Coming Up Soon On The Wicomico School Calendar

Monday, Oct. 12-Friday, Oct. 16
High School Assessment (HSA) Testing Window

During the second week of this two-week testing window, seniors who have previously taken and not passed one or more of the HSA tests will have the opportunity to take the test or tests again. Maryland requires that for students to receive a diploma, they must pass all four HSAs, achieve a combined score of 1602, or complete one or more Bridge projects.

Tuesday, Oct. 13
Wicomico County Board of Education Meeting

The Wicomico County Board of Education will hold its monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 13, at the Board of Education Office. This will be the first monthly meeting for new Board members Donald L. Fitzgerald and Larry W. Dodd.

Wednesday, Oct. 14
PSAT/NMSQT

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT, a National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test for juniors) is administered in grades 9, 10 and 11.

Thursday, Oct. 15
East Salisbury Elementary’s 12th Annual Multicultural Fashion Show

East Salisbury Elementary School will stage its 12th annual Multicultural Fashion Show to celebrate the diverse backgrounds of its students at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. Parents are invited to attend this special event, whose theme is “Everyone Smiles in the Same Language.” The fashion show will feature about 35 students representing the cultures of the continental United States, Africa, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Pakistan, Hawaii and China. There will also be artifacts on display from Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mexico, El Salvador, Japan, China, Korea, Philippines, Guatemala and other parts of the world. The fashion show is put on each year by the East Salisbury Elementary Multicultural Committee. For more information please call 410-677-5803.

Friday, Oct. 16
Schools closed for Maryland State Teachers Association Convention. Central Office will be open.

Monday, Oct. 19
Professional Day: Schools closed for students so that staff members may receive professional development. Central Office will be open.

Tuesday, Oct. 20
Rachel’s Challenge at Mardela Middle and High

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America. This program, known as "Rachel's Challenge" will be presented at Mardela Middle and High School on Tuesday, Oct. 20, with daytime assemblies for students (8 a.m. for middle school students, 9:20 a.m. for high school, with a Friends of Rachel training session from 1-2:30 p.m.) and a 6:30 p.m. session for parents/guardians and the community.

Powerful video/audio footage of Rachel's life and the Columbine tragedy holds students spell-bound during a one-hour school presentation that motivates them to positive change in the way they treat others. This is followed by an interactive 45-minute training session involving both adult and student leaders that shows how to sustain the momentum created by the assembly, often by forming a Friends of Rachel chapter. The assembly creates the "want to" or desire for positive change. The training session teaches the "how to" and ensures that the positive impact will continue. Support from the community and from businesses is welcome, as both time and resources are needed to support Friends of Rachel as an ongoing effort.

For information, please call 410-677-5142.

Tuesday, Oct. 27
WCCPTA General Meeting

The Wicomico County Council of PTAs will hold a general meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Board of Education auditorium.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Superintendent’s Open Door Session

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen will hold an Open Door Session from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the Administrative Conference Room at the Board of Education Office. Open Door Sessions provide the opportunity for people to meet one-on-one with the superintendent. People may express concerns, offer comment, or ask questions on any issue involving Wicomico schools. No appointment is needed. For information, please call 410-677-4495.

Thursday, Oct. 29
Lights On! After School at East Salisbury Elementary Family Center/STARS

The Family Center/STARS after school program, in conjunction with Title I at East Salisbury Elementary School, will be hosting a Lights On After School Event on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 4-5:45 p.m. Families are invited to attend to “flip the switch with Math and Reading.” The event will include math and reading games that families can play at home, a packet for each family, and a dinner of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, roll and beverage. Call 410-677-5803 for information.

Saturday, Dec. 5
College Preparation Event

University System of Maryland’s Way2GoMaryland event will be held on the morning of Dec. 5 at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills. This event is designed for sixth- to 10th-graders and their parents/guardians, to get them thinking about college. Students from public, private and home schools are welcome. On-site registration and check-in will begin at 9 a.m. in the Todd Performing Arts Center; the formal program will get underway at 10 a.m. with a panel discussion (current USM students and an admissions office representative), Q&A, and door prizes, followed by a college fair and free bag lunch. Information will be available in school guidance offices and public libraries by late October; the deadline for registration is Oct. 20.