TOWSON, MD— The Board of Education of Baltimore County will hold a work session on Tuesday, December 18, 2012. Board work sessions are held for receiving reports, conducting in-depth reviews of school program(s), and developing and discussing Board policy.
The Board will meet in open session at approximately 5:30 p.m. to discuss items of interest to Board members. The Board will then move immediately to a closed session. The Board will reconvene to begin its work session at approximately 6:30 p.m. Representatives of stakeholder groups and members of the public have the opportunity to speak at Board work sessions. In order to speak at the upcoming Board meeting, stakeholder group representatives and members of the public must sign up between 5:00 p.m. and 6:25 p.m. outside of the Board's meeting room.
The meeting(s) will be held in the ESS Building, Room 114, on the Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles Street, in Towson. The public is welcome to attend and observe all of the Board's open sessions.
↧
Board of Education of Baltimore County to Meet on Tuesday, December 18
↧
BCPS teams earn honors at first Hereford Zone Robotics Stampede
BCPS teams earn honors at first Hereford Zone Robotics Stampede
↧
↧
BCPS News Tips – The Week of December 15 – 22, 2012 : Activities, Events, and News from Baltimore County Public Schools
Monday, December 17
Fort Garrison Elementary School finishes up its "Kits for Kids" project
Students at Fort Garrison Elementary School, located at 3310 Woodvalley Drive in Pikesville, will complete a month-long project to build 80 "Kits for Kids" to help 310 New Jersey students at Monmouth Beach Elementary School whose school was flooded and heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The kits, which are filled with school supplies and personally-written notes from Fort Garrison students, were a joint project of the school and its PTA. Additionally, two large teacher supply boxes were assembled along with more than $600 in gift cards to Barnes & Noble bookstores and Lakeshore Learning. Students have been working since mid-November on the kits and will be completing and sending the project.
Contact: Sandi Goozh or Karen Harris, Fort Garrison Elementary School, 410.887.1203
Tuesday, December 18
Seventh District Elementary School to enjoy an evening of holiday music
An evening of holiday music will fill the halls at Seventh District Elementary School, located at 20300 York Road in Parkton, with a rehearsal at 2 p.m. followed by the formal concert at 7 p.m. The Grade 5 chorus and instrumentalists, under the direction of Jonathan Reed and Kimberley Kiper, will present the school's Winter Concert in the cafetorium, with volunteer training to precede the evening concert.
Contact: Glenda Carman or Leslie Brooks, Seventh District Elementary School, 410.887.1902
Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk to help kick off Battle Grove Elementary School's book fair
Battle Grove Elementary School will host Ravens center Matt Birk as part of a kickoff rally to the school's 2012 Book Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Ravens center will appear at a school assembly for all grades on behalf of his HIKE foundation to help raise awareness of the importance of reading. The "reading rally" is open to the media and members of the school community. The school is located at 7828 St. Patricia Lane in Dundalk.
Contact: Daniel Croke or Jennifer Gounaris, Battle Grove Elementary School, 410.887.7500
Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music" to highlight winter concert at Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet School of Technology
Students in Grades 4 and 5 at Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet School of Technology will present the school's winter concert at both 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium at 825 Providence Road in Towson. Titled "Winter's Sound of Music," the concert will include performances by the combined chorus and the Grade 5 string orchestra and band. The chorus will present highlights from the great Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The Sound of Music."
Contact: Timothy Kjer or Darlene Morrison, Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet School of Technology, 410.887.4888
Selections from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" to highlight winter concert at Orems Elementary School
The annual winter concert at Orems Elementary School will begin at 7 p.m. at the school, located at 711 Highvilla Road in Middle River. Among the highlights of the concert will be selected songs and dances from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" performed by students in Grades 1-3.
Contact: Rosie Lathrop or Marcia Wolf, Orems Elementary School, 410.887.0172
Holiday concerts abound at Pinewood Elementary School
Pinewood Elementary School will host two holiday concerts. The school's Grade 1 students will perform their Winter Holiday Concert for families at 9:30 a.m., including seasonal favorites "Jingle Bells," "The Dreidel Song," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "The 12 Days of Christmas," and "Happy New Year." At 7 p.m. in the cafeteria, the school will present the Grade 5 Winter Concert featuring band and orchestra, under the direction of Carol Hutton, and the Grade 5 chorus, under the direction of Lelah Mahoney. Both concerts will be held at the school, which is located at 200 Rickswood Road in Timonium.
