed on the school system’s website www.hcpss.org.

Individuals who wish to testify at the hearing are asked to limit their presentation to three minutes and to provide 15 written copies of their testimony at the time of the hearing. To sign up, contact the Executive Assistant to the Board at 410-313-7194.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a public work session for a retreat follow up at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2006, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

For more information, contact the Executive Assistant to the Board at 410-313-7194.

HCPSS Students Advance to National History Day Competition

Eight Howard County students will be among those representing Maryland at the 2006 National History Day Contest. The theme of this year’s event is, “Taking a Stand in History.” After winning at the Howard County Regional Competition on March 25, students participated in a statewide competition on April 22, 2006, at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland. The winners of this competition will represent Maryland at the National History Day Competition.

After working on their entries for many months, competitors qualified for the district contest by winning contests held at individual schools. The top two winners in each category and division at the district contest advanced to the state contest. The statewide winners of first and second place in each category are eligible to participate in the National History Day competition, June 11-15 at the University of Maryland College Park.

HCPSS Advancers to the National History Day Contest

Junior Individual Performances:

Student: Nicole Daniels
Topic: Battle of Baltimore: A Citizen’s Story
School: Elkridge Landing Middle School
County: Howard County
Teacher: Benjamin Ruble

Junior Group Performances:

Students: Mariam Ogunsanya, Taylor Washington
Topic: Sojourner Truth: A Legend Rises to Take a Stand
School: Murray Hill Middle School
County: Howard County
Teacher: Beth Singleton

Junior Group Documentaries:

Students: David Raabe, Zachary Sivo
Topic: The Catonsville Nine: Taking a Stand Against the War in Vietnam
School: Bonnie Branch Middle School
County: Howard County
Teacher: Debbie Blum

Junior Group Exhibits:

Students: Brooks Gabel, Sarah Shin
Topic: Evita Peron
School: Folly Quarter Middle School
County: Howard
Teacher: William Ceglia

Senior Individual Exhibits:

Student: Amber Li
Topic: Tiananmen Square: Taking a Stand for Democracy in Communist China
School: Reservoir High School
County: Howard County
Teacher: Jan Edlowitz

National History Day is the nation’s leading program for history education in the schools. The program annually engages 2 million people in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Students research history topics of their choice related to an annual theme and create exhibits, documentaries, performances, and papers, which they may enter in competitions at the district, state, and national levels. Students in grade 6-8 compete in the Junior Division and those in grades 9-12 compete in the Senior Division. National History Day also provides educational services to students and teachers, including a summer internship program, curricular materials, Internet resources, and annual teacher workshops and training institutes.

The district coordinator for Howard County is Dr. Mark Stout, Curriculum Coordinator for Secondary Social Studies, Howard County Public School System. To learn more about Howard County History Day, contact him at 410-313-6622. For more information on National History Day, contact Mark Robinson at 301-314-9739 or visit the official National History Day web site at http://www.nationalhistoryday.org.

HCPSS Signs Partnership Agreement with Clyde's and Tomato Palace

The Tomato Palace and Clyde’s of Columbia are partnering with the Howard County Public School System is to recognize student achievement and acknowledge the important work teachers perform every day.

The mission of the partnership between The Tomato Palace and Clyde’s of Columbia and the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is to support and recognize students, teachers, and staff who encourage academic excellence, high performance teams, leadership, and outstanding citizenship.

Over the years, Clyde’s and The Tomato Palace have been loyal friends to many Howard County schools and this partnership agreement provides a means to broaden their support and impact system-wide. As a part of their partnership, each month Clyde’s will sponsor two “Community/Academic Achievement” awards and two “Leadership in Athletics” awards for HCPSS Principals to present to deserving high school students. In addition, The Tomato Palace and Clyde’s will provide a discount to HCPSS teachers and staff who visit the restaurants, and a reduced-priced catering menu for school meetings and special events.

Paul Kraft, General Manager of Clyde’s and The Tomato Palace; and Jason Johnson, Manager of The Tomato Palace, will host representatives from HCPSS at a partnership signing at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, at Clyde’s. Representing Howard County Public Schools will be Patricia Gordon, Board of Education member, Sydney L. Cousin, Superintendent of Schools, and Mamie Perkins, Chief of Staff.

