Thomas Stone Vice Principal Michael Meiser & bus driver Dee Shelton.

Lackey Vice Principal Glenn Jones

Board of Education Member, Charles Carrington

Andrew Malherek (left) & Rocket Barner of the Harlem Wizards play a little one-on-one.

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In Focus

Scooby Doo book author James Gelsey visited staff and faculty Oct. 15 at Mary H. Matula Elementary School for a “Write Now” interactive assembly. The assembly was held for all students on how to become a mystery writer. Gelsey focused on specific writing skills for each grade level. He discussed fundamentals of writing with kindergarten and first-grade students, the journey of imagination with second- and third-grade students, and the whodunit element with fourth and fifth graders. Gelsey also autographed “Scooby Doo” books that Matula media specialist Susan Farneth ordered for students to purchase at the school book fair for Gelsey’s visit. 

Thomas Stone High School held a school bus driver social Oct. 22 to recognize National School Bus Safety Week. More than 20 Stone school bus drivers attended the social and were thanked by Vice Principal Michael Meiser for a great start of the 2007-08 school year.

Three Charles County Public Schools instructional employees have been chosen to present at a national conference. Alesha Guechati, an instructional specialist at William B. Wade Elementary School, Tara Mattingly, a title I instructional specialist for technology and Meighan Hungerford, the coordinator of elementary instruction, will present “Don’t Break the Ice, Shatter It!” at the National Staff Development Council’s annual conference held next month. The presentation highlights effective and engaging ways of integrating technology into staff development sessions.

Students and staff at Westlake High School watched the Orionid meteor shower at 5:30 a.m., Oct. 22 at the school. Telescopes were provided by the Southern Maryland Astronomy Society and students were able to view the shower, as well as obtain close views of Saturn and Venus.

Glenn Jones, a vice principal at Henry E. Lackey High School, will be honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Nov. 18. Jones, along with four other Maryland scholastic wrestling coaches, will receive a “Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award,” and will be recognized for serving as a role model for student athletes.

The La Plata High School chapter of the National Art Honor Society received a first-place plaque Oct. 28 for its scarecrow design, featured in the 2007 Town of La Plata Fall Festival. The scarecrow is on display on La Grange Avenue in La Plata until Nov. 12. It was created by La Plata art students under the direction of La Plata art teacher Joseph Troy and includes art history and famous painting references in its design. More than 40 other scarecrows are on display and were judged for five recognition awards.

Milton M. Somers Middle School held it’s thirteenth annual Career Awareness Day Oct. 25. More than 30 presenters participated, including Board of Education member Charles E. Carrington, who also works in the construction field, and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. Students were able to participate in seven 20-minute sessions. Other presenters who participated included Barbizon School of Modeling, the College of Southern Maryland, Digits Nail Salon, INOVA Health Services, Keller Bus Company, and the United State Coast Guard and Marshal Service.

Two members of the Harlem Wizards basketball team visited Milton M. Somers Middle School Oct. 31 to perform and speak to students about respect and responsibility. Somers Principal Stephanie Wesolowski invited the Harlem Wizards to Somers as part of the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) incentive program.

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Middle School All-County Band

The following middle school students were recently selected as members of the Charles County Middle School All-County Band. These students will perform in an annual concert held Dec 1.

Davis - Trombone:  Alexus Adams, Erin Brown, Nathan Davis, Jarred Hammock;  Saxophone: Garrett Davis (alto), Matthew Holden (baritone), Raymond Salvagnini (tenor); Flute:  Jessica Gammon, Kendall McMillen, Marie Sterba; Percussion:  Natalie Griffin, Nicole Kearney, Heather Yerecic; Trumpet:  Jessica Hamilton, Kaytlin Medley, Luke Morrissey, Collin Schirf; Clarinet: Jacob Moyer, Catherine Schultz, Tiana Woods (bass).

Hanson - Trombone: Collin Combs; Saxophone: Kevin Craft (alto); French Horn:  Alexandra Gardner, Monica Garza; Trumpet: Brandon Hopkins, Patrick Jones, Tyler Martin.

Henson - Saxophone:  Daniel Diazdelcastillo (alto); Flute:  Katelyn Agazzi, Alexandra Bush; Trumpet: Matthew Stern; Clarinet: Tiffany Hergett, William Knight (contra-alto).

