Focus Newsletter for third week of Sept. 

 REMINDER TO PTA Presidents and Treasurers:

Per MD PTA Bylaws and your insurance company, Please remember to send your PTA audit report (and a copy of your budget)  to PTA Council.   Deadline is Oct. 1.  Send via the pony (interschool mail system), fax 410-740-1207 or email ptachc@gmail.com, or snail mail: 10598 Marble Faun, Columbia, MD  21044   Thank you.  

HCPSS NEWS

The Board of Education of Howard County regularly holds “Coffee & Conversation” sessions at schools throughout the county.  These meetings provide citizens with an opportunity to share a cup of coffee and chat informally with Board members.  The meetings are held in various regions of the county but interested persons from throughout the county are invited to attend any or all of the meetings.  The next “Coffee & Conversation” session with the Board of Education will be held:

Saturday, Oct. 11 at 9:30 am - 11 am at River Hill High School

Thursday, Oct. 16, BOE members will meet with PTA Presidents and CAC at 7:30 pm at BOE

WHAT'S ON THE PARENT TEACHER CONNECTION SHOW ON COMCAST 95 & VERIZON 42  

What is Our School System Doing to Help Students Pass the High School Assessments In Order to Graduate?

Find out by watching the Parent Teacher Connection show! 

Other topics this month include: * The challenges of hiring new teachers * How higher gas prices affect school bus schedules 

Parent Host, Jennifer Johnson, talks with Director of Teacher Hiring, Ernesto Diaz, about the new group of teachers recently hired by the Howard County Public Schools. Where do they come from? What are the most difficult subject areas to find qualified candidates for? Why do female far outnumber males? What special techniques does Howard County Public Schools use to attract the best candidates? 

PTA Host, Deborah Wessner, interviews Chief Operating Officer, Terry Alban, and Director of High School Curriculum, Clarissa Evans, about Howard County school system's interventions to help students who must pass the HSAs this schools year in order to graduate. MSA results are also discussed as well as efforts to assist those schools that must meet the state's AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) standards. - 

Director of Transportation for Howard County Public Schools, David Drown, explains how gas prices have played a role in altering bus schedules and an anticipated increase in numbers of students using school bus transportation. Drown also tells parent host, Jennifer Johnson, about expected student behavior on school buses and the training of bus drivers on cell phone use, and controlling bullying.

 Parent Teacher Connection is broadcast on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon and 5 p.m on Comcast cable channel 95 and Verizon channel 42.

2nd Annual Farm City Family Walk   Sept. 27th                                                            

8:30 - 11 AM at Clark's Elioak Farm on Route 108

Come join Howard County families for a FREE, noncompetitive Family Walk through a local farm.  1.5 mile walk that has fun and educational booths on the history of the farm, bee keeping, nutrition, and grains!  You can also buy your own pumpkin to take home! Registration begins at 8:15 with the last walker admitted at 9:30 am.  

Clarks Elioak Farm is located at 10500 Clarksville Pike.  Registration is free at the door or pre-register at www.hchealth.org  For more information: www.clarklandfarm.com 

CALENDAR  

Sept. 24        Reflection Chair meeting 7 pm at Faulkner Ridge

Oct. 1            A copy of the local PTA audit report is due to Council per MD PTA   

                   bylaws and your insurance policy

From Oct. - June, PTAC meetings will be held at the ARL* building which is right next door to the BOE

Oct. 6             PTACHC General membership meeting at the ARL* 7:30 pm

Oct. 11           Coffee and Conversation with BOE 9:30 am - 11 am at River Hill 

                        High Cafeteria

Oct. 13           LIVE on channel 95, the Board of Education Candidates  

                       Forum hosted by League of Women Voters 7 pm.  This will be  

                       rebroadcast over the next weeks until the election.  

Oct. 16           BOE meets with PTA Presidents and CAC 7:30 pm at BOE

Oct. 29           PTACHC Sharing Session/ Workshop at Faulkner Ridge Center,           

                       10598 Marble Faun Lane Time: 7 pm - 9:30 pm  

2nd Monday Nov. 10       PTACHC General membership meeting meets at the ARL*

Nov. 14/15  MD PTA Fall Convention  for info www.mdpta.org 

Dec. 1            PTACHC General Membership meeting at ARL 7:30 pm

      **The ARL is the Application & Research Lab school located at 10920 Route     

               108. This is next door to the Dept. of Education.

                Thank you for advocating for every child, one voice.

    
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