By Lori Aratani
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Could even more changes be in store for the Montgomery County School Board?
Four seats are up for grabs in this year's election; with incumbents Gabe Romero and Charles Haughey opting not to run for reelection, the board is slated to get at least two new members in November. The two other seats up for grabs are held by incumbents Nancy Navarro (Northeastern County) and Patricia O'Neill (Bethesda-Chevy Chase), both of whom are running for reelection. O'Neill has no opponent; Navarro will face Philip Kauffman , a parent and lawyer who has been active in the Montgomery County Council of PTAs.
Those aren't the only changes afoot.
Valerie Ervin , fresh from her victory last month in the Democratic primary for the District 5 County Council seat, probably will step down if she's elected to the county council in November. The board will be responsible for appointing a replacement to complete the two years left in her term.
It looks as though there could be yet another vacancy as board member Stephen N. Abrams (Rockville-Potomac) has thrown his hat in the ring for an at-large seat on the county council. Abrams got approval this week to run for a seat after another Republican candidate stepped down. If he were to win, the board would also have to appoint a replacement to fill out the remainder of his term, also two years.
For those keeping score, that leaves Sharon Cox (At Large) as the only board member not playing musical chairs these days.
The big question is, what could this mean for Superintendent Jerry D. Weast , whose contract is up for renewal next year? Stay tuned.
Rockville Adds IB ProgramRockville High School has become the sixth high school campus in Montgomery County to offer the International Baccalaureate program -- a rigorous course of study designed to prepare students for college and help them better understand the world. Students who enroll in IB can earn college credit.
Although IB programs were initially started in county high schools, Montgomery has pushed to offer the program to younger students as well. Two middle schools currently offer an IB program -- Julius West and Westland.
Three middle schools and one elementary school are in the process of receiving authorization for their IB programs. Francis Scott Key, Newport Mill and Silver Spring International middle schools and College Garden Elementary School all hope to launch their programs soon.
David Muñoz , a senior who takes the IB program at Watkins Mill, said the program is tough but well worth the effort.
"It's a lot of work, but they really teach you how to write,'' he said, adding that he's confident IB will help prepare him for college. "It's a good program."
Dining In to WinIf you live in Montgomery County and you have dinner with your family between now and the end of October, you could be eligible for some fabulous prizes.
On Monday, 600 cities and communities across the country celebrated Family Day -- a national effort spearheaded by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University to highlight the importance of having dinner as a family.
It seems that American families have become so overbooked, overburdened and overwhelmed with modern life that family dinners a la Ozzie and Harriet have fallen by the wayside.
"Kids are overscheduled,'' said Joseph A. Califano Jr. , chairman and president of CASA and secretary of health, education and welfare in the Carter administration. "Parents are working. Life has gotten too fast."
Montgomery County is putting its own spin on the event by offering prizes to families that dine together and send proof -- a picture or a brief essay about the dinner.
Dorothy Moore , substance abuse prevention coordinator for Montgomery County's department of health and human services, said she wanted to encourage families to participate in the program. She and others persuaded businesses to donate free dinners and other prizes as incentives.
Families that can show they had dinner together can win dinner for four at Armand's Pizzeria and Grille, a $25 gift certificate to the Cheesecake Factory, tickets for four to Kings Dominion and other items.
In annual surveys, CASA researchers found that students who eat dinner with their families regularly are less likely to smoke, abuse alcohol or use drugs. This is the first year that Montgomery County officials have gotten involved by offering prizes.
Tracy Fox , who chairs the health committee for the Montgomery County Council of PTAs, said it's always important for parents to find ways to connect with their kids.
"Any opportunity parents have to engage their kids is important,'' Fox said. "The message is, engage with your kids however you can find time to do it.''
Entries should be sent to Family Meal Project, c/o Dorothy Moore, 2424 Reedie Drive, 2nd Floor, Wheaton, MD 20902. Please include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address if available. Winners will be randomly selected. Sponsors, companies or affiliates of the contest are not allowed to enter.
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