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August 2007 News Releases

August 29, 2007 (#2007-022)

New Partnership to Promote Lifetime Fitness, Positive Behavior

Elementary and middle school students will have increased opportunities to learn a sport that can enhance fitness and provide enjoyment for a lifetime through a new partnership between the Howard County Public School System and Brunswick Columbia Lanes. The partnership agreement will be formalized with an official signing on Friday, August 31, at Marriotts Ridge High School in Marriottsville, during the school system’s physical education professional development program.

Learning to bowl can improve students’ balance, coordination, motor, and interpersonal skills, and provide reinforcement for academic skills such as math, physics, problem solving, reading comprehension, and spelling. Under the terms of the partnership, Brunswick Columbia Lanes will loan portable bowling lanes and equipment, plus provide educational materials, to participating schools.

The company will also support the school system’s positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) program by providing incentive coupons for a free game of bowling at Brunswick Columbia Lanes. PBIS is research-based discipline system focused on teaching and reinforcing positive student behavior. The approximately 45 Howard County schools with PBIS programs can use the coupons for student incentives and rewards.

At 7:45 a.m, Brunswick Columbia Lanes Director Barbara Deming will join Howard County School Board Vice Chairman Frank Aquino, School Board Member Janet Siddiqui, M.D., Instructional Facilitator Jackie French, and Partnerships Manager Mary Schiller to sign the formal partnership agreement.

Brunswick Bowling Centers (www.bowlbrunswick.com) offer fun, excitement, and relaxation for the whole family, with bowling, billiards, arcade games, and more.

The Howard County Public School System’s Partnerships Office (www.hcpss.org/aboutus/partnership) 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.

August 29, 2007 (#2007-021)

New Champps Partnership to Enhance Culinary Studies and Support High Schools

Howard County high school students interested in the culinary arts will be able to gain hands on experience in food preparation, restaurant management, and related fields, through a new partnership between Champps Restaurant in Columbia and the Howard County Public School System. The partnership agreement will be formalized on Thursday, August 30, with an official signing at Champps Restaurant, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia.

Under the terms of the partnership, Champps will offer employment or internships relating to culinary arts, business, or restaurant management to qualified high school students.

Champps has also agreed to sponsor fundraising nights in the fall to support each of the county’s twelve high schools, and will offer a discount in the restaurant for school system employees.

At 5 p.m, Vince Cassino, Managing Partner of Champps Restaurant in Columbia, will join Howard County School Board Vice Chairman Frank Aquino, School Board Member Janet Siddiqui, M.D., Athletics Coordinator Michael Williams, and Partnerships Manager Mary Schiller to sign the formal partnership agreement.

Every Champps (www.champps.com) restaurant is committed to supporting its local community by actively participating in neighborhood celebrations and supporting local businesses, schools, and teams.

The Howard County Public School System’s Partnerships Office (www.hcpss.org/aboutus/partnership) 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.

August 28, 2007 (#2007-020)

County’s High School Assessment Pass Rate Hits New High

Superintendent Sydney Cousin announced today that Howard County’s 2007 High School Assessment (HSA) results were the highest scores county students have ever achieved on each of these tests. The overall percent of Howard County students passing the 2007 HSA was:

87.5% - Algebra
87.5% - Biology
86.0% - English
89.6% - Government

“We are very pleased that our pass rates are all approaching 90 percent. Even more gratifying is the fact that EVERY student group improved their performance on each test,” said Cousin. “Our teachers and students are to be commended for this fine showing.” Cousin remarked that the results are one more indication that students are getting an outstanding education in Howard’s public schools and that the community is getting a solid return on its investment.

Cousin noted that there are two different graduation requirements associated with the HSA. Students who are in Grade 12 this school year are only required to take the tests. Beginning with the Class of 2009 and those that follow, students will be required to take and pass the tests. The pass rates* for the class of 2009 are:

86.3% - Algebra
82.3% - Biology
83.1% - English
83.8% - Government

Cousin said he is very encouraged by the pass rates to date. “The pass rates for the class of 2009 are positive. Students can retake the tests if they don’t pass the first administration and we have a number of students, who for one reason or another have not taken tests, yet. I am confident that by 2009, the large majority of our students will have passed.”

Students in the Class of 2009 and beyond who do not pass will receive appropriate intervention before retaking the test in October 2007, January 2008, or May 2008. Howard County schools offer several options for students who do not pass one or more of the HSAs. Intervention strategies in place for the upcoming school year include tutoring, repeating the course, semester mastery courses, and small group sessions held after school.

