Four Charles County public high school seniors were recently selected to participate in the 2010 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Page program.

The students who will serve as student pages for the 2010 legislative session are: Nathan Larsen of La Plata High School; Hunter Scofield of Maurice J. McDonough High School; and Shelby Wells of Thomas Stone High School. Kyle Grusholt, McDonough senior and Student Member to the Board of Education, is the Student Page Alternate.

The opportunity to serve in the legislative page program is offered annually to Charles County Public Schools seniors. Students who apply are selected through a series of interviews. Applicants must also write an essay to describe their interest 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 2010 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.

For more information, visit the Maryland General Assembly's Web site at http://dls.state.md.us/top_pgs/students/student_page.html.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

Comcast and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) are sponsoring the third annual Comcast Parent Involvement Matters Award program. The annual award recognizes parents and guardians whose contributions have led to improvements in Maryland public schools.

The program was created to highlight the positive impact parents have on public schools and to encourage parent involvement. Parents and guardians can be nominated for demonstrating significant, positive impact on public education in their communities.

Nominees must be a parent/legal guardian of a child in a Maryland public school, and a consistent advocate of public education. Nominees must have also demonstrated involvement in one of the five following areas within the last 24 months: communication; volunteering; learning; decision making; and/or community collaboration.

Nominations must include three letters of recommendation, a two-page narrative essay describing the nominee's contribution to public education, and completed nomination forms.

Nomination forms are available on MSDE's Web site at www.marylandpublicschools.org/pima. Nomination packets must be postmarked by Jan. 20, 2010, and should be sent to: Maryland State Department of Education, Office of Academic Policy, 7th Floor, Attention:PIMA, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201. Incomplete applications will not be considered and submissions will not be accepted online or by e-mail.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

State legislators and Board of Education members met this week to discuss budget cuts and legislative concerns. Board vice chair Roberta Wise told legislators, including Sen. Thomas "Mac" Middleton and delegates Murray Levy, Sally Jameson and Peter Murphy, the Board has concerns about possible changes to maintenance of effort, teacher retirement and binding arbitration laws.

Board member Pam Pedersen said the school system is in a perfect storm, the target of local and state officials for major budget cuts during a time when the school system is beginning to see results from previous investments in education. "We have made positive strides in educating our children," Pedersen said. She pointed to increases in advanced placement classes and participation, reduction in class size and minority achievement as major accomplishments.

"We don't want to lose the gains we have made," Board member Maura Cook said while urging officials to look at a good school system as the economic engine the county needs to grow and prosper. Board members provided legislators a listing of cuts already made by the school system, including elimination of nearly 30 administrative positions, changes to the prescription plan, downsizing of programs and consolidating services, such as printing, to reduce costs. Additionally, employees did not receive salary or step increases.

The Board opposes any efforts to waive or suspend the maintenance of effort requirement that guarantees that local education funding amounts be no less than the previous year's level. Middleton said he does not support eliminating the maintenance of effort law; however, he does think the process needs a change. Levy agreed; however, he said he did see a need to provide counties temporary relief as they have been disproportionately hammered by state cuts while their own revenue sources are declining. He suggested the Board work with the County Commissioners or "You will be strangled forever with maintenance of effort."

Jameson reminded Board members that the state has been through its own perfect storm, but applauded the Board for its efforts on behalf of children and for cuts and reductions it has already made. Murphy warned that when agencies get in tight fiscal situations, they should look at things differently, but be careful and clear that some changes are only temporary.

Middleton acknowledged that Bridge to Excellence funding helped Maryland become the top rated school system in the nation, which has benefits for the state. However, he said the hearts and souls of other agencies have already been cut and the state needs to look at all expenditures while cutting, including education.

Legislators said that passing teacher pensions to the counties is being looked at, but Levy said he thinks counties will be asked to pick up future increases. The Board opposes any efforts to amend current law providing for full state funding of teacher retirement costs. Middleton addressed the Board's concern about binding arbitration saying he is going to cosponsor a bill this year that will create a new Public School Labor Relations Board.

The Board opposes the creation of a public school labor relations board, which they believe would remove the interests of students and parents from the negotiation table. The Board also opposes granting the labor relations board binding arbitration authority, which would allow the labor relations board to mandate policy and funding decisions on local boards of education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

Charles County Public Schools held its second annual Future Educators Association (FEA) local conference on Friday, Nov. 20, at the College of Southern Maryland's La Plata campus. More than 125 students participated in the event, which consisted of guest motivational speakers and workshops hosted by school system teachers and administrators.

Students participated in two 30-minute workshops, which ranged from learning about classroom management techniques and how to dress for success, to how to write a winning essay and implementing fun mathematics activities in the classroom. Students were able to choose from more than 13 workshops.

The event's keynote speaker, Ben Glenn, otherwise know as the "Simple ADHD expert," spoke to participants about the teaching profession and his experiences in the classroom. Glenn's presentation focused on student leadership in which he stressed the importance of teachers acting as role models. "The best way you can be a leader and be an example for your students is to be a role model. My hope is that students will learn from the experiences that you have been through," he said.