Contact: Helen Stuart or Franchesca Brown, Pinewood Elementary School, 410.887.7663
Getting in a "floral" holiday spirit at Ridge Ruxton School
Students at Ridge Ruxton School will join members of the Heatherfield Garden Club in making festive holiday floral centerpieces for recipients of the Meals on Wheels program. The activity will take place at the school, which is located at 6916 Charles Street in Towson. Please contact the school for additional details and specific times.
Contact: Ed Bennett or Laura Dennis, Ridge Ruxton School, 410.887.3594
Wednesday, December 19
West Towson Elementary School to celebrate the season with neighbor Ridge Ruxton School
Winter is on the way and to bring a bit of the season's cheer, the Grade 5 choir and band from West Towson Elementary School will take to the stage at Ridge Ruxton School to help celebrate the season with students at neighboring Ridge Ruxton. The program will consist of holiday songs, followed by a special performance of the Ridge Ruxton Signers. The activity will include a holiday sing-along and dance, including Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, and other winter-themed songs. The program will begin at 1 p.m. in the Ridge Ruxton auditorium, 6916 North Charles Street in Towson.
Contact: Ed Bennett or Laura Dennis, Ridge Ruxton School, 410.887.3594.
Holabird Middle School collects cans for the victims of Hurricane Sandy
Students at Holabird Middle School will finish their canned food drive at 3 p.m. to assist those residents of New Jersey and New York who are still suffering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Following collection at 3 p.m., the items will be totaled and shipped on Thursday, December 20. Student teams who bring in the most canned goods will win the school's coveted "HOG Day" Trophy. The school is located at 1701 Delvale Avenue in Dundalk.
Contact: Kathleen Whitney or Julie Dellone, Holabird Middle School, 410.887.7049
Thursday, December 20
Adaptation of "Frosty the Snowman" set for Battle Monument School's winter program
The winter program at Battle Monument School this year offers another take on the tale "Frosty the Snowman." Using elements from the classic animated feature, students will show off their skills in singing, speaking lines, playing instruments, and moving independently. Many students, including Frosty himself, will speak their lines using augmentative communication devices, and many students will move with the help of special adapted equipment. The community is welcome to celebrate the accomplishments of some real "shining star" students during the free presentation, which begins at 7 p.m. at the school, which is located at 7801 E. Collingham Drive in Dundalk. Guests are also welcome to attend the production's dress rehearsal on Wednesday, December 19, at 9:15 a.m. at the school. To attend the dress rehearsal, please call the Battle Monument office at 410.887.7000.
Contact: Jerry Easterly or Ruth Cummins, Battle Momument School, 410.887.7000
Baltimore Highlands Elementary School to emphasize social skills and empathy during Mix It Up Lunch Day
Baltimore Highlands Elementary School will have its first ever Mix It Up Lunch Day for students in Grades 3-5 during the normal scheduled lunch times at the school. With a goal of honing social skills and students' sense of emphathy, the activity asks children to sit with other students they may not know well as a way of having children interact and move out of their "comfort zones." Lesson plans for the day may be found on the Web at http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/activities. The school is located at 4200 Annapolis Road in Baltimore Highlands.
Contact: Kathryn Mahoney or Brian Williams, Baltimore Highlands Elementary School, 410.887.0919
"Santa to a Senior" gift collection wraps up at Pinewood Elementary School
Pinewood Elementary School and Homestead Senior Care culminate their "Be a Santa to a Senior" program with a special holiday concert and gift presentation from students at Pinewood for the residents of the Augsburg Lutheran Home on Campfield Road. The Pinewood school community has collected more than 100 donated gifts for residents at Augsburg, and the Pinewood students will deliver the gifts and perform a holiday concert for the residents. Please contact the school for additional details and specific times.
Contact: Helen Stuart or Franchesca Brown, Pinewood Elementary School, 410.887.7663
↧
Two Carver Center students among nation’s top 152 art honorees: 15 of 25 Maryland students recognized represent Baltimore County
TOWSON, MD— Two representatives of the George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology are among the 152 students/recent high school graduates nationally to be named 2013 YoungArts finalists by the National YoungArts Foundation.
