Status of make-up days due to inclement weather
At the March 26, 2014, Board of Education Meeting, Dr. Martirano presented to the community the status of make-up days due to the inclement weather experienced during this past winter season. He noted that schools have been closed twelve (12) full days due to inclement weather. The school system calendar had five (5) inclement weather days built in and has utilized Monday, February 17, 2014 (President's Day) as one (1) make-up day. Also, Friday, May 2, 2014, which was an additional make-up date, will be utilized leaving five (5) as make-up days. Pursuant to the Maryland State Board of Education action on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, for a limited waiver process for Maryland school system calendars affected by a very active winter, Dr. Martirano asked for a waiver of the five (5) remaining days. Based on approval from the State Superintendent of Schools for a five (5) day waiver, the Board of Education, at their meeting of March 26, 2014, approved the Superintendent's most current calendar adjustment plan that will supersede any calendar adjustment made at the February 12, 2014 Board Meeting as follows:
-- Monday, April 21, 2014, will be remain a holiday for all students and staff. *Thursday, April 17, 2014, will be a holiday for all 12 month employees to make up for the President's Day holiday.
-- Friday, May 2, 2014, will be a school day for students and staff. All schools and offices will be open.
-- Thursday, June 12, 2014, will be the last day of school for students.
-- The last day for teachers is to be determined.
The Chesapeake Public Charter School calendar will be affected by the following modifications:
-- Monday, April 21, 2014, will remain a holiday for all students and staff.
-- Friday, May 2, 2014, will be a school day for students and staff. School and office will be open.
-- Friday, June 13, 2014, will be the last day of school for students.
-- The last day for teachers is to be determined.
Our school calendar can be viewed on our website at http://www.smcps.org under community links. For more information, please call 301-475-5511, ext. 32178.
Spring Ridge Robotics Club excels at VEX IQ championships
The Maryland VEX IQ Robotics State Championships occurred on Saturday, March 8, 2014 in Westminster, Md. Spring Ridge Middle School had two teams in the competition; The League of Llamas and The Bolt Crushers. Both teams represented Spring Ridge very well. The League of Llamas won first place in the Programming Skills Competition and earned a spot at the Global Finals to be held in California on April 23 - 26. Congratulations to team members Sam Bartlett, David Cannavo, Kaitlyn Dailey, Dmitri Hudziak, Pio Samillano, Daniel Werme and Isaac Zelinski, as well as Mr. Tom Galligan (teacher sponsor) and Ms. Kim Grabenstein (parent volunteer). Anyone interested in donating to the Spring Ridge Robotics Club, please contact Kim Grabenstein at kimberly.grabenstein@wyle.com.
Safety and security festivals to be held at high schools
During the month of April 2014, St. Mary's County Public Schools' (SMCPS) Department of Safety and Security, in coordination with school administrators and supporting community partners, will coordinate festivals at all SMCPS high schools. The festivals will include activities and events designed to further educate SMCPS high school students about personal safety and avoiding high risk youth behaviors. The festival day for each high school is:
-- Monday, April 7, 2014 Chopticon High School 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
-- Wednesday, April 9, 2014 Great Mills High School 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
-- Friday, April 11, 2014 Leonardtown High School 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The event will include two student assemblies, demonstrations, displays, exhibits and activities. Exhibitors will provide hands on information to the students during the assemblies and at exhibit stations in or adjacent to the school cafeteria during scheduled lunches. This will enhance the awareness experience and provide supporting resources for students. Supporting community partners participating in the event are the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, 7th District Volunteer Fire Department, Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad, St. Mary's County Department of Emergency Services and Technology, the St. Mary's County Community Alcohol Coalition (Med-Star/St. Mary's Hospital), and Brinsfield Funeral Home. Assemblies, demonstrations, and exhibits will include:
-- Stop Bullying-Speak up Campaign Assembly - A student led initiative with students participating in a student assembly to increase awareness and provide information on the national campaign "Stop Bullying-Speak Up.-- Following the student assemblies, student leaders from each school will staff an exhibit station in or adjacent to the school cafeteria during scheduled lunches for the purpose of having other students participate in an electronic pledge for the national campaign. Facilitator: Mr. Peter Widmayer, Student Board Member and student leaders from each school's Student Government Association (SGA).
-- Drug Abuse Prevention Assembly - Educational information will be presented to students by representatives from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office during student assembly. The information presented will focus on the risks and dangers associated with abuse of prescription medications and other drugs. Facilitator: Designated school resource officers, St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.
-- Mock Vehicle Crash and Emergency Response Demonstration will occur in the morning at each school to focus students' attention on the potential results of poor driving decisions. Facilitators: Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, St. Mary's County Department of Emergency Services and Technology, Maryland State Police, and St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.
-- Alcohol Abuse Prevention Exhibit - Educational information will be presented to students by representatives from the St. Mary's County Community Alcohol Coalition pertaining to the risks and dangers associated with the abuse of alcohol. Facilitator: Med-Star/St. Mary's Hospital Health Connections.
-- Seatbelt Safety Check (Maryland Chief's Challenge) Activities - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Police will hold a seat belt check at the entrances to the three high schools to see if drivers and passengers are wearing their seatbelts at the beginning of school. Facilitators: Designated school resource officers, St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Police.
-- Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Service Recruiting Exhibit will provide students with the opportunity to discuss volunteer service in our community with the fire and emergency medical services. Facilitator: St. Mary's County Department of Emergency Services and Technology.
Any additional questions should be directed to F. Michael Wyant, Director of Safety and Security for SMCPS at 301-475-4256 extension 34150.