The Board of Education's next monthly meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 10, 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 student and staff recognition starts at 4:30 p.m. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS 12 and is 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 - 10 a.m.

Call to order - 1 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance, Henry E. Lackey High School JROTC

Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

Superintendent's update to the Board

Reports of officers/board/committees

• Correspondence/Board member updates
• Education Association of Charles County update
• Student Board member update
• School administration - enrollment update
• CIP update
• ESOL program and Bunkyo trip
• Policy #3430, Accounts: Opening and closing accounts
• FY 2012 budget update
• Legislative update

Unfinished business

New business and future agenda items

• New business
• Future agenda items

Recognition - 4:30 p.m.

• Students
• Staff

Resolutions: African-American History Month, Career and Technology Education Month and National School Counseling Week

• La Plata High School Thespian Society
• Nathan Freeman, winner of the 2011 Student Space Flight Experiments Program (SSEP) Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-135 mission patch design contest

Public Forum - 6 p.m.

Action items

• Minutes
• Personnel

Adjournment

Charles County Public Schools provides 26,700 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher 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.

Winter break for students and teachers begins Thursday, Dec. 22. Students and teachers return to school on Monday, Jan. 2. Administrative offices are closed Dec. 23 and will reopen on Jan. 2.

Charles County Public Schools provides 26,700 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher 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.

La Plata High School's It's Academic team will participate in the regional televised competition as the first-place winner in the annual Charles County Public Schools competition, held Dec. 7 at Maurice J. McDonough High School.

The three-member team of Captain Alexander Smith, William "Bao" Dinh and Matthew Kamin scored 330 points in the championship round against North Point and Henry E. Lackey high schools to earn the top spot. The school was presented with a $500 scholarship from the Greater Waldorf Jaycees and the team will compete against Gar-Field and Blake high schools on Feb. 4, which will be aired on WRC TV (NBC 4) March 3.
        
Brittany Paxton is the La Plata team's alternate and William Coggins, Casie Hall, Melissa Kret, Garrett Lundegard, Mary Mills and Ina Reyes are also members of the La Plata team. Principal is Evelyn Arnold and team coach is Corinne Fox, a science teacher at La Plata. 

Placing second in the competition was the North Point High School team, followed by the Lackey High School team in third place. Teams from Thomas Stone, Maurice J. McDonough and Westlake high schools also competed. Each of these schools was presented with a $250 scholarship from the Jaycees.

As the second place winner, the North Point team will also earn a chance to compete in a televised competition on NBC 4 next fall. North Point earned second place in last year's county event, earning them a chance to compete in a televised game earlier this fall where they received second place.

The five other high school three-member teams were: Lackey – Captain Clarence White, Daniel Nelson and Paul Warren; McDonough – Captain Numa Robertson, Erin Albrecht and Rabbia Hasan; North Point – Captain Gaston Lopez, Alexander Corbin and Keith Nottingham; Thomas Stone – Captain Mia Chase, Raymond Johnson and Kathryne Hedrick; and Westlake – Captain Misha Stone, Summer Sandoval and Justin Artis.

Caleb Bickerstaff is the Lackey team's alternate and Alex Dunlap, Steven Bode, Maya Thompson, Leah Norris, Christian Warren, Raven Sparks, Charles Campbell and Jolana Watson are also members of Lackey's team. Principal is James Short and team coach is Don Browder, a social studies teacher at Lackey.

Paige Wearmouth is the McDonough team's alternate. Completing this team are Hanan Perigrino – Brimah and Adrianne Turner. Principal is Bradley Snow and team coach is Courtney Abell, an English teacher at McDonough.

Noah Gibson is the North Point team's alternate and Ashlynn Stanley, Joel Rogers, Dalton Steele and Marie Sterba are also members of North Point's team. Principal is Kim Hill and Peggy DeVeny, a literacy instructional assistant, and Maureen Stewart, a foreign language teacher at North Point, are the team's coaches.

Robert Jeffrey is the Stone team's alternate and Phillip Banky, Matthew Trusnovic, Alexys Lewis, Erik Kang, Rachel Pritchett, Alexis Rossetti, Kenneth Milman, Rebecca Olsen, Alaina Wall, Bianca Watson and Dreana Moore are also members of the Stone team. Principal is L.C. Martin and Nancy Jeffrey, foreign language teacher at Stone, is the team's coach.

Samantha Wood is the Westlake team's alternate and Taylor Brooks, Brian Linder, Yaffet Meshesha, John Keller, Laura Grantham, Damien Dugan, Mara Flores and Ryan Hook are also members of the Westlake team. Principal is Chrystal Benson and team coach is James Ressler, an English teacher at Westlake.

The Dec. 7 competition will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 96, the school system's educational television station, and Verizon FiOS Channel 12 later this month. Check the programming schedule at http://www2.ccboe.com/publicinfo/channel96/schedule.cfm for dates and times. 

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 caring community schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher 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.

Dr. Gustavus Brown and Arthur Middleton Elementary schools were recently awarded field trip grants from Target.

