The winner of the Maryland Geographic Alliance's inaugural James B. Binko Outstanding Geography Educator of the Year is Tom Harten of Calvert County Public Schools. Mr. Harten is a teacher for CHESPAX, the school system's environmental education program, where he is involved in all aspects of program implementation and ensures the effective operation of CHESPAX.
Dr. Daniel D. Curry, Superintendent, said, "Tom Harten is an outstanding educator who thinks outside the box. He deserves this recognition."
Supervisor of Science (PreK-8th) Janel McPhillips said, "While the major focus of his job is environmental education, Tom is constantly looking for ways to increase students' global awareness…[by] pulling geography into curricular units."
One example of Mr. Harten's innovative work with geography has been his students' use of interactive mapping tools to monitor the frog population of Calvert County. CHESPAX was a part of the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas (MARA) project for several years. Students in seventh grade collected recordings and images of reptiles and amphibians from their backyards and schoolyards and shared their findings with MARA scientists, who were documenting the distribution of these animals across the state. At the end of each season, they created maps to illustrate the distribution of different species within Calvert County. MARA officially ended in 2015, but students continued to collect and submit data to the Calvert County Natural Resources Division for two more years. Next year, the project will be expanded as a part of the Maryland Biodiversity Project.
Mr. Harten sees a strong connection between environmental science and geography. "We try to engage students with a sense of place," he said. "I often tell the seventh graders that the data they collect on their one-day field trip is like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle. When we add their puzzle piece to those of other classes and of other observers in the area, those pieces come together to reveal a picture or to tell a story about the health of the Chesapeake Bay."
The $500 award is named for Dr. James B. Binko, a lifelong advocate for geography education. He has had a remarkable career as a Maryland public schoolteacher, an education professor and Dean of the College of Education at Towson University, and an education consultant for the National Geographic Society.
The Maryland Geographic Alliance (MGA) is a network of university faculty, K-12 educators, and a wide array of organizations and institutions working to promote and enhance geographic education across Maryland. MGA is headquartered at Towson University, where it is focused on rebuilding and strengthening its network of professional geographers and educators. Since 1989, more than 14,000 educators have participated in professional development programs that emphasize geography content and incorporate hands-on activities. Workshops, summer institutes, and mini courses provide specific support for teachers of middle school world cultures, AP human geography, and geospatial technologies.
Dr. Joe Sampson, III Appointed Principal of Calvert Elementary School
The Board of Education has appointed Dr. Joe Sampson, III to be principal of Calvert Elementary School, beginning on July 1, 2017.
After his appointment, Dr. Sampson said, "I am beyond excited to get started in CCPS. I'm looking forward to working at Calvert Elementary with the students and staff, and I know we're going to have an amazing year."
Dr. Sampson has served as the principal of St. James-Santee Elementary/Middle School in South Carolina for six years. He began his career as an art teacher in North Carolina after earning his Bachelor's degree in Studio Art from South Carolina State University. He received his Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision in 2008 and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2015, both from the University of Phoenix.
Programs Relocate for Integration of Services
The Board of Education has approved the relocation of two special education early childhood programs to Calvert Country School in Prince Frederick. The Infants and Toddlers Program, including the preschool program for two-year-olds, and the Child Find Program will move to Calvert Country School after currently unutilized space is renovated.
"The moves," said Dr. Daniel D. Curry, Superintendent, "provide greater potential for integration of services for families."
The first renovations will convert unused locker rooms into additional classrooms for students currently attending Calvert Country School. The second phase will restructure a cluster of classrooms into a dedicated area for the two special education early childhood programs. The wing will have a separate entrance for staff and families, and additional parking will be added.
The preschool program for two-year-olds is currently housed at Calvert Elementary School. The vacated space will accommodate increased enrollment and an expanded special education regional program.
The Infants and Toddlers Program and Child Find Program are based at the Hunting Creek Annex in Huntingtown. Once these programs are relocated to Calvert Country School, options for the annex's future will be evaluated. Currently, the Hunting Creek Annex annually costs $57,000-$60,000 operationally and would require systemic capital improvements for continued use by the school district.
The current utilization rate for Calvert Country is 38%, and the consolidation of programs will allow for more efficient capital planning and greater efficiency in maintenance and operations per square foot.
The relocation will occur in several phases, beginning at the start of the 2017-2018 school year and ending in the fall of 2018.
Board of Education Honors Winter State Athletic Champions
At the May 11, 2017 meeting, the Calvert County Public Schools Board of Education honored two athletes who won state championships during the winter season.
Dr. Daniel D. Curry, Superintendent, said, "Calvert County sends champions of all kinds to state competitions. We're so pleased to honor these two."
The state champions for the winter season are:
• Molly Barrick, Indoor Track, Northern High, Coach Joshua Dawson; and
• Giovanni "Gino" Sita, Wrestling, Huntingtown High, Coach Kevin Gilligan.
During her running career at Northern High, Molly Barrick has set or been a part of four different indoor school records. This year she won the Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association (MPSSAA) 3A Indoor 3200 Meter Championship. She has been the MPSSAA 3A Regional Champion two times over for her races in the 1600 and 3200 and received Honorable Mention in the Washington Post All-Met selection.