Twenty-five students from Maryland were recognized at various levels throughout the competition, including 14 from Carver Center, which claims the highest number of award winners of any school in Maryland this year and the fifth highest in the nation.
This year the pool of nearly 10,000 applicants was almost twice the number the program has received any year in its 31-year history. From this pool, the foundation selects those students it determines to be the best in the nation in cinematic arts, dance, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice, and writing.
The finalists from Carver Center are:
- Dylan Guest of Baltimore, visual arts
- Sarah Miller of Catonsville, photography
↧
Baltimore County students set bar on new state measurements
TOWSON, MD. – Data released today provides school-based staff, parents, and students across Baltimore County with their first look at Maryland’s new accountability system as well as targets to reach by 2017.
The “School Progress Index” (SPI) evaluates each elementary and middle school on criteria including achievement, growth, and the reduction in performance gaps among subgroups of students. High schools are evaluated on achievement, gap reduction among subgroups of students, and student college- and career-readiness.
The new assessment structure, approved under Maryland’s waiver from federal regulations, replaces the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) model used under the federal No Child Left Behind accountability measurements.
Rather than measuring school performance against a single, established state standard each year, schools will be assessed under the new model based on their annual progress towards unique, school-specific goals to be achieved by 2017.
Baltimore County’s SPI results will be used to assess instructional effectiveness, the instructional needs of students, and the school’s response and ability to meet those needs, said BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance.
“Clearly, we are progressing as a system. These new data provide a great opportunity for us to better meet the academic needs of our students,” Dr. Dance said. “They provide a wealth of information needed to more accurately diagnose problem areas as well as calibrate our programs to maximize their effectiveness in the classroom. They are one of many pieces of data we will use to improve the educational experience for every child.”
Additionally, schools will now be placed into one of five “strands” that will be used both to identify schools for needed resources as well as recognize those schools achieving at high levels or making exceptional progress.
For the new SPI formula, achieving an index score of 1.0 or higher signifies a target has been reached. In the initial SPI, BCPS as a school system scored 0.9767, falling just short of reaching the SPI target. The target 1.0 SPI was reached among elementary schools (1.005) but not among the county’s middle schools (0.946) or high schools (0.977).
Divided into strands, with Strand 1 being the highest-performing schools and Strands 4 and 5 signifying the need for intervention or additional resources, BCPS placed 51 schools in Strand 1, 53 schools in Strand 2, 31 schools in Strand 3, 19 schools in Strand 4, and seven schools in Strand 5.
To learn more about the new SPI accountability program, please visit
http://MdReportCard.org or http://MarylandPublicSchools.org on the Web
↧
↧
75 BCPS students selected for Maryland All-State music ensembles
TOWSON, MD— Through statewide auditions, 75 Baltimore County Public Schools students were selected as members or alternates for 2013 Maryland All-State music ensembles. << click here for complete list >>
↧
Programs, organizations invited to serve as afterschool meal sites : Service to be coordinated by Baltimore County Public
TOWSON, MD— The Baltimore County Public Schools’ Office of Food and Nutrition Services is seeking programs or organizations to serve as sites for federally-funded afterschool meals for children.
As a new participant in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s At-Risk Afterschool Supper Meals service, BCPS will offer afterschool meals throughout the school year at eligible sites throughout the county. The service is scheduled to begin the week of January 14, 2013. Meals will be served to children up to age 18. (There is no age limit for participants with disabilities.) All participants will be served the same meal at no charge.
To be eligible, all sites are required to offer educational or enrichment activities to students and be located in a school or in the geographic area served by a school (elementary, middle, or high) in which 50 percent or more of the children enrolled are eligible for free- or reduced-price meals.
Programs or organizations interested in serving as afterschool meal sites should contact Karen Levenstein, director of the BCPS' Office of Food and Nutrition Services, at 410-887-7855 or via e-mail at klevenstein@bcps.org.
Since the 1990s, reimbursement for at-risk afterschool meals has been available in only a few states. Availability was expanded to all states through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
↧
Chadwick and Charlesmont elementary schools named Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools: BCPS now claims 18 schools with this designation
TOWSON, MD. – The Maryland State Department of Education announced today that Chadwick Elementary School and Charlesmont Elementary School are two of the six schools throughout the state to be named 2013 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools.
