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Board of Education to Meet with County Council

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a quarterly meeting with the County Council at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007, in Board Room B at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Registration for New Students and Students Entering Kindergarten

Registration for new students or students entering public school kindergarten in August 2007, will be held in all Howard County public elementary schools Monday through Friday, March 5 - 9, 2007, between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and other times as determined by individual schools.

Kindergarten is mandatory in Maryland. State law requires that children entering kindergarten in the fall of 2007 must be five (5) years of age on or before Sept. 1, 2007. Children entering first grade in the fall of 2007 must be six (6) years old on or before Sept. 1, 2007. Parents or legal guardians are to register students at the school currently serving the address at which the child’s parent or guardian resides. Parents of children born outside of the US, and/or for whom English is not the primary language spoken in the home, should contact the Office of International Student Services at 410-313-7101 for registration. Parents may call the Public Information Office at 410-313-6682, or they may check the “School Locator” via the school system website, www.hcpss.org, for more information on which school serves their residence.

The parent or guardian must present the following information at the time of registration:

• the child’s birth certificate
• an authorized record of immunizations
• proof of residency in the form of a lease, a deed, or house contract and a utility bill
• photo ID of the parent/guardian

Driver’s licenses and voter registration cards will not be accepted as proof of residence. State law prohibits a child from attending school for even one day unless proof of immunization has been provided. Immunization and health forms will be available at each elementary school at the time of registration.

"Green Theme" Mosaic Mural to Grace Entrance to Jeffers Hill Elementary School

Jeffers Hill Elementary School is in the midst of an ambitious Artist-In-Residence program during the month of January. The students in the 4th and 5th grade art classes have been challenged to create a mosaic mural to wrap a prominent corner of the school’s main entry. The theme the students selected is the goodness of the garden and the earth. In keeping with this theme, they will be using only recycled materials and found objects to embellish their work. For the fourth and final week (January 29-31), the students will grout their mosaic designs to bind them permanently to the cement board bases. The finished artwork, which totals roughly 100 square feet, will be installed in the spring with help from the Howard County Public School facilities department. The students and their art teacher, Mr. Luce, will be recognized by the school, parents, and community in a dedication ceremony planned for April as part of the other educational and school beautification activities set for Earth Week 2007.

Mr. Luce and his students are working with artist-in-resident Tara Holl who has collaborated with many public schools around the state to create wonderful art installations. She kicked off the residency with an assembly for the whole school to explain the project, the nature of mosaics as an art form, and her work as a professional artist and educator. Then the student body was challenged to bring in recycled materials that could go into the mosaic - pieces of broken tiles, dishes, cups, shells, marbles, and other found or discarded objects of durable material. Two local tile companies Capitol Tile & Marble Company and Columbia Tile & Marble donated their tile discards to the cause. Sherwin-Williams gave the school a discount on stain material. Parent volunteers have been helping the effort go smoothly by providing guidance and supervision in the art classrooms.

The project has helped to foster community spirit and to serve as a reminder that even our throw-away resources can be reused with beautiful results. This project has been funded by the PTA with a matching grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) through their Arts-in-Education Program.

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Both the afternoon and the evening session, which convenes at 7:30 p.m., will begin 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.

To sign up to speak at Public Forum, 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 on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2008 Operating Budget

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a public work session on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2008 Operating Budget at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007, 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.

Board of Education to Hold Public Hearing on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2008 Operating Budget

The public will have an opportunity for input on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2008 Operating Budget during a public hearing of the Howard County Board of Education. The hearing will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

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. 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 advanced notice is preferred.

Conexiones Partners with Guilford Elementary to Foster Hispanic Students Success

Hispanic students at Guilford Elementary will receive extra academic support and encouragement through a new partnership between the school and Conexiones, Inc.

Under the terms of the partnership, an after-school homework club for Hispanic students will be held twice each week at the school, with bilingual tutors to be provided by Conexiones. The organization will also work with the school to offer evening information sessions in Spanish and English for Hispanic parents and guardians. Additional partnership opportunities will be identified throughout the year.

The partnership will be formally launched on Monday, January 29, at Guilford Elementary School, 7335 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia. At 4 p.m., Conexiones President Murray Simon will join Guilford Elementary School Principal Genee Varlack, Assistant Principal Anne Swartz, Howard County School Board Member Patricia S. Gordon, and Partnerships Manager Mary Schiller to sign the official partnership agreement.

Conexiones, Inc. (www.conexioneshc.org) has been promoting academic achievement among Hispanic students in Howard County since its inception in 2000. Its programs include after-school tutoring, field trips, scholarships, and an annual event to celebrate Hispanic students graduating from high school.

The Howard County Public School System Partnerships Office unites businesses and community organizations with schools to enhance the educational experience. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses, and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.

