Bennett Middle School Project Removed From Fiscal Year 2012 Capital Improvement Program Request To State

The Wicomico County Board of Education voted Tuesday, March 29 to amend its fiscal year 2012 Capital Improvement Program request to the state, withdrawing the request for $13 million in state funding for the replacement Bennett Middle School project as a result of the March 1, 2011 action by the County Council to defer funding for the project

Acting on the recommendation of Superintendent of Schools Dr. John E. Fredericksen and staff, the Board voted to amend its current Capital Budget and withdraw its request for $13 million in state funding for Bennett Middle in fiscal year 2012. Dr. David Lever, Executive Director of the Interagency Committee (IAC) on Public School Construction, had requested notification by April 1 if the school system would not be able to use the anticipated $5.2 million allocation from the state to begin construction of Bennett Middle in fiscal year 2012.

“It’s frustrating, because a day of delay is a day of service denied to our children,” Dr. Fredericksen said.

One month ago, the Wicomico County Council voted to defer the Bennett Middle project from its fiscal year 2012 capital plan into next year, thereby eliminating the possibility of including the project as part of its capital bond funding plan for FY2012. This means another potentially costly delay in a project that was originally scheduled to begin construction in January 2011. That planned start date was delayed when the county did not issue bonds for the $5 million approved in FY2010. More recently, the project schedule had been adjusted again to break ground in January 2012.

The Board also voted Tuesday to stop the development of construction documents on the Bennett Middle project until further notice, now that it is not known when the project will be funded and bid. Site development for the project will continue as needed.

Following the March 1 County Council vote, Superintendent and County Executive Rick Pollitt had extensive consultation and discussion with staff members and representatives of the finance industry, in hopes of quickly finding a way to keep the project on track for fiscal year 2012. They determined, however, that it would not be possible to secure alternative solutions for funding for the project in time to meet the IAC’s April 1 deadline. They will continue to explore alternative solutions for the project in the coming months.

County Executive Pollitt has announced the formation of a special Bennett Middle Task Force to tackle the funding challenges presented in planning the construction of the new Bennett Middle School, saying the project is “too important to the quality of our children’s education and the health of the Bennett Middle School population to allow undue delay.”

The Board of Education vote to withdraw its state FY2012 funding request for Bennett Middle was not a unanimous one. The Board passed the motion on a 4-3 vote. Board member Ronald O. Willey said he was concerned the Board was rushing to meet the IAC’s April 1 deadline to withdraw without knowing that the school system could be assured of securing funding again next year. It would be a shame if the Board gave up state funding, only to find a way to fund the project later this year, he said.

Brian Foret, Director of Facility Services for the school system, said the school system and Board have a long and beneficial relationship with the IAC, a relationship that the school system will seek to continue by communicating clearly about its construction plans and the status of local funding. The school system cannot in good faith afford to accept state funding for construction in FY2012 when it has no other funding source for construction.

“I think if we took the state’s money, we would be committing that we would start construction around the first of the year for this project, and I don’t think we can make that commitment,” he said.

The letter from Dr. Lever indicated that the school system would be able to withdraw its FY2012 request and reapply for FY2013 funding without prejudice, and that the school system’s forthrightness in this difficult situation would be remembered and acknowledged. The IAC’s funding recommendations on school projects are made each year, so funding for FY2013 cannot be guaranteed for this or any other project.

With Wicomico unable to use the $5.2 million that had been earmarked for Bennett Middle construction, the IAC will recommend to the Maryland Board of Public Works that the money be spent on other projects. That could mean funding for projects in other school systems, or additional funding for systemic renovation projects in Wicomico County. The IAC has already recommended full state funding for the roof project at Fruitland Intermediate School and a portion of the requested state funding for the roof project at Charles H. Chipman Elementary School.

The delay on the Bennett Middle project may well result in higher construction cost, although that will not be known until the project is actually bid. What is known is that the delay will further push back the full completion of the new James M. Bennett High School, Phase 3, which cannot be finished until Bennett Middle opens in its new location in Fruitland. The delay continues to push out two large and critically important projects in the Board’s capital plan, behind which many other school capital projects wait to be addressed.

On the other hand, the delay will give the school system the opportunity to continue its review of the design of the new Bennett Middle School, to determine if additional cost savings can be realized The plan for the new Bennett Middle School was developed over several years in a comprehensive planning process that involved teachers, parents, school system staff and representatives from the community. Throughout the process, the School Building Commission has played an important role in reviewing the designs and advising the Board of Education with its recommendations. The School Building Commission, appointed by the County, will continue to be a key part of the project team.

