CHS Wins the State VEX Robotics Championship

March 17, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: HHS Team Wins SMECO Computer Bowl

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For the second consecutive year, the Calvert High School VEX Robotics Team won the VEX Robotics State Championship held on Saturday, March 8th in Westminster, Maryland. The team now heads to Anaheim, California for the VEX Robotics World Championship. The winning team consisted of Nick Wolf, Sam Green, Nick Proulx, and Michael Redden. Team sponsor is physics teacher Karl Sturge, who has coached three teams all the way to the world championship.

Huntingtown High School’s team, coached by Debby Heyes, won the Northrup Grumman Judges Award, which the judges present to a team that doesn't win in the state competition but deserves recognition.

Congratulations also goes to the Patuxent High team and coach Jon Vandeventer for advancing to the state-level completion.

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HHS Team Wins SMECO Computer Bowl

March 17, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Message from the Interim Superintendent Snow Days

≪ Previous: CHS Wins the State VEX Robotics Championship

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Congratulations to the Huntingtown High School Computer Bowl Team that took 1st and 5th place at the SMECO Computer Bowl held at North Point High School on March 1, 2014. The team of Gunnar Arnesen, Vince Kubala, Jason Merewitz and Joey Watts crushed the competition with the highest score ever at the event. Each team member won a $500 scholarship, $200 cash, and a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.

Huntingtown High Computer Science Teacher and Computer Bowl Sponsor Tom Currier, who has coached teams for twenty years, said, “I'm proud to have coached these young men and was very happy, but not in the least surprised, when we won 1st place at the SMECO Computer Bowl this year.” He doesn’t often have a team with four students of this ability level, he said. “All four of them are top-notch students and quite gifted when it comes to technology and computers, yet they are all well-rounded students involved in a variety of clubs and sports.” Team members have been successful in other STEM activities, as well. Joey Watts, Vince Kubala, and Gunnar Arnesen won the 2013 Calvert County Science Fair, 2013 Prince George's Science Fair and were finalists at the Intel International Science Fair. They were also guest speakers at the 2014 Calvert County Science and Engineering EXPO.

Message from the Interim Superintendent Snow Days

March 18, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: CMS 7th Grader Wins Spelling Bee

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The winter of ’13-’14 has been unusually harsh in Southern Maryland. As of March 18, Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) has closed ten days due to inclement weather. The current school calendar, which is developed and published two years in advance, includes five days for inclement weather closures. We are now, therefore, five days beyond the published closing date of June 12. Although some school systems have chosen to make up days on currently scheduled days off for students, in Calvert County we will follow the process on our posted calendar that states additional days will be appended to the calendar beginning June 12. I believe it is important to maintain our published calendar so that families and employees can plan accordingly.

Because of the unusual number of days we were forced to close because of weather, I will submit a request to the Maryland State Department of Education to waive the five days beyond those built into the current calendar. I will share the results of our request with the community as soon as State Superintendent Lillian Lowery makes her decision.

For the future, I have asked the calendar committee to indicate additional days during the school year that could be used to make up for inclement weather closures. Again, it is very important to me that families and employees are able to make their plans based on the school calendar.

Regards,
Nancy V. Highsmith
Interim Superintendent

CMS 7th Grader Wins Spelling Bee

March 26, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Calvert Students Advance to State History Fair

≪ Previous: Message from the Interim Superintendent Snow Days

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Congratulations to Selena Antosh from Calvert Middle School, who is the first-place winner of the 27th Annual Calvert County Spelling Bee. Her coach at CMS is Ms. Lucia Poole. Selena now moves on to the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in May.

Congratulations are also extended to Noa Bourne, from Mill Creek Middle School, and Jim Kong, from Northern Middle School, who tied for second place. Noa’s coach at MCMS is Ms. Susan Knott, and Jim’s coach at NMS is Mr. Brandon Aris.

A total of 49 students from all CCPS middle schools, Our Lady Star of the Sea and Cardinal Hickey Academy competed in the Spelling Bee, which was sponsored by the Calvert Recorder, College of Southern Maryland and CCPS.

