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June 2008 News Releases
June 24, 2008 (#2007-194)
Howard County Students Win Prize at National History Day Competition
Two students at Murray Hill Middle School won the prize for Outstanding State Project for the state of Maryland at this year’s National History Day Competition at the University of Maryland, College Park. Competing against students from around the nation, students Ayushi Aggarwal and Laura Migasiuk won the prize in the Junior Division for their group exhibit, “Conflict and Compromise between Labor and Mine Operators.” Teachers Patricia Brown and Elizabeth Singleton guided the students over the course of the school year. The students had won top prize at both the regional and state level to reach the national competition.
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 him at 410-313-6622. For more information on National History Day, contact Judy Dobbs at (410) 685-4185 or visit the official National History Day web site at www.nationalhistoryday.org .
June 20, 2008 (#2007-193)
Hammond High Students Tackle School Improvement
Even though the school year ended on June 13, approximately 65 Hammond High School students will come to school on Monday, June 23, for Hammond's second annual Teen Summit for School Improvement. The event is designed to develop leadership skills and have students take an active roll in making their high school the best it can be.
The day begins at 7:50 a.m. with a welcome from Principal Sterlind Burke Sr., who introduced the idea last year as a way to have students take ownership of their school's image and make a personal investment in school improvement. Summit participants will view a video on the nature of leadership and work in groups on a list of expected student behaviors. Later in the morning, the students will learn about the importance of setting goals, identify challenges facing the school and discuss what it will take to Hammond from being a good school to great school.
"We had very positive results from last year's Summit," says Mr. Burke. "Our young people are incredible and we're really looking forward to this summer's work."
Hammond High's Teen Summit is supported by Howard County General Hospital (providing goodie bags), Kings Contrivance Merchants such as McDonald's (drink), Rita's Italian Ice (dessert), and Harris Teeter's Grocery Store (Continental Breakfast). PTSA President Sally Frekot and Barry Simms, a member of the Council of Elders, will also participate by serving as co-facilitators.
June 19, 2008 (#2007-192)
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, June 26, 2008, 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.
June 16, 2008 (#2007-191)
Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting
The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
June 16, 2008 (#2007-190)
Cradlerock students compete at National MESA Challenge
Middle school students from Cradlerock School in Columbia will represent their school, the Howard County Public School System and the Maryland Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) in the MESA USA National Engineering Challenge, June 19 through June 22. The event will take place at Baltimore's Inner Harbor Marriott and the University of Maryland, College Park.
On May 15, Cradlerock students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade competed in the State MESA challenge. The school's four-member Trebuchet team earned a first place ranking and the opportunity to participate in the national challenge. The team of Samira Bazuzi, Kevin Bochinski, Tracy Howse and Caroline Pyon is coached by teachers Jason Cartwright and Keri Johnson.
Middle and high school students from 10 different states will compete in the national challenge next week. The contest requires students to be highly proficient in theory, engineering design and performance in order to produce machines that propel objects and meet prescribed objectives.
June 12, 2008 (#2007-189)
Howard Superintendent Signs On for Four More Years
The Board of Education of Howard County unanimously approved a resolution at its 4 p.m. meeting today to enter into a new four-year contract with Superintendent Sydney Cousin. A brief signing ceremony was held following the vote. The new contract is effective July 1, 2008, and is subject to the approval of the State Superintendent of Schools.
“The Board is very satisfied with Dr. Cousin’s performance and believes he is the right person to lead the school system for the next four years,” says Board Chairman Frank Aquino. “He has shown leadership and skill in managing the organization. We are very pleased to be able make this announcement today.”
“I appreciate the support I have received from the Board and the school system staff,” Cousin says. “I look forward to continuing my commitment to make our good system into a great one.”
Dr. Cousin joined the Howard County Public School System in 1987 as Director of School Construction and Planning. He was promoted to Associate Superintendent of Finance and Operations two years later and then to Deputy Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer in 2001. On March 1, 2004, he was named Interim Superintendent of Schools following the resignation of John R. O’Rourke. The Board of Education offered him a four-year contract in June of that same year.
