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October 2008 News Releases

October 29, 2008 (#2008-062)

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, Nov. 6, 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. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

October 28, 2008 (#2008-061)

Nearly 93% of Howard's Class of 2009 Fulfilled High School Assessment Requirement by End of 11th Grade

Superintendent Sydney Cousin announced today that based on the data from the 2008 administration of the High School Assessment (HSA), 92.9 percent of Howard County's class of 2009 had met the HSA graduation requirement by the end of 11th grade. Of those, 85.9 percent met the requirement by passing all four HSAs and 7 percent by the combined score option. At nine Howard County high schools, over 90 percent of students have met the requirement either by passing all four tests or by meeting the combined score option. Long Reach, Oakland Mills and Wilde Lake face tougher challenges with 88.5, 79.6 and 89.5 percent of students, respectively, having met the HSA requirement. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released the following data for Howard County high schools.

The May 2008 MSDE data also show that 3,329 of Howard County's 3,583 students in the Class of 2009 who must meet the requirement for graduation, have already done so. HCPSS Testing Coordinator Portia White stresses that of the students who had not met the requirement by May 2008, many may have already retaken one or more tests in August or October, some may be planning to take the test in one of the upcoming administrations, and still others may be participating in the Bridge Plan for Academic Validation. As of May, 137 students had yet to take one or more of the assessments. Currently 108 students in the Class of 2009 are completing Bridge Plan projects for one or more of the assessments.

Superintendent Cousin says he is confident that the school system is doing everything it can to ensure that all students meet the requirement. "Central administrators and staff members in the schools are closely monitoring each student who has not met the requirement. We know their names, we understand their situations and we are giving them every opportunity to be successful."

Howard County students who do not pass an HSA receive appropriate intervention before retaking the test. Intervention options include tutoring, repeating the course, semester mastery courses, and small group sessions held after school.

October 28, 2008 (#2008-060)

Partnership to Establish Delta Scholars Program at Oakland Mills High School

A new partnership with the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Columbia Alumnae Chapter will match Oakland Mills High School girls with sorority members for mentoring and community service opportunities. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing at the school on Thursday, October 30.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, the sorority will work with the school to establish a Delta Scholars Program for interested, qualified students. The mission of the Delta Scholars Program is to encourage girls to excel academically, help them set goals and plan for their futures, and offer opportunities for leadership through community service. Mentors from the sorority and school staff will meet regularly with each participating girl to review academic needs, identify career goals, plan service projects, and participate in Delta Scholars activities.

At 2 p.m., June Alexander, President of the Columbia, Maryland Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will join Diane Mikulis and Patricia Gordon, Members of the Howard County Board of Education; Frank Eastham, Principal, and Mathias Bama, Assistant Principal, Oakland Mills Middle School; and Joan Fox of the Partnerships Office for the formal partnership agreement signing.

The Columbia, Maryland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (www.colmddst.org) is committed to public service and focuses on the Sorority's five major programmatic thrusts: economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health and political awareness and involvement.

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.

October 27, 2008 (#2008-059)

Centennial Senior Named Regional Finalist in Siemens 2008 Math, Science and Technology Competition

Centennial High School senior Henry Zheng is one of only 100 students nationwide to be named a regional finalist in this year's Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology. The Siemens Foundation announced the semifinalists and regional finalists in the competition for the nation's most prestigious scholarship in original research on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008.

Zheng began his research on a statistical simulation for prosthetics as a high school sophomore, under the guidance of his mentor Jeff Lesho at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and his Gifted/Talented Resource Teacher Michelle Bagley. Zheng currently is an intern with Dr. Soumya Acharya at the Johns Hopkins University Thakor Lab and presented his paper, "Multisensor Data Fusion for Prosthetic Control," at the 11th International Conference on Information Fusion in June in Cologne, Germany. His paper also has been accepted for presentation at a conference on biomedical engineering in Singapore in December.

This year, 1,893 students registered for the Siemens Competition with a total of 1,205 projects. Regional Finalists will be called to compete at one of six Regional Competitions held over three consecutive weekends in November.

October 23, 2008 (#2008-058)

Spanish Language Series Encuentros Debuts on HCPSS TV

In an effort to reach out to Howard County’s growing Hispanic community, the Howard County Public School System’s cable television channel is teaming up with the system’s Department of Student, Family & Community Services to launch a special parenting series produced entirely in Spanish. Encuentros, Spanish for “encounter” or “come together,” will make its prime time debut on HCPSS TV (Comcast 95 and Verizon 42) on Wednesday, November 5 at 9 p.m.

The magazine-style program will provide information and strategies to parents that will empower them to actively participate in the education of their children. The goal of the series is to help Hispanic parents learn more about school programs and policies, gain knowledge of the resources available in the school system, and have the tools to play a vital role in their children's academic success.

Look for Encuentros on HCPSS TV Channel 95 (Comcast) and 42 (Verizon) on Sunday at 10 a.m., Wednesday at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., and Friday at 10 p.m.

October 22, 2008 (#2008-057)

Terri L. Hill, M.D., P.A. Partnership to Focus on Health Care Careers and Research

High school students interested in fields related to medicine and medical office practice will gain new opportunities to learn from the experts through a new partnership with the office of Dr. Terri L. Hill, a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon based in Ellicott City. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing at the Waterside Restaurant in the Sheraton Columbia Hotel on Monday, October 27.

Dr. Hill has agreed to employ interested, qualified students in her medical office each year, and to mentor student independent research projects in fields such as biology, pharmaceuticals, or medical arts. She and her staff will also offer Career Day presentations on careers in medicine or owning a medical practice, and to participate in other educational activities as scheduling allows.

