| Release Date: 2/26/2010 | Contact: Charles Herndon, (410) 887.6111 |
Saturday, February 27
Rescheduled Black Saga Countywide Competition to take place
Teams of knowledgeable students from across Baltimore County will meet beginning at 8:00 a.m. at New Town High School, 4931 New Town Boulevard in Owings Mills, to compete for the title of countywide Black Saga champion. Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston will be among the special guests there to congratulate participating students. For several weeks, teams of elementary and middle school students have been engaging in school-wide Black Saga competitions to determine who will represent individual schools at the county tournament. Black Saga tests students' knowledge and awareness of African American history and culture. All schools participating in the countywide competition can send teams to compete in the statewide tournament to be held on March 13.
Contact: Tina Nelson, Office of Social Studies, 410.887.2172
Franklin High School to present 18th Annual Variety Show
The PTSA of Franklin High School, 12000 Reisterstown Road in Reisterstown, presents the school's 18th Annual Variety Show at 7:00 p.m. The show highlights the talents of both students and faculty members and has become a perennial favorite in the community. Musical and comedic acts, among others, will be performed. Tickets for the show are available at the door for $5 or at the school.
Contact: Lisa Ancarrow or Kathy Schmidt, Franklin High School, 410.887.1119
"Alice in Wonderland" dazzles audiences at Riderwood Elementary School
"Alice in Wonderland," this year's annual school play at Riderwood Elementary School, wraps up its two-day performance schedule with a presentation at 7:00 p.m. at the school, 1711 Landrake Road in Towson.
Contact: Eugene Monahan or Kathy DeHart, Riderwood Elementary School, 410.887.3568
Monday, March 1
"Read Across America" activities fill the week at Eastwood Elementary Magnet School
Students at Eastwood Elementary Magnet School, 428 Westham Way in Dundalk, will participate in a week's worth of learning activities related to the "Read Across America" program and the birthday on Tuesday, March 2, of Theodore Geisel, the children's author known as Dr. Seuss. Each day, special activities, guest readers, and themes will address several learning skills; today, for instance, students will be decorating doors and participating in the "Great Poetry Race." Guest readers include BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe Hairston, who is scheduled to read "Oh, the Places You Will Go" to grade 3 students on Wednesday, March 3 at 10:30 a.m. For additional details and times, please call the school.
Contact: Joan Brauner or Colleen Ryland, Eastwood Elementary Magnet School, 410.887.7034
Tuesday, March 2
Victory Villa Elementary School to host Principal's Breakfast
Victory Villa Elementary School, located at 500 Compass Road in Middle River, will recognize students who have achieved outstanding performance in academic, effort, or learning skills during the second report card quarter. Selected students will be invited to a breakfast catered by the school's business partner, Chick-fil-A at Eastpoint Mall. Parents, guardians, and students will hear from special guest Dr. Nancy Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools, who will speak about setting goals and persevering. The event will begin at 9:15 a.m. In addition, the school this week will celebrate literary awareness; during the week, students will answer trivia questions about author, also known as Dr. Seuss, whose birthday will be celebrated on Monday. The weeklong celebration will culminate with students and staff wearing black, red, and white attire on Friday's Spirit Day.
Contact: Kathleen East or Pamela McDavid, Victory Villa Elementary School, 410.887.0184
Award-winning children's books author to visit Seventh District Elementary School
Laurie Krebs, an award-winning author of children's books, will visit Seventh District Elementary School for a day of discussions with students about the art of writing. During assemblies scheduled throughout the day, Krebs will share with students how she creates her stories, and students will be given the opportunity to purchase her books. Several lucky students also will get to have lunch with the author. At 6:30 p.m., Krebs will be at the school, 20300 York Road in Parkton, to read some of her books and sign students' copies. Please call the school for additional times and details.
Contact: Patty Nestor or Glenda Carman, Seventh District Elementary School, 410.887.1902
Halethorpe Elementary School students will kick off Dr. Seuss's birthday with a book project and Hat Parade
Halethope Elementary School students will join children from across the United States in celebrating Dr. Seuss's Birthday by participating in a variety of Read Across America activities.The school, located at 4300 Maple Avenue in Halethorpe, will celebrate with a character parade at 2:30 p.m., and students will have the opportunity to wear their hats during the event in honor of the famous children's book author. Please call the school for additional times and event details.