Calvert Students Advance to State History Fair

March 30, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Status of Make-Up Days Due to Inclement Weather

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History came alive in Calvert County Public Schools last week when middle and high school students competed in the annual CCPS History Fair. In each category, two students advance to the Maryland History Day Competition on May 3, 2014 at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. In addition, ten special awards were presented to recognize achievement in specific categories.

The awards for Most Outstanding Project were presented to Gracie Knudson of Plum Point Middle and Hanna Shatuck of Calvert High.

Amie Dryer, who teaches social studies at Calvert High, was honored as the 2014 History Fair Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations to all History Fair winners, and best wishes to those who are advancing to the Maryland competition.

Advancers and winners of honorable mention recognition are:

Category		Title	Student	School	Teacher
Research Paper Junior Division	Honorable Mention	Henry Louis Aaron Fighting for the Rights and Responsibilities in Major League Baseball	Daniel Waldheim	MCMS	Sass
	Advancer	Geneva Conventions in the Treatment of POWs	Philip Mower	PPMS	Penix
	Advancer	Miranda vs. Arizona Protecting the Rights of the Accused	Katelyn Harrington	MCMS	Sass
Research Paper Senior Division	Honorable Mention	The Scopes Trial and the Right to Teach Evolution in America	Amanda Woodburn	PHS	Crosby
	Advancer	An Unanswered Call: The Rwandan Genocide and the Failure to Act by the UN	Hannah Aris	CHS	Oliver
	Advancer	Nature Rights and Intrusive Irresponsibility Sacrificing for Manifest Destiny	Dane Hudson	CHS	Dryer
Individual Exhibit Junior Division	Honorable Mention	John Muir and Our Duty to Save The Environment	Isabella Russo	NMS	Turner
	Advancer	Archive It!	Allison Gordon	PPMS	Peck
	Advancer	I Spy with My Covert Eye	Grady Fort	SMS	Gheen
Individual Exhibit Senior Division	Honorable Mention	Japanese-American Internment Camps	Nicholas Proulx	CHS	Cwalina
	Advancer	Forced Into Ruin	Hanna Shatuck	CHS	Dryer
	Advancer	Tuskegee Study	William Bury	HHS	Spain
Group Exhibit Junior Division	Honorable Mention	The Citizens of Ancient Athens	Helena Jost Marlena St. Jean	NMS	Turner
	Advancer	Harriet Brown	Logan Truax Kole Koerper	MCMS	Davies
	Advancer	Rights and Responsibilities: Harriett Brown	Danielle Frye Nina St. Hillaire	PPMS	Fallica
Individual Documentary Junior Division	Honorable Mention	Triangle Shirtwaist Factory	Sabrina Rodriguez	MCMS	Davies
	Advancer	Rights and Responsibilities of a Petticoat Spy: Elizabeth Van Lew	Gabriella Smith	PPMS	Fallica
	Advancer	Rights and Responsibilities of Leni Riefenstahl	Jack Dickson-Burke	WHMS	Hedger
Individual Documentary Senior Division	Honorable Mention	Rights Become Roadblocks on the Path to Research Responsibilities	Trevor Penix	CHS	Cwalina
	Advancer	Rights and Responsibilities of Australian Aborigines	Darcy Perin	CHS	Dryer
	Advancer	HELA vs Johns Hopkins	Emma Dodsworth	CHS	Dryer
Group Documentary Junior Division	Honorable Mention	Investigative Photographer Lewis Hine	Autumn Katsouros Sydney Nadar Rosyln Perry	PPMS	Fallica
	Advancer	Conflict on the Half Shell Rights and Responsibilities in Maryland’s Oyster Wars	Jon Bury Mickey Fowler	PPMS	Fallica
	Advancer	A President, a Judge and a Secessimist	Alex Sheranko Garrett Kane	SMS	Harris
Group Documentary Senior Division	Advancer	Conscientious Objectors During the Vietnam War	Sean Kim Selena Willett Nick Girard	CHS	Dryer
Individual Performance Junior Division	Advancer	Children of the Industrial Revolution	Gracie Knudson	PPMS	Cox
	Advancer	The Pledge of Allegiance	Julia Hetmansky	PPMS	Fallica
Individual Performance Senior Division	Advancer	Brown vs. Calvert County Board of Education: Harriett Elizabeth Brown and Thurgood Marshall	Dia Brown	HHS	Hall
	Advancer	Charlie Chaplin	Marina Beeson	NHS	Slack
Group Performance Junior Division	Advancer	Food Safety	Peyton Fort Kathleen McClellan Haley Moomau	SMS	Logan
Group Performance Senior Division	Honorable Mention	Kwangju Massacre	Colleen Larsen Randy Larsen	HHS	Moreland
	Advancer	Central High	Thomas Becknauld Austin Horling Maria Solt	PHS	Crosby
	Advancer	Clara Barton	Calvin Crunkleton Priscilla Means Christian Kincaid Kyle Hurley	NHS	Supanik
Individual Webpage Junior Division	Honorable Mention	Lewis Hine: Using Photography to Expose the Injustices of Child Labor	Nathan Poteet	MCMS	Davies
	Advancer	Japanese Internment: Democracy of Discrimination	Brain Holt	NMS	Page
	Advancer	A Duty to Protect the Children	Shelby Gash	CMS	Darrach
Individual Webpage Senior Division	Honorable Mention	Flood vs Kuhn: The Rights and Responsibilities of an Athlete in Free Agency	Benjamin Zawislak	HHS	Hall
	Advancer	Filipino Revolt for Rights : An End to Colonization	Kristen Almuete	CHS	Dryer
	Advancer	Responsibilities of Free Speech in Wartime	Joey Osborne	CHS	Dryer
Group Webpage Junior Division	Honorable Mention	On The Team	Kasey Giggey Kendal Ward	SMS	Cox
	Advancer	Titanic: The Sinkable Ship	Will Lazer Curtis Robey	SMS	Humphreys
	Advancer	The Removal Act of 1830 Followed by the Trail of Tears	Alyssa Hodges Caitlyn Gay	PPMS	Fallica
Group Webpage Senior Division	Advancer	The Berlin Wall	Shane Luckett Scott Bland	HHS	Hall
	Advancer	A Student’s Rights and Responsibilities	Anthony Meizel Austin Garner	CHS	Gustafson