Gino Sita won the MPSSAA championship for wrestling at 195 pounds. During his high school career, he was a four-time state place winner and a two-time state finalist. He was a region champion (two years), Southern Maryland Athletic Conference (SMAC) champion (two years), region finalist (three years), SMAC finalist (four years), and SMAC Wrestler of the Year (2017). Gino ended his season with a record 45-2, and a career record of 177-19, which ranks him 2nd all-time in Maryland public school victories.
SMECO Outstanding Mathematics and Science Teachers
Four Calvert County Public Schools teachers have been named Outstanding Mathematics and Science Teachers by the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). Krystal Butler, Cara Quade, Lori Berth, and Rob Halstead were awarded for their excellence in teaching at a ceremony that recognized educators from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties.
Science teacher Krystal Butler of Northern High School models excellence in and out of the classroom. In the classroom, Ms. Butler engages students to help them learn biology, chemistry, and biomedical sciences. Dr. Yovonda Kolo, the Supervisor of Secondary Science said, "Ms. Butler entered teaching with a dream of saving lives in the medical field; however, on her journey, she found herself saving lives in the classroom." One of her students said, "Ms. Butler's creativity is a highlight of her lessons; she involves students within her lessons and keeps everyone on their toes for what may be coming next."
Mathematics teacher Cara Quade of Windy Hill Elementary School is inspiring, and her passion for teaching and student achievement is unyielding, said her principal Kelly Griffith. According to Jennifer Young, Supervisor of Elementary Mathematics, "Ms. Quade's classroom environment is structured for success. Her math lessons are specifically designed to ensure that students are engaging with their peers as they tackle challenging and complex problems in strategic and flexible ways. Failure is not an option in Ms. Quade's classroom."
"Kids just enjoy math in Lori Berth's class," said Supervisor of Secondary Mathematics Joe Sutton, when describing her classroom at Windy Hill Middle School. Her principal, Mr. James Kurtz, shares that Ms. Berth is a gifted, versatile educator who makes a significant impact with advanced learners as well as students with learning difficulties. She is reflective, collaborative, supportive, and caring. Her peers call her a tremendous resource, data-driven, detail-oriented, kind, helpful, and selfless.
Rob Halstead of Northern High has a passion to bring math to all students. Whether teaching Algebra 2 or Calculus 2, he has an ability to engage students in investigating meaningful mathematical questions. His skill goes beyond his classroom, said Mr. Sutton. "When working with his department, math teachers from other buildings, or administrators, Rob has a balance of idealism and realism that helps the adults in the room come to conclusions and action based not only on where we have been, but on where we need to go next."
Students and Teacher Honored at Maryland History Day
Four students from Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) advanced to the National History Day Contest after competing at Maryland History Day on April 29, 2017. These students conducted research and completed projects based on the 2017 theme of Taking a Stand in History.
Susie Cox, teacher at Plum Point Middle School, received the Calvert County History Day Teacher of the Year award.
The students advancing to the National History Day Contest held in College Park, Maryland, on June 11-15 are:
• Abigail Setzfand—Northern Middle School, Individual Website, Lewis Hine: Focusing the Lens on Child Labor;
• Tyler Cassidy and Edward Williams—Plum Point Middle, Group Exhibit, Brown v. Board of Education of Calvert County: Taking a Stand for African-American Teachers; and
• Gracie Knudson—Huntingtown High School, Individual Performance, Alice Paul: Taking a Stand for Women's Equality.
In addition to winning first place in the Junior Group Exhibit category, Tyler Cassidy and Edward Williams won a Special Prize in Maryland History, sponsored by the Maryland Historical Society.
Maryland History Day is the culmination of a year-long educational program sponsored by the Maryland Humanities Council and affiliated with National History Day. After selecting a historical topic that relates to an annual theme, students conduct extensive research by using libraries, archives, museums, and oral history interviews. They analyze and interpret their findings, draw conclusions about their topics' significance in history, and create final projects that present their work.
Calvert Schools Earn Green Schools Status
Calvert County Public Schools is pleased to announce that two schools earned the status of Maryland Sustainable Green School by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). In addition, six schools have been recertified as Maryland Green Schools.
After previously earning the status of Green School, Calvert Elementary School and Calvert Middle School were approved to be Maryland Sustainable Green Schools, having demonstrated and documented a continuous effort to integrate environmental management practices, environmental education curriculum, professional development opportunities, and community engagement into their daily operations for the past fourteen years.
Earning their second Green School recertification are Patuxent Appeal Elementary Campus, Huntingtown High School, Patuxent High School, St. Leonard Elementary School, Sunderland Elementary School, and Windy Hill Elementary School. In four years, these schools will have the opportunity to apply to become Sustainable Schools.
The Maryland Green School Program fosters an approach that incorporates environmental issue investigation with environmental best management practices, while promoting community awareness and involvement. Through this program, each school is able to cultivate environmental stewardship that extends outside of the school into the community. Schools must report and document their efforts every four years to remain certified.