At 8:30 a.m., Dr. Hill will join Ellen Flynn Giles, Vice Chairman of the Howard County Board of Education, Mamie Perkins, HCPSS Chief of Staff, and Joan Fox of the Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.

Terri L. Hill, M.D., P.A. (www.unmaskthebeauty.com) delivers comprehensive, quality, safe, and effective cosmetic and reconstructive services to patients in a caring and hospitable environment.

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.

October 20, 2008 (#2008-056)

Eighth Graders Launch Rockets to put Newton's Laws of Motion to the Test

On Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, the entire eighth grade at Patuxent Valley Middle School, 9151 Vollmerhausen Road in Jessup, will take to the fields behind their school to launch the Super Six rockets they built as part of their study of forces and motion in science. Billed as the school's third annual Rocket Day, the event gives students a hands-on experience that reinforces their study of Newton's laws of motion. The launches will take place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The students will also view the movie October Sky, the true story of Homer Hickum and his "Rocket Boys" who defied the odds in their West Virginia town and won a national science competition with their rocket experiments. Hickum later went on to work for NASA.

Visitors are asked to check in at main office for a visitor badge before proceeding to the field behind the school.

October 13, 2008 (#2008-055)

Annual Celebration to Honor Educational Partners

The 22nd annual Howard County Public School System Partnership Celebration will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008, at the Sheraton Columbia Hotel (10207 Wincopin Circle, Columbia), starting at 5 p.m.

More than 250 Howard County business, organizational, government, and educational leaders are expected to attend the event, including the superintendent, Board of Education members, and elected county officials. The Sheraton Columbia Hotel is the event sponsor. A highlight of the program will be the release of the new HCPSS Partnerships Annual Report, published by Patuxent Publishing Company, a valued school system partner.

“The Howard County Public School System enjoys the support of hundreds of businesses and community organizations,” notes Mary Schiller, manager of the HCPSS Partnerships Office. “Their willingness to devote countless hours and resources to help our students -- especially in these challenging economic times -- reflects a strong commitment to building a better future for our students and our entire community.”

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.

October 13, 2008 (#2008-054)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 1 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

October 8, 2008 (#2008-053)

Building Bridges to Reforest Cedar Lane School Property

More than 100 volunteers will plant 300 trees on the grounds of the Cedar Lane School in Fulton this Saturday, the latest in a series of community projects undertaken by Building Bridges, a collaboration of Howard County churches and non-profit organizations.

The reforestation project will take place October 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school, located at 11630 Scaggsville Road in Fulton. Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Superintendent Sydney Cousin, and other local dignitaries will offer brief remarks at 10:30 a.m.

Volunteers will prepare the soil, then plant, water, mulch and stake the trees. The area was previously prepared for the planting by HCPSS Grounds Services, under the direction of Assistant Manager Greg Connor, who also provided horticultural expertise for the project. Grace Community Church will donate the trees, and has provided project planning and oversight under the leadership of member Steve Girard.

Building Bridges comprises ten Howard County churches and five non-profit organizations, including the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Grassroots, the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County, and the U.S. Center for World Mission. Participants select a large scale service project for volunteers from each organization to complete in a weekend each October.

The Cedar Lane School reforestation project was selected as a means to benefit the entire community by helping the local eco-system, uniting a variety of community organizations to achieve a single purpose, developing a pattern of volunteering, and providing recognition and education for reforestation projects.

October 7, 2008 (#2008-052)

Board of Education to Meet with Student Leaders and Hold Regular Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a luncheon meeting with student leaders at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

The Board will also hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. at the same location. 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.

Long-Range Attendance Area Plans will be presented during the evening session.

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.

October 1, 2008 (#2008-050)

North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center Partnership Connects Students and Families with Community Services

Students, families and staff at seven Howard County schools will benefit from ready access to a variety of resources and services available nearby through a new partnership with the North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center. The partnership agreement will be formalized during the center’s one-year anniversary celebration, to be held Thursday, October 2, at its location at 9105 All Saints Road in the Whiskey Bottom Shopping Center in North Laurel.

Under the terms of the partnership, the North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center will work with seven schools in the area to share information about health and human services accessible through the center, which represent a variety of Howard County agencies and organizations such as FIRN, Grassroots, Legal Aid, Family and Children’s Services, and the Community Action Council. The partners will also work together to identify and remove potential access barriers in meeting families’ needs.

Participating schools include Bollman Bridge, Forest Ridge, Gorman Crossing, and Laurel Woods Elementary Schools; Patuxent Valley and Murray Hill Middle Schools; and Reservoir High School.

“The Center has been very responsive in providing personalized services that fill the needs of students and families at the schools,” noted Lisa Boarman, Facilitator of School Counseling for HCPSS. She explained that the partnership “will help connect families with the services they need, because staff at each school will be aware of what is available,” adding “the ‘one stop shopping’ access to the many services at the Center is a real benefit for families.”

The neighborhood location is especially helpful for families facing financial or other crises, according to Nancy Gifford, Title I teacher at Laurel Woods Elementary who has acted as a family services coordinator at the school. “A great benefit is that students and families can access the services they need quickly and easily, without having to travel to offices located all over the county.”

At 8:30 a.m., Ken Ulman, Howard County Executive; Susan Rosenbaum, Director, Howard County Department of Citizen Services; Richard Krieg, President and CEO, The Horizon Foundation; Beverley Francis, President & CEO, The Columbia Foundation; and James B. Smith, President, Community Action Council of Howard County will join Howard County School Board Chairman Frank Aquino and Superintendent Sydney Cousin to sign the official partnership agreement.

North Laurel-Savage Multiservice Center is a cooperative venture by local nonprofits to offer convenient access to the southeast section of Howard County. Services are available at the Center by appointment or on a drop-in basis.

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.