Fortunately, the delay will make it possible for the school system to take advantage of the recently approved revisions for state construction funding on approved public school projects at a higher percentage rate beginning next year – 96% of eligible construction costs for the next three years rather than 87% from fiscal years 2010-2012, Foret said. This is due to a variety of factors in the calculation formula, one of which takes into consideration the system’s rising percentage of students qualifying for Free and Reduced Meals. The higher state share could help cover some of the increases expected to occur as a result in the escalation of construction costs due to the delay.

Salisbury News Surpasses 280,000 Comments

Salisbury News has published 281,466 comments as of this moment and date. Mind you, this number does not include those comments in which we have rejected and trust me, there's a LOT!

Keep those comments flying in Folks and don't miss the 6:00 news broadcast tonight on WBOC. Lisa Bryant came to my home today to discuss Blogs. I think you'll find what I had to say very interesting.

The Character Of A "Good" Man...

To whom this may concern,

         

It has been a minute since I have written on this site, but after watching the news this evening, I felt compelled to add my "2cents". First off, I am "nobody", and my 2cents might not matter to "anybody", but I want to talk about "somebody", who tried to help "everybody" during the tragic situation that happened to  Lil 11 yr old Sarah Foxwell. That somebody is Joe Albero. I heard the comments (and read them) made today by Sarah's grandmother concerning Joe. About him "trying" to make money from the situation.

       

First off, I find that hard to believe? Why, or how, you ask??? Well it is during this time I met Joe. I am a young smart African American with a street-smart type of appeal about myself. I consider myself a beautiful person, inside and out, but this is America. With this said, I got in contact with Joe about a song that I had created (with Will Walker and my team) about Sarah (called Yesterday- A song for Sarah) to try to raise money for the family, trying to help out in any way, shape or form. Joe has the #1 blog site on the Eastern Shore (in my opinion). I wanted to know if he could put the song on his site to gather some type of push to get the song heard by the masses. Joe told me straight up, "I will not take part if this is YOUR way of trying to gain money for the song. I will only do it, if it's a real cause for the family (which it was), and finally if it was a good true heartfelt song (which it is).

           

He liked the song, what it stood for and helped me/us, and put it on his site. At this point, my team didn't have money to reproduce the song for sale ( I was unemployed) I still am...can you help me?-smile). Well Joe was willing to pay fo the reproduction of the song...out of his own pocket! He even went as far as to put us on his show to gain the edge we needed. Not once did he take ANYTHING. He only wanted to add to it. That a good man if I have ever seen one.

    

So in closing, I just wanted to say, Thank You Joe. Thank you for trying to help out, for trying to continue to keep the community informed of everything that was happening at that terrible time...and your still champing the cause as far as keeping us "updated". I don't know whats going on between you and the family...but I only saw goodness in you. God Bless you. Thanks again for EVERYTHING.

    

In closing, If there is anyone who would like a copy of the song, you can email me at:  topnotchent.mgmt@gmail.com . And its, NOT FOR SALE! We are GIVING THEM AWAY!. Its a weird way of us all celebrating Sarah. She can rest in peace and the family and have some type of closure. REST WELL SARAH... He won't hurt anyone else...

You Have 2 Days To Make A Deal

Now is the time to buy!

FACT CHECK: How Obama's Libya Claims Fit The Facts

There may be less than meets the eye to President Barack Obama's statements Monday night that NATO is taking over from the U.S. in Libya and that U.S. action is limited to defending people under attack there by Moammar Gadhafi's forces.

In transferring command and control to NATO, the U.S. is turning the reins over to an organization dominated by the U.S., both militarily and politically.

In essence, the U.S. runs the show that is taking over running the show.

And the rapid advance of rebels in recent days strongly suggests they are not merely benefiting from military aid in a defensive crouch, but rather using the multinational force in some fashion — coordinated or not — to advance an offensive.

Here is a look at some of Obama's assertions in his address to the nation Monday, and how they compare with the facts:

Newsmax/Zogby Poll: Christie Leads GOP Pack

An exclusive Newsmax/IBOPE Zogby International poll shows New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie so dominates the GOP field for 2012 that he garners more than twice as many votes as his nearest Republican competitor.

The new poll reflects growing momentum for Christie, despite his repeated insistence that he’s not ready to be president and has no intention of running.

Christie’s strong showing is likely to further encourage those Republicans who are actively engaged in mustering support for a campaign to draft him to run. Supporters launched a DraftChristie2012 website last October.

