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February 2008 News Releases

February 27, 2008 (#2007-134)

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 12, 2008
7:30 to 9 p.m.
Media Center at Fulton Elementary School
11600 Scaggsville Road in Fulton

February 26, 2008 (#2007-133)

Hip-hop Artist Soulstice Visits Longfellow Elementary for College Day

Students at Longfellow Elementary School in Columbia can't wait to get to school on Friday morning. After all, it isn't every day they have a hip-hop artist visit their school. Music artist Soulstice will participate in the school's third annual College Day on Feb. 29, 2008. The event is designed to encourage the students to think about the future and to set goals for themselves. Soulstice will encourage students to accept academic challenges, set goals, and follow their dreams. He will culminate his visit with a concert for students and staff.

The inspiration for College Day came from author Mychal Wynn and his book, Empowering African-American Males, according to first grade teacher and College Day Committee chairperson Lucy Butler.

"Some students fear the idea of going to college because it is something unknown. Others feel they will never have the opportunity to go because of financial restraints," Butler explains. "College Day provides an excellent chance to encourage students to believe in themselves, set career goals, discuss challenges associated with going to college, and to dream big!"

On Friday, students will dress in college colors or clothing and participate in a contest to create slogans and illustrations about college. Teachers and guest speakers will share their college experiences and discuss the challenges they encountered and how they overcame them. A number of area colleges have donated spirit items for the students.

Schedule of College Day Events

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Speakers, activities, and presentations in classrooms and teams

2 - 2:10 p.m.
Photo with College Day Committee, Student Ambassadors and hip-hop artist Soulstice in the school cafeteria

2:15 - 3 p.m.
Concert by Soulstice for Longfellow students and staff in school cafeteria

February 26, 2008 (#2007-132)

Howard County Business Leaders, Educators Tackle Workforce Crisis; March 6 Symposium challenges CEOs to join with schools to create solutions

Approximately 125 Howard County business leaders and educators with gather at the Kossiakoff Conference and Education Center at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, to discuss ways they can address the declining pool of qualified workers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Howard County's first STEM Business and Education Leadership Symposium is designed as a forum for discussion of these issues and how Howard County businesses and education can collaborate on solutions.

The symposium is an invitation-only event hosted by the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Business and Education Coalition (STEMBEC), a group of over 50 Howard County leaders in STEM-related industries, government, non-profit organizations and education. Realizing the impact of this workforce crisis on their own businesses, to the future economy and to the way of life in Howard County, they joined forces to create curriculum and programs to better prepare the next generation to meet industry needs in these disciplines.

"It is in everyone's best interest that we work together to inspire, engage and prepare students to meet the workforce needs of STEM industries and to be competitive on a global level in STEM professions," says Secondary Science Coordinator John Quinn, who heads up STEM initiatives for the Howard County Public School System. Quinn expects the symposium to spark substantive conversations on the topic that will result in commitments from both businesses and educators to be involved in creating solutions. "The predictions are bleak but it's not too late to take action."

Symposium participants will hear from influential leaders Chris Scolese, Associate Administrator, NASA; F. Suzanne Jenniches, VP & GM, Government Systems Division, Northrop Grumman; and Dr. Donald Langenberg, Chancellor Emeritus of the University System of Maryland; who will participate in a panel discussion on "Unlocking Innovative Future Solutions  A Shared Responsibility." Howard County students will be on site with exhibits of their science and mathematics projects.

Some of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities of the Howard County Public School System are funded through grants from the Maryland State Department of Education totaling $160,000. The school system received $10,000 for planning and $150,000 for implementation. Planning grants are used to explore successful STEM initiatives inside and outside of Maryland to better inform local STEM planning teams. With this information, systems can begin planning initiatives to meet the local needs. Implementation awards provide a dedicated source of initial funds, which are used to move local STEM initiatives forward.

Symposium Program and Schedule

8:30 am -- Welcoming remarks

Dr. Samuel J. Seymour, Vice Chair, Principal Professional Staff, Applied Physics Laboratory (Symposium Host)
Dr. JoAnne L. Carter, Deputy State Superintendent, Maryland State Department of Education
Dr. Sydney Cousin, Howard County Superintendent of Schools
Ken Ulman, Howard County Executive

8:45 am -- Howard County's STEMBEC Plan

Bob Glascock, HCPSS Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction
Shirley Collier, CEO, Optemax
Overview of the challenge and crisis