Energy and Environmental Specialist Sheila Stevens said, "CCPS continues to maintain a 100% success rate, with all schools being certified as Maryland Green Schools. This success is owed to the dedicated administration, teaching staff, support staff, students, and community partners at each school. Additional support is provided by the Departments of Instruction and School Facilities. This accomplishment is a testament that CCPS is moving towards a sustainable future."
MAEOE is a non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage, engage, and empower the community to understand, responsibly use, and promote the natural world. MAEOE's Maryland Green School program began in 1999. Today there are 582 active Maryland Green Schools, which account for over 25% of all Maryland schools. For a complete listing of Green Schools and Green Centers, visit www.maeoe.org.
Huntingtown High Yearbook Earns National Recognition
Huntingtown High School's yearbook, Category Five, has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2017 Jostens Look Book, celebrating the best-of-the-best in yearbook design and coverage. The Jostens Look Book is a collection of spreads and photos from outstanding yearbooks and their creative themes, cool covers, dazzling designs, relevant coverage, storytelling copy and action-packed photography. Along with design excellence, the annually published Look Book honors the important role well-crafted yearbooks play in helping schools chronicle the experiences, stories and achievements most relevant to students and that academic year.
Category Five was created by Editors in Chief Miranda Clark and Kristina McKeaver, and staff members Aliza Brown, Anya Cramer, Marlie Gagliardo, Robin Freeland, Caitlyn Conner, Aaron Fowler, Kassandra Hanks, Maria Still, Madelyn Aiken, Hannah Kennerly, and Jacqueline Teachout, under the direction of Amy Trainer, Huntintown High School's yearbook adviser.
Senior editor in chief, Kristina McKeaver states, "The yearbook staff and I are ecstatic about our spread being featured in the Jostens Look Book! We are dedicated to expand our school's yearbook program and to produce great content. Being selected to showcase our 2016 book 'reflects' just that."
The Huntingtown High Schools' Category Five was one of only 418 yearbooks selected from approximately 3,000. The 2017 panel of judges, comprised of nationally recognized scholastic journalism professionals and award-winning yearbook advisers, selected the best examples of yearbook spreads and covers to make up the 296-page 2017 Look Book.
Amy Trainer and her yearbook staff received a copy of the 2017 Jostens Look Book and certificate from Jostens to recognize their outstanding achievement.
Washington Post Educator Awards Finalists Announced
Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) proudly announces the district's finalists for the Washington Post Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year Awards. Devin Page of Northern Middle is the CCPS finalist for Teacher of the Year, and Zachary Seawell of Calvert Middle is the finalist for Principal of the Year.
The Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award, formerly known as the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award, recognizes teachers who exemplify excellence in their profession. The Washington Post Principal of the Year Award, formerly called the Distinguished Educational Leadership Award, seeks to recognize those principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an exceptional educational environment. School systems in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, including D.C. public charters and private schools, selected nominees in the two categories. Each winner receives a trophy and $7,500.
The winner of the 2017 Teacher of the Year award is Sean Pang, an English teacher at Rockville High School in Montgomery County, and the Principal of the Year is Nathaniel Provencio, principal of Minnieville Elementary School in Prince William County.
According to Supervisor of Social Studies Cecelia Lewis, Mr. Page has "an immeasurable passion for overall student success and an endless drive to help all students meet very high expectations." After teaching for two years in Baltimore County Public Schools, he came to Calvert County Public Schools as a social studies teacher at Northern Middle School, where he is the school's History Fair coordinator, sponsors the National Junior Honor Society, and has served on the School Improvement Team and Instructional Leadership Team. Principal Jaime Webster said, "Mr. Page is passionate about social studies content and has been active with professional development in his field. His lessons are well-planned, engaging, and utilize technology to present the information to students in multiple modalities." Perhaps Mr. Page's strongest quality as a teacher, however, is his ability to build relationships with students so they believe in their own ability to learn and succeed. Mr. Webster said, "He engages even the most reluctant students with his humor and commitment to their success. His students know he cares about them from the moment they step through the doorway because he takes the time to build genuine relationships."
Mr. Seawell grew up in an Air Force family and attended schools in Germany and England before moving to Calvert County when he was in the eighth grade. He graduated from Calvert High, taught science at Southern Middle, and currently lives in the area served by Calvert Middle. His commitment to the community is evident in the relationships he builds with families to support student success. A parent of a Calvert Middle student said, "I have always felt that Mr. Seawell has the best interests of the students at heart. He works very hard to ensure that students have a safe, welcoming environment in the building when they walk in every day." Mr. Seawell's leadership focuses on setting high expectations and creating a positive school culture. Dr. Susan Johnson, Director of Secondary School Improvement, said, "He is an advocate for his school, staff, and students to ensure that they have what they need to be successful. Mr. Seawell puts students at the forefront of his decision making. He has a clear vision for his school and devises school improvement initiatives using disaggregated data." Furthermore, Mr. Seawell has been instrumental in working with staff and students to address achievement gaps between groups of students. Dr. Daniel D. Curry, Superintendent, said, "His commitment to student learning ensures that every student in his school has access to a rigorous educational program and receives all of the support necessary to achieve."