The Newsmax/IBOPE Zogby survey shows Christie to be the choice of 23.6 percent of likely GOP primary voters. That dwarfs the 10.3 percent for second-place finisher Sarah Palin.

“Conservative voters like Chris Christie,” pollster John Zogby tells Newsmax, “because he offers an actual governing model that’s consistent with his and their philosophy.

“Essentially, he has been fearless in terms of tackling unions, tackling budget cuts, and so on,” Zogby says. “But they also know that he’s an affable personality, that he does not come off as this angry radical, but as a credible fellow.

“And at the same time,” says Zogby, “he’s portly, he’s real, he’s not out of central casting. And in many ways, for Republicans, he’s the un-Obama.”

Zogby says the results are consistent with other polls that show Christie dominating the field when he’s among the choices pollsters offer voters.

Read more

Indiana GOP Pushes Ahead With Big Voucher Program

Indiana's Republican leadership is pushing ahead with a proposal that would be the nation's broadest use of school vouchers, allowing even middle-class families to use taxpayer money to send their kids to private schools.

Unlike other systems that are limited to lower-income households, children with special needs or those in failing schools, this one would be open to a much larger pool of students, including those whose parents earn up to $60,000 a year. And within three years, there would be no limit on the number of children who could enroll.

Newsmax

2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season: Active, More US Landfalls

AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center meteorologists, led by Meteorologist and Hurricane Forecaster Paul Pastelok, are predicting an active season for 2011 with more impact on the U.S. coastline than last year.

The team is forecasting a total of 15 named tropical storms, eight of which will attain hurricane status and three of which will attain major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher).

In a normal year, there are 10 tropical storms, six of which become hurricanes and two of which become major hurricanes, or attain winds that exceed 110 mph.

2010's historic season had a total of 19 named storms and ranks as the third most active season on record, but there was little impact on the United States coastline. Twelve of these storms became hurricanes, five of which were major hurricanes. Two names from the 2010 season were retired on March 16.

"It looks like we're going to have more impact on the mainland of the U.S. coming up this year compared to last year," Pastelok said. "We had a lot of storms last year, but not a lot of impact [on the U.S.]."

In order to project the number of storms and impacts, the team looks at past years that have similar weather variables and patterns that closely resemble the most recent fall, winter and early spring months.

More from AccuWeather

Wisc. Judge Halts Implementation Of Bargaining Law

A Wisconsin judge on Tuesday barred state officials from any further implementation of a law that strips most public workers of nearly all their collective bargaining rights.

Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi issued an emergency injunction prohibiting enactment of the law earlier this month. But the Legislative Reference Bureau published the law anyway on Friday.

Publication is typically the last step before a law takes effect, but it's unclear if the bureau's action amounted to that; the law's supporters say it did, but opponents say the secretary of state had to designate a publication date.

Sumi stopped short of issuing a declaration saying the law was not in effect during a hearing Tuesday but said her earlier order had either been ignored or misunderstood. She said anyone who violates the new order would face sanctions.

State Department of Justice spokesman Steve Means said the agency believes the law was properly published and is in effect.

Cullen Werwie, a spokesman for Gov. Scott Walker, who wrote most of the collective bargaining law, didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch, Walker's top aide, issued a statement saying the agency will evaluate the judge's order.

More

Chuckie Schumer Gives Dem Senators Their Script

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., a member of the Democratic Senate leadership, got on a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning without realizing the reporters were already listening in. Schumer thought he was on a private line with four Democratic senators who were to talk with reporters about the current budget stalemate.

Schumer instructed the group, made up of Sens. Barbara Boxer of California, Tom Carper of Delaware, Ben Cardin of Maryland and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, to tell reporters that the GOP is refusing to negotiate.

He told the group to make sure they label the GOP spending cuts as "extreme."

"The main thrust is basically that we want to negotiate and we want to come up with a compromise but the Tea Party is pulling Boehner too far over to the right and so far over that there is no more fruitful negotiations," Schumer said on the call. "The only way we can avoid a shutdown is for Boehner to come up with a reasonable compromise and not just listen to what the Tea Party wants. "

The Washington Examiner

'Islamophobia' Hearings Shaped By Radical Palestinian Staffer

A Palestinian activist tied to a Hamas front group helped shape the Senate hearing to spotlight alleged "anti-Muslim bigotry" in America, WND has learned.

In fact, the radical activist is a top aide to the senator chairing the hearing, Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois.

