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.

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.
I am please to announce an agreement I was able to make with Candace Weir of SiriusXM Communications that will reward area youth for their commitment to being leaders and role models in the community. The program, which I am calling The I Deal Hope Community Award, will allow local youth who have taken the initiative to excel in various areas to receive reward for their growth and achievements. Whether it is academics, peer counseling, community service, or spiritual leadership, I want to reward our children who are pushing to be better than what they are portrayed.

The Ideal Hope Community Award is a trip to the Sirius/XM Studios in Washington, D.C., allowing kids to receive a tour of the facilities, meet the DJ’s, talk to interns and staff about the SiriusXM experience, and depending on scheduling by Sirius/XM, attend an intimate concert with a musical artist (this part is totally dependent on there being a musical guest being scheduled to perform by SiriusXM).  I have already completed one trip to SiriusXM studios, allowing a student to receive the award, as well as meet and sit in on a very intimate performance (about 25 people!!!) by Hip-Hop legend Busta Rhymes. Another performance was held last Monday, June 8^th, 2009, with former American Idol contestant Lakisa Jones.

In order to nominate a youth for this award, the following is required:

• The student must live in Harford County
• A letter of recommendation from a parent and/or educator (academic or spiritual) explaining why he/she deserves the award
• A letter from the student themselves explaining why he/she want to go to SiriusXM studios
• Contact information for the custodial parent

Each month, up to 10 students will be selected to receive the award and take the trip to SiriusXM studios. The monthly deadline for all requests is by the 18^th of the present month to be considered for the following month’s trip. Please email all the required information as one (1) email to rovall@idealhope.org or mail all the required information to:

The Ideal Hope Award C/o Rovall Washington 606 Cider Press Loop Joppa, MD 21085

I hope to be bombarded with requests for The I Deal Hope Community Award, especially if your child desires a future in communications or simply loves any kind of music. This is a great opportunity to give our youth something they will never forget! Please take advantage of this program!!!

Optimistically,
Rovall M Washington
Maryland State Delegate Candidate
Chair, Citizens To Elect Rovall Washington
Member, Joppa/Joppatowne Community Council
Mentor, Harford County’s Kids C.A.N
Committee Member, The Greater Maryland Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk
(e) rovall@idealhope.org
(c) 443-839-6278
(w) http://www.IDEALHOPE.org

• 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:

Come join the fitness room. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-9pm and Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 pm. Join now and pay only $20.00 for the remainder of the year.

Baseball/Softball – Ages 4-20. Contact Joe Nance to register at 410-671-6511.

Cheerleading & Football – Ages 5-14. Practice starts early August. Fees due at Registration: $110.00/per child/$75.00/each additional family member (must live in same household).

Registration: Edgewood Middle School Cafeteria, on Thurs., 4/2/09, from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Also, at Joppatowne High School Cafeteria, on Tues., 4/7/09 & Wed., 4/8/09, from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Limited Registration on a first come, first served basis. Interested coaches should contact Patty or Danny Jahn at 410-679-1567, or Carmela Perez at 443-307-3335 for more information.

Gymnastics – Ages 2-17. Meets at Edgewood Elementary School. Registration is on Wed., 3/18/09, at Edgewood Elem. School, from 6:00pm–7:00pm. Please use the side entrance of the building. This session runs from 3/31/09 thru 6/3/09.

Karate – Ages 5 & up. Meets at Edgewood Recreation & Community Center, on Wednesdays & Fridays. Classes meet between 6:00-7:30pm. Cost: $30.00/month/per person. On site registration anytime during school year. Contact Eric Koch, at 443-504-4220.

Soccer – Boys and Girls ages 4-16. Program begins in August. Registration will be held at Edgewood Middle School (outside) on Wednesdays, 5/20/09, 5/27/09 & 6/3/09, from 6:00-7:30pm. Also, on Saturdays, 5/30/09 & 6/6/09, from 10:00am to Noon. Cost: $65.00 for all children ages 6-16; $35.00 for all children ages 4 & 5 in the clinic program. Child must be at least 4 years old by July 31, 2009. Contact Sam or Michelle @ 443-922-7260 or e-mail edgsoccer@comcast.net with any questions. Always looking for volunteers and Coaches.

Shape-Up for Adults – Meets on Mondays and Thursdays, at Deerfield Elem. School, begins Mon., 3/23/09, from 7:00-8:00pm. Fee: $42.00. Call Cindy Orlando at 410-679-8682, or Alicia Orlando at 410-679-7361.

Volleyball – Ages 18 & over. Program meets on Monday & Thursday at the Edgewood Recreation & Community Center, from 7:00-9:30pm. Try it one night for free, $5.00 for the season. Register on site. Contact Phil Eichensehr, 410-676-2961.

For more information on any of the above programs please call 410-612-1606.
Ellen Pearce, Administrative Assistant
Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation
1980 Brookside Drive
Edgewood, Maryland 21040
410-612-1606
Website Address: www.harfordcountymd.gov

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.

Currently over 200 students have been actively engaged in our College Pathways programs. The opportunity for involvement is open to all students and families in the Edgewood Feeder Schools. Last year, the Foundation was able to financially support seven graduating seniors in achieving their dreams by awarding scholarships. With your support, we know we can do so much more for so many. The Foundation’s ultimate goal is to give a scholarship to every student that graduates from Edgewood High School.

Families engaged in learning strengthens the social and economic capacity of the entire community. The Foundation might be a small pocket of change, but the ripple effects will undoubtedly reach out to strengthen the larger community.

Future e-newsletters will share more information about each individual program that comprises College Pathways.

With warm regards,

Deb Merlock
President
Greater Edgewood Education Foundation

Student Art Exhibition and Sale

The Greater Edgewood Education Foundation, Inc. will be holding its Business After Hours Student Art Exhibition and Sale to Benefit Education in Edgewood on March 11, 2008 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the
Richlin Ballroom in Edgewood. This event, which is being sponsored by Provident Bank, will feature student artists from each of the six Edgewood schools: Edgewood Elementary, Deerfield Elementary, Abingdon Elementary, William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary, Edgewood Middle School and Edgewood High School. The show will include works of art in a variety of formats, including paint, sketch, sculpture, and charcoal. The art are representative of student talent from the Edgewood Area Schools and the show provides a unique glimpse into the educational and aesthetic approaches taught by the Art Instructors at each of the Edgewood Schools and as advocated by the Harford County Public Schools. Proceeds will benefit scholarships for Edgewood High School students. Table sponsors include Harmony Hearing and Audiology, McComas Funeral Home, Chesapeake Business Consultants, Hess Hotels Group, and Total Urgent Care.
Tickets are $25.00 and include food, wine, and beverages.

Proceeds from the exhibition will benefit the Greater Edgewood Education Foundation’s College Pathways program which provides scholarship support to first-generation college-bound students. Visit www.geefinc.com for more information. Entertainment provided by the Edgewood High School Strings Quartet

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. The first scholarship will be awarded in fall 2009 and will be administered by the Harford Community College Foundation, Inc. Donations may be made to the Foundation by mailing checks payable to:

Harford Community College Foundation, Inc.
Attn: Development Office
401 Thomas Run Road
Bel Air, MD 21015

Youth College Scholarships Available – Each year the Route 40 Business Association awards two $1000 scholarships to local corridor graduating youth planning to attend college and major in business. Scholarships will be available at Edgewood High School Guidance Office in April. If you are a young person, graduating this year and planning to major in business, be sure to pick up an application. The winners are announced at the Association’s May 13 luncheon. For more details visit route40business.com.