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Home > News and Events > January News Releases

January 2010 News Releases

January 29 -
Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Public Hearings
January 29 -
Board of Education to Hold Public Work Sessions II – IV on Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2011 Operating Budget
January 29 -
Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting
January 26 -
Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session I on Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2011 Operating Budget
January 26 -
Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session on Elementary Educational Specifications and Public Hearing on Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2011 Operating Budget
January 26 -
Students Test their Knowledge of African American History at Howard County Black Saga Competition
January 26 -
It's Time for "Dancing with the Staff" at Reservoir High School
January 25 -
Scienta Solutions LLC and West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department to Partner with Marriotts Ridge High School
January 22 -
Howard County Public School System Sponsors 2010 STEM Fair
January 20 -
Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Public Hearing on Elementary Educational Specifications
January 20 -
New Partnership Promotes Peaceful Conflict Resolution
January 20 -
Board of Education Policy Committee to Hold Meeting
January 15 -
Board of Education’s Legislative Committee Meeting Rescheduled
January 12 -
HCPSS TV Broadcasts Glenelg High Winter Dance Concert
January 11 -
Board of Education’s Legislative Committee to Meet
January 11 -
Middle and High School Students to Have Opportunity to Learn about School System’s Career Academies Program
January 11 -
How is the Decision to Close Schools Made?
January 4 -
County Students Hope to Advance in Poetry Competition
January 4 -
New Partnership Highlights Value of Community Service

 


January 29, 2010 (#2010-099)

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Public Hearings

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, 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 Policy 7040, Abuse of Alcohol and Other Noncontrolled Substances by Employees and Policy 7050, Prohibition of Illegal Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia for Employees.

Individuals who wish to testify at the hearings are asked to limit their presentation to three minutes and to provide 15 written copies of their testimony at the time of the hearings. 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 the hearings 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.


January 29, 2010 (#2010-098)

Board of Education to Hold Public Work Sessions II – IV on Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2011 Operating Budget

The Howard County Board of Education will hold Public Work Sessions II – IV on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2011 Operating Budget in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. The work sessions will take place on the following dates:

• Work Session II - Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at 1:00pm
• Work Session III – Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at 7:00pm
• Work Session IV – Thursday, February 18, 2010, at 1:00pm

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.


January 29, 2010 (#2010-097)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 5:00pm, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.


January 26, 2010 (#2010-096)

Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session I on Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2011 Operating Budget

The Howard County Board of Education will hold Public Work Session I on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2011 Operating Budget at 7:00pm on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, 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.


January 26, 2010 (#2010-095)

Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session on Elementary Educational Specifications and Public Hearing on Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2011 Operating Budget

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a public work session on Elementary Educational Specifications on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, from 4:00 - 6:00pm in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

At 7:00pm, at the same location, the Board will hold a public hearing on the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2011 Operating Budget.

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, 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.


January 26, 2010 (#2010-094)

Students Test their Knowledge of African American History at Howard County Black Saga Competition

The fifth annual Howard County Black Saga Competition will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Veterans Elementary School, 4355 Montgomery Road in Ellicott City. Black Saga is an academic challenge on African American history that will involve students from participating elementary and middle schools in Howard County. The opening ceremony begins at 9:15am and the competition will conclude with an awards ceremony at 11:30am.

After working to enhance their knowledge of the African American experience for many months, the teams will compete against each other in a contest of their skills. All of these teams will then move forward to the state competition in March, where they will compete against students from other school systems. The Elementary and Secondary Social Studies Offices will host the local event.

The district coordinator for the Black Saga Competition is Dr. Mark Stout, Curriculum Coordinator for Secondary Social Studies, Howard County Public School System.


January 26, 2010 (#2010-093)

It's Time for "Dancing with the Staff" at Reservoir High School

Students and staff at Reservoir High School will hold their own version of the popular show "Dancing with the Stars" to raise money for the American Red Cross. On Thursday, February 18 at 7:00pm, the school's Dance Department is producing "Dancing with the Staff" featuring current dance students as the pros, partnered with "celebrity" teachers, counselors, coaches and Principal Addie Kaufman. Sixteen pairs will take the stage to vie for the prestigious mirror ball trophy.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $5.00 and will be sold at the door. Reservoir High is located at 11550 Scaggsville Road in Fulton.


January 25, 2010 (#2010-092)

Scienta Solutions LLC and West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department to Partner with Marriotts Ridge High School

Two new partnerships will enhance the computing skills and general wellbeing of Marriotts Ridge High School students and staff. The partnership agreements with Scienta Solutions LLC and the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department will be formalized with official signings at the school on Tuesday, January 26.

Scienta Solutions LLC has agreed to collaborate with faculty to develop computer and information technology class projects relevant to current business and industry applications. The organization will assist students and staff in understanding and applying leading-edge technology and business concepts to both the product development process and classroom instructional methods.