“It is noteworthy that both Chadwick and Charlesmont are Title I schools with high percentages of students from economically disadvantaged families and communities,” said Dr. S. Dallas Dance, superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools. “The success of these schools proves once again that family income does not determine academic achievement. Great teachers and principals, involved parents, a strong academic program, and engaged students make all the difference. High academic achievement is our goal for every student in every school. Chadwick and Charlesmont help us achieve that and set an example of how to raise the bar.”
The strength of Chadwick Elementary School’s academic program is demonstrated by its performance in the Maryland School Assessment program. All of the school’s students in Grades 3, 4, and 5 scored proficient or advanced in mathematics, and 98.9 were proficient or advanced in reading. From 2009–2011, Chadwick was recognized as a Distinguished Highest Performing Reward School. In 2009, the school received the Maryland Title I Distinguished School Award. A vast array of co-curricular activities – such as MESA Team, ELL Homework Helpers, Math Club, and Math 24 Challenge – encourage students’ intellectual curiosity, and a professional development school relationship with Loyola University enhances teacher effectiveness. At Chadwick Elementary School, 78 percent of students are from economically disadvantaged families, and nearly 25 percent qualify for English Language Learning services.
Charlesmont Elementary School has also been a high achiever on the Maryland School Assessments, with more than 97.5 percent of students scoring proficient or advanced in reading and 98.7 percent in mathematics. Monthly parent involvement activities promote collaborative learning at the school, and membership in the Alliance for Healthy Schools program encourages healthy habits and positive decision-making. Academic enrichment and acceleration take place through the 100 Book Challenge Reading, Research Lab Writing, FasttMath/Fraction Nation online Math, STEM Fair yearly competitions, and the afterschool Overachievers Program. Support from the Friends of Fort McHenry/War of 1812 Maryland Bicentennial Commission and the Southeast Foundation for the Arts Program connects students to local historical institutions and cultural arts events. At Charlesmont Elementary School, 65 percent of the students are from economically disadvantaged families.
Blue Ribbon School designation is a state and national program that recognizes schools that meet rigorous standards developed by the Maryland State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. Now that they have been named Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools, Chadwick and Charlesmont elementary schools are candidates for national Blue Ribbon designation. National awardees will be announced by the U.S. Department of Education next September.
↧
New episode of “BCPS News” to air on BCPS-TV: Student singers, author, cartoonist featured, as well as an update on Library Information Services
TOWSON, MD. – A new episode of “BCPS News,” which spotlights Baltimore County Public Schools’ achievements and progress, will be on the air beginning Monday, December 24, 2012, through Sunday, January 13, 2013. The show is hosted by Mary Beth Marsden, a local Emmy Award®-winning broadcaster.
Produced twice a month during the school year by BCPS-TV (The Education Channel), “BCPS News” airs daily at 12:30 a.m., 5:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. on Comcast Cable Channel 73 and Verizon FiOS Channel 34 in Baltimore County. Additionally, the program is available on the Web at www.bcps.org/news/ed_channel and at http://www.youtube.com/user/BaltCoPS.
The latest 15-minute episode includes stories about:
- The Office of Library Information Services in Baltimore County Public Schools and its leadership in providing cutting–edge media resources and preparing students to become 21st century “knowledge workers."
- A Lansdowne High School student, Noah Cutwright, who is also a dedicated and prolific cartoonist.
- An “In Focus” segment that introduces viewers to Parkville High School custodian and graduate John Dugent and describes why the school’s auditorium lobby has been named in his honor.
↧
↧
Public hearing scheduled for proposed new elementary school on Mays Chapel site
What: The Board of Education of Baltimore County will hold a public hearing
concerning the construction of a new elementary school on the Mays Chapel site as required by the Education Article, Section 4-116. The Board is expected to vote on the matter at its February 5, 2013 meeting.When: Monday, January 14, 2013, at 6:00 p.m.
Sign-up for those members of the public wishing to speak begins at 5:00 p.m. at Loch Raven High School on the day of the hearing. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes.Where: Loch Raven High School
1212 Cowpens Avenue
Towson 21286
(From the Beltway, take exit 29A (Cromwell Bridge Road), turn left onto Cromwell Bridge Road, turn left onto Cowpens Avenue to the school entrance on the right.)