Contact: Cheryl Fearer or Jill Carter, Halethorpe Elementary School, 410.887.1406
Orems Elementary School to host Family Reading Night
Orems Elementary School will sponsor a Family Reading Night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The evening's main event will feature Pine Grove Elementary School teacher Justin Pugh performing a "Rock-N-Read" concert from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the gymnasium of the school, which is located at 711 Highvilla Road in Middle River. The Scholastic Book Fair and BCPS Parentmobile also will be open, and light refreshments will be served during the event.
Contact: Michelle Doyle or Marcia Wolf, Orems Elementary School, 410.887.0172
Pinewood Elementary School celebrates "Dr. Seuss Day"
Students in grades K-2 at Pinewood Elementary School will celebrate Dr. Seuss Day with a visit from The Cat in the Hat, who will be on hand to greet the students in the morning. Special activities are planned including word searches and sharing favorite Dr. Seuss books. In addition to several special guest readers during the day, students in grades 3-5 will also visit the classrooms to read to younger students. Please call the school for specific times and details.
Contact: Ann Vogt, Pinewood Elementary School, 410.887.7663
Windsor Mill Middle School to present STEM Fair
Windsor Mill Middle School will host its annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Fair during the day. Students on each grade levels will display their projects and present their work before a panel of judges from school partner the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Please call the school for additional times and details. The school is located at 8300 Windsor Mill Road in Randallstown.
Contact: Edwina McKenzie or Deborah Phelps, Windsor Mill Middle School, 410.887.0618
Grange Elementary School to host 24 Challenge Tournament
Grange Elementary, 2000 Church Road in Dundalk, will host a 24 Challenge Tournament for students in grades 4 and 5 beginning at 3:30 p.m. The 24 Challenge is an innovative mathematics activity that reinforces students' use of mathematics operations in the context of a motivational game. The tournament will produce a grade 5 champion from Grange who will compete on the county level. Parents are invited to attend.
Contact: Pam Scripture or Rosalie Daddura, Grange Elementary School, 410.887.7043
Thursday, March 4
Franklin schools compete in fifth annual "Battle for the Bell"
The faculties of Franklin Middle School and Franklin High School will square off in their annual charity basketball game in the fifth annual "Battle for the Bell" beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Franklin High School gymnasium, 12000 Reisterstown Road in Reisterstown. .With this year's theme being, "Five Years, Two Schools, One Cause, the Battle Continues," all money collected from the game will be donated to the Jimmy V Foundation to help in its fight against cancer. The public is invited to enjoy this competitive charity game and help with this worthy cause.
Contact: Rachel Holinsky or Lynn Wolf, Franklin Middle School, 410.887.1114
Windsor Mill Middle School students to tour Northwest Hospital as part of program
As part of the Building Bridges Mentoring program at Windsor Mill Middle School, students from the school will visit and tour Northwest Hospital in Randallstown to learn about the field of medicine from professional health care workers. The school is located at 8300 Windsor Mill Road in Randallstown. Please call the school for additional times and details.
Contact: Edwina McKenzie or Deborah Phelps, Windsor Mill Middle School, 410.887.0618
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" musical to be presented at Loch Raven High School through Saturday, March 6
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" opens a three-day run as Loch Raven High School's spring musical, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The lighthearted musical takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from the 2,000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. In the production, crafty slave Pseudolus struggles to win the hand of beautiful but slow-witted courtesan Philia for his young master Hero, in exchange for his freedom. "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" will be presented at Loch Raven High School each night through Saturday, March 6, with a 7:00 p.m. show time each night in the high school's auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, children, and senior citizens and are available at the door. Loch Raven High School is located at 1212 Cowpens Avenue in Towson.
Contact: Erin Confair, Kevin King, or Ed Goldstein, Loch Raven High School, 410.887.3527
Windsor Mill Middle School celebrates student success with rally
Students at Windsor Mill Middle School, 8300 Windsor Mill Road in Randallstown, will receive plenty of inspiration and motivation as the school rallies at 9:30 a.m. in an "Achieve, Believe, Succeed" celebration. Professional athletes, government officials, feeder school principals, parents, staff, and students will rally to reinforce the tone of success for the school's administration of state assessment tests.