Durbin aide Reema B. Dodin – who is in regular contact with the terror-tied Council on American-Islamic Relations – is a Palestinian-rights activist who organized anti-Israel rallies as a campus radical at the University of California at Berkeley.

Commenting on the 9/11 attacks as a leader of the radical Muslim Students Association – which was founded by Muslim Brotherhood members – Dodin explained away the suicide attacks as a tragic but inevitable response to U.S. support for Israel, which she says is "angering" Muslims the world over.

"No one wants to stop and think that these young men, in the prime of their lives, choose to do this to themselves. Why?" she asked in an interview with a campus magazine. "Because now you have three generations of Palestinians born under occupation."

"Maybe if you start to look at Palestinians as human beings," she added, "you will stop the suicide bombers."

Dodin, 30, went on to justify violent jihad.

"Islam does teach that you must defend yourself," she said. "You cannot lie down and allow yourself, your home, your property, your family, and your people to be consistently oppressed."

Durbin's senior legislative aide points to the election of two Muslim congressmen – Democrats Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Andre Carson of Indiana – as proof Muslims can penetrate "the system" and bring about change from within.

Read more

Some Of Savings From Pension Cuts Going To Fund Other Programs

The House of Delegates and Maryland Senate this past week have both voted to cut pension benefits for state teachers and employees as the legislators raised contribution rates and retirement ages, ostensibly to cure a massive $18 billion underfunding of the pension system. But millions of the savings from the reduced benefits are not going to shore up the pension plans at all, but will instead funnel money into the operating budget. This prospect has drawn fire from liberal and conservative lawmakers and the teachers union, as well as strong objections from the head of the retirement system.

Continue Reading...

Coors Light To Pass Budweiser As Second On Biggest Beer List?

First it was Diet Coke pushing Pepsi out of the way to take over second place on the bestselling soda list, now it looks like beer behemoth Budweiser might lose its coveted number-two slot to Coors Light.

More »

Is Walmart Putting Elderly Greeters In Harm's Way By Having Them Check Receipts?

While Walmart fires young loss-prevention staffers for restraining an armed shoplifter, the company has no problem asking its elderly employees to check receipts of exiting customers, who occasionally get violently upset when stopped. Perhaps the latest incident, in which a 71-year-old greeter was allegedly hit and choked by angry customers, might change things.

More »

Is Trump The Newest Birther Disciple?

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

UPDATE: Donald Trump released his official birth certificate to ABC Tuesday.

Maryland Alcohol Tax Moves Ahead In Senate

ANNAPOLIS—

An increase in Maryland’s alcohol tax advanced in the Maryland Senate Tuesday, with a significant portion of the first year’s proceeds set aside for Prince George’s County and Baltimore schools.

The Senate measure would raise Maryland’s sales tax on alcohol from 6 percent to 9 percent over three years by 1 percent a year. It would raise about $29 million in fiscal  2012, $58 million the following year and $85 million in the third year, fiscal analysts estimate.

In the next fiscal year, Baltimore schools would receive about $12 million, and Prince George’s County would receive about $9 million to help boost education funding in Maryland jurisdictions that lagged behind others because of school funding formulas. Proceeds from the alcohol tax would be diverted to those school jurisdictions only in a one-time adjustment.

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Thank You!

Mr. Albero
           
Untill today I never heard your name. Untill that kooky wexlor lady got on to the news at the press conference ranting "her opinon" the never of that back woods wench! Please do not stop your blog. As a mother of 3 under 3 I believe being to the point is the best way. Thank you for being blunt and telling it how it is and not candy coating things.
           
Thank you again
      
Candace Jones

I WILL BE TELLING ALL MY FRIENDS TO READ YOUR BLOG AND TO TELL ALL OF THERE FRIENDS

Maryland Governor Promotes School Breakfast Programs

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Gov. Martin O'Malley is promoting school breakfast programs.

O'Malley will host breakfast with school superintendents, principals and food service providers Wednesday at the State House in Annapolis.

It's part of the governor's Partnership to End Childhood Hunger. O'Malley says he wants to end childhood hunger in the state by 2015.

Source

Senate Approves $14.6 Billion Budget

Includes new tax on alcohol, must be reconciled with House plan

The state Senate added millions to Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget proposal Tuesday evening, passing a $14.6 billion spending plan that relies on a new tax on alcohol to restore funding to schools in Baltimore and Prince George's County next year.

The Senate is expected to give final approval Wednesday to add a 3 percent surcharge to the sales tax on beer, wine and liquor, which appears to be the largest area of difference to emerge between the House and Senate budget bills — a conflict that sets up a philosophical battle between the two chambers.

