Paint Branch High qualifies for global problem-solving tourney

Paint Branch High School’s squad finished first in the secondary level competition in a division called ‘‘DI’ve Got a Secret.” Team members were Amrita Anand, Kelsey Edge, Katrina Hauprich, Courtney Jones, Rachel McMahon, Tiffany Willacy and Savannah Doane-Malotte.

Burtonsville Elementary School finished first in the elementary level competition in ‘‘DI’ve Got a Secret.” Team members were Aman Anand, Nick Bazis, Kaitlyn Chitvaranund, Ian Edge, Josh Doane-Malotte, Austin Williams and Stephanie Woodson.

In a competition called ‘‘Hit or Myth,” a combined team from Richard Montgomery and Rockville high schools finished first and a team called ‘‘Walt Whitman⁄Richard Montgomery Somewhat Chronologically Accomplished Midshipmen” finished second. Both teams qualified for the global finals.

Paint Branch secondin computer competition

Paint Branch High School’s computer programming team won second place in a competition at Montgomery College April 11. Students Michael Mekonnen, Gary Weiser, Menal Modha, and Simba Marufu competed against nine other local schools.

Teams had to solve a series of 20 exercises that tend to be classical problems in computer science: some introductory, some intermediate, and some advanced level problems. Students had a two-hour block in which to solve as many problems as possible, according to a news release from Paint Branch.

Schools toput on spring performances

Several eastern Montgomery County schools are holding spring theater performances.

*James Hubert Blake: ‘‘Les Miserables” Friday and Saturday and May 1, 2 and 3 at the school, 300 Norwood Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-879-1300.

*John F. Kennedy: ‘‘Once on This Island” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the school, 1901 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-929-2100.

*Paint Branch: The spring production at Paint Branch High School, ‘‘Bells Are Ringing” will be performed Saturday and Sunday at the school, 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville. Cost is $7 students, $10 adults. Call 301-989-5600.

*Springbrook: ‘‘Bye, Bye Birdie” 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the school, 201 Valley Brook Drive, Silver Spring. Cost $5 students, $7 adults. Call 301-989-5700.

*Benjamin Banneker: ‘‘Rock ‘n Soul Revue 7” May 9 and 10, and May 16 and 17 at the school, 14800 Perrywood Drive, Burtonsville. Call 301-989-5747.

*Eastern: ‘‘The Monkey Emperor’s Secret” May 2 and 3 and May 9 and 10 at the school, 300 University Blvd. E., Silver Spring. Call 301-650-6650.

*A. Mario Loiederman: ‘‘The Music Man Jr.” 7 p.m. May 16, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 17 and 2 p.m. May 18 at the school, 12701 Goodhill Road, Silver Spring. Cost is $4 for students and $6 for adults. Call 301-929-2282.

*Newport Mill: ‘‘Brothers Grimm: Out of Order” May 2 at the school, 11311 Newport Mill Road, Kensington. Call 301-929-2244.

*Parkland: ‘‘Puppets Gone Wild” May 1, 2 and 3. Call 301-460-2180.

*Silver Spring International: ‘‘A Lunch Line” (short plays) May 8 and 9 at the school, 313 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring. Call 301-650-6544.

*Sligo: ‘‘The Monkey Emperor’s Secret” May 8 and 9 at the school, 1401 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring. Call 301-649-8121.

*Takoma Park: ‘‘Seussical Jr.” May 13, 14 and 15 at the school, 7611 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring. Call 301-650-6444.

*White Oak: ‘‘The Pajama Game” April 24, 25 and 26. Call 301-989-5780.

Consortia information meetings

Meetings have been scheduled to explain the high school consortium options to families with seventh-grade students who live or attend middle school in the Northeast Consortium or the Downcounty Consortium. Applications and choice process occur in the fall of a student’s eighth-grade year.

The schools in the Northeast Consortium are Paint Branch, Springbrook and James Hubert Blake. The meeting to learn more about high school options in the Northeast Consortium will be 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Benjamin Banneker Middle School, 14800 Perrywood Drive, Burtonsville.

The schools in the Downcounty Consortium are Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Northwood and Wheaton.

Two meetings are scheduled to learn more about high school options in the Downcounty Consortium: May 1 at Newport Mill Middle School, 11311 Newport Mill Road, Kensington, or May 15 at Parkland Middle School, 6300 Tilden Lane, Rockville. Both meetings are from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and the same information will be presented at each.

