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Parents are invited to learn how to become more involved in their child's education in a workshop Thursday, May 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. Learning to navigate the school system and communicating with your child's school also will be discussed.
The same workshop will be held simultaneously at Albert Einstein, Seneca Valley, Springbrook and Watkins Mill high schools. There also will be a Spanish-language workshop available at each school.
For more information, call 301-279-3100 or visit the Family and Community Partnerships Web site.
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/familycommunity
In late May, high school students will take the Maryland High School Assessments, which measure school and individual student progress. The four tests are given in English 10, algebra/data analysis, biology and national, state and local government. Students take the tests as they complete the courses. Passing the HSA is a state graduation requirement starting with the Class of 2009.
Parents can help their children by encouraging them to take challenging classes in middle and high school. Let your children know of your expectations, and make it clear to them that effort counts. Make space and time for them at home to complete their homework. Be sure they are well rested and eat a good breakfast on test day.
The HSA includes multiple-choice and written-response questions. Students will take the tests from May 22 through May 25.
High School Instruction
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/hsi/
HSA Testing
www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/testing/hsa/
All Montgomery County schools are encouraged to participate in Drive for Supplies, a program that asks students to donate used, but usable, school supplies. The end of the school year is a perfect time for the program, as students can clean out their lockers, bookbags and desks. Schools also use the opportunity to educate students about recycling. Last year, more than 9,700 pounds of materials were collected.
Throughout June, participating schools will collect reusable school supplies and distribute them to local nonprofit organizations, international children's charities and other Montgomery County schools with a need for the items.
Contact your school to find out whether it is participating. More information on the program is available by calling the Student Affairs Office at 301-279-4957.
Drive for Supplies
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/studentaffairs/sao/supplies/
As the end of the school year approaches, graduation season is right around the corner. Graduations begin May 30 and run through June 12. The schedule is available on the MCPS home page. Call your high school for details.
Graduation schedule
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/graduation/
The transition from high school to college is filled with challenge, opportunity and decision making. The work doesn't end for seniors once the cap and gown is purchased and the college applications are mailed.
The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) offers several valuable resources on its Web site that can help parents and students during the admissions process. The site can answer questions from what is the meaning of "wait listed" to what to pack for college.
Also, in mid-May, high school counseling departments receive a list of colleges and universities that have spaces available in their freshman class. This can be a helpful tool for students who were not admitted to the colleges and universities to which they applied.
NACAC
www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/forstudents
Interested in next year's curriculum for your elementary or middle school student? The Parent Guides for kindergarten to Grade 5 and the Middle School Program brochure for Grades 6-8 offer an array of helpful information to help you prepare your child for the next school year. Along with English, the booklets are available in Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
The Parent Guides, which are available at the elementary schools, describe the curriculum for each K–5 grade level, providing valuable information about reading and language arts, math, science and social studies. The Middle School Program brochure provides an overview of the courses offered in grades 6, 7 and 8, as well as descriptions of the electives and after-school and special programs available to middle schoolers. Copies can be picked up at the middle schools.
Parent Guides
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/elementary/parentguides.shtm
Middle School Program brochure
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/middleschool/brochure.shtm
An open house will be held for parents of current 5th grade students who will be participating in the residential outdoor education program as 6th graders in the fall.
MCPS sixth graders spend three days/two nights at one of three outdoor education centers. They are accompanied by teachers, other school staff and high school or parent volunteers. Special education students and students in alternative programs also participate. There is a student fee that covers food, lodging, transportation and insurance; financial assistance is available.
The open house will be held Saturday, June 3, from
1 to 3 p.m. at the Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center, 5110 Meadowside Lane in Rockville. Parents are invited to tour the facilities and learn about the academic activities the program offers. A Spanish-speaking interpreter will be available.
Call the Smith Center at 301-924-3123 to RSVP or with questions.
Outdoor Education
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/outdoored/
Parents interested in helping to shape secondary school education for the future are invited to attend an all-day conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 20 at Northwest High School. Northwest HS is located at 13501 Richter Farm Road in Germantown.
The event, "Secondary School Conference–Sharpening Our Focus," also will involve students, educators and organizations interested in high school and middle school reform, and in creating better transitions for students from middle school to high school and into college and careers.
More than 25 breakout sessions will address topics such as: Making Senior Year Count; Transitioning from High School to Community College and to University, and Engaging Communities and Families.
Speakers for the event include Willard R. Daggett, president of the International Center for Leadership in Education; Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland in Baltimore County; MCPS Superintendent Jerry D. Weast and Deputy Superintendent Frieda K. Lacey.
The conference is being sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools in collaboration with Montgomery College and the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education.
Registration is required to attend. Parents can contact their child's school and ask to register with the school's team that will be attending the event.
Registration deadline is May 19. Conference information and registration forms are available on the Career and Technology Education web site. All middle and high schools also have copies of this information.
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/cte
The 17th Annual African American Festival of Academic Excellence program will be held Saturday, June 3 at the University of Maryland, College Park. The program honors African American students for their academic achievements. Elementary and middle schools students are nominated based on their grades of a B average or higher during the first and second grading periods of the 2005–06 school year. High schoolers must receive a cumulative 3.0 GPA for all combined high school years through the first semester of the current school year.
The ceremony will honor elementary school students
from 9 a.m. until noon, and middle and high schoolers
from 3 to 6 p.m.
- May 2-13: Advanced Placement exams
- May 6: SAT administered
- May 9: Board of Education meeting, Carver Educational Services Center, 10 a.m.
- May 22: Board of Education meeting, Carver Educational Services Center, 6:30 p.m.
- May 22-25: High School Assessments
- May 29: Memorial Day holiday (schools and offices closed)
- May 30-June 12: High School Assessments make-up
- June 3: SAT administered
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