Winners of the special awards are:

Special Award Name	Title	Student	School	Teacher
Award for Excellence in African American History	Citizenship School: Claiming the Right to Vote	Diamond Lewis	NMS	Fournier
Award for Excellence in Asian History- Junior Division	Hawaii: A Queens Rights and Responsibilities	Mikaela Jones	CMS	Darrach
Award for Excellence in Asian History – Senior Division	Japanese- American Internment Camps	Nicholas Prolux	CHS	Cwalina
Award for Excellence in the History of Harriett Elizabeth Brown – Junior Division	Rights and Responsibilities: Harriett Brown	Danielle Frye Nina St. Hillaire	PPMS	Fallica
Award for Excellence in The History of Harriett Elizabeth Brown- Senior Division	Harriett Elizabeth Brown	Dia Brown	HHS	Hall
Award for Excellence in History of Cultural Arts	Leni Riefenstahl	Jack Dickson- Burke	WHMS	Hedger
Award for Excellence in History of Law Related Studies	George Mason: A Responsibility to Protect Individual Rights	Joey Crunkleton	NMS	Spivey
Award for Excellence in Native American History	The Rights of Indigenous People	Kaylee Grenier	HHS	Hall
Award for Excellence in History of The Study of Science and Technology	R4: Rights Become Roadblocks on the Path to Research Responsibilities	Trevor Penix	CHS	Cwalina
Award for Excellence in the Women’s History	Emmeline Parkhurst and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage in England	Julia Roush	CMS	Darrach

Status of Make-Up Days Due to Inclement Weather

March 31, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: PPMS Principal Nominated for Arts Award

≪ Previous: Calvert Students Advance to State History Fair

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Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) closed for ten instructional days for the 2013-14
school year due to inclement weather. On March 20, 2014, Ms. Highsmith, at the
direction of the Board of Education, applied for a waiver of five days. The CCPS school
calendar has five days built in for inclement weather. On March 31, 2014, the Maryland
State Department of Education denied the request for a waiver of five days. The reason
stated by Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) was that our request did not
demonstrate an effort to modify the school calendar to make up for lost instructional
time.