Time Change for Board of Education Closed Meeting

The time for the previously announced closed meeting of the Board of Education, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, has been changed from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Public Hearing on Proposed Land Acquisition

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Both the afternoon and the evening session, which convenes at 7:30 p.m., will begin 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 on a proposal to acquire 41 acres of land at 2865 Marriottsville Road, currently owned by St. John Evangelist Baptist Church, in exchange for a 10-acre plot owned by the school system at the intersection of Tamar Drive and MD Route 175 and a monetary amount to be determined.

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 testify at the hearing or to speak at Public Forum, 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 Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007. The meeting will take place at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

New Partnership Links Maple Lawn Businesses with Area Schools

A new partnership between Maple Lawn area schools and businesses will give students greater exposure to the world of work while building bonds among the educational, commercial, and residential segments of the community. The member businesses of the Maple Lawn Maryland Business Association have agreed to form a partnership with the four Maple Lawn area schools (Reservoir High, Lime Kiln Middle, Fulton Elementary, and the Cedar Lane School). The partnership will be formalized with an official signing at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, at the oZ. Chophouse on Maple Lawn Boulevard in Fulton.

The mission of the partnership is to provide real world experiences that match the needs of students to specific business opportunities at Maple Lawn. Meetings will be held throughout the year to plan for major partnership events and to provide strategic guidance, inspiration, and funding, as available, for school projects that enhance educational opportunities.

A unique aspect of the agreement is its provision for the Maple Lawn Maryland Business Association to act as a conduit between schools and businesses. Streamlined, ongoing, two-way communication will be pivotal to the partnership’s success, and makes sense from a logistical perspective as well, according to Adrianne Kaufman, principal of Reservoir High School. “By forming a single partnership between the Maple Lawn area schools and the business association, we can take a more comprehensive approach than would be possible if each school were to establish separate partnerships with individual businesses,” she explained, adding that specific partnership activities appropriate to each school have been and will continue to be identified.

“A commitment to the community is an important aspect of living and working in Maple Lawn,” according to Dave Buscher, a Maple Lawn business owner who spearheaded the formation of the business association last year. “A strong partnership between the schools, the businesses, and Maple Lawn residents is a natural extension to this philosophy,” he added. “By pooling our resources, we can make things happen that will benefit all of us.”

Maple Lawn Maryland Business Association representative Dave Buscher, Howard County School Board Member Sandra H. French, Superintendent Sydney L. Cousin, Reservoir High School Principal Adrianne H. Kaufman, Cedar Lane School Principal Nicholas Girardi, Lime Kiln Middle School Principal Brenda Thomas, Fulton Elementary Principal Karen Moore-Roby, and Partnerships Manager Mary Schiller will sign the official partnership agreement.

The Howard County Public School System Partnerships Office unites businesses and community organizations with schools to enhance the educational experience. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses, and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.

Howard Schools Receive $13,729 for School Performance

Superintendent Sydney Cousin announced today that 42 Howard County elementary and middle schools have received recognition through the Maryland State Department of Education’s 2006 School Performance Recognition Program. The Maryland School Performance Recognition Program awards schools for overall achievement and/or subgroup improvement. Nine Howard County schools were recognized for both including:

• Bellows Spring Elementary
• Burleigh Manor Middle
• Folly Quarter Middle
• Fulton Elementary
• Glenwood Middle
• Mayfield Woods Middle
• Pointers Run Elementary
• Thunder Hill Elementary
• Waterloo Elementary

Superintendent Sydney Cousin says he is pleased by the good news. “I am very proud that so many of our schools received recognition. Our teachers, administrators, and support staff work hard to ensure our students are achieving. They deserve this recognition and more.”

Five Title I elementary schools will receive financial awards of $2,745.82 each for improving the performance of student groups on the 2006 Maryland School Assessments. Those schools are Bryant Woods, Phelps Luck, Running Brook, Stevens Forest, and Swansfield. All schools honored will receive certificates of recognition. Only schools that receive Title I funding were eligible for financial awards.

In addition to the five Title I schools, Deep Run Elementary was recognized for subgroup improvement. Twenty-seven schools were recognized for overall achievement alone. Those include the following:

• Atholton Elementary
• Bonnie Branch Middle
• Bushy Park Elementary
• Centennial Lane Elementary
• Clarksville Elementary
• Clarksville Middle
• Clemens Crossing Elementary
• Dunloggin Middle
• Elkridge Landing Middle
• Ellicott Mils Middle
• Forest Ridge Elementary
• Gorman Crossing Elementary
• Hammond Elementary
• Hammond Middle
• Hollifield Station Elementary
• Ilchester Elementary
• Line Kiln Middle
• Lisbon Elementary
• Manor Woods Elementary
• Northfield Elementary
• Rockburn Elementary
• Triadelphia Ridge Elementary
• Waverly Elementary
• West Friendship Elementary
• Worthington Elementary

MSDE will recognize high schools at a later date.