The West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department has agreed to serve as an informational resource for the MRHS community on effective emergency preparedness practices and to provide educational presentations on topics such as CPR, home safety surveys, and smoking cessation classes. WFVFD members will also mentor motivated, qualified high school students for career exploration and community service projects.

At 8:30 am, Howard Day, Chief, West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department, and Charles Montague, President, Scienta Solutions LLC, will join Sandra French and Patricia Gordon, Members, Howard County Board of Education; Patrick Saunderson, Principal, Marriotts Ridge High School; and Mary Schiller, Manager, HCPSS Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.

Scienta Solutions LLC provides creative, customized marketing and communication services to high technology companies designed to strengthen brand recognition and increase customer loyalty.

The West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department (www.wfvfd.org) has been preserving life, property, and the environment since 1944. The department recently moved to its new station on Slack’s Corner, built on land purchased from the family of George Slack, a charter member of the organization when it was formed fifty years ago.

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 students, businesses, and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.


January 22, 2010 (#2010-091)

Howard County Public School System Sponsors 2010 STEM Fair

Long Reach High School, 6101 Dobbin Lane in Columbia, will serve as the host for the 2010 Howard County STEM Fair on Friday, February 19, and Saturday, February 20, 2010. The fair provides an opportunity for middle and high school students to represent their schools and compete in many categories of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The STEM Fair also showcases the talents of students who participate in mentorships through the Gifted and Talented Research Program.

Judging for the registered middle school projects will occur on Friday, February 19, 2010 from 6:00 - 8:30pm. Judging for the registered high school projects will take place on Saturday, February 20, 2010, from 9:00am -12:00pm. A public Open House is scheduled for Saturday, February 20 from 3:00 - 4:15pm and will be followed by an Awards Ceremony from 4:30 - 6:00pm in the Long Reach High School auditorium.

In the event of a cancellation due to inclement weather, the fair will be held the following weekend, Friday, February 26 and Saturday, February 27.


January 20, 2010 (#2010-090)

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Public Hearing on Elementary Educational Specifications

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4pm, on Thursday, January 28, 2010, 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 7:30pm, 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 Elementary Educational Specifications.

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 prior to the hearing, 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.


January 20, 2010 (#2010-089)

New Partnership Promotes Peaceful Conflict Resolution

A new partnership with the Mediation & Conflict Resolution Center (MCRC) at Howard Community College will help students and staff of the Howard County Public School System develop skills for peacefully resolving conflicts.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, volunteer mediation experts from MCRC will provide educational workshops to HCPSS schools and staff in a variety of conflict resolution techniques, such as restorative dialogue, teamwork, reading nonverbal cues, and effective communication and listening. The Center will also provide mediation workshops for school counselors to support peer mediation efforts.

In addition, two students in grades 11-12 will be selected each year for enrollment in the 40-hour Basic Mediation Training offered by the MCRC and Howard Community College’s Continuing Education Division. The HCPSS will also make information about MCRC services available to all school system staff.

The Mediation & Conflict Resolution Center (MCRC) at Howard Community College (www.howardcc.edu/Visitors/mcrc) promotes peaceful resolution of conflict by providing mediation, facilitation and conflict resolution services, education and training for the Howard County 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.


January 20, 2010 (#2010-088)

Board of Education Policy Committee to Hold Meeting

The Policy Committee of the Board of Education will hold a meeting at 1:30pm on Monday, January 25, 2010, in the Board Planning Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.


January 15, 2010 (#2010-087)

Board of Education’s Legislative Committee Meeting Rescheduled

The Howard County Board of Education’s Legislative Committee meeting originally scheduled to take place at 3:30pm on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, has been canceled.

The meeting has been rescheduled and will take place at 4:30pm on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, in the Lobby Conference Room ML2, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.


January 12, 2010 (#2010-086)

HCPSS TV Broadcasts Glenelg High Winter Dance Concert

Join us for an evening of color, music and movement as the dance company from Glenelg High School performs a medley of selections from some of the world's most cherished ballets including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and Coppelia. Also on the program are interpretive dances representing nations and cultures from around the world. Don't miss the 2009 Glenelg High Winter Dance Concert. Broadcast times on HCPSS TV, Channel 95 (Comcast) and Channel 42 (Verizon), are as follows:

January 15 at 8:00am, 4:00pm and 8:00pm
January 16 at 1:00pm and 9:00pm
January 24 at 1:00pm and 8:00 pm
January 29 at 8:00am, 4:00pm and 8:00pm
January 30 at 1:00pm and 9:00pm

The performance is also available on the Internet. Go to www.hcpss.org and click on the HCPSS TV link.


January 11, 2010 (#2010-085)

Board of Education’s Legislative Committee to Meet

The Howard County Board of Education’s Legislative Committee will meet at 3:30pm on Wednesday, January 20, 2010. The meeting will take place in the Lobby Conference Room ML2, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.


