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December 2007 News Releases
December 28, 2007 (#2007-093)
Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting
The Board of Education will meet in closed session at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
December 20, 2007 (#2007-092)
Enrollment for Students Interested in JROTC Program
Students interested in enrolling in the JROTC program at Atholton High School, Howard High School, or Oakland Mills High School for the 2008-2009 school year, must submit a Student Reassignment Form by Feb. 22, 2008. The forms can be acquired from school guidance offices.
Students and parents/guardians will be required to have a meeting with the JROTC instructor and school administration prior to submitting the Student Reassignment Form. For questions regarding the JROTC program, contact the JROTC instructor at the high school or Dr. Richard Weisenhoff at 410-313-6604. Enrollment is limited.
December 19, 2007 (#2007-091)
Fine Arts Advisory Council Seeks New Members
The Fine Arts Advisory Council (FAAC) is seeking additional parents and community arts advocates to serve on the Council.
The mission of the Fine Arts Advisory Council is to ensure that high quality, equitable, and consistent fine arts education programs are provided and maintained for the students of the Howard County Public School System.
The purposes of the FAAC are to:
- Establish and maintain a system of communication between the Howard County community and the staff of the Fine Arts Programs.
- Establish and maintain a community of advocates for fine arts education who view the inclusion of fine arts education as essential.
- Collect, and report information/data regarding the artistic needs of Howard County students to fine arts program staff and leadership.
- Advise, counsel, and collaborate with school system staff to facilitate continuous improvement and maintenance of HCPSS Fine Arts Programs.
The Fine Arts Advisory Council (FAAC) will hold a membership and informational meeting on Jan. 9, 2008, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Howard Community College in the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, Monteabaro Recital Hall. The meeting is for parents and community members who would like to support and celebrate the arts in the Howard County Public School System.
Contact Katie Reitmeyer in the Office of Advanced Programs and Fine Arts (APFA) at 410-313-6885 or Kathryn_Reitmeyer@hcpss.org if interested in attending the membership rally and celebration.
December 18, 2007 (#2007-090)
Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Public Hearings on Policies and on Proposed 2008/2009 School Calendar
The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, 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 hearings on the following policies:
- Policy 1010, Discrimination
- Policy 1020, Sexual Harassment
- Policy 7010, Confidentiality of Personnel Records
- Policy 7070, Promotion for Certificated Personnel to Administrative &
Supervisory Positions
- Policy 8030, Graduation Requirements
In addition, the Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2008/2009 school calendar.
Individuals who wish to testify at a 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. Pre-registration will take place during business hours during the three weeks prior to the hearings, up to the close of business on the last working day before the hearings.
To sign up to testify at a hearing or to speak at Public Forum, contact the Board’s office 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.
December 17, 2007 (#2007-089)
Board of Education to Hold Closed Meetings
The Board of Education will hold two closed meetings on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
The first meeting will take place at 2 p.m. The second meeting will take place at approximately 6 p.m., or immediately following its regular business meeting.
December 17, 2007 (#2007-088)
Board of Education Audit Committee to Meet in Closed Session
The Audit Committee of the Board of Education will meet in closed session on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, at 3 p.m. (or immediately following its scheduled quarterly meeting) in conference room ML-2 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
December 17, 2007 (#2007-087)
Presentation of the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2009 Operating Budget
Superintendent Sydney Cousin will present his Proposed FY 2009 Operating Budget at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
December 13, 2007 (#2007-086)
Display of Proposed Instructional Materials
All textbooks and textbook-related materials recommended for the first time for use in the Howard County public schools will be on display in the lobby at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. The materials will be on display Monday, Dec. 17, 2007, through Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, excluding Dec. 24 and 25, 2007, and Jan. 1, 2008. Monday through Friday viewing times are 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
All citizens may review displayed materials. Appropriate forms will be available to use for expressions of approval or requests for reevaluation of any of the proposed instructional materials.
December 11, 2007 (#2007-085)
All Financial Services to Join School Community Through New Partnership
A local financial services firm will “join forces” with three county schools in an effort to promote student success. All Financial Services, a local mortgage and financial services firm, will enter a partnership with Stevens Forest Elementary, Wilde Lake Middle and Howard High School, to be formalized with an official signing at the Waterside Restaurant in the Sheraton Columbia Hotel on Tuesday, December 18.
Under the terms of the partnership agreement, All Financial Services will seek to become a positive presence in the school, by participating career days, sports programs, back to school nights, and other events; mentoring students; and sponsoring programs to encourage positive behavior and academic performance. All Financial Services and school staff will keep up to date on activities of their respective organizations through exchange of newsletters, invitations to events, and other opportunities as available.
