The St. Mary’s County Board of Education on Feb. 21 received a presentation on what schools were accomplishing during Black History Month.
The school system’s theme for the month-long recognition was African Americans in the Arts, and a presentation shared images and facts about the national holiday.
“Our community can get a glimpse of the role and presence Black and African American history has in our daily lives,” said Director of Parent & Family Engagement Charlottis Woodley, who gave the presentation with Equity Assurance Coordinator Evelyn Sweeney.
The presentation included a photomontage of students and activities related to the arts and how Black History Month was celebrated.
The presentation explained that in 1926 Harvard-educated Dr. Carter G. Woodson proposed a weeklong celebration and President Gerald Ford expanded it to an entire month in 1976.
February was chosen because it is the month in which Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass each celebrate birthdays, as well as the fact the NAACP was established in that month in 1909.
“Each day of learning becomes a child’s part of history,” Woodley said. “Black History Month is another opportunity to show we care.”
The presentation included St. Mary’s County and Maryland leaders in Black history, including St. Mary’s school board member Mary Washington, who has been on the board for 27 years and is the longest-seated board member in the state.
“We thank you for your longevity and leadership,” Woodley said
“I feel honored and humbled for the support by the citizens of St. Mary’s County,” Washington said. “This is my purpose, passion and calling in life.”
Also among those recognized were Joseph L. Somerville Sr., who was the county’s and state’s first Black elected sheriff, as well as former school board member and county commissioner John G. Lancaster and longtime recreation and parks employee M. Tyrone Harris Sr., who died in December.
“Thanks for putting that together,” school board member Cathy Allen said. “That was really wonderful.”
Board member James Davis and student member Lillian Kibler were not in attendance at the Leonardtown meeting.
Certified teachers recognizedThe school board recognized employees who had earned their National Board Certification following a year-long performance based on assessments that included teacher portfolios, student work samples, videotapes, and analysis of the candidate’s classroom teaching and student learning.
“The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification Assessments are the only nationally recognized system for certifying accomplished teaching in the U.S.” said Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives Sarah Lorick, who added the process is “extensive.”
St. Mary’s teachers who earned their certification are Christine Allen, Jennifer Campbell, Melissa Chew, Jennifer Cord, Christine Driscoll, Amy Howell, Shigy Joe, Arnold Skinner, Philip Thom and Heather White.
Staff members who earned certification status are Julie Chamberlin-Huber, Colleen Gill, Brett Johnson, Contina Quick-McQueen, Bernadette Scheetz and Marjorie Walsh.
“The Blueprint for Maryland’s future says the gold standard is national board certification, so you 10 represent the first group coming through,” Superintendent Scott Smith said, referring to the state’s education reform plan. “For those of you who have renewed and renewed while not being in the classroom and finding your way to it, that is truly a wonderful dedication.”
Final town hall nearsThe last of the Blueprint town halls will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center. The discussion will be about Pillar 2: Teachers & Leaders.
“It is probably one of the central core pieces of Blueprint,” Smith said. “We’ll have a lot of information to share that evening.”
Freshman orientation setOrientations for rising high school freshman will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 4, at Chopticon High School; 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at Leonardtown High School; and 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at Great Mills High School.
Students can preview course selections, review graduation requirements, learn about school system academies and pathways, meet counselors and administrators, and tour the schools.
For more information, go to www.smcps.org/RFON.
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