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Elementary Schools Collect for the Needy

The Just Say No Club at Diggs Elementary School recently organized a school-wide New Toy Drive to benefit families in need. The students collected more than 1,100 new toys, which were donated to the Charles County Children’s Aid Society. Students also donated canned goods.

Students at Mitchell Elementary School recently participated in a Giving Tree toy and gift drive to benefit Mitchell families in need. Students decorated the tree with lights and gloves and donated gifts such as books, dolls, scarves and other toys. Mitchell has hosted the annual drive for more than 20 years. This year’s event was organized by Monica Tummino, a guidance counselor at Mitchell.

Matula Elementary School students collected more than 890 pounds of food for its recent Harvest for the Hungry campaign, enough to donate Thanksgiving dinners to about 55 families through the Southern Maryland Food Bank. Regina Williams, teacher, and Katheryne West, instructional assistant, coordinated the school’s second year in the campaign. The La Plata Food Lion donated dessert pies to the campaign.

Diggs Elementary 4th graders (back) Paul Morrissey, Olivia Hoy, Hannah Marshall, Jacob Steele, Sydney Gates, (front) Caitlyn Murphy and Audacious Douglas. Diggs students collected more than 1,100 new toys for the “New Toy Drive.”	Mitchell 5th grade student DaCarlo Lyles, 1st grade student Zachary Shingleton and 5th grade student Catherine Shingleton.

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Calvert Chamber of Commerce Donates to Scholarships

During the Calvert Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours event Dec. 13, chamber members presented representatives of the College of Southern Maryland with a $1,275 donation to support student scholarships. This year’s donation came from proceeds from the Calvert Chamber’s 12th Annual “Night on the Patuxent Cruise.”

Matula kindergarteners Christopher Lucykanish and Samara Shields help collect food during the school’s Harvest for the Hungry campaign.

(back) Larry Weckbaugh (Constellation Energy Group), CSM Director of Administrative Services Gladys Jones, Brian Bucci (PNC Bank), CSM Foundation Director Claire Tweedie, James Ward (Poor Richard Web Press), Tommy Godbold (The Accessory Zone).  (front) CSM Vice President and Prince Frederick Campus Dean Charlene Newkirk, Calvert Chamber President Carolyn McHugh, CSM President Dr. Bradley Gottfried and CSM Vice Chair MacArthur Jones.

Student and Staff Honors

The Charles County Board of Education honored these students and CCPS employees in December: 

Nakira Christmas (5th grade, Barnhart) was honored for her academic accomplishments:  honor roll, accelerated math classes, math team, science fair.  Community Involvement:  St. Charles Bears’ cheerleader, Boys & Girls’ Club step team. 

Mark Escanilla (5th grade, Brown) was honored for his active, enthusiastic approach to learning:  student role model, gets classmates to work together, outstanding academic performance in the classroom.  

Ciara Wade (8th grade, Hanson MS) was honored for her extracurricular activities:  Just Say No Club, National Junior Honor Society, Pom Pon squad, and her recent nomination to attend the National Young Scholars State Conference.  

Larry Holmes (senior, Lackey HS) was honored for his academic achievement and leadership contributions:  a grade point average of 3.76, ranked 48th of 403 in senior class, JROTC, drill team, three annual Outstanding JROTC Cadet awards, and JROTC Group Commander. 

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Patricia Trader (kindergarten reading instructional assistant, Barnhart ES) was honored for her “can do” leadership style of during several of Barnhart’s annual campaigns:  the Positive School Spirit campaign, Relay for Life, Happy Grams, and Secret Santa, among others.  Barnhart Principal Timothy Rosin calls Trader a school cheerleader, performing all her assigned duties in an outstanding manner.

Carolyn Vaughn (vocal music teacher, Brown ES) was honored for 20 years of dedication to the school’s music program.  Brown Principal Marvin Jones said, “Her grant-writing initiative for our school’s fine arts program deserves special acknowledgement, as it has resulted in significant additions to our music program, including specialized instruments and as well as the funding of outside musical productions.”

Brenda Vitanovec (special education teacher, Hanson MS) was honored for working “above and beyond” as the seventh grade team leader.  Hanson Principal Deborah Hile said Vitanovec is “…determined to go the extra mile to make sure her students meet with success. She puts forth whatever is necessary to reach the potential of a student.”

Sandra Hamke (science teacher, Lackey HS) was honored for researching, customizing and implementing Lackey’s computer-based discipline database.  She trained staff members, managed the program and actively fostered CCPS’ partnership with NASA.  She also developed strategies (the Writing to Learn project) to put more reading and writing into her science lessons. Lackey Principal Curry Werkheiser said, “[Hamke] continues to develop and share innovative and engaging lessons…”

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Janel Young, a guidance counselor at Westlake High School, recently became a nationally certified counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The NBCC is the licensing organization for professional counselors. Young is the seventh CCPS nationally-certified counselor. The process includes coursework, supervised experience and the national board exam.

Kristin Carter, a guidance counselor at Milton M. Somers Middle School, was recently recognized as a Service Learning Fellow by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Service learning fellows are recognized each year for coordinating service learning programs in their schools. Carter coordinated a schoolwide effort at Somers to publicize the dangers of illegal substance abuse. She will be recognized by MSDE at a May 2008 ceremony

Janel Young, a guidance counselor at Westlake High School.	Cecil Short, former La Plata HS principal; current principal, Garth Bowling; Thomas Weirich, former principal; and Donald Cooke, former principal.  The three former principals were honored during the recent LPHS 80th anniversary celebration.

It's Academic for Thomas Stone HS

The Thomas Stone HS It’s Academic team won the annual Charles County Public Schools competition.  Captain William Le, Katie Hebert and Ashin Shah’s 530 points earned the team their top spot.  Thomas Stone HS received a $500 scholarship donation from the Greater Waldorf Jaycees.  The regional competition featuring the TSHS team against Annandale and Maret High Schools will air on WRC TV (NBC 4) on April 5.

Jennifer DeMarco, Caitlin Floyd, Alaric Powell, Justin Tavares and Matthew Turner are also members of the team.  Team coaches are foreign language teachers, Nancy Jeffrey and Nancy Gritzinger.  The McDonough HS team placed second in the county competition.  The Westlake HS team placed third.  Lackey, North Point and La Plata High Schools also sent teams to the competition.  Each of these schools earned a $250 scholarship from the Jaycees.  

Thomas Stone High School "It’s Academic" winning team members Ashin Shah, Captain William Le and Katie Hebert.	The Thomas Stone High School "It’s Academic" team, with Principal L.C. Martin, left.

Students Meet with Commissioner

Commissioner President Wayne Cooper met with third-grade students from Higdon Elementary School at the Charles County Government Building last month.  Students and teachers sat around the dais in the Commissioners' meeting room as Commissioner Cooper explained County Government structure and operations, the budget allocation process, and recycling programs, and fielded questions the students prepared in advance.  Much to the third-graders' delight, Commissioner Cooper also tested their knowledge of popular television shows, “Hannah Montana” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.” 

Commissioner Wayne Cooper with Higdon Elementary students.  Photo by George Clarkson, Charles County Press Secretary.

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