Discovery Launches STEM Education Initiative

Gov. Martin O’Malley, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and MCPS Superintendent Joshua P. Starr spoke at the launch event at Benjamin Banneker Middle School last week.

Photos: Banneker Middle Celebrate Peace, Honor Late Classmates

Local artist Arturo Ho helped students create a peace pole for the school's front lawn.

Seventh graders at Benjamin Banneker Middle in Burtonsville wanted to show their community that, even though they are young, they care about global issues. After reading about human rights violations and victories of the past in The Diary of Anne Frank and The Autobiography of Malcolm X, dozens of students in the school's gifted and talented program dedicated a peace pole on their school's front lawn. Local artist Arturo Ho helped students create the pole, which is a mosaic of bright tiles. Three students who died were also honored with tiled stone circles surrounding the pole.  "[Peace poles] also serve as a constant reminder to us to be peacemakers and respect others," said Teresa Aronne, a seventh grader. "Maybe this peace pole will …

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First Day of School a Hit With East County Students, Staff

Banneker Middle School students excited to return; one Hillandale school remained closed due to post-hurricane power outage.

It was a close call Monday morning for Benjamin Banneker Middle School, as to whether or not the doors would open for Montgomery County Public School's first day of school. Monday, Aug. 29 was originally intended to be the first day of school for all county schools.  The school was one of 21 in the county left without power in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Seven schools did not open Monday as they were still without power, including Francis Scott Key Middle School in Hillandale. On Sunday evening, Banneker remained in the dark as well, along with many nearby homes