*Please note that some students in the Class of 2009 have not yet taken the HSAs.

Note: The Maryland State Department of Education does not honor the blank race codes for students who choose not to designate a race, however Howard County does. As a result, the data reported here for Howard County racial student groups could vary from those reported on the MSDE website.

August 28, 2007 (#2007-020)

SAT Data Show Howard County Students Continue to Outshine Peers in Maryland and Nation

Students in Howard County’s Class of 2007 significantly outperformed their counterparts in Maryland and across the nation, according to SAT data released today by the College Board. The average scores for Howard County’s 2007 graduates closely resemble the 2006 scores.

In Writing, Howard’s average score dropped one point, from 538 last year, to 537 this year. The Critical Reading score also dropped slightly, from 539 to 537. Mathematics saw a three-point drop, from 559 to 556. Maryland and national scores dropped between 3 and 7 points.

“We are extremely proud of the performance of our students on the SAT,” said Superintendent Sydney Cousin. “Our average scores are consistently above the average state and national scores. That’s commendable.”

Comparison of SAT Average Scores Class of 2007 v Class of 2006:

The report generated by the College Board is based on self-report data from students participating in the SAT program, according to Theresa Alban, the school system’s Director of Student Assessment and Program Evaluation. Any errors in the self-report data are difficult for the College Board to recognize or correct. However, when the school system receives the data file from the College Board, staff is able to confirm that the students are actually enrolled in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), to eliminate duplicate records, and to correct errors in demographic information or school of attendance. “We are more confident in presenting data, particularly trend data and student group analyses, on the SAT using our own files,” said Alban.

A more complete analysis of the SAT data, including school-by-school results, will be presented to the Board of Education and the community at the Board meeting scheduled for Sept. 20, 2007.

August 22, 2007 (#2007-018)

Board of Education Meeting and Presentation of Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2009 Capital Budget and FY 2010-2014 Capital Improvement Program

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 6, 2007, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

During the evening session, which convenes at 7:30 p.m., Superintendent Sydney Cousin will present his Proposed FY 2009 Capital Budget and FY 2010-2014 Capital Improvement Program.

Both the afternoon and the evening session 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 testify 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.

August 21, 2007 (#2007-017)

Parent May Restrict the Release of Student Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act authorizes local school systems to disclose certain information from the education records of a student. This information is designated as directory information and includes basic biographical information only. It does not include student grades, test results, or any part of academic or discipline records. Parents who wish to restrict the release of one or more of these categories of information related to their child(ren), must complete and sign the Annual Parental Option Form that each child will bring home during the first week of school.

Based on categories designated by the federal government, the Howard County Public School System defines the following student data as directory information:

1. Student Name
2. Address
3. Telephone Number
4. Date of Birth
5. Major Field of Study
6. Participation in School Activities
7. Weight and/or Height of Athletes
8. Dates of School Attendance
9. Degrees/Awards
10. Previous Education Institutions Attended

In accordance with state law, the Howard County Public School System WILL NOT release a student’s HOME ADDRESS or PHONE NUMBER to any person or organization other than the following:

1. An organization of parents, teachers, students, or former students, or any combination of those groups, of the school (i.e. PTA/PTSA, booster club, class reunion committee, etc.);
2. An organization or force of the military (i.e. military recruiters, etc.);
3. A representative of a community college in the state; or
4. A representative of the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Questions or requests for additional information should be directed to the HCPSS Public Information Office at 410-313-6682.

August 21, 2007 (#2007-016)

Community Advisory Council to Hold Meeting and New Member Orientation

The Community Advisory Council to the Board of Education will hold their first meeting of the year at 7:30 p.m on Tuesday, August 28, 2007, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

A new member orientation will be held at the same location on Tuesday, September 18, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 410-313-6682, or Rose Dennison, Chairman of the Community Advisory Council at rosedennison@comcast.net.

August 21, 2007 (#2007-015)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a closed meeting at 4 p.m., on Wednesday, August 29, 2007, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

August 21, 2007 (#2007-msde)

Five Public Hearings Set on the Maryland High School Assessment

Five regional public hearings have been set by the State Board for the public to provide comment on the Maryland High School Assessment (HSAs).

All five are set for September. The hearings will begin at 7 p.m., and the board will only be able to hear testimony on the HSAs. The maximum speaking time afforded to any individual or organization will be three minutes. Approximately 40 speaker opportunities will be available during the testimony segment of the agenda at each hearing. Typed or clearly printed copies of the speaker’s testimony will be appreciated.

