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Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart at The Bullis School

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005

Click here to enlarge this photo Photo courtesy of The Bullis School Bullis fourth-graders Alessandra Mejia of Potomac and Caitlin McMahon of Gaithersburg jump rope during the ‘‘Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart” program at the school on Dec. 14. The event raised more than $4,000 for the American Heart Association.

The two-hour event was the culmination of a three-week unit of study in physical education on fitness, nutrition, jump roping and basketball.

Students learned about the positive effects of good nutrition and exercise on health and the adverse effects of smoking and drinking alcohol.

Donations to the American Heart Association were collected by the students from family and friends.

Whitman students qualifyfor All-State Chorus

Twenty-one students from Walt Whitman High School were named to the Maryland All-State Chorus, the highest number of students to qualify from any high school in the state.

Whitman students selected for Junior All-State Chorus are Max Holtz, Sarah Longstreth, Clayton Smith, Jesse Swire and Marielle Taft.

Senior All-State chorus members chosen from Whitman are Alex Bachorik, David Baumgold, Justin Bours, Maikayla Braun, Ellen Bryson, Matt Glenn, Ashley Griswold, Natsuha Kuroda, Claire Lyon, Jessica Malashevich, Nikki Massoud, Ian McEuen, Andrew Newman, Catherine Petrick, Eleanna Varangis and Julia Winer.

School Notes takes a break

School Notes will take a two-week break for the holidays. The column will run again on Jan. 11. Happy Holidays!

Students honoredfor performance on AP exams

A total of 160 Montgomery County Public Schools students were among the nation’s top performers on the Advanced Placement exams last spring. MCPS had 20 National Advanced Placement Scholars in 2003 and 121 in 2004, compared with this year’s high of 160.

Parent discussion to be held on the road to independence

Join a free discussion on what parents can do to raise dependable, accountable, responsible children from 7-9 p.m. on Jan. 11 at Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd. Bethesda. The discussion will explore the importance of giving choices and setting limits to gain cooperation on chores and allowance. Parents will learn specific strategies.

Raffle to raise fundsfor Latino education

Want a chance to win more than $20,000? St. John’s College High School in Chevy Chase, Washington, D.C., is holding a raffle to benefit The San Miguel School of Washington, an education program for underprivileged Latino youth. First prize is $20,060, with three runner-up prizes of $2,006 each. Tickets cost $100. The drawing will take place on Dec. 30. To purchase tickets, call 202-364-0229 or visit www.gostjohns.org.

Nominations soughtfor education awards

Three veteran teachers in Montgomery County will each be given a $1,000 check for excellent performance in motivating students to achieve. One of these teachers will be designated Montgomery County Teacher of the Year and provided use of a new car for one year. That teacher will represent Montgomery County in the competition for Maryland Teacher of the Year. One first-year teacher will also be honored with a $500 award. All winners will be honored at the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education Gala Dinner on April 19.

The committee selecting the winners is composed of current and former teachers who seek to recognize those teachers who make a significant difference in their students’ lives and who mentor new teachers. They give public credit to those teachers who exemplify Marian Greenblatt’s views that the classroom teacher is the centerpiece of the education system and that the master teacher needs appropriate recognition and encouragement.

Greenblatt was a member of the Montgomery County Board of Education from 1976-84 and its president from 1978-79. She served as director of the President’s Academic Fitness Award Program from 1984 until her death in 1988.

Those interested in nominating a teacher should visit www.greenblatteducationfund.org for all of the pertinent information and due dates.

Bronfman Youth Fellowships accepting applications

The Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel is accepting applications for its 20th summer. The fellowships take a group of 26 high school students to Israel for five weeks of intensive study and travel.

The fellowships offer an opportunity for students entering 12th grade to participate in the intensive five-week program, designed to develop future community leaders committed to Jewish unity.

The fellows participate in seminars and dialogues with diverse rabbinic faculty. They also spend a week with a group of Israeli peers who have been chosen through a parallel selection process as part of the Israeli Youth Fellowship, Amitei Bronfman.

Applications for the 2006 fellowship are available online at www.bronfman.org. High school students in the United States and Canada, who will be in 12th grade in the fall of 2006 may apply.

Sons of the AmericanRevolution sponsor contest

High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are invited to enter the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest.

The contest is sponsored by the General William Smallwood Chapter and is open to students attending Montgomery County public, parochial, private or accredited home schools.

A $3,000 first prize and certificate will be awarded to the winner of the national contest.

In addition, the winning essay will be submitted to the SAR Magazine for publication.

The contest is for an original 800- to 1,000-word essay on an event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the American Revolution, The Declaration of Independence or the framing of the United States Constitution.

Essays will be judged for historical accuracy, clarity of thought, organization, proven topic, grammar, spelling and documentation.

Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31.

For rules and information about the contest, send a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope with questions to 5526 Oakmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 20817.

Field trips offered to learn about Clara Barton

Clara Barton National Historic Site and Glen Echo Park’s Adventure Theatre will offer a field trip opportunity for elementary school children in grades three through five, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays during the 2005-06 school year.

The field trip includes the 45-minute play ‘‘Clara Barton – The Courage Within,” performed on stage at Adventure Theatre by the theater’s professional actors troupe. Following the play, students will tour Clara Barton National Historic Site with National Park Service Rangers for approximately 45 minutes.

Teachers may make arrangements for students to eat a brown bag lunch at Glen Echo Park following the play, either inside a classroom or outside if weather permits.

The cost of the play is $7 per person, payable to Adventure Theatre. The National Park Service does not collect a fee for the tour of Clara Barton Historic Site. For reservations or additional information, contact Adventure Theatre at 301-320-5331.

Clara Barton is located adjacent to Adventure Theatre, which is in Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. It is an easy walk from Adventure Theatre to Clara Barton National Historic Site.

Send your School Notes to ssiegel@gazette.net or mail them to me at 1200 Quince Orchard Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD, 20878. Don’t forget to include date, time and contact information.