Brown received $700 for a first-grade field trip to Wakefield Farm in Virginia, the birthplace of George Washington. "It is so great to see that as schools look to find other ways to provide enriching experiences for students that others are willing to help support the cause," said Brown Principal Darryl Evans. The field trip would not have been possible without the grant money, according Evans. The grant money will cover the transportation costs.

Middleton received $700 for third graders to visit the National Zoo. Middleton Principal Sabrina Robinson–Taylor says the grant money will help cover the cost of transportation and lunch for the students.

Since launching the program in 2007, Target has awarded $9.76 million in grants providing 1.2 million students with the opportunity to enhance their studies in the arts, math, science and social studies. As part of the program, each Target store awards three Target Field Trip Grants to K–12 schools nationwide.

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 caring community schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher 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.

• T.C. Martin Elementary School raised $450 in donations on Dec. 2 for the American Cancer Society through the school's Relay for Life team. The school participated in the annual Caps for Cancer Fundraiser where staff and students donated a dollar to wear their favorite hats for the day.

• The Maurice J. McDonough High School band is selling Christmas trees at the WaWa convenience store located in White Plains, at the corner of U.S. 301 and Billingsley Road. The lot is open Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Prices range from $30 to $150 and delivery is available. School system employees can receive a $5 discount by showing their identification badge. Visit the McDonough band Web site at www.mhsramsband.com for more information.

• Students at La Plata High School donated more than 2,779 items during their annual Thanksgiving food drive organized by the school's National Honor Society (NHS). Food collected was delivered to needy families in La Plata High School's community and to the food bank operated by Life Styles of Maryland. Students promoted the food drive with hallway posters, morning announcements and class competitions. The top five classes received a donut and juice breakfast.

Charles County Public Schools provides 26,700 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 caring community schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher 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.

The Board of Education honored four students on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 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 Duane Kizer, fifth grade, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School; Arrin Sanders, fifth grade, Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School; Elise Hopkins, eighth grade, John Hanson Middle School; and Lashawn Queen, senior, Henry E. Lackey High School.

Kizer was honored in the area of academic achievement. He stands out among his peers due to his blend of academic excellence, maturity and respectable citizenship, according to Barnhart Principal Amy DiSabatino. Kizer has consistently been on the principal's honor roll since third grade. He is a member of the math team, involved with football and basketball community leagues and actively participates in church community events.

Sanders was honored in the area of personal responsibility. He serves as a safety patrol for the school. Sanders takes this role seriously and serves as a leader to fellow patrols. He arrives at his post early and makes sure other patrols are in place and ready each day. This role is important to a school like Dr. Brown, since more than 50 percent of students walk or ride in a car to and from school, said Brown Principal Darryl Evans.

Hopkins was honored in the area of academic achievement. She earned straight A's during the first marking period, received a score of 100 percent on the first – quarter reading assessment and an advanced score on the math assessment. Hopkins is a member of National Junior Honor Society, and she exhibits motivation and an outstanding work ethic in all her endeavors.

Queen was honored in the area of career readiness. She is enrolled in Lackey's career research and development program and works in the guidance department as a secretary. Queen plans on becoming a nurse and will attend college in the fall. She is applying for admission at the University of Maryland and Morgan State University.

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.

Four exemplary Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) employees were honored by the Board of Education on December 13. Honored were Robynn Mudd, Tina Thomas, Brenda Richards and Laura Buzzell.

Mudd is an elementary school teacher at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School. She was nominated for significantly impacting students who are not traditional learners, helping keep the school moving in a positive direction and planning an exceptional instructional program for students. Mudd creates special connections with parents by earning their trust and respect. She is always looking for ways and venues to help equip her students with tools to meet success. Mudd is an active participant in school improvement efforts and works on numerous school committees. She is the first–grade team leader and understands that students often need more than a traditional instructional program. Mudd has implemented all county initiatives into her classroom and is a model for guided reading and Math Investigations. Barnhart Principal Amy DiSabatino said Mudd is often presented with challenging students and finds ways to reach them and help them find their full potential. "Ms. Mudd is a dedicated teacher who has worked diligently with Barnhart students to help them reach academic success," DiSabatino wrote in a nomination letter.

Thomas is a secretary at Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School. She was nominated for demonstrating extreme professionalism, continually adding and excelling at new tasks and creating relationships and communication with every Brown student and parent. Thomas has been employed with CCPS for eight years. She handles everything related to students and families with pride and is concerned for their well being. Thomas took over the school's Teleparent notification system, announcements, Student Support Team (SST) meeting prep and works specifically with the vice principal as her secretary. She works and trains teachers each year on the importance of up-to-date files and also works closely with every family to orient them to the school. Thomas personally creates certificates each quarter for students earning citizenship, attendance and honor roll for awards programs. Brown Principal Darryl Evans said Thomas takes pride in everything she does. "It is her attention to detail, love for children and commitment to Dr. Brown teachers, staff and parents that makes her our exemplar employee," Evans wrote in a nomination letter.