Mattawoman - Trombone: Devon Pascal; Saxophone: James McCollum (baritone), Shannon Gravette (alto); Flute: Brianna Busch, Mallory Jackson, Eryn Johnson; Percussion: D’Andre Davis; Bass Clarinet: Alexandria Reid; Contra-alto Clarinet: Breana Hill.

Piccowaxen – Clarinet: Joseph Brady, Matthew Haldeman, David Meeker; Trombone: Shannon Collins; Percussion: Mary Mills.

Smallwood – Baritone: Charles Campbell.

Somers – Clarinet: Eleni Back, Krista Back, Geoffrey Hammersley, Alexander Hartline, Allison Morey (bass); Bassoon: Christopher Hartline, Melissa Kret; Trombone: Brandon Henry; Baritone: Jacqueline James; Percussion: Nathan Radtke; Trumpet: Matthew Weathersby; Oboe: Jacob Zeitler.

Stoddert – Flute: Bria Cunningham.

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High School All-County Band

The following high school students were recently selected as members of the high school All-County Band. These students will perform in an annual concert held Dec 1.

Lackey: Mary Jane Bilton, french horn; Jennifer Clark, clarinet; Stephanie Lamb, trumpet; Darrin Watson, trumpet; and Crystal Weaver, clarinet.

La Plata: Zachary Alford, bassoon; Jonathan Barnett, clarinet; William Bingham, trombone;  Laura Fuesel, oboe; Andrew Marien, alto saxophone; Tessa Meredith, flute; Kristen Nock, clarinet; Gavin Reen, clarinet; Holly Reilly, flute; Caroline Richards, flute; Paula Riner, trumpet; Justin Stine, trumpet; James Waltz, trombone; and Andie Younkin, flute.

McDonough: Joshua Abbott, trumpet; Christen Burke, percussion; Benjamin Coghan, alto saxophone; Hannah Etter, clarinet; Nicholas Fugate, tuba; Shaun Gardiner, clarinet; Matthew Grimes, alto saxophone; Larissa Hardin, clarinet; Andrew Jackson, baritone; Madelyn Mazzeo, flute; Kevin McCormick, tuba; Ashley Neal, clarinet; Taneia Nelson, french horn; Calaa O’Donnell, bassoon; Dayla Raths, baritone saxophone; Aaron Robbins, trombone; Mariah Rowe, oboe; Megan Shaw, alto saxophone; Helen Shin, flute; Kevin Shin, trumpet; and Maurice Wilson, clarinet.

North Point:  Deion Baker, baritone; Molly Bauman, bass clarinet; Anthony Cangelosi, trombone; Derek Carey, bass clarinet; Malcolm Cheaves, percussion; Robert DiMauro, baritone; Patrick Gaume, trumpet; Kevin Hovis, french horn; Elizabeth Keesler, flute; Jeremy LaFleur, tuba; William Middleton, percussion; Melissa Mommers, french horn; Audrey Springer, flute; Benjamin Stern, trumpet; Jason Warren, trombone; and Jeremy Yoho, tuba.

Thomas Stone: Jennifer DeMarco, clarinet; Stacy Garrison, trombone; Zachary Klenk, trumpet; Ashley Maxwell, clarinet; Jezreel Raguindin, tenor saxophone; Angela Rueda, clarinet; Emily Trefry, trombone; and Sean Ward, trombone.

Westlake:  Hannah Bauman, bass clarinet; Aunna Kilgore, bassoon; Ross McCool, trumpet; Brandon Reburn,  trombone; Alexandria Stewart, clarinet; Terry Thompson, tenor saxophone; and Amanda Waselewski, clarinet.

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October Exemplary Employees

The Board of Education on October 9 honored four exemplary Charles County Public Schools employees.

Anita Scherer (kindergarten teacher, Gale-Bailey) was honored for her professional growth and contributions to organizational development.  Principal Carrie Richardson described her as one who demonstrated unconditional support of the school’s programs and students, as well as the school system.

“She regularly attends and participates in extra-curricular school functions and shows initiative in all that she does,” Richardson said in a nomination letter.

Erica Watson (elementary teacher, Matula) was recognized for being organized, thorough, professional and dependable. She is the fifth-grade team leader at Matula and coordinated the school’s Summer Academy programs for the past two years. She also serves as an administrator in charge. In a nomination letter, Principal Carol Leveillee described Watson’s classroom as “an exceptional place for students.”