January 11, 2010 (#2010-084)

Middle and High School Students to Have Opportunity to Learn about School System’s Career Academies Program

Middle and high school students will have an opportunity to learn about the Howard County Public School System’s Career Academies program and watch students demonstrate skills they have learned, during the following Career and Technology Education events scheduled in January and February at various branches of the Howard County Library:

Consumer Services: Hospitality and Tourism
Human Resource Services
Central Library
Tuesday, January 19, 7-8 pm

Arts, Media and Communications
Business Management and Finance
East Columbia Branch
Wednesday, January 27, 7-8 pm

Information Technology
Career Research and Development
Savage Branch
Thursday, January 28, 7-8 pm

Health and Biosciences
Elkridge Branch
Monday, February 1, 7-8 pm

Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology
Miller Branch
Thursday, February 4, 7-8 pm

Construction Development
Transportation Technologies
Glenwood Branch
Wednesday, February 10, 7-8 pm

The events are sponsored by the following partners: Howard County Library, the Howard County Public School System, and the Maryland State Department of Education's Division of Career and College Readiness and Division of Library Development Services.


January 11, 2010 (#2010-083)

How is the Decision to Close Schools Made?

Have you ever wondered how the decision to close schools is made? HCPSS TV's Parent Teacher Connection kicks off 2010 with an interview conducted by host JenniferJohnson with HCPSS Transportation Director David Drown about the process that is used to determine when to close schools due to bad weather. In a second segment, Jennifer talks with local author Brad Sach about his parenting books, "The Good Enough Child" and "The Good Enough Teen."

PTA host Deborah Wessner and County Library CEO Valerie Gross discuss how the A+ Partnership between the library and the school system has grown to include programs for teachers and students at all grade levels, along with signature programs such as the county-wide Spelling Bee, Battle of the Books, and a recent addition for teens, Pass the Book.

Then travel with host Bruce Johnson to Lime Kiln Middle School to find out how new spin bikes there, and at six other county schools, are being used to help students improve their health as well as their knowledge of lifetime fitness.
Parent Teacher Connection is broadcast on HCPSS TV on Wednesdays at 4pm, 7pm and 10pm, Saturdays at 3pm and Sundays at noon and 5pm on Channel 95 (Comcast) and Channel 42 (Verizon). The program can also be viewed on-line anytime at www.hcpss.com.


January 4, 2010 (#2010-082)

County Students Hope to Advance in Poetry Competition

Two students each from Centennial, Glenelg, Oakland Mills and Wilde Lake high schools will attempt to advance to the regional level by placing in the county competition of the Poetry Out Loud Recitation Contest, which will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday, January 6 at the Homewood Center in Ellicott City.

Participants recite works they selected from an anthology of more than 500 classic and contemporary poems. Judges evaluate student performances on criteria including articulation, evidence of understanding, level of difficulty, and accuracy. The participants are students who won their local school competitions last month. If the event is cancelled due to inclement whether, a snow date for the event is set for January 15 at the same time and location.

The first, second and third place winners at the county will advance to the regional competition on February 6, 2010. After that, a state competition will be held at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. The Maryland champion will advance to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals on April 28-29 in Washington, DC, where $50,000 dollars in scholarships and school prizes will be awarded.

The Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest, is presented in partnership with the Maryland State Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation, as part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition.

For more information about the Poetry Out Loud contest, visit www.poetryoutloud.org.


January 4, 2010 (#2010-081)

New Partnership Highlights Value of Community Service

Glenwood Middle School will partner with a local realtor to help students discover how each individual can make a positive, satisfying impact in addressing community needs. The partnership with Bryan S. Hall, Realtor, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. will be formalized with an official signing at the school on Monday, January 4.

Under the terms of the partnership, the realtor will collaborate on and support several charitable activities and events that the school takes part in, such as the Step Out to Fight Diabetes Walk, America Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart, and Children’s Cancer Fund Bowl-a-thon. The partners will also identify community-based charitable activities where students may choose to volunteer. The veteran businessman will also share information about running a business, networking skills, and other relevant topics during career days at the school.

At 2:35 pm, Bryan S. Hall, Realtor, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. will join Ellen Flynn Giles, Chairman of the Howard County Board of Education; David Brown, Principal, Glenwood Middle School; and Mary Schiller of the HCPSS Partnerships Office to sign the formal partnership agreement.

Founded in 1968, Long & Foster (www.longandfoster.com) has grown from a single office in Fairfax, Virginia, to the largest real estate company in the Mid-Atlantic region. Columbia-based realtor Bryan S. Hall (http://bryanhall.lnfre.com), an alumnus of Howard County schools, has 23 years of real estate experience.

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.


 
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