It’s All About Teaching and Learning. Charles County Public Schools SSchoolchool NNewsews Important Dates Coming Soon Sheriff’s office warns of scam The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is warning about online scams that lead to armed robbery. The sheriff’s office received an armed robbery complaint where the victim ar- ranged — by phone and computer — to meet an unknown person to complete the transaction to purchase an item. Once the parties met, the victim was robbed of their money. The sheriff’s office recommends if you have to meet face-to-face to complete a transaction, arrange to meet at one of the The fine art of writing sheriff’s District stations. Benjamin Stoddert Middle School seventh graders learn about Chinese culture The District 1 station is at 6855 Crain during the College of Southern Maryland’s Passport to China event Tuesday, April Highway in La Plata, District II station is in 12. The students had lunch and visited a calligraphy display on loan to the college the Bryans Road Shopping Center in Bryans from the Midwest Institute for International and Intercultural Education. Ber- Road and the District III station is at 3670 trand Mao, left, an artist and calligraphy expert, demonstrates for students before Leonardtown Road in Waldorf. they were given a chance to try their hand at calligraphy.
Spartones to perform St. Charles High School’s a cappella group, the Spartones, will host Ball in the House 7 p.m. Friday, April 15 at the school Shields named a National Distinguished Principal at 5305 Piney Church Road in Waldorf. Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School one per state — in the country. Ball in the House is a Boston-based five- is a community school, one that hosts an Nominations for the National member vocal band group which includes annual Thanksgiving dinner for senior Distinguished Principal (NDP) award come Montario “Monty” Hill, a native of Chaptico citizens; sends needy students home with in by the hundreds, Hagenbuch said. “But who attended Chopticon High School and backpacks full of food on weekends and long Maryland can only pick one.” was a choral music teacher at Great Mills breaks; one with a principal likely to show Shields, who started her teaching career High School. up on doorsteps over the summer dressed as in Prince George’s County and was a math Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the Spar- a pirate, handing out treasure chests to her specialist, credits her fourth-grade teacher tones will perform and join Ball in the House students. with inspiring her to become an educator. for a final number. “Someone who loves you more than you “She changed my life,” Shields said. “She Preordered tickets are $5 for Charles know and wants you to be successful,” Steve was ahead of her time. She used cooperative County Public Schools badge holders and Hagenbuch, executive director of Maryland learning and fun games that made learning so $10 at the door. Association of Elementary School Principals, much fun.” To order tickets, go to https://docs. said during a March 31 assembly at the Shields was the vice principal of J.C. google.com/forms/d/1DsomU9TgKM9- school where Principal Kristin Shields was Parks Elementary School before spending CSjzdlxseUJC3pF0LQzGpX3kD6jEVE0/ named the National Distinguished Principal five years as vice principal at Mt. Hope/ viewform#responses or email schsperfor- for Maryland, an honor given annually to 50 Nanjemoy. She lives in the community with [email protected] with your name and elementary and middle school principals — her husband Rick and their daughter Haley, number of tickets needed. See SHIELDS, page 2 April 15, 2016 H-62 School News
Notebook On the cover Pictured on the front cover are employ- ees honored by the Board of Education at the March meeting. Pictured, from left, are: Ruby Duehring, drama/theater arts teacher, Thomas Stone High School; Tara Cardano, language arts teacher, General Smallwood Middle School; and Kelly Suter, prekindergarten teacher, J.P. Ryon Elementary School. Online summer courses offered Online professional development course reg- istration from the Maryland State Department of Education is open through May 25. For accounts Kristin Shields, principal of Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School was named and enrollment, email msdeblackboard.msde@ the 2016 National Distinguished Principal for Maryland during a surprise assem- maryland.gov. For general questions, email on- bly March 31 at the school. Pictured are Kimberlyn Pratesi, president of the Mary- [email protected]. land Association of Elementary Principals and a Howard County principal, left, Shields, Judy Walker, a member of the MAESP’s awards committee, and Erica Set sail for the digital harbor Watson, vice principal of Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy. The Digital Harbor Foundation will offer hands-on workshops for educators who want to continued from page 1 learn the foundations of 3D printing and elec- Shields tronics. The workshops