Students were also given an opportunity to fill out event evaluations, which included comments on workshop content, guest speakers and the connection to the teaching profession to assist the school system in planning for next year's conference.

Awards were also handed out during the conference in three categories: centerpiece designs, essay writing and scrapbook competitions. Student teams from participating schools created centerpieces and scrapbooks, while the essay contest was judged on an individual basis.

Centerpieces were created by each school's FEA chapter to represent school spirit. The winning design was selected from North Point High School. Two winners were selected for the essay contest. Georgette "Synade" Beason, an eighth grader at Milton M. Somers Middle School, was the middle school essay winner, and Morgan Gales, a senior from North Point, was the high school essay winner.

Both Beason and Gales, as well as Alexis Mitchell, eighth grader, John Hanson Middle School, and Tyler Warner, junior, Henry E. Lackey High School, will attend the national FEA conference in San Antonio, Tx., in February. Mitchell and Warner were selected to attend the national conference for their contributions to their school's FEA chapter. Each Charles County Public middle and high school has an FEA chapter for students in grades 6 - 12 who are interested in becoming educators. Student members are asked to pledge to serve as role models for their participation in FEA by promoting a positive attitude toward education to enhance the quality of educational programs.

Benjamin Stoddert Middle School has the largest FEA participation, with 43 members. Maurice J. McDonough High School has the second largest FEA chapter, with 38 members, followed by the Milton M. Somers Middle School chapter, with 38 members.

The FEA aims to motivate middle and high school students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in education while studying teaching, working to improve the image of teaching, boosting faculty morale and linking students, parents and the community together. Through hands-on career exploration opportunities, FEA members assume leadership roles and develop professional skill sets that will serve them throughout their careers.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is accepting nominations for the Washington Post's 2010 Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award. The annual award honors exemplary teachers who demonstrate excellence in teaching, encourage creative and quality instruction and contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education.

Nominees must be full-time teachers in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 and have a minimum of five years teaching experience. Three of those years must have been with Charles County Public Schools. Teachers, students, former students, administrators or community members may submit nominations. Teachers may not nominate themselves.

Nomination materials must include a minimum of four statements of support, one of which must be from a professional educator; a career summary; and a description of contributions in each of the nomination criteria categories.

Nominees must be teachers who:

• instill a desire in students to learn and achieve;
• understand the individual needs of students, encourage their talents and foster their self esteem;
• demonstrate a thorough knowledge of subject matter and the ability to share it effectively with students;
• foster cooperative relationships with their colleagues and the community;
• demonstrate outstanding leadership; and
• maintain their teaching position throughout the 2010-11 school year.

Charles County's Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award recipient will be one of 21 recognized by the Post from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Nominations are due Friday, Dec. 11. Materials should be sent to Dawn Schaeffer, Office of Program Support, Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Md., 20646. Award recipients will be recognized and awarded $3,000 at a ceremony in May.

The Post established the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Awards in honor of Agnes Meyer, a supporter of public education who was the wife of Eugene Meyer, who purchased the Post in 1933.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

The Board of Education's next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 8 at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building on Radio Station Road in La Plata. The public portion of the meeting begins at 1 p.m. and Public Forum is at 6 p.m. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and rebroadcast throughout the week. All televised Board meetings are also streamed live on the school system Web site at http://www2.ccboe.com/boe/live/.

Executive session - 12 p.m.

Call to order - 1 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance, La Plata High School's JROTC unit

Superintendent's update to the Board

Reports of officers/boards/committees

• Correspondence/Board member updates
• Education Association of Charles County update
• Student Board member update
• CIP update
• Charles County library, CCPS resources for students and parents
• Legislative update

New business and future agenda items

• New business
• Future agenda items

• Students
• Staff
• Maryland Middle School Counselor of the Year

Action items

• Minutes
• Personnel

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

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

Honored were Liam Kerth, fifth-grade student, Dr. James Craik Elementary School; Brian Wathen, second-grade student; Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School; Joshua Leginze, fifth-grade student, Malcolm Elementary School; and Demi Finfera, eighth-grade student, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School.

Kerth was honored in the area of personal responsibility. He has been on the honor roll since third grade and demonstrates a positive attitude in the classroom. Kerth is a member of the school math and Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) team and is an active member of his community. He is also a private first class in the Young Marines and was the honor graduate in his recruiting class.

Wathen was honored in the area of academic achievement. He strives to earn excellent grades on his schoolwork and serves as a role model for other students. Wathen consistently demonstrates a positive attitude toward school and seeks more challenging assignments. Although he is undergoing medical treatment and sometimes works with a home and hospital instructor, he displays a strong work ethic. Higdon Principal Peggy Mertes said Wathen is an inspiration for the school and staff.

Leginze was honored in the area of academic achievement. His teachers describe him as an excellent role model and a hard worker. Leginze maintained straight A's during each quarter last school year and always exhibits a positive attitude toward school. He is a member of the school math and MESA teams, and participates in the Just Say No Club.

