Federal, state officials highlight center for at-risk kids in Waldorf

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, U.S. House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) and State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick visited C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Waldorf recently to discuss the importance of early learning and full-service community schools.

Barnhart is one of three elementary schools in Charles County with a Judy Center, which provides comprehensive services for at-risk schoolchildren from birth through kindergarten and their families.

Hoyer, along with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), recently introduced the Full-Service Community Schools Act of 2009, which would provide $200 million a year for five years to fund grants for partnerships between school districts and community-based organizations, which is the Judy Center model.

The Senate established Judy Centers, named for Hoyer's late wife, with a $7 million grant in 2000 to provide comprehensive services, including career counseling for parents, health care, nutrition and early childhood education.

Girl, 4, calls 911 for mom

The Charles County commissioners last week honored Samantha Mason, who at age 4 called 911 to help her ailing mother, Sharon Mason.

She was awarded certificates and a stuffed eagle.

Samantha, who turned 5 in September, called 911 on Aug. 7 and told dispatcher Jaime Ostrander "Mommy said to help her sugar," according to the 911 recording. She calmly answered Ostrander's questions and said, "Mommy has diabetes."

Ostrander kept Samantha on the phone and explained that an ambulance was coming. Samantha cautioned Ostrander, "You might want to be careful, because I left a big toy out."

When paramedics arrived, Samantha wanted to get dressed because she was wearing only a T-shirt, but Ostrander asked her to show the paramedics where her mother was first and then get dressed.

Commissioners President Wayne Cooper (D-At Large) said Mason trained her daughter to dial 911 for help in case of an emergency.

Ostrander also was honored for her work in keeping Samantha calm. In addition, the commissioners named November Diabetes Awareness Month.

St. Mary's borrows cheaply

St. Mary's County sold bonds Nov. 17 at an all-time low interest rate of 3.09 percent.