As a result of the recent denial by MSDE and at the Board of Education’s direction, we
are proposing that the Easter Monday Holiday and Memorial Day Holiday be used as
instructional days. This proposal of use of holidays would have to be approved by
MSDE. If this proposal is not approved, the last day for students would be June 19, 2014.
At such time as a request is submitted for the use of these holidays for instructional days,
CCPS would request a modified waiver for three days. If this waiver is approved with the
modified school calendar (including the two requested holidays), this would enable CCPS
to end school on June 12, 2014 for students. If the modified waiver is not approved, the
last day of school for students would be June 17, 2014.

Please use the following link to view Dr. Lowery's decision.

PPMS Principal Nominated for Arts Award

March 31, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Carson Scholars Recognized

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Principal Zachary Seawell with chorus teacher Lori Pellock (left) and strings teacher and orchestra director Lori Whitford

Plum Point Middle School Principal Zachary Seawell was one of fifteen Maryland principals nominated for the 2014 Alvin and Louise Myerberg Arts Leadership Recognition Award, sponsored by the Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS) Alliance. Mr. Seawell was recognized for establishing an arts-rich environment during a luncheon held at the Walters Art Museum. Fine arts teachers at Plum Point Middle cite the strong support that Mr. Seawell provides for student participation in the arts. String teacher and orchestra director Lori Whitford, who has been teaching music for 27 years, said, “One of the things I have learned during my many years of teaching music in public schools is that strong arts programs cannot exist without the support and dedicated leadership from the school administration.” Plum Point students consistently perform well in in county, regional, and state events, and the performing ensembles consistently earn excellent and superior ratings. Chorus teacher Lori Pellock notes that one reason Mr. Seawell is such a supporter of the arts is that he is a performer himself. For the past three years, he has put together a rock band of staff members that performs for students and parents. “The students love seeing Mr. Seawell play his acoustic guitar, have fun, and show confidence on stage,” said Ms. Pellock. Mr. Seawell uses creative scheduling to ensure that his students have opportunities to pursue the arts. He involves the fine arts teachers in the course scheduling process and has created time during the school day for music teachers to have large ensemble rehearsals. He provides his fine arts teachers with time during professional development sessions to share arts integration practices with their colleagues. According to Ms. Whitford, Mr. Seawell is “a model to our staff, students and community that music is an important part of his life and that it will hopefully be important to theirs, as well.” Congratulations to Mr. Seawell for this recognition.

Carson Scholars Recognized

March 31, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: CCPS Will Make Up Two Snow Days on April 21 and June 13

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The Carson Scholars Fund is pleased to announce that five Calvert County students have been named first-time Carson Scholars. In addition, seven students are repeat winners.
Students honored for the first time are:

Name	Grade	School Name
Kyle Wojciechows	4	St. Leonard Elementary
Michaela Smith	10	Patuxent High School
Alexandra Knudson	8	Plum Point Middle School
Ashley Whicher	5	Barstow Elementary School
Travis Brummert	7	Windy Hill Middle School

Repeat winners are:

Name	Grade	School Name	# Times Won
Madeleine Buckley	12	Northern High School	7
Gretchen Eichelberger	12	Northern High School	2
Morgan Lennon	8	Northern Middle School	4
Hanna McClelland	8	Plum Point Middle School	4
Natalie Reardon	8	Calvert Middle School	4
Tory Ridgeway	5	Windy Hill Elementary School	2
Scott Tustin	12	Patuxent High School	5
Daniel Waldheim	8	Mill Creek Middle School	2

Nationwide, 510 students were named Carson Scholars in 2014. Each year the Fund recognizes a select group of high achieving students in grades 4 – 11 who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and humanitarian qualities. Students receive a $1,000 college scholarship award and the coveted honor of being named a Carson Scholar. In addition, 704 students have renewed their Carson Scholar status. These previous winners have maintained high academic standards and a strong commitment to their communities and are being recognized for their efforts.

