News Tips: The Week of March 8-15, 2008
Activities, Events, and News from Baltimore County Public Schools
Saturday, March 8
Countywide Secondary STEM Fair 2008 to be held at Dulaney High School
More than 200 Baltimore County middle and high school students will spend the day displaying their scientific knowledge and competing in a variety of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) challenges during the second annual BCPS Secondary STEM Fair. The fair will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Dulaney High School, 255 Padonia Road, in Cockeysville. The STEM Fair will feature student science displays and projects, the popular "Physics Olympics" competition for high school students, middle school Science Challenge, the mathematics ARML competition, team competitions, and information about the school system's Outdoor Science instructional programs. Trophies and awards will be presented at the end of the STEM Fair.
Contact: Tom Michocki, Office of Science PreK-12, 410.887.4251
2008 M&T Bank 24 Challenge® Grand Tournament
For the 12th consecutive year, Baltimore County Public Schools students will go head-to-head to match their skills in the fast-paced M&T Bank 24 Challenge® Math Tournament. Fifth- through eighth-graders from almost 90 county schools will compete by solving 24 Game® flashcards, a mental math game designed to improve abilities in computation, deductive reasoning, and problem solving. Among those in attendance to cheer the competitors will be BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston and officials from M&T Bank. Five grand champions will win $1,000 U.S. Savings Bonds from M&T Bank. The competition begins at 9:00 a.m. and will end at about 12 noon at the Crowne Plaza (formerly Holiday Inn Select) ballroom, 2004 Greenspring Drive, Timonium.
Contact: Charles Herndon, Office of Communications, 410.887.6111
Monday, March 10
Pikesville Middle School to Participate in Jump Rope for the Heart
During the week of March 10, students at Pikesville Middle School, 7701 Seven Mile Lane in Pikesville, will raise funds to benefit the American Heart Association by accepting pledges for their participation in Jump Rope for the Heart.
Contact: Amy Goldberg or Mia Talarigo, Pikesville Middle School, 410.887.1207
Celebration and open house slated for the Maryland's Tomorrow/ AdvancePath Academy at Chesapeake High School
Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston and John Murray, Chief Executive Officer of AdvancePath Academics, will host a reception and open house for the new Maryland's Tomorrow/ AdvancePath Academy at Chesapeake High School. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Chesapeake, 1801 Turkey Point Road in Essex. The Academy is designed to recover, educate, and graduate disengaged, at-risk, and out-of-school youth, and each learning center is equipped to address each student's learning styles and needs.
Contact: Kara Calder, Office of Communications, 410.887.5908
Pikesville High School to bestow Dr. Rebecca German with Alumni Award
Pikesville High School will confer its 18th Distinguished Alumni Award on Dr. Rebecca German of the school's class of 1973 in an assembly beginning at 12:45 p.m. in the school's auditorium at 7621 Labyrinth Road in Pikesville. Dr. German is vice-chair for research in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. She holds professorships in that department and the Department of Functional Anatomy and Evolution. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago and received her Ph.D. in biology from Harvard University. She is the preeminent authority on the development of swallowing in infant mammals and is widely published in scientific journals. Dr. German joins a list of distinguished alumni -- including Dr. Bert Vogelstein, a world-renowned cancer researcher also at Johns Hopkins; Elise Burgin, professional tennis player; Ken Mehlman, former chairman of the Republican National Committee; and last year's recipients, Randy Siegmeister, a sound engineer for many famous musical acts, and Cathy Fink, a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter - to hail from Pikesville High School. Dr. German will address students and respond to their questions during the ceremony.
Contact: Jerry Dresner or Barbara Walker, Pikesville High School, 410.887.1217
Charity basketball game at Pine Grove Middle School
Pine Grove Middle School will host a students-versus-faculty charity basketball game from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the school at 9200 Old Harford Road in Parkville. Admission is $3.00, and proceeds from the event will go to the Barnett-Searing National Cancer Foundation.
Contact: Melissa Mast or Sandra Reid, Pine Grove Middle School, 410.887.5270
Tuesday, March 11
"Groovy Science" night at Colgate Elementary School
Scientist Marc Clayton will perform "Groovy Science" experiments for students and families in grades 3, 4, and 5 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Colgate Elementary School, 401 Fifty-first Street in Dundalk. Through these entertaining and informative presentations, audiences laugh, learn, and participate as they review the scientific process and project requirements for the school's upcoming Science Fair in April. Each student who attends the presentation with Clayton will receive a homework pass and Science Fair idea book.
