Coming Up Soon On The Wicomico School Calendar

Nov. 8-12
Maryland School Psychology Week

Wicomico Schools will join in the statewide observance of the week of Nov. 8-12 as Maryland School Psychology Week. Every day, in all of Maryland’s public schools, school psychologists help to address individual student learning needs and differences, children’s social-emotional development, family-school collaboration issues, and a myriad of academic skills across all grade levels, learning styles and content areas. School psychologists are among the most unique professionals in school systems, as their skills work to bridge learning, social and emotional performance. They use different strategies to support student needs and to improve school-wide and system-wide supports. To this end, they serve on Student Support Teams, Positive Behavioral Support Teams and IEP teams, to name a few of their collaborative rolls.

Monday, Nov. 8
Veterans Day Program
Mardela Middle and High School

Mardela Middle and High School and the Mardela Middle and High PTA will hold a Veterans Day program at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 to honor all veterans. The evening will feature guest speakers, presentations and light refreshments. 410-677-5142

Tuesday, Nov. 9
9th annual Tri-County College Fair
University of Maryland Eastern Shore

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore's 9th annual Tri-County College Fair will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9 in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. Recruiters from more than 100 colleges, universities and the Armed Services are slated to attend. High schools in the tri-county area as well as Philadelphia, New Jersey and the District of Columbia will be sending 1,500 students to the event. Junior and senior high school students, their parents and counselors can pick up literature and discuss educational opportunities with participating institutions. More than 90 colleges representing a variety of niches in higher education will participate. Specialty institutions such as Johnson & Wales University (hotel and restaurant management), the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and the West Virginia Institute of Technology have responded along with military institutions such as the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the Valley Forge Military College. Religious-based colleges attending are Messiah College, Methodist University and Moravian College. Some of the private colleges represented will be High Point University, Hood College, McDaniel College, Southern Vermont, Saint Augustine’s College and Washington College. Among the public institutions participating include Frostburg State University, Salisbury University, Shephard University, Towson State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, West Chester University, West Virginia University and UMES. Check with your high school guidance office for information on the event. More information on the fair is also available by calling 410-651-6411, or by e-mail at tyoung@umes.edu.

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 5-7 p.m.
American Culinary Federation Contemporary Entree' Competition
Parkside High School Culinary Arts

On Tuesday, Nov. 9, Christopher Allen Tanner, CEC, WCC, CHE will present a seminar for students on "American Culinary Federation (ACF) Contemporary Entree' Competition" at Parkside High School from 5-7 p.m. Mr. Tanner is an ACF approved judge and is currently a Chef-Instructor at Schenectady County Community College in New York. Current students in the Parkside Culinary Arts program are invited to attend. Students will be able to see how a professional chef prepares for competition, proper sanitation, how to use time wisely, and proper plating technique. Other competition topics will also be discussed. For the high school students this type of exposure will enable them to better prepare for their SkillsUSA competitions later in the school year, said Tony Hilligoss, Culinary Arts instructor. This is the first time this event has been held at Parkside High School. Local chefs from the area will also be in attendance and will give the opportunity for future culinarians to make contacts in the industry. This event will also help students prepare for the ACF Competition which will take place at the Worcester Technical High School Nov. 20. 410-677-5144.

Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m.
Veterans Day Assembly
Northwestern Elementary School

In honor of Veterans Day, Northwestern Elementary School students will attend an assembly honoring past and present members of our Armed Forces. The assembly is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. The assembly will begin with a formal outside presentation of the colors. Students will then come indoors to be led in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and a group of students will sing the Star Spangled Banner and other patriotic songs. The students will honor those who have fought and are fighting for our freedom and the freedom of others. Veterans from our local American Legion posts will be in attendance to share education information about their service and will be honored and acknowledged for their sacrifice for our country. We will also have equipment on display from our local National Guard. Northwestern families are encouraged to attend. Any veterans in attendance will also be invited to visit the classroom of their child or grandchild afterwards for further small group discussions. 410-677-5808.

Thursday, Nov. 11, at 9:15 a.m.
Veterans Day Ceremony
North Salisbury Elementary School

North Salisbury Elementary School will host a Veterans Day Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 9:15 a.m. This program will honor men and women who have served our country, including those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Students are preparing for the ceremony by researching America's wars and writing handwritten invitations to a veteran in the community. Several students will take part in the program with special readings, songs, poetry, and a PowerPoint to honor all branches of the military. The school has hosted this annual celebration of Veterans Day since 2001. 410-677-5807.

Thursday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m.
Flag Donation/Flag Ceremony
Choices Program

Representatives of the VFW will be at the Choices Program on Adventist Drive in Salisbury at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11 for a flag ceremony. The VFW donated $500 to Choices for the purchase of flags and Veterans Day materials. On Nov. 11, the VFW will be at the school to perform a flag ceremony for students and staff and to raise the flag on the Choices flagpole. 410-677-5220.