Contact: Edwina McKenzie or Deborah Phelps, Windsor Mill Middle School, 410.887.0618
Friday, March 5
"Little Shop of Horrors" musical to be presented at Kenwood High School through Sunday, March 7
Kenwood High School will present the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" for its upcoming spring production each day through Sunday, March 7. The show tells the story of a down-and-out floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious and gory craving. Soon, the plant grows into an ill-tempered, singing carnivore who offers fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination. The Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:00 p.m., and the Sunday matinee will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $7 and will be available at the door. The school is located at 501 Stemmers Run Road in Middle River.
Contact: Robert Knight or Paul Martin, Kenwood High School, 410.887.0153
Saturday, March 6
Patapsco High School singers to perform with nationally-acclaimed composer Tim Janis on MPT
The Patapsco High School choir, under the direction of Jeffery Beyers, will perform with nationally-acclaimed composer Tim Janis in the composer's new "Celebrate America" musical special to be broadcast on Maryland Public Television. The Patapsco choir, along with high school choirs from across Maryland, will perform with Janis and his ensemble at 6:30 p.m. in a new special created by Janis to spotlight the nation's youth and pull communities together in a celebration of music that uplifts and inspires. Tim Janis, well known for his "Music with a Mission" projects, has worked on many philanthropic projects with recording artists such as Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Ray Charles, Andre Previn, and The New York Philharmonic. He has also produced fundraising programs for PBS with actors George Clooney and James Earl Jones. Celebrate America was taped at Maryland Public Television in Owings Mills in early October 2009. The Patapsco students, who were the only Baltimore County students involved in the project, will sing "Danny Boy" during the special.
Contact: Liberty Grayek or Ryan Imbriale, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, 410.887.7060
"Star Trek" the feature at Franklin High School's Movie Night
The Franklin High School Music Boosters group will hold a Movie Night at 6:00 p.m. at the school, 12000 Reisterstown Road in Reisterstown. The event is open to all in the school community and tickets are $5 for popcorn and a drink (in addition to the movie presentation of "Star Trek"). Food and music will begin at 6:00 p.m., with the movie to follow at 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Brian Frazier or Kathy Schmidt, Franklin High School, 410.887.1119
Loch Raven High School to hold Third Annual Craft Fair
Loch Raven High School's Third Annual Craft Fair will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The entire school, including the PTSA, Booster Club, Senior Post Prom Party, the Junior Class, Relay for Life (to raise funds for the American Cancer Society), and the Forensics Team will benefit from this event, which will feature more than 50 crafters selling unique handmade items. Refreshments and food will also be available. The school is located at 1212 Cowpens Avenue in Towson.
Contact: Bonnie Lambert, Loch Raven High School, 410.887.3525
Coming up!
College Fair 2010 to showcase 100+ colleges and universities on Monday, March 8, and Tuesday, March 9
The College Fair 2010 event, co-sponsored by Baltimore County Public Schools and The Community College of Baltimore County, will allow prospective students to visit a college marketplace featuring information from more than 100 colleges, universities, and military schools, including CCBC, the University of Maryland colleges, McDaniel College, George Mason University, Morgan State University, Towson University, Stevenson University, Penn State University, and many more. The two-day event will begin on Monday, March 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the campus of CCBC Essex, Building D - the Athletic and Wellness Center, 7201 Rossville Boulevard in White Marsh. The event will be continued on Tuesday, March 9, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on the campus of CCBC Catonsville at Building L - the Athletic and Wellness Center, 800 S. Rolling Road, in Catonsville. In the event of inclement weather, call 443.840.1711 or visit www.ccbcmd.edu.
Contact: CCBC Essex at 443.840.2110 or CCBC Catonsville at 443.840.4894
Mock Trial competition finals to be held on Thursday, March 11
Teams from 21 public and private schools in Baltimore and Harford counties will compete in the finals of the annual Maryland High School Mock Trial Competition for the Third Judicial Circuit Courts on Thursday, March 11, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The competition calls for teams of students to debate cases and present arguments to win the mock trial competition for the district; winners will move on to statewide competition. The cases will be heard in Ceremonial Courtroom No. 5 of the old Baltimore County Courthouse at 400 Washington Avenue in Towson.
Contact: Timothy Rualo, Office of Social Studies, 410.887.4017
Johnnycake Elementary School's Family Night scheduled for Monday, March 22
Johnnycake Elementary School will host its Johnnycake Family Night on Monday, March 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the school at 5910 Craigmont Road in Woodlawn. The event will feature games such as 24, Connect 4, Scrabble, and Scattergories in the school gym and cafeteria, a PTA presentation on genealogy, and an exploration of how family card and board games can help students sharpen reading and math skills.