9:00 am -- Student Presentation and Film

STEM from the student perspective

9:15 am -- The Challenge to Future Scientific Endeavors

Chris Scolese, Associate Administrator, NASA

9:30 am -- The Crisis and Challenge for Business

F. Suzanne Jenniches, VP & GM, Government Systems Division, Northrop Grumman

9:45 am -- The Challenge for Education

Dr. Donald Langenberg, Chancellor Emeritus of the University System of Maryland

10:00 am -- "Unlocking Innovative Future Solutions: A Shared Responsibility"

Panel discussion moderated by Jeff Salkin, TV Journalist and Host of Direct Connection, Maryland Public Television
Panelists: Chris Scolese, F. Suzanne Jenniches, Dr. Donald Langenberg

11:00 am -- Break and visiting of student science and math exhibits

11:20 am -- Six Facilitated Workshop Sessions

12:15 pm -- Lunch program during lunch

12:45 pm -- Groups Report Out and Action Steps

1:15 pm -- Closing remarks and next steps

1:30 pm -- Symposium Conclusion

February 26, 2008 (#2007-131)

School System Offers Career Academies Summer Camps

The Howard County Public School System's Career and Technology Education Office (CTE) is offering many exciting weeklong opportunities for middle and high school students attending Howard County Public Schools. The Career Academies Summer Camps will be held from 8 a.m. to noon, June 16 - 20, 2008, for middle school students and June 23 - 27, 2008, for high school students. The camps will be held at the Applications and Research Laboratory, 10920 Route 108, in Ellicott City.

The Career Academies Summer Camps are geared toward students who are interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering, culinary science and business. Students will have an opportunity to participate in activities to help them understand how these career areas relate to their own interests. Students will explore career areas offered through the Career Academies high school program, including Biotechnology and Health Services, Multimedia Arts, Automotive Technology, Architecture, Construction Technology, Engineering, Business and Entrepreneurship, and Culinary Sciences. Howard County Public School System teachers will staff the camp.

Enrollment is limited on a first come, first served basis. Students will receive a camp T-shirt and a Certificate of Participation. There is a registration fee of $75.00 for each camp and students must provide their own transportation. The registration deadline is May 15, 2008. Registration forms will be available after Feb. 27 at middle and high school guidance offices and on www2.hcpss.org/cte, click on programs, and in the CTE office in mid-February.

For more information, contact Sally Long, Career and Technology Education Office, 410-313-6629.

February 25, 2008 (#2007-130)

School System Offers Summer Opportunities for Advanced Level Learners

The Summer Institutes for Talent Development, offered through the Gifted and Talented Office and the Office of Advanced Programs and Fine Arts, are accepting registrations for summer courses to be held at Homewood Center, 10914 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

Session I runs from June 30 - July 11, 2008, and Session II runs from July 14 - 25, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Courses offered are for advanced level learners entering grades 2-12 in the areas of Technology, Science, Language Arts, Fine Arts, and Mathematics. These are interest-based, hands-on enrichment opportunities.

To download the Summer Institutes for Talent Development brochures, go to http://www.hcpss.org/summer. For more information, contact Kim Eubanks at 410-313-6800 or kimberly_eubanks@hcpss.org. Classes fill up fast, so register soon!

February 21, 2008 (#2007-129)

School Chief Calls State Science Test Results "Quite Remarkable"; 78% of fifth graders, 82% of eighth graders score proficient or above

Superintendent of Schools Sydney Cousin announced today that 78 percent of Howard County's fifth grade students and 82.8 percent of eighth grade students scored at proficient or above on the first administration of the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) science test administered in April 2007. The performance of Howard County students well surpassed the state scores of 59.8 percent for fifth graders and 61.4 percent for eighth graders. Six of the county's elementary schools and six middle schools had over 90 percent of their students score at proficient or above.

"We are extremely pleased with the performance of our students on this first administration of the science MSA, " said Cousin. "And while these percentages are similar to those we see in reading and mathematics, there are several reasons why the results are quite remarkable," he said.

Cousin pointed out that, unlike other MSAs, the science assessment covers three years worth of content. The fifth grade assessment covers material from Grade 3 through Grade 5 and the eighth grade assessment covers the entire middle school science curriculum. The reading and mathematics assessments cover content from only one grade level.

Cousin also noted that it has taken years to reach this level of performance on the reading and mathematics MSAs. He attributed this first-round success in part to progress being made in reading and math.

"Success in other subjects is very dependent on a student's ability to read and process information. Our teachers have made reading a priority across content areas and it is making a difference in other subjects," Cousin said. Other contributing factors include strong instruction and a science curriculum that is aligned with the voluntary state curriculum.

