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Weekly News for ParentsOur Weekly News for Parents newsletter contains system-wide news briefs and activities. Our current newsletter is below and a selection of past newsletters are listed at the bottom of this page as PDF documents.
Additional Information:
May 14, 2012
Fine Arts Advisory Council
Mon., May 14, 7-8:30 p.m.
Board Rm., Dept. of Education 10910 Clarksville Pk., Ellicott City
Get involved in providing quality arts curricula and other student learning experiences. Everyone passionate about theater, dance, music or the visual arts is invited to attend.
For more information, contact Janis McNutt at isnam23@verizon.net.
Distribution of Information in Schools
A description of the types of information that may be distributed by non-profit organizations and groups to and through students is available on the school system website, at http://www.hcpss.org/parents/distribute.shtml.
Guidelines for submitting information for distribution, and options for parents to limit the information received, are also provided.
Reminders:
Proposed Instructional Materials on Display through May 17
Dept. of Education Lobby, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Howard County Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, during business hours
Howard County community members may review all textbooks recommended for the first time, now through May 17. Forms will be available to use for expressions of approval or requests for re-evaluation of any of the proposed materials.
Call 410-313-5634 with questions or for further information.
Student-Designed Deck Ready for Marketplace
Student designers, construction managers and marketers have combined forces to develop a 7-piece modular deck with optional stairs for the real world marketplace.
High school students in the Architectural Design, Advanced Animation, Construction Management, Finance, and Visual Communications academies took on the project, with support from local construction and building companies, as a fundraiser for the centralized school and to gain real world experience in their fields.
Students describe the product as a seven-piece Azek© Redland Rose modular deck with a very appealing octagonal design that can be reconstructed with ease. With a footprint of 19 x15 feet, and incorporating a 12-foot octagon, it best fits a house with a ground level to door level height of 24-36 inches. The stain-resistant PVC decking is durable, long lasting and impervious to moisture and insects. The framing is built from 2 x 6 inch pieces of pressure-treated wood that resists splits, mold and mildew. All framing is reinforced with metal joist hangers and fasteners. This beautifully designed deck has a maintenance-free, durable, white vinyl railing that contains aluminum tubing reinforcement on the top and bottom rail.
Pricing and additional information are available online, or contact Dr. Maddy Halbach at 410-313-6998 or maddy_halbach@hcpss.org.
Outstanding HCPSS Staff Honored
The winners of seven annual employee awards were honored at the HCPSS "In Honor of Excellence" celebration on May 2:
- Office Professional Recognition: Marian Boring, data clerk, Reservoir HS
- First Year Educator: John Perfetto, Special Education English and math teacher, Reservoir HS
- Excellence Award for Building Operations: Robert Jackson, custodial day chief, Mayfield Woods MS
- Distinguished Assistant: Myla Korn, science instructional assistant, Hammond HS
- Distinguished Educational Leadership: Marcy Leonard, principal, Hammond HS
- Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher/ Howard County Teacher of the Year: Lisa Young, G/T resource teacher, Atholton ES
Prior to the May 2 event, Superintendent Sydney Cousin surprised each winner with the news. Video clips of each surprise visit can be viewed at www.hcpsstv.com.
Career Academy Graduates Can Earn College Credit
Students who have completed a Career Academy with a B average or better in all coursework may be eligible for college credit at several local postsecondary institutions.
Students must complete an articulated credit form to be submitted by the high school counselor to the college.
Forms and additional information are available here.
Board Seeks Input on Artificial Turf Joint Use Agreement
Regional meetings:
- Tue., May 1, 6 p.m., Reservoir HS
- Tue., May 15, 6 p.m., Glenelg HS
Public hearing:
- Thur., May 10, 7:30 p.m., Board meeting
The Board of Education and the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks will hold two regional meetings and a public hearing to receive community input on the proposed artificial turf joint agreement. The meetings will begin with a joint presentation of the agreement by school system and Recreation and Parks staff, followed by a question and answer session.
The Board will also hold a public hearing on the topic at its regularly scheduled meeting on May 10. Individuals who would like to testify at the hearing are asked to sign up in advance by calling the Board Office at 410-313-7194 and should provide 15 written copies of their testimony before or at the time of the hearing.
