Quick Links

Golden Opportunities

Our Golden Opportunities newsletter contains announcements of school performances, opportunities to volunteer or advocate, school system news, and other features of particular interest to the Howard County senior community. Our latest newsletter is below.

Additional Information:

• How to sign up for Golden Opportunities, an electronic newsletter for Senior Citizens.
• How seniors can Get Involved with the HCPSS.
• Senior Pass Program Information (pdf).
• Senior Pass Program Application Form (pdf).

Winter 2012 Issue - January 23, 2012

IN THIS ISSUE...

• High School Performances
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Advocacy Opportunities
• School System News
• HCPSS TV Programming

HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMANCES

The following schedules list upcoming theater, music and dance performances at all county high schools. Each HCPSS Senior Pass holder is entitled to one half-price ticket to high school theater productions and one free ticket to home athletic contests, music and dance performances, pending availability. Contact the school to request tickets and confirm dates and times.

The Senior Pass Program is the Howard County Public School System's way of saying "thank you" to residents aged 65 years and above. To request your free Senior Pass, call 410-313-6682 or visit the HCPSS Public Information Office, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City.

Additional Performances:

• Middle School Honors Band Winter Concert
  Sun., Jan. 29, 4 p.m.
  Smith Theatre, Howard Community College
  The Office of Fine Arts invites you to attend a program by the county's most talented middle school musicians under the direction of Lori Schwartz Reichl and David Smith.


• Chamber Choir Masterclass
  Mon., Feb. 13, 9:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
  (Snow date Tue., Feb. 14)
  Wilde Lake High, 5460 Trumpeter Rd., Columbia
  The 2012 Howard County High School Chamber Choir Masterclass (formerly Madrigal Festival) features performances by chamber choirs from each high school.

To Top of Page

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• Black Saga Competition volunteers are needed to assist with registration, set-up/tear-down, directing attendees, and other event tasks on Sat., Feb. 11 at Veterans Elementary School. Two shifts are available: 7:15 a.m.-noon and 11:45 a.m.- 4 p.m. Comfortable shoes recommended as extensive standing may be required. Register online by Jan. 30.
  For more information contact Kelly Reichardt at kreichardt@hcpss.org.


• Bonnie Branch Middle School seeks judges for student History Day projects on Thur., Feb. 9, anytime between 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Volunteers should have an interest or background in history. Detailed project evaluation guidelines will be provided. Contact Janine Sharbaugh at janine_sharbaugh@hcpss.org or 410-313-2580.


• The Cedar Lane School in Fulton, a special school for students with disabilities, needs volunteers to escort students between classes and assist students during class time. Volunteers may work partial or whole days during school hours, 7:50 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. Contact Mary Beth Yelen, Assistant Principal, at 410-888-8800.


• The Guilford Elementary School Bridges Program needs volunteer tutors to help students complete math and spelling homework after school. Volunteers commit to one Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday per week, from 3:45-5:45 p.m. Upcoming sessions run Jan. 31 through Mar. 8, and Apr. 17 through May 17. Contact Kris Woodson, Bridges Site Coordinator, at kris_woodson@hcpss.org or 410-880-5930.


• History Day Sat. Mar. 17 at Reservoir High School, needs volunteers in two roles:
  
  • Judges evaluate student projects by working in teams to interview middle and high school students. Comfortable shoes recommended. Orientation, 8 a.m.; judging, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; awards ceremony (optional), 2:30 p.m. Register online by Feb. 25.
  • Event volunteers assist with registration, set-up/tear-down, directing parents/students, and other tasks. Comfortable shoes recommended. Volunteer for either or both shifts: 7-10 a.m. or 12-4:30 p.m. Register online by Mar. 1.
    

  For more information contact Kelly Reichardt at kreichardt@hcpss.org.

• STEM Fair judges are needed to evaluate student projects in science, technology, engineering and math at Long Reach High School. Judges receive guidelines and scoring sheets.
  • Middle School Fair, Fri., Feb. 24 (snow date Mar. 2). Sign in: 4:30-5:45 p.m. (dinner provided); orientation, 5:45 p.m.; judging, 6:15-8:30 p.m.
  • High School Fair, Sat., Feb. 25 (snow date Mar. 3). Sign in: 8-9 a.m.; orientation, 9 a.m.; judging, 9:15 a.m.-noon.

  Register online or by contacting Mary Drew at 410-313-6615 or mary_drew@hcpss.org.

• Wilde Lake Middle School needs volunteer judges for student History Fair projects, Tue., Feb. 21, 6-8 p.m. Contact Laura Attridge at 410-313-6957 or laura_attridge@hcpss.org.


• A-OK (Assist OUR Kids) Mentoring-Tutoring, Inc. seeks adult volunteers to work with students individually or in small groups, during the school day or after school. Volunteer mentor/tutors should commit to one hour per week, and receive training and ongoing support.
  