↧
Board of Education of Baltimore County to Meet on Tuesday, January 8
TOWSON, MD. - The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of Baltimore County will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2013.
The Building and Contracts Committee of the Board will meet at approximately 4:15 p.m. The full Board will meet in open session at approximately 4:45 p.m. to discuss upcoming school board association events, school system and community meetings, and items of interest to Board members. The Board will then move immediately into closed session. The Board will resume its open session at approximately 7:00 p.m.
The school system is committed to accessible communication with its stakeholders. To that end, on November 7, 2012, the Board of Education began to live-stream its meetings on the BCPS Web site (www.bcps.org).
The meeting(s) will be held in the ESS Building, Room 114, on the Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles Street, in Towson. The public is welcome to attend all open sessions of the Board.
↧
Public hearing scheduled for BCPS operating budget
What: The Baltimore County Board of Education will hold a public hearing to seek the community's input concerning the proposed fiscal year 2014 operating budget. The Board is expected to approve the operating budget request at its public meeting on February 5, 2013.When: Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at 7:00 p.m.
Sign-up for those members of the public wishing to speak begins at 6:00 p.m. at West Towson Elementary School on the day of the hearing. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes. Where: West Towson Elementary School, 6914 Charles Street, in Towson.
(From the Beltway, take exit 25 (Charles Street) south approximately one mile to the school entrance on the right.)
↧
18 Baltimore County Public Schools educators to receive 2012 Outstanding Educator Awards
What: Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance will congratulate 18 Baltimore County Public Schools educators from schools across eastern Baltimore County as they receive 2012 Outstanding Educator Awards from business leaders at the 65th annual Awards and Installation Dinner of the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce. The dinner is the Chamber’s opportunity to reflect with its members and guests on accomplishments of the past year and to look forward to a successful year ahead.
When: Thursday, January 10, 2013, from 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Where: Martin's East
9000 Pulaski Highway
Middle River, 21220 Background:
Each year, the Chamber’s Education Committee invites each Chamber member school (public and private) to nominate an educator for possible recognition. The educators to be honored are then chosen by the committee based on the following criteria: five or more years of service in education; demonstrated classroom leadership; involvement in extra-curricular activities and afterschool events; respect from colleagues and the student body; and service as positive role model for students.
The 18 educators from BCPS schools who will be honored are:
Kathleen Wiles, Carney Elementary School
Kristy Curran, Chesapeake High School
Jessica Nies, Deep Creek Elementary School
Nakia Younger, Deep Creek Magnet Middle School
Jilian Krause, Eastern Technical High School
Crystal Collins, Essex Elementary School
Christina Decker, Glenmar Elementary School
Lawrence Ramsey, Golden Ring Middle School
Micki Buckingham, Joppa View Elementary School
Tammy Jackson, Kenwood High School
Harri Mullenax, Mars Estates Elementary School
Alyssa Verdugo, McCormick Elementary School
Matthew Clifford, Middle River Middle School
Amanda Cochran, Orems Elementary School
Kathryn Knight, Parkville Middle School
Erin Renner, Perry Hall High School
Brittany Driscoll, Sandalwood Elementary School
Lisa Bennett, Stemmers Run Middle School
↧
↧
BCPS News Tips – The Week of January 5 – 12, 2013: Activities, Events, and News from Baltimore County Public Schools
Wednesday, January 9
Lansdowne Elementary School hosts Family Reading Night
Lansdowne Elementary School children and family members are invited to the school’s Family Reading Night from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the school at 2301 Alma Road in Lansdowne. In addition to a plethora of reading activities, the event will feature a visit from the BCPS Parentmobile, a rolling, retrofitted school bus that travels to schools, community events, local businesses, and neighborhoods to help parents and community members access information relative to education.
