To have an item listed mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean VA 22102, e-mail to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com, or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Unless otherwise noted, all events are in Potomac. If you have any questions, call Matthew Razak at 703-917-6457.
Parent meetings will be held at four federally funded Title I elementary schools in May to describe the enrollment options which may be available next year in response to requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB Act). The meetings, all of which begin at 7 p.m., will be held at Broad Acres Elementary School on Monday, May 7; Rolling Terrace Elementary School on Tuesday, May 8; Summit Hall Elementary School on Wednesday, May 9; and Oak View Elementary School on Thursday, May 10. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/titleone/includes/schoolchoice.shtm.
Ben Moskowitz, a junior at Walter Johnson High School, was elected student member of the Board of Education for 2007-2008 Wednesday.
Moskowitz was chosen by 56.75 percent of the secondary students who cast ballots in the April 25, election, conducted by the Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student Councils. The overall voter turnout was 83.56 percent (63,732 students).
All high schools and middle schools submitted election results, along with several special schools and alternative programs.
Moskowitz will begin his term as the 30th student member of the Board on July 2. He has been active in student government for several years and currently is the treasurer of the Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student Councils.
The Women's Association of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Great Falls is accepting applications for three Alexander De Filippis Scholarships of $3,000 each. Students must reside in Great Falls, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, McLean, Sterling, and Potomac or whose family are registered parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena. Applications and complete details are available on-line at: http://st-catherines.net or from the guidance office of the students high school. Strict adherence to the deadline of May 15, as well as to the completeness of the application is imperative.
Kindergarten Orientation. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will hold the 2007 Kindergarten Orientation Program from through Friday, May 25. Special registration and orientation programs are scheduled at elementary schools throughout the county. Kindergarten orientation is designed to help parents enroll their children, including the completion of health forms, and to assist students in becoming acquainted with future friends and the school environment. Visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org.
The Board of Education met Monday, March 26, and, among other items, reviewed an update on recommendations of the Latino Education Coalition and approved a plan for a school safety report to the public. The Board also voted to approve a bargaining unit for noncertificated supervisory employees, approved a boundary study for the Hampshire Greens community, and heard a report on legislation before the Maryland General Assembly. A number of observances were noted: Month of the Young Child, Arab American Heritage Month, National Autism Awareness Month, and National Student Leadership Week.
Montgomery County Public Schools has been selected as one of 18 winners in the American School Board Journal’s Magna Awards 2007 program.
The district’s "Multilingual Communications Program" is one of five winners in the over 20,000 student enrollment category in the 13th annual contest, presented with the support of Sodexho School Services. The program provides professional translation in multiple languages to enable the district to communicate essential information to its rapidly growing, linguistically diverse community.
The sixth annual Model United Nations Environmental Summit will be May 23. Sixty countries will be represented in this event. The Model United Nations will be used to discuss important current environmental issues facing the world; issues that will eventually spread all over the world. The Model United Nations will be held at Cold Spring Elementary School, 9201 Falls Chapel Way, Potomac, in the 5th grade center rooms.
This year, 47 Montgomery County students will join participants representing 11 counties and Baltimore City as they explore the theme "Triumph and Tragedy" and compete for top prizes and the chance to attend National History Day held in June at the University of Maryland, College Park.
The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced that they have joined forces in a cooperative effort to design and implement innovative strategies that will help graduates of MCPS schools to have the necessary science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to successfully compete in a global economy.
The Board of Education met April 19 and, among other items, approved a revised policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, named Downcounty Consortium Elementary School #28, and approved eight administrative appointments. A resolution was approved regarding non-recommended reductions to the FY 2008 Operating Budget. The Board also discussed a report on the Professional Learning Communities Institute and discussed a report summarizing legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly. A number of observances were noted: Secretaries Week, National Volunteer Week, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and Teacher Appreciation Week.
Four hundred talented Maryland middle and high students, along with their parents and teachers, converged on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Catonsville on Saturday, April 28, to compete for Maryland History Day prizes and the honor of representing Maryland at National History Day. Montgomery County had the second largest number, with eight winning entries.
The Montgomery County Schools (MCPS) Educational Foundation, Inc. recognized the Honorable Esther P. Gelman on Tuesday, April 17, at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville. Gelman, a former elected official in Montgomery County for twelve years, was instrumental in organizing the MCPS Educational Foundation and remains a compassionate advocate for Montgomery County Public School students. Attracting more than 150 people, the night featured speakers U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, County Executive Ike Leggett, School Superintendent Jerry Weast, and former School Superintendent Paul Vance.
Seven Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) seniors were honored for their leadership in the classroom and community at the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Regional Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards Ceremony on April 25. The event was hosted by Howard University.
* Winning awards for academic excellence were:
Patricia G. Moscoso, Richard Montgomery HS (Gold)
Andrea E. Medina, Col. Zadok Magruder HS (Silver)
Yihana von Ritter, Gaithersburg HS (Bronze)
Guillermo A. Olaizola, Walt Whitman HS (Bronze)
* Students receiving journalism awards for print, broadcast, or web-based media were:
Arly-Lian Costa, Col. Zadok Magruder HS (Gold)
Meaghan I. Mallari, Montgomery Blair HS (Silver)
Rossana G. Espinoza, John F. Kennedy HS (Bronze)
The U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur Education organization has selected Nancy Navarro, president of the Montgomery County Board of Education, as the 2007 Hispanic Hero Award winner for education. She will be honored, along with five other notable Hispanic award winners, at a ceremony on June 7 at the Living Classroom Foundation in Baltimore. This is the inaugural year for the Hispanic Hero awards.
Jewish Social Service Agency offers "Educational Consultation and Support" for parents of children who have been identified with a learning, attention, or other disability that impacts academic performance. This program helps parents identify and implement the services a child needs to achieve academic success. Available to families in Montgomery County. Adjustable fees based on family income. Other services to children with learning, attention or other disabilities include social skills therapy groups, workshops on parenting challenging children, individual and family counseling, and support groups. JSSA is located at 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville. Call 301-816-2633 or 703-204-9100 for more.
Montgomery College offers an array of new, non-credit courses that were formerly offered by Montgomery County Public Schools. These courses, offered primarily during evenings or weekends in public schools and other convenient community locations, are in addition to hundreds of other non-credit courses available through the College’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education unit. A complete schedule of course offerings can be found online at www.montgomerycollege.edu/wdce. Also, printed copies of the fall non-credit course schedule can be found at libraries, community centers and other such locations around the county. For questions about continuing education courses or to request a copy call 301-279-5188, visit
www.montgomerycollege.edu/wdce/mcps/mcps.html.