Among other things, the agreement proposes that:
- High schools have first priority for use during sports seasons.
- Howard County Recreation and Parks schedule all use in coordination with high school Athletics and Activities Managers.
- Stadium light use be extended to 10:15 p.m.
The full Artificial Turf Fields Joint Use Agreement can be viewed online. The Board is scheduled to take final action on the agreement on May 22, 2012.
HC STARS Celebration
Sun., May 20, 5 p.m.
Mt. Hebron High, 9440 Rt. 99, Ellicott City
Enjoy a magical night of theater. The 3rd annual STARS Celebration will feature excerpts from each high school theatrical production, a performance by the All County Improvisational Acting Troupe and a salute to the HC STARS critic teams. An all-county, all-star student orchestra will accompany the evening's entertainment.
Tickets are $10, available online at www.seatyourself.biz/rhhs. For more information, contact tracy_adler@hcpss.org.
Career Academies Camp
Mon.-Fri., Jun. 18-22
Session I (CA40.M1): 8-11:30 a.m.
Session II (CA40.M2): 12:30-4 p.m.
Students entering Grades 8-9 can discover how their interests relate to the high school Career Academies while enjoying activities in science, technology, engineering, health, business and other subjects.
Different interest areas will be covered in each session; register for either or both. Cost is $75 for each session.
Students in the Hotel and Restaurant Management Career Academy prepare for exciting and rewarding careers in lodging, travel and tourism, airlines and cruise lines, sport and recreation, resorts and theme parks, restaurants and food services. The travel and tourism industry is among the nation's largest, and directly or indirectly employs one out of eight Americans.
Academy students learn industry-standard practices, receive individual mentoring from hospitality industry professionals and have opportunities to participate in industry-sponsored events and competitions.
Find out more about the Hotel and Restaurant Management and Culinary Science Career Academies in this video.
Dr. Foose Signs Contract
The Apr. 26 Board of Education meeting opened with the approval of a resolution appointing Dr. Renee Foose as the school system's next Superintendent, followed by the signing of her contract. Dr. Foose will assume her new position on July 1.
Dr. Foose has spent the past two decades serving the state of Maryland, including 15 years in Maryland public schools. She is credited with implementing numerous education initiatives aimed at closing the achievement gap and preparing children for college and the workforce. Dr. Foose is also widely respected for her success in building collaborative rapport with stakeholders and union officials to implement reform efforts and increase teacher professional capacity.
Looking for the previous newsletter? Click here.
Updating Your HCPSS News Accounts
WHEN should I Update my HCPSS News Account?
Whenever any of the following information changes:
- Personal or work email addresses
- Student information (including name, grade or school)
Parents/guardians need to update their HCPSS News account as their information changes. The HCPSS News message service is not connected to any student information at HCPSS and, therefore, will not update any information in the subscriber accounts. Parents may miss grade-specific information if their student information is not updated annually.
HOW do I Update my Account Information?
- Visit www.hcpssnews.com.
- Place your cursor over Account Management and select View/Modify Account.
- Enter an email address or cell number associated with the account.
- Click Find Me.
- Type in answer to the secret question. (case sensitive)
- If forgotten password, click Resend Answer.
- Answer will be sent to the email address that was entered on top.
HOW do I View Prior Messages that were sent to me?
- Visit www.hcpssnews.com.
- Click on the Prior Messages tab.
- Enter an email address or cell number associated with the account.
- Click Find Me.
- Type in answer to the secret question. (case sensitive)
- If forgotten password, click Resend Answer.
- Answer will be sent to the email address that was entered on top.
HOW do I Unsubscribe?
- Visit www.hcpssnews.com.
- Click on the Unsubscribe tab.
- Enter an email address or cell number associated with the account.
- Click Find Me.
- Type in answer to the secret question. (case sensitive)
- If forgotten password, click Resend Answer.
- Answer will be sent to the email address that was entered on top.
Have Questions, Need Assistance?
If you have any questions, comments or problems with HCPSS News, send an email to publicinfo@hcpss.org or call our office at 410-313-6682 or 7199.
Past Newsletters
Looking for something from last week's newsletter? Look below for a PDF version of some of our past newsletters.
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