Data from the 2007 MSAs released last June, show the percent of Howard County fifth graders scoring at proficient or above at 89 percent in reading and 88 in mathematics. The percent of eighth graders scoring at proficient or above was 84 in reading and 78 in mathematics. Unlike performance on the reading and mathematics MSAs, student performance on the science assessment will not be used to determine if a school has met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.

The science MSA is the first of the state assessments to be administered online to approximately half of the test takers. The remaining students took a traditional paper and pencil version of the test. Maryland State Department of Education officials reported no significant difference in results between the online and paper administrations.

Since this was a pilot year for the test, the results will not be posted on the Maryland State Department of Education website. A more detailed report will be presented to the Howard County Board of Education at the March 27, 2008, board meeting.

February 20, 2008 (#2007-128)

Howard County Public School System to Sponsor 2008 Mathematics, Science and Technology Fair

Marriotts Ridge High School, 12100 Woodford Drive in Marriottsville, will serve as the site of the 2008 Howard County Mathematics, Science, and Technology Fair on Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008. The fair is an opportunity for students to compete in many categories of Science, Math and Technology and showcases the school system’s science programs.

Judging for middle school projects will occur on Friday, Feb. 22, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Judging for high school projects will take place on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. A public Open House is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24, from 3 to 4:15 p.m. and will be followed by an Awards Ceremony from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Marriotts Ridge High School auditorium.

In the event of cancellation due to inclement weather, the fair will be held the following week, Friday, Feb. 29, and Saturday, March 1, at Reservoir High School.

February 20, 2008 (#2007-127)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Board of Education will meet in closed session at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25, 2008, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

February 15, 2008 (#2007-126)

Internet Safety Poster Contest Winners to be Honored

Three young artists will be recognized for their winning entries in the second annual Students for Safe Schools poster contest at the Feb. 21, 2008, meeting of the Howard County Board of Education. The students will be presented with gift certificates to local stores, donated by the Lazarus Foundation, an HCPSS partner. All three winners and their parents will also be guests for lunch with Superintendent Sydney Cousin on Feb. 20, 2008.

The winning posters depict this year’s contest theme of Internet safety and avoiding cyber-bullying. Lara Celtnicks, a student at Oakland Mills Middle School, was awarded first place for her poster, “Pull the Plug on Cyberbullies.” Lara’s poster will be reproduced and distributed throughout the school system and the community. Keara Lopez, a Guilford Elementary student, won second place in the contest, and Ashley Harman of Veterans Elementary received Honorable Mention.

The Students for Safe Schools campaign encourages elementary and middle school students to act as leaders in providing a safe and respectful school environment where bullying behaviors are not tolerated. “The campaign has raised awareness, among both children and adults, of the importance of recognizing bullying and responding appropriately,” according to Pamela Blackwell, Director of Student Services. She emphasized that effectively dealing with this type of destructive behavior involves three dynamics: “Children who display bullying behavior need intervention. Victims of bullying need support. And bystanders need to be empowered to take a stand.”

Blackwell noted that the school system has seen a dramatic decline in the number of bullying incidents reported since Students for Safe Schools was launched two years ago. The campaign was inspired by recommendations from an Anti-bullying Task Force convened by Superintendent Cousin in 2005.

February 15, 2008 (#2007-125)

HCPSS Comprehensive Teacher Job Fair

The Office of Human Resources Office of the Howard County Public School System will hold a Comprehensive Teacher Job Fair on March 3, 2008, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Kossiakoff Center, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road in Laurel, Maryland. The fair is targeted at professionals in the following fields who may be interested in working for the school system.

• Certified teachers
• School counselors
• Behavioral specialists
• Physical therapists
• Speech-language pathologists
• Occupational therapists

Participants will have opportunities to interview with content specialists in all certification areas, meet with school administrators, learn about the HCPSS New Teacher Support Program, attend a presentation on Teacher Certification in Maryland, and receive information on support services positions. For registration information, teacher application, and/or directions to the Kossiakoff Center visit us at www.hcpass.org or call the Office of Human Resources at 410-313-6693 or 1-800-850-7642.

February 15, 2008 (#2007-124)

New Partnership to Promote Environmental Conservation

Thunder Hill Elementary students will learn practical ways to nurture our planet through a new partnership with My Organic Market. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing during “Wellness Night” at Thunder Hill Elementary School on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, My Organic Market (MOM) will join Thunder Hill students and staff in an effort to improve conservation in the school and the nearby community. MOM will donate fresh produce and reusable paper bags for school events, host student tours at the store, and help students learn about recycling, waste reduction, composting, and vegetarianism. Thunder Hill students and staff will look for ways to increase recycling and reduce waste at the school, and will start a composting program.

