Speakers receive three minutes to talk on any subject, though they are encouraged to bring 25 copies of their testimony for distribution to Board of Education officials.Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and French interpreters are available, as are child care services.
A second forum is 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Wheaton High School, 12601 Dalewood Drive in Silver Spring.
For more information, call the Board of Education at 301-279-3617.
Open houses planned
A few Back to School nights are planned in Gaithersburg.
They include 7 tonight at Summit Hall Elementary School, 101 W. Deer Park Road and at Shady Grove Middle School, 3100 Midcounty Highway, for sixth grade and 7 p.m. Thursday for seventh and eighth; and 7 p.m. Thursday at Ridgeview middle, 16600 Raven Rock Drive.
NWHS basket bingo
Northwest High School will offer a fun night of basket bingo at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at the cafeteria, 13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown.
Proceeds will benefit the Northwest High School Choral Music Program.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the games begin at 7p.m.
Advance admission is $15 and tickets at the door are $18.
For advance tickets call Eve Lader at 301-528-0050 by Sept. 25.
Reserved seating available for presale groups of 6 or more.
Tickets include cards for three chances at 16 games of bingo. Additional game boards, raffle tickets, 50⁄50 and rip tickets will also be sold.
Dinner, drinks and desserts featuring Rita’s Italian Ice, will be available for purchase.
Getting back to the books
Summit Hall Elementary School is holding ‘‘Math Night” Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in its all-purpose room. Teachers will lead interactive exercises designed to show parents how their kids will learn math this year.
‘‘We tend to stay away from a cut-and-dry PowerPoint presentation about the curriculum, as such,” said Keith R. Jones, the school’s principal. ‘‘I could certainly do that, but...we’d rather have parents participate in activities so that we can have them experience how we teach math in the county curriculum.”
By walking in their children’s shoes, parents will be better able to help with homework and better understand difficulties, Jones said.
As the school’s parent population is 60 percent Hispanic, he said, documents designed to explain particular skills or concepts children are practicing will be translated into Spanish.
Come one all, come all, parents of children pre-K through 5, Jones said. A similar ‘‘Reading Night” will be held in October.
Teacher celebrates 30 years
Ann Duffy, a kindergarten teacher at The Fourth Presbyterian School in Potomac, is entering her 30th year of teaching.
She has held teaching positions at Mt. Airy Christian School and YMCA Upper Montgomery County. She was also the director of the Children’s Center in Damascus for six years. This is her seventh year at The Fourth Presbyterian School.
Duffy is a graduate of The Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland at College park.
Take steps to help homeless
Stone Mill Elementary School in North Potomac will host a walk to raise funds that will prevent and end homelessness.
The Help the Homeless Mini-Walk will take place at 8 a.m. Oct. 6 at the school, 14323 Stonebridge View Drive.
Registration is $25 for adults and $15 for children. A T-shirt is included in the registration fee.
All proceeds will benefit the Stepping Stones Shelter in Rockville, which offers food and shelter to the area’s homeless.
For more information, e-mail Gail Ebrahimi at gdse@rocketmail.com or call her at 240-888-6589.
Show off your art talents
Applications are being accepted for youngARTS, a nationwide program that identifies and rewards student artists from across the country. Cash prizes up to $10,000 will be awarded.
A program within the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, youngARTS, invites young artists in nine disciplines — dance, cinematic arts, classical music, jazz music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing — to attend youngARTS week in Miami.
The week consists of workshops, readings, exhibits and activities geared toward specific disciplines. Current hig school seniors, as well as graduates who will be 17 or 18 years old by Dec. 1 are eligible.
Scholarships will be awarded to 150 students nationwide, ranging from $250 Honorable Mention prizes to the $10,000 Gold Award. Every student invited to the youngARTS week will receive some scholarship money.
Applications are due Oct. 1, with audition⁄portfolio samples due Nov. 5.
For more information or to register, call 1-800-970-ARTS or visit www.youngARTS.org.
Computer lab donation
The Montgomery County Students Information Technology Foundation, Inc. (ITF) has reconditioned and will donate computer labs, consisting of six computers with operating systems, monitors, keyboards, mice and two printers, to non-profit charitable organizations in Montgomery County.
This project provides an opportunity for students to practice their computer skills while earning community service hours and developing a deeper appreciation for charity and community involvement.
The foundation is a non-profit organization established by the Montgomery County business and professional community and Montgomery County Public Schools. It provides hands-on training for high school students leading to computer certifications and preparing them for higher educational opportunities or direct entry into the information technology job market.
Applications are being accepted. Contact Judyn Rengers at 301-929-2197, Judyn_a_rengers@mcpsmd.org, or visit www.itfcareers.org. Completed applications must be returned by Oct. 15 to MCSITF, Attention: Judyn Rengers, 12501 Dalewood Drive, Room 1116, Silver Spring, MD 20907, faxed to 301-929-2192, or e-mailed to her.
MCPS Parent Academy
A series of free workshops are planned for parents and other family members of students in Montgomery County Public Schools. The workshops will be taught by MCPS staff, community members, and organizations including Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health System, Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County, State’s Attorney’s Office, Montgomery County Teachers Federal Credit Union, Navy FederalCredit Union, Identity Inc. and Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. Interpreters in multiple languages will be available at the workshops if they have been requested on the registration form, and childcare will be provided for children 4-12.
Eighteen workshops will be offered during October and November. Topics include understanding the school system, computer skills, understanding ADHD, bullying prevention, high school graduation requirements, helping teens make good decisions and helping your child succeed in middle school. The workshops are located at schools and other sites throughout Montgomery County, and most are scheduled on weeknights at 7 p.m.
To register call 301-517-5940 or 301-279-3100 for a form or more information. Visit www.mcpsparentacademy.org.
Call the MCPS Division of Family and Community Partnerships at 301-279-3100 or visit www.mcpsparentacademy.org.
Send your School Notes by 10 a.m. Thursday to Melissa Chadwick via e-mail at mchadwick@gazette.net, by fax to 301-670-7183 or by mail to 1200 Quince Orchard Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Photos will also be considered.