Richards is a gifted education teacher at John Hanson Middle School. She was nominated for recognition for successfully developing a student tutoring program, called "HOT's" (Helping Others To Succeed), serving on school teams and committees and building important relationships with staff, students and parents. Richards' "HOT's" program is one of the tools she uses when creating programs that support students who are struggling academically. She assists students who need extra help when they are not receiving it at home, rearranges her schedule to meet a teacher's needs, and is a team player in every aspect when it comes to crossing areas to benefit a student's need. Richards is a member of the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and literacy audit teams, and she participates in county programs such as the fall and spring chess tournaments and It's Academic competition. She identifies, motivates and enriches students and staff and she is responsible to service with skill and fidelity. Hanson Principal Kathy Kiessling said Richards' enthusiasm and passion for the gifted program inspires the students and teachers she supports. "The most outstanding contribution Ms. Richards contributes to our school and our community is her passion and commitment to our students," Kiessling wrote in a nomination letter.

Buzzell is a mathematics teacher at Henry E. Lackey High School. She was nominated for recognition for her commitment to her students, expanding her professional skills and providing leadership to staff and committees. Buzzell's efforts have yielded great results as she has had tremendous success in working with her students in acquiring the skills and knowledge needed for passing the Algebra High School Assessment (HSA). She takes advantage of every opportunity to advance her knowledge, skill and expertise as an educator. Buzzell takes on a leadership role with the Algebra team by sharing her instructional expertise and strategies for best practices for implementation. She dedicates time to school activities by serving as the school's SGA advisor and class sponsor, working with the Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) committee and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, and helping the football team. She has a special affinity for working with school athletes in need of support and direction by serving as the football team's chief advocate, counselor and mentor. Lackey Principal James Short said Buzzell has worked with students at all levels over the past several years and has earned a reputation for being an advocate for many students in need. Buzzell is "a mentor, role model, exemplary teacher, coach and cheerleader," Short wrote in a nomination letter.

The Board honors several exemplary employees each month.

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.

Due to flooding on some area roads, Charles County Public Schools is opening two hours late on Thursday, December 8, 2011.

There is a Code 2 for employees. Please follow the codes.

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.

Students at North Point High School can now learn about solar energy through experience with a new photovoltaic (PV) array system installed outside the electrical construction classroom at the Waldorf school.

Donated by the Washington, D.C. Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), the nine-panel PV array was installed by Crofton, Maryland-based T & B Electric Co., a member of Washington, D.C. Chapter, NECA. The donation comes from a long-standing relationship between the JATC and North Point, beginning when they contributed a classroom to the facility in 2004. The JATC is sponsored by the Electrical Alliance, a cooperative effort between the Washington, DC Chapter of NECA and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, (IBEW) Local 26.

North Point High School held a ribbon cutting ceremony today at 2 p.m. with electrical students, faculty and staff, school board members and members of the JATC, NECA and IBEW to introduce the PV array system with short tour of the electrical construction classroom and work areas.

Keith Gascon, electrical construction teacher at North Point, said he expects the project to provide great benefits for students. He commended the JATC for its continuing support of the program and for working with the school to ensure students are exposed to the current skills needed in the electrical construction field. The array, Gascon said, will provide about 2,000 watt hours, or provide the power of a small generator. "The purpose is to provide energy to the work area, and also to provide education for our students and the JATC classes that are held here in the evening," Gascon said.

"While the system does not provide a great amount of energy to power the school, it is most valued as an instructive tool to better prepare students interested in pursuing an electrical career. This was an opportunity to give potential apprentices a hands-on experience, especially in the growing green sector of our industry," said Ralph Neidert, a master electrician in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia and assistant director at the JATC.

About Charles County Public Schools
Charles County Public Schools provides 26,780 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

About The Electrical Alliance
The Electrical Alliance is a cooperative effort between electrical contractors and skilled craftsmen to provide quality products and services to customers and to set the standard for efficiency and productivity within the electrical industry. The Washington, DC Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association and Local 26, IBEW, jointly sponsor it. To learn more, visit http://news.getchargedup.org or follow the Electrical Alliance on Twitter @dcelec_alliance.

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.

La Plata High School's varsity volleyball team received the Lesley Cooke Volleyball Tournament Sportsmanship Award for the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) at the Maryland State Finals on Nov. 19.

The State Volleyball Committee recognizes the school that displays the best overall sportsmanship while participating in the tournament with the Lesley Cooke Sportsmanship Award. Appointed judges observe each school's coaches, players, spectators, cheerleaders and pep bands, rating them on a scale of 1 – 10. The award is presented to the school achieving the highest average score.

The award is named to honor the late Lesley Cooke, in recognition for her many years of valued service to the MPSSAA and longtime membership on the state volleyball committee. Mrs. Cooke was a physical education teacher, athletic director at Maurice J. McDonough High School and Teacher of the Year during her 35-year career with Charles County Public Schools.

Charles County Public Schools provides 26,700 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 caring community schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher 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.