John Lancaster (building service manager, Milton Somers) was honored for being a hardworking, energetic and dedicated employee. His coworkers describe him as flexible and optimistic. Principal Stephanie Wesolowski said Lancaster is dedicated to making sure the school is spotless, the grounds are kept up and the school is safe each day. He worked overtime this summer to help prepare the school for renovations and to serve as a consultant to contractors by providing structural details.

“He is truly an exemplary employee,” Wesolowski said in a nomination letter.

Sean Heyl (English teacher, McDonough) was recognized for effectively teaching special education students and Advanced Placement classes. Heyl uses instructional strategies to address each student’s learning styles, backgrounds and interests and is chair of the English department. In a nomination letter, Principal Jervie Petty described Heyl as en employee who strives for excellence and expects students to give him their best.

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October Student Honorees

The Board of Education honored four students Tuesday, Oct. 9, for accomplishments in academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility; the focus areas of the school system’s master plan.

Christopher Hartline (7th, Somers) was honored for his academic achievement. Being a member of the National Junior Honor Society, the Mouth Counts Team, and a Boy Scout, Hartline manages to maintain a 4.0 GPA through his last two years of school. He has also already earned 3 high school credits in Algebra I, Algebra II, and Spanish.

Sean Michael Tapscott (3rd, Gale-Bailey) was also honored for his academic achievement. He has earned honor roll recognition for each quarter of last school year, and is thought highly of from teachers at Gale- Bailey for being hard working, respectful, and a kind young man.

Kolbi Sims (5th, Matula) was honored for her personal responsibility. While she is prepared and ready to learn, she is also a good role model, and she knows the 3R ’ s of Matula (respect, responsibility, and the right to learn).

Kamal Baig (12th, McDonough) was honored for his career readiness. With a cumulative grade point average of 4.571, and goals of becoming a mechanical engineer, Kamal plans to apply to both John Hopkins University, and Virginia Tech. By enrolling in Advanced Placement courses in his sophomore year, Baig has prepared himself for the admissions challenges for both schools.

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High School All-County Chorus

The following Charles County Public high school students were recently selected as members of the high school All-County Chorus. These students will perform in an annual concert held Dec 1.

Lackey:  Rebecca Boyd, twelfth grade; Larry Carroll, twelfth grade;  Pamela Jones, ninth grade;  Jay Jordan, twelfth grade; Christian Stringer, twelfth grade; Nicholas Webb, twelfth grade; and Ivan Young, twelfth grade.

La Plata:  Andrew Boarman, tenth grade; Monica Colburn, ninth grade; Kara David, eleventh grade; Katie Fischer, eleventh grade; Matthew Hancock, ninth grade; Rebecca King, tenth grade; Jessica Laidley, ninth grade; Stevie Koncen, tenth grade; Daniel Pichola, tenth grade; Brooke Prince, tenth grade; Joshua Tayman, eleventh grade; and Kaitlin Walls, eleventh grade.

McDonough:  Robert Balint, ninth grade; Brittany Coates, twelfth grade; Alexis Furgione, tenth grade; Daniel Gray, tenth grade; Brittany Gregory, twelfth grade; Sylvern “JD” Groomes, twelfth grade; Alexis Hart, ninth grade; Alexzandra Heilmeier, tenth grade; Lauren Jones, tenth grade; Amber King, ninth grade; Amanda Langston, twelfth grade; Christopher Libelo, twelfth grade; Sean Link, tenth grade; Emily Luense, twelfth grade; Alayna Morton, twelfth grade; Angelina O’Leary, twelfth grade; Marine Overby, twelfth grade; Patrick Pruitt, eleventh grade; Hunter Scofield; tenth grade; Maggie Simpson, twelfth grade; Summer Strass, twelfth grade; Alyssa Sumpter, eleventh grade; Jennifer Theriot, twelfth grade; William Thiedeman, twelfth grade; Regina Valentine, eleventh grade; Elizabeth Wilson, ninth grade; Gabriel Windham, eleventh grade;  Jordan Zeitler, ninth grade; and Michael Zeitler, twelfth grade.

North Point:  Briana Adams, tenth grade; Michael Barnas, tenth grade; Jewell Briscoe, tenth grade; Erica Capuano, ninth grade; Erin Chapman, ninth grade; Nicole George, ninth grade; Donna Huynh, eleventh grade; Kayci Kirkham, ninth grade; Preston Luckett, eleventh grade; Hayley Melton, ninth grade; Jessica Moore, eleventh grade; Alla Mustafa, ninth grade; Damon Ollison, tenth grade; Nicole Pitonyak, tenth grade; Katherine Sheldon, tenth grade; Shawn Snyder, eleventh grade; Clifford Strass, tenth grade;  Jamie Stuckey, tenth grade; Nicholas Teleky, ninth grade; Krystal Yhap, ninth grade; and Joy Williams, tenth grade.

