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May 2009 News Releases
May 29, 2009 (#2008-194)
Board of Education to Attend Retreat
The Board of Education will attend a retreat hosted by Superintendent Sydney Cousin from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2009. The retreat will take place at Homewood Suites, 8320 Benson Drive, Columbia, MD 21045.
May 29, 2009 (#2008-193)
Board Announces Tentative Agreement with Teachers Association
The Howard County Board of Education announced today that it has reached tentative agreements with the Howard County Education Association (HCEA), which represents the system's 4,600 teachers, and the Howard County Education Association Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP), which represents the system's educational support staff. The ratification vote for members of both units will take place before the end of June.
Earlier this spring, agreements were ratified by the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents custodial, maintenance, grounds and warehouse employees; and the Howard County Administrators Association (HCAA), which represents school-based administrators, instructional facilitators, leadership interns, and athletics and activities managers.
Contracts were reopened for salary negotiations only with HCEA, HCEA and AFSCME, which are currently completing the second year of three-year contacts. AFSCME ratified a salary agreement for next year as well as a full contact for fiscal year 2011. HCAA negotiated a new two-year contract. The Howard County School Food Service Association and Howard County Home and Hospital Teachers Association have each approved two-year Memoranda of Understanding with the Board.
All groups are slated to receive the equivalent of a 1.2 percent cost of living increase for fiscal year 2010, with no step increase. The $5.7M for the COLA is included in the fiscal year 2010 operating budget the Board will approve on June 1. Howard Superintendent Sydney Cousin says the administration and Board worked hard to reduce costs in next year's operating budget to provide a modest increase for school system employees.
"We are pleased to be able to provide a cost of living increase for staff given the current economic climate. Our operating budget next year will be $1 million less than this year's budget, nevertheless we were able to reduce costs in other areas enough to offset the $5.7M needed for this increase."
Dr. Cousin noted the importance of keeping salaries competitive with surrounding school districts and attracting the best educators and support staff to Howard County.
"While compensation isn't the only factor, it is one of the factors educators consider when seeking employment. Our staff is the reason we are successful. Year after year, they keep Howard County public schools among the best in the nation. We want to recruit and keep the best. That's what our community expects and what our students deserve."
May 29, 2009 (#2008-192)
Board of Education Policy Committee to Hold Meeting
The Policy Committee of the Board of Education will hold a 1 p.m. meeting on Monday, June 15, 2009, in Board Room A at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
May 28, 2009 (#2008-191)
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 11, 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.
May 27, 2009 (#2008-190)
Board of Education Audit Committee to Hold Quarterly Meeting
The Audit Committee of the Board of Education will hold its quarterly meeting at 2 p.m., on Monday, June 8, 2009, in Conference Room ML2 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
May 27, 2009 (#2008-189)
Board of Education to Meet with Operating Budget Review Committee
The Howard County Board of Education will meet with the Operating Budget Review Committee from 8–9 p.m. on, Tuesday, June 2, 2009 in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
May 26, 2009 (#2008-188)
Board of Education to Meet with Special Education Community Advisory Committee (SECAC)
The Board of Education will meet with the Special Education Community Advisory Committee from 7-8 p.m., on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
May 26, 2009 (#2008-187)
Board of Education Meets to Adopt Budgets
The Howard County Board of Education will meet at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2009, to adopt the FY 2010 Operating and Capital Budgets and the FY 2011-2015 Capital Improvement Program. The meeting will take place in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
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.
May 22, 2009 (#2008-186)
"Traveling Pants" Author Interviewed on Books Alive!
Young adult writer Ann Brashares, author of the renowned The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, is this month's special guest on the HCPSS-TV series, Books Alive! Brashares' book is an international bestseller and released as a feature film in 2005. She wrote three more titles in the "Pants" series, the last of which, Forever in Blue, was released in January 2007. Brashares' first adult novel, The Last Summer (of You and Me) was released in 2007 as well.
This month's other guest is author Dan Gutman, who has written over 80 fictional and non-fictional books. Perhaps his most famous works are his series of "& Me" novels for children, which started with his 20th published work, Honus & Me, which was te basis of the Turner Network made-for-TV feature, The Winning Season. His other major work of children's literature is a series of over twenty books entitled the My Weird School series.
Don't miss Barb Langridge's interviews with both authors about their writing careers, past works, and upcoming projects. Books Alive! is broadcast on Sundays at 6 p.m., Tuesdays at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Saturdays at 10 p.m.
