Eighty Sandalwood Elementary School third graders visited John Hopkins Hospital at Bayview to learn about the services the hospital provides to the local community. While there, students toured the rehabilitation and orthopedic units as well as the emergency room. The students “suited up” in hospital scrubs, made finger casts, and observed nurses, doctors, and other staff members interact with patients. At the conclusion, many students indicated an interest in possible health care careers.
Timber Grove Elementary is on the move
Students at Timber Grove Elementary earn “foot” charms for every 10 miles that they walk at home and at school. The charms are displayed on a chain which is worn around the neck. A school graph is displayed to show which classes have walked the most. Some students and staff have walked more than 100 miles so far this year. In addition, Timber Grove has bi-monthly fitness walks throughout the year. The entire school walks inside or outside for fifteen minutes at the end of the day.
Elmwood Elementary salutes great African Americans
Beginning on February 1, the morning news broadcasts at Elmwood Elementary School will feature news team reports on several great African Americans. Following the broadcast, a report with a photo of the individual will be displayed on a bulletin board located in the school’s front lobby.
Riverview fifth graders host a poetry slam
Riverview fifth graders read their works of poetry at a Poetry Slam on January 30. Teacher Tara Finegan’s reading students studied poetry for several weeks and then wrote pieces of their own original poetry. Staff members and parents were invited to the Poetry Slam where students read their poems including cinquain, couplet, diamonte, and haiku poems. One student even asked the audience to participate by stomping lightly during his poetry reading. In addition, a second-grade class was treated to an encore presentation where fifth graders shared their poems and modeled fluent reading. Everyone involved enjoyed the event, and the talented fifth graders felt a great sense of pride and accomplishment.
Riverview community raises money for Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Riverview Elementary held a “Do Drop In” event on January 29 to help raise money for the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Tim Medicus, the school’s physical education teacher, organized and hosted the event. Parents and students were invited to attend the event either before or after school, and everyone was asked to bring a $1 donation for the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Activities included cup stacking, basket shooting, rope jumping, and a “Cha Cha Slide.” Medicus also entertained the group by juggling and riding a unicycle. The event allowed families to enjoy physical activities together while helping to raise money for a wonderful cause.
Sollers Point students take the “Polar Bear Plunge”
On Saturday, January 26, student members of the SkillsUSA Chapter at Sollers Point Technical High School in Dundalk participated in the annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge. Nine Sollers Point students took the frigid plunge at Sandy Point State Park near the Bay Bridge. Together, the students have raised $2,845, which will be donated to the Special Olympics. Joining the students in their plunge was the group’s lead advisor, Jack Westermeyer.
Franklin High School students air college questions
Three Franklin High School students -- Celia B., Matt S., and Bryan K. – posed questions about the college application process in the January 28th edition of Maryland Public Television’s “Direct Connection” program. The students directed their questions to the show’s special guest, Jim Boyle, president of College Parents of America. The aim of College Parents of America is to make the college application process less daunting by providing resources and answers for both prospective students and their parents. “Direct Connection” is a weekly, local public affairs program that allows viewers and studio guests to join in discussions.
Logan Elementary School celebrates the arts with a Liberal Arts Fair
Families visited Logan Elementary School on January 29 to participate in a Liberal Arts Fair. Students celebrated the arts by presenting a show, having story time with the principal, learning an African dance, browsing computer sites, and bowling with parents.
STEM Fair Science Training Night for parents at Riderwood
On January 30, fourth- and fifth-grade parents at Riderwood Elementary School were invited to a special evening of exhibits and information related to the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fair. On this evening, parents viewed sample science fair projects and a PowerPoint presentation as a way to familiarize themselves with science fairs and to ask questions about both the school and county fairs. Baltimore County curriculum requires all fifth-grade students to prepare a project, and all Riderwood fourth-grade students also will be required to complete a project.
Ridge Ruxton School hosts Stricker Middle steel drum band
On January 30, the PTA of Ridge Ruxton School presented the General John Stricker Middle School Steel Band.
Savin' the Music benefit concert at Dulaney High
The Savin' the Music Club at Dulaney High School hosted a benefit concert on January 11 in the school’s satellite cafeteria. Bands featured at the concert were The Company, Alethia, and Debut. Junior Jack Stansbury also performed on guitar. All money raised benefits a music fund at a school in Baltimore City.
Dumbarton Middle’s Radical Ropers appear at Riderwood Elementary School
The Radical Ropers of Dumbarton Middle School, the county’s only jump-rope demonstration team, performed a program of exciting jump-roping tricks on January 17 in the school’s gymnasium.
Hernwood Elementary hosts winter concert
Hernwood Elementary School presented its winter concert on January 15. The school’s first-grade students opened the program with a variety of songs, including special selections to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his birthday. Hernwood’s band and string students performed selections they have learned through the instruction of the school’s instrumental music teacher, Shari Schucht. The fifth-grade classes also presented songs of tribute to Dr. King. The concert concluded with a sing-along featuring songs such as “This Land is Your Land,” “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” and Hernwood’s school songs.
