October 2011 News Releases

October 31, 2011 (#2011-57)

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

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a luncheon meeting with student leaders at 12 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, 2011, in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. At 4 p.m., the Board will hold a regularly scheduled meeting in the Board Room 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. To sign up to speak at Public Forum, contact the Board's office at 410-313-7194.

During the evening session, the 2011 School Year Attendance Area Adjustments will be approved.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two-week advanced notice is preferred.

October 31, 2011 (#2011-56)

Board of Education to Hold Public Hearing and Work Session III on 2012 School Year Attendance Area Adjustments

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a Public Hearing and Work Session III on the proposed 2012 School Year Attendance Area Adjustments at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. The hearing will take place in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

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 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.

October 31, 2011 (#2011-55)

Board of Education to Hold Public Work Session II on 2012 School Year Attendance Area Adjustments

The Howard County Board of Education will hold Public Work Session II on the 2012 School Year Attendance Area Adjustments at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2011.  The work session 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.

October 28, 2011 (#2011-54)

Patuxent Valley Middle School Participates in The Great American Can Roundup

Beginning on November 15, the students and staff of Patuxent Valley Middle School in Jessup will be participating in The Great American Can Roundup, which encourages communities to combat litter, save valuable resources, and conserve energy in order to secure a sustainable future. This is the second year the school will be participating in the campaign. The proceeds earned from recycling aluminum cans will be used to fund Green School projects and field trips. Community members are encouraged to donate completely emptied, all-aluminum cans, either whole or crushed.  Donations can be placed in a wooden collection bin in the school's staff parking lot.

"This is a great opportunity for our students to get excited about recycling and raise money for our school by doing more of what we already do," explains science teacher Anne Fichter.

The Great American Can Roundup is sponsored by the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), which represents beverage can makers and suppliers to the industry and is committed to ensuring that all aluminum cans are recycled. The Great American Can Roundup initiative celebrates the 75th anniversary of the beverage can and encourages recycling efforts.

October 28, 2011 (#2011-53)

Patuxent Valley Middle School Community to Plant Trees

Patuxent Valley Middle School is partnering with the Howard County Department of Natural Resources to plant 200 trees near Forest Ridge Elementary, 9550 Gorman Road in Laurel, on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. The entire Patuxent Valley community, including staff, students, and families, is volunteering time to the project in hopes of achieving Green School status. The school planned the tree planting to fulfill the community outreach component of the Green School application. The Green School Program is sponsored by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education.

October 27, 2011 (#2011-52)

Board of Education to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed 2012 School Year Attendance Area Adjustments

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2012 School Year Attendance Area Adjustments at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.  The hearing will take place in the Board Room at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

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 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.

October 27, 2011 (#2011-51)

Board of Education Audit Committee to Meet

The Audit Committee of the Board of Education will meet at 8:30 a.m., on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, in Conference Room ML2 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

October 27, 2011 (#2011-50)

Board of Education Policy Committee to Meet

The Policy Committee of the Board of Education will meet at 1:00pm, on Monday, November 7, 2011, in Conference Room ML2 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

October 26, 2011 (#2011-49)

Board of Education to Hold Regular Meeting and Attendance Area Adjustments Work Session I

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a regularly scheduled meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2011 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. To sign up to speak at Public Forum, contact the Board's office at 410-313-7194.

During the evening session, the Board will hold a public session on the Attendance Area Adjustments will be given. The public will be provided 2 opportunities for oral testimony on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Individuals who would like to request a sign language interpreter for any meeting of the Board of Education may contact Colleen Rice, Interpreter Scheduler, at 410-313-7046. A two week advanced notice is preferred.

October 26, 2011 (#2011-48)

Board of Education to Hold Closed Meeting

The Howard County Board of Education will meet in closed session at 3:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

October 24, 2011 (#2011-47)

2011-12 Operating Budget Review Committee Meeting Schedule

The Board of Education 2011-2012 Operating Budget Review Committee (OBRC) will meet from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., in Board Room A at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City on the dates below. The committee provides input to the Board regarding the annual operating budget submitted by the Superintendent. The Board of Education established the committee to review the budget and comment on priorities and proposed new initiatives. All meetings are open to the public.

• Thursday, October 27, 2011
• Thursday, November 3, 2011
• Thursday, November 10, 2011
• Thursday, November 17, 2011
• Thursday, December 1, 2011
• Thursday, December 8, 2011
• Thursday, December 15, 2011
• Thursday, December 22, 2011
• Thursday, January 5, 2012
• Thursday, January 12, 2012
• Thursday, January 19, 2012
• Thursday, January 26, 2012
• Thursday, February 2, 2012
• Thursday, February 9, 2012
• Thursday, February 16, 2012
• Thursday, February 23, 2012

Additional information, minutes, etc. are located at BoardDocs under "Library - General – Operating Budget Review Committee."

October 18, 2011 (#2011-46)

5th Annual AD/HD Awareness Event with Debbie Phelps

The Howard County Public School System, along with CHADD of Greater Baltimore, the Learning Disability Association of America, Howard County Chapter, and Individual Differences in Learning will hold a free program for parents and educators.

Master educator and innovative, energetic and talented speaker Debbie Phelps will share tips for helping children and teens with attention deficits and learning challenges to become academically and socially independent. Phelps is an author, principal of Windsor Mill Middle School in Baltimore County, and mother of three, including Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps, who was diagnosed with AD/HD at age nine.

This free event will take place on Thursday, November 3, 2011 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Road in Ellicott City. Phelps' memoir, A Mother for All Seasons, will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

Pre-registration is not required. For more information, contact Emily Hurd at emily_hurd@HCPSS.org or 410-313-1252.

October 13, 2011 (#2011-45)

Board of Education to Meet with County Council - Change in Agenda

The Howard County Board of Education will hold their quarterly meeting with the County Council on Wednesday, October 19, 2011. They will meet at the Department of Education in the lobby and will then travel to Northfield Elementary School for a tour of the facility.

October 13, 2011 (#2011-44)

Board of Education to Meet with County Council - Change in Agenda

The Howard County Board of Education will hold their quarterly meeting with the County Council on Wednesday, October 14, 2011. They will meet at the Department of Education in the lobby and will then travel to Northfield Elementary School for a tour of the facility.

October 12, 2011 (#2011-43)

Board of Education's Legislative Committee to Meet at 7:30 a.m. Instead of 8 a.m.

The Board of Education's Legislative Committee will meet at 7:30 a.m., on Monday, October 17, 2011. The meeting will take place in the Lobby Conference Room ML 2, at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

October 4, 2011 (#2011-42)

Parent Teacher Connection Begins 10th Year

The Parent Teacher Connection kicks off its tenth year on HCPSS-TV with an interview with county Chief of Police Bill McMahon on the new speed cameras being used in school zones. Also this month, Parent Teacher Connection covers the Regional Attendance Area Adjustment Meetings, at which potential redistricting plans for the northeastern part of the county were unveiled. Also featured is Pam Blackwell, Director of Student Services, who explains how teachers and support staff are trained to recognize and report child abuse and neglect, and to avoid inappropriate relationships with students.

Hosts Bruce Johnson and Jennifer Johnson plan to interview a full roster of school and community leaders in celebration of the show's 10th anniversary. Future guests include Chaunfayta Hightower, President of the PTA Council of Howard County, and Paul Lemli, President of the Howard County Education Association, as well as segments on educating the county's homeless students and understanding how the new Common Core Standards will impact instruction.

Parent Teacher Connection is broadcast on Wednesdays at 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at noon and 5 p.m on cable channel 95 (Comcast) and cable channel 42 (Verizon). To view the program online, click here.