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March 2009 News Releases

March 30, 2009 (#2008-151)

STEM Fair Activities Go Green

The Maryland Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement Program (MESA) of the Howard County Public School System will hold Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competitions on March 31 at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Elementary, middle and high school students will engage in activities such as bridge building, computer programming, flying model airplanes, trebuchet construction and more. The theme for this year’s activities is “Going Green: Emerging Technologies & Recyclable Energies.” MESA is the school system’s oldest extracurricular STEM program.

March 27, 2009 (#2008-150)

Board of Education to Meet with PTA Presidents and Community Advisory Council

The Board of Education will meet with PTA presidents and the Community Advisory Council at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2009, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. The meeting is an opportunity for members of the PTA and the CAC to discuss issues and concerns with Board members in an informal setting.

March 26, 2009 (#2008-149)

Howard County History Day Competition is a Huge Success

The Howard County Public School System held its fifth annual History Day Competition on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Reservoir High School. This year’s event, sponsored by the Office of Secondary Social Studies, included 189 project entries presented by 268 students representing 17 middle and 7 high schools. Nearly 70 teachers, Central Office staff, Board of Education members, business partners and community members volunteered to serve as judges to evaluate student entries.

The county History Day program is a collaborative effort among classroom Social Studies teachers, Gifted & Talented Resource teachers, Media Specialists, Central Office support staff, libraries, colleges, universities, and local historical institutions. Students, grades 6-12, worked for many months conducting historical research on a self-selected topic that related to this year’s National History Day theme of The Individual in History. A research question guided students to explore and interpret both primary and secondary resources. After gathering data and research, students analyzed the information, drew conclusions and began creation of the History Day project entry to submit for review at the local school level prior to entering the countywide competition.

Students presented entries in five categories: exhibit, performance, multimedia documentary, research paper and website. HCPSS awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category. A list of winners is attached. The top two entries in each category from the Howard County regional contest will advance to the state contest, to be held April 25, 2009, at University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
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 Dr. Stout at 410-313-6622. For more information on the Maryland History Day or the National History Day competitions, contact Judy Dobbs at (410) 685-4185 or visit the official National History Day web site at www.nationalhistoryday.org

March 24, 2009 (#2008-148)

New Partnership Promotes Joy of Reading

A new partnership between Veterans Elementary School and the Howard County Republican Women seeks to help children discover the joy and rewards of reading. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing at the Waterside Restaurant in the Sheraton Columbia Hotel on Monday, March 30.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, the Howard County Republican Women and Veterans Elementary School will collaborate in giving students positive experiences in listening to and reading a variety of books, so that students will be inspired to continue reading on their own. Members of the organization will visit each second grade classroom once each month to read aloud to the class. Books will be selected in collaboration with teachers to align with school curriculum, seasonal events, etc. as appropriate.

At 8:30 am, Linda Rishell, who chairs the reading group for the Howard County Republican Women, will join Sandra French and other members of the Howard County Board of Education; Robert Bruce, Principal, and Kourtni Chairs, Second Grade Team Leader, Veterans Elementary School; and Joan Fox of the Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.

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.

March 24, 2009 (#2008-147)

Board of Education’s Legislative Committee to Meet

The Howard County Board of Education’s Legislative Committee will meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2009. The meeting will take place in conference room UL7 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

March 24, 2009 (#2008-146)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 2 p.m., on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

March 24, 2009 (#2008-145)

Howard County Students Shine at the Baltimore Science Fair

The Howard County Public School System is proud of its strong showing at the 54th Annual Baltimore Science Fair, held at Towson University on March 21 and 22, 2009.

Emily Schultheis, a 10th grader at Glenelg High School, was the Grand Prize Winner in Physical Science for her project Optical Feedback Improves the Accuracy of an Autonomous Robotic Arm That Will Pick Ripe Tomatoes.

Emily will represent the Baltimore area at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) that will be held from May 10 - 15 in Reno, Nevada.