Any person wishing to provide public comment must sign up on site beginning at 6:15 p.m. Persons wishing to submit written testimony may do so the evening of the hearing; by mail to the Maryland State Board of Education, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201; by emailing to stateboard-hsa@msde.state.md.us; or by fax to 310-333-2275 by September 20, 2007.

• Guidelines and Procedures for Public Comment on the Maryland HSAs (pdf)

The dates and locations are as follows:

• September 4 – Eastern Shore Region – Easton High School in Talbot County. Easton High School is at 723 Mecklenberg Avenue in Easton.
  
  
• September 10 – Washington, DC Region – Charles Hubert Flowers High School in Prince George’s County. Charles Hubert Flowers High School is at 10001 Ardwick-Ardmore Road in Springdale.
  
  
• September 18 – Southern Region – North Point High School in Charles County. North Point High School is at 2500 Davis Road in Waldorf.
  
  
• September 18 – Western Region – Fort Hill High School in Allegany County. Fort Hill High School is at 500 Greenway Avenue in Cumberland.
  
  
• September 19 – Central Region – Poly/Western High School in Baltimore City. The school is at 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane in Baltimore.

Although State Board members and education officials will not respond to any comments during these hearings, they will listen and take all comments into consideration as they deliberate on establish education policy relative to the Maryland High School Assessments.

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided if requested 48 hours prior to the event. Language translation services requested 96 hours prior to the event will be provided to the extent practicable. Please contact Deneice Yarborough at 410-767-0469 or TTY 410-333-3045 so that arrangements can be made.

August 20, 2007 (#2007-014)

Time Change for Board of Education Closed Meeting

The time for the previously announced closed meeting of the Board of Education, scheduled for Wednesday, August 22, 2007, has been changed from 6:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

August 20, 2007 (#2007-013)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a closed meeting at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

August 10, 2007 (#2007-012)

Community Advisory Council Seeks At-large Members

The Community Advisory Council (CAC) to the Board of Education is seeking at-large members for the 2007-2008 school year. The CAC is a group of citizens and representatives from local PTAs that serves in an advisory capacity to the elected school board. The CAC sponsors educational programming for members and provides them with the opportunity to study and have input into curriculum, education policy, redistricting and budget. The committee generally meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month in the Board Room at the Department of Education in Ellicott City. At-large members serve a two-year term. For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 410-313-6682.

August 10, 2007 (#2007-011)

Veterans Elementary, Bushy Park Elementary Hold Ribbon Cutting, Open House Events on August 26

Community members are invited to tour Howard County’s two newest schools on Sunday, August 26. Both Veterans Elementary School and the replacement school for Bushy Park Elementary School will hold ribbon-cutting ceremonies and open houses on that date.

County and school officials, parents and students will participate in dedication activities at Veterans Elementary School, 4355 Montgomery Road in Ellicott City from 1 - 3 p.m. With capacity for 788 students, the school relieves crowding at St. John's Lane, Worthington and Northfield elementary schools.

The ribbon-cutting and open house for the new Bushy Park Elementary School, 14601 Carrs Mill Road in Glenwood, takes place from 3 - 5 p.m. The facility replaces the original school, which opened in 1976 and with a capacity of 788 can accommodate 348 more students than the old facility.

Howard County schools open for students on Monday, August 27.

August 1, 2007 (#2007-010)

School System Welcomes New Teachers with Orientation Program, August 13-16

Each year the Howard County Public School System welcomes new teachers to the system with a four-day orientation.  The event is designed to acquaint them with the personnel and support services that are available to them as Howard County teachers. 

New Teacher Orientation is held at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Monday, August 13, through Thursday, August 16.  The activities begin at 8 a.m. with a breakfast served by members of the Board of Education, the Superintendent Sydney Cousin and his staff, and Ann DeLacy, President of the Howard County Education Association.

After visiting a variety of vendor booths, participants will hear keynote speaker Dr. Brenda CampbellJones, a member of the consultant team that is providing cultural proficiency training to Howard County educators and support staff.  An introduction and overview of various curriculum areas will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon.  Teachers will report to their assigned schools in the afternoon.

Morning and afternoon sessions on Tuesday focus on various aspects of curriculum.  On Wednesday, participants will have an opportunity to select from an offering of special topic sessions covering everything from "Using Online Databases in Instruction" to "What Teachers Need to Know about the Brain." At 12:30 p.m., new teachers will attend a mandatory session on the prevention of bullying/harassment and child abuse and neglect conducted by Director of Student Services Pamela Blackwell.

Thursday morning the focus is back on curriculum.  A session for all special educators will be held in the afternoon, while all other teachers work in their assigned schools.