Information will be presented in English and Spanish. Call the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services at 301-592-2040 for more information, or go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org⁄curriculum⁄specialprograms

Paint Branch students, staff honored for reading initiative

Paint Branch High School honored 54 students and staff members April 11 at the first Readers Make Leaders Breakfast. The program encourages students and staff to read 26 books during the school year outside of regular classroom requirements, according to a news release from the school.

The program was established in 2007-2008 Principal Jeanette Dixon, media specialist Gary Dorr and Literacy Teacher Evelyn Herschler.

Students and staff members read 605 books.

Students honored were: Chizoba Azubuike, Anish Bachu, Jheinifer Bagio, Simerjit Bahra, Stacy Biboa, Nathalie Baptiste, Rhoda Boateng-Botwe, Saffie Camara, Valerie Campbell, Sarah Chang, Tram Dang, Eleanor Etchu, Andrea Farace, Rachel Grant-Broadus, Stephanie Hackett, Angeline Johny, Corbin Jones, Annick Julien, Amy Kals, Ho Young Kang, Sabrina Khan, Diem Le, Benson Lukose, Jaimie Metellus, Menal Modha, Cindy Ocran, Sandra Okonofua, Elelbin Ortiz, Lorena Rodriguez, Sanchez-Gail Saint-Fleurant, Nataly Santizo, Sarthak Shah, Mariame Sylla, Fatoumata Sylla, Karen Tobon, Jennifer Ukegbu, Christine Wakar, Amari Washington, Priscilla Wiafe.

Faculty and staff members honored were: Christine Blakely, Lisa Blighton, Elisabeth Davis, Jeanette Dixon, Gary Dorr, Sonia Gonzalez, Evelyn Herschler, Faye Johnson, Beatrice Newell, Jamie Paoloni, Gloria Pound, Carole Raymond, Gwynethe Sanders, Karen Sondak, Janie Wright.

Springbrook students named to NHS

Springbrook High School has announced its 2007-2008 inductees for the National Honor Society.

The students are: Kefre Akpaete, Nenna Akpaete, Saqib Ashraf, Juliana Atabong, Erica Barnett, Nicole Calaro, Michelle Chen, Jackson Costa, Matthew Davis, Angelica Eng, Sara Friedman, Benjamin Genzer, Alex Gomes, Grace Han, Miriam Hauser, David Ho, Kim Ho, Rebecca Hoyle, Tanzina Iman, Grace Kim, Michelle Kim, Kevin Ky, Irene Lao, Candace (Sunny) Lee, Zayan Mahmooth, Ashley Marston, Joseph Martin, Anne Myung, Victoria Ng, Kevin Ngo, Cindy Nguy, Michelle Nonyelum Okwali, Charnelle Pinkett, Julia Regan Fanelli, Alexander Ridgway, Wesley Ripley, Liza Roisman, Jesus Sandoval, Giridhar Sankar, Amir Shah, Richard Steinwand, David Sweigart, Dennis Young Tran, Tyra Villadiego, Eirene Wang, Scott Wiley, Amy Wong, Siani Wong, Gabriel Yu, Elizabeth Yun.

Blake student council earns national award

James Hubert Blake High School has been awarded a 2008 National Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils. Blake High School is one of only 98 high schools nationwide to receive the honor, according to a news release from the school.

In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings, a democratic election process and membership in NASC, schools that qualify for the Gold award feature leadership training for council members, teacher⁄staff appreciation activities, student recognition programs, school and community service projects, spirit activities, goal setting, financial planning, and active participation in their state and national student council associations.

Teacher Erinn Rigney is the Blake advisor.

Media Showcaseat Blake May 16

The annual Media Showcase at James Hubert Blake High School will be held 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 16 at the school, 300 Norwood Road. Community members can experience Eubie TV’s finest student video production from the 2007-2008 school year.

Student productions include documentaries, opinions and daily news.

Call 301-879-1300.

‘Race for a Dream’to benefit Blake’s afterprom

James Hubert Blake High School is holding its fourth annual 5K run and 3K walk, ‘‘Race for a Dream,” 10 a.m. May 4 to benefit Blake’s afterprom and to promote teen driver safety.

The run will take place at Blake, 300 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, rain or shine. Cost to register is $10 before May 2 and $20 after. Race day registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The top three male and female runners will win awards. The first 500 participants will win T-shirts and their will be refreshments after the race.

For more information or to become a race sponsor, email Janice.Hylton@nreca.coop. To volunteer, email stoneg8mom@yahoo.com.

Send items for School Notes to The Gazette, 13501 Virginia Manor Road, Laurel, MD 20707. Items may be e-mailed to jbrocker@gazette.net or sent by fax to 240-473-7501.