Upcoming Opportunities To Support Our Schools

Friday, Jan. 22
End of 2nd Marking Period

The 2nd marking period ends on Friday, Jan. 22. Reports cards will be sent home with students Monday, Feb. 1.

Saturday, Jan. 23
STEM Saturday "Game Maker," the second in a year-long series of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Saturday events designed to provide extended learning opportunities in the STEM fields while generating students' interests in these disciplines. "Game Maker," an introduction to programming, creating characters and objects in a virtual environment much like modern animated film or video graphics, will run from 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 23 at Salisbury Middle School. The program is open to all Wicomico students in grades 6-8. There is no charge but advance registration is required. To register contact Gretchen Boggs at gboggs@wcboe.org or at 410-677-5149. Upcoming topics include: Building Bridges to the Future (exploring basic engineering principles of shape, materials and forces to design a structurally sound bridge), 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 13 at Salisbury Middle; There's No Place Like Home (exploring habitats and endangered species), 10 a.m.-noon March 13 at the Salisbury Zoo; and Learning Science Through Research (a trip to Horn Point Environmental Research Lab in Cambridge; participants become lab scientists for a day using ocean science to explore basic scientific principles), 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 10, students depart from and return to Salisbury Middle.

Through Friday, Jan. 29
Teacher of the Year Nominations

Nominations for 2010-2011 Wicomico Teacher of the Year will be accepted until Jan. 29. Anyone in the community is invited to seek recognition for a current Wicomico teacher who has taught full-time for at least five years. Nomination forms will be sent home with students. They are also available in schools, at the Board of Education Office, at the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, and on line at www.wcboe.org. Semifinalists for the Wicomico award will be interviewed by a blue ribbon panel of judges (March 4-5). On March 18, during the Teacher of the Year Banquet at Salisbury University Commons, the finalists at the primary, intermediate, middle and high school levels will be named, and the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year will be announced. For more information, please call Karen Leimann, coordinator of the Teacher of the Year Program, at 410-677-4462, or e-mail her at kleimann@wcboe.org.

Monday, Jan. 25-Tuesday, Jan. 26
Professional Days

Schools will be closed for students Jan. 25-26 so that teachers and other staff members may receive professional development. The Central Office will be open both days.
Monday, Jan. 25-Thursday, Jan. 28
Registration for Evening High School
Building E, Wicomico High School

Registration for Evening High School spring semester will take place starting Monday, Jan. 25, in Building E of Wicomico High School. Registration will be held from 4-7 p.m. Jan. 25, 26 and 28, and from 4-6 p.m. Jan. 27. Students wishing to enroll in Evening High School should bring birth certificate, Social Security card, proof of residency (any utility bill or rent/mortgage statement), and transcript (from last school attended). Students who attend another Wicomico County high school during the day and who wish to attend Evening High School at night must bring in the blue form, which must be completed by the guidance counselor. 410-677-4537.

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 7:30 a.m.
Board of Education Work Session
Board of Education Office

The Board of Education will meet in a work session at the Board of Education Office, Mt. Hermon Road and Long Avenue, Salisbury. The Board is scheduled to receive a redistricting proposal. The meeting will begin at 7:30 a.m. Work sessions are open to the public but are not occasions for public comment or participation.

Tuesday, Jan. 26
TAD Students Showcase Historical Documentaries on Veterans
North Salisbury Elementary School

Students in the TAD (Thinking and Doing) Program in Wicomico intermediate schools will have an open house from 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, to welcome and thank the veterans who star in the historical documentaries the students created in TAD class. Over the past several months, students researched American wars and conflicts, chose a veteran to interview, and edited the interview in Movie Maker. Each veteran will receive a copy of the documentary in which the veteran appears. Students developed research and communication skills while preserving a veteran?s story for the veteran, his family, and the community. 410-677-5807.

North Salisbury Elementary
Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 4-6 p.m.
Superintendent's Open Door Session

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen will hold a Superintendent's Open Door Session from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 (new date; rescheduled from Jan. 20 due to conflict with state meeting), in the Administrative Conference Room of the Board of Education Building, Mt. Hermon Road and Long Avenue, Salisbury. 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. Open Door Sessions will also be held from 4-6 p.m. on these additional dates: Feb. 24, March 24, April 21 and May 26. 410-677-4495.

Tuesday, Jan. 26
Mentoring Links Workshop
Greater Salisbury Building

A Mentoring Links Workshop on Understanding Today's Youth, with David Miller of the Urban Leadership Institute, will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, in the 2nd floor meeting room of the Great Salisbury Building. Earlier that day, as part of National Mentoring Month, the Wicomico Mentoring Project will also hold a Mentor Roundtable. This informal discussion (3rd Floor Meeting Room, Greater Salisbury Building, 5-6 p.m.) will be an opportunity for mentors to share their experiences. Both events are open to Wicomico mentors. 410-677-4423.

Wednesday, Jan. 27
WCCPTAs Reflections Art Reception
Parkside High School Auditorium

The annual Wicomico County Council of PTAs Reflections Art Reception will take place starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, in the Parkside High School Auditorium. An awards ceremony for winners in this annual art program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Invitations will be mailed to all students whose Reflections entries were submitted to the WCCPTAs. Everyone is welcome to attend to see the wonderful work done by students on the theme of Beauty is ... . For information please contact your PTA president or call Patti Iott at 410-546-5615.

Wednesday, Jan. 27
Evening High School Graduation
Beaver Run Elementary

The Evening High School winter graduation will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Beaver Run Elementary School. Graduates of Evening High School receive a Maryland diploma.