Additional Howard County High School Winners include:

• 1st Place Winner Physical Science: Brian Kim, Marriotts Ridge HS
• 1st Place Winner Biological Science: Asmi Panigrahi, Atholton HS
• 2nd Place Winner Physical Science: Peter Kamel, Centennial HS
• 2nd Place Winner Biological Science: Henry Zheng, Centennial HS
• Honorable Mention Physical Science: Grant Demaree, River Hill HS
• Honorable Mention Physical Science: Andreas Mitchell, Centennial HS
• Honorable Mention Physical Science: Claire Kuang, Atholton HS
• Honorable Mention Biological Science: Hayley Brittingham, Atholton HS
• Honorable Mention Biological Science: Matthew Hobson, River Hill HS
• Raytheon Solypsis Award 1st Place: Grant Demaree, River Hill HS
• Raytheon Solypsis Award 2nd Place: Andreas Mitchell, Centennial HS

Middle School Winners include:

• 1st Place Winner Physical Science: Agastya Parikh, Ellicott Mills MS
• 1st Place Winner Biological Science: Lavanya Garnepudi, Ellicott Mills MS
• 2nd Place Winner Physical Science: Nathaniel Frank, Dunloggin MS
• 2nd Place Winner Biological Science: Gurav Luthria, Patuxent Valley MS
• Honorable Mention Physical Science: Hang-Hang Zhang, Folly Quarter MS
• Honorable Mention Physical Science: Spencer Jefferson, Patapsco MS
• Honorable Mention Biological Science: Zachary Burnett, Dunloggin MS
• Honorable Mention Biological Science: Jennifer Baik, Ellicott City MS
• Honorable Mention Biological Science: Matthew Landon, Burleigh Manor MS
• Honorable Mention Biological Science: Brennan Marsh-Armstrong, Folly Quarter MS
• Raytheon Solypsis Award 3rd Place: Robert Mason, Glenwood MS
• Alan Davis Memorial Award 2nd Place: Jai Thakor, Clarksville MS

March 24, 2009 (#2008-144)

Bestselling Author Talks to Students, Parents About Bullying

The Howard County Public School System's Office of Student Services will present a seminar for middle and high school students and their parents, featuring Jodee Blanco, "the voice of America's bullied students" and author of the New York Times bestseller Please Stop Laughing at Me and the new book Please Stop Laughing at Us. The event will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2009, 7:00 to 8:30 PM, at Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Road in Ellicott City.

Ms. Blanco will cover a number of bullying topics, such as how to tell if your child is a bully, a target, or a bystander; ways to relate to your child; and how to take action if necessary. She will also discuss:

• How bullying has been misdiagnosed by the mental health community
• Why certain children become the most popular kids in their class and others are picked on and tormented
• The surprising elements that school bullying and social prejudice have in common
• Why even children with smart, caring parents are not immune to the dangerous consequences of school bullying
• Why so many adults fail to recognize the trauma of peer abuse until it's too late
• How society at large pays a dear price in the broken spirits, revenge school killings, and the betrayal of our promise to protect and nurture our children
• The biggest mistakes parents unwittingly make.

A book signing and question and answer period will follow the presentation.

March 20, 2009 (#2008-143)

Thunder Hill Students Focus on Global Warming for Earth Day

Thunder Hill Elementary School (THES) students, faculty and parents will join tens of millions of people around the world at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27, to demonstrate concern about the Earth's wellbeing. Each participant will perform one simple but significant act -- turning off lights for one hour. This event is designed to remind students that climate change must be slowed. In honor of the event, THES will host a Star-Party from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the school grounds.

The list of participants in the Third Annual World Wide Life Federation's (WWF) Earth Day already includes over 250 cities in 74 countries such as Bangkok, Chicago, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, London, Manila, Mexico City, New York City, Paris, Singapore, Sydney and Toronto. The participation will exceed the more than 50 million people who participated last year!

To prepare for Earth Hour at THES, global warming facts will be shared on morning announcements each day next week. On Friday, March 27, all classrooms lights will be turned off for one hour as students participate in lessons outside. Blinds in the classrooms will be opened that day to allow for natural light and each classroom will watch the Earth Hour YouTube video. The media center will display and focus on global warming books such as Jan Thornhill's This is My Planet: The Kids' Guide to Global Warming and Anne Rockwell's Why Are the Ice Caps Melting? The Dangers of Global Warming. In addition, all THES students will receive an "I'm not afraid of the dark" sticker and be encouraged to wear black in preparation for the Star-Party!

Thunder Hill Elementary School is located at 9357 Mellenbrook Road in Columbia.

For additional information visit the Earth Hour website, www.earthhourUS.org.

March 20, 2009 (#2008-142)

Atholton Senior's Composition Performed at Music Conference

Atholton High School senior Jonathan Engelberg has been acknowledged as one of Maryland's outstanding young composers. His original jazz ensemble composition, "Low Tide," was performed at this year's Eastern Division Biennial Conference of National Association for Music Education (MENC).

Jonathan's composition was among a number of outstanding new musical creations performed at the MENC Young Composer Concert in Providence, RI, on March 13. The showcase concert was followed by a session entitled "Young Composer Forum: A Master Class In Composition." This interactive gathering featured students and professional composers as well as composition teachers from around the country.

