The Second Week of January 2008

PARENT INVOLVEMENT MATTERS AWARD  

Sponsored by Comcast and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) 

Comcast and MSDE have partnered to create the Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Award, an annual program to honor Maryland parents who have made outstanding contributions to public education.  One parent from each Maryland county and Baltimore City, as well as one state level award winner, will be selected for their outstanding contributions to public education and recognized at an awards event hosted by Comcast in the Spring of 2008.  Award nominees should be parents (or others with legal responsibility) of a child currently in a Maryland public school who have made a significant, positive impact on public education within the last 24 months in one or more of the following areas:  communication, volunteering, learning, decision making, or collaboration.

The award application, a poster, and postcards are available online by visiting the In Focus section of MSDE's website at www.MarylandPublicSchools.org . Applications are also available in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and French.

All Howard County nominations must be sent to Ms. Terry Burks in the Business, Community, and Government Relation Office in the ARL Building by Wednesday, January 16, 2008.  A local committee will meet on Jan. 18, 2008 to make a recommendation to the Superintendent for the Howard County winner.   

 HC DrugFree Annual Program: Senior Week in Ocean City

Senior Week in Ocean City (two different dates, same program)

Wednesday, January 30 (snowdate Feb. 6), 7:00 –9:00 p.m.  Howard High School, PARENTS & TEENS

Thursday, January 31 (snowdate Feb. 7), 7:00 –9:00 p.m. River Hill High School, PARENTS & TEENS

Speakers: Sgt. Howard Caplan, Ocean City Police; Joshua Wasilewski, Beach Patrol Crew Chief; Stephen Bounds, parent; Donna Thewes, parent

This program - for parents of high school seniors and their 12th grade teen’s -addresses the fears of parents and the risks teens face during the traditional Maryland “Senior Week in Ocean City”. 

Parents will learn about the many Ocean City initiatives in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable Senior Week. Presenters are Officer Howard Caplan, Ocean City Police Department and Josh Wasilewski, Ocean City Beach Patrol.  There will be time for questions and discussion.

HC DrugFree is a Howard County non-profit organization helping teens avoid alcohol and other drugs. HC DrugFree offers programs, newsletters and a website (www.hcdrugfree.org), to empower the Howard County community to raise drug-free teens.

No RSVP necessary. For handouts and more information, go to the website, then click on "Programs" or call 410-799-4879. Useful information for planning the week is available on www.playitsafeoceancity.com.   For directions to Howard High School, go to www.hcpss.org, click on "Schools", then "high schools."

For the entire list of programs from HC DrugFree for January - March 2008, go to: http://www.hcdrugfree.org/HCDFWinterPrograms08.pdf 

National Take Your Family to School Week, February 10 – 16

PTAs, children, and school staff get ready to show-off their ‘office’

 WHAT:
Career days, reading nights, and friendly parent v. teacher basketball games are just some of the activities that PTAs nationwide are planning as part of PTA Take Your Family to School Week, February 10 – 16.

PTAs and schools will receive recognition this year for celebrating the observance including awards in honor of PTA Founders Day (February 17) and the year when parents organized to take action for children (1897). Will a school in your community be one of them?

 WHY:
PTA was founded to take action for children, support parents, and encourage family involvement in schools. Take Your Family to School Week connects PTAs with the founding mission by:

·        Giving parents a new perspective on their children’s school day;

·        Showing children that families and communities value education; and

·        Offering schools a way to invite families into the school and build relationships with parents.  

 

A parent–teacher conference is a time when important people in a student's life can talk about how that student is doing in school. It's a chance for you to ask questions about the class or your child's progress. It is also a time for you and the teacher to work together as a team to discuss ways you both can help your son or daughter.

Whether your child is in elementary, middle, or secondary school, parent-teacher conferences are important.

Teachers need your help to do a first-class job. Together, you can help your child have a great school year.