MLK Essay Contest.  Attention all Middle and High School students (Public, Independent, Alternative, Home-Schooled) of Cecil and Harford counties! You are invited to enter the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2010 Essay contest.  The theme for the essay is to discuss how you are working or would work to promote his message of non-violence, service to all people and strengthening of family and community.  Monetary awards will be presented to the top 3 essays from middle school and from high school entries.  Essay Submission Deadline is Monday, January 25, 2010.  Details regarding the entry application form and other information are found on the attached flyer.

Music and Dance Programs Congratulations
Congratulations to the students and teachers who worked so diligently to present excellent musical and dance programs at our Edgewood Schools in December.  This editor was very pleased to see the support of parents and community in their attendance at nearly packed auditoriums.  The debut performance of the Edgewood Evolution Dance Troupe saw 100 dancers learning up to seven different numbers in just a few short weeks.  The original works of dance and creative choreography of Director Ms. Christ and by her inspired students were enthusiastically performed.  Well done!

Evidence that the High School Jazz Band will be beneficiaries of a well trained and impressive Middle School Jazz Band under the tutorage of Mr. Nick Trosclair was clearly shown at the Middle School Winter Concert.  To all of the students (and teachers) who performed at their respective school concerts, we say ’thank you’ and we are looking forward to the Spring concerts!

Edgewood Middle School (input from by Stacy Bryan)
The EMS Family Bulletin is posted on our school website at https://www.edline.net/pages/Edgewood_Middle_School

PARENTS CORNER
As part of our mission to Empower, Inspire, and Achieve TOGETHER it is important that we continue to engage you, our parents and community, in meaningful ways. Engagement includes your participation in school activities as well as the support of the school mission and vision at home. Here are some of the many ways you already engage or could further engage in the learning process. Attend Back to School Night, Open House and Parent Conferences; emphasize “Home” work completion; volunteer for Fundraisers, Team Nights and on Field trips and come to Meetings.

Parents and community members are invited to join the Edgewood Middle School Instructional Leadership Team for an informal Meet and Greet from 6:00 -7:00 pm in the cafeteria on January 25th. These meetings are designed to build relationships among parents, community members, and school leadership. By providing an opportunity for an exchange of ideas, we can truly empower and inspire our children as learners! Immediately following the Meet and Greet, parents are encouraged to stay for the PTSA meeting, where our dedicated PTSA will work with us to create and coordinate opportunities for meaningful engagement in a wide range of activities related to student achievement.   PTSA meetings occur on the 4th Monday of each month. The Meet & Greets are planned in sync with these meetings on one day each quarter so that families can more easily participate in both.  If you ever have a suggestion for a topic for the agenda of either type of meeting, please don’t hesitate to contact our PTSA at emsptsa@gmail.com. Requests will be shared with the school leadership as needed.

Cutting Edge Teachers Make a Difference (by Stacy Bryan and Jessica Reynard)
Ms. Jessica Simmons-Reynard has been a technology teacher at Edgewood Middle School for nearly a decade, and in that time, she’s seen a lot of technology come and go.  One of her passions is cross-curricular integration of technology, and she values the use of the Internet to make those learning experiences both authentic, engaging, and accessible.  Recently, Ms. Simmons-Reynard received national recognition for lesson plans that she submitted.  Entering the contest has been a learning experience for her as she works with other professionals to fine tune the lessons.   Follow this link to see one of her lesson projects:
http://www.quia.com/files/quia/users/reynardj/Bill-Gates-Technology-Project-2009-10.htm
We are sincerely thankful that Ms. Simmons-Reynard is a member of our talented and dedicated staff, and wish her continued success as she submits more lessons to promote technology literacy.

William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School (input from Carinda Raftery, Family Liaison)
Computer Lab.  The WP/OPR Computer Lab located in the William Paca School will be available for use by parents on January 13th from 6:15 – 7:15 pm.  The Old Post Road School computer lab will be available on Feb 10th from 6:15 – 7:15 pm for use by parents.

Chat n Chews.  Parents are invited to come together to share ideas and thoughts on guided topics with teachers and to enjoy a light breakfast on January 27th from 7:45 – 8:30 am in the WP cafeteria.

PTA.  A General Meeting of the PTA will be held on February 1st at 6:00 pm in the WP media center.  Your attendance will be very welcomed.

Dear Edgewood residents,

At this evening’s Edgewood Community Council meeting, Rovall Washington announced a new opportunity for you to nominate a student who could be rewarded for his or her good community work and for their conscientious attitude.  Please see his message below.
- Art Stuempfle

Dear Citizens of Harford County,

My name is Rovall Washington. I am a Board Member of the Joppa/Joppatowne Community Council, a mentor for Harford County’s Kids C.A.N. program, and a Committee Member for the Greater Maryland Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk.  So often we, as parents and adults, find ourselves discouraged at the current state of our youth. Unfortunately, a select few with devious intentions, consume our attention to the point that we tend to over look the youth who are committed to excellence. That is the true purpose of the program I have created. Continue Reading »

Limited openings still available for:

• Typing 101 – held on Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30am starting on March 3.
• Introduction to Microsoft Word – held on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting March 3.
• Adult Volleyball (30 and older) – held on Thursdays, 10am-2pm.
• 18 and older Morning Basketball – held Tuesdays from 8:30-10am starting on March 3
• 18 and older Afternoon Basketball – held on Thursdays from 2-3:30pm starting on March 5.

All programs cost $2.00 each.

Also available: Continue Reading »

Greater Edgewood Education Foundation
Building Partnerships ~ Achieving Dreams

Message from the President
If you were to ask our students what their intentions are after they graduate from high school, 95% of the students would say they are going to college. But the reality is that only about 63% of our students continue on to an institution of higher education.

There are various factors that play a role in the outcome of students achieving their desire of moving beyond high school and into the realm of college. Some of these factors include: student aspiration and academic achievement; parental encouragement, family income and socioeconomic status; peer support; and student knowledge of the college entrance process. Looking at these indicators gives us background into the barriers students face in making college a reality.

Through our College Pathways program, the Greater Edgewood Education Foundation builds social capacity for the students and families to engage in learning, begin talking about post-secondary opportunities as early as elementary school, foster leadership skills and self confidence, and provide the tools and resources that demystify the college entrance process. Continue Reading »

Scholarship Applications and Opportunities

Attention High School Seniors:
The Edgewood Recreation Council, Inc. is offering one $500.00 scholarship to a graduating senior for the 2008-09 school year. The scholarship will be awarded to the student for use at the institute of his/her choice. Only high school seniors who have actively participated in an Edgewood Recreation Council program are eligible. Scholarship to be awarded in May. Contact Michelle Wolff at 443-922-7260 for more information.

State Delegate Dan Riley informs the Newsletter that scholarship money is available. For information, go to his website: www.bdanielriley.com and click on scholarship. Information must be submitted by April 1.

The Jacqueline C. Haas Memorial Scholarship Fund created in honor of recently deceased former public school system leader will enable a Harford County Public School student with a 3.2+ GPA or adults enrolling in the Education Program to receive up to $5,000 ($2,500 awarded per semester) to put toward higher education at Harford Community College. Continue Reading »