Monday, March 11, 2013
The Howard County Public School System released Monday what they said would be the last day of school in 2012-13 (as of March 11).
Are you ready to think about summer yet? Because the biggest harbinger of summer, the last day of school, may be set, though it could change if more inclement weather days are used. And that day will be, according to Howard County school officials, June 18, 2013. Do you think the last day of school comes too late in June? Or just right? Tell us in comments. Howard County school officials said five inclement weather days were built into the 2012-13 school calendar, and if all five of those days were used, the last day would be June 20. If none were used, the last day would be June 13. So far, there were two school closure days in October during Superstorm Sandy and one day last week for forecasts of a big snow storm (which didn’t …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Government officials on 'liberal leave.'
The Howard County Public School System has cancelled school today as the snowstorm dubbed 'Snowquester' began dumping what the National Weather Service predicts will be up to 10 inches of snow on the area. Accordig to a statement released by the school system, in addition to classes, "All evening activities in schools, both school-sponsored and community-sponsored, are canceled. This includes high school athletic practices and games." Howard County government officials are on 'liberal leave,' meaning employees with time off can take the day off. Howard Community College will also be closed, according to its website. This article has been edited.
Monday, March 4, 2013
School administrators will be on hand Monday to answer questions about redistricting.
Want to learn more about school redistricting? The PTA Council of Howard County is presenting "Redistricting 101" Monday with Howard County Public Schools administrators, including Joel Gallihue, the manager of school planning. Speakers will explain the redistricting process and take questions from the audience. The meeting is free and open to the public in Mon., March 4 at 8 p.m. in the Board of Education building, 10910 Clarksville Pike (Route 108), Ellicott City, in Boardrooms A & B. Questions? Contact Christina Delmont-Small at:president@ptachc.org.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Facts, myths and opinions on high school start times, teen sleep patterns and what's best for our schools.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Howard County public school students and parents can now start planning for the 2013-14 first day of school.
The first day of school for Howard County public school students will be on Aug. 26, 2013, according to the recently approved 2013-14 Howard County public schools academic calendar. The school year will begin on Aug. 19 for teachers. The last day of school in Howard County for the 2012-13 school year is currently scheduled for June 20, according to the online calendar. For the 2013-14 academic year, winter break is scheduled for Dec. 23 through Jan. 1 and spring break is April 14-21. The last day of school for the next academic year is June 18, depending on how many of the five inclement weather days are used. If fewer are used, the school year will end earlier, school officials said. See related coverage: PHOTOS: First Day of School in …
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
A local father says high school students are sleep deprived.
Can you remember a time when you were sleep deprived? Maybe you couldn’t figure out why your house key wouldn’t start the car, or you misspelled your boss’s name? “Any adult can remember a time when we were sleep deprived,” Mark Donovan said. “ We know how it affected us. Why do we not think that it affects our kids the same way?” In fact, said Donovan, a clinical therapist based in Columbia, it does. Donovan has joined a growing movement to push back the start times of high school in an attempt to fix the “chronic sleep deprivation” that many say is evident in teenagers. He has started the Howard County chapter of StartSchoolLater, a national coalition “concerned that children and teenagers required to start the school [day] too early in …
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
What is the relationship between start times and student well-being?
Teenagers need about nine hours of sleep per night, according to the Mayo Clinic. With Howard County high schools starting at 7:25 a.m., how likely is it that students are arriving to school well rested, healthy and prepared for the day ahead? In a statement released this week, the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) announced it will be taking a “comprehensive look at the opening time of schools and the impact that an early opening has on the health and well-being of high school students." It’s a topic that has been on the agendas of school boards from California to Wisconsin and throughout Maryland. In Howard County, Superintendent Renee Foose said the topic emerged as a concern during forums she held last fall. For Howard …
Thursday, January 24, 2013
A dusting of snow fell on Howard County overnight.
Howard County Public Schools are opening two hours late on Thursday after snow fell overnight. Half-day morning programs are also cancelled, according to a statement released by the Howard County Public School System. Department of Recreation and Parks and Columbia Association programs that take place at Howard County public schools are also delayed two hours.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Each of Howard County’s 73 schools will receive a plaque and a banner.
Howard County public schools have received national distinction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for “outstanding practices in school nutrition programs, physical education and physical activity,” according to a district release. Howard County is the only school system in Maryland to earn this distinction for each of its schools and is one of four Maryland school systems honored, district officials said. The award is sponsored by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and is called the HealthierUS School Challenge. Howard County won the bronze level of distinction, district officials said. The national certification initiative is voluntary, district officials said, and is for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. …
In the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, a task force in Howard County was convened to discuss safety in local schools.
Candy
4:20 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Amen! I also agree they should start AFTER Labor Day. There are too many days off for professional development days, conferences, snow days that aren't necessary, and more. They also should be finished by the end of the first week in June. Let everyone enjoy summer & doing the school year, do the work! more ›