School Health Council Meeting
The St. Mary's County School Health Council will meet on Monday, May 8, 2017, from 5:00 - 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held in the Board of Education Meeting Room, at 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.
The primary focus of the meeting will be a review of the proposed changes to the school system's wellness policy to reflect the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model.
For more information, please contact Dr. Andrew Roper, Supervisor of Physical Education/Health, at 301-475-5511, ext. 32104.
Updating Textbook and Instructional Materials
St. Mary's County Public Schools is in the process of renewing its textbook materials for English/Language Arts in grades 6-12.
The following textbooks will be available for review from April 27 through May 9, 2017, in the Charlotte Hall, Leonardtown, and Lexington Park Libraries:
• My Perspectives (2017) Pearson.
• Approaching Literature (2017) MacMillan.
• The Bedford Reader (2017) MacMillan.
• Springboard (2018) College Board.
For more information, please contact Ms. Michelle Gallant-Wall, Secondary English/Language Arts Supervisor, at 301-475-5511, ext. 32119.
Outstanding Employees Recognized
Superintendent of Schools, Mr. J. Scott Smith, would like to recognize several employees that have been recognized for their service and dedication to St. Mary's County Public Schools.
Ms. Karyn Timmons, Parent Liaison at Lexington Park Elementary School, has been selected as the Educational Support Professional of the Year award winner. Ms. Timmons has been employed with St. Mary's County Public Schools for ten years. The Educational Support Professional of the Year award was established in 2009 to recognize the essential role support staff has on the success of the school system by fostering a positive learning environment for students. Dr. Rebecca Schou, Principal at Lexington Park Elementary, said of Ms. Timmons, "As I've had the opportunity to see Ms. Timmons immersed in her duties as Parent Liaison, it quickly became clear to me that for her, being our Parent Liaison is much more than a job, it is a calling. She knows all of our families and they rely on her for guidance, resources and support."
Ms. Kristen McIntyre, Instructional Resource Teacher at Greenview Knolls Elementary School, has been selected as the representative from St. Mary's County Public Schools for the Maryland Teacher of the Year program. Ms. McIntyre has been employed with St. Mary's County Public Schools for eight years. She will compete against other teachers from across the State of Maryland for the Maryland Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. McIntyre holds a Master's Degree in Teaching - Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Math and Science Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Elementary Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Ms. Elizabeth Servello, Principal at Greenview Knolls Elementary, said of Ms. McIntyre, "Ms. McIntyre is what is right with education today. She is engaging in ways that help even reluctant learners. It is for this reason that parents, colleagues, and students at Greenview Knolls Elementary School admire and respect Ms. McIntyre."
Ms. Mary Jane Selph, Vocational Support Teacher at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, has been selected as the representative from St. Mary's County Public Schools for the Washington Post Teacher of the Year program. Ms. Selph has been employed with St. Mary's County Public Schools for thirty-six years. She was a finalist for the Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award competing against other teachers from public and private schools throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Ms. Selph holds a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Frostburg State University. Mr. Michael Egan, Principal of the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center said of Ms. Selph, "Ms. Selph is a role model for every educator, she never accepts excuses; she continues to challenge herself as well as her students and she inspires them to work to their full potential."
Ms. Jennifer Gilman, Principal of Hollywood Elementary School, has been selected as the representative from St. Mary's County Public Schools for the Washington Post Principal of the Year program. Ms. Gilman has been employed with St. Mary's County Public Schools for thirty years, the last eighteen in the role of principal. She was a finalist for the Washington Post Principal of the Year Award competing against other principals from public and private schools throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Ms. Gilman holds a Master's Degree of Education in Education Policy, Planning and Administration from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Bachelor's Degree in Early Education/Elementary Education from Frostburg State University. Lieutenant Troy McFadden, President of the Hollywood Elementary School Parent/Teacher Association said of Ms. Gilman, "Ms. Gilman is energetic, motivated, and committed with the highest degree of integrity. She has a strong understanding of the many facets of school leadership including facility planning, budget, finance, human resources management and strategic planning."
"These four employees represent the excellence found in St. Mary's County Public Schools. They are truly dedicated to the success of the students they serve and to the school community. I join the entire school system in applauding Ms. Timmons, Ms. McIntyre, Ms. Selph, and Ms. Gilman being recognized by their peers as outstanding educators" said Mr. J. Scott Smith, Superintendent of Schools.
As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we not only thank our teachers, but principals and support staff as well. Every employee makes an important contribution to the success of our students. Ms. Timmons, Ms. McIntyre, Ms. Selph, and Ms. Gilman will represent the school system at the Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week. All nominees for the Educational Support Professional of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Principal of the Year, will be recognized on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at Chopticon High School, beginning at 5:00 p.m. along with other St. Mary's County Public School staff recognitions.