To celebrate their accomplishments, the Mid-Atlantic scholars will be honored at the 18th Annual Awards Banquet on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at Martin’s West in Woodlawn, Maryland. Legendary newscaster Sam Donaldson will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Honored guests include: Kirk Cameron, award winning actor; Joyce and Aubrey Chernick, philanthropists and technology entrepreneurs; and Brooks Robinson, former All-Star third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles. World-renowned and retired pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson will deliver the keynote speech.

The Carson Scholars Fund is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) public charity founded in 1994 by Dr. Benjamin Carson and his wife, Candy. The Carson Scholars Fund is dedicated to impacting the nation in a positive way by cultivating future leaders who are academically talented and socially conscious.

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CCPS Will Make Up Two Snow Days on April 21 and June 13

April 2, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: School Library Month

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Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) will hold classes on April 21 and June 13 to make
up two instructional days lost to inclement weather closings. The Maryland State
Department of Education (MSDE) waived three of the required 180 days that students
must attend school, making June 13 the last day for students and June 11 the last day for
Pre-K.

Interim Superintendent Nancy V. Highsmith originally requested that MSDE waive five
student days. CCPS closed for ten instructional days during the 2013-14 school year due
to inclement weather, and the school calendar already had five days built in at the end of
the school year for inclement weather closings. On March 31, 2014, MSDE denied the
request for a waiver of five days, citing that the school system’s request did not
demonstrate an effort to modify the school calendar to make up for lost instructional
time.

As a result of that denial by MSDE and at the direction of the Board of Education, Ms.
Highsmith asked for MSDE’s approval to use one or more holidays as student make-up
days, proposing the use of the Easter Monday holiday, April 21, and the Memorial Day
holiday, May 26. After careful reconsideration, Ms. Highsmith proposed the use of April
21 and June 13 as instructional days and requested a modified waiver for three days.
Memorial Day, May 26, will remain a holiday for CCPS.

On April 3, 2014, State Superintendent Lillian Lowery approved the use of Monday,
April 21 and Friday, June 13. The Board of Education will formally vote on this calendar
change at their April 10, 2014 meeting.

In addition, the Board of Education has asked the CCPS Calendar Committee to
designate additional make-up days in the 2014-2015 school calendar in the event the
school system exceeds the make-up days currently included in the calendar.

School Library Month

April 3, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Transition from Elementary to Middle and Middle to High School Workshop Hosted

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St. Leonard Elementary School Library Media Specialist Mary Brooke Fitzpatrick reads to her class

Celebrate your school library in the month of April! School Library Month, sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), is a celebration of “the essential role that strong school library programs play in a student’s educational career” (AASL). The 2014 theme is “Lives Change @ your library,” and Jeff Kinney, New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, has been named the national spokesperson. What role do school libraries play in Calvert County Public Schools? Our library media specialists: Celebrate reading Curate resources Collaborate with their classroom colleagues Connect with kids Communicate about digital citizenship and internet safety Incorporate technology into instruction Teach research skills Encourage your child to stop by the school library this month to check out a book and say hi to the library media specialist!

Transition from Elementary to Middle and Middle to High School Workshop Hosted

April 3, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Free Soccer Clinic for Individuals with Special Needs on April 12, 2014

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The Calvert County Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee (SECAC) and the Calvert County Public Schools Special Education Department will host a “Transition from Elementary to Middle School and Middle to High School” Workshop on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at Calvert Middle School from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m for parents and guardians of students with disabilities.