Gov. Martin O'Malley, who pledged during his re-election campaign that he would not propose new taxes this year, has not ruled out accepting increases initiated by the General Assembly. He would need to sign any legislation to increase taxes.
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Man Convicted Of Threatening O'Malley Gets Second Trial

By Nick Madigan, The Sun (Baltimore)Walter Abbott, a 47-year-old construction worker, stood trial Tuesday for the second time on charges of making a threat of bodily injury to a public official, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison. In his obscenity-laden email, which he acknowledged writing, Abbott threatened to "strangle the life" from the governor if he could ever get close enough to him.

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R.I.P. White Pages, State Legislature Says

By Julie Bykowicz, The Sun (Baltimore)The Senate on Monday joined the House of Delegates in voting to end mandatory delivery of residential white pages to home phone company customers.

More

MAN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM PRISON CHARGED WITH THEFT SCHEME - MULTIPLE BURGLARIES INVESTIGATED

(McHenry, MD) – A man who had been living in Garrett County since being released from prison less than three months ago is back in custody after Maryland State Police investigators uncovered a theft scheme that is believed to involve burglaries in multiple counties and at least one neighboring state.

The accused is identified as Edward A. Morton, 57, who had addresses in the 20000-block of Maryland Highway, Bloomington, Md. and in the 200-block of Southside Lane, Swanton, Md, where he had been living with his brother. He is charged with theft scheme over $10,000 in Garrett County and multiple charges are pending against him in other jurisdictions. He is incarcerated in the Garrett County Detention Center on $2.5 million bond.

In late February 2011, Maryland State Police at the McHenry Barrack received information indicating Morton, who had been released from prison in early January, was receiving checks from pawn shops in Maryland, Washington, D.C., New York and North Carolina that amounted to tens of thousands of dollars. Troopers knew Morton had been in prison for committing multiple burglaries in which jewelry and coins were stolen.

Troopers began an immediate investigation that included calls to multiple pawn shops. In early March, State Police investigators learned a pawn shop in Charlotte, North Carolina had received a package of jewelry from Morton. The pawn shop owner gave troopers a description of the items, including a 1970 Damascus High School ring.

With just the graduation year and the initials inside the ring, a State Police investigator called Damascus High School and then made multiple calls to members of the 1970 graduating class. Within days, he had identified the owner of the ring as a woman who lives in Frederick. He contacted her and she confirmed the ring had been stolen along with other items during a recent burglary at her home.

Troopers contacted investigators from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office with this information and enlisted their assistance in identifying burglaries in Frederick County. Police served search warrants at the residences of Morton and his brother in Garrett County. A large amount of coins and jewelry were found in Morton’s apartment in Bloomington MD.

Morton was arrested by Maryland State Police on the morning of March 25, 2011, in Garrett County. Additional charges against him are pending.

At this time, Morton has not been connected to any burglaries in Garrett County. Police are reviewing cases in Frederick County and West Virginia. They are also continuing to follow up with pawn shops Morton is believed to have sent items to in an ongoing effort to recover stolen property.

Sherri Harkins Of Pittsville Elementary And Middle Named NECTFL Teacher Of The Year

Sherri Harkins, the Maryland Language Teacher of the Year who uses French language and culture to give students 3-8 at Pittsville Elementary and Middle School a world view, will be honored this weekend as the NECTFL Teacher of the Year by the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (NECTFL).

NECTFL is a 14-state organization that is the largest regional organization representing teachers of foreign languages. Ms. Harkins will be celebrated as the NECTFL Teacher of the Year at the NECTFL Spring Conference in Baltimore on Sunday, April 3. As the regional winner Ms. Harkins will compete in November 2011 for the title of National Language Teacher of the Year, as named by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

“Our region represents school districts with very strong world language programs. To represent the incredible teachers in the northeast region is truly an honor,” Harkins said. With this title Ms. Harkins will have opportunities to meet with educational policy makers to discuss and advocate for language learning, particularly her passion, early language learning. “If we are going to prepare our students to be successful in the global marketplace, we must give them the skills they need. There is no replacement for the life lessons learned through a language and its culture.”

As part of the interview for the regional title, Harkins was able to share how every aspect of her teaching is designed to guide students to successful world citizenship. From daily lessons to integrated service-learning opportunities, Sherri strives to strengthen students’ connections between their futures and their education. A former student, now in college, describes Ms. Harkins as “a teacher that focuses on not just the information, but one who initiates a genuine interest on the student’s part.”