Board Meets with NAACP Education Committee

The Howard County Board of Education will meet with the NAACP Education Committee at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2006, in the Lobby conference room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

School System Seeking Community Input for Special Education Staffing Plan 2006 - 2007

The Howard County Public School System is seeking community input for the Special Education Staffing Plan 2006 - 2007. A copy of the Plan for 2005 - 2006 may be obtained by calling Denise McClurkin, Department of Special Education, at 410-313-6659, or by downloading it from the school system Web site at www.hcpss.org/special/. Comments and suggestions may be sent to Ms. McClurkin at 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City, 21042, or e-mailed to denise_mcclurkin@hcpss.org by May 15, 2006.

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Work Session on FY 2007 Operating and Capital Budgets and FY 2008-2012 Capital Improvement Program

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2006, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Both the afternoon and the evening session, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will start with a “Public Forum,” when members of the public may address the Board on any topic other than those for which a formal public hearing process exists. Advanced sign up is preferred.

During the evening session, the Board will hold a public hearing and work session on the FY 2007 Operating and Capital Budgets and the FY 2008-2012 Capital Improvement Program.

Individuals who wish to testify at the hearing are asked to limit their presentation to three minutes and to provide 15 written copies of their testimony at the time of the hearing.

To sign up to speak at “Public Forum” or to testify at the hearing, contact the Executive Assistant to the Board at 410-313-7194. The Board encourages the participation of the public.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advance notice is preferred.

School System Holds Brown Bag Lunch to Kick Off Partnership with Howard County General Hospital’s Center for Breast Care

The Center for Breast Care at Howard County General Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine, is partnering with the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) to provide information and resources to the Howard County Public Schools community about the importance of breast care and health. This partnership is a continuation of the long-standing partnership between Howard County General Hospital and HCPSS.

Tina Beerman, Clinical Program Manager for the Center for Breast Care, will kick-off the partnership today with a noon brown bag lunch session at Howard County Public School’s Faulkner Ridge Center in Columbia. Ms. Beerman will speak about positive breast health care and provide breast health care resources and literature.

In addition to today’s session, Ms. Beerman will conduct a similar session for the HCPSS central office in the fall, plus provide information and resources to HCPSS school principals as requested. HCPSS will include brochures on breast health care in its Employee Wellness program.

Immediately prior to Ms. Beerman’s brown bag session, the Center for Breast Care and the Howard County Public School System will have a partnership signing ceremony. Tina Beerman and Jay H. Blackman, Senior Vice President of Operations, will attend the signing ceremony for Howard County General Hospital. Representing Howard County Public Schools will be Board of Education members Mary Kay Sigaty and Patricia Gordon, and the Manager for Community Partnerships, Mary Schiller. In addition, about 25 HCPSS staff members from the Faulkner Ridge Center will attend the lunch time session.

Howard County Public School System’s Office of World Languages and ESOL to Hold “It’s Linguistic”

The Howard County Public School System’s Office of World Languages and ESOL will hold “It’s Linguistic,” an event for eighth grade world language students from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturday, April 22, 2006, at Burleigh Manor Middle School, 4200 Centennial Lane in Ellicott City.

During the event, beginning French and Spanish students from across the district will participate on teams answering questions about the target language and culture. Over 200 students and members of their families are expected to attend.

For more information, contact Leslie Grahn, World Language Resource Teacher, 410-313-5663.

School System Seeks Members for 2006 Attendance Area Committee

The Howard County Public School System is seeking individuals interested in serving on the 2006 Attendance Area Committee. The purpose of the committee is to assist school officials in the evaluation of school attendance area adjustments and the FY2008 Capital Budget. This year's committee will focus on the attendance areas associated with the new northeastern elementary school, scheduled to open in August 2007. The committee also will consider middle school attendance area adjustments in the northeast and western regions of the county. All attendance area changes will be effective for the 2007-08 school year.

Attendance Area Committee members must be at least 21 years old and be residents of Howard County. Committee members will be selected through an interview process.

Persons interested in serving on the Attendance Area Committee should send a letter of interest, including any background, skills, or experience that would make them a good candidate for membership on the committee. Letters of interest should be sent by May 19, 2006, to:

David Drown
Howard County Public School System
10910 Route 108
Ellicott City, MD 21042

Meeting of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee to the Board of Education Rescheduled

The April General Meeting of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee to the Board of Education, originally scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2006. The meeting will take place in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.