Education Insight • February 1, 2008 www.pgcps.org/educationinsight 1

Business partners and community leaders recently “got the inside scoop” on what a

typical day in the life of a principal is really like. On January 17, nearly 120 volunteer principals representing businesses and community organiza-tions shadowed principals at schools throughout the county during the 5th Annual Principal For a Day event. Hosted by Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Business Partnerships Office in partnership with the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, the goals of the event are to promote the positive programs and academic achievement that is happening in PGCPS schools, to allow participants to experience a typical school day and experience the challenges faced in public education, and to create partnerships between volunteers and their schools. “Our business partners make a tremendous difference in the lives of students and in the edu-cational process,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. John E. Deasy. “Through their donations of time and resources, students have opportunities for unique learning experiences, instructional materials, and other resources that might otherwise be unavailable.” Principal For a Day volunteers selected the school of their choice, and joined the school’s principal for the entire school

day, assisting and observing in student activities, special events, and daily routines. At the end of their day, participants were invited to attend a reception to share their experiences with peers and be recognized for their partnership in the education of public school children in Prince George’s County. This year, however, wintry weather de-scended on the region and the reception had to be postponed when all PGCPS evening ac-tivities were cancelled. The reception will be rescheduled for some time this spring. ■

Volunteer Principals Get the Inside Scoop on Education

Board News 2

Superintendent’s News 3

PGCPS News 4-5

School News 6-7

Good News 7

Calendar of Events 8

Phone Numbers 8

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • FEBRUARY 1, 2008

Inside Insight

Volunteer principal Robin Woodlon of AIG reads with a student in the media center at Greenbelt ES.

Craig Muckle of Safeway plays clarinet with Robert Goddard Montessori School students.

Education Insight • February 1, 2008 www.pgcps.org/educationinsight 2

Board Calendar Budget Work Session2/5 • 6 p.m.

Legislative Commit-tee Meeting2/5 • 5 p.m.

Board Work Sessionon the FY09 Budget2/7 • 1 p.m.

Budget Work Session2/11 • 6 p.m.

Adoption of FY09 Budget 2/13 • 6 p.m.

Board meetings, work sessions, and most public hearings convene in the Board Meeting Room of the Sasscer Administration Building, 14201 School Lane, in Upper Marlboro. These events are broadcast live on Comcast Cable Channel 96 and Verizon Channel 38. For more information, call the Board Office at 301-952-6308.

Board News

Board Meetings To Be Video Streamed On Web

Soon members of the community can view Board meeting without leaving the comfort of their favorite chair! Beginning February 7, all Board meetings and work sessions will be video streamed

live on the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Web site, in addition to being aired on PGCPS Cable Channel 96 (Comcast) and Channel 38 (Verizon). The PGCPS Department of Television and Web Services is using the latest in video streaming technology on the school system Web site to enable the community to virtually “attend” a Board meeting and have infor-mation on the latest initiatives and programs in PGCPS. ■

Beginning February 7, you won’t have to sit in the Board room to “attend” a meeting!

Board of Education Commemorates School Counseling Week and Peace Week

On January 24, the Board of Education passed proclamations to commemorate two special weeks in February: School Counseling Week and Peace Week.

School Counseling Week was established by the American School Counselor Association to highlight the tremendous impact counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. This year’s theme is “School Counselors: Creating Pathways to Success.” Through a

proclamation, the Board of Education calls upon school administrators, teachers, students, and parents to honor the observance through special activities and programs during the week of February 4 through 8. Peace Week was established to raise aware-ness about the different types of violence in communities, and the strong impact schools and community members can have in reducing violence. The Board of Education is committed to providing safe and drug free learning environ-ments for students, and PGCPS supports violence-free school communities. Through a proclamation, the Board encourages all students to be advocates for peaceful schools, and calls upon all stakeholders in education to honor this observance by participating in commemora-tive activities during the week of February 11 through 15. ■

School Counseling Week celebrates the many ways professional school counselors ensure student success.