May 22, 2009 (#2008-185)
Options for Passing the HSAs, Topic of HCPSS-TV Show
This month, HCPSS-TV's Parent Teacher Connection looks into how school system teachers and administrators are assisting seniors who still must pass the High School Assessments (HSAs) to graduate. PTA host Deborah Wessner talks with school system testing coordinator Portia White and Coordinator of School Counselors Lisa Boarman about options such as additional testing and "bridge plans" that students can use to pass the HSAs.
Host Bruce Johnson visits the Black Student Achievement Saturday Math Academy at Oakland Mills High School, where students in Grades 4-12 not only receive extra assistance with math skills and homework, but also learn to play chess. Chairman Wardell Lindsay of the Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County is featured along with the academy's students, parents and teachers.
The Bright Minds Foundation, the educational foundation for Howard County public schools, is the subject of parent host Jennifer Johnson's "What Parents are Asking" segment. Jennifer talks with two leaders of the foundation about a program they are conducting in partnership with the Lazarus Foundation that distributes computer equipment county students who cannot afford home computers.
Parent Teacher Connection is broadcast on HCPSS-TV on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon and 5 p.m. on Comcast channel 95 and Verizon channel 42.
May 15, 2009 (#2008-184)
Pupil Transportation Office Seeks Members for Student Walking Route Committee
The Pupil Transportation Office of the Howard County Public School System is seeking members for the Student Walking Route Committee. The committee serves as the first level of appeal for decisions made by the made by the Pupil Transportation Office staff regarding walking routes to schools and/or bus stops. The committee provides the Superintendent of Schools with an independent assessment of particular walking routes.
The Student Walking Route Committee includes representatives from various government agencies and up to two community volunteers. The committee generally hears two to three appeals per school year. Each appeal requires up to six hours of independent work. The term of service is for two calendar years.
Interested persons should contact David Drown, HCPSS Director of Pupil Transportation, at 410-313-6726.
May 15, 2009 (#2008-183)
Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Work Session on Proposed FY 2010 Operating and Capital Budgets and FY 2011-2015 Capital Improvement Program
The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 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 a public hearing on the Proposed FY 2010 Operating and Capital Budgets and the FY 2011-2015 Capital Improvement Program. The Board will also hold Work Session #3 on the budgets.
Individuals who wish to testify at the 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, up to the close of business on the last working day before the hearing.
To sign up to testify at the 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.
May 14, 2009 (#2008-182)
Board of Education’s Legislative Committee to Meet
The Howard County Board of Education’s Legislative Committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. The meeting will take place in conference room UL7 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
May 13, 2009 (#2008-181)
Harper's Choice Middle School Wins Central Region Stock Market Game Competition
A combination of shrewd investing and a little bit of luck helped students from Harper’s Choice Middle School earn a simulated $15,510 and a second place middle school award in the Spring session of the Central Region Stock Market Game competition, organized by the Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE). G/T Resource Teacher, Nan Dove, taught the curricular extension unit as a real-world application of math, research and analysis skills.
Sixth-grade team members, Colin Murray, Shane Nelson, Conor Shimabukuro, and Brandon Williams started with an imaginary $100,000 and over a ten week period invested in corporations on the New York, American and NASDAQ markets in an attempt to increase the size of their portfolio. They are invited to attend the Central Region Award ceremony at Micros Systems Inc. in Columbia on May 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Each year, approximately 18,000 students from Maryland and Washington, D.C. participate in the program through the Maryland Council on Economic Education.
May 12, 2009 (#2008-180)
Glenwood Students Receive National Recognition for Recycling Project
Glenwood Middle School eighth graders Jessica Dietz, Grant Whitman, and Zachary Wright received an Honorable Mention in the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge for their work on decreasing outgoing waste from Glenwood Middle School. The Glenwood team was named the finalist for the state of Maryland in the national competition. Only 22 schools nationally were recognized as finalists. The students, along with their teacher/mentor Amanda Richardson, implemented a yearlong campaign to increase recycling and decrease outgoing waste at their school. The group was able to document a significant decrease in amount of waste generated and increase in amount of materials recycled over the course of the study.
"We are extremely proud of these students for their hard work in addressing this critical environmental issue," says Principal David Brown. "It's wonderful to see young people making a difference and receiving national recognition for their efforts."
Over 2,000 students participated in the inaugural year of the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. To enter the Challenge, teams of two or three students in sixth through eighth grade, under the mentorship of teacher or adult supervisor, were asked to identify an environmental issue in their community, research the issue using scientific investigation, and create a replicable green solution using web-based curriculum tools powered by Discovery Education.