Thomas Stone: Kirbie Gowen, tenth grade.

Westlake: Mya Andrade, twelfth grade; Brian Call, twelfth grade; Najee Clancy, twelfth grade; James Karhan, ninth grade; Angelica McClure, ninth grade; Samantha Monk, twelfth grade; and Ayanna Osborne, twelfth grade.

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Middle School All-County Chorus

The following Charles County Public middle school students were recently selected as members of the middle school All-County Chorus. These students will perform in an annual concert held Dec 1. 

Davis: Madelynn Dela Cruz, sixth grade; Susan Duncan, sixth grade; Charyte Edison, eighth grade; Trinity Edison, seventh grade; Gabriella Eimer, eighth grade; Jessica Kirkham, seventh grade; Nadia Lee, seventh grade; Julia Potterfield, eighth grade; Renee Ravanera, sixth grade; Kaylee Shirley, seventh grade; Maddison Stinson, eighth grade; Karris Thompson, seventh grade; and Alexandra Tucker, seventh grade.

Hanson:  Devin Taylor, sixth grade; and Miranda Wood, seventh grade.

Henson:  Jasmine Duran, seventh grade; Annaya Liverpool, sixth grade; Maecy Richardson, eighth grade; Justin Thorntonsmith, sixth grade; Alexandra Toribio, seventh grade; and Trevor Whaley, eighth grade.

Mattawoman:  Chase Alston, seventh grade; Kayle Cossa, seventh grade; Angela Wilder, seventh grade; Walter Hickey, sixth grade; Deion Lamberth, eighth grade; Jordan Marbray, eighth grade; Miranda Scoggins, sixth grade; and Kyerrah Wills, eighth grade.

Piccowaxen:  Ann Colburn, seventh grade; Daniel Comfort, seventh grade; Camellia Couvillion, seventh grade; Raymond Gore, seventh grade; Katie Graves, eighth grade; David Hamner, eighth grade; Morghan Hungerford, eighth grade; Jonathan Langley, seventh grade; Abby McElhenny, eighth grade; Tony Medina, seventh grade; John Mudd, eighth grade; Jacqueline Pleasant, eighth grade; Bradley Sharper, eighth grade; Jenna Shymansky, eighth grade; Jeremy Tayman, eighth grade; Reilly Tillman, sixth grade; Christina Renee Tucker, seventh grade; Marie Vandervliet, eighth grade; Laine Walston, sixth grade; Kourtney Wathen, eighth grade; and Patrick Wathen, sixth grade.

Smallwood:  Shelby Creelman, eighth grade; Erica Dionisio, eighth grade; Stephanie Hayes, eighth grade; and Raquel Swann, sixth grade.

Somers:  Demetrius Bruce, eighth grade; Nadia Abedin, eighth grade; Stephen Hilson, eighth grade; Lauren Kiesel, eighth grade; Aubra Maddox, eighth grade; Cassidy McCloy, sixth grade; Ina Reyes, seventh grade; Bethany Righter, seventh grade; and Matthew Sallee, eighth grade.

Stoddert:  DeAaron Alexander, seventh grade; Wendy Fischer, sixth grade; Gabriel Gray, eighth grade; Brooke Hayes, eighth grade; and Patrice Simmons, seventh grade.

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Middle School All-County Orchestra

The following Charles County Public middle school students were recently selected as members of the middle school All-County Orchestra. These students will perform in an annual concert held Dec 1.

Davis:  Corey Bautista, eighth grade, cello; Elizabeth Burgess, seventh grade, violin; Isabel Burick, seventh grade, violin; Seung Choe, eighth grade, violin; Cayley Diamond, eighth grade, violin; Alex Hanna, eighth grade, violin; Mikaela Jarrett, sixth grade, viola; Jordan Karnes, eighth grade, violin; Christa Langjahr, eighth grade, violin; Alauna Martinez, eighth grade, violin; Shirin Nahvi, eighth grade, violin; Tom Valdez, eighth grade, cello; and Nicole Yapp, eighth grade, violin.

Hanson: Haley Garvin, eighth grade, violin; Kaitlyn Keyser, eighth grade, violin; and Peyton Reynolds, seventh grade, violin.