Additionally, Jonathon's composition was recorded for him by the US Army Jazz Ambassadors just before their last fall tour as part of their educational outreach programs.

Jonathan is a very active young musician in his high school instrumental music program under the direction of Eric Posner. He performs in numerous ensembles on saxophone and keyboards, and pursues private studies with local instructors Bruce Coates (saxophone), Debra Papavizas (piano), and Gary Dailey (composition/arranging). He is also active in community musical endeavors.

March 20, 2009 (#2008-141)

State Black Saga Competition

The Howard County Public School System is proud to announce that nearly 175 students, representing ten HCPSS middle and twelve elementary schools, participated in the Maryland State Black Saga Competition.

After a preliminary round of competition, the top ten highest scoring teams move on to compete in the championship round. HCPSS was well represented in the championship round with five elementary school teams and four middle school teams.

Hammond Elementary’s Team 2 took first place in the elementary division. Other top elementary teams included Hammond Team 1, Ilchester Teams 1 and 2, and Forest Ridge Team 1. The middle division was represented by Patuxent Valley Teams 1 and 2, Folly Quarter Team 1 and Cradlerock Team 1.

The state competition was held Saturday, March 14th at Towson University and was sponsored by distinguished Professor Dr. Charles Christian of Coppin State University. Teams first participate in an in-school competition with the opportunity to move onto the countywide competition held in February. The Elementary and Secondary Social Studies Offices have sponsored a countywide competition for the last four years and Howard County schools have participated in the Black Saga program for nearly fifteen years.

Congratulations to our Black Saga State Champions. We salute all the students and advisors that participated in this year’s Black Saga program.

HCPSS Black Saga Statewide Winners include:

Elementary

1st place - Hammond Elementary School, Team 2
• Irene Lu
• Anita Kulluri
• Madhu Vemulakonda
Advisors: Nicola Walker & Alicia Marner
Principal: Judith Bland

3rd Place - Hammond Elementary School, Team 1
• Xiaolu Guo
• Mathias Richardson
• Pavan Vemulakonda
Advisors: Nicola Walker & Alicia Marner
Principal: Judith Bland

4th Place (Tie) - Ilchester Elementary School, Team 2
• Jaine Onwezi-Nwugwo
• Korliss Britt
• Alexander Thornton
Advisors: Sally Yoshioka & Cherryl White
Principal: John Morningstar

4th Place (Tie) - Ilchester Elementary School, Team 1
• Naomi Lilly
• Victoria Fabode
• Comfort Fabode
Advisors: Sally Yoshioka & Cherryl White
Principal: John Morningstar

6th Place - Forest Ridge Elementary School, Team 1
• Juno Kawasaki
• Yash Kommula
• Tulsi Bhatt
Advisors: Keith Zembower & Cyndee Wren
Principal: Allan Olchowski

Middle School

2nd Place - Patuxent Valley Middle School, Team
• Zaid Khalid
• Kevin Kakwasaki
• Keshav Dixit
Advisor: Monica Bickerton
Principal: Robert Motley

4th Place (Tie) - Folly Quarter Middle School, Team 1
• Joshua Waldman
• Madeleine Houck
• Victoria Hsiung
Advisor: Bill McCauley
Principal: Rick Wilson

7th Place - Patuxent Valley Middle School, Team 2
• Arnett Dorsey
• Justin Marsh
• Wudood Omran
Advisor: Monica Bickerton
Principal: Robert Motley

8th Place - Cradlerock School, Team 1
• Caroline Pyon
• Kimberly Tang-Nian
• Chizoba Ukairo
Advisor: Stephanie A. Noonan
Principal: Jason McCoy

It should be noted that Hammond Elementary School earned a perfect score in the Championship Round!

March 20, 2009 (#2008-140)

Students Explore “The Individual in History” at Howard County History Contest

Howard County History Day, an annual competition that involves teachers and students from middle and high schools throughout this area, will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2009. Reservoir High School in Fulton will host the district competition, the theme of which is “The Individual in History.”

After working on their entries for many months, competitors qualified for the district contest by performing well at contests held at individual schools. The top two winners in each category and division at the district contest will advance to the state contest, to be held Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

National History Day is the nation’s leading program for history education in the schools. The program annually engages 2 million people in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Students research history topics of their choice related to an annual theme and create exhibits, documentaries, performances, and papers, which they may enter in competitions at the district, state, and national levels. Students in grade 6-8 compete in the Junior Division and those in grades 9-12 compete in the Senior Division. National History Day also provides educational services to students and teachers, including a summer internship program, curricular materials, Internet resources, and annual teacher workshops and training institutes.

