Career and Technology Education Information Sessions

You and your family are cordially invited to attend Career and Technology Education Information Sessions

Applications and Research Laboratory 10920 Route 108 Ellicott City, MD

November 7, 2007 7-9:00 PM For 8th grade students & parents (all are welcome)
November 15 & 27, 2007 7-9:00 PM For 9th & 10th grade students & parents (all are welcome)
These Information sessions will introduce you to all the Career Academies and related programs available for high school students who wish to pursue specific academic and career interests I the following areas:

Architecture and Engineering
Architectural Design Academy
Construction Technology Academy
Pre-engineering Academy

Biotechnology and Health Services
Allied Health Academy
Biotechnology Academy
Certified Nursing Assistant Academy
Emergency Medical Technician Academy

Business and Entrepreneurship
Academy of Finance
Accounting Academy
Business Management Academy
Marketing Academy

Culinary Arts & Hotel Management
Culinary Science Academy

Human Resources
Child Development Academy
AcademyDevelopment
Academy GovernmentLaw & Public Administration
Teacher Academy

Energy, Power, and Transportation
Automotive Technology Academy
Energy Power and Transportation

Multimedia Arts and Technology
Computer Programming Academy
PC Systems Academy
Networking Academy
Visual Communications Academy

Please contact Sally Long at 410-313-6629 by November 10 if you need an interpreter.


Source: Countywide eSchoolnewsletter
Posted by the HCPSS Public Information Office

Senior Week in Ocean City 2007

HC DrugFree Annual Program:

"Senior Week in Ocean City 2007"

When: Tuesday, January 23 (snowdate January 25)

Where: Howard High School, Auditorium

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

HC DrugFree and the Howard High School PTSA are hosting the annual "Senior Week in Ocean City" program on Tuesday, January 23rd at 7:00 p.m in the Howard High auditorium.

This program is for parents of high school seniors and their 12th grade teens. It will address the fears of parents and the risks teens face during the traditional Maryland "Senior Week in Ocean City."

Parents will learn about the many Ocean City initiatives in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable Senior Week. Presenters are Officer Howard Caplan, Ocean City Police Department; Josh Wasilewski, Ocean City Beach Patrol; and Steve Bounds, a parent who arranged an alternative trip for his two children. There will be time for questions and discussion.

HC DrugFree is a Howard County nonprofit organization helping teens avoid alcohol and other drugs. HC DrugFree offers programs, newsletters and a website(www.hcdrugfree.org ) , to empower the Howard County community to raise drug-free teens.

No RSVP necessary. For handouts and more information, go to the website, then click on "Programs" or call 410-799-4879.

For directions to Howard High School, go to www.hcpss.org , click on "Schools", then "high schools."

The Ocean City coupon booklets will be distributed in the high schools to the seniors in May. Useful information for planning the week in Ocean City is available on www.playitsafeoceancity.com .


Laura Smit
Executive Director

HC DrugFree
www.hcdrugfree.org
Tel. & Fax: 410-799-4879
P.0. Box 647, Columbia, MD 21045
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Get those shots or be sent home!

Ok, hopefully you've heeded the warnings to get your kids immunized. If not, now would be a good time to get those shots before your kids get sent home from school.

Failure to get immunized could see students sent home
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Buy a brick before it's too late!

Since I attended West Friendship Elementary, I thought one final reminder would good for those of you that have been procrastinating. It is time to buy your bricks for the Memorial Courtyard at West Friendship! In Thursday's issue of The Howard County Times, there was an article that said they were selling bricks through Dec 31.

The View has a nice story about WFES alumni and staff in Brick By Brick

"Bricks are available for purchase until Dec 30. The order form can be downloaded at www2.hcpss.org/wfes/ Select the link for “Engraved Brick Order Form.” You can also pick up a form at the WFES Front Office or contact Susan McTague, sjmctag@hotmail.com or 12621 Howard Lodge Drive, Sykesville, MD. 21784-5412 or 410-442-4071."

Leave a Memory at WFES
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Judge Judy for Truancy Court?

Now this could be some really entertaining local reality TV if Howard County starts its own truancy court. Who is available? Judge Judy, Joe Brown, Mills Lane, Judge Mathis, Judge Glenda Hatchett or Judge Marilyn Milian? Although Marilyn is my current favorite judge right now, I would have to go with Judge Judy for truancy judge. The prospect of being on local TV might be just enough of a scare tactic to help keep kids in school.

