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December 2008 News Releases

December 18, 2008 (#2008-085)

Hammond Middle School Named Maryland Blue Ribbon School

Hammond Middle School is one of six schools to be named 2009 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools, according to information released today by State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick. According to Grasmick, the six schools will now represent Maryland in the National Blue Ribbon Schools Competition.

"This is such an honor and wonderful affirmation for the Hammond staff, students and parents," remarked Principal Kerry McGowan. "Everyone has worked so hard to make sure our students are achieving. We feel like we just got the very best holiday gift possible, tied up with blue ribbon!"

Hammond is one of Howard County's top performing middle schools. Ninety-five percent of Hammond students scored at proficient or advanced in reading on the 2008 Maryland School Assessments, up six points from the year before. In mathematics, 92 percent of Hammond students scored at proficient or advanced, also up six points from 2007. Additionally, Hammond had a 99 percent pass rate for students taking the Algebra High School Assessment.

Hammond is realizing success across student groups. A total of 100 percent of the school's sixth grade Hispanic students scored at proficient or advanced on both the reading and math MSAs. The school's African American students are performing at a high level as well. In sixth grade, 79.2 percent scored at proficient or advanced in mathematics and 87.5 in reading. African American seventh graders reached 74.2 percent in math and 82.8 in reading, while 81.0 percent of the school's eighth graders scored proficient in math and 90.5 in reading.

Superintendent Sydney Cousin congratulated the entire Hammond Middle School community for this well-deserved recognition. "We are very proud of everyone at Hammond Middle School. The school has strong leadership and a very dedicated staff. They are to be commended for all that they do in support of students."

December 16, 2008 (#2008-084)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 2 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

December 16, 2008 (#2008-083)

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Public Hearings on Policies

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, 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 7100, Family and Medical Leave
• Policy 7130, Substitute Teachers

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 16, 2008 (#2008-082)

Presentation of the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2010 Operating Budget

Superintendent Sydney Cousin will present his Proposed FY 2010 Operating Budget at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

December 11, 2008 (#2008-081)

Display of Proposed Instructional Materials

All textbooks recommended for use for the first time 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 dates the materials will be on display are Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, through Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, excluding Dec. 24 and 25, 2008, and Jan. 1, 2009. Monday through Friday times for viewing the display are 8 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. For more information, call 410-313-5634.

December 10, 2008 (#2008-080)

HCPSS TV Holiday Music Program Features Lisbon Elementary, Wilde Lake High

Enjoy a special hour of music on HCPSS TV featuring the award winning Wilde Lake High School Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Lewis Dutrow, playing stirring selections from Copland to Sousa. Filling out the hour is the Lisbon Hand Bell Choir from Lisbon Elementary School playing a variety of holiday and seasonal favorites under the direction of Dan Hoffner.

Don't miss this special hour of music presented on HCPSS TV, Comcast Channel 95 and Verizon Channel 42, on Friday, December 12 at 7 p.m., Sunday December 14 at 1 p.m., and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 24-26, at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day.

For additional information, contact Nigel Reed at nigel_reed@hcpss.org, or call 410-313-7006.

December 8, 2008 (#2008-079)

American Heart Association Partnership to Promote Healthy Lifestyles

Howard County Public School students, families, and staff will be supported in making heart healthy choices, thanks to a new partnership with the American Heart Association. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing at the Waterside Restaurant in the Sheraton Columbia Hotel on Friday, December 12.

The goal of the partnership is to educate students, families, and staff about heart health, and encourage them to adopt healthy habits and lifestyles through a variety of programs and activities.

The American Heart Association has agreed to provide literature on heart healthy activities, nutrition, and science for use by classroom and physical education teachers, and will collaborate with faculty to develop program ideas related to physical fitness and healthy living. The association will also provide literature, promotional and registration materials, and equipment to support community service programs related to heart health, such as “Jump Rope for Heart” and “Hoops for Heart,” at participating schools.

At 8:30 a.m., Michele Mazzei, Vice President, Youth Market for the Mid-Atlantic Affiliate of the American Heart Association will join Sandra French, Howard County Board of Education Member, Jacqueline French, Physical Education/Dance Instructional Facilitator, and Mary Schiller, Manager of the Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.

The American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org) is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

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 5, 2008 (#2008-078)

Boeing Awards Grant to Cedar Lane School

The Boeing Company recently awarded a grant to Cedar Lane School in the amount of $7,500. According to Dr. Lois T. Pommer, the grant facilitator and psychologist at Cedar Lane, funds from this grant will be used to purchase a SMART Board, an interactive, electronic board with a touch screen that will be used to instruct students with severe disabilities. This grant also will fund a daylong presentation by Barbara Bloomfield, a nationally renowned expert on the development and use of visually-based teaching materials for students with Autism and other disabilities.

Since fall of 2004, Boeing has contributed a total of $67,500 to Cedar Lane School for professional development. These monies have allowed Cedar Lane teachers and related service staff to obtain state of the art training in best practices for instructing students with severe to profound disabilities. Boeing has a long history of philanthropy in supporting community-based endeavors, making an active commitment to improving the lives of children and adolescents with disabilities.

December 3, 2008 (#2008-077)

Lime Kiln Middle School Students Walk for Hope

Lime Kiln Middle School students got a jump on their holiday giving by participating in the 2008 Walk for Hope to benefit the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins.

Students walked the track of Reservoir High School during their related arts classes on October 31, raising money per lap in support of the important work being done by Dr. Leisha Emens, a Johns Hopkins cancer researcher who is working to create a vaccine to fight breast cancer. The mission of Dr. Emens and her colleagues at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center is to translate laboratory discoveries into non-toxic treatments for cancer.

In total, 600 Lime Kiln middle school students walked the equivalent of 1,400 miles and raised nearly $5,300 dollars for the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Research Center. Students presented a check to Dr. Emens at a ceremony at Lime Kiln on November 24.

The Walk for Hope is an exciting new advancement in Lime Kiln Middle School’s effort to integrate service learning, student health, and new sources of information from global experts to engage students with real life lessons about the world in a meaningful and impactful way. This effort is coordinated by the Lime Kiln Youth Development Center, which has steadily developed innovative partnerships with local, national and international organizations and experts to bring students real-world opportunities for research and service learning.

December 1, 2008 (#2008-076)

Board of Education Policy Committee to Hold Meeting

The Policy Committee of the Board of Education will hold a 10 a.m. meeting on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in the Board Planning Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

December 1, 2008 (#2008-075)

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Public Hearings on Policies and on Proposed 2009-2010 School Calendar

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, 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 4060, Third Party Billing
• Policy 7080, Transfer of Administrators
• Policy 7090, Administrative Transfer of Teachers

In addition, a public hearing will be held on the proposed 2009-2010 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 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.