---

Students Selected As Maryland General Assembly Pages

Four Charles County Public high school seniors were recently selected to participate in the Maryland General Assembly Legislative Program Page program.

The students who will serve as student pages for the 2008 legislative session are: Bryant Jackson-Green of Thomas Stone High School; Ian Ray of Westlake High School; and Anika Stewart of Henry E. Lackey High School. Caitlin Floyd of Thomas Stone High School holds the position of Student Page Alternate. 

This opportunity is offered annually to seniors in Charles County who are interested in participating in the program. Students who apply are selected through a series of interviews. Applicants must also write an essay describing their interests to participate in the program.

These students will have the opportunity to work with the General Assembly as Student Pages for two weeks during the spring 2008 legislative session. During the two-week period, these students will be assigned to work with either the state Senate or House of Delegates in Annapolis. Duties include delivering messages to staff, distributing legislative materials and working with staff committees and other legislative offices.

The program is designed to interest youth in state government and the proceedings of the legislature, increase participation in government, foster leadership skills and provide students with worthwhile experiences in state government.

---

 

 

Mitchell Supports March Of Dimes

Jennifer Abell, left, Mitchell Principal Linda Gill, right, and first grader Kelsey Kluh.

Mitchell Elementary School students raised more than $1,120 for the March of Dimes through their book-reading fundraiser.

Jennifer Abell, director of the Southern Maryland March of Dimes and Board of Education member, presented medals Nov. 20 to more than 30 students who participated in the fundraiser.  Students earned funds from sponsors for each book they completed.

Abell presented bronze medals to 10 students who read 4 - 10 books, silver medals to 7 students who read 11 - 19 books, and gold medals to 18 students who read 20 or more books.

Abell also presented Aaron Morphew, a second-grade student, with a trophy for raising $225.  Mitchell Principal Linda Gill also presented students with recognition certificates and tickets for a free meal at Old County Buffet restaurant in Waldorf.

The mission of the March of Dimes, a non-profit organization, is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

BoE Quarterly Recognition Ceremony

The Board of Education honored more than 250 students at its Fall Quarterly Student Recognition Program held Nov. 19 at North Point High School. The following students received awards.

Charles County Fair First Place Winners

Mitchell Annual Science Fair

More than 50 students participated Nov. 7 in the Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School Science Fair.  Entries were judged by volunteers from the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head.  Projects ranged from chemistry and aeronautics to physics and biology. Students who earned first or second place awards in the fair will advance to the Charles County Science Fair, scheduled for March 1 at North Point High School.

These Mitchell students will advance to the county level:

Alexandra Bryant, fourth grade;
Blaine Hoffman, fifth grade;
John Hungerford, fourth grade;
Matthew Kamin, fifth grade;
Benjamin Kissel, third grade;
Ashley Luton, fifth grade;
Aleksander Maiava, third grade;
Claudia McGuire, fifth grade;
Ian Thompson, third grade;
Brandon Wheeler, fourth grade; and
Hunter Youngblood, third grade.

Charles County Mathletes

Three teams from Davis, Mattawoman and Henson middle schools competed in the 22nd annual Maryland MATHALON competition on Nov. 3 at Meade Middle School, Anne Arundel County.

The competition consists of three rounds: the individual test, a team test and an invention round.  Both the individual and team tests are written examinations.  In the invention round, teams choose one of five given inventions to design and build within 20 minutes.

All middle schools in Maryland can send a team of four students to the event.  More than 200 students competed in this year’s competition.  The Mathalon is sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics.  The competition is designed to encourage experiences in healthy competition and creativity in problem solving, and to foster enjoyment of mathematics.

Henson math teacher & NJHS co-sponor Marci Lloyd, with Henson 8th graders Rosemary Crowl, Zachary Campbell and Jessica Gardner.

The Matthew Henson Middle School National Junior Honor Society participated in the “Walk for the Homeless” held Nov. 19 in La Plata.  Students gathered over $250 in donations.  These students have also raised more than $500 through their “Lunches for the Homeless” drive, encouraging Henson students and staff members to donate spare change.