Officials hope to create school truancy court

New School Board Approves Concept of Truancy Court
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JROTC enrollments open

High schools hold JROTC enrollment

Registration is open for students interested in enrolling in JROTC at Atholton, Howard or Oakland Mills high schools. Those interested in being considered for the program should contact one of the schools and arrange for an interview. Information: 410-313-6682.

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Sunday Education Roundup

The burden of attending school will soon be on students.

Tough truancy rules sought
Bill to be drafted will have harsher student penalties

A club that helps Hispanic students.

Hispanic students find fun, support with club
Ritmo Latino offers friendship and learning

A new Chairman and Vice Chairman for the Board of Education. Diane Mikulis is the new Chairman of the Howard County Board of Education.

Vice chairman, new member selected for top two Board of Education leadership posts

Renovations are finally set to begin at Glenelg
Glenelg High addition ready to proceed

River Hill students are collecting toys.
National Honor Society collects Toys for Tots donations
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Honor Rolls & Wow! A $1.2 Million Gift

Things have been very busy at work so not much time for blogging. Some people have been critical of the various systems that different county high schools have used to determine their honor rolls. Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, there will be three levels-silver, gold and principal's honor rolls, that will be standard for all county high schools.

Public high schools establish new guidelines for honor rolls

Thanks to Woodbine residents, Patrick and Jill McCuan and the McCuan Family Trust for such a generous donation to HCC! It sounds very fitting to name the administration building McGuan Hall.

Gift aids community college
McCuan Family Trust donates $1.2 million to Howard school
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Education Round Up I

There is never enough time this time of year to get things done.

This partnership with Super Suppers and Centennial High seems a little better than the one announced with Chick-Fil-A. Lesson: We need to be careful with whom we form partnerships to make sure it is in the best interests of students.
Partnership to promote healthy eating habits in Howard schools

A Tech advisory committee is a good thing. We don't need any more repeats of the SMS fiasco. We need to make sure we buy tech items that work and meet our needs.
Tech advisory committee formed by Howard County Public Schools

Full day kindergarten is a win-win situation for kids!
All Day Kindergarten in Full Swing at Some Schools

Marriotts Ridge's Madrigals are looking good.
Madrigals Sing Praises of New Period Attire
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Thursday Education Roundup

A round up of education stories in the news.

Partnerships help disabled students move into adulthood

Parents might want to attend this event tonight. See events--->
Program educates about marijuana

Better make sure your kids are up to date on their shots.

Policy: No shots, no school and
Barred from school?

There's something in the water in Lisbon.
Bacteria found in water at Lisbon Elementary

The new Board of Education members are ready to tackle business.
School board sworn in, vows to work together
Civility sets tone as five promise to strive for quality

If we want teachers to do more or work more, it is going to cost more.
Howard School Board begins talks with unions
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History of Columbia

One of my other interests is history and geneaology. There are really only a handful of historical houses/estates left in Columbia like Blandair, Oakland, Athol House. I will be attending this event and thought some of you might be interested in getting "educated" about Columbia's history.

Thursday, December 7

Finding History Where You Live

7 P.M. at the Wilde Lake Village Center

The program will highlight Columbia’s ties to its agrarian past and the Civil War as well as its more recent history that includes well known artists, architects and musicians, local celebrities and Columbia firsts. Barbara Kellner, Manager of Columbia Archives, will share some of the tidbits and treasures she has found in a slide show tour. The program is free and registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, contact Barbara Kellner at columbia.archives@columbiaassociation.com or call 410-715-3103.
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The Natural World

I haven't had much free time this year but one of my favorite places to visit and volunteer is the Howard County Conservancy, right off of Rt. 99 in Woodstock, Maryland. It is amazing to hear some of the questions that the kids ask when they go on the nature hikes. I'm happy that many Howard County Schools have incorporated a day at the Conservancy into their school year schedules to help relate what they learn in school to the real world.

Lecture on Importance of Exposing Children to the Natural World Conservancy Hosts Author Richard Louv

The idea that today’s children suffer from “Nature Deficit Disorder” has caught the attention of parents, educators and health professionals across the country. Richard Louv, author of, Last Child in the Woods, will talk about how the healthy development of today's children is hampered by limited exposure to nature.

When: Sunday, February 4, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Howard Community College’s Smith Theater
10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD, 21044-3110
Cost: $10.00 per ticket.
Children’s activity during the lecture $5 per child.

