Schools around state crack down on tag

You've gotta be kidding me....in the age of a fast food restaurant on every corner, both parents working and too busy to cook nutritious meals, and school systems strapped for money and time just to meet the academic requirements much less provide adequate time for physical education, we are now going to tell all the overweight, latchkey kids they can't run around and play tag at recess? What is this world coming to? It's not like a mandatory requirement at recess, it's OPTIONAL!!

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008
By MEGAN A. CONLAN

Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS — Maryland elementary schools are restricting the types of games students can play at recess, causing some people to worry that administrators are eliminating the very activities that let kids be kids.

Although most schools already prohibit games like dodgeball and tackle football, stringent no contact policies are, in some cases, affecting more basic childhood games as well. Tag is one game being questioned at more Maryland schools.

Read more HERE

Open Thread Sunday!

"Open Thread" is a place for you to tell me what you would like to see on this site. What can I do to make it more user-friendly, topics you would like to see discussed in the future, questions or concerns. If I missed your questions on another thread, please direct me to them here.

So here you go, give me your feedback.

Open Thread Sunday!

"Open Thread" is a place for you to tell me what you would like to see on this site. What can I do to make it more user-friendly, topics you would like to see discussed in the future, questions or concerns. If I missed your questions on another thread, please direct me to them here.

So here you go, give me your feedback.

Open Thread Sunday!

"Open Thread" is a place for you to tell me what you would like to see on this site. What can I do to make it more user-friendly, topics you would like to see discussed in the future, questions or concerns. If I missed your questions on another thread, please direct me to them here.

So here you go, give me your feedback.

NOTES: Board Meeting 12/9/08

The Board Meeting Tuesday, December 9th will be re-broadcast on Channel 96 on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. . To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit BoardDocs.

IMHO, nothing major happened at this meeting. All the reports are online by clicking on the link above. Only votes taken were minutes from the last meeting, minutes from a teleconference call, and personnel. All motions passed. Here's a breakdown of topics...

Superintendents Report
Board Correspondance - heard from libraries about opportunities
EACC Update
Student Board Member
CIP Status
Construction
Bridge Plan Update

Legislative Meeting On Again!

Okay, now the meeting is on again. Looks as though we have Delegates Jameson, Levy, and Murphy attending a meeting with the Board of Education Members on Thursday, December 18th at 10:00 a.m. at the Starkey Building.

Abell too Hold Q & A

Charles County Board of Education member Jennifer Abell will hold a question & answer session for interested residents the second Thursday of every month from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Unique Sports Academy, 109 Post Office Road, Waldorf. The next scheduled meeting is December 11th.
Call Jennifer Abell 301-659-4112 or e-mail abell4edu@verizon.net .

REMINDER: Board Meeting 12/9/08

Reminder... there is a Board Meeting Tuesday, December 9th. Can't attend...you can watch it live on Channel 96. It will also be re-broadcast on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.; Fridays at 9 a.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. . To view the full agenda and the various reports, please visit BoardDocs.

**Please see the link to the agenda above. I profusely apologize for not getting this posted sooner and for not posting regularly. I have been extremely busy of late and promise to do better after the new year.

Open Thread Sunday!

"Open Thread" is a place for you to tell me what you would like to see on this site. What can I do to make it more user-friendly, topics you would like to see discussed in the future, questions or concerns. If I missed your questions on another thread, please direct me to them here.

So here you go, give me your feedback.

Area Schools Reach for a Higher Bar On State Tests

By Daniel de Vise
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 27, 2008; Page A01

Half of elementary students in Northern Virginia and a third in the Maryland counties that surround Washington are scoring at the highest levels on state tests in reading and math, blowing past the goals of the No Child Left Behind law.

The finding, based on a Washington Post analysis, suggests that area schools have ambitions beyond the federal education mandate and don't need the threat of sanctions to reach them. It could also allay fears among some parents and academics that the 2002 law would dumb down public education by forcing schools to focus on low achievers.

Read more HERE

Meeting with Legislators

While it's not the normal legislative breakfast we've held annually for years, it is what we have for this year.

Board of Education Members will be meeting with Senator Thomas Middleton and Delegate Murray Levy on Monday December 8, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building to discuss our 2009 legislative packet.