are designed for all types of educators, formal or informal, includ- 13, who said her mother loves her students The NDP awards are given through ing teachers, afterschool instructors, science and the school. the National Association of Elementary center staff, librarians and other educators in- “They are her life, this is all she thinks School Principals and honor outstanding terested in helping students to “learn by mak- about,” Haley said. “She’s always here administrators who “set high standards ing.” The Digital Harbor Foundation’s Maker and supports the kids. She’s the person for instruction, student achievement, Workshops for Educators are designed to in- you go to if you have a problem. She’s character and climate for students, families troduce educators to emerging technologies so very patient and caring.” and staffs in their learning community,” they can help their students to be creators, and Fourth-grade teacher Barbara according to information provided by the not just consumers. The knowledge gained in Anderson wrote the nomination letter NAESP. The program was established the workshops can be applied to a variety of age to get the ball rolling for Shield’s NDP in 1984. Along with the honor of being groups and across content areas from math and award. “She’s probably the most dedicated Maryland’s NDP representative, Shields science, to art and technology. Each workshop principal I’ve had in my 20 years of was given $5,000 by Mentoring Minds, is designed to teach the basics so educators can teaching,” Anderson said, adding Shields an elementary education publishing return to their own learning spaces and run proj- not only is devoted to students, but the company. ects and workshops. Participants receive a kit of physical supplies that they will learn how to use community as well. Kimberlyn Pratesi, president of the during the course, and then take home to use in “You make it easy for me to be a Maryland Association of Elementary their own classroom. In addition, participants principal,” Shields told her students and School Principals, said the material have post-workshop access to an extensive col- staff at the assembly, a surprise that she submitted nominating Shields highlighted lection of online materials that support and ex- almost canceled because it would disrupt her commitment to building a community tend what they have learned. Workshops usually reading time. “You got me good,” she around the school. “She’s very passionate are held Friday evenings and Saturdays during said. and is making a great impact on children,” the school year and mid-week in the summer. “This is a community school,” Shields Pratesi said. Workshops are approved for Maryland State De- said. “The staff, students, parents and Erica Watson, vice principal at Mt. partment of Education continuing professional volunteers … we have such a family feel Hope/Nanjemoy for two years, said she development credit. For more information, con- here. The teachers do anything they need and Shields work well together. “I have tact Josh Doying at [email protected] or to do make the kids successful. [Mt. Hope/ learned a lot from her,” Watson said. 203-253-5435. Nanjemoy] is the best kept secret.” “She’s an outstanding leader.” April 15, 2016 Page 2
School News Employees honored for commitment at a ceremony celebrating years of service The Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Hill • Robert Opiekun, principal, J.P. Ryon Elementary School; on Thursday, March 31 honored Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) em- • Lisa Peters, secretary in special education, Starkey; ployees for their years of service to the school system and children during a • George Simms, pupil data accounting specialist, Starkey; and ceremony held at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building. • Jack Tuttle, content specialist in social studies, Starkey. Honored were those employees who have contributed to the school sys- Employees with 25 years of service are tem with careers that total 40, 35, 30 and 25 years with CCPS. Keith Hettel, • Robert Ansell Jr., pupil personnel worker, Starkey; assistant superintendent of supporting services, was honored for his 40-year • Tanya Ansell, language arts teacher, Theodore G. Davis Middle career with the school system. School; Hettel began his career at the elementary-school level as a teacher at Dr. • Heather Beaton, social studies teacher, McDonough; Gustavus Brown Elementary School and later served as a principal at Gale- • Glenn Belmore, risk manager, Starkey; Bailey and William B. Wade elementary schools. • Frances Bryner, English as Second Language (ESOL) teacher, J.P. In 1991, Hettel was honored by the Washington Post as a recipient of a Ryon Elementary School; Distinguished Educational Leadership Award and was the Charles County • Mary Capper, physical education teacher, Martin; Public Schools Principal of the Year. • Nancy Carbone, in-school retention program instructional At the district level, Hettel first took a position as Director