Contact: Sharon Marquette or Kevin Connelly, Colgate Elementary School, 410.887.7010
Wednesday, March 12
PHS to represent Greece and Macedonia in International MUN conference in NYC
Twenty-six Pikesville High School students travel to New York City today to represent the countries of Greece and Macedonia at the 34th annual National High School Model United Nations Conference, which runs through Saturday, March 15. In their ninth year of participating in this conference, Pikesville students will join 2,000 other high school students from around the world to debate and discuss international issues ranging from eradication of poverty to international peacekeeping missions. The goal of the conference is "education through simulation," according to the website of the non-profit International Model United Nations Association, which hosts the simulation. Students frequently visit with delegates from their countries and then debate the international topics using parliamentary rules of procedure practiced at the United Nations. Students work on building coalitions and on writing resolutions that are modeled on international policies passed at the UN.
Contact: Barbara Walker or Jerry Dresner, Pikesville High School, 410.887.1217
Leo's Club from Hereford High School to visit Ridge Ruxton School for crafts project
Leo's Club, a group of students from Hereford High School in Parkton, will visit Ridge Ruxton Sch ool, 6916 Charles Street in Towson, at 10:45 a.m. for a special presentation. The high school students, under the direction of Donna Yawman, will present and assist three groups of Ridge Ruxton students with a surprise craft project.
Contact: Fran Duffy or Ed Bennett, Ridge Ruxton School, 410.887.3594
Annual Art Show to debut at Glenmar Elementary School
Glenmar Elementary School's annual Art Show gets underway from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the theme this year of "Places to Go and People to See." Families are encouraged to visit the school at 9700 Community Drive in Middle River to see the portraits and landscapes created by students posted throughout the building-turned-art-gallery. In addition, participants may enjoy journal-making and light refreshments during this time as well as the school's Scholastic Book Fair.
Contact: Eileen Fitzgerald or Susan Wilken, Glenmar Elementary School, 410.887.0127
Academic "Amazing Race" at Loch Raven Academy will challenge students, families
Loch Raven Academy will hold a unique, academically-oriented "Amazing Race" competition beginning at 5:15 p.m. For the race, which is patterned after the hit television series "Amazing Race," teams comprised of students from the school and their family members will participate in a series of challenges throughout the school. Upon registration, the students receive a painter's cap for each member of their family team, which they are to design and decorate for race day. Teams will have a series of challenges to complete, involving mathematics, language arts, technology, geography, and a physical education roadblock. Students involved in targeted assistance programs at Loch Raven Academy will organize and register the teams; after the competition, families, students, teachers, and administrators will return to celebrate their successes and enjoy a winter picnic complete with summer food and a "prize pool." The school is located at 8101 LaSalle Road in Towson.
Contact: Catherine Trader or Linda Wilson, Loch Raven Academy, 410.887.3518
Dundalk High School to honor local artist, businessman
The National Art Honor Society of Dundalk High School will host a reception in the school's auditorium and lobby to honor two successful Dundalk-born professionals -- artist Gary Hughes and businessman Leroy Merritt. Merritt, a graduate of Dundalk High School, is the owner of Merritt Athletic Club as well as other enterprises in Baltimore. He has donated to the school a limited edition (signed and numbered) bronze Owl created by his childhood friend, Gary Hughes. The reception, which will take place at the school at 1901 Delvale Avenue in Dundalk, will feature art work and music by the students of Dundalk High School. In addition, students in the school's Food Preparation Service program will prepare and serve light refreshments. The students of the 100 Strong Male Role Models organization will serve as hosts and ushers. Teachers, community representatives, parents, students are invited to the program.
Contact: Peggy Johnson, Dundalk High School, 410.887.7023
Thursday, March 13
Lansdowne High School to host its second annual Health and Safety Information Fair
More than 25 health-related organizations representing state and community services, including counseling and wellness resources, will be in attendance at the second annual Health and Safety Information Fair at Lansdowne High School from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Parents, students, and community members are invited to enjoy the information offered at the fair. There will also be door prizes for adults and homework passes for all students attending with a parent. The school is located at 3800 Hollins Ferry Road in Lansdowne.
Contact: Lynda Whitlock, Lansdowne High School, 410.887.1415
MSA Night at Riverview Elementary School
Intermediate grade teachers at Riverview Elementary School, 3298 Kessler Road in Lansdowne, will host an MSA Night for parents from 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Teachers will use this time to present an overview of the Maryland School Assessment, share sample test questions and topics, provide tips for success, and answer questions. Pizza and refreshments will be served.
