November 14, 2014 School Holidays and Dates to Remember November 17-21 American Education Week Tuesday, November 18 Community Town Meeting (7 p.m. at Winters Mill High School) Wednesday, November 26 Schools/Offices Two Hour and Forty-Five Minute Early Dismissal – Last Day Before Thanksgiving Holiday Schools Closed for Pre-Kindergarten Students Schools/Offices Closed – Thanksgiving Holiday November 27-28 Town Meeting Board President Virginia Harrison and Superintendent Stephen Guthrie will be hosting a town meeting on Tuesday, November 18, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Winters Mill High School, located at 560 Gorsuch Road in Westminster. The purpose of the town meeting is to create an open dialogue with parents and the community. Members of the community are invited to attend and address their concerns or ask questions regarding education topics and issues. The meeting is intended to be an open forum; however, depending on the number of participants the time for each speaker may be limited. Contact: Carey Gaddis, Supervisor of Community and Media Relations, 410-751-3020 Food and Coat Drive – Mt. Airy Middle School During American Education Week, Mt. Airy Middle School will be celebrating spirit week and holding a food and coat drive to support local families in need. The food and coat drive is in honor of Mrs. Tara Sherwin, mother of three boys (two attend Mt. Airy Middle and one attends South Carroll High School), who died in a car accident in October. The family requested that donations be made to charity in her honor. Parr’s Ridge and Mt. Airy Elementary will be partnering with Mt. Airy Middle for the food and coat drive. The culminating activity will be a “teacher sliming” that will take place on Friday, November 21, at 2:00 p.m. During the event, students who brought in food or coats will be selected to choose a staff member to “slime.” Contact: Karl Streaker, Principal, Mt. Airy Middle School, 410-751-3554 Monsanto Grant Celebration – Northwest Middle School Northwest Middle School will hold a celebration of its America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Grant, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, on Friday, November 21, at 2:00 p.m. As part of the celebration, Northwest Middle School will be presented with a check for $10,000 for the construction of a greenhouse and bed-raised gardens for vegetation. In addition, the farmers that nominated Carroll County Public Schools for the grant will be recognized for their support of the school system. The vegetation will be used at the school and the local food pantry and will improve water quality and erosion control in streams and tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. After considering the area’s rich agricultural history, Northwest Middle School decided to focus on the concept of “food to table” with students and community members. The goal is to encourage everyone to understand where their food comes from and to make informed decisions related to producing and purchasing food. The school also hopes to create a greater awareness of healthy eating. Contact: Angela McCauslin, Principal, Northwest Middle School, 410-751-3270 Northwest Regional Faculty Talent Show Francis Scott Key High School will be hosting the third annual Northwest Regional Faculty Talent Show on Friday, November 21, at 7:00 p.m. in the FSK auditorium. Performers will include faculty and staff from the northwest region schools. The audience will vote for their favorite acts. Admission is $5 and any children are under five years old are admitted for free. Contact: Michelle Brilhart, [email protected] 31 Bag Bingo – East Middle School The East Middle School PTO is hosting a 31 Bag Bingo on Friday, December 5, at Pleasant Valley Fire Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is available for purchase from the Pleasant Valley Fire Department. Bingo begins at 7:00 p.m. Bags are stuffed full of goodies, cash and gift cards. There will be 20 Games, 2 Specials, and Loser Bingo. Tickets are $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. For tickets, please contact Deniece Schaeffer, 410-876-6750. Contact: Deniece Schaeffer, 410-876-6750 One Book, One School – West Middle School West Middle School is conducting its second bi-annual One Book, One School initiative during the 20142015 school year. The entire school community is reading the book Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. The book was selected based on its appeal to a wide audience of readers and its worthy message, especially for the middle school student. The initiative is funded by a Read-a-Thon, which was held earlier in November. It will culminate in a large, family-friendly event in the spring. Contact: Judy Brubach, Media Specialist, West Middle School, 410-751-3661 Volunteer Training Schedule DATE SCHOOL TIME + precedes a school event/activity * follows a school event/activity # part of a school event/activity November 17 November 17 November 19 November 24 December 2 December 4 December 4 December 8 December 9 December 16 # Runnymede Elementary Mt. Airy Middle Mechanicsville Elementary Elmer Wolfe Elementary Manchester Elementary Robert Moton Elementary Winters Mill High Northwest Middle Winfield Elementary Mechanicsville Elementary CONTACT Please call the number provided to confirm the scheduled training session. 5:15 PM 6:00 PM 6:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 AM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:45 AM 10:45 AM 410-751-3203 410-751-3554 410-751-3510 410-751-3307 410-751-3410 410-751-3610 410-386-1500 410-751-3270 410-751-3242 410-751-3510 The Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) is firmly committed to creating equal employment and educational opportunities for all persons with regard to its employment practices and in the provision of services, programs, and activities. The CCPS does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, ancestry or national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. The CCPS provides non-discriminatory access to school facilities in accordance with its policies and regulations regarding the community use of schools (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts). The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Gregory J. Bricca, Director of Research and Accountability, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157, (410) 751-3068. The Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or the provision of services, programs or activities. Persons needing auxiliary aids and services for communication should contact the Office of Community and Media Relations at 410-751-3020 or [email protected], or write to Carroll County Public Schools, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, may use Relay or 7-1-1. Please contact the school system at least one (1) week in advance of the date the special accommodation is needed. Information concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act is available from the Director of Facilities or the Supervisor of Community and Media Relations: Raymond Prokop, Director of Facilities, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157, (410) 751-3177, or Carey Gaddis, Supervisor of Community and Media Relations, 125 North Court Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157, (410) 751-3020. CG/bb