Education Insight • February 1, 2008 www.pgcps.org/educationinsight 3

The Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Department of Publicity and Publications held a press conference/kick-off event on January 30 to roll out the new Litter Free Offices initiative at

the Sasscer Administration Building. The initiative supports the County Executive’s “Keep It Clean, Keep It Green” initiative, and school staff were joined by Mike Herman, Chief of Staff for the County

Executive; Dr. William Hite, Deputy Superintendent for PGCPS; Helen Moore, Coordinator of Keep Prince George’s County Beauti-ful (KPGCB); the Patuxent ES Green Team; and the Abitibi Paper Retriever Mascot, played by Dennis Harvey, senior at Gwynn Park HS. Through the new Litter Free Offices initiative, school system cen-tral office staff will be encouraged to recycle their clean paper waste and keep their building “litter free” through a partnership with KPGCB and Abitibi Consolidated, Inc. Litter Free Offices is a spin-off of the Litter Free Schools program, estab-lished by KPGCB in 2005, which

currently has nearly 60 elementary schools as part of the Litter Free Schools team. Superintendent of Schools Dr. John E. Deasy has the goal of having all elementary schools and central offices be on the “litter free” team by the end of the school year. Next year, the Litter Free Schools initiative will be expanded to include middle, high, and specialty schools. For more information, visit the school system Web site at www.pgcps.org. ■

Superintendent’s News

The Abitibi Paper Retriever joins (from left) the County Executive’s Chief of Staff Mike Herman and Patuxent ES Green Team members Aquilah Nelson, Matthew Brown, Antwan Benjamin, Nathaniele Celestin, and sponsor James Jackson.

PGCPS Kicks Off Litter Free Offices Initiative PGCPS Publishes FY2007 Annual Report

PGCPS has published its FY2007 Annual Report. The docu-ment is included as an insert in this week’s Gazette newspaper, which is delivered free to more than 200,000 households in Prince George’s County.

Copies of the FY2007 Annual Report will also be available in county libraries, and can be previewed or down-loaded from the school system Web site at www.pgcps.org.

Governor Martin O’Malley Selects PGCPS For Press Conference Site

Deputy Superintendent Dr. William Hite shares remarks during the Governor’s press conference.

Governor Martin O’Malley selected Bladensburg HS as the site for his January

28 press conference on school construction. The Governor was joined by County Executive Jack B. Johnson, Board Member Heather Iliff, PGCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. William Hite, and Bladensburg HS principal Andrea Phillips-Hughes. After sharing his plans to support contin-ued funding of school construction projects in Maryland, Governor O’Malley took a tour of Bladensburg’s Technical Academy programs, biomedical program, and Wellness Center. The Governor was treated to special services from students in the Technical Academy programs, including a blood pressure check from students in the nursing program, and a special brunch catered by students in the culinary arts program. ■

Education Insight • February 1, 2008 www.pgcps.org/educationinsight 4

PGCPS News

Kyle Espinosa, Fairmont Heights

Ten PGCPS Seniors Receive Posse Scholarships Worth $100K Each

Ten seniors from nine Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) high schools have been awarded more than $1 million in four-year, full-tuition scholarships worth

$100,000 each. Through a highly competitive process, the students were selected for the fourth class of Posse Scholars, and will attend one of the Posse Foundation’s four partner colleges serving the Washington metropolitan area. “We are extremely proud of the students who have been selected for this honor,” said Dr. Deasy. “Through the Posse Foundation’s unique program, these students will be well-prepared and supported by their peers as they enter college, helping to ensure their academic success and further develop their leadership skills.” The ten PGCPS Posse Scholars will join 31 other students from the metropolitan area who will receive $4.1 million in four-year, full-tuition scholarships. Nationally, 28 partner-ing colleges and universities will provide at least $100,000 in scholarship funds to each of their Posse Scholars. Since 2005, 29 PGCPS students have received nearly $3 million in scholarships

through the Posse Foundation. The Posse Program identifies high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. Posse Scholars must be committed to their education and demonstrate academic potential. They must also demonstrate leadership in their high schools and communi-ties, be interested in teamwork and diversity, and be positive, motivated, talented, and ambitious. ■

2007 Posse Scholars

2 Scholars will attend Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA:Morgan Davis – Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr.Kamran Khan – Parkdale

2 Scholars will attend Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA:Kyle Espinosa – Fairmont HeightsJohn Young – Eleanor Roosevelt

3 Scholars will attend Lafayette College in Easton, PA:Vichhay Khiev – Charles Herbert FlowersAyodeji Odusami – FriendlyChristopher Trowell – Oxon Hill

3 Scholars will attend Sewanee: the University of the South in Sewanee, TN:Ronald Douglas, II – Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. Deanna Gonzalez – CentralHaben Zemicael – DuVal

Next Issue: How Posse Scholars are selected and photos of the other five scholars!