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, visit the official National History Day web site at http://www.nationalhistoryday.org

March 17, 2009 (#2008-139)

Smoothie King Partnership to Encourage Healthy Lifestyles at Cradlerock School

A new partnership with Smoothie King will help Cradlerock School students and staff to achieve a healthy lifestyle. The partnership will be formalized on Monday, March 23 with an official signing at Smoothie King, 8874 McGaw Road in Columbia.

Under the terms of the partnership, Smoothie King and Cradlerock School will jointly offer a variety of activities and incentives to encourage students and staff to make healthy choices. The company has agreed to sponsor a “Kings Challenge” program to encourage students to track daily physical activity during “Motion Mondays” at the school; to donate incentives for Cradlerock’s annual Turkey Trot events; to provide coupons for use as academic, attendance, and behavioral goal incentives; and to participate in staff wellness events at the school. Smoothie King will also display Cradlerock student artwork in the store.

At 10 a.m., Dominique Atkins, Owner, Smoothie King, McGaw Road will join Ellen Flynn Giles, Vice Chairman, Howard County Board of Education; Jason McCoy, Principal, Cradlerock School; and Joan Fox of the Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.

Smoothie King (www.smoothieking.com) mixes real fruit, nutrients and proteins to offer a nutritional smoothie, along with a wide selection of healthy snacks and nutritional products. With more than 580 locations throughout the United States, the company is committed to helping people live healthier lives through nutrition.

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.

March 17, 2009 (#2008-138)

Encuentros Provides Helpful Tips to Hispanic Parents

The latest installment of Encuentros, a parenting series produced entirely in Spanish by HCPSS-TV, will air now through April. The 20-minute program features three segments focused on helping Hispanic parents understand the school calendar, how to interpret elementary school report cards, and the importance of a well-balanced lunch for their children. Encuentros can be seen on HCPSS TV, Comcast 95 and Verizon 42, on Sundays at 10 a.m. and 11 p.m., Wednesdays at 5 and 9 p.m., and Fridays at 10 p.m.

March 17, 2009 (#2008-137)

Career Academies Offer Exciting Summer Camps for Middle, High School Students

The Howard County Public School System is offering a number of exciting weeklong opportunities for middle and high school students this summer. 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 programs, including Biotechnology and Health Services, Multimedia Arts, Automotive Technology, Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, Career Research and Finance, and Culinary Sciences. Howard County Public School System teachers will staff the camp.

Career Academies Summer Camps will be held from June 22 through June 26, 2009, for middle school students and June 29 through July 2, 2009, for the high school automotive technology camp at the Applications and Research Laboratory on Route 108, Ellicott City. Enrollment is limited on a first come, first served basis. Registration forms are available at middle and high school guidance offices, the Career and Technology Office at he Applications and Research Lab, and online at www2.hcpss.org/cte. For more information contact Sally Long, HCPSS Career and Technology Education Office, 410-313-6629.

March 16, 2009 (#2008-136)

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, March 26, 2009, 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 Executive Assistant to the Board 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.

March 16, 2009 (#2008-135)

Board of Education Audit Committee to Hold Quarterly Meeting

The Audit Committee of the Board of Education will hold its quarterly meeting at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, in the Board Planning Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

March 12, 2009 (#2008-134)

School System Offers Summer Opportunities for Advanced Level Learners

The Howard County Public School System’s Summer Institutes for Talent Development are accepting registrations for Howard County students in grades 2-12.

Two-week sessions will be offered beginning June 29 and ending July 24. Institutes are offered in general academic areas and the fine arts for students who are interested in advanced level educational experiences that are not available during the school year.

For more information, go to www.hcpss.org/gt or contact Stephanie Bateman at 410-313-6800.

March 12, 2009 (#2008-133)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 3 p.m., on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

March 11, 2009 (#2008-132)

Howard County Culinary Program Places 1st in State for Fifth Year

For the fifth consecutive year, the culinary team from the Howard County Application and Research Lab's Hotel and Restaurant Management Academy took first place in the state Culinary and Management Competitions held at Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt. The students are now headed to the National ProStart Culinary Competition, April 24-26 in San Diego, California.

The ARL culinary team was one of three Howard County Academy programs that participated in the competition. Also competing were teams from the Oakland Mills High School and the Howard High School Culinary Academies.

The ARL competed against 19 other high schools from across the state, including inter-county challenger Oakland Mills High, in the culinary competition. Teams from the ARL Hotel and Restaurant Management Academy, the Howard High School Culinary Academy, and the Oakland Mills High School Culinary Academy competed in a field of 12 Maryland high schools on knowledge of the hospitality industry and management skills. The ARL team placed second and the Howard High School team took third place and won high praise from competition judges.

