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Board of Education Audit Committee to Hold Quarterly Meeting

The Audit Committee of the Board of Education will hold its quarterly meeting at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2007. The meeting will take place in Board Room B at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Students Explore Communication in History at Howard County History Contest

Howard County History Day, a competition that annually involves teachers and students from middle and high schools throughout this area, will be held on March 10, 2007. Reservoir High School in Fulton will host the district competition, the theme of which is “Triumph and Tragedy in History.”

After working on their entries for many months, competitors qualified for the district contest by doing well at contests held at individual schools. The top two winners in each category and division at the district contest will advance to the state contest, to be held Saturday, April 28, 2007, at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

National History Day is the nation’s leading program for history education in the schools. The program annually engages two 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 History Day is Dr. Mark Stout, curriculum coordinator for Secondary Social Studies, Howard County Public School System. To learn more about Howard County History Day, contact Dr. Stout 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 www.nationalhistoryday.org .

School System Forms Department of Student, Family and Community Services Advisory Committee

The Howard County Public School System is seeking members for a community advisory committee to the Department of Student, Family and Community Services.

An organizational meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2007, from 3:00 to
5:00 p.m., in Board Room B at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. Participants will provide input regarding the purpose and function of the proposed committee.

Interested citizens can register to attend by calling 410.313.1524 or sending an email to valerie_willis@hcpss.org.

Board of Education Closed Meeting Canceled

The previously announced closed meeting of the Board of Education, scheduled for 3 p.m. today, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, has been canceled.

School Board Offers Coffee and Conversation to Community

The Board of Education of Howard County regularly holds “Coffee & Conversation” sessions at schools throughout the county. These meetings provide citizens with an opportunity to share a cup of coffee and chat informally with Board members. The meetings are held in various regions of the county but interested persons from throughout the county are invited to attend any or all of the meetings. The next “Coffee & Conversation” session with the Board of Education will be held:

Wednesday, March 14, 2007
7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Media Center at Long Reach High School
6101 Old Dobbin Lane in Columbia

Time Change for Board of Education Closed Meeting

The time for the previously announced closed meeting of the Board of Education, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22, 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

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 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.

During the evening session, the Board will hold public hearing on proposed revisions to Policy 3445, Violence and School Safety.

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 Meeting to Adopt Budgets

The Howard County Board of Education will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007, to adopt its budget request for the FY 2008 Operating and Capital Budgets, and the FY 2009 - 2013 Capital Improvement Program. The meeting is open to the public and will take place in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

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. 22, 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 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 from 1 - 5 p.m. today, Feb. 20, 2007. The work session will take place in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Board of Education to Meet with County Council

The quarterly meeting of the Board of Education and the County Council has been rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 23, 2007, at 8:15 a.m. The meeting will take place in Board Room B at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Courtesy on the Road Partners with Howard County Schools

Young drivers will be given positive incentives to practice safe habits and respect the rights of others on the road through a partnership between Courtesy on the Road and the Howard County Public School System. The partnership agreement will be formalized on Friday, February 23, with an official signing at The Kings Contrivance, 10150 Shaker Drive, Columbia.

Under the terms of the partnership, a winning “safe driver” will be chosen each week from among students registered with the program who are “caught in the act” of following speed limits, using turn signals, and demonstrating other safe, courteous driving habits. Winners will receive a variety of prizes donated by local businesses. Each high school can sponsor a school-based Courtesy on the Road chapter to promote program membership. At the end of each school year, Courtesy on the Road will sponsor a celebration for the school having the most student members.

Information on the Courtesy on the Road program will also be incorporated into the driving safety sessions required at each school for parking permit applicants. Other partnership opportunities will be identified throughout the year.

At noon, Courtesy on the Road founders Lisa Morrow and Steffi Rubin will join School Board Member Patricia S. Gordon, HCPSS Superintendent Sydney Cousin, Coordinator of School Security Steve Drummond, and Partnerships Manager Mary Schiller to sign the formal partnership agreement.

Courtesy on the Road (courtesyontheroad.com) takes a positive approach to road safety by rewarding young drivers who practice good driving habits. Established in 2005, the program has grown steadily in size and popularity and is supported by the Howard County Police Department along with dozens of other state and local organizations.

The Howard County Public School System’s 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.

Today's Board of Education Budget Work Session Moved to 5 p.m.

The Board of Education has moved up the start time for tonight’s work session on the FY 2008 Operating Budget from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. At this evening’s work session, the Board will review and discuss the following budget categories:

• Pupil Personnel, except Student Accounting
• Health Service, except Health Services/Athletics
• Special Education, except Psychological Services

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting February 22

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a closed meeting at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting February 15

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a closed meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Partnership Signing Between Fire Rock Grill and Oakland Mills High School Postponed

The previously announced partnership signing between the Fire Rock Grill and Oakland Mills High School has been postponed due to the closing of Howard County Public Schools today.

Board of Education to Hold Public Work Sessions on Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2008 Operating Budget

The Howard County Board of Education will hold two public work sessions on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2008 Operating Budget in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. The first work session will take place from 1 - 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007. The second work session will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007.

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.

Fire Rock Grill Partners with Oakland Mills High School to Strengthen Culinary Program and Build Community Ties

Culinary students at Oakland Mills High School will be able to hone their skills under the instruction of a professional chef through a new partnership with local restaurant Fire Rock Grill.

The partnership seeks to prepare students for careers in the culinary and hospitality industry, as well as to build stronger ties between the school and the Oakland Mills community, where the restaurant is located. The partnership agreement will be formalized on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007, with an official signing at the Fire Rock Grill, 5888 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia.

Under the terms of the agreement, Fire Rock Grill will sponsor the Oakland Mills Culinary Science Program and provide a consulting chef who will work directly with the students on culinary techniques. The restaurant will also work with the OMHS Community Involvement Team, and will host school-community connection events at Fire Rock.

At 3:45 p.m., Fire Rock Grill co-owners Nish Patel and Vaughn Ennis will join Oakland Mills Principal Frank Eastham, School Board Member Patricia S. Gordon and Partnerships Manager Mary Schiller to sign the formal partnership agreement.

Fire Rock Grill (www.firerockgrill.com) opened in the Oakland Mills Village Center in 2005. Its menu specializes in basic American fare "with an ethnic twist.”

The Howard County Public School System’s 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.

Students Test their Knowledge of African American History at Howard County Black Saga Competition

The second Howard County Black Saga Competition, an academic contest on African American history that will involve students from Oakland Mills, Patapsco, and Wilde Lake middle schools will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, at Wilde Lake Middle School, 10481 Cross Fox Lane in Columbia. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the contest will conclude with an awards ceremony at 11 a.m.

After working to enhance their knowledge of the African American experience for many months, the teams will compete against each other in a contest of their skills. All of these teams will then move forward to the state competition in March, where they will compete against students from other school systems. The Secondary Social Studies Offices will host the local event. Program founder, Dr. Charles Christian will bring greetings, and Wilde Lake High School teacher Dr. Hebert West will serve as the emcee.

The district coordinator for the Black Saga Competition is Dr. Mark Stout, Curriculum Coordinator for Secondary Social Studies, Howard County Public School System.

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meetings

The Howard County Board of Education will hold two closed meetings on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

The first meeting will take place at 3 p.m., prior to the previously announced regularly scheduled Board meeting beginning at 4 p.m.

The second closed meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. There will not be an evening session for the Board meeting.