“I have known and worked with Mrs. Harkins for eight years, and I am continually impressed by all she embodies as a professional educator,” said Ruth F. Malone, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development and Harkins’ former world language supervisor. “Mrs. Harkins is a model of what a caring professional educator should be. She is concerned about the well being of her students, constantly looking for new resources and ideas to bring into her classroom, and willing to invest countless hours and energy toward advocacy for language learning.”

Harkins, who graduated from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania with a degree in communications and minors in French and Social Work, took a nontraditional path to teaching. She worked in various capacities for and later purchased a small business, Sand in My Shoes, Salisbury Inc. She began teaching in 2001 at Salisbury Middle School, where for seven years she taught French and Exploratory Foreign Language, taught Strategic Reading, assisted other teachers in their classrooms, and supported the school in special events and fundraisers. After one year at the Choices program, she moved to Pittsville Elementary and Middle in 2008 to teach French I to eighth graders and Exploratory Foreign Language to seventh and eighth graders, and piloted the Foreign Language Elementary School (FLES) program in grades K-5 at Pittsville and Willards Elementary. She coined the phrase now in common use at Pittsville School, “Turning Wildcats into World Citizens.” She is also active in curriculum writing and professional development.

Judges selected Harkins as NECTFL Teacher of the Year after reviewing a portfolio of student work, interviewing Harkins, and reading tributes from fellow teachers, supervisors, parents and students. Some of their comments endorsing Harkins are excerpted below.

Fellow Teachers:

"She has taught the children to greet each other, to state their name and tell about their favorite activity. She has also read stories in French. During the last lesson she spoke only in French and the children were able to follow all instructions. Mrs. Harkins has a wonderful rapport with young children. She has a positive approach and she makes learning French fun."
-- Christine M. Walston, kindergarten teacher, Willards Elementary

"Not only did Mrs. Harkins expose my students to the French language, she also infused their other subjects into her lessons. She reinforced skills that were being taught in reading, math and science while teaching the students how to speak French. Her enthusiasm acts as a motivator for the students to want to learn more. In addition to learning about the French language, Mrs. Harkins has exposed the students at Pittsville Elementary and Middle School to other world cultures. This has broadened the views of our students to think of themselves as part of a world culture and not just that of the Eastern Shore."
-- Marie Baker, Grade 3 teacher, Pittsville Elementary and Middle

"Everybody at Salisbury Middle loved her and if you had any questions about anything pertaining to French, classroom management, or fundraising, Sherri was always willing to help. All the students loved her and she loves her students -- from the unruly student that nobody wanted to the straight A student who just wanted to learn more about the French culture."
-- Ann Powell, Salisbury Middle School

Parents:

“My children come home excited about what they have learned. They might come home and repeat the days of the week or a catchy French song. They sometimes greet me with ‘bonjour.’ I am so happy this course is being taught at such a young age.”
--Jennifer Lewis, who had three children in Mrs. Harkins’ classroom last year

"I am certain that Jonathan chose French because of you! You were kind, understanding, encouraging, and most important to a middle school adolescent: You were fun and motivating! Jonathan gained a very practical application of French, and I appreciated the way in which you energetically and creatively immersed your first-year French students.”
--Robin Holloway, former Salisbury Middle parent

“Her creativity and ability to make class interesting and applicable creates a setting that children do not want to miss. Her ability to communicate with her students provides a resource that they can turn to not only for French but other school and personal challenges. They trust her and look to her for guidance.”
--Bonnie M. Gallagher, former Salisbury Middle parent

Students:

“Mme. Harkins always adds fun to her lessons and has prizes when we win games. We have also done really neat projects, like making a French photo album and making a French mobile of different things we like to do. Also, when we walk into the class it’s always a very relaxing feeling and I never feel pressured.”
--Tyler O., former Pittsville Middle student

“Mrs. Harkins is the best teacher ever!”
--Brittany B., Pittsville Elementary and Middle

“Taking French with Mrs. Harkins kept not only my interest, but actually became one of my favorite classes to attend. She was a teacher that took a genuine interest in me, who I was, how I learned and where I was going. She not only kept my interest, she helped us all really understand the language by making it fun and applicable. I was not a strong student, but her passion for us as students had a way of bringing me back to task to a point of not just understanding, but actually having fun with it.”
--Kyle Gallagher, Salisbury University student and “former and forever grateful student”

Supervisors:

“Mrs. Harkins has performed her duties with passion, energy and commitment to the welfare of children.”
--Dr. Daniel Pyle, former Supervisor of English and World Language for Wicomico Schools

