The Board of Education has named James Short as acting principal at Henry E. Lackey High School.

Short, a resident of Waldorf, currently serves as an assistant school administrator at Montgomery Blair High School in Montgomery County and concurrently as principal of the evening and Saturday School for Montgomery County Public Schools.

Short returns to Charles County Public Schools where he started his teaching career in 1987 at Thomas Stone High School. He taught in Charles County until 1995 when he took a position as at Blair as a special education teacher. He was promoted to his current positions in 2004.

A graduate of Lackey, Short earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Richmond, his special education certification from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., and his master's degree in education from Bowie State University.

The appointment takes effect immediately.

Members of the Charles County 350th Anniversary Committee recently donated a copy of a DVD, "350 Years of History, Charles County, Maryland" to principals at each of the public schools and centers. The DVD takes a historic look into the religion, Native Americans, politics, economy and education that helped shape Charles County. Pictured, from left, are: La Plata High School Principal Garth Bowling; Dr. Lloyd Bowling, 350th Committee member and DVD narrator; Bobbie Baldus, co-chair of the 350th Anniversary Committee; Mattawoman Middle School Principal William Wise; and J.C. Parks Elementary School Principal Cassandra Blacktree. The committee is also selling the 30-minute DVD to the public for $10 at all Charles County locations of Dash In Stores and Maryland Bank and Trust.

Two Charles County Public Schools vice principals, Evelyn Arnold and Wilhelmina Pugh, were appointed by the Board of Education on Monday, June 23, as principals. Arnold is the new principal at La Plata High School and Pugh is principal of Malcolm Elementary School.

Arnold, who is a vice principal at La Plata, is moving up to the spot being vacated by Garth Bowling who is retiring from Charles County Public Schools and accepting a principal position in St. Mary's County. Arnold has been with Charles County Public Schools since 1992 when she started as a teacher. She taught both middle school social studies and high school history before being promoted to an administrative assistant position at Maurice J. McDonough High School in 1999. Arnold has served as a vice principal at La Plata since 2000.

Pugh moves to Malcolm from her position as vice principal of Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School. She replaces Sandra Brehon, who announced her retirement last week. Pugh started with Charles County Public Schools in 1980 as a speech language pathologist. Since 1999, she has served as vice principal at Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School, Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School and Jenifer.

The Board also approved a number of vice principal appointments, which include the following:

• Cynthia Panizzi-Williams, a reading resource teacher at J.C. Parks Elementary School, to vice principal at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School;
• Monique Moore, a teacher in Prince George's County, to vice principal at Dr. James Craik Elementary School;
• Karen Lewis, a vice principal in Washington, D.C., to vice principal at Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School;
• Jean Ritter, IEP facilitator at Barnhart and North Point, to vice principal at Mary H. Matula Elementary School;
• Desann Manzano-Lee, sixth-grade administrator in Prince George's County, to vice principal at Mary B. Neal Elementary School;
• Tynika Lytle, reading resource teacher at Theodore G. Davis Middle School, to vice principal at J.C. Parks Elementary School;
• Debra L. Calvert, coordinator of middle school instruction, to vice principal at Mattawoman Middle School; and
• Richard Conley, administrative assistant at Westlake High School, to vice principal at Henry E. Lackey High School.

Superintendent James E. Richmond also approved the following vice principal transfers:

• Michael Simms, vice principal at Mattawoman, to vice principal at North Point High School;
• Terri St. Clair, vice principal at Lackey, to vice principal at Maurice J. McDonough High School; and
• Curry Werkheiser, principal at Lackey, to vice principal at La Plata. Werkheiser requested a transfer from the principal position.

All appointments and transfers are effective July 1.

Thirteen Charles County Public elementary and middle school students were recognized last month for their participation and academic achievement in the academic Talent Search organized by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

The following students were recognized:

• Ryan Bruce, Mattawoman Middle School;
• Jemm Excelle DelaCruz, John Hanson Middle School;
• Cayley Dymond, Theodore G. Davis Middle School;
• Ryan Edwards, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School;
• Alexander Hartline, Milton M. Somers Middle School;
• Christopher Hartline, Somers;
• Robert Keim, Somers;
• Mary Mills, Piccowaxen Middle School;
• Wassim Omais, William B. Wade Elementary School;
• Alexander Smith, Somers;
• Marie Sterba, Davis;
• Paul Warren, Matthew Henson Middle School; and
• Richard Yates, Piccowaxen.