This informative workshop will provide an overview of transition, followed by breakout sessions during which parents will have the opportunity to hear from school counselors and elementary, middle and high school teachers regarding transitions to upper grade levels. Families will have an opportunity to ask the presenters questions, as well. Many agencies, organizations and resources serving Calvert County will be present to provide information and answer questions. Although pre-registration is not required, it is extremely helpful for planning purposes. If you need childcare, you MUST pre-register.

To register, please contact Sue Rafalowski of Parent Connections/Partners for Success at: 410-535-7387 or email: .

Free Soccer Clinic for Individuals with Special Needs on April 12, 2014

April 3, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: SMECO Mathematics Challenge Winners

≪ Previous: Transition from Elementary to Middle and Middle to High School Workshop Hosted

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Calvert High School Boys Soccer program and Calvert County Parks and Recreation are partnering for a spring soccer clinic for individuals with special needs. Whether you play Special Olympics soccer or have never kicked a ball before, come out and enjoy some time with members of the Calvert High Boys Soccer team to work on various soccer skills and play a short scrimmage game!

Date: Saturday, April 12th, 2014
Location: Calvert High School Stadium Field
Times: Arrival/Registration– 9:30 to 10:00 AM
Clinic Start– 10:00 AM
Clinic End– Between 12:00 and 12:15
(The day concludes with a larger scrimmage game, which doesn’t always finish right at 12:00).

For more information, feel free to contact:
Timothy Sinclair
Calvert JV Soccer Coach

SMECO Mathematics Challenge Winners

April 6, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey

≪ Previous: Free Soccer Clinic for Individuals with Special Needs on April 12, 2014

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5th Grade Individual Challenge Winners Evan Weber, 3rd Place (left); Robert Martin, 1st Place (center); Sophia Skolnick, 2nd Place (right) All from Sunderland Elementary

The Southern Maryland Electric Company (SMECO)andCalvert County Public Schools (CCPS) hosted the Elementary Mathematics Challenge on March 29, 2014 at Barstow Elementary School. Eighteen teams of fourth and fifth grade students completed individual and team challenges during the event.

SMECO and CCPS jointly sponsor the Elementary Mathematics Challenge for teams of fourth and fifth graders each year. The two-part Mathematics Challenge includes team and individual competitions. The team challenge requires each team to solve eight reasoning and problem-solving questions. The individual challenge is a test of 40 multiple-choice questions.

Congratulations to the following individuals and teams!

Fourth Grade Individual Challenge Winners
	Student	School
First Place	Jack Macmillan	Sunderland Elementary
Second Place	Bradley LeFever	Windy Hill Elementary
Third Place	Carson Mack	Mt. Harmony Elementary

Fifth Grade Individual Challenge Winners
	Student	School
First Place	Robert Martin	Sunderland Elementary
Second Place	Sophia Skolnick	Sunderland Elementary
Third Place	Evan Weber	Sunderland Elementary

Fourth Grade Team Challenge Winners
	School	Sponsor
First Place	Mt. Harmony Elementary	Kristi Kahler
Second Place	Windy Hill Elementary	Allison Parker
Third Place	Sunderland Elementary	Melissa Sydnor
Fourth Place	Plum Point Elementary	Sharon Finlayson
Fifth Place	Huntingtown Elementary	Willanette Thomas-Lohr

Fifth Grade Team Challenge Winners
	School	Sponsor
First Place	Mt. Harmony Elementary	Juanita Ridenour
Second Place	Sunderland Elementary	Becky Heuman
Third Place	Huntingtown Elementary	Susan Dorris
Fourth Place	Windy Hill Elementary	Lori Whitaker
Fifth Place	St. Leonard Elementary	Sheila Gearhart

Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey

April 13, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: CCPS Partners with CMH to KeepWell at Work

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The Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) invites all parents or guardians of children ages 3 to 21 who are receiving special education and related services through their local school system to participate in the 2014 Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. The survey will be mailed to families between April 7 and May 30, 2014, or to complete the survey online and watch a short video. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services.