of Educational assistant, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School; Options at the Starkey Building and later became the Assistant Superinten- • Barbara Cooper, building service worker, Westlake; dent of Human Resources. • Cheryl Davis, vice principal, North Point; In 2013, Hettel was named as the Assistant Superintendent of Support- • Tanya Dorsey, building service manager, Daniel of St. Thomas ing Services, and he oversees the maintenance and operations of all facilities Jenifer Elementary School; within the school system. • Ruby Duehring, drama/theater arts teacher, Thomas Stone High The Board hosts a years of service ceremony annually to recognize CCPS School; employees. In addition to Hettel, the Board honored 64 employees. • Cynthia Fitzsimmons, special education teacher, Gwynn; Employees with 35 years of service are • David Fulcher, building service worker, John Hanson Middle • Barbara Davis, speech therapist, Indian Head Elementary School; School; • Bryan Donahue, art teacher, Henry E. Lackey High School; • Linda Gill, executive director of school administration, Starkey; • Frederick Farley, in-school retention program instructional • Todd Glasgow, physical education teacher, Benjamin Stoddert assistant, Westlake High School; Middle School; • Natalie Fenwick, kindergarten instructional assistant, • Lawrence Gross, building service assistant manager, Malcolm; Arthur Middleton Elementary School; • Jana Heyl, drama/theatre arts teacher, McDonough; • Brenda Garner, secretary to the director of transportation, Annex 1 • Jeffrey Lambert, physical education teacher, General Smallwood Building; Middle School; • Jill Morrow, physical education teacher, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon • Evelyn Lavorgna, special education instructional assistant, Elementary School; Middleton; • Clifton Posey, building service manager, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy • Cynthia Ledoux, drama/theatre arts teacher, Lackey; Elementary School; • Wilhelmina Pugh, principal, Malcolm Elementary School; • Lisa Love, secretary in instruction, Starkey; • Michael Simms, principal, North Point High School; • Martha Mayer, secretary to the principal, Malcolm; • Elizabeth Wanzer, art teacher, Milton M. Somers Middle School; • Steven Miller, supervising specialist in transportation, Annex 1 and Building; • Richard Williams, computer teacher, La Plata High School. • Sheryl Morrison, pupil personnel worker, Starkey; Employees with 30 years of service are • Kathleen Parry, vocal music teacher, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy; • Susan Belmore, art teacher, T.C. Martin Elementary School; • Nancy Pirner, acting director of compliance, Starkey; • Brian Chase, building service manager, Gale-Bailey; • Patricia Pitonyak, special education teacher, Matthew Henson • Tony Chase, building service manager, Robert D. Stethem Middle School; Educational Center; • Carroll Proctor, building service worker, J. C. Parks Elementary • Darrell Clark, building service worker, Maurice J. McDonough School; High School; • Wendy Proctor, building service worker, Gwynn; • Karin Clark, third-grade teacher, Mary H. Matula Elementary • Leslie Schroeck, high school resource teacher, La Plata High School; School; • John Farmer Jr., building service manager, F. B. Gwynn • Kathleen Staudmyer, special education teacher, Jenifer; Educational Center; • Faye Stinehart, art teacher, Brown; • Pamella Gingerich, Reading Recovery teacher, Walter J. Mitchell • Jean Walter, special education instructional assistant, Brown; Elementary School; • Bruce Washington, building service manager, St. Charles High • Charlotte Goldsmith, special education instructional assistant Life School; Skills program, Somers; • Margaret Woodley, library media specialist, Mattawoman Middle • Kathryn Koch, reading resource teacher, Piccowaxen Middle School; School; • Barbara Woods-Miazza, Reading Recovery teacher, Middleton; • Christine Mais, executive assistant to the assistant superintendent • Vera Young, content specialist in English/language arts, Starkey; of school administration, Starkey; and • Mary Montgomery, fifth-grade teacher, Mitchell; • Julie Yowell, second-grade teacher, Wade. April 15, 2016 Page 3 School News
School News is published by Charles County Public Schools Board of Education April 19 meeting agenda 301-932-6610 301-934-7220 The Board of Education’s next monthly meeting • Student information system Fax: 301-932-6651 is Tuesday, April 19, at the Jesse L. Starkey Admin- update istration Building on Radio Station Road in La Plata. • New world language Board of Education Members The public portion of the meeting begins at 1 p.m. textbooks Virginia R. McGraw, Chairman and student and staff recognition starts at 4:15 p.m. Michael Lukas, Vice Chairman • FY 2016 intercategory bud- Jennifer S. Abell The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel get transfer request Mark Crawford 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12 and is rebroad- • Transportation