“Mrs. Harkins’ classroom is an engaging and lively place where students of all levels are welcomed and challenged. She has consistently received the highest possible teacher ratings. Mrs. Harkins believes in and utilizes the best practices of differentiated instruction, multiple intelligences, and school civility. Her lessons are evidence of the care she puts into aligning her instruction to local, state and national standards – not just for world languages but also with the various content areas she connects to her lessons.”
--Michael T. Cody, Principal, Pittsville Elementary and Middle

Community Connections Day Saturday, April 16

Join us for our spring Community Connection Day on Saturday, April 16. HALO Ministry and the Wicomico County Board of Education are working together to help connect families and children in transition to needed services.

Documents

• [578]community conection day_2.pdf

Three Wicomico Students Finish Tops In State SkillsUSA, Will Head To Nationals

Wicomico County SkillsUSA students made an outstanding showing at last weekend’s Maryland SkillsUSA Championship, sending three students on to the national competition and placing 15 students in the top 3 of a number of skill contests.

Wicomico was represented by 45 students who had already won on the local and regional levels to compete in 25 different Leadership and Technical-area events. It was a long day for students as they faced the best competitors in the state, but they prevailed. “It was a very successful weekend for SkillsUSA students from Wicomico County and Wicomico County Public Schools,” said Jim Maynard, SkillsUSA advisor.

First-place finishers earned the right to proceed to the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City this June, along with their instructors. Wicomico’s first-place winners were:

Matt Duncan, Wicomico High, Electronics Technology
Derreck Frantum, Parkside High, Carpentry
Mike Levdansky, James M. Bennett High, Welding

Also finishing in the top 3 from Wicomico were:

Edward Mitchell, Parkside, Precision Machining, 2nd
Adam Chance, Parkside, Precision Machining, 3rd
Muriel Beteck, Wicomico, First Aid/CPR, 2nd
Caitlyn Insley, Mardela (contestant) and Katie Thomsen, Parkside (model), 2nd
Alyssa Smith, Wicomico (contestant) and Aujila Simmons, Parkside (model), 3rd
Daniel Swain, Parkside, Masonry, 3rd
William Habas, Mardela, Welding, 3rd
Matt Layfield and Chad Payne, Parkside, and Tyler Wheatley, Mardela, Welding Fabrication 3-Man Team, 2nd

Maryland had more than 1,180 students competing in 91 different events this year. It was the largest conference that Maryland SkillsUSA has ever had.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY TO HOST BREAKFAST WITH AREA SCHOOL LEADERS TO PROMOTE SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAMS

ANNAPOLIS, MD – TODAY, Governor O’Malley will host breakfast for area superintendents, principals, educators, food service providers, parents and other school leaders to promote school breakfast programs and the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger.

Last month, the Governor surprised third, fourth and fifth graders from Chadwick Elementary School to talk about childhood hunger in Maryland.

There are more than 210,000 children in Maryland at risk of hunger. The O’Malley-Brown Administration has set a goal for Maryland to become the first state to eliminate childhood hunger within its borders by 2015. In November 2008, Governor O’Malley established the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland with Share our Strength and the Governor’s Office for Children to raise awareness about hunger in the state.

The Partnership includes community groups, activists and food programs to reach children at risk of hunger, and ensure they have nutritious food where they live, learn and play. This past November, the Governor celebrated the second year of progress for the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger.

Library Contributes To Increase In School Readiness

WHAT:  Contribution to Increased School Readiness

WHO:  Wicomico Public Library

WHEN: report released last week

WHERE: All library locations

SALISBURY, MD – March 29, 2011 – According to the results of the Maryland Model for School Readiness assessment released last week by the Maryland Department of Education, eighty-one percent of Maryland Kindergarteners are ready for school; up from 49 percent recorded when the test began ten years ago.  Eight-seven percent of Wicomico County Kindergarteners are ready for school; up from 55 percent recorded ten years ago.  Information for each subdivision is located at http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/NR/rdonlyres/BCFF0F0E-33E5-48DA-8F11-28CF333816C2/27805/MMSR_20102011_State_Readiness_Report_w.pdf

Maryland’s Creating Connections to Grow Readers: It’s Never Too Early initiative was established by the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Library Development and Services in 2001. More than 1,000 public librarians statewide have participated in training created by the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Reading Excellence to align their resources and services to young children birth to five, and their families and caregivers with the Maryland Model for School Readiness. 