Henson:  Thomas Horne, violin, seventh grade, viola; Adrienne Milledge, seventh grade, viola; and Anna Schierlmann, sixth grade, cello;

Mattawoman:  Amanda Bungato, eighth grade, violin; Anderson Burgess, eighth grade, violin; Olivia Burgess, sixth grade, cello; Gabrielle Chan, seventh grade, violin; Brittney Hicks, eighth grade, violin; Song-heng Hong, seventh grade, cello; Gaston Lopez, seventh grade, violin; Christopher Meyers, eighth grade, bass; To-vi Nguyen, eighth grade, violin; and Lena Sciarratta, eighth grade, cello.

Piccowaxen:  Allison DeCarlo, seventh grade, violin; and Jonathan Yee, seventh grade, cello.

Smallwood:  Allison Beyer, eighth grade, violin.  

Somers:  James Chiriaco, eighth grade, bass; Jessica Gough, eighth grade, violin; Erin Hudelson, seventh grade, violin; Raleigh Joyner, eighth grade, violin; Sarah Miles, eighth grade, violin;  Alex Smith, seventh grade, violin; and Paige Wearmouth, seventh grade; violin.

Stoddert:  Michael Escanilla, eighth grade, violin; Sedinam Konu, seventh grade, violin; Reuel Lara, eighth grade, violin; Chanel Miller, eighth grade, cello; and Anna Sweasy, eighth grade, violin.

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High School All-County Orchestra

The following CCPS high school students were recently selected as members of the high school All-County Orchestra. These students will perform in an annual concert held Dec 1.

Lackey:  Mya Davis, eleventh grade, violin; Cecelia Thorwart, ninth grade, violin; and Jennifer Weightman, tenth grade, bass.

La Plata:  Michael Bradford, ninth grade, cello; Benjamin Brown, ninth grade, violin; Tyler Fini, tenth grade, viola; Erin Gingerich, tenth grade, violin; Mollie McClure, eleventh grade, violin; Shannon Musgrove, eleventh grade, viola; and Victoria Ritter, tenth grade, violin.

McDonough:  Lauren Albrittain, eleventh grade, cello; Lauren DeHanas, twelfth grade, violin; Catie Packard, ninth grade, viola; Joshua Queen, twelfth grade, cello; Marie Sweasy, eleventh grade, violin; and Qi Qi Wang, twelfth grade, violin.

North Point:  Allison Agazzi, eleventh grade, violin; Kathleen Clark, tenth grade, violin; Deborah Cline, ninth grade, viola; Michael Divino, tenth grade, violin; Ashli Haggard, ninth grade, viola; Bhaskar Joshi, ninth grade, viola; Jessica King, ninth grade, bass; Dylnn Lane, ninth grade, viola; Emily Pratt, ninth grade, cello; David Roberts, ninth grade, violin; and Nathaniel Taylor, tenth grade, cello.

Thomas Stone:  Allison Floyd, eleventh grade, violin; Taylor Hamilton, eleventh grade, violin; Christine Pennington, eleventh grade; viola; and Eric Schnitzler, twelfth grade, viola;

Westlake:  John Buntz, tenth grade, violin; William Buntz, twelfth grade, violin; Devin Connor, twelfth grade, cello; Aaron Ringer, twelfth grade, bass; Angela Maki, twelfth grade, violin; Alexia McGowan, ninth grade, viola; Chelsea McKenzie, twelfth grade, violin; Hailey Miller, tenth grade, cello; Amanda Purnell, twelfth grade, violin; and Aaron Ringer, twelfth grade, bass.

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Matula Honored for Character Education Program

Mary H. Matula Elementary School was recognized as a 2007 Maryland School of Character at a Maryland Center for Character Education Sept. 27 awards ceremony held in Baltimore.

Matula is the first school in Charles County to receive the award, which recognizes schools that demonstrate an outstanding character education program that yields positive results in student behavior and academic performance.

The character education program was incorporated into curriculum and classroom routines at Matula in 1999 with the idea of teaching students respect, responsibility and the right to learn. The program also stresses the importance of character traits such as caring, justice, honesty, self-control and integrity. Students are given character slips when they demonstrate good character and are designed to help students recognize positive choices.

In 2000 and 2005, Matula was named the Maryland Character Education Partnership School of the year and, in 2005 and 2006, the school was awarded the National Character Education Promising Practice award.

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