Contact: Jane Lichter, Lansdowne Elementary School, 410.887.1408
Thursday, January 10
Halethorpe Elementary School rings in the new year with its winter concert
Fifth-grade students at Halethorpe Elementary School will perform their winter concert at the school, 4300 Maple Avenue in Halethorpe, beginning at 7 p.m. The snow date will be Tuesday, January 15. The children, led by instrumental teacher Kristen Trumpler, will present a selection of seasonal and satisfying music. In addition, the school will host a Homework and MSA Night as well from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact: Cheryl Fearer or Jill Carter, Halethorpe Elementary School, 410.887.1406
65th Annual Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner to honor Baltimore County educators
Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance will congratulate more than a dozen Baltimore County Public Schools teachers from schools across eastern Baltimore County as they receive Outstanding Educator Awards from business leaders at the 65th Annual Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce Awards and Installation Dinner. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Martin's Eastwind, 9000 Pulaski Highway, in Middle River.
Contact: Charles Herndon, Office of Communications, 410.887.6111
Blending magic and learning at Vincent Farm Elementary School to combat bullying
Vincent Farm Elementary School will host “The Bully Plan,” an evening anti-bullying assembly that will feature magic and humor from licensed therapist Paul Hadfield. The free assembly, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria, will be followed by students and families forming a “chain of promises” to promote respect for one another and a stand against bullying from 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. The school is located at 6019 Ebenezer Road in White Marsh.
Contact: Daylene Booth or Anne Gold, Vincent Farm Elementary School, 410.887. 2983
Friday, January 11
Edmondson Heights Elementary School hosts “Theatre Night 2013”
The Edmondson Heights Elementary School Student Theatre Group will host “Theatre Night 2013” beginning at 7 p.m. at the school, located at 1600 Langford Road in Woodlawn. The Theatre Group, an afterschool drama program for students in Grades 4 and 5, brings a bit of Broadway to Baltimore by performing three short, family-friendly plays -- “A Matter of Taste,” Tikki Tikki Tembo,” and “The Tortoise and the Hare.” The performances are free and will be held in the school’s multi-purpose room.
Contact: Christopher Providence, Edmondson Heights Elementary School, 410.887.0818
Saturday, January 12
Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance to deliver keynote address at Morgan State University scholarship event
BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance will give the keynote address at the 28th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Woodlawn. With more than 800 expected to attend, the event is sponsored by the Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore chapter of the MSU National Alumni Association and will recognize a variety of Morgan State University staff, faculty, and students. The theme of Dr. Dance’s remarks is “The Dream is Still Alive.”
Contact: Diana Spencer, Office of Communications, 410.887.4243
↧
19 Baltimore County Public Schools educators to receive 2012 Outstanding Educator Awards
What: Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance will congratulate 19 Baltimore County Public Schools educators from schools across eastern Baltimore County as they receive 2012 Outstanding Educator Awards from business leaders at the 65th annual Awards and Installation Dinner of the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce. The dinner is the Chamber’s opportunity to reflect with its members and guests on accomplishments of the past year and to look forward to a successful year ahead.
When: Thursday, January 10, 2013, from 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Where: Martin's East
9000 Pulaski Highway
Middle River, 21220 Background:
Each year, the Chamber’s Education Committee invites each Chamber member school (public and private) to nominate an educator for possible recognition. The educators to be honored are then chosen by the committee based on the following criteria: five or more years of service in education; demonstrated classroom leadership; involvement in extra-curricular activities and afterschool events; respect from colleagues and the student body; and service as positive role model for students.
The 19 educators from BCPS schools who will be honored are:
Kathleen Wiles, Carney Elementary School
Kristy Curran, Chesapeake High School
Jessica Nies, Deep Creek Elementary School
Nakia Younger, Deep Creek Magnet Middle School
Jilian Krause, Eastern Technical High School
Crystal Collins, Essex Elementary School
Christina Decker, Glenmar Elementary School
Lawrence Ramsey, Golden Ring Middle School
Ashley Morin, Hawthorne Elementary School
Micki Buckingham, Joppa View Elementary School
Tammy Jackson, Kenwood High School
Harri Mullenax, Mars Estates Elementary School
Alyssa Verdugo, McCormick Elementary School
Matthew Clifford, Middle River Middle School
Amanda Cochran, Orems Elementary School
Kathryn Knight, Parkville Middle School
Erin Renner, Perry Hall High School
Brittany Driscoll, Sandalwood Elementary School
Lisa Bennett, Stemmers Run Middle School
↧
5 BCPS students named All-State dancers
TOWSON, MD— Five students in Baltimore County Public Schools’ fine arts dance programs received the prestigious honor of being named All-State Dancers for the 2012-2013 school year. These students comprise one-fifth of this year’s total All-State Dance corps.