Finfera was honored in the area of career readiness. She volunteers in her community and is always willing to assist her teachers and other students. Finfera demonstrates a positive attitude toward learning and serves as a role model for her peers. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, the Lego robotics and MESA clubs.

The board honors several students each month for their accomplishments.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

The Board of Education of Charles County will hold a joint legislative brunch with members of the Charles County delegation at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 30, at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building in La Plata. The meeting will be televised live on Comcast Channel 96. All televised Board meetings are also streamed live on the school system Web site at http://www2.ccboe.com/boe/live/. The agenda is as follows:

Executive session - 9 a.m.

Call to order - 10 a.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Legislative Brunch

• Legislative issues

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

The Board of Education honored four exemplary Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) employees at its monthly meeting Nov. 10. Honored were Lawrence Gross, Nichole Garner, Shellia Soderstrom and Jessica Gyurscik.

Gross is a building service worker at Malcolm Elementary School. He was nominated for recognition by Malcolm Principal Wilhelmina Pugh for his work ethic, positive attitude and friendly demeanor with students and staff. He has worked for CCPS for the past 12 years and goes above and beyond his daily duties to ensure the school is well prepared and safe for students and staff. Gross is credited with contributing to excellent building inspection ratings and works well with all staff members. He readily assists all staff members and helps with after school events, such as the school mentoring program and Parent-Teacher Association functions. Pugh said Gross readily stepped into the managerial position this past summer when the building service manager left unexpectedly. "Gross assumed additional responsibilities until a replacement was hired and always rises to the occasion when asked to come in early or stay late. He is efficient, and interacts positively with students during lunch shifts with a friendly, soft spoken and calm demeanor," Pugh wrote in a nomination letter.

Garner is a kindergarten teacher at Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School. She was nominated for recognition by Principal Peggy Mertes for her strong work ethic, her dedication to teaching and her commitment to Higdon staff and students. Garner recently developed a schoolwide writing project that required each student to research, write and develop a book on Maryland history. Garner worked with other teachers to incorporate the project into class curriculum, which received positive comments from the school community. She also assists with yearly Parent-Teacher Association events, such as Breakfast with Santa, and helps parents with special craft projects. Additionally, Garner volunteered to coordinate the production of the school yearbook and spends much of her spare time taking photos of students and staff. "We are so grateful for her effort. Had she not volunteered, it is possible that we would not have a yearbook," Mertes said in an award nomination letter. Garner also serves as the school's communications resource and sends positive school news and event information to local newspapers, as well as the school system's communications department.

Soderstrom is a reading resource teacher at Dr. James Craik Elementary School. She was nominated for recognition by Craik staff for demonstrating dedication and care toward her students, for exhibiting outstanding leadership skills and for demonstrating a calm demeanor and positive attitude. Soderstrom volunteers to help students who need additional reading assistance by coordinating a before-school morning program. She helps administer reading comprehension tests to students and works with fluency and phonics groups. Soderstrom also coordinates the reading partners program at Craik and helped to develop the school improvement plan. She also helps classroom teachers by providing new ideas on reading interventions and student resources. Principal Penny Nye said that Soderstrom is an outstanding leader who is always willing to help others. "She is a wealth of knowledge and is easily approachable, very patient and always demonstrates a positive attitude and calm demeanor. Shellia is a true professional that I have the honor of working with on a daily basis," Nye wrote in a nomination letter.

Gyurscik is a language arts teacher at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School. She was nominated for recognition by Principal Sue DelaCruz for her dedication to students and staff, for serving as the seventh grade team leader, and for participating in professional development opportunities. Gyurscik began teaching at Stoddert during the 2006-07 school year and works with students at the developmental, enrichment and gifted levels. She helps to promote literacy through academic challenges for students and adapts her teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests. Gyurscik has also worked with students during an extended day reading program and as part of the Summer Academy programs at Stoddert. She will complete her master's in curriculum and instruction in 2012 through McDaniel College and served as an administrative intern at Theodore G. Davis Middle School in July 2008. "Gyurscik is an asset to both students and staff at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School. She is dedicated to her work and challenges her students to achieve success," DelaCruz wrote in a nomination letter.

The Board honors several employees each month for outstanding contributions to the school system and children of Charles County.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

The Department of Health and Charles County Public Schools are partnering to offer two free H1N1 vaccination clinics for school-aged children ages 3-19.

H1N1 vaccination clinics will be held 3-7 p.m., Nov. 30, at Westlake High School in Waldorf, and 3-7 p.m., Dec. 7, at La Plata High School. An adult must accompany children under the age of 18.

The Department of Health is offering a number of vaccination clinics. For times and locations of other clinics, visit the Department of Health Web site at www.charlescountyhealth.org.

Call the Department of Health at 301-609-6900 with questions.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students), or Keith Hettel, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646; (301) 932-6610/870-3814. For special accommodations call (301) 934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.