Education Briefs
Teachers of the Month
Katria Kuzmowycz, the music teacher at Kenilworth Elementary School, and Taylor Chao, prekindergarten teacher at Heather Hills Elementary School, were respectively selected as the May and June Teachers of the Month by the Bowie Education Committee.
According to the Principal Chris Mills of Kenilworth, Kuzmowycz has "brought energy and enthusiasm into the music program," resulting in "greater student appreciation in the arts." Her "greatest contribution" to the students at Kenilworth has been "her commitment to provide every child the opportunity to perform on stage."
Heather Hills Assistant Principal Ishmail Jabbie stated that the school is very pleased with the selection of Chao. "She is a hard-working, dedicated and caring teacher. We are fortunate to have her as one of our staff members."
Both teachers received a certificate of recognition and a $100 U.S. savings bond, for which funding is provided by program partner, the BB&T Bank.
Paraprofessional award
Janet Grose of Bowie High School was recently selected as the Paraprofessional Award honoree by the Bowie Education Committee. According to Bowie High School Principal Jane Spence, Grose is a person "of the highest integrity. She respects her position as an educator with passion and has a desire to inculcate a work ethic and love of learning in all of our students."
Grose will be honored at the July 7 City Council meeting. She will receive a certificate of appreciation and recognition from the city of Bowie, a U.S. savings bond, provided by PNC Bank in Bowie, and certificates toward a meal provided by Smokey Bones Barbeque and Grill.
BSU science camp
Bowie State University will host the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp for eligible Prince George's County students July 6-18. The program is an all-expenses paid, two-week academic, residential camp that emphasizes increasing students' mathematics/science skills, introducing them to college life, and stimulating interest in science and engineering as a potential career path.
Students must be enrolled in the Prince George's County School System, entering sixth, seventh or eighth grade, and interested in mathematics and science.
Students also must have a grade point average of at least "B" overall in math and science, score at the medium to superior level in standardized mathematics and science tests, and be recommended by mathematics and science teachers. For information, call 301-860-3875 or visit www.bowiestate.edu/about/events.
Education grants
The city of Bowie has $15,000 available for education grants. These grants give teachers, PTA/PTO or individuals, an opportunity to apply for funding to fully or partially cover projects planned to enhance the learning experiences of students and/or to provide educational enrichment, within eligible schools. Application deadline is Oct. 16.
Eligible schools include: Bowie and Tall Oaks high schools; Benjamin Tasker and Samuel Ogle middle schools; St. Pius X Regional, Grace Christian, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Holy Trinity (lower campus); Heather Hills, High Bridge, Kenilworth, Northview, Pointer Ridge, Rockledge, Tulip Grove, Whitehall and Yorktown elementary schools; Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center and C. Elizabeth Rieg Special Center.
To assist community members in applying for this and other grants, the Education Committee, along with the city's Arts and Outreach committees, is offering a Grants Workshop Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
Applications are available at www.cityofbowie.org, under Education Committee. For information, call Leni Stern, 301-809-3068 or e-mail lstern@cityofbowie.org.
Scholarships
DiversityAbroad.com will award $20,000 in scholarships to deserving, underrepresented students to study abroad in 2009.
The scholarships are sponsored by Diversity Abroad and the American Institute for Foreign Study.
For information about the scholarships or studying abroad, call David Mauro, 800-727-2437, ext. 5163 or visit www.aifsabroad.com.
College-bound program
High school juniors and seniors who want to get a head start on college can learn about campus resources through the College-Bound Program, offered by the Learning Assistance Service of the Counseling Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. Group sessions for the summer begin Tuesday, July 1, and will be held Monday through Thursday each week, from 10 a.m. to noon, ending Thursday, July 31.
For information, contact the Counseling Center's Learning Assistance Service, 301-314-7693.
Host families sought
ASSE International, a student exchange program, seeks local families interested in hosting a high school foreign exchange student for the 2008-2009 school year. Students are between 15 and 18 years old, well screened and speak English.
Each student is anxious to learn about the United States by living as part of an American family and attending a local high school.
For information, call Darlene Portney, 301-474-2999 or visit www.asse.com.
