Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher Award
Mr. Mike Sturgess, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher at Esperanza Middle School, is the recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the NAS Patuxent River VFW Post 2632, California, MD. This local selection afforded him to be eligible for the district award (4-5 counties), which he was awarded as well. He now advances to the state and national levels. Criteria for the award are teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism.
The VFW Award is presented to teachers who plan field trips to city hall, organize community volunteer projects or invite local veterans to speak in class, anything to help students develop a better understanding of democratic values and beliefs.
Status of Make-Up Days Due to Inclement Weather
At the end of the Board of Education's February 5, 2014 budget forum, Dr. Martirano presented to the community the status of make-up days due to the recent inclement weather and the consideration to utilize President's Day, Monday, February 17, 2014, as an inclement make-up date. The school system calendar had five (5) inclement weather dates built in with one (1) additional make-up date, using the staff development day of May 2, 2014, for a total of six (6) days. The school system has currently used seven (7) inclement weather days. The Superintendent's recommendation to use President's Day, Monday, February 17, 2014, will satisfy the current inclement dates. At their February 12, 2014, Board of Education Meeting, the Board approved the Superintendent's recommended modifications to the 2013-2014 school calendar as follows:
-- Monday, February 17, 2014, will be a school day for students and staff. All schools and offices will be open.
-- Friday, May 2, 2014, will be a school day for students and staff. All schools and offices will be open.
-- Thursday, April 17, 2014, will be a holiday for all 12 month staff to make up for the President's Day holiday.
If additional days are missed due to inclement weather, the calendar will be modified further in the following order:
-- Friday, June 13, 2014, will be a school day for students and staff. All schools and offices will be open.
-- Monday, April 21, 2014, will be a school day for students and staff. All schools and offices will be open.
The Chesapeake Public Charter School calendar will be affected by the following modifications:
-- Friday, May 2, 2014, will be a school day for students and staff. School and office will be open.
If additional days are missed due to inclement weather, the Chesapeake Public Charter School calendar will be modified further in the following order:
-- Monday, April 21, 2014, will be a school day for students and staff. School and office will be open.
-- Monday, June 16, 2014, will be a school day for students and staff. School and office will be open.
Rising Freshman Orientation Nights
St. Mary's County Public Schools will host three Rising Freshman Orientation Nights. The purpose of the events is to provide an opportunity for rising 9th graders and their families to preview ninth grade course selections, learn about available pathways, tour the schools and meet counselors and school administrators. The Rising Freshman Orientation Nights will take place on Monday, February 24 at Leonardtown High School; Tuesday, February 25 at Chopticon High School; and Tuesday, March 4 at Great Mills High School. The time of orientation sessions are 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Families are welcome to attend any night. All information will be repeated each night. For more information contact the Office of the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction at 301-475-5511, ext. 32139 or email classof2018@smcps.org.
2014 Outstanding Educator in Gifted and Talented Education - Teacher as Leader Award
Ms. Linda Ronniger, an instructional resource teacher at Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School, is a recipient of the Outstanding Educator in Gifted and Talented Education - Teacher as Leader Award. The Maryland State Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented Education presents this award to teachers who work directly with identified gifted and talented students, are pursuing ongoing professional development in the field of gifted education, and who demonstrate peer leadership in gifted education. Ms. Ronniger will be recognized at an awards celebration held on February 27, 2014 in Glen Burnie, Maryland.