Contact: Mary Maddox, Johnnycake Elementary School, 410.887.0823
The Spring Concert is coming to Halethorpe Elementary School on Thursday, April 15
The Halethope Elementary School Band and String Orchestra, under the direction of Kristen Trumpler, will perform their Spring Concert on Thursday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m. The band will perform movie themes from the Harry Potter movies, "Stars Wars" and "Pirates of Caribbean." The orchestra will perform themes from the Harry Potter movies, "Willy Wonka" and "Pirates of Caribbean." Halethorpe Elementary School is located at 4300 Maple Avenue in Halethorpe.
Contact: Cheryl Fearer or Jill Carter, Halethorpe Elementary School, 410.887.1406
Ongoing!
Vincent Farm Elementary School recycles "Cartridges For Kids"
Vincent Farm Elementary School students and their families are taking part in an ongoing recycling project by collecting used cell phones and computer ink cartridges. Students at VFES have learned that only 2.3 percent of Americans recycle old cell phones and that the reuse of electronic equipment is an excellent way to help manage some of the world's resources. The used items being collected by Vincent Farm students will help provide those in need with adequate equipment as well as preserve resources. For more information, visit the website www.cartridgesforkids.com/recyclelists.html. Access Computer Products, Inc., the parent company of the "Cartridges For Kids" program, sends money directly to the school for each item sent. The school is located at 6019 Ebenezer Road in White Marsh.
Contact: Daylene Booth or Anne Gold, Vincent Farm Elementary School, 410.887.2983
Overlea High School students working on "Empty Bowls" through February
Students from Overlea High School, 5401 Kenwood Avenue in Overlea, are among the artists from across the region making and decorating ceramic bowls to donate to the "Empty Bowls" fundraiser later this year. Until March 1, Overlea students who are members of the National Art Honor Society and the Art Club will construct the bowls to be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society for the two-day event on March 19-20 at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Empty Bowls raises funds for hunger and homelessness programs at St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore. For more information, visit the event's Web site at
http://www.vincentbaltimore.org/empty_bowls.html. Please call the school for specific times and details of the project.
Contact: Nancy Fishel or Penny Parker, OverleaHigh School, 410.887.5241
Hernwood Elementary School is linking math facts with an Ice Cream Sundae Challenge
Students at Hernwood Elementary School in Randallstown are meeting their Math Fact Challenge by getting ready for an ice cream extravaganza. In this ongoing program, each of the school's teachers has identified math fact goals for his or her students. Parents also received a list of suggestions to help their children study facts at home. Students will study and learn math facts through the winter and will demonstrate their knowledge by taking weekly quizzes beginning in January and continuing through March. When students reach their math fact goals, their names will be announced school-wide, and they will be invited to a special Ice Cream Sundae party on Friday, March 26, to celebrate their math mastery. The school is located at 9919 Marriottsville Road in Randallstown.
Contact: Denise Kelley or Cathy Gantz, Hernwood Elementary School, 410.887.0732
Two after-school clubs gearing up for competition at Eastwood Elementary Magnet School
Two after-school clubs at Eastwood Elementary Magnet School, 428 Westham Way in Dundalk, are busy preparing students for competitions in 2010. The MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) Science Club meets each week to prepare for MESA regional competition in March and April of 2010. Students participating in MESA explore science and math concepts and participate in activities designed to engage students in observation, recording data, problem solving and team work. Meanwhile, the school's Black Saga Club students challenge each other with facts and information about African-American history each week as they prepare for the countywide competition in February.
Contact: Rick Wright, Cyndy Wachob, or Joan Brauner, Eastwood Elementary Magnet School, 410.887.1408
Wachovia Bank and Essex Elementary School team up for reading
Twice a week, employees at Wachovia Bank in Essex visit kindergarten classes at Essex Elementary School for a very important partnership - reading stories to students from books that will be donated to the school's library. On Tuesdays and Thursdays at about 9:30 a.m., the guest readers visit the school and demonstrate to students their commitment to reading and to Essex Elementary School. The program runs for about four weeks at a time. Essex Elementary School is located at 100 Mace Avenue in Essex.
Contact: Dianna Akers or Amy Grabner, Essex Elementary School, 410.887.0117
Visit the BCPS News Archive to explore more BCPS news!