To learn more about the survey, contact Nancy Feeley, MSDE, at (410) 767-0738 or .

CCPS Partners with CMH to KeepWell at Work

April 13, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: 2014 Teacher of the Year and Educational Support Person of the Year

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In support of employee wellness, Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) collaborates with the Calvert Memorial Hospital (CMH) to offer its employees and their family members the KeepWell@Work Program. This program provides employees and their family members access to annual health risk assessments, discounted fitness memberships at World Gym, and weight management programs.

The CMH staff plays an essential role in offering this benefit to CCPS employees and their family members. They oversee the open enrollment process, conduct health risk assessments, coordinate memberships with World Gym, and facilitate weight management programs, including the Biggest Loser Challenge, nutritional counseling, meal planning, and dinner with a dietician.
The KeepWell@Work Spring 2014 enrollment period had the most participants since the program’s inception in Spring 2012.

For the Spring 2014 enrollment period, there were:

• 477 total CCPS participants
• 333 CCPS employee participants
• 144 CCPS family member participants
• 170 CCPS KeepWell@Work members were new to the program
• 307 CCPS KeepWell@Work members opted to renew their participation

Combined with the Fall 2013 enrollment period, we currently have:

• 821 total CCPS participants
• 542 CCPS employee participants
• 279 CCPS family member participants

The next open enrollment period for CCPS employees and family members will be held in Fall 2014.
Thank you to all of our employees and their family members who participate in the Calvert County Public Schools/Calvert Memorial Hospital KeepWell@Work program.

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2014 Teacher of the Year and Educational Support Person of the Year

April 22, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: SMECO Honors Math and Science Teachers

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Laura Collins, left, Teacher of the Year and Penny Martin, Educational Support Person of the Year

Calvert County Public Schools proudly announces the 2014 Teacher of the Year and Educational Support Person of the Year. Laura Collins, science teacher at Plum Point Middle, is the Teacher of the Year. Penny Martin, guidance secretary at Northern High, is the Educational Support Person of the Year.

According to Principal Zachary Seawell, Ms. Collins is an energetic and exciting science teacher who engages her students on a daily basis. If you have ever seen a “Bill Nye the Science Guy” episode, then you have an idea of what to expect in Ms. Collins’ class. Just like Bill Nye, Ms. Collins uses her humor to make science entertaining and accessible to everyone. Her passion for the subject is contagious, and she is a perfect fit in 6th grade science, motivating and inspiring students to develop an interest that lasts a lifetime.

A member of the Northern High School staff for just two years, Ms. Martin is always the first pleasant face one sees when entering the guidance office. Her patience and kindness provide a welcoming environment for students, staff and parents, said Principal Kevin Howard. Ms. Martin is involved with many aspects of the school, including the most recent anti-bullying campaign “Patriots Join Hands to Heal Hearts and Stop Bullying” and the Positive Intervention and Supports (PBIS) team. Ms. Martin has a strong background in theatre and has become involved with the theatre department, assisting students with sets, lighting, and props. In addition, Ms. Martin takes time out of her own lunch break to tutor students in psychology, English and math. These efforts truly demonstrate her willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure that students are successful.

Congratulations to Ms. Collins, Ms. Martin and all of the nominees for Teacher of the Year and Educational Support Person of the Year!

SMECO Honors Math and Science Teachers

April 23, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Last Day of School for Mutual Elementary

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The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) recently honored outstanding math and science teachers from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties. The teachers were chosen for their outstanding performance in the areas of creativity, rapport with students, enthusiasm for teaching, professionalism, and innovative teaching methods. Each teacher received a plaque and a cash award at a dinner held in their honor. Over the past 23 years, SMECO has recognized more than 330 local math and science teachers.

The SMECO Outstanding Science Teachers are:

• Gayle Bylan, Sunderland Elementary School
• Grace Hanners, Huntingtown High School
• Erin Hitchman, Northern High School

The SMECO Outstanding Math Teachers are:

• Amanda Garner, Calvert High School
• Johnson Mathew, Huntingtown High School
• Willanette Thomas-Lohr, Huntingtown Elementary School

Congratulations and thanks to these teachers for their service to the students of Calvert County Public Schools.