These students were recognized for receiving high verbal and/or qualitative scores on special tests administered by the Center for Talented Youth (CTY). Students in grades 2-8 are eligible to participate in the Talent Search and are given either the SAT, the ACT or the SCAT, or School and College Ability Test. The SAT, ACT and SCAT are standardized tests that measure math and verbal reasoning abilities.

Students are nominated for participation in the CTY Talent Search by their teachers for demonstrating superior academic performance and for scoring above the 95th percentile on a nationally normed standardized aptitude or achievement test. Parents also can nominate their child for participation in the program through an application process.

Talent Search participants who earn exceptionally high scores on the SAT, ACT or SCAT tests also are possibly eligible for CTY summer programs or distance education courses. The Center of Talented Youth (CTY) identifies, assesses, and recognizes students with exceptional mathematical and/or verbal reasoning abilities.

To learn more about the Center for Talented Youth Talent Search, go to the program website at www.cty.jhu.edu.

Three Charles County Public Schools Class of 2008 graduate's were named Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholars by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

Eric Leadbetter, valedictorian of Maurice J. McDonough High School, Angela Maki, a graduate of Westlake High School, and Abe Massad, valedictorian La Plata High School, will receive grant awards of up to $1,500 annually for four years of undergraduate study.

MSDE selected 109 award recipients from more than 500 nominees. Nominees are chosen by their school principal and are ranked in the top 1 percent of their graduating class. The program is designed to promote student excellence and achievement and recognizes exceptional students who show promise of continued excellence as they pursue higher education. Scholars were named in all counties in Maryland, as well as at private schools.

• The Board of Education approved tuition rates for non-resident students who attend Charles County Public Schools. Tuition rates for out-of state students increases 4.7 percent to $11,050 and for out-of-county students from Maryland it increases 6.1 percent to $6,805. Rates vary for special education students depending on the level of support services needed. Last school year, revenues collected for non-resident tuition were $300,000 and rates are revised annually to ensure that costs for these students are recovered through tuition charges.
• The Board of Education approved a new textbook for use in the Teaching as a Profession Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction course. The book, "Learning to Teach" by Richard I. Arends and published by McGraw Hill, will be used at all high schools. The cost of the 180 textbooks is $17,213. The Teacher Academy of Maryland program was developed in coordination with the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland Association of Community Colleges.
• The Board of Education will meet on Monday, June 23, 6 p.m., at Maurice J. McDonough High School. Agenda items include approving alignments to the fiscal year 2009 budget and the schematics for full-day kindergarten additions and renovations at Dr. Gustavus Brown, Indian Head, Arthur Middleton and Eva Turner elementary schools. There will also be a closed executive session to discuss personnel.
• C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School raised more than $6,000 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event. Throughout the 2007-08 school year, Barnhart students and staff collected money through Save a Dime and Save a Life fundraisers, student council candy sales and a bicycle raffle. Last month, students and staff also voted for three staff members to receive a "pie in the face" in which collection jars for donations were displayed in the school office for donations. The school community raised $700 and Principal Tim Rosin, third-grade teacher Susan Opalach and Kathy Brooke, a first-grade instructional assistant, received pies in the face at the school on Tuesday, June 3, at a school ceremony.
• Victoria Mayle, a purchasing analyst for Charles County Public Schools, recently received the Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) by the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC). The designation is an honor for individuals in the public purchasing profession and an asset to their specific division of governmental administration. CPPB candidates are required to meet certain criteria established by the UPPCC. It includes training in purchase-related subjects and public purchasing experience, and candidates must take a written examination.
• Leigh Ann Anderson, a science teacher at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School, and Marissa Cross, a science teacher at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School, presented at the National Science Teachers Associations (NSTA) national convention held March 27-30 in Boston. Their session was titled "Elementary Science Teachers - Not a Luxury...A Necessity!" and focused on the importance of science teachers in elementary schools to ensure accurate knowledge of science for students. Their presentation also focused on the importance of hands-on inquiry lessons and the shaping of science skills in young children.

The Charles County Board of Education honored three students on Tuesday, June 10, for the accomplishments in academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility, which are the focus areas of the school system's master plan.