Contact: Mary Beth Padden or Cheryl Jones, Riverview Elementary School, 410.887.1428
"The Magical Land of Oz" debuts at Riderwood Elementary School
More than 60 Riderwood Elementary School fourth- and fifth-grade students will take the stage at 7:00 p.m. both today and on Friday, March 14, to perform "The Magical Land of Oz," a musical based on the story by L. Frank Baum and written by Tim Kelly, music and lyrics by Bill Francouer, and produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., with additional scenes written by a Riderwood parent. Admission is free of charge, but tickets must be reserved in advance. The play will be held in the school cafeteria at 1711 Landrake Road in Towson.
Contact: Heather Buchman or Kathy DeHart, Riderwood Elementary School, 410.887.3568
"Bugz" is coming to Carney Elementary School
Students in grades 1 and 2 at Carney Elementary School, 3131 E. Joppa Road in Carney, are putting together the musical "Bugz" by John Jacobson. The story of a group of bugs who are invited to a picnic but who encounter a few problems, the play will be performed at the school today at 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m., and Saturday, March 15, at 1:00 p.m. Through this wonderful story of inclusion, children ponder and solve different issues, including how to handle a stink bug when no one wants to be around him. Tickets are $1.
Contact: Sonja Floyd or Holly Hayes, Carney Elementary School, 410. 887.5228
Budding lawyers from Catonsville High School to compete in countywide mock trial finals
The Third Judicial Circuit Court will present the finals of the regional Mock Trial competition at 7:00 p.m. in Ceremonial Courtroom 5 in the old Baltimore County courthouse in Towson. Students from Catonsville High School will pit their legal and oratorical skills against a team from the Park School in Brooklandville. The winning team will represent the Third Judicial Circuit Court in statewide competition. The county competition is sponsored by the legal communities of Baltimore and Harford counties.
Contact: Kathy Nye, Office of Social Studies, 410.887.4017
College Savings Plans meetings at Deer Park Middle Magnet School , Golden Ring Middle School
Both Golden Ring Middle School, 6700 Kenwood Avenue in Rosedale, and Deer Park Middle Magnet School, 9830 Winands Road, Randallstown, will host parent information meetings presented by the College Savings Plans of Maryland, both beginning at 7:00 p.m. The meetings were rescheduled from earlier in the winter due to inclement weather. The College Savings Plans allow parents to save for college through a variety of affordable and flexible programs. For more information, go to www.collegesavingsmd.org or call 1.888.4MD.GRAD.
Contact: John Trader, College Savings Plans of Maryland, 410.767.2037
Central Area Advisory Council to hold Pre-Budget meeting
The Central Area Advisory Council has scheduled a public hearing to solicit opinions, ideas, and concerns regarding building-related items included in the school system's capital budget for fiscal year 2010. Views or concerns shared with advisory council members will later be shared with the Board of Education of Baltimore County as it begins deliberating its annual capital budget. Items for consideration should relate to the school system's capital needs rather than those items included in the system's annual operating budget. The meeting, which begins at 7:00 p.m., will be held at Dumbarton Middle School, 300 Dumbarton Road, Towson.
Contact: Charles Herndon, Office of Communications, 410.887.6111
Friday, March 14
Woodlawn High School hosts 2nd annual Scholarship Basketball Game
The Woodlawn High School staff will take on officers from the Baltimore County Police and Maryland Transit Authority during the school's second annual Scholarship Basketball Game, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Included in this event will be a special guest appearance by NFL player Keyon Carpenter of the Atlanta Falcons. All tickets are $3.00 with proceeds going to school scholarships.
Contact: Laura Baer or Don Weglein, Woodlawn High School, 410.887.1309
Rodgers Forge Elementary Hosts Third Annual Healthy Kids Expo
The Rodgers Forge Elementary School PTA will host its third annual Healthy Kids Expo from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the school, located at 250 Dumbarton Road in Towson. Last year's after-school event drew more than 200 parents and children and more expected for this year's expo. The event is free and open to RFES students and their families. It will include more than 25 community health partners presenting booths covering a variety of health, fitness, and safety topics. The event also offers several fitness demonstrations, a 1-mile Family Fun Run/Walk around the school grounds, with pre-stretching led by Towson University varsity football players, and an interactive Internet Safety Demo presented by the FBI. The Lutherville Fire Department also will display two fire trucks in front of the school.