The students are:
- Cristina Escobar of Towson, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Amarachi Korie of Owings Mills, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Kaiyla Ross of Owings Mills, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Nia Williams of Pikesville, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
- Antonio Wright of Owings Mills, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
↧
Halethorpe Elementary School’s LEGO team places in competition
TOWSON, MD— Halethorpe Elementary School’s LEGO robotics team, called the Senior Savers, placed sixth of 20 teams in the robot competition at an annual First LEGO League Competition, held on January 5, 2013, at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Laurel.
The team members – Grade 4 students Sadie Beaver, Jonathan Brewer, Slater Brewer, Jack Epp, Graeme Leoni-Fernandez, Stephen Hack, Luis Quintero, and Yeabsira Sefr, and Grade 5 students Seaden Crowley, Jonah Miller, and Jonathan Yoho – competed against other students ages 9 to 14.
The theme for this year’s competition was “Senior Solutions.” In addition to competing in robot matches, the teams had to create innovative ways to improve life for senior citizens. After interviewing local seniors, Halethorpe’s Senior Savers team developed an annual game show called “Blast from the Past.”
“The game show would give seniors something to look forward to and would help alleviate senior depression,” said Halethorpe Principal Jill A. Carter. “The LEGO competition was a wonderful and authentic STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] experience for our children.”
↧
↧
6 teachers receive National Board Certification: Baltimore County Public Schools now claims 118 teachers recognized at national level
TOWSON, MD— Six Baltimore County Public Schools teachers have achieved National Board Certification recently, bringing the total number of National Board certified teachers in the school district to 118.
Teachers whose certification was announced today by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards are:
- Katherine Bullock, English Language Arts/Early Adolescence, Dundalk Middle School
- Jessica Kooy, Science/Early Adolescence, Franklin Middle School
- Bobbi Leitner, Science/Early Adolescence, Franklin Middle School
- Kristi Rizzo, Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood, Franklin Middle School
- Mary Shears, Mathematics/Early Adolescence, Holabird Middle School
- Brian Zeleny, Social Studies – History/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Towson High School
↧
BCPS parents invited to take online survey about college readiness
TOWSON, MD— Parents of Baltimore County Public Schools students are invited to participate in an online survey about access to college readiness resources.
The confidential survey is available at https://www.research.net/s/GZS7Q9X through Wednesday, January 23, 2013.
As a part of the school system’s longstanding partnership with The College Board, BCPS is undergoing an EXCELerator District Diagnostic. The diagnostic process, which includes the survey, will evaluate the school system’s capacity to prepare students for college success.
In addition to the online parent survey, the EXCELerator team will review pertinent document and student data and conduct stakeholder interviews and school visits. Findings from the EXCELerator District Diagnostic will identify the strengths of the BCPS’ college readiness infrastructure and provide district leaders with recommendations for improvements.
↧
Southwest Academy educator named Md.’s best middle school tech education teacher: Kim Sturdivant-Miller to be honored next month
TOWSON, MD— A 22-year technology instructor at Southwest Academy Magnet Middle School has been named this year’s winner of Maryland’s middle school teacher excellence award from the Technology & Engineering Educators Association of Maryland.
Kim Sturdivant-Miller, who has taught at Southwest Academy for 12 years, will be recognized at the TEEAM Donald Maley Awards reception on Thursday, February 21, at the Engineering Club in Baltimore City. She will represent Maryland at the 2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Conference in Columbus, Ohio, from March 7-9, 2013.
“This award is very special to me because it confirms that I have taught my students to realize that science and technology are . . . closely related,” Sturdivant-Miller said. “My students get to see firsthand that they need both the scientific knowledge as well as the technological skills in order to perform investigations, as well as to create, design, and make our everyday lives easier. That has been my goal ever since I started teaching.”
Currently teaching Project Lead the Way – Gateway to Technology at Southwest, Ms. Sturdivant-Miller serves students as the school’s science department chairperson, a member of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) committee, and member of the school’s learning and leadership team. She also mentors students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
“She wears many hats at Southwest Academy,” said her principal, Karen Barnes. And while her responsibilities are many, Barnes added, “Her classroom is inviting, student-centered, and yet challenging for all of her students.”
↧