Events scheduled across Baltimore County

During American Education Week, Monday, Nov. 14, through Friday, Nov. 18, 2005, all Baltimore County schools open their doors so that parents and community members can see teaching and learning in action. Baltimore County’s theme for the week is “A Strong America Starts with Great Community Public Schools,” in special recognition of the role neighborhood-based schools play in ensuring opportunity for all and uniting neighborhoods.

Following are a sampling of some of the special activities occurring during this American Education Week:

Systemwide/Multi-school Activities

High School Honors Concert
Monday, Nov. 14, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore, 7:00 p.m.
More than 300 of Baltimore County’s most talented student musicians will perform. Guest conductors include renowned composer and BCPS graduate Brian Balmages, who has composed the evening’s finale. Tickets required. Please call 410-887-4024.

Board of Education Fall Recognition Ceremony
Tuesday, Nov. 15, Cockeysville Middle School, 7:00 p.m.
The annual ceremony will spotlight more than 100 students, educators, parents, and community leaders who have received state, national, or international recognition.

Ella White Campbell Oratorical Contest
Wednesday, Nov. 16, Randallstown High School, 7:00 p.m.
The public is invited to cheer on students from Catonsville High, Franklin High, Lansdowne High, Milford Mill Academy, New Town High, Owings Mills High, Pikesville High, Randallstown High, Western School of Technology, and Woodlawn High as they participate in this new competition. Honor student and champion gymnast Raven Magwood, the author of On to Victory! The Winning Edge: Determination, Discipline and Dedication, will be a special guest speaker. A ninth-grader from Greenville, South Carolina, Raven takes tenth and eleventh grade courses and attends Greenville Technical College. The Milford Mill Concert Chorale and the Woodlawn High School Honors Chorale will also perform.

STEM Parent Summit and Family Fun Night
Thursday, Nov. 17, Dogwood Elementary School, 7:30 p.m.
Dogwood, Featherbed Lane, Hebbville, and Milbrook elementary schools are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Academy Schools, participating in a program that partners the school system with the University of Maryland Baltimore County and the National Science Foundation. At this event, parents will hear from BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston and UMBC President Dr. Freeman Hrabowski and visit the BCPS Parentmobile, while children participate in fun science, math, and technology activities.

Special Programs at Individual Schools

Baltimore County Public Schools encourages all parents and/or guardians to visit their children’s schools during American Education Week. Please check with the schools for classroom visitation times and other special information about events and activities. Below are highlights of some of the special activities hosted by schools:

BALTIMORE HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY
Parentmobile visit, Tuesday, Nov. 15

BATTLE MONUMENT SCHOOL
Parentmobile visit, Thursday, Nov. 17

CHADWICK ELEMENTARY
Parentmobile visit, Thursday, Nov. 17

CHARLESMONT ELEMENTARY
Parentmobile visit, Thursday, Nov. 17

CHASE ELEMENTARY
Family Math and Reading Night, Tuesday, Nov. 15
Event will inform parents about math and reading curriculum by using activities that incorporate technology. Staff will share with parents web sites and activities to use at home.

COLGATE ELEMENTARY
“Chat and Chew” workshops, Monday, Nov. 14 – Friday, Nov. 18
Workshops designed to better prepare parents for involvement in the school
Parentmobile visit, Thursday, Nov. 17

DEEP CREEK MIDDLE
Fifth Annual Family Fun Night and Spaghetti Dinner, including Parentmobile visit, Friday, Nov. 18

DUNDALK MIDDLE
Spaghetti Dinner, Wednesday, November 16, 4:00 -7:00 p.m.
Open to the public, $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under

FULLERTON ELEMENTARY
Ice Cream and Storytelling: “Books! The Magic is Real!” Tuesday, Nov. 15
Performance by storyteller Joe Romano and opportunity to visit the school’s book fair

HEREFORD MIDDLE
MSA Presentation for parents, Wednesday, Nov. 16
I-Safe Presentation for parents, Thursday, Nov. 17
I-Safe Presentation for students, Friday, Nov. 18
At the MSA presentation, parents will learn more about the Maryland School Assessment program and how they can help prepare their children. I-Safe is an Internet safety presentation offered by the Baltimore County Police Department.

JACKSONVILLE ELEMENTARY
Parentmobile visit, Monday, Nov. 14

MAIDEN CHOICE SCHOOL
Booster Club meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 16
Parent Make & Take, Wednesday, Nov. 16
Homecoming Dance, Friday, Nov. 18

NEW TOWN HIGH
Achievement Counts presentation
Presentations sponsored by the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education will bring local business leaders from companies including Verizon and T. Rowe Price into the school to talk with 9th graders about how to succeed in school, college, and careers.