Contact: Sue Deise, Rodgers Forge Elementary School, 410.887. 3582
Oakleigh Elementary School hosts "Hula for Hopkins" event
Oakleigh Elementary School, 1900 White Oak Avenue in Towson, will host its fourth annual Kids Helping Hopkins "Hula for Hopkins" from 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. "Detour Dave" Sandler from WBAL-Radio will provide musical entertainment in the school's gymnasium for this worthy event. Snowballs and leis come with the purchase of a ticket. The price for a ticket is $4 before the event and $5 at the door. Refreshments will also be for sale in the cafeteria. All proceeds of the ticket and refreshment sales go to benefit the Johns Hopkins Hospital Children's Center. Kids Helping Hopkins is a statewide values education program that supports the Johns Children's Center.
Contact: Kara Roberts or Sylvia Lemons, Oakleigh Elementary School, 410.887.5268
16th Annual "Hop for Hopkins" event to be held at Hernwood Elementary School
The granddaddy of all Kids Helping Hopkins events, the Hernwood Elementary School "Hop for Hopkins," will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the school at 9919 Marriottsville Road in Randallstown. Each year, the hop features music, games, and fun for students and families, and this year, there will be a silent auction of donated goods and services. Kids Helping Hopkins is a statewide values education program in which all proceeds benefit the Johns Hopkins Hospital Children's Center's Life programs as well as other JHCC programs and services that help thousands of young patients each year.
Contact: Anita Rozenel or Cathy Gantz, Hernwood Elementary School, 410.887.0732
Hereford High and Hereford Middle schools celebrate "March Madness" with charity basketball game
"March Madness" takes to the court beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Hereford High School, 17301 York Road in Parkton, when charity basketball games get underway in honor and memory of Taylor Cunningham and Joey Baseman, students at Hereford High School who died in car accidents. All proceeds will benefit memorial scholarships for the two former students. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the games beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 pre-sale and $7.00 at the door. Community members, students, faculty, and others are invited to enjoy the games, food, and fun in celebration of the lives of two students.
Contact: Cathy Walrod or Kim Nawrocki, Hereford Middle School, 410.887.7902
Saturday, March 15
Spring Art & Craft Show to blossom at Loch Raven High School
The Loch Raven High School Booster Club is sponsoring its first Spring Art & Craft Show from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. More than 50 quality artists will be on site to present their quality original handmade art, including Windsor chairs, watercolor and acrylic prints, jewelry, stained glass, handmade paper books, quilts, embroidery, iron work, pet portraits, and more. Refreshments, including pit beef, will be available. Admission is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for students and senior citizens. Admission is free for those under age 12. All proceeds support the Loch Raven High School stadium project to bring water and sewer services, field irrigation, bathrooms, a press box, and additional bleachers to the LRHS stadium.
Contact: Kathy Kerch or Bonnie Lambert, Loch Raven High School,
410.887.3525
Ongoing!
Pine Grove Middle students collecting for the troops during March
The National Junior Honor Society at Pine Grove Middle School, 9200 Old Harford Road in Parkville, will collect non-perishable items during the month of March to benefit troops deployed to Iraq as part of "Operation Troop TLC." All donations are welcome, and students will be collecting the items through the end of the month.
Contact: Melissa Mast or Sandra Reid, Pine Grove Middle School, 410.887.5270
Coming up!
Piano sale offered by BCPS as part of the Public School Piano Loan Program on Sunday, March 16
Through the Public School Piano Loan Program, unsold new acoustic and digital (electronic) pianos will go on public sale on Sunday, March 16, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1708 Whitehead Road in Woodlawn. The instruments are part of more than $75,000 worth of new pianos provided free to Baltimore County Public Schools by Jason's Music Center through the loan program. The loaned pianos will be sold to the public at prices well below those found in stores, including brands such as Yamaha, Steinway, Baldwin, Kawai, Sohmer, Remington, and Young Chang, among others. The sale of these pianos enables Jason's to provide BCPS schools with replacements for upcoming years. The instruments have been professionally maintained and will include many new and used grand pianos, vertical pianos, and digital pianos.