"A library is often a child's first classroom, and a lifetime love of books and learning can begin within library walls," said State Superintendent of Schools, Nancy S. Grasmick.  "Libraries provide the key to strong early childhood development.   They offer critical resources to communities in every part of our State."

Wicomico Public Library supports this increase in the number of kindergarteners ready for school: 

• There were 183 programs for children aged 0 to 4 in FY10; attendance was 3382.  We provide in-house story times plus visits to in-home Child Care Providers and we receive class tours from preschools.

• We co-host the finale night in Lightning Bug School for pre-K special needs kids and their parents.  They meet once a week for four weeks to read a book, do an activity aligned with the book and have dinner.  The fourth week they have Happy Meals at the library, read a story and tour the library and get a library card.
• We partner with the Board of Education in hosting the School Readiness Fair each July.  The fair acquaints all children entering school for the first time with all places they can find support as they begin their school career.
• 300,157 birth to five related materials were circulated in FY10.
• The Birth to Four area of the Main Library is a space dedicated to young children; with play and learn areas, early literacy activity centers for children and parents to learn and play together.
• Our Children’s Services Manager has been trained in special programs - Early literacy training available for child care professionals and parents based on the Maryland Model for School Readiness so all adults in the child’s life are working together.

Book Signing

Author Jeanne Pocius

WHAT: Author appearance


WHO: adults


WHEN: Thursday, March 31st, 6-8 p.m.


WHERE: Wicomico Public Library, Main Library


SALISBURY, MD – March 29, 2011 – Author Jeanne Pocius will be at the Main Library to sign copies of her book "Shaken, Not Stirred,” on Thursday, March 31st at 6 p.m.

The book is a survivor’s account of the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

For more information on this event or other library services, visit us on the web at http://www.wicomicolibrary.org/  or call 410-749-3612. Programs are free and open to the public.

Pork In The Park Event

Feel the heat of the flame and the anticipation of the throw at Pork in the ParkCompetitors wanted for the Amateur Backyard BBQ or Cornhole Tournament

(Salisbury, MD) Put on your game face as two friendly-competitions have made their way into this year’s Pork in the Park BBQ Festival slated for April 15-17 at Salisbury’s Winter Place Park.  The Amateur Backyard BBQ Competition will make its second appearance at the 2011 festival and Miller Lite will debut the first Pork in the Park Cornhole Tournament  - both will take place on Sunday, April 17^th.

The 2^nd Annual Amateur Backyard BBQ Competition kicks off early Sunday, April 17 with set-up beginning at 8am.  Amateur barbeque enthusiasts will have the chance to show off their grilling skills using pork ribs (spares) or chicken (any type or cut).  Those feeling especially adventuresome can compete in both categories.  All meat must be raw, unseasoned and cooked on site using charcoal or wood cookers.  For a complete competition schedule, rules and registration form visit http://www.porkinthepark.org/.  The entry fee is only $20 and teams can enter up until the day before the competition by completing the form and submitting their $20 payment to Wicomico Tourism.  Winners will be selected through a blind judging and the winner will not only get bragging rights, but also a free entry into the 2012 Pork in the Park Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned competition ($250 value).

If grilling is not your strong suite, the inaugural Pork in the Park Cornhole Tournament presented by Miller Lite will also kick off on Sunday, April 17.  The tournament is played with a two person team using a pool play-3 game guarantee format.  This friendly competition starts off with a check-in and open practice at 11am.  Games begin at 12pm and will be played until a winner is declared.  The cost is $25 per team; registration must be completed by Thursday, April 14 at 5pm.  Please visit http://www.porkinthepark.org/ to register online or by mail.  Players are competing for a first place trophy as well as cash prizes to the top three winning teams.        

Pork in the Park is a 3-day BBQ festival slated for Salisbury’s Winter Place Park beginning on Friday, April 15^th at 4:00pm and running through Sunday, April 17^th at 5:00pm.  Pork in the Park is now home to the 2^nd largest Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned competition in the country.  Surrounding the competition, the festival offers live entertainment, tasty BBQ, cold beverages including Delmarva’s own EVO and Bordeleau Wine as well as Boordy Vineyards, crafts, children’s rides and games, a mechanical bull, Mountaire Chickin’ Pickin’ Competition and much more.  Adult admission is only $2 per day and children under 12 are free.

For more information on the Amateur Backyard BBQ Competition, the inaugural Cornhole Tournament or Pork in the Park BBQ Festival in general please visit http://www.porkinthepark.org/ or www.Facebook.com/PorkinthePark.