At 8:30 a.m., Bernard Smith, Senior Marketing Manager of All Financial Services will join Ellen Flynn Giles, Howard County Board of Education Member, Ron Morris, Principal of Stevens Forest Elementary School; Scott Conroy, Principal of Wilde Lake Middle School; Regina Massella, Principal of Howard High School; and Mary Schiller, Manager of the Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.
All Financial Services (www.allfinancialservices.net) is committed to outstanding customer service. The company offers mortgage and loan solutions to fit the financial needs of every client through a wide array of financing options.
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.
December 11, 2007 (#2007-084)
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, Dec. 20, 2007, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. There will not be an evening session.
The meeting 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 Board’s office 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.
December 10, 2007 (#2007-082)
Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting
The Board of Education will meet in closed session at 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
December 10, 2007 (#2007-081)
Board of Education Audit Committee to Hold Quarterly Meeting
The Audit Committee of the Board of Education will hold its quarterly meeting at 2:30 p.m. on Tueday, Dec. 18, 2007, in ML-2, the lobby conference room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
December 7, 2007 (#2007-080)
Glenwood Science Teacher Selected to Participate in National New Science Teacher Academy
Howard County science teacher Amanda Richardson is one of only 200 middle and high school science teachers from across the country to be named an Amgen-National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) Associate Fellow in the NSTA New Science Teacher Academy. Ms. Richardson, a second-year teacher at Glenwood Middle School, was selected from nearly a thousand applicants from across the country to participate in the yearlong program.
The 2007 Amgen-NSTA Fellows and Associate Fellows were selected on the basis of several criteria, including displaying a strong interest in growing as a professional science educator. During their fellowship, recipients will:
- Engage in web-based professional development activities, including a specially designated online learning community.
- Attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Boston, March 27-30, 2008.
- Participate in the Research Dissemination Conference or a Professional Development Institute.
- Receive online e-mentoring with trained mentors who teach in the same discipline.
The New Science Teacher Academy, co-founded by a three-year, $3 million grant from the Amgen Foundation, is designed to encourage and support new middle and secondary school science educators in their first few years of teaching.
The high attrition rate in the teaching profession, especially in science, is leaving many classrooms without qualified teachers. The rate of turnover for all teachers, especially those new to the profession, is higher than in many other occupations.~ The NSTA science teacher survey found that nearly 40 percent of science teachers polled are thinking about abandoning the profession. By comparison, the business community considers six percent cause for alarm.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association s the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
About The Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance science education; improve patient access to quality care; and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. Since 1991, the Foundation has made more than $85 million in grants to local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. It has also supported disaster relief efforts both domestically and internationally.
December 6, 2007 (#2007-079)
Students May Complete Career Training While Still in High School Through New Partnership with Woodstock Job Corps Center
Graduating students can be prepared to immediately enter the workforce with a valuable, marketable skill, thanks to a new partnership between the Howard County Public School System and the Woodstock Job Corps Center (WJCC). The partnership agreement will be formalized on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, with an official signing at the Waterside Restaurant in the Sheraton Columbia Hotel.
The program is intended for juniors and seniors who seek career training but have had difficulties in the traditional high school setting. Eligible participants may attend classes for half days at WJCC while continuing to attend high school, with the goal of being completely trained by the time they graduate. WJCC offers career training in a wide variety of occupational areas, including accounting, office skills, retail sales, health occupations, hospitality, culinary arts, carpentry, painting, electrical, masonry, network cabling, facilities maintenance, welding, security, and landscaping.
At 8:30 a.m. Rodney Butler, Director of the Woodstock Job Corps Center will join Lawrence Cohen, Howard County Board of Education Member, Tina Maddox, Principal of Homewood Center, Craig Cummings, Coordinator of Alternative Education Programs, and Mary Schiller, Manager of the Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.
The Woodstock Job Corps Center (WJCC) is committed to providing a safe living and learning environment where young adults attain the employability skills needed to transition into successful career. Job Corps is a program of the U.S. Department of Labor.
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.
December 6, 2007 (#2007-078)
New Partnership “Sets the Pace” for Cycling Safety and Fun
Northfield Elementary students will discover the joy and fitness benefits of safe cycling through a new partnership with Race Pace Bicycles.
Under the terms of the partnership agreement, Race Pace Bicycles will help Northfield students learn safe biking habits through presentations during health fairs, Bike Safety Week, and other events, and will provide bike safety tips for the school newsletter, announcements, and other venues. The company will also provide water bottles, reflectors, and other incentives for use by the school to encourage good study and reading habits.
The partnership will be formalized with an official signing on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007. Alex Obriecht, Owner, Race Pace Bicycles, Steve Meconi, Principal, Northfield Elementary School, and Mary Schiller, Manager of the Partnerships Office will sign the formal partnership agreement.
Race Pace Bicycles (racepacebicycles.com) has been serving cyclists in Maryland since 1978.
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. |
