An Open Seat on Board of Educaton

It looks like there will be an open seat on the Howard County Board of Education to fill in 2008 . The filing deadline is Dec 3. Unless seven people sign up to run, there won't be a need for a Feb. 12 primary. There will be three BOE seats that will be decided in the Nov. 4 general election. Among the current members whose terms expire in 2008, Janet Siddiqui has already filed to run and Ellen Flynn Giles is also expected to file for candidacy by the deadline. The current chairman, Diane Mikulis, is not seeking re-election.

Mikulis decides against running for re-election to county school board

MRSA in Schools

It seems that MRSA is now all around us. It is time to be extra clean and careful. Be sure to disinfect any equipment and wash thoroughly anytime you are in public places where the bacteria might be present. The Howard County Times tells us that Schools report five more staph infections.

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

Mt. Hebron's Septic Problems

Yes, Mt. Hebron High School is having some, not so nice to deal with, septic issues. The older county schools are showing their age. Is it better in the long run to renovate or to build an entirely new high school to replace Mt. Hebron?

Officials recommend $50 million for renovation

Mount Hebron High Sewage Leak Renews Safety Concerns
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Siddiqui appointed to vacant BOE seat

It is official! Dr. Siddiqui will be appointed to fill the seated vacated by Mary Kay Sigaty when she joined the County Council. Here is the official announcement.

Siddiqui to fill vacant seat
Ulman Appoints Janet Siddiqui, M.D., to Howard County Board of Education

and a story in The Baltimore Sun

School board pick is made
Ulman names Siddiqui to fill vacancy; council OK needed

Congratulations and good luck to Dr. Siddiqui!
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Special Education Meetings

Here are a few upcoming events on special education in Howard County.

SOCIALIZING YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD

Wednesday, February 21st 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Faun Ct Columbia

Dawn Czahor and Mike Eisenstein from Hammond Middle School will discuss their program "Peer Buddies.” Tracy Parent, Special Educator and parent, will talk about independence and what it means for children within school, home, community, and work settings. RSVP to Kelly Dunning kdunning@abilitiesnetwork.org or 443-562-4772.

PARENTS’ BASIC RIGHTS IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS

Tuesday, February 27th 7:00 – 9:00 .p.m.

Faulkner Ridge Center, Columbia

This workshop reviews the process for identifying a child in need of special education or a 504 plan and discusses strategies for negotiating within the system. Call (410) 313-7161 to register. Refreshments and door prizes provided.

SIBSHOPS

Saturday March 3, 10 & 17 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Arc of Howard County, Ellicott City

Sibshops is a celebration of the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of kids with special health or developmental needs. Geared to children ages 4 to 7, it’s as a safe place to talk about the good and not so good parts about having a sibling with special needs while taking part in fun games, activities and art projects. For more information or to register call 1-800-999-9442 x5169

Source: HCPSS Office of Special Education eSchoolnewsletter
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Extension Office Staffing Changes

There are some staffing changes in store for the Howard County Cooperative Extension Office. First, long time 4-H agent and county extension office director, Hope Jackson has retired. Second, Caragh Fitzgerald, Ag Agent is resigning and moving to Maine. Hope has been a fixture of 4-H and the Ho Co Cooperative Extension Office for as long as most people can remember. I wish Hope well in her retirement! I am glad to see that Hope will still around helping out as a volunteer.

4-H educator bids goodbye after 30 years

Hope's Farewell letter in the 4-H Cloverleaf

Fitzgerald leaving Maryland to return home to Maine
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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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Education Roundup

I am finally getting over the flu or whatever it was that I had. My advice is to just take off from school, work or whatever and rest. I was glad to have a few days of planned vacation off to recover. Sleep in, drink lots of fluids, and rest. Just about everyone seems to be sick no matter where you go! Be careful. Wash your hands.

9th graders need to learn about mid-terms and final exams.
Getting the word on midterms
Wilde Lake High gives ninth-graders and their parents the tools to succeed on the tests

The Howard County delegation needs to decide if it supports giving the student member of the school board voting rights.
Lawmakers to ponder bill on voting rights for student member of school board

It is time for students to get ready for the PSAT's and SAT's.
9 schools to offer SAT/PSAT courses

Things might be getting a little easier for some teachers in Howard County.
County Teachers to Get Some Relief in BOE Budget Proposal
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Arrests at River Hill & Glenelg

Unfortunately, there have been two teachers, one at River Hill High at one at Glenelg High Schools that have been arrested. The below stories have appeared in the local newspapers.

Howard Co. teacher charged with sex offenses
Man is second county instructor arrested on sex abuse charges this week

Arrest rocks River Hill High
Teens show support for teacher charged in abuse of two students; many express shock

The response to sex cases very different today
Advocates note quick, transparent response, compared with past incidents in school systems

Teacher facing sex counts
Glenelg High School instructor is charged with several crimes

Police Briefs Teacher Accused of Sex Offenses, Abuse
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Parent Teacher Connection Program

The enrollment in the school system’s classes for students with limited English proficiency has grown from 95 to over 1700 in the past 20 years. Learn how the school system is addressing the needs of its increasingly diverse student population on this month’s Parent Teacher Connection program on Comcast Cable Channel 72.

An in-depth segment on the HCPSS’s programs to teach English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) features an interview with Laura Hook, elementary ESOL resource teacher, conducted by parent host Linda Dombrowski. ESOL teacher Ann Burdette is featured teaching English to third and fifth grade students from six different countries at Hollifield Station Elementary School. Efforts to help international parents and high school students understand High School Assessments are also highlighted.

This month’s program also features interviews with newly elected Board of Education members Sandra French and Ellen Flynn Giles about the challenges facing the school system.

Technology host Jenny Elam and county librarian Katie George present a Homework Help segment on the county library's internet resources for students, which include Learn a Test software to practice SAT strategies and academic skill building for students at all levels.

Parent Teacher Connection can be seen throughout January on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Saturdays at noon and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 5 p.m. on Comcast Cable Channel 72, your Knowledge Network.

Posted by the HCPSS Public Information Office

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