·
Robert L. Ehrlich, Governor of Maryland
·
Nancy Grasmick, State Superintendent of
Schools
·
Local School Superintendents
·
Senators/Delegates of Respective School
Districts
·
Blue Ribbon Corporate Sponsors
WHAT:
The 2005 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools
Honors Banquet and General Assembly presentations
highlight a year of national recognition for six
Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools. The schools
are:
Folger McKinsey Elementary Anne
Arundel County
Sparks Elementary Baltimore
County
Clarksville Elementary Howard
County
Rock Hall Elementary Kent
County
Viers Mill Elementary Montgomery
County
Showell Elementary Worcester
County
WHEN:
Monday, March 14, 2005 5
p.m. - 9 p.m.
Reception &
Dinner 5-7:30
p.m.
General Assembly Honors 8-9
p.m.
WHERE: Governor
Calvert House, State Circle, Annapolis, MD
The
Statehouse, State Circle, Annapolis, MD
Blue
Ribbon Corporate Sponsors:
Coldwell Banker
Residential Brokerage, Comcast,
McDonald’s Family of Greater Baltimore,
Peripheral Vision LLC, Scholastic, Inc., State Farm
Insurance, Verizon of Maryland.
Note: See attached pages for 2004-2005 Blue
Ribbon School biographies.
2004-2005 Blue Ribbon School
Bios
Anne Arundel County/Folger McKinsey
Elementary School
Folger McKinsey in
Anne Arundel County has had a long history of academic
success. The school's motto "Together We Make a
Difference" exemplifies the strong partnerships between
the students, staff, and home communities. On local,
state or national assessment tools, the performance of
Folger's students has garnered recognition from MSDE and
the local county level. Strong and committed staff,
students who have a thirst for learning, and parents who
play an integral role all help to create an engaging
environment where rigor and challenge set the tone for
the instructional day.
Alison Lee,
Principal
Folger McKinsey Elementary
School
Anne Arundel County Public
Schools
alee@aacps.org
Baltimore
County/Sparks Elementary
School
Rigorous
educational standards, high academic achievement, highly
qualified teachers, outstanding parent involvement, and
a spirit of teamwork and collaboration are the hallmarks
of Sparks School. It has been a part of the Sparks
community since 1909. Historically high assessment
results that are well above county, state, and national
norms reflect the commitment of teachers, staff, and the
community to educational success for all students.
Sparks Elementary has received numerous Maryland School
Performance Recognition Awards. It is designated as a
Maryland Green School and has been recognized as "One of
Baltimore's Best Schools" by Baltimore
Magazine.
Barbara Bisset, Principal
Sparks
Elementary
Baltimore County Public
Schools
bbisset@bcps.org
Howard
County/Clarksville Elementary School
The staff, students and parents
of Clarksville Elementary School are proud of its
40-year tradition of academic excellence and its family
atmosphere. Academic success is reflected in the ongoing
assessment data, CTBS/5 and MSA scores. Substantial
progress on MSPP assessments earned Clarksville
Elementary Maryland Performance Recognition Awards in
1998, 1999 and 2000. It has a reflective staff and has
built into the culture of the school the examination of
instructional practices based on student performance
data. Parents provide continual support for school
programs. More than 300 parents volunteer in the
classrooms each year. Staff development, through
Critical Friends Groups, is focused on developing
strategies and techniques to meet the specific needs of
all subgroup populations. In the process Clarksville
challenges all students with rigorous performance
standards.
Brad Herling,
Principal
Clarksville Elementary
School
Howard County Public
Schools
Brad_Herling@hcpss.org
Kent County/Rock Hall Elementary
School
Rock Hall Elementary School is a
small, rural Title One school that serves students from
pre-kindergarten through grade four. The school
slogan is:
Reaching
High
Expectations
Successfully
Harmony between the dedicated
and caring staff, parents, community, administration,
and businesses has enabled and empowered children to
reach for and grasp expectations. The school has been
recognized as a 2004 Distinguished Title One School. It
has received the Maryland School Performance Award for
four years, including 2003 and 2004. The Maryland
Excellence for Minority Achievement, Maryland Character
Education, and Governor’s Salute to Excellence Awards
have also been conferred on the school.
Bess Engel,
Prinicipal
Rock Hall Elementary
School
Kent County Public
Schools
bess_engle@kent.k12.md.us
Montgomery County/Viers Mill
Elementary
Viers Mill Elementary’s staff,
students, parents, and community partners are united in
a collaborative effort to continuously improve student
achievement. Serving children from 42 countries who
speak at least 32 languages, Viers Mill has become the
first Title I school in Montgomery County to have more
than 70% of its students in grade 3 and 5 score at the
proficient level on the Maryland School Assessment in
reading and math. This achievement is due to a dedicated
staff, supportive parents, committed business partners,
and the students themselves, who demonstrate Viers Mill
PRIDE (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline,
Excellence) on a daily basis.
Jamie Virga,
Principal
Viers Mill
ES
Montgomery County Public
Schools
James_Virga@fc.mcps.k12.md.us
Worcester
County/Showell Elementary School
Showell Elementary
School is nestled between corn fields and tall pine
trees on a thirty acre campus. For 28 years Willet, the
school mascot, has led Showell in celebrating academic
success with the motto “To Do Is To Be.” Instructional
excellence occurs in partnership with an active
community, a supportive hands-on administration, and a
dedicated highly qualified faculty, which recognizes the
uniqueness of each student. In 2002 Showell was named a
Maryland Character Education School led by the counselor
who was subsequently named Maryland State Elementary
Guidance Counselor for 2003. Through the Accreditation
for Growth process, Showell has been recommended by the
Middle States Association for accreditation in spring
2005.
Paula Jones,
Principal
Showell Elementary
School
Worcester County
Public Schools
pqjones@mail.worcester.k12.md.us