  Opportunities are available at Atholton, Bryant Woods, Cradlerock, Deep Run, Forest Ridge, Guilford, Longfellow, Phelps Luck, Running Brook and Stevens Forest elementary schools; Harper's Choice, Lake Elkhorn, Oakland Mills, Patuxent Valley and Wilde Lake middle schools, and Wilde Lake High School. Contact Chaya Kaplan at aokmentor@gmail.com or 410-730-6030.


• Howard County Conservancy seeks volunteer nature hike guides for grade preK-12 field trips. Training begins in March. Contact hcconservancy@hcconservancy.org.

To Top of Page

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES

Friends of Education Award
Nominations Due Jan. 27

The Friends of Education Award was established by the Board of Education to recognize individuals, businesses or organizations making innovative or unique contributions that directly support the school system's mission of excellence in teaching and learning. Any member of the Howard County community or any group, organization, or business located in or serving Howard County may be nominated for the award.

The nomination deadline is Fri., Jan. 27. Awards will be presented on Apr. 12. For nomination forms and additional information, contact the Administrative Secretary to the BOE at 410-313-1584 or visit www.hcpss.org/board/foe.shtml.

G/T Educator Recognition Award
Nominations due Wed., Feb. 29

This annual award recognizes exemplary commitment to advanced level learners and contributions to the Howard County Gifted and Talented Education Program. The nomination form and additional information are available at http://hcpssgtac.wordpress.com.
Contact gtteachrec@aol.com with any questions.

To Top of Page

SCHOOL SYSTEM NEWS

Changes Proposed for Middle School Schedule

Recent Maryland State Assessment scores indicate that HCPSS students continue to perform well above the state average, with 93 percent of county middle school students scoring proficient or advanced in reading. To build on this success, the HCPSS has proposed incorporating reading and writing instruction into each subject discipline at the middle school level.

The proposed schedule consists of seven 50-minute periods, including English Language Arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, fine arts and health education. Other classes would vary based on students' interests and academic needs.

Staff proposing these revisions cited several advantages. Students will develop the skills needed for success in college and careers, and be better prepared for the new assessments based on the state Common Core Curriculum. Additional time will be provided for content-area instruction. Students will have more opportunities to participate in related arts, while those struggling in reading or math will continue to receive additional support.

The full report presented at the Dec. 8 Board meeting is available here.

The Board held a public hearing on the proposal on Jan. 12 and will hold a work session on Jan. 19. The final decision is scheduled for the Jan. 26 Board meeting.

To Top of Page

HCPSS TV PROGRAMMING

Changes to Middle School Reading and More on Parent Teacher Connection
Comcast 95/Verizon 42:
Wednesdays, 4, 7 and 10 p.m.
Saturdays, 3 p.m.
Sundays, 12 and 5 p.m.
On-Demand at HCPSSTV.com

HCPSS leaders Clarissa Evans and Bill Ryan explain the proposed changes for the middle school curriculum that would integrate reading into content area courses starting next school year on the January edition of Parent Teacher Connection, now showing on HCPSS TV.

Other features include a talk with Transportation Director David Ramsey about school bus driver training and the decision process behind delaying or closing schools due to bad weather, and an onsite report on the new solar panels powering Worthington Elementary.

The Common Core
On Demand at HCPSSTV.com

Chief Academic Officer Linda Wise explains how the Common Core standards and state curriculum will enhance students' preparation for college and career, and describes how the new curriculum is being implemented in HCPSS classrooms. She also shares plans to replace Maryland state assessments with new tests aligned to the Common Core Standards.

~~ We value your feedback! Please contact publicinfo@hcpss.org with your suggestions for Golden Opportunities. ~~

To Top of Page

How to Sign Up for Golden Opportunities - Electronic Newsletter

To receive Golden Opportunities electronically, following the online steps below:

• Visit www.hcpssnews.com.
• Click on Subscribe.
• Scroll down past the list of school names and select the Golden Opportunities - News for Seniors box.
• Fill in your name under User Information.
• Fill in your email address.
• Choose a Secret Question and provide a Secret Answer.
• Select both boxes under Terms and Conditions.
• Click on Subscribe at the bottom of the page.

How do I Update my Account Information?

Logon to HCPSS News at www.hcpssnews.com, place your cursor over Account Management and select View/Modify Account. Enter one of the email addresses associated with your account and click Find Me. Type in the answer to your secret question.

The answer to your secret question is case sensitive and must be typed exactly the same way as when you created your account. If you are unable to continue or forgot your answer, click Resend Answer. HCPSS News will send your answer to the email address you typed in at the beginning of this process.

If you have any questions, comments or problems with this process, send an email to publicinfo@hcpss.org.

How do I Unsubscribe?

Logon to HCPSS News at www.hcpssnews.com and click on Unsubscribe. Enter one of the email addresses associated with your account and click Find Me. Type in the answer to your secret question.

The answer to your secret question is case sensitive and must be typed exactly the same way as when you created your account. If you are unable to continue or forgot your answer, click Resend Answer. HCPSS News will send your answer to the email address you typed in at the beginning of this process.

If you have any questions, comments or problems with this process, send an email to publicinfo@hcpss.org.