First Place Culinary Team
Howard County ARL Hotel and Restaurant Management Academy
Teacher: Elaine Heilman

• Richard Blackmon - home school, Hammond High
• Kara Lovalvo - home school, Centennial High
• Alex Morris - home school, Mt. Hebron High
• Eric Olean - home school, Mt. Hebron High
• Tyler Weedon - home school, Mt. Hebron High

Second Place Management Team
Howard County ARL Hotel and Restaurant Management Academy
Teacher: Elaine Heilman

• Jennifer Lash - home school, Marriotts Ridge High
• Meredith Puppa - home school, Long Reach High
• Faith Smith - home school, Reservoir High
• Hillary Walsh - home school, Glenelg High
• Amber Young - home school, Reservoir High

Third Place Management Team
Howard High School Culinary Academy
Teacher: Lynette Burns

• Sarah Baker
• Alexis Chalk
• Adam Leatherman
• Varney Vale

March 11, 2009 (#2008-131)

Office of School Planning Seeks Howard County Citizens to Participate in Attendance Area Adjustment Committee

The Howard County Public School System is seeking members for a potential Attendance Area Adjustment Committee to the Superintendent. Redistricting may be under consideration for the 2010 - 2011 school year. Prospective plans must be reviewed by a committee comprised of 10-12 Howard County residents and may include one student.

Members are appointed by the Superintendent to advise and comment during the planning phase regarding Capital Budget and redistricting recommendations being developed by staff. If redistricting is deferred, the pool of citizens who have expressed interest will be retained for the following year.

All letters of interest and resumes must be received by Monday, May 4, 2009, at the following address:

Howard County Public School System
Office of School Planning
10910 Route 108
Ellicott City, MD 21042

For more information, call 410.313.1554 or send an email to jennifer_bubenko@hcpss.org.

March 9, 2009 (#2008-130)

Books Alive! Features authors Jon Scieszka, Tamora Pierce

Tamora Pierce and Jon Scieszka are the featured authors on Books Alive!, a local program collaborately produced by the Howard County Public School System and the Howard County Public Library. Peirce is an author of fantasy literature for young adults. She is an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania and best known for writing stories involving young heroines. She made a name for herself with her first quartet, The Song of the Lioness, which followed the main character Alanna through the trials and triumphs of training as a knight.

Jon Scieszka is an author of children's literature and a nationally recognized reading advocate. He is best known for his collaborations with illustrator Lane Smith. In early 2008, he was named the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by the Library of Congress.

Host Barb Langridge talks with both authors about their writing careers, past works, and upcoming projects. Books Alive! airs on Sundays at 6 p.m., Tuesdays at 11 a.m., 2, 7 and 10 p.m., and Saturdays at 10 p.m.

March 9, 2009 (#2008-129)

Superintendent Discusses Budget, Economies on HCPSS-TV

This month on the HCPSS-TV program, Parent Teacher Connection, Superintendent Sydney Cousin discusses the impact of the economy on the Board of Education's fiscal year 2010 Operating Budget Request to the county. He'll also report on efforts to identify cost-savings across the school system.

Also on this month's program, PTA host Deborah Wessner interviews John Hannay, President of the PTA Council of Howard County, about the Council's new goals, which include improving school building safety. Parent host Jennifer Johnson explains how parents can help their students plan for high school courses and career goals using the Catalog of Approved HIgh School Courses. Viewers will also meet the educators voted by the Class of 2009 from each high school as their Teachers of the Year.

Parent Teacher Connection is broadcast on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at noon and 5 p.m. on Comcast cable channel 95 and Verizon channel 42.

March 5, 2009 (#2008-128)

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 18, 2009, 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Media Center at Worthington Elementary School
4570 Roundhill Road in Ellicott City

March 5, 2009 (#2008-127)

Board of Education’s Legislative Committee to Meet

The Howard County Board of Education’s Legislative Committee will meet at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. The meeting will take place in conference room ML2 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

March 5, 2009 (#2008-126)

Forty-six County Schools Receive State Performance Awards; Four Title I Elementary Schools Get Monetary Rewards

Superintendent Sydney Cousin announced this week that 37 Howard County public schools have earned recognition from the Maryland State Department of Education for the performance of their students on the 2008 Maryland School Assessment. Schools can receive awards for overall achievement, subgroup improvement, or both. This year 27 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and 9 high schools in Howard County were recognized.