Under Dr. Cousin’s leadership, the school system has remained the top performing system in Maryland and has made significant progress in improving the academic achievement of all student groups. Additionally, the system has upgraded technology and provided laptop computers for all teachers, implemented full-day kindergarten in all elementary schools and trained staff in cultural proficiency. In response to concerns with aging schools, Dr. Cousin launched a comprehensive assessment of all facilities that, when completed, will serve as the basis for determining capital needs and prioritizing modernization projects.
At its February 7 Board meeting, the Board announced that Dr. Cousin had expressed interest in renewing his contract and voted to enter into negotiations with him. Aquino says that the Board and Dr. Cousin began with a mutual goal to ensure that he could continue as Superintendent until his retirement.
“His compensation request was reasonable and negotiations were uneventful,” says Aquino.
Dr. Cousin’s new contract provides for a base salary of $265,000 -- an increase of $33,537 over his current salary of $231,463 -- and includes annual cost of living increases and continues payments into Type 403B and 457 retirement plans of his choice. The contract also provides for standard medical and life insurance coverage and extensions to provide health coverage into his retirement. In addition the superintendent receives a $700 per month car allowance and reimbursement for reasonable and necessary business expenses. According to Aquino, the compensation package is comparable to those of other superintendents in the Baltimore-Washington area.
June 12, 2008 (#2007-188)
Local Continental Societies, Inc. Chapter to Partner with Three Schools to Promote Academic Achievement
Students at Laurel Woods Elementary, Murray Hill Middle, and Patuxent Valley Middle Schools will benefit from extra academic activities and support offered through a new partnership with the Southeastern Howard/Laurel Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing at the Waterside Restaurant in the Sheraton Columbia Hotel at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2008.
Under the terms of the partnership, Continental Society agrees to sponsor a variety of student projects and activities relating to health, education, employment, recreation, and the arts. Society members will work with students who need extra academic support in math and reading, and will participate in career days and other events at the schools. The society has also agreed to sponsor after-school debate programs at both middle schools.
June Horner, President, and Mae Beale and Henryette Neal, Vice Presidents, will sign the formal partnership agreement for the Southeastern Howard/Laurel Chapter, Continental Societies, Inc., joined by Principals Peggy Dumler, Laurel Woods Elementary, Robert Motley, Patuxent Valley Middle, and Donyall Dickey, Murray Hill Middle School; Diane Martin, Director, Student Family & Community Services; and Mary Schiller, Manager, Partnerships Office for the Howard County Public School System.
Continental Societies, Inc. (www.continentalsocietiesinc.org) creates environments within its chapters’ communities that empower children and give them opportunities to reach their optimal potential.
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.
June 12, 2008 (#2007-187)
Board of Education to Meet with PTA Executive Officers
The Howard County Board of Education will meet with PTA Executive Officers at 7:30 p.m., on Monday, June 23, 2008, in Board Room B at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
June 12, 2008 (#2007-186)
Board of Education to Meet with County Council
The Howard County Board of Education will hold their quarterly meeting with the County Council at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
June 4, 2008 (#2007-185)
Board of Education to Receive Briefing on the Feasibility Study Format
The Howard County Board of Education will meet to receive a briefing on the Feasibility Study format on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, from 9 - 10 a.m. The meeting will take place in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
June 4, 2008 (#2007-184)
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, June 12, 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.
The Feasibility Study will be presented during the evening session.
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.
June 2, 2008 (#2007-183)
State Superintendent to Keynote Mock Congressional Hearings at Gorman Crossing Elementary School
State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick, will be the keynote speaker for the Simulated Congressional Hearings taking place at Gorman Crossing Elementary School, 9999 Winter Sun Road in Laurel. The event will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2008.
The hearings are part of the ”We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution,” program used county-wide. The program, designed for fifth-graders, puts an important spotlight on the U.S. system of government. Over its 20-year history, the program has involved more than 28 million students and 90,000 teachers across the country.
June 2, 2008 (#2007-182)
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 Wednesday, June 11, 2008, in Board Room B at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
June 2, 2008 (#2007-181)
Board of Education to Hold Closed Meetings
The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2008, and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
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