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session on Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, at 9 a.m. The meeting will take place in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Dayton Oaks Elementary and Sandy Spring Bank to Form Partnership

Students at Dayton Oaks Elementary School will soon have an answer to the age-old question, “Why do we need to learn math?” A new partnership between the school and locally-based Sandy Spring Bank will teach students the importance of personal financial planning while helping them gain an appreciation for how mathematics are used in daily life. The official partnership signing will take place on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at the Waterside Restaurant in the Sheraton Columbia Hotel.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, the bank will create a school-based, deposit-only bank for Dayton Oaks students and staff. Bank representatives will train fifth grade students as tellers and will assist with a bi-weekly banking day. Students will also tour the bank branch to learn how a real bank operates.

Sandy Spring Bank will also share information about careers in the banking field during Career Day and at other venues as appropriate. Additional partnership opportunities will be identified throughout the year.

At 8:30 a.m., Vice President Jennifer J. Montague of Sandy Spring Bank will join Howard County School Board Member Diane Mikulis, Dayton Oaks Elementary School Principal Kimberlyn Pratesi, and Partnerships Manager Mary Schiller to sign the official partnership agreement.

Sandy Spring Bank (www.sandyspringbank.com) is an active and enthusiastic supporter of its local communities. Beyond sponsoring in-school banking programs, the company also coordinates community celebrations, rebuilds low income homes, and supports a variety of other programs in its mission to make each community a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

The Howard County Public School System Partnerships Office unites businesses and community organizations with schools to enhance the educational experience. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses, and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.

School System, McFadden Reach Settlement in Wheelchair Athletics Case

Superintendent Sydney Cousin announced today that the Howard County Public School System and the Maryland Disability Law Center have reached a settlement agreement that permits Atholton High School student Tatyana McFadden to participate in track meets using her wheelchair and racing alongside her non-disabled teammates. The settlement makes permanent decisions made by the courts last spring when ruling on McFadden’s request for a temporary injunction.

The agreement also spells out provisions that were in place during the track season last year and that acknowledge McFadden’s right to

• Participate in and have the same opportunities for access to the same number of track events as other students without disabilities.
• Have access to a school athletic uniform, school letter and other benefits and recognition afforded to student athletes without disabilities.
• Obtain points for her team based on her performance and in a manner that is similar to how points earned by other students count for the team.

Superintendent Sydney Cousin says that school system actions to date demonstrate support for the full involvement of student athletes with disabilities. “The Howard County Public School System is a leader in the state in implementing programs and has taken specific steps to ensure that our programs are inclusive.” says Cousin. “We view federal laws that guarantee the civil rights of students with disabilities as a floor, not a ceiling.” To that end, the settlement agreement provides that any points scored by Ms. McFadden are counted for her team, making Howard County perhaps the first jurisdiction in the country to fully recognize the contributions of student athletes who use wheelchairs in interscholastic track meets.

Lauren Young, Director of Litigation for the Disability Law Center, said that her client is satisfied. “This situation, where even a world class athlete had difficulty competing in high school because of her disability has taught us all a great deal. The Maryland Department of Education should learn from Howard County and from the Atholton girls track team, which showed great poise in behaving as a team in the face of scrutiny and uncertainty. They are the real champions who made this all work”.

The Howard County Public School System was the first school system in Maryland to provide interscholastic track and field events for athletes with disabilities and has aggressively pursued changes at the state level to make opportunities available to students with disabilities across Maryland.

Board of Education to Hold Retreat

The members of the Howard County Board of Education will meet to hold a retreat on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007. The retreat will take place noon - 5 p.m., Faulkner Ridge Center, Susquehannah Room.

Olney Theatre Center Forms Partnership with Howard County Schools

A new school-business partnership will engage Howard County students and teachers in the excitement of live theater and help them cultivate their capacity for creative expression. A partnership agreement between Olney Theatre Center and the Howard County Public School System was formalized on Friday, January 5, with an official signing during the Student Theatre Festival at the Smith Center at Howard Community College.

Under the terms of the partnership, Olney Theatre Center will work with HCPSS drama teachers to create performance and learning opportunities for drama students. The center will also provide at least two professional development sessions for drama teachers each year. Students and teachers will gain additional opportunities to experience live theater with the benefit of discounted tickets to Olney Theatre Center productions.

At noon, Olney Theatre Center’s Managing Director Leslie Marqua joined HCPSS Lead Drama Teacher Pam Land, Advanced Programs and Fine Arts Coordinator Tom Payne, and Partnerships Manager Mary Schiller to sign the formal partnership agreement.

An award-winning regional theater, Olney Theatre Center (www.olneytheatre.org) seeks to develop each individual's creative potential using the skills and imaginative possibilities of theater and the performing arts. The center offers a diverse array of professional productions that enrich, nurture, and challenge a broad range of artists, audiences, and students.