Charles County Public Schools School News Where success is measured one student at a time • November 6, 2009 • R-329 Students see STEM in action at technology summit North Point Road Show More than 470 STEM programs, said Charles County Public Schools is Charles County public Charles County hosting its last Road Show informa- middle- and high- Public Schools tion session for parents and communi- school students board- became involved in ty members. Westlake High School’s ed a school bus this the event to highlight Road Show is 5:30 – 8 p.m., Nov. 12 past Saturday to learn a the system’s commit- at the school. Other participating little more about ment to exposing stu- schools include C. Paul Barnhart, careers in the science, dents to all career Berry and Daniel of St. Thomas technology, engineer- possibilities. “There Jenifer elementary schools and ing and mathematics is a large base of pri- Mattawoman Middle School. (STEM) fields at the vate and public sec- Possible topics covered include Bryan Otis, an engineer with the U.S. Naval second annual tors that need our stu- understanding assessment tests, early Air Command, left, shows Henry E. Lackey Southern Maryland dents to be informed childhood education readiness, High School freshman Khalil Hutchison, Youth Technology and excited about preparing students for rigorous class- center, and Piccowaxen Middle School sixth Summit, hosted by the STEM careers,” es, online resources for students, grader Michael Balazek, right, a model air- College of Southern Varlas said. developmental changes at the middle- plane at the second annual Youth Maryland. CCPS held an school level, communication access Technology Summit held Oct. 31 at the Presenters spoke to attendance competi- and school safety. College of Southern Maryland. students about STEM tion among middle Door prizes will be handed out careers and discussed and high school stu- and light refreshments will be served. internship and scholarship opportunities. The dents and will offer additional funds for school Babysitting services for children ages event also featured hands-on activities for stu- materials to the school with the highest num- 3 and older will be provided free-of- dents, such as flight simulation and remote ber of attendees. Presenters featured included charge. For more information, call control robots, and afternoon workshops for the Energetics Technology Center, the Naval 301-934-7245 or your child’s school. participants to learn about rocketry, robotics, Surface Warfare Center, the National Security and the college application process. Agency, and Lockheed Martin. Schools/offices closed Nov. 11 Monique Varlas, instructional specialist for Schools and offices are closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Wade students trick-or-treat at White House with the Obamas Day. The White House selected William Schools celebrate freedom B. Wade Elementary School last week Charles County Public Schools is for a special Halloween treat. Wade was celebrating American Freedom Week given 200 tickets to participate in Nov. 9-13. Schools will be hosting President Obama’s first Halloween cele- different events throughout the week bration. Principal Amy DiSabatino said to honor the United States, patriotism, the White House selected Wade because freedom and members of the armed they wanted a school in a Washington forces. suburb and for its academic record. Student and family member names Stone celebrates the big “40” were randomly drawn by DiSabatino for Thomas Stone High School is cel- the tickets. The White House assigned ebrating its 40th anniversary at 11 different visit times and a few students, a.m., Saturday, Nov. 14. Contact including Wade fourth-grader Jasmine Stone Vice Principal Michael Meiser, Brake, pictured left, received their treats [email protected], for more from the President. information or to RSVP. School News • November 6, 2009 • Page 2 Notebook In the mood for the theatre? Three Charles County public high schools are presenting their fall plays during the first few weeks of November. Maurice J. McDonough High School is pre- senting “Dracula,” this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students Mary H. Matula Elementary School fourth grader Marco Frederico, pictured above, and $7 for student thespians. The selected the book “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” for his project and mod- show is not intended for young eled his pumpkin after the Potter, the main character. children. Students will also be hosting Matula students get creative with books and pumpkins “Dracula’s Lair,” a haunted ceme- Fourth graders at Mary H. Matula Oct. 30 for parents, students and the Matula tery in the back of the auditorium, Elementary School got a chance to cele- community. Popular choices this year to raise money for Trick or Treat brate reading and literacy with glue, paint, included the characters