To register call the Howard County Conservancy at 410-465-8877 or complete the Online Registration Form and mail it to the Conservancy along with your check. The Conservancy is the county’s largest land trust and only nature center and provides numerous educational programs for children and adults at its Gudelsky Environmental Education Center.
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Sunday Education Round Up

There are a lot of education stories in the news. If you have any suggestions or comments for the new County Executive regarding education in Howard County, you should see the links below or attend the meeting on Wednesday evening. Our new county leaders take their oaths of office this week. The new Board of Education members will be sworn in on Monday, Dec. 4 at 5:30 pm at Wilde Lake High School.

Our new County Executive, Ken Ulman, has a transition team looking for feedback for its nine committees.

Transition Team Seeks Public Input

A PUBLIC INPUT SESSION scheduled for
Wednesday, December 6 at 7:30 pm
in the Banneker Room
George Howard Building
3430 Courthouse Drive
Ellicott City
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Howard County has a growing Hispanic population. Here are two stories that deal with Conexiones.

Hispanic support group bolstered Grant will allow Conexiones board to add 12 members

Conexiones to receive $5,000 grant from Foundation
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A couple of stories that talk about differences in honor rolls at schools and student activities.


Howard county honor rolls vary by school

Kids find learning is an art

Middle school pupils get lessons in leadership

Otto the car talks good game
Little vehicle, officer emphasize safety to Jeffers Hill first-graders
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Learning Anti-Bullying Techniques

Bullying is a problem in schools, particularly in middle schools. Some kids learn to combat bullying in this article.

Howard students learn leadership skills, develop anti-bullying techniques
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OMHS partnerhip & Backpack Task Force

A partnership with a local realtor, The Fein Properties Team at Keller Williams Realty in Ellicott City, will provide students opportunities to learn about real estate and help provide sports uniforms too. A win-win situation for OMHS students.

Oakland Mills High School partners with Realtor on educational effort

A new task force will see if the backpacks that kids carry are really too heavy.

Howard School charter outlines goals of task force on backpacks
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Music Mentor, Military Month Essay & CA Spirit Scholarships

Howard County's school system is often criticized for not supporting the development of fine arts talents in students. One teacher is bucking that trend.

The magnificent musical mentor
Gorman Crossing teacher called an instructor of note

Students with a little spare time might want to put paper to pen or fingers to keyboard to participate in these two programs.

Military month essays being sought & CA to award up to 6 'Spirit' scholarships
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Round up of Education Stories in the News

Here is a roundup of some local education stories.

The Arc seeks more employers to hire people with disabilities

Howard official: Most schools’ fire violations ‘minor’

Student voices chime in on Columbia's future

War veterans eligiblefor high school diplomas & Middle school student suspensions climbing
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Keep the Kids in School

It does make sense to keep kids in school. There are plenty of days when kids have off from school for teacher conferences and development days. Perhaps one of these days would be a better choice to have the take your kids to work day?

Board members: Take kids to work day should not take place during school year
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Computers & Technology in the Classroom

Computers and technology are an important of today's classrooms. The classroom is no longer a boring place to be.

Howard parents: Technology keeps school interesting
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True Colors-the 80's Musical at Glenelg

OK, had enough of this rainy, yucky weather? Need to get out of the house? Maybe 'True Colors' - '80s Musical Celebrates Premiere at Glenelg High School is just what the doctor ordered. Hey, with MTV/VH1 there, you can probably even convince the kids to go with you!

A Message from the show's writer-
"I'm Greg Leader, the writer of True Colors - The '80s Musical. As you likely already know, the production celebrates its world premiere this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Glenelg High School. I am honored and thrilled to have this new work debut at Glenelg and I know there is a great buzz throughout the school, community and in the media regarding this production. Yes, it's true what you've probably already heard - VH1/MTV will also be sending producers to Glenelg to view this musical.I appeal to you, the Glenelg community to support this show by attending one or more of the performances. This show has a tremendous cast and production team who has worked incredibly hard to make this show as special as it has become. Very similar to home field advantage at a Ravens game, three nights of huge audiences will give the talented cast such energy and an incredible sense of achievement.My promise to you is a wonderful evening full of memorable songs from the 1980s that will have you dancing in the aisle at the finale!
Best regards, Greg Leader"

True Colors – the ‘80s Musical makes it’s world debut Thursday, November 16 through Saturday, November 18 at 7:30 at Glenelg High School and is being performed by New Works Theatre at Glenelg. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets may be reserved by calling 410-313-5528.
The ‘80s Musical go to www.80smusical.com.
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