The students who were honored are: Amanda Riegel, fifth-grade student, T.C. Martin Elementary School; Jessica Tipton, seventh-grade student, General Smallwood Middle School; and Amanda Hobgood, fourth-grade student, Indian Head Elementary School.

Riegel was honored in the area of academic achievement. Martin Principal Sabrina Robinson-Taylor said Riegel is a quiet, yet enthusiastic learner. She demonstrated outstanding academic achievement throughout elementary school and has served as a leader in extracurricular activities. She competed in the elementary Math Counts competition and participated in the school geography bee.

Tipton was honored in the area of personal responsibility. She has a 3.250 grade point average and is a member of the school's Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and Students Against Starting Smoking (SASS) clubs. Smallwood students earn "dog tagz" for showing respect, responsibility and pride. Tipton received 18 tags during the fourth quarter, 17 of which were for personal responsibility.

Hobgood was honored in the area of career readiness. She consistently earns A's on her report cards and will serve as an Indian Head morning announcer next school year. She participates in extracurricular activities such as Destination Imagination and the Elementary Math Challenge. She is a member of the school's Maryland, Science, Engineering and Achievement (MESA) team and was the overall winner for the Maryland Mathematics League.

The Board honors several students each month for their accomplishments.

Deborah Brown, vice principal at Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School, was selected as the 2008 Charles County Public Schools Vice Principal of the Year.

"I am humbled to receive this award. Children and public education are my passion. I am truly honored to be nominated by my school staff for this award and am proud to be a part of a system that promotes excellence," Brown said.

She was nominated for the award by Marvin Jones, Brown's principal, for possessing quality leadership skills, for demonstrating energy, compassion and enthusiasm in her job and for always ensuring that student needs come first.

"Mrs. Brown possesses extremely high quality professional skills and human relation skills that are rare and extraordinarily effective. She embodies and personifies, in the truest and most-intended sense of the word, the title of vice principal," Jones wrote in a nomination letter.

Fellow staff members at Brown, including the pre-kindergarten and first-grade teams, wrote letters of recommendation for Brown's nomination that spoke of her compassion for children. "Brown faces the challenges of the day with confidence, understanding and a genuine love for children. She strives daily to accommodate the needs of the students, staff and parents in a fair and professional manner," Mary Beth Ritchie, Conchita Stewart, Angela Wenzinger and Ginger Mason, the pre-kindergarten team at Brown, wrote in a nomination letter.

In a supporting letter, Brown parent Marilyn Boswell said that Brown promotes a positive and safe learning environment for students. "She always makes time to hear every concern or problem you may have and makes every effort to correct the problem in the fastest and best way possible," Boswell wrote.

Brown began her career with Charles County Public Schools in 1977 as a teacher at Arthur Middleton Elementary School, where she served as team leader from 1996 to 2000. She transferred to Indian Head Elementary School in 2000, where she served as vice principal for six years. She was named vice principal at Brown in 2006. She has a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Brown also received an outstanding supervising and cooperating teacher award in 1997 and recently served as president of the Alpha Eta Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma, Society of Women Educators. Brown was honored by the Board of Education on June 10. The Board honors one outstanding vice principal each year.

Pictured above is Deborah Brown, vice principal at Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School. She was recently named the 2008 Charles County Public Schools Vice Principal of the Year.

The Board of Education honored five employees with Outstanding Personnel Awards on June 10 as part of their annual recognition of support staff. Honored were:

• Robin Deese, food service manager, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School;
• Pamela Jenkins, instructional assistant, Dr. James Craik Elementary School;
• John Lancaster, building service manager, Milton M. Somers Middle School;
• George Risko, HVAC Mechanic, Radio Station Road Annex; and
• Sandra Shegogue, secretary, Piccowaxen Middle School.

Deese is the 2008 Outstanding Food Service Worker. She has been the food service manager at Barnhart for the past two school years and was nominated by Patrick Tague, the supervisor of food services for CCPS. Barnhart Principal Timothy Rosin said Deese is a "highly effective leader" and that she was instrumental in the establishment of the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) program at the school. This program provides each student at Barnhart with a breakfast, free of charge. "She and her staff daily prepare trays of these breakfasts which are then delivered to each of the classrooms so students can start their day off in a healthy way," Rosin said in a nomination letter. Deese was also nominated for her ability to communicate with parents and staff. "Robin has one of the best relationships that I have ever encountered with the parents of students at Barnhart. Ms. Deese is an asset to Charles County Public Schools, as well as a vital member of the Food Service Department," Crystal Sopher, food service field operations manager, wrote in a nomination letter.