Title I schools are also eligible to receive monetary rewards. Four Howard County elementary schools each earned cash awards in the amount of $5,533.93: Bryant Woods, Longfellow, Phelps Luck and Swansfield.

Eleven schools were recognized for both overall achievement and improved performance of student groups. Those schools are: Burleigh Manor Middle, Clarksville Elementary, Ellicott Mills Middle, Hammond Middle, Hollifield Station Elementary, Ilchester Elementary, Lisbon Elementary, Manor Woods Elementary, Marriotts Ridge High, Northfield Elementary, and Patapsco Middle.

In addition to the schools mentioned above, the following schools were recognized:

• Atholton High
• Bellows Spring Elementary
• Bushy Park Elementary
• Centennial High
• Centennial Lane Elementary
• Clarksville Middle
• Clemens Crossing Elementary
• Dayton Oaks Elementary
• Dunloggin Middle
• Elkridge Elementary
• Folly Quarter Middle
• Fulton Elementary
• Glenelg High
• Glenwood Middle
• Hammond Elementary
• Howard High
• Lime Kiln Middle
• Long Reach High
• Mount View Middle
• Mt. Hebron High
• Pointers Run Elementary
• River Hill High
• Rockburn Elementary
• St. John's Lane Elementary
• Thunder Hill Elementary
• Triadelphia Ridge Elementary
• Waterloo Elementary
• Waverly Elementary
• West Friendship Elementary
• Wilde Lake High
• Worthington Elementary

March 5, 2009 (#2008-125)

McDonald’s Partnership Helps HCPSS “Spread the News”

For the next several weeks, Happy Meals in local McDonald’s restaurants will contain a card urging parents to register eligible students for kindergarten, thanks to a partnership between McDonald’s of Howard County and the Howard County Public School System. Registration for new students or students entering public school kindergarten in August 2009 is currently being held in all Howard County public elementary schools.

The arrangement gives the school system an innovative way to share important information with the community, which can be especially valuable in reaching parents who do not yet have children in the school system and those who may be difficult to contact via other means. Kindergarten registration was selected as the first message to distribute at the popular local restaurant, because timely registration is essential to allow schools to prepare effectively for students’ arrival. Additional messages may be distributed throughout the year as appropriate.

Other partnership activities are planned to help school staff encourage and reward students who treat others with respect, make responsible decisions, and maximize their potential. McDonald’s representatives have also agreed to foster career education by participating in mock interviews, Career Day presentations, and other activities in the schools.

Cathy Bell, who owns four McDonald’s restaurants in Howard County, has been a staunch HCPSS supporter for many years. “Having a top notch school system is a boon for Howard County businesses. By supporting the local schools, we help to maintain a favorable business community,” she noted. “The message cards are an excellent example of the unique ways that business partners can make a positive difference for education,” she added.

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States, serving millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. There are more than 135 McDonald’s restaurants in the Greater Baltimore area of Maryland.~For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com~or log on at any of the 10,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants.

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.

March 5, 2009 (#2008-124)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 2 p.m., on Thursday, March 12, 2009, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

March 4, 2009 (#2008-123)

Board of Education’s Legislative Committee Meeting Canceled

The Howard County Board of Education’s Legislative Committee meeting scheduled for today at 3:30 p.m. at the Department of Education, has been canceled. The meeting will be rescheduled at a later date.

March 3, 2009 (#2008-122)

Howard County Middle School Students and Maryland General Assembly Debate Use of Cell Phones While Driving

As the Maryland General Assembly considers passage of Senate Bill 143, prohibiting the use of wireless communication devices while driving, Howard County middle school students will debate a similar resolution in a countywide debate.

The event, sponsored by the Gifted and Talented Education Program of the Howard County Public School System, will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2009 from 9:30 - 11 a.m. at Clarksville Middle School, 6535 S. Trotter Road in Clarksville.

The competing teams are comprised of diverse groups of students from all Howard County middle schools. The Debate Instructional Seminar, taught by the school's Gifted and Talented Resource Teacher, is open to all interested students wishing to develop their presentation and research skills.

March 3, 2009 (#2008-121)

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

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a luncheon meeting with student leaders at 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009, 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.

During the evening session, the Board will hold public hearings on the following policies:

• Policy 1050, Tobacco-Free Environment
• Policy 9240, Student Use and Possession of Tobacco
• Policy 7060, Royalties

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.

March 3, 2009 (#2008-120)

Howard County Science Fair Winners for 2009

The Howard County Public School System’s Annual Mathematics, Science and Technology Fair was held on Feb. 20 and 21, 2009, at Centennial High School. This year’s fair had more than 400 student participants from the county’s middle and high schools. More than 150 volunteers from the scientific community judged the student projects. Prizes for the fair were sponsored by the Shimadzu Scientific Equipment Corporation and scientific organizations.