John Young, Eleanor Roosevelt HS Deanna Gonzalez, Central HS

Kamran Khan, Parkdale HS Haben Zemicael, DuVal HS

Education Insight • February 1, 2008 www.pgcps.org/educationinsight 5

High School Graduation Schedule(2007/2008 School Year)

School Location Date Time

Bladensburg Show Place Arena 5/27 2:30 p.m.Bowie Comcast Center 5/28 5:30 p.m.Central Show Place Arena 5/28 9:30 a.m.Charles H. Flowers Comcast Center 5/27 5:30 p.m.Community Based C.H. Flowers HS 7/31 10:30 a.m. ClassroomCroom C.H. Flowers HS 5/27 1 p.m.Crossland Show Place Arena 5/27 9:30 a.m.Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. Comcast Center 5/29 1 p.m.DuVal Show Place Arena 5/30 9:30 a.m.Eleanor Roosevelt Comcast Center 5/27 9 a.m.Evening HS Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. HS 5/29 6 p.m.Fairmont Heights Show Place Arena 5/23 2:30 p.m.Forestville Mil. Acad. Show Place Arena 5/28 2:30 p.m.Frederick Douglass Show Place Arena 5/30 2:30 p.m.Friendly Comcast Center 5/28 1 p.m.Gwynn Park Show Place Arena 5/29 2:30 p.m.High Point Comcast Center 5/27 1 p.m.Largo Comcast Center 5/28 9 a.m.Laurel Comcast Center 5/29 5:30 p.m.Northwestern Comcast Center 6/5 9 a.m.Oxon Hill Comcast Center 5/29 9 a.m.Parkdale Comcast Center 6/5 1:30 p.m.Potomac Show Place Arena 5/29 9:30 a.m.RICA RICA 5/30 10:30 a.m.Special Centers C.H. Flowers HS 5/27 10 a.m.Suitland Comcast Center 6/5 5:30 p.m.Summer School Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. HS 8/1 3 p.m.Surrattsville Show Place Arena 5/23 9:30 a.m.Tall Oaks PGCC 5/29 11 a.m.

NOTE: The High School Graduation Schedule is also available on the school system Web site at www.pgcps.org.

PGCPS News

Dr. James Dula Shares Inspirational Message With Honor Students

Dr. James Dula, President of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, joined

more than 260 students at Kettering MS during the school’s honor roll assembly. Dr. Dula’s message focused on inspiring students to work hard in school and pursue a college career. Dr. Dula was joined by Board Member Patricia Fletcher and principal Maurice Wrightin celebrating Kettering MS students’ academic achievement. ■

Dr. James Dula speaks with Kettering MS students.

Kettering MS students share their enthusiasm during the assembly.

Education Insight • February 1, 2008 www.pgcps.org/educationinsight 6

School News

Visual and Performing Arts Schools Share Talents With Families and the Community

Suitland VPA dancers perform during Winterfest.

Thomas Pullen is a Creative and Performing Arts focus school where students are able

to reach their academic and artistic potential. Middle school drama students had the opportunity to share their talents with families and community members when they presented “HONK! Jr.” Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale was transformed into a modern musical comedy from January 24 through 29 at Central HS. Written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, HONK! Jr. tells the story of Ugly, whose odd, gawky looks instantly incite prejudice from his family and neighbors. The Thomas Pullen Drama Department offers students a wide variety of performance opportunities and skills development. Criti-cal thinking and creative problem solving are stressed within the curriculum. Incorporation of the academics and other arts is a primary goal.

Students also explore alternate forms of self-expression. The primary grades (K-2) focus on developing performance skills in pantomime, improvisation, story enactment, and memorization of plays, poetry, and prose. Intermediate grade students (3-5) continue to hone their skills with the focus on devel-oping scripts for performance from a variety of sources. In addition, acting, character analysis, and development are included. In the middle school grades (6-8), students have the opportunity to study history of theater and film. They also explore set design and set construction. Original monologues and published plays are also encouraged. On January 29, Suitland High School’s Center for the Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) show-cased students’ talents in Arts Gala 2008 at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Maryland College Park. This enchanting evening was also hosted by NBC Channel 4 anchorwoman Pat Lawson Muse. Collectively, the different disciplines of the CVPA put on more than 20 artistic performances

during a regular school year. Through its collaborative efforts, the gala was an opportunity for the CVPA to: 1) recruit future students into the program; 2) share the talents of each of the five arts disciplines with the community in a rare one-evening performance; and 3) help raise scholarship funds to provide rising juniors and seniors of the program with pre-college oppor-tunities. The Center for the Visual and Performing Arts at Suitland High School is a Contextual Learning Environment that provides high school students with professional-level training in the arts. Students of the program can major in one of the following areas: visual arts, dance, theatre, and vocal or instrumental music. Graduates of CVPA are accepted to some of the country’s most prestigious colleges, universities, and conservatories each year, and are awarded millions of dollars in scholarships for their artistic and academic accomplishments. ■

Thomas G. Pullen students perform “HONK! Jr.” for the community.