Saturday, Nov. 13
STEM Saturday
Salisbury Middle School

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Saturday classes will be offered throughout the 2010-11 school year for students in grades 4/5 and 6/7/8. The next STEM Saturday will be held at Salisbury Middle School from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Nov. 13, with students in grades 4-5 exploring “The Science Behind Winning” and middle schoolers working on “Robotics.” The elementary offerings are new to the STEM Saturdays schedule this year. Anyone interested in attending a STEM Saturday event must pre-register, and early registration is recommended as the courses fill up early. STEM Saturdays will also be held Jan. 15, Green Keepers: Going Green to Preserve Our World (elementary) and The Bug Detective (middle), both at Salisbury Middle; Feb. 12, The Magic of Chemistry (elementary) and Out of Sight: Bringing Astronomy Down to Earth (middle), both at Salisbury Middle; March 12, Flying Wild: Bird Science and Conservation (elementary) at Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art; Fossils of the Chesapeake: A Hands-On Exploration (middle) at Parkside High; and April 9, The Bug Detective (elementary) and The Science Behind Winning (middle), both at Salisbury Middle. For a detailed schedule and registration form, visit http://www.wcboe.org/news/510. For information contact Gretchen Boggs at 410-677-5149 or gboggs@wcboe.org.

Sunday, Nov. 14-Saturday, Nov. 20
American Education Week
All Wicomico County Public Schools

Schools will welcome hundreds of parents, grandparents and other guests during this year's celebration of American Education Week. This annual spotlight on public education has as its theme "Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility." At the beginning of November, every student will receive a letter to bring home outlining new visitor procedures for American Education Week. The student’s family must fill out and return to the school office by Nov. 10 the Approved Visitor Form listing the people who will be allowed to visit the student at school. For the safety of all students and staff, no one who is not identified in advance as an approved visitor will be allowed to visit classrooms. For more information about American Education Week, please check with your student's school.

Monday, Nov. 15
Family CSI Night
Salisbury Middle School

On Nov. 15, Salisbury Middle will have a PTA Visitation and Family CSI Night. PTA classroom visitation will occur from 4:30-5:30 p.m., with dinner being served by our PTA from 5:30-6 p.m. Our CSI activities will run from 6-7:30 p.m. These activities will consist of two crimes scenes that students and their families can take part in solving. We will have the local police department, and representatives of other CSI-related careers discussing what they do in the field. Last year’s second CSI night brought out some 300 students, parents and guardians to investigate a crime scene. Students solve the CSI riddle using math, science, reading, writing, problem-solving, teamwork and lab analysis skills. 410-677-5149.

Tuesday, Nov. 16
Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night
Westside Intermediate School

The first Wicomico County Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night of the 2010-11 school year will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at Westside Intermediate School to honor outstanding students, teachers, administrators, schools, programs and community partners. 410-677-4561.

Wednesday, Nov. 17
Superintendent’s Open Door Session
Board of Education Office

A Superintendent’s Open Door Session will take place Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 4-6 p.m., in the Administrative Conference Room at the Board of Education Office. The Open Door Sessions are opportunities to meet one-on-one with Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen to discuss any issue, idea or concern. No appointments are made: Anyone interested in meeting with the superintendent should come to the Board office that day and sign in. Other Superintendent Open Door Sessions for this year are scheduled for: Dec. 15, Jan. 19, Feb. 23, March 23, April 27 and May 25. 410-677-4495

Saturday, Nov. 20
Annual Longaberger Basket and Vera Bradley Bag Ultimate Bingo
James M. Bennett High School

James M. Bennett High School will hold its Annual Longaberger Basket and Vera Bradley Bag Ultimate Bingo Nov. 20 to benefit the JMB student athletic teams. The event will be in the JMB Cafeteria. Doors and kitchen will open at 5 p.m. and games will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20; must be 18 or older to play. In addition to 20 games of regular Bingo (you win, you pick your prize; each prize contains gift certificates from local businesses and there will be all-new Vera Bradley bags), there will be a Chinese and Silent Auction, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, concessions for sale, and the JMB Treasure Chest. JMB is also remembering others during the holiday season and asks attendees to bring canned or nonperishable items; for each item brought, the person will receive a special raffle ticket towards a chance at winning a special prize. All items donated will be given to the Maryland Food Bank. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Terry Blagus at 443-614-0875 or 410-677-5125 or tblagus@wcboe.org, or Kathy Elliott at 410-430-9172 or kelliott@wcboe.org.

Friday, Dec. 10
Heroes Night
Fruitland Schools

The Fruitland Schools PTA will host a Heroes Night for students and families on Friday, Dec. 10, to honor and remember the heroes of 9/11 and to meet the heroes who serve in the community every day. Guests will include Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, longtime State’s Attorney Davis Ruark, Fruitland Police Chief Mike Phillips, Ernest Leatherbury of the Maryland State Police, the Fruitland Volunteer Fire Department, and a man who reported to the Pentagon to help on the day after 9/11. Other guests for the program who have a connection to 9/11 or are in public service are being sought. If you would like to participate in the Fruitland School PTA Heroes Night on Dec. 10, please contact coordinator Sheila Nichols at 410-334-6450, 443-735-2058, or nichols1011@verizon.net.