The winners for this year’s fair are:

MST Fair 2009 Sweepstakes Winners

• Atholton High Schoo
  Winner, Shimadzu Award
• Lavanya Garnepudi
  Ellicott Mills MS
  Middle School Winner, Sweepstakes
• Edward Wollack
  Atholton HS
  High School Winner, Sweepstakes
• Alex Wang
  Centennial HS
  Mentored Winner, Sweepstakes
• Henry Zheng
  Centennial HS
  Winner, Shimadzu Award for Excellence in Research
• Brennan Marsh-Armstrong
  Folly Quarter MS
  Middle School Winner, Lee Summerville Award
• Arielle Kazlow
  Howard HS
  High School Winner, Lee Summerville Award

MST Fair 2009 Category Winners

• Joseph Ayoub, Cheri Wang
  Centennial HS
  High School Runner-up Animal Biology
• Hayley Brittingham
  Atholton HS
  High School Winner Animal Biology
• Sam Willsey
  Mount View MS
  Middle School Runner-up Animal Biology
• Sara Johns
  Elkridge Landing MS
  Middle School Winner Animal Biology
• Thomas Klotz, Azita Nejaddehghan
  Wilde Lake HS
  High School Runner-up Behavioral and Social Science
• Elisabeth McClure, Gloria So
  Glenelg HS
  High School Winner Behavioral and Social Science
• Thomas Bagley
  Lime Kiln MS
  Middle School Runner-up Behavioral and Social Science
• Christina Darwish
  Lime Kiln MS
  Middle School Winner Behavioral and Social Science
• Robert Mullinix
  Glenelg HS
  High School Runner-up Microbiology
• Matt Boulton
  Wilde Lake HS
  High School Winner Microbiology
• Deep Singh
  Lime Kiln MS
  Middle School Runner-up Microbiology
• Jeremy Kass
  Harper's Choice MS
  Middle School Winner Microbiology
• Grace Choi
  Mount Hebron HS
  High School Runner-up Plant Biology
• Nathan Lingafelter
  Marriotts Ridge HS
  High School Winner Plant Biology
• Breanna LaTondre
  Mount View MS
  Middle School Runner-up Plant Biology
• Gaurav Luthria
  Patuxent Valley MS
  Middle School Winner Plant Biology
• Greg Carmean
  Mount Hebron HS
  High School Runner-up Chemistry
• Kirsten Arterburn
  Howard HS
  High School Winner Chemistry
• Jennifer Baik
  Ellicott Mills MS
  Middle School Runner-up Chemistry: Applied
• Monica Katzen
  Mayfield Woods MS
  Middle School Winner Chemistry: Applied
• Anna Yang
  Hammond MS
  Middle School Runner-up Chemistry: Theoretical
• Kate Kamischke
  Lime Kiln MS
  Middle School Winner Chemistry: Theoretical
• Robert Mason
  Glenwood MS
  Middle School Runner-up Computer science
• Hang Hang Zhang
  Folly Quarter MS
  Middle School Winner Computer science
• Connor Hart
  Glenelg HS
  High School Runner-up Earth and Space Science
• Mitchell White
  Marriotts Ridge HS
  High School Winner Earth and Space Science
• Neha Amin
  Clarksville MS
  Middle School Runner-up Earth and Space Science
• Brian Dowd
  Dunloggin MS
  Middle School Winner Earth and Space Science
• Emily Schultheis
  Glenelg HS
  High School Runner-up Engineering
• Jessica Manzione
  Howard HS
  School Winner Engineering
• Agastya Parikh
  Ellicott Mills MS
  Middle School Runner-up Engineering
• Andreas Seas
  Burleigh Manor MS
  Middle School Winner Engineering
• Julia Singleton, Natalie Collins
  Wilde Lake HS
  High School Runner-up Environmental Science
• Tessa Seale
  Centennial HS
  High School Winner Environmental Science
• Adele Fu
  Burleigh Manor MS
  Middle School Runner-up Environmental Science
• Jared Chamberlain
  Folly Quarter MS
  Middle School Winner Environmental Science
• Maya Aggarwhal
  River Hill HS
  High School Runner-up Mathematics
• Brian Kim
  Marriotts Ridge HS
  High School Winner Mathematics
• David Yeh
  Burleigh Manor MS
  Middle School Runner-up Mathematics
• Jessie Hennacy
  Clarksville MS
  Middle School Winner Mathematics
• Christina Wu
  Centennial HS
  High School Runner-up Mentored
• Ruth Choa
  Centennial HS
  High School Winner Mentored
• Christopher Swetz
  Glenelg HS
  High School Runner-up Physics
• Andrew Risinger
  Mount Hebron HS
  High School Winner Physics
• Zoe Stukenberg
  Mount View MS
  Middle School Runner-up Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, & other
• Advait Chauhan
  Patuxent Valley MS
  Middle School Winner Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, & other
• Vivian Wang
  Burleigh MS
  Middle School Runner-up Physics: Light, Sound, & Thermodynamics
• Sauradeep Sinha
  Dunloggin MS
  Middle School Winner Physics: Light, Sound, & Thermodynamics
• Rachel Knobel
  Wilde Lake MS
  Middle School Runner-up Physics: Mechanics
• Nathaniel Frank
  Dunloggin MS
  Middle School Winner Physics: Mechanics