Four Thomas Stone English teachers presented at the recent National Council of Teachers of English convention.  Kathleen Jenkins, Patrick Swan, Anne Ward and Josephine White presented “When Kids Can’t Read: How Kylene Beers’ Strategies Helped Us Compete with the X-Box.”  

Retired Stone teacher Patricia Grove also participated in the presentation, which explained ways to engage students in literacy, such as online discussions and journaling.  The presentation was based on a book study conducted last year by the teachers on Kylene Beers’ book, “When Kids Can’t Read; What Teachers Can Do.”

BoE Exemplary Employees

The Board of Education, on Nov. 13, honored four exemplary Charles County Public Schools employees.

Wanda Deavers (attendance secretary at Stoddert) was honored as the “heart of Stoddert” for positive contributions to the school environment.  Deavers initiated an attendance award incentive program for students and created a “feature teacher” corner for staff.  Principal Sue DelaCruz said Deavers played an essential part in the opening of the 2007-08 school year.  

“I personally credit her and her dedication to excellence and attention to detail for the smooth opening of this school year,” DelaCruz wrote in a nomination letter. Deavers is a student mentor, a member of the school Positive, Behavior, Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team, and participates in the school improvement planning team.

Mary Ann Johnson (4th grade, Craik) was honored for her commitment to the school system and Craik students and staff.  Johnson has taught in Charles County for more than 35 years and spent the last 12 years at Craik.  

Principal Penny Nye said she is fortunate to have Johnson because she is very involved with school committees and groups.  Nye said that although Johnson has taught for 35 years, she is always willing to learn the latest technology.  She is the head of the school cheerleading team, which mentors new teachers, and is the coach for the fourth-grade math team.  She also heads the Relay for Life committee. 

Karen Oliver (Reading Recovery, Malcolm) was honored for work performance.  Oliver was nominated for recognition by Malcolm staff and holds high expectations of her students.  Principal Sandra Brehon said Oliver focuses on supporting the best interests of her students.

“She is highly focused and has the best interest of her students as her primary consideration.  We at Malcolm are fortunate to reap the benefits of her extraordinary skills,” Brehon said in a nomination letter.  Oliver also conducts a school book club, coordinates the family reading night and Malcolm author project and is a member of the school safety committee.

Corey Washington (building service assistant manager, Higdon) was honored for his hard work and dedication.  Higdon is one of six schools in Maryland to be recognized for maintaining safe and clean school conditions and for earning a perfect score on a grounds evaluation.  Principal Peggy Mertes said that Washington plays an integral part in how clean and safe the school is.  

“Corey has been 100 percent supportive of our efforts and makes suggestions for doing more to keep us safe and clean. He is willing to come in early, talk with children and to do what it takes to have our school successful in every area,” Mertes said in a nomination letter.  Washington also helped establish school emergency plans and maintains a warm and inviting school atmosphere. 

BoE Student Achievers

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

Michael Escanilla (8th grade, Stoddert) was honored for career readiness. He maintains a 4.0 grade point average and participates in the Scholars Course of Study.  He is a member of the All-County Orchestra, the National Junior Honor Society and Stoddert’s Council for Fitness. He also volunteers in the community by coaching younger children in baseball and he helps to collect and distribute food baskets to families in need.

Caitlin O’Donnell (5th grade, Craik) was for personal responsibility. She is consistently on the honor roll and participates in the Maryland Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement program and Destination Imagination.  She is also a Girl Scout and member of the Craik student council. She recently donated more than 12 inches of her hair to the Locks of Love organization and is organizing other students to help write letters to soldiers stationed overseas.

Devon Roth (5th grade, Malcolm) was honored in the area of academic achievement. He consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and leadership skills. He has been awarded with the principal’s honor award each marking period and excels on the Malcolm math team. He also contributes to a positive learning atmosphere at Malcolm by going out of his way to help other students.

Rebecca Stine (4th grade, Higdon) was for academic achievement. She has a “can do” attitude and excels as a member of the Life Skills program.  She likes to help other students with projects and stands out for her diligence and hard work.  She also stands out among her classmates for consistently showing school spirit. 

Send This Story to a Friend!