Contact: Angela Tanner, Office of Music, 410.887.4024
Seventh District Elementary School to celebrate its 7th annual Grandparents/Generations Day on Monday, March 17
Seventh District Elementary School, 20300 York Road in Parkton, will celebrate the school's seventh annual Grandparents/Generations Day on Monday, March 17. Visitors are invited to observe classes between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and refreshments will be served by the PTA at 8:30 a.m. In addition, the school's Scholastic Book Fair also will be open. During the event, grandparents and other family members will visit classrooms and interact with children to compare educational experiences from yesterday and today. Also, certificates will be awarded to the oldest grandparent, the youngest grandparent, the family member who travelled the most miles to attend, and the one with the most grandchildren.
Contact: Glenda Carman or Leslie Brooks, Seventh District Elementary School, 410.887.1902
Annual Multicultural Day at Ridge Ruxton School showcases Australia on Tuesday, March 18
The annual Multicultural Day at Ridge Ruxton School this year focuses on the nation of kangaroos and boomerangs - Australia. The day showcases parts of the world each year, highlighted by a student performance, and includes plenty of interactive stations and fun activities for students, parents, and visitors. The Multicultural Day this year is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, beginning with the 10:00 a.m. student performance and followed until 11:30 a.m. with school activities. The school is located at 6916 Charles Street in Towson.
Contact: Fran Duffy or Ed Bennett, Ridge Ruxton School,
410.887.3594
"Padonia Around the World" to debut at Padonia International Elementary School on Tuesday, March 18
Padonia International Elementary School will hold a "Padonia Around the World" night from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18. Padonia families will take a "tour around the world" as they visit exhibits of crafts, clothing, and snacks from different countries. In addition, the school's students will perform traditional dances from India. Other countries represented include Ethiopia, Ireland, Korea, Iran, Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico, China, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. The school is located at 9834 Greenside Drive in Cockeysville.
Contact Molly Glassman, Jennifer Mileto, or Karen Cashen, Padonia International Elementary School, 410.887.7646
Hernwood Elementary School to hold an Intermediate STEM Fair and Primary Math Night on Wednesday, March 19
Hernwood Elementary School at 9919 Marriottsville Road in Randallstown will hold an Intermediate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Technology (STEM) Fair and Primary Math Night from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19. During this fair, students and their families will have the opportunity to see student STEM projects and to participate in primary math activities. Pizza will be provided by the school's PTA.
Contact: Anita Rozenel or Dr. Cathy Gantz, Hernwood Elementary School, 410.887.0732 or 410.887.0733
Loch Raven Academy presents a Family Literacy Night on Wednesday, March 19
Loch Raven Academy will host Family Literacy Night on Wednesday, March 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the school's cafeteria, located at 8101 LaSalle Road in Towson. During this enjoyable experience, families will learn about literacy strategies used at the school and about an intergenerational approach that leads to improved literacy, language, and life skills. Family Literacy Night will show families that they can learn together, that learning is a mutual process, and that learning is fun.
Contact: Catherine Trader or Linda Wilson, Loch Raven Academy, 410.887.3518
College Savings Plan meeting at Windsor Mill Middle School planned for Wednesday, March 19
Windsor Mill Middle School, 8300 Windsor Mill Road in Randallstown, will host a parent information meeting presented by the College Savings Plans of Maryland, beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19. This meeting was rescheduled from earlier in the winter due to inclement weather. The College Savings Plans allow parents to save for college through a variety of affordable and flexible programs. For more information, go to www.collegesavingsmd.org or call 1.888.4MD.GRAD.
Contact: John Trader, College Savings Plans of Maryland, 410.767.2037
Northeast Area Advisory Council to hold Pre-Budget meeting on Wednesday, March 19
The Northeast Area Advisory Council has scheduled a public hearing to solicit opinions, ideas, and concerns regarding building-related items included in the school system's capital budget for fiscal year 2010. Views or concerns shared with advisory council members will later be shared with the Board of Education of Baltimore County as it begins deliberating its annual capital budget. Items for consideration should relate to the school system's capital needs rather than those items included in the system's annual operating budget. The meeting, which begins at 7:00 p.m., will be held at Pine Grove Middle School, 9200 Old Harford Road, Carney.
Contact: Charles Herndon, Office of Communications, 410.887.6111
Chase Elementary School salutes dads with doughnuts on Thursday, March 20
Chase Elementary School, 11701 Eastern Avenue in Chase, will honor fathers and other male caregivers with a special breakfast on Thursday, March 20, from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Chase Elementary students who attend the breakfast with their fathers (or other male relative or caregiver) will perform a special song.
Contact: Caryn Keller, Chase Elementary School, 410.887.5940
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