Education Insight • February 1, 2008 www.pgcps.org/educationinsight 7

William W. Hall ES Student Has Role in HBO’s Series “The Wire”Sixth-grader Dejon Burgess of William W. Hall ES plays the role of Young Proposition Joe this season in HBO’s series set in Baltimore, “The Wire.”

Washington Nationals Reps Visit William Wirt MS and Donate BooksOn January 25, Washington Nationals pitchers Mike Bacsik and Tim Redding visited William Wirt MS eighth-graders to speak about the im-portance of personal responsibility and hard work, and transitioning to high school. They also shared personal stories about their careers and plans for the future. Nationals Vice President of Communica-tions Chartese Burnett and Director of Community Relations Barbra Silva spoke with students about baseball franchise careers, and they donated more than 1,400 books through The Heart of America Foundation to help the students reach their goal of reading 25 books during the school year.

Bond Mill ES Excels in First In MathBrenda Fischer’s fourth grade math class has been playing the national First In Math game since October. Fischer’s class ranks 4th among individual fourth-grade classes, and three of Fischer’s students – Ashley Akateh, Azzah Ismail, and Belviane Songong – rank among the top 100 in the nation. Bond Mill’s fourth grade ranks 22nd in the nation.

Crossland HS Senior Antoine Tate Inspires Rosaryville ES Students Crossland HS senior Antoine Tate shared his inspirational story of success with Rosaryville ES students during their honor roll assembly on January 18. Tate inspired students to achieve their best by sharing stories of his experience in the College Summit program.

School News Good News

High Bridge ES Family Night Focuses on Mathematics

High Bridge ES families learn math skills to share at home with their students.

High Bridge Elementary School hosts an “Academic Focused Family Night” every quarter. On January 24, High Bridge ES

parents, students, and staff gathered to focus on mathematics. Teachers had the opportunity to work with parents, teaching them strategies that they can use to reinforce math at home to support teaching and learning. There was also a presentation on “Motivating Your Child” and how to prepare fun winter activities to help students succeed. High Bridge ES is committed to academic achievement and host-ing this type of family night increases parent involvement, and helps to bridge the gap between home and school. ■

High Bridge ES parents learn how to prepare fun, educational, winter activities to share at home with their children.

Education Insight • February 1, 2008 www.pgcps.org/educationinsight 8

A College Education Is Within Your Reach: A Free Workshop in Spanish February 2 • 9 a.m.-1 p.m. • INFO: 301-445-8460 University of Maryland College ParkAdele H. Stamp Student Union The PGCPS International School Counseling Office will sponsor a college fair with bilingual representatives from area colleges and univer-sities. The FREE workshop will provide information to families with students in grade 6-12 on preparing for college, completing high school graduation requirements, financial aid, and the college application pro-cess. The event features special guest speakers, tours of the University of Maryland campus, refreshments, door prizes, and more.

“Follow the Drinking Gourd” Planetarium Program February 8 • 7:30 p.m. • INFO: 301-918-8750 Howard B. Owens Science Center 9601 Greenbelt Road •Lanham The Howard B. Owens Science Center will host a family planetarium program based on the book “Follow the Drinking Gourd” by Jeannette Winter. The program introduces the day and night skies, and discusses the importance of the Big Dipper, or the “drinking gourd.” The pro-gram finishes with the story and artwork from the book, which tells of a family escaping from the South using the “drinking gourd” as a guide. A tour of the night sky follows the presentation. Tickets are $4 adults, and $2 for students and seniors.

Prince George’s Artist/Teacher Institute (PGATI) Conference February 23 • 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. • INFO: 301-805-6880 Bowie Center for the Performing Arts 15200 Annapolis Road • Bowie The Bowie Center for the Performing Arts will host a one-day profes-sional development workshop for elementary teachers and administra-tors. The workshop is designed as an introduction to arts integration learning. For more information, email jhawkins@pgcps.org or bmakle@pgcps.org.