Opportunities to Support Our Schools

Friday, Jan. 22
PTA Skate Night
West Salisbury Elementary School

The West Salisbury PTA will host a Family Skate Night at Skate Land from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22. Light snacks will be available for purchase. Cost is $3 per person. Come one, come all, to a Family Fun Night and help the PTA continue to grow at West Salisbury. 410-677-5816.

Friday, Jan. 29
Comedy Hypnotist
Mardela High School
The Junior Class at Mardela Middle and High School will present a unique comedy experience to local audiences. The school will feature Jason Linett, a nationally known comedy hypnotist, presenting one fund-raising show at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at the school.
"The hypnosis show combines the fun of audience participation with the incredible abilities of the mind," says Linett, who lives in Alexandria, Va. "It's the ultimate reality show." Audiences can expect to see willing volunteers rapidly induced into a hypnotic trance and then given funny suggestions. "I don't embarrass the volunteers, and I don?t even let them embarrass themselves." Some of Linett's favorite suggestions during the show include turning himself invisible and turning volunteers into celebrity impersonators. Linett has performed at schools, comedy venues, and corporate events across the country.
Linett is a Certified Hypnotist with the National Guild of Hypnotists, the largest hypnotherapy organization in the world. He is also the author of nearly a dozen self-help audio hypnosis programs ranging from weight loss to smoking cessation. More information can be found at www.MagicForTheMind.com. ;
The clean, family-comedy show will be presented in the cafeteria of Mardela Middle and High School, located at 24940 Delmar Road in Mardela Springs, MD. Tickets are on sale now and will be available at the event for $10. Call 410-677-5142 for more details, or buy tickets online at www.MardelaFundraiser.com.
Saturday, Jan. 30
Parkside Sports Boosters 3rd annual Bingo
Salisbury Moose Lodge

The Parkside Sports Boosters will present the 3rd annual Bingo at the Salisbury Moose Lodge. Doors open 5:30 p.m., games begin 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be sold. The evening, with Longaberger baskets and Vera Bradley bags, will feature 20 games, four special games, two special raffles, a Chinese raffle and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds benefit Parkside athletic teams. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at door, must be 18 or older to attend. For information or tickets: 443-235-1718 or KPELOT@wcboe.org.

Coupon Booklets for Local RestaurantsBenefitting Kindness of Strangers Fund LORA (Local Owners Restaurant Association) coupon booklets are now being sold, with proceeds going to the Kindness of Strangers Fund. Kindness of Strangers (KOS) is a fund established to assist families in purchasing therapeutic/adaptive equipment for their children with special needs ages birth-21. The coupon booklets are $25, and $20 of that amount goes into the KOS fund. Five dollars goes to Junior Achievement, which printed the booklet. The booklet is worth more than $200 with locally owned restaurants such as Market Street, Sobo's, Breaktime, Red Roost, Boonies, Adam's and others. Use all the coupons and your name will be entered to win cash prizes which will be drawn at Pork in the Park. This is a great way to help others. Call Lori Thompson at 410-677-5250 or e-mail her at lthompso@wcboe.org to purchase a booklet. Available NowKids of Honor Gift CardsViva Espresso If you eat/drink at Viva Espresso coffee shop on College Avenue, please consider buying a gift card to use for your purchases. Viva Espresso now has a Kids of Honor branded gift card for sale there. You just buy it at face value and use it for your purchases. Nancy Dix, owner of Viva Espresso, donates a portion of all sales to Kids of Honor - a win/win situation! You can re-load the card when it gets low or runs out. The cards also make great gifts for dog/cat sitters, birthdays, holidays, get well gifts, mail-carriers, etc.

Saturday, Feb. 20
Flapjack Fund-raiser at Applebee's
Wicomico Mentoring Project

Support the Wicomico Mentoring Project at an all-you-can-eat Applebee's Flapjack Fund-raiser Breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. Tickets are $7 per person (half-price for children 5 and under) for flapjacks, sausage and beverage. The breakfast will be held at the North Salisbury Applebee's. For tickets please contact Lisa Nowak at 410-677-4423 or lnowak@wcboe.org.

Saturday, March 20
Longaberger Basket and Vera Bradley Bingo
Salisbury Middle School

More details to come!


Upcoming Events

Monday, Feb. 1
Report cards from the 2nd Marking Period sent home

Feb. 12-14 and Feb. 19-21
JMB?s 12th annual Rock & Roll Revival
Wicomico High School Auditorium

Tickets are on sale now for this showcase of Clipper talent. Students sing, dance, play instruments, and work in many areas behind the scenes to put on this highly successful show, which this year will be on the Wicomico High School Auditorium stage due to the construction at Bennett. Show directors are Christie and Larry Wersen, and all proceeds benefit the JMB PTSA. Shows will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, Saturday, Feb. 13, Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 21. Tickets are $15 and are on sale now at the PNC Bank at Beaglin Park Drive and Snow Hill Road. Tickets may also be purchased at the old Daily Times building on Carroll Street between 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. To learn more about Rock & Roll Revival, go to http://www.wcboe.org/schools/jmb/ and click on the shortcut. 410-677-5141.

Wednesday, March 3
Children's Book Author Visit
Salisbury University

The Eastern Shore Regional Library, in partnership with Salisbury University and the public libraries of the Eastern Shore, present An Evening with Laura Vaccaro Seeger starting at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall at Salisbury University. She is the author of the Caldecott Honor book "First the Egg" and the critically acclaimed "Dog and Bear" series. There will be a presentation and discussion, followed by a book signing and reception. This event is free and open to the public. Contact Rachael Vilmar of the Eastern Shore Regional Library at rachael@esrl.org or 410-251-9073 for information.