View all MST Fair 2009 Category Winners and Runners-up (pdf)

For more information, call the Office of Secondary Science at 410-313-6615.

March 3, 2009 (#2008-119)

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, March, 9, 2009, in the Board Planning Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

March 3, 2009 (#2008-118)

Board of Education’s Legislative Committee to Meet

The Howard County Board of Education’s Legislative Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at 3:30 p.m. in conference room ML-2, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

March 2, 2009 (#2008-117)

State Superintendent Helps Hammond Middle School Celebrate Blue Ribbon Status

State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick will visit Hammond Middle School on Tuesday, March 3, to personally commend the staff, students and parents of the 2008-2009 Maryland Blue Ribbon School. This visit will include performances by the school's string quartet, jazz ensemble, and chorus. Following an assembly, which begins at 9:30 a.m., the State Superintendent will be given a tour of the school and culminate her visit at a flag raising ceremony.

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 schoolÕs eighth graders scored proficient in math and 90.5 in reading.

Hammond Middle School is one of six schools named 2009 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools. The six schools will now represent Maryland in the National Blue Ribbon Schools Competition.

March 2, 2009 (#2008-116)

Melissa Shindel Named 2009 National Assistant Principal

Melissa Shindel, Assistant Principal at Patuxent Valley Middle School in Jessup, MD, has been named the 2009 NASSP/Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year. The award, sponsored by Virco Inc., includes a check in the amount of $5,000, which Shindel can use in her school or for her own professional development. "It is a great honor to be recognized by NASSP, an organization for which I have so much respect," said Shindel. "I would also like to thank Virco for their support and appreciation of assistant principals around the country. I am fortunate to work with such a dedicated staff and am honored to receive this award as a member of the Howard County Public School System in Maryland. I look forward to continuing my journey as a school leader and to discovering new ways to have a positive impact on the lives of the children and the communities I serve."

Shindel's principal, Robert Motley, couldn't agree more. "The Patuxent Valley community is thrilled at the selection of Melissa Shindel as the NASSP/Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year. She has been instrumental in elevating the climate; sense of professionalism; and recognition of the accomplishment of students, staff, and faculty at Patuxent Valley Middle School. She is a woman of integrity who takes pride in keeping her word. She works hard and models the high expectations she sets for others."

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and Virco Inc. come together annually to honor a winner from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity schools. A panel of judges met at the 2009 NASSP Convention in San Diego, CA, on Friday, February 27, to interview the three national finalists. All three finalists were recognized during the Second General Session on Saturday, February 28 and Shindel was announced as the National winner.

"Learning starts at home, continues at school, and is most effective when we work together." That's Melissa Shindel's philosophy and it's one that has served her well. As assistant principal at Patuxent Valley Middle School, Shindel ensures that all stakeholders -- parents, teachers, students, and the community -- have a place at the education table.

Knowing that parental involvement and support increase when parents are in tune to what's going on, Shindel plans learning fairs, instructional workshops, and data utilization meetings for parents to ensure they are a part of their children's learning. She also makes an effort to go into the community to speak to civic groups and associations about ways to advance the goals of the school and district.

Gaining the respect and trust of teachers is a priority for Shindel, who helps them grow professionally by coaching, embedding professional development activities in the instructional day, and providing opportunities for extended learning through school-university partnerships. To meet students' diverse needs, Shindel has expanded the co-curricular program, revived the student government association, implemented peer tutoring programs and mentoring workshops, and focused on nurturing a positive learning climate.

Additional information about the NASSP/Virco National Assistant Principal of the Year program can be found at www.principals.org/apoy or by contacting Leisl Bauman, Assistant Principal of the Year Program at NASSP (703-860-7308 or baumanl@principals.org ).