Thursday, January 26, 2012
The teachers association is opposed to the plan on many levels.
Board of Education members have heard the testimony from educators, parents and students. They've studied the recommendations made by administrators and they've asked questions—all in an effort to make a decision on whether to eliminate separate reading classes and make other changes in Howard County public middle schools. Tonight, board members will vote on the proposal. The proposal is a multifaceted plan that calls for changing the daily class schedule, eliminates separate reading classes in favor of folding that specialized instruction into core subject classes, increases physical education class time and adds world languages to the sixth-grade curriculum. Imminent changes in the way many school systems do business are paving the way …
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Here's a look back at a busy and varied week in Howard County.
It was a weirdly busy week in Howard County, with a lost goat named Tuscany showing up near Elkridge, a neighborhood's proactive approach to fighting crime resulting in the arrest of a burglar and the email lockout — and subsequent account reinstatement — that prevented Howard County Education Association President Paul Lemle from communicating with his members for four days. Animal rights activists are upset that animals are being sold at a new pet store, while police searched for — and ultimately located — a former animal rescue worker wanted in connection with 40 dead animals found in a Columbia townhouse. Howard County Education Association President's Email Access Cutoff HCEA President Paul Lemle's email was cut off ‚ at the direction…
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Howard County Public School System Superintendent Sydney Cousin restored service Tuesday morning after meeting with education association President Paul Lemle.
Howard County Education AssociationPresident Paul Lemle's access to his Howard County Public Schools System's electronic communications service has been restored. Superintendent Sydney Cousin ordered the account closed Thursday based upon a perceived violation of terms of use, according to school system emails obtained by Patch. The account provides a vehicle for email, emergency alerts and the ability to conference among small groups. The account was restored Tuesday morning after a meeting between Lemle and Cousin. Lemle, an outspoken critic of proposed changes to middle school reading instruction, originally said he thought the account was closed because of an email he sent to Board of Education members Jan. 12. He planned to testify …
Saturday, January 14, 2012
The school board now must decide whether to move ahead with the plan.
Educators, parents and students have made known their feelings about a Howard County Public School System plan to cut middle school reading classes, and the Board of Education will make a final decision in less than two weeks. A public hearing was held Thursday in two segments. One at 5 p.m. was added to the agenda to accommodate the expected large crowd of educators, parents and students. The hearing continued at 7:30 p.m. after the school board's dinner break. Between the two sessions, nearly 30 speakers spoke out againt the proposal that calls for the elimination of standalone reading classes, additional physical education instruction time and the addition of world languages to the sixth-grade curriculum, according to Howard County …
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Jack
8:04 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
"It is a complicated matter with many elements to consider, according to school board chairwoman Sandy French. Each board member will weigh carefully all of the material presented regarding the changes and make the best decision they can for all Howard County public school students, she told Patch last week." The BOE needs to do a better job of reaching out to the community so they can have all … more ›