Jenkins is the 2008 Outstanding Instructional Support Employee. She has worked as a pre-kindergarten instructional assistant at Craik since 1998 and was nominate for the award by Holly Cannon, a pre-kindergarten teacher at Craik. Jenkins was a parent volunteer at Craik and Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School and was asked to join the instructional team at Craik by Penny Nye, Craik's principal. "The fact that Pam works so well with the students at Craik is a testament to her fortitude, work ethic, and commitment to her students, as well as our entire school community," Nye said in a nomination letter. Jenkins is also a Relay for Life team captain and has organized several fundraisers. Cannon said Jenkins is very deserving of this award. "If success is measured one student at a time, then one must consider Jenkins highly deserving of this recognition for her positive impact on over 300 young learners in her eight years of service in Charles County," Cannon said in her nomination letter.

Lancaster is the 2008 Outstanding Building Service Worker. Lancaster has been with CCPS since 1993 and was nominated for the award by Stephanie Wesolowski, principal at Somers. She said Lancaster demonstrates a positive attitude toward all that he does and is reliable and dependable. "He approaches all of his tasks with a great deal of enthusiasm and pride each and every day. He efficiently manages the building service staff that keeps our school a clean and welcome place for the students and staff," Wesolowski said in a nomination letter. Somers has been undergoing renovations during the past school year and staff members said Lancaster has been instrumental in the processes. "He gives, and gives, and gives himself each and every day. He works his days off, he works beyond the regular day, and he does so without hesitation," Kim King, an instructional specialist at Somers, wrote in a nomination letter.

Risko is the 2008 Outstanding Maintenance Employee. He was nominated for the award by Ernie Downs, foreman in the CCPS maintenance shop. Downs said Risko, who is also known as "Dean", is a leader and has a "can do" attitude. "He has done an outstanding job of keeping team members optimistic and focused on results no matter what the obstacles. Dean is a reliable team member and sets an excellent example for the rest of use to follow," Downs said in a nomination letter. Brian Ball, the energy manager for the CCPS maintenance shop, said Risko is a team player and embraces technology and training. "Dean's use of training has made him proficient with our new computer work order management system. His integration of new tools into daily work and streamlining of work processes is exemplary," Ball wrote.

Shegogue is the 2008 Outstanding Secretary. Shegogue has been employed with CCPS for more than 35 years. Piccowaxen Principal Ken Schroeck said Shegogue is friendly to everyone she encounters in the school office and is dedicated and compassionate about her job. "When you first meet Mrs. Shegogue her contagious smile and friendly giggle will put you at ease. I am absolutely impressed by her willingness to help faculty, students with anything they need," Schroeck said in a nomination letter. Shegogue is known as the "go-to" person at Piccowaxen and is instrumental in managing student attendance information, making awards, organizing schedules and coordinating school and community communications. "The compassion and guidance Shegogue provides is pivotal in supporting and retaining our faculty," Schroeck said.

The Board each year honors exemplary support staff in five different job categories. The goals of the awards are to recognize exemplary employees in the areas of building services, food services, maintenance, secretarial services and instructional support, and to encourage employees to provide creative and quality services that support the effective and efficient operations of the school system.

Pictured above are the 2008 Outstanding Personnel Award recipients. From left is Sandra Shegogue, the Outstanding Secretary from Piccowaxen Middle School; John Lancaster, the Outstanding Building Service Worker, from Milton M. Somers Middle School; Pamela Jenkins, the Outstanding Instructional Support Employee, from Dr. James Craik Elementary School; Robins Deese, the Outstanding Food Service Worker, of C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School; and George Risko, the Outstanding Maintenance Employee, of the Radio Station Road Annex.

The Board of Education recently honored employees who have retired since June 30, 2007, and those who have already announced their retirements at the end of this school year during a ceremony on June 12, 5 p.m., at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building. Retirees are listed by name, last position held, location, and years of service.