Sudbrook Magnet Middle students celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, sixth-grade students at Sudbrook Magnet Middle School participated in the Fifth Annual Creative Expressions Contest, sponsored by the Upsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The contest took place at the school’s library on January 16. Before judges from the sorority, Sudbrook students gave presentations on the topic, “How Dr. King Made the World a Better Place.” Awards presentations followed the student competition.
Dundalk Middle School to host Math Night
Dundalk Middle School hosted a January 16th Family Math Night from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In addition to a variety of activities pertaining to math, the event also welcomed the BCPS Parentmobile for visitors to tour. The Parentmobile is a rolling retrofitted BCPS school bus that travels to schools, community events, local businesses, and neighborhoods to help parents and community members access information about education.
Hillcrest Elementary presents winter concert
With a theme of “Values: Do the Right Thing!,” Hillcrest Elementary School presented its annual winter concert on January 17. During the concert, the fifth-grade chorus performed songs that relate to important values students should have and use in their daily lives, such as responsibility, respect, honesty, peace, and gratitude. More than 90 Hillcrest students participated in the concert.
Annual High School Honors Jazz Concert presented
The annual High School Honors Jazz Concert was held at The Walters Art Museum on January 19. While the selection of the All Honors Jazz Band is an annual tradition for the school system, the All Honors Vocal Jazz Ensemble was new this year, as was the concert location at The Walters Art Museum. The performance highlighted 35 high school students who were selected through a highly-competitive audition process. Guest conductors were Jeffrey Antoniuk, professor of jazz studies at Towson University, and Marianne Pastelak, choir director at Patterson Mill Middle and High School in Harford County.
Halethorpe Elementary hosts Family Math Night
Halethorpe Elementary School hosted a Family Math Night on January 24. During the event, students and their families learned how some popular board games help students with basic math facts. Participants also enjoyed in fast and furious games of “24,” made geometric ties to hang in the school’s hallway, learned how to play math games using an egg carton, and explored math games using technology in the school computer lab. The BCPS Parentmobile was on hand to provide helpful information about education in Baltimore County Public Schools, and students had the opportunity to earn homework passes.
Cyber-safety topic of parent workshop at Loch Raven Academy
On January 23, Loch Raven Technical Academy hosted a parent information workshop on cyber-safety, “Keeping Kids Safe Online.” Parents attending the workshop learned about social networking online, including blog and diary websites, mobile phones, Instant Messaging (IM) and text messaging, and cyber-dating. In addition, information was offered about protecting children from online scams and fraud, cyber-bullying, and identify theft. The focus of the workshop was on tools to help children use and enjoy the Internet safely and to protect their privacy while online.
Business comes alive for Randallstown Elementary students
On January 25, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students from Randallstown Elementary School traveled to JA BizTown™, in Owings Mills, for a day of innovative hands-on learning about the “economic facts of life” – financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. JA Biztown is Junior Achievement’s fully interactive, true-to-life, simulated town where students learn the fundamental relationship between academics and life beyond school. While at JA Biztown, students run banks, manage restaurants, read utility meters, write checks, and even vote. The visit was funded in part by the Baltimore County Public Schools Education Foundation.
Kingsville offers parents Breakfast and BCRs
Third-grade parents were treated to breakfast with a serving of “food for the brain” at a January 10 meeting in the Kingsville Elementary School library. Third-grade teachers Meghan Daniel and Amy DeNike presented an informational workshop for parents about Brief Constructed Response items (BCRs) on classroom and state assessments. Breakfast was donated by local Kingsville and Perry Hall businesses.
Logan Elementary presents winter concerts
The fourth- and fifth-grade chorus and fifth-grade band from Logan Elementary School presented a winter concert on January 8 at Dundalk Middle School. Third-grade students also performed selections on their recorders. A selection of seasonal music was featured.
Carver, Patapsco student works highlight of Md. High School Dance Showcase
Dance pieces from students at both the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson and Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts in Dundalk were among the highlights of the Maryland High School Dance Showcase, held on January 4, at Goucher College’s Kraushaar Auditorium. Carver students performed a piece entitled Wildlife, with choreography by Stephanie Powell. Patapsco students performed Rise, with choreography by guest artist Annie Ferebee. In addition, Carver Center’s Wildlife was selected to be presented at the National High School Dance Festival in Philadelphia in March of 2008.
Edgemere Elementary celebrates its 10th birthday
On Saturday, January 5, Edgemere Elementary School turned 10 years old. In honor of the school’s landmark birthday, the administration held a surprise birthday party on Friday, January 4.Students made cards and posters to decorate the school cafeteria and then joined together with faculty and staff to don birthday hats, sing “Happy Birthday,” and enjoy cupcakes frosted in blue and white.
| The Baltimore
County Public Schools Office of Communications
is always eager to hear about and promote
good news about the system, schools, students,
teachers, and staff. Please share achievements
and good news by e-mailing communications@bcps.org.
Every year, we celebrate BCPS achievements
through Board of Education Recognition ceremonies
(November, February, and April), Maryland
State Department of Education School Achievement
Celebration (January/February), Teacher
of the Year (May), and the Baltimore County
Chamber of Commerce Awards for Excellence
in Education (May). |