May 8, 2009 (#2008-179)
Meeting for Groups that Use School Facilities
Members of community groups and organizations that currently use or would like to use a school facility as a location for their events or activities are invited to an information meeting on community use of schools. Participants will learn what facilities are available for community use, how to schedule an event and what is expected of outside users.
The Community Use of Schools Information Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 7:30pm in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. For additional information contact HCPSS Community Use of Facilities Supervisor Chuck Parvis at 410-313-6750.
May 8, 2009 (#2008-178)
Centennial High Produces Two Presidential Scholars
Centennial High School seniors Peter Kamel and Teresa Yeh were notified this week that they have been selected as 2009 Presidential Scholars representing Maryland. This is the first time that any Howard County high school, and possibly any high school in Maryland, has claimed both Presidential Scholars in a given year.
U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year one young man and one young woman are chosen from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad as Presidential Scholars. In addition, up to 15 students are chosen at large.
The U.S. Department of Education uses test records for the top 20 males and top 20 females in each of the states/jurisdictions as well as materials submitted by the student candidates, including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports, and transcripts. Candidates are evaluated on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay.
Additionally, Centennial teachers Michelle Bagley and Jason Piluk have been selected to receive the Presidential Scholars Teacher Recognition Award based on nominations from Kamel and Yeh. The students and teachers will be attending a recognition dinner, seminars and then a final event in their honor at the Kennedy Center on June 22.
See also: WJZ TV - Md. Presidential Scholars Come From Same School 
May 6, 2009 (#2008-177)
Cradlerock School Team Wins State MESA Title
Students Xinxin Guo, Ben Kale, Alexis Ligon and Caroline Pyon from Cradlerock School in Columbia will represent the Howard County Public School System and the State of Maryland in a national engineering competition in Denver, Colorado, June 25-28. The students, led by Cradlerock teachers Jason Cartwright and Keri Johnson, will compete against middle school students from eight states.
The Cradlerock team earned the trip to Denver by winning the Trebuchet contest at the state Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement Program (MESA) competitions held at Morgan State University on April 30. The contest requires students to demonstrate skills in oral communication, writing, in mathematics, science and engineering design when competing. Their artistic skills are evaluated on how well they present their project. Cradlerock School students won the same event last year.
The MESA program has been in existence in the HCPSS for more than 25 years and offers enhanced learning opportunities in architecture, mathematics and engineering for students in elementary through high school.
May 5, 2009 (#2008-176)
Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Public Hearing
The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 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 a public hearing on Policy 1060, Bullying/Intimidation/Harassment.
Individuals who wish to testify at the 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 up to the close of business on the last working day before the hearing.
To sign up to testify at the 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.
May 5, 2009 (#2008-175)
Howard County Teacher of the Year; Educational Staff Award Winners Announced
The Howard County Public School System has announced its new Teacher of the Year, as well as the winners of four other awards for educational staff.
Kimberly Feldman, an English teacher at Oakland Mills High School, was named Howard County Teacher of the Year for 2009. This award exemplifies the highest standards in teaching and educational leadership. Feldman will represent HCPSS in the Maryland Teacher of the Year competition, sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Tara Brown, a kindergarten teacher at Talbott Springs Elementary, and Brian Sackett, an English teacher at Atholton High School, were named HCPSS First Year Educators in the elementary and secondary categories respectively. This award recognizes new teachers who demonstrate exceptional skill in instruction, communication, and interaction with students.
Kristie Dietrich, an elementary inclusion paraeducator at Cedar Lane School, and Erik Burnett, a Black Student Achievement Program transition assistant at Atholton High School, were named winners of the annual Distinguished Assistant Award in the special and general education categories respectively. This award recognizes outstanding educational assistants who serve a critical role in students’ success.
Gary Williams, night building supervisor at Rockburn Elementary School, is the winner of the Excellence Award for Building Operations. This award recognizes an employee who demonstrates outstanding performance, professionalism, and resourcefulness while helping to ensure a well-managed, smoothly running infrastructure.
Nancy Duffy, principal’s secretary at River Hill High School, is the Office Professional Recognition Award winner for 2009. This award recognizes the important contributions of administrative assistants and other office staff in creating a positive educational environment.
Superintendent Sydney L. Cousin made surprise visits to each winner’s school to announce the awards. The winners will also be honored at the annual HCPSS “In Honor of Excellence” celebration on May 19.
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