Bella and Edward So Kids Can Eat. Dracula’s Lair glitter and a pumpkin the week of Oct. 26 as from the “Twilight” series, the “Cat in the opens 30 minutes before and after part of the school’s fifth annual Character Hat” from the Dr. Seuss series, and Ramona each production show time. Trait Pumpkin Project. The project requires from the “Beverly Cleary” series. Entrance fee is $1 or four cans of students to pick and read a book of their Barbara Simmons, a fourth-grade non-perishable food items. choice, and then select a main character to teacher at Matula, said the idea behind the La Plata High School will model a pumpkin after. project is for students to have a fun and cre- present the comedy “Reckless.” Student pumpkins were on display in ative way to practice reading skills. Parent Performance dates are Nov. 12- the library and cafeteria, and were featured volunteers were also on hand to help stu- 14. Performance time for all three as part of the school’s “Fall Festival” held dents complete their pumpkins. dates is 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and $4 for thespians. Board agenda - November 10 North Point High School is presenting its fall production, The Board of Education’s next monthly • CIP update “The Man Who Came to Dinner” meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Jesse L. • Civics Mosaic program/Russian visit on Nov. 12-14. Performance time Starkey Administration Building on Radio • Communications update for all three dates is 7 p.m. Tickets Station Road in La Plata. The public por- Unfinished business are $8 for adults, and $5 for stu- tion of the meeting begins at 1 p.m. and New business and future agenda items dents and senior citizens. Public Forum is at 6 p.m. The meeting is • New business televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and – 2010 Legislative Issues Packet On the cover rebroadcast throughout the week. All tele- – Contract award approval for Dr. Brown Pictured on the cover are vised Board meetings are also streamed live Elementary School full-day kindergarten employees from General on the school system Web site at addition Smallwood Middle School. http://www2.ccboe.com/boe/live/. • Future agenda items Pictured, from left, are: Ronnie Executive session – 12 p.m. Recognition – 4:30 p.m. Swailes, building service manag- Call to order – 1 p.m. • Students er; Wendie Newcamp, gifted edu- • Pledge of Allegiance, Thomas Stone High • Staff cation resource teacher; Yvette School’s JROTC unit • Recognition from American Cancer Motley, instructional specialist; Superintendent’s update to the Board Society - Relay for Life and Justin Presley, music teacher, Reports of officers/boards/committees Public Forum – 6 p.m. and band and strings director. • Correspondence/Board member updates Action items • Education Association of Charles County • Minutes • Student Board member update • Personnel • Enrollment Adjournment School News • November 6, 2009 • Page 3 Winter weather can affect school schedule Who reports to work and at what time when schools close? If weather conditions pose a potential hazard, school officials school schedule occurs. may dismiss early, delay opening schools or close schools for the Parents and students can also day. If no announcement is made, schools open at regularly sched- log on the site at any time to uled hours and all employees are expected to arrive at work on check the latest status for all time. schools. Parents and staff can The chart below explains the code system for employees. also sign up for the Charles Please note that teachers and instructional assistants follow the County Public Schools press student schedule and do not follow inclement weather codes. release subscriber list to receive an additional e-mail Delayed openings and early dismissals notification. A delayed opening applies only to schools. All administrative Visit www.ccboe.com/pr office personnel report at their normal starting time unless a code to subscribe to the service. accompanies the delay notification (see chart). All non-teaching Weather alerts are posted under the press releases section within personnel are expected to work for the full business day unless an minutes of a decision being made. announcement is made. If an employee is unable to arrive on time or needs to leave early, he or she must contact his or her immedi- How decisions are made ate supervisor and submit a leave slip. The school system’s transportation department monitors road How to stay updated conditions and weather reports; school employees regularly contact Employees should call the 24-hour information line, 301-934- the state and county roads department, Charles County Sheriff’s 7410 or 301-932-6656, to determine whether they must report to Office, Maryland State Police and the National Weather Service for work. Employees may also check their voicemail. An announce- assessments of roads and weather.