Last Day of School for Mutual Elementary

April 23, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: FBLA State Winners

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This summer, Mutual Elementary School will undergo significant renovations. In order to prepare for this intensive summer project adequately and safely, Maryland State Superintendent Lillian Lowery has approved the last day of school for students at Mutual Elementary School to be June 11, 2014. A full day of school will be held on June 11 for all students, grades PreK through 5, and there will be no school for students on June 12 or June 13, 2014.

The last day for students in all other Calvert County schools will be a 2-hour early dismissal on Friday, June 13, 2014.

We appreciate the understanding and support of the Mutual Elementary community as we upgrade the school building to better serve our students.

FBLA State Winners

April 24, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: Celebrate Reading with Dr. Seuss

≪ Previous: Last Day of School for Mutual Elementary

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Congratulations to the Northern High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)!

Seventeen chapter members won at the state competition in Hunt Valley on April 10-12 and qualified to compete nationally this summer in Nashville, Tennessee, representing not only Northern High School, but also the state of Maryland.

State winners are (front row): Ian Bonanno (Electronic Career Portfolio), Nicole Basom (Public Service Announcement), Saylor Mealing (Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures), Gretchen Eichelberger (Job Interview and Community Service Project), Gabbie Webb (Public Speaking II), Brianna Powell (Desktop Publishing), Clark Outridge (FBLA Principles & Procedures), Chris Noyes (Healthcare Administration), and Elizabeth Desimone (Business Law). Back row: Sydney Feldman (Business Calculations), Brianna Fraher (Public Service Announcement), Amy Christianson (Community Service Project), Nick Stawinksi (Sports & Entertainment Management), Ben Seibert (Sports & Entertainment Management), Chris Edwards (Entrepreneurship), and Justin Hart (Entrepreneurship & Community Service Project). Absent from the photo was Ryan Potts (Sports & Entertainment Management).

Celebrate Reading with Dr. Seuss

April 24, 2014, 5:00 pm

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Library Media Specialists Lauren Lynn (left) and Kristin Halstead Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

Calvert County Public Schools celebrated Read Across America Month and Dr. Seuss’ birthday with spirited events in school libraries.

Students in grades pre-K though three at Mutual Elementary all received a book, thanks to financial support from the school’s PTA. Library media specialist Kristin Halstead collaborated with the PTA to sponsor a free after-school event to honor Read Across America. Students played games, read stories, and enjoyed guest reader Delegate Mark Fischer.

At Windy Hill Elementary School, first graders celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday in the library media center by answering Dr. Seuss trivia questions about his books and enjoying his stories. The school took an interdisciplinary approach to the literacy celebration. In music class, students were introduced to percussion instruments with Mr. Brown Can Moo and sang a Green Eggs and Ham song. They also created a cat in the hat in art class using an AB pattern and texture.

Dowell Elementary had a Seuss-themed spirit week to celebrate Read Across America. The most popular day was “Who-Ville Hair Day,” when students and staff were encouraged to wear their hair like a Seuss character.

Many celebrations were held across the school system. The Huntingtown Elementary PTA annually promotes Read Across Huntingtown to support the national event. Plum Point Elementary 1st graders enjoyed Dr. Seuss read-alouds. Sunderland Elementary students did, as well, when Cynthia White from the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union visited the school to read Dr. Seuss books. Dr. Seuss spirit filled Barstow Elementary. Showcases and bulletin boards featured Dr. Seuss books and stuffed animals, and the PTA sponsored Snuggle Up and Read for Seuss’ birthday. Calvert Elementary held a fun-filled three-day event that included technology to bring reading fun into the classroom, guest speakers, and Dr. Seuss Dress-Up Day.

So why do schools make such an event of Dr. Seuss’ birthday? Because the timeless appeal of his writing has hooked countless children on reading. CCPS schools continue to nurture that spirit and support a love of reading.