• Karen Allison, mathematics teacher, Thomas Stone High School, 40;
• Shirley Arnold, elementary teacher, Eva Turner Elementary School, 38;
• Barbara Barton, special education instructional assistant, J. P. Ryon Elementary School, 20;
• Arlene Bennof, special education teacher, T. C. Martin Elementary School, 37;
• Cassandra Blacktree, principal, J. C. Parks Elementary School, 38;
• Kathleen Blanche, specialist in early childhood education, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, 33;
• Garth Bowling, Jr., principal, La Plata High School, 34;
• Joyce Bowman, food service worker, Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School, 11;
• Michael Brown, vice principal, Henry E. Lackey High School, 32;
• Catherine Brownlee, secretary to the principal, Malcolm Elementary School, 29;
• Lionel Carroll, building service assistant manager, Starkey Building, 15;
• Linda Charbonneau-Hughes, Reading Recovery teacher, Gale-Bailey Elementary School, 37;
• Lydia Colston, guidance counselor, La Plata, 40;
• Cynthia Corbett, special education teacher, John Hanson Middle School, 37;
• Norma Davis, English teacher, Stone, 37;
• Patricia Disney, special education instructional assistant, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School, 7;
• Sue Ford, special education teacher, F.B. Gwynn Educational Center, 27;
• Susan Fowler, principal, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School, 33;
• Patricia Gallagher, secretary for the department of instruction, Starkey Building, 34;
• Gayle Gepert, instructional specialist, Turner, 36;
• Steven Grimes, science teacher, Maurice J. McDonough High School, 32;
• Patricia Grove, English teacher, Stone, 31;
• Julia Habash, mathematics teacher, Theodore G. Davis Middle School, 34;
• Deborah Hall, elementary teacher, Malcolm, 28;
• Charles Henson, JROTC instructor, Stone, 14;
• Juanita Hepler, media specialist, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, 24;
• Kathleen Hettel, reading resource teacher, Mary H. Matula Elementary School, 33;
• Phillip Hill, general maintenance worker, Radio Station Annex, 30;
• Bridgett Jochum, elementary teacher, William B. Wade Elementary School, 22;
• James Johnson, special education teacher, Westlake High School, 32;
• Lynn Kennedy, speech therapist, Turner, 32;
• Brenda Korrow, instructional specialist, Martin, 32;
• Dody Kundreskas, instrumental music teacher, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School, 37;
• Jerome Lyles Sr., building service manager, Starkey Building, 37;
• Maureen MacPherson, secretary to special education, Starkey Building, 10;
• Rose Matthews, building service worker, Ryon, 18;
• Jean Mudd, career technician, La Plata, 19;
• Linda Norcross, media instructional assistant, Milton M. Somers Middle School, 15;
• Cynthia Nwokekeh, speech therapist, Mattawoman Middle School, 30;
• Wendy O'Brien, elementary teacher, Wade, 39;
• Joan Organ, secretary to student services, Starkey Building, 28;
• Mary Ann Padgett, food service worker, Stoddert, 28;
• Susette Panitz, media specialist, Martin, 40.5;
• Lauretta Peterson, elementary teacher, Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School, 33;
• Claudine Pitts, food service worker, Matula, 19;
• Robert Pitts, science teacher, Stone, 37;
• Rudolph Posey, Jr., building service manager, Matula, 16;
• Jane Quigley, elementary school teacher, Martin, 37;
• Robert Rausch, instrumental music teacher, Somers, 29;
• Linda Salley, instructional specialist, Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, 36;
• Gloria Saloky, secretary, Stone, 20;
• Mervin Savoy, Indian education instructional assistant, Starkey Building, 27;
• Constance Short, secretary to the principal, Mudd, 30;
• Cynthia Sigafoose, elementary teacher, Wade, 31;
• Catherine Smith, cooperative education coordinator/teacher, McDonough, 36;
• Sarah Smith, language arts teacher, Somers, 33.5;
• Donald Smith, Sr., electrician, Radio Station Annex, 21;
• James Smoyer, electrical engineer, Radio Station Road Annex, 31.5;
• Susan Sofield, career technician, La Plata, 21;
• Margaret Stafford, coordinator of career & technology education, Starkey Building, 33;
• Michelle Summers, food service manager, Westlake, 16;
• Christine Swank, social studies teacher, Stoddert, 15;
• Penelope Turner, Reading Recovery teacher, Arthur Middleton Elementary School, 17;
• Loretta Williams, kindergarten instructional assistant, Mudd, 22;
• Joseph Woodland, building service assistant manager, Ryon, 31; and
• Sandra Yates, secretary to the principal, Stoddert, 36.5.