costs update Victoria T. Kelly cast throughout the week. Board meetings also are • Legislative update Margaret T. Marshall streamed live on the school system website at www. • Plan for recognition of state champions dur- Barbara S. Palko ccboe.com. Select the live steaming image displayed ing Board meetings Pearson Benson, Student Member in the center of the home page. The following is a Unfinished business tentative meeting agenda and is subject to change. Superintendent of Schools • New business and future agenda items Executive session – 12 p.m. Kimberly A. Hill, Ed.D. Recognition – 4:15 p.m. Call to order – 1 p.m. • Ruth Ann Hall scholarship awards Editor/Writers • Pledge of Allegiance, Westlake High School Katie O’Malley-Simpson • Resolutions: Teacher Appreciation Week; JROTC Shelley Mackey Administrative Professionals Week; Child Sara K. Taylor • Recognition of winter sports state champion athletes Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week; Reports and National Physical Education and Sport The Charles County public school system does not Week discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, • Superintendent’s update national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender • Students identity, age or disability in its programs, activities • Reports of officers/boards/committees • Employees or employment practices. For inquiries, please con- • Correspondence/Board Member updates tact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 • Kristin Shields, principal, Mt. Hope/Nanje- Coordinator (students) or Pamela K. Murphy, Title • Education Association of Charles County IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ moy Elementary School, 2016 National Dis- adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. update tinguished Principal for Maryland Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, • American Federation of State, County and La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870- Public Forum – 6 p.m. 3814. For special accommodations call 301-934- Municipal Employees update 7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to • Student Board Member update Action items the event. • Review of partnership between the school • Minutes system and Charles County Sheriff’s Office • Personnel • Project status update • 2017/18 school calendar • Overview of Nanjemoy Creek program Adjournment
Personnel
Apply for positions online at www.ccboe.com/ Building Service Worker Floater — various by the Maryland State Department of jobs/currentopenings.php. All teaching posi- locations, temporary position. High school Education required, as well as knowledge of tions require a bachelor’s degree and MSDE diploma or GED required. Ability to read subject matter and appropriate instructional certification requirements. and write effectively, physically capable of methodologies. Apply by Sept. 1. Job openings performing manual labor. May be required to Extra pay positions Project Manager — Annex 1, 12-month work overtime. Assistant varsity girls’ soccer coach and position. Bachelor’s degree in construction Summer School Instructors — Charles head junior varsity girls’ soccer coach or related field and a minimum of three years County Public Schools has openings for — Westlake High School. Call Dominic experience in the construction industry or summer school instructors in the subjects Zaccarelli, athletic director, at 301-645-8857. equivalent training and eight years of relevant of high school Earth science, high school Head varsity football coach — Thomas experience in construction and trades in lieu English, local, state and national government, Stone High School. Call Brad Criss, athletic of a bachelor’s is required. Apply by April 20. chemistry, high school Spanish 1 and 2 and director, at 301-843-0074. Planning and Construction Assistant — middle school science. There also are openings Head boys’ basketball coach — Henry E. Annex 1, 12-month position. High school for a special education teacher and high Lackey High School. Call Tony Mast, athletic diploma, associate’s degree in business, school counselor. Interested applicants should director, at 301-743-5431. planning or related field preferred. A minimum be current CCPS teachers and be certificated Head varsity football coach — Maurice J. of five years of experience with skills and in the area of interest. Email Sandy Rooney McDonough High School. Call 301-934-2944. knowledge of efficient bookkeeping and office at [email protected] for information or to Head girls’ basketball coach, assistant girls’ practices as well as experience with managing apply no later than April 29. basketball coach and head junior varsity budgets including creating financial reports ESOL Teacher — location to be determined, girls’ basketball coach — St. Charles High and documentation required. Apply by April 10-month position. Bachelor’s degree and School. Call Jennifer Smith, athletic director, 21. certification of requirements established at 301-753-2090. April 15, 2016 Page 4