At 7:15 p.m., Greg Keyser, Environmental Coordinator for My Organic Market, will join John Birus, Principal, and Judith Major, Media Paraeducator, Thunder Hill Elementary School, and Mary Schiller, Manager of the Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.

My Organic Market (“MOM”) (www.myorganicmarket.com) is dedicated to protecting and restoring the environment. MOM’s Columbia East store, one of five stores in Maryland and Virginia, offers a wide selection of organic, natural and specialty products in an environmentally friendly location.

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.

February 15, 2008 (#2007-123)

Board of Education to Meet with PTA Council Executive Board

The Howard County Board of Education will meet with the PTA Council of Howard County Executive Board at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Board Room B at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

February 15, 2008 (#2007-122)

Board of Education to Hold Meeting to Adopt Budgets

The Howard County Board of Education will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, to adopt its budget request for the FY 2009 Operating and Capital Budgets and the FY 2010 - 2014 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.

February 13, 2008 (#2007-121)

Board of Education Public Work Sessions Rescheduled

The Board of Education Public Work Sessions III & IV on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2009 Operating Budget, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, at 7 p.m., have been canceled.

The work sessions have been rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

February 11, 2008 (#2007-120)

Registration for New Students and Students Entering Kindergarten

Registration for new students or students entering public school kindergarten in Aug. 2008, will be held in all Howard County public elementary schools Monday through Friday, March 3 - 7, 2008, 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 2008 must be five (5) years of age on or before Sept. 1, 2008. Children entering first grade in the fall of 2008 must be six (6) years old on or before Sept. 1, 2008. 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 Web site, 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
• proof of custody

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.

February 11, 2008 (#2007-119)

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to Partner with Laurel Woods Elementary School

Growing a passion for learning, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math, is the goal of a new partnership between the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and Laurel Woods Elementary School. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing at the Waterside Restaurant in the Sheraton Columbia Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, members of APL staff will become “Lunch Time Friends,” visiting the school every other week to mentor, listen to, and encourage Laurel Woods students who would benefit from extra support. APL staff will also take part in enrichment fairs, career days, and other school events.

At 8:30 a.m., Helen Worth and Connie Finney of the APL Public Affairs Office will join Lawrence H. Cohen and Patricia S. Gordon, Howard County Board of Education Members, Peggy Dumler, Principal, Laurel Woods Elementary School, and Mary Schiller, Manager of the Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (www.jhuapl.edu) is a not-for-profit center for engineering, research and development. APL has more than 400 programs currently underway to solve complex problems that present critical challenges to the nation.

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.

February 11, 2008 (#2007-118)

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. 21, 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. 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.

February 11, 2008 (#2007-117)

Board of Education Meeting with County Council Canceled

The quarterly meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County and the Howard County Council, scheduled for Feb. 20, 2008, has been canceled.

February 7, 2008 (#2007-116)

Gifted and Talented Testing

Gifted and Talented testing will be held at Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Faun Court in Columbia, on Saturday, May 3, 2008, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. for non-public school students (grades 5-7) who plan to enter Howard County Middle schools in Aug. 2008. Registration materials can be obtained from middle school guidance offices, or parents may call the Gifted and Talented office at 410-313-6800. Deadline for registration is April 25, 2008.

February 1, 2008 (#2007-115)

The Pink Cabbage to Partner with Manor Woods Elementary School

Students, teachers, and staff at Manor Woods Elementary will enjoy extra support and recognition for their hard work and achievements through a new partnership with The Pink Cabbage. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing at the Waterside Restaurant in the Sheraton Columbia Hotel on Friday, Feb. 8, 2008.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, representatives from The Pink Cabbage will offer support for a variety of school activities, such as providing refreshments for teachers and staff for special events, overseeing student craft tables on field days, and assisting during blood drives at the school.

At 8:30 a.m., Marcie Barnard and Jody Perez of The Pink Cabbage will join Sandra French, Howard County Board of Education Member, James Weisner, Principal, and Carol Hahn, Assistant Principal, Manor Woods Elementary School, and Mary Schiller, Manager of the Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.

The Pink Cabbage (www.geocities.com/thepinkcabbage) is an eclectic collection of unique shops offering home décor, antiques, and accessories with an exciting twist. The Pink Cabbage is located in a 130-year-old historic building at the corner of Frederick Road and Triadelphia Road in Ellicott City.

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.