NORWOOD ELEMENTARY
Family Learning Night, Monday, Nov. 14
To support parents of pre-K and kindergarten children in helping their children with reading and math
College Pep Rally, Friday, Nov. 18
Area college students will share financial aid ideas and pertinent college information with parents of students in grades 3, 4, and 5.

OLD COURT MIDDLE
Parentmobile visit, Wednesday, Nov. 16

OWINGS MILLS ELEMENTARY
Parentmobile visit, Tuesday, Nov. 15

PADONIA ELEMENTARY
PTA-sponsored book fair, all week
Family breakfasts before school (per grade level on the day of classroom visitation)
Ice Cream Social/Parent Night/Family Book Fair Evening, Thursday, Nov. 17

PIKESVILLE MIDDLE
Annual Scholastic Book Fair, all week
To raise funds for the school library

PLEASANT PLAINS ELEMENTARY
Bagels and Buddies Breakfast, Tuesday, Nov. 15
To thank parent volunteers, staff, and community helpers
Carrabbas Night/Family Math Night, Tuesday, Nov. 15
Mini-Musical, Monday, Nov. 14, Wednesday, Nov. 16, and Friday, Nov. 18
Dads Supporting Kids Night, Friday, Nov. 18
For students and their dads, grandfathers, and other male friends and guardians

SANDY PLAINS ELEMENTARY
Grandparents/Special Person Day, Wednesday, Nov. 16
The PTA will sponsor a special breakfast for students and their grandparents or special persons, followed by professional portraits to commemorate the occasion and class visitation.

SCOTTS BRANCH ELEMENTARY
Parentmobile visit, Wednesday, Nov. 16

VICTORY VILLA ELEMENTARY
Grandparents Day and Conclusion of Stockings for the Soldiers Campaign, Friday, Nov. 18
Through their Stockings for the Soldiers Campaign, Victory Villa Elementary has been collecting donations from students, staff and community business members to provide holiday gifts for the soldiers in Iraq. So far, the school has collected well over $1,000 worth of donations, including phone cards, money for shipping and nonperishable goods. To conclude the campaign, the school's families will be packing the items and sending them to the soldiers.

WARREN ELEMENTARY
International Parents Meeting, Wednesday, November 16
Parents of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students or parents who speak languages other than English will receive information about: supporting the academic success of their children; understanding Baltimore County Public Schools; volunteering at Warren; and improving their own English skills using the Warren Family Language Lab and Rosetta Stone software.

WOODBRIDGE ELEMENTARY
Grandparents’ Day and Parentmobile visit, Friday, Nov. 18

WOODLAWN MIDDLE
Annual Family Fun Night and Resource Fair, Thursday, Nov. 17
Activities will include a basketball game (staff members vs. parents), children's face painting, interactive parent workshops, a resource fair involving a variety of organizations/agencies, and a delicious spaghetti dinner.

Please revisit this article and tune into The Education Channel (cable channel 73 in Baltimore County) in coming days for updates and additional information.
(last updated 11/15/05 )

Story includes contributions from: Homeretta Ayala, Library Media Specialist and Good News Ambassador (GNA), Fullerton Elementary; Carisa J. Bowman, Assistant Principal and GNA, Deep Creek Middle; Jean Dannenfelser, Career Development Coordinator and GNA, New Town High; Eileen M. Edwards, RN, School Nurse and GNA, Dogwood Elementary; Sharon Engle, Teacher and GNA, Sandy Plains Elementary School; Sally Foreman, R.N., School Nurse, Woodlawn Middle; Letta Forrest, School and Community Liaison, Woodlawn Middle; Jennifer Givens, English Teacher and GNA, Pikesville Middle; Brenda Jackson, Parent and GNA, Jacksonville Elementary; Phyllis Lewkowicz, Mentor and GNA, Colgate Elementary; Jackie Marsalek, ESOL Teacher, Pleasant Plains Elementary; Mikaela Muntean, First Grade Teacher and GNA, Padonia International Elementary; Michael Pursley, Teacher and GNA, Chase Elementary; Dawn E. Rutter-Hoffmaster, Vocal Music Teacher and GNA, Victory Villa Elementary; Marcee Senker, Maiden Choice School; Mary Lou S. Shears, Mathematics Teacher, Dundalk Middle; Catherine P. Walrod, Hereford Middle; and Susan L. Webb, Secretary II and GNA, Warren Elementary. Edited by Diana L. Spencer, Communications Officer