Academy Application Deadline
The deadline for students to apply for the Academy Programs offered by St. Mary's County Public Schools is Friday, April 15, 2016. Students and families should ensure all parts of the application are complete, including teacher recommendations. Late applications will not be accepted. Applications and the link for recommendations can be found at www.smcps.org/academies.
Students can apply for admission to the following Academy Programs:
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Academy: This rigorous and unique program of study emphasizes the core areas of mathematics and science with an infusion of technology and engineering. This program is open to students in grades 4-12. NOTE: Current STEM students transitioning from 5th to 6th or 8th to 9th will need to reapply.
• Academy of Finance: This program offers students in grades 9-12 opportunities to develop professional skills, receive specialized instruction in business finance and management, and gain an awareness of the marketable skills needed to be successful in the field.
• Academy of Global and International Studies: Students in grades 9-12 participating in this program develop understanding and knowledge of world regions, cultures, and global/international issues.
• Academy of Visual and Performing Arts: This program provides students the opportunity to understand and appreciate the dedication needed to find success as a performer or artist, with an emphasis on creative thinking, problem solving, and collaboration.
For more information contact your school counselor or the Department of Teaching, Learning and Professional Development at 301-475-5511, ext. 32104 or email classof2020@smcps.org.
Dating Violence Prevention and Young Driver Safety Assemblies
During the week of April 4 through April 8, 2016, St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) has scheduled student assemblies at all SMCPS high schools. The assemblies are part of a sustained effort to further educate SMCPS high school students about personal safety, avoiding high risk youth behaviors, and making good choices. The assemblies are the result of a collaboration with the St. Mary's County Commission for Women, and MedStar St. Mary's Hospital.
The Dating Violence Prevention assemblies for 9th and 10th grade students will be presented by Mr. Bill Mitchell of the Kristin Mitchell Foundation. Mr. Mitchell will speak about dating violence awareness and prevention. Mr. Mitchell is the father of Kristin Mitchell, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2005. The key points of his speech will be what happened to his daughter and the reasons why this might not have happened had she been better informed about potential dangers. Students will have the opportunity to hear Mr. Mitchell speak about respect and the recognition of critical warning signs that can prevent violence in relationships.
The Young Driver Safety assemblies for 11th and 12th grade students will be presented by Ms. Liz Marks and her mother Ms. Betty Shaw. Ms. Marks who was seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash while reading a text message form her mother. Ms. Marks was 17 years old at the time of the crash and the presentation by Ms. Marks and her mother provides an intense focus on the dangers of distracted driving. Ms. Marks' story has been featured in many national venues and she and her mother are both committed to preventing similar tragedies involving young drivers.
If you would like additional information about the assemblies contact the Department of Safety and Security at 301-475-5511, extension 32235.
Countywide Kindergarten Enrollment
St. Mary's County Public Schools is pleased to announce registration for Kindergarten for school year 2016 - 2017. All schools will hold open registration beginning Monday, May 2, 2016 and continuing through the summer.
Parents of children who will be five years old by September 1, 2016 should register at the school assigned to their physical address during the open enrollment period.
Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) may go to the school assigned to their legal address to complete the registration paperwork. Children are not required to be present for registration. Required documentation includes evidence of birth, proof of residency, a copy of the child's immunization record, any court papers regarding custody of the minor child. Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) must also bring photo identification when registering their child.
Each elementary school will conduct open enrollment for the children residing in their zone. Questions regarding which school serves your residential area should be directed to the Department of Capital Planning at 301-475-4256, option 6. You do not need to make an appointment to register a child.
Documentation which indicates the current physical address of the child will be accepted as proof of residence. Proof of residence will include, but is not limited to, one of the following:
a. Mortgage/deed/rental agreement with 911 address assignment;
b. Current utility bill with parent/legal guardian name, 911 address of residence, and service address (post office box is not acceptable - and wireless telephone bills are not acceptable); and,
c. Patuxent River Naval Base housing form NOW-NATC-1110-1/15, Assignment to Public Quarters, which identifies bona fide residence in St. Mary's County
Parent(s)/Legal Guardians not intending to register an appropriately aged child for kindergarten must obtain a waiver from the St. Mary's County Public Schools Department of Student Services. It is not necessary for children enrolled in prekindergarten in the public schools to register again.
Questions about the program and registration may be directed to Cynthia Kilcoyne, Coordinating Supervisor of Birth to Five Programs at 301-475-5511, ext. 32218.
Countywide Prekindergarten/Head Start Application
St. Mary's County Public Schools is pleased to announce open application for Prekindergarten/Head Start to determine eligibility for school year 2016 - 2017. All schools will hold open application from Thursday, April 14, 2016 through Friday, May 6, 2016 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. The goal of the Prekindergarten/Head Start program is to provide initial learning experiences to help children develop basic skills and concepts necessary for successful school performance.
A child must be four years old on or before September 1, 2016, and come from a family with an economically disadvantaged background. If vacancies remain after children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds have been accepted, the remaining vacancies will be filled using locally determined at-risk criteria and served in rank order.
Parents of children who will be three years old by September 1, 2016 and are eligible for placement into the Head Start Program should also apply at the school assigned to their physical address during the open application period. In addition, a limited number of Pre-Kindergarten 3 spaces are available in several Title I schools.
The process for application has been revised for the 2016-2017 school year. Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) may go to the school assigned to their legal address on any of the designated application days to complete the application paperwork. Children are not required to be present for application. Required documentation includes evidence of birth, proof of residency, proof of income, a copy of the child's immunization record, any court papers regarding custody of the minor child, and a completed application. Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) must also bring photo identification when registering their child.
Proof of income must be provided in order for a child's application to be processed quickly. Proof of income documentation includes one of the following:
a. W-2 form
b. copies of the LAST 3 paycheck stubs, or
c. proof of temporary cash assistance (the letter indicating the amount of temporary cash assistance is required)
d. child support
Documentation which indicates the current physical address of the child will be accepted as proof of residence. Proof of residence will include, but is not limited to, one of the following:
a. Mortgage/deed/rental agreement with 911 address assignment.
b. Current utility bill with parent/legal guardian name, 911 address of residence, and service address (post office box is not acceptable - and wireless telephone bills are not acceptable); and
c. Patuxent River Naval Base housing form NOW-NATC-1110-1/15, Assignment to Public Quarters; which identifies bona fide residence in St. Mary's County
Each elementary school will accept applications for the children residing in their zone. Questions regarding which school serves your residential area should be directed to the Department of Capital Planning at 301-475-4256, option 6.
Questions about the program and registration may be directed to Cynthia Kilcoyne, Coordinating Supervisor of Birth to Five Programs at 301-475-5511, ext. 32218.
Forrest Center Hosting Annual Plant Sale and Craft/Vendor Bazaar
The Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center is hosting two major events on Saturday, April 9, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the school site across from the St. Mary's County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown. The first event is the annual Plant Sale, which benefits the Forrest Center's last Horticulture class and new CASE agriculture program. The Plant Sale takes place in the Greenhouse courtyard. Flowering plants for sale include a variety of Wave Petunias, Geraniums, Begonias, Mandevilla and some Black- Eyed Susan's. Vegetable crops for sale include various Tomato hybrids, Cucumber, Eggplant, Squash, and Lettuce. In addition, some herbs will be available for sale.
In addition to the annual Plant Sale, a Craft/Vendor Bazaar is taking place in the school's Dohrman Conference Center, atrium entrance area and front hallway. Local and regional crafters and vendors will be selling a wide variety of items. The public is invited to come out to enjoy a morning of shopping. Proceeds from table rentals and the silent auction will benefit the Forrest Center's SkillsUSA chapter, which is among the most successful in the state. As a result of that success, the chapter must annually fundraise over $25,000 to cover the cost of leadership training, chapter activities and regional, state & national competitions. For more information about SkillsUSA, go to: www.skillsusa.org.
The event may be recorded and presented on SMCPS Channel 96, the school system's cable channel, and the Internet. For more information about either event, contact the Forrest Center at 301-475-0242.