Public Hearing on the Naming of the New Laurel-Beltsville Area Elementary School February 27 • 7 p.m. • INFO: 301-952-6308 Martin Luther King, Jr. MS 4545 Ammendale Road • Beltsville The Prince George’s County Board of Education Capital Improvement Program Committee (CIP) will convene a public hearing to solicit names for the New Laurel-Beltsville Area Elementary School, which will be the first “green” public school in Prince George’s County. Public par-ticipation is encouraged. All persons interested in speaking must register with the Board Office by 4:30 p.m. the day of the meeting by calling 301-952-6308. Registered participants will have three minutes to speak.

Superintendent’s Office ........................................... 301-952-6008Adult Ed./Evening HS/GED ................................... 301-985-2126Alternative Educational Options ............................. 301-985-2126Athletics .................................................................. 301-808-8273Before & After Care ................................................ 301-408-5593Board of Education Office ....................................... 301-952-6308Child Find .............................................................. 301-808-2719Choice/Option Schools ........................................... 301-925-2392Communications .................................................... 301-952-6001Council of Prince George’s County PTAs ............... 301-408-5539Curriculum & Instruction ....................................... 301-808-8240Early Childhood Programs (Head Start) ................. 301-408-5595Early Childhood Support Office (Pre-K & K) ......... 301-808-4000Employee Assistance Program (EAP) ....................... 800-765-3277English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program .................................... 301-445-8450Even Start Program ................................................. 301-431-6220Enrichment & Specialty Programs ........................... 301-952-6044Family & Community Outreach ............................. 301-925-2531Food & Nutrition Services ...................................... 301-952-6580Guidance Services ................................................... 301-567-8670Head Start ............................................................... 301-408-7100Health Services ........................................................ 301-749-4722Home & Hospital Teaching .................................... 301-567-8642Home Schooling ..................................................... 301-333-1001Homeless Programs ................................................. 301-925-2482Human Resources ................................................... 301-952-6023Infant/Toddler Program .......................................... 301-265-8415International Student Guidance Office ................... 301-445-8460Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center ........................ 301-408-6860Maintenance ........................................................... 301-952-6500Montessori Program ................................................ 301-952-6044New Schools & Charter Schools ............................. 301-952-6772Office of Appeals ..................................................... 301-952-6196Professional Development ....................................... 301-749-4600Psychological Services .............................................. 301-431-5630Pupil Accounting & School Boundaries .................. 301-952-6300Security Services ...................................................... 301-499-7000Special Education .................................................... 301-817-3142Student Affairs/Safe & Drug Free Schools ............... 301-749-4379Student Services ...................................................... 301-952-6384Student Records (Copies of diplomas, graduation verification) ........................................... 301-749-4117Student Transcripts .................................................. 301-952-6024Student Transfers ..................................................... 301-952-6366Summer School Programs ....................................... 301-985-2126Supplemental Educational Services/Title I ............... 301-636-8412Test Administration ................................................. 301-430-5801Transportation ......................................................... 301-952-6570TTD Services/Hearing & Speech Impaired ............. 301-952-6068

Assistant Superintendents Offices High School Consortium ......................................... 301-583-1600Region 1 .................................................................. 301-749-5238Region 2 .................................................................. 301-618-4540Region 3 .................................................................. 301-618-4810Region 4 .................................................................. 301-372-3431Region 5 .................................................................. 240-264-1700

Calendar of Eventss Phone Numbers

Prince George’s County Public Schools • www.pgcps.org14201 School Lane • Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 • 301-952-6000

Office of Communications • John White, Communications Officer Department of Publicity & Publications • Tanzi West, Public Information Officer • Lynn McCawley, EI Editor • Jim Sherwood, Photographer Ann Tayman, Copy Editor • ShaVon McConnell, Communications Coord.

Education Insight is published biweekly on Fridays from August through June. We appreciate your input and story ideas! Please submit your story ideas by the Friday before publication. Contact Lynn McCawley via email at PGCPS.EdInsight@pgcps.org.

Prince George’s County Board of Education Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq., Chair • Ron L. Watson, Jr., Ph.D., Vice Chair Donna Hathaway Beck • Pat J. Fletcher • Heather Iliff R. Owen Johnson, Jr. • Rosalind A. Johnson • Linda Thornton Thomas Amber P. Waller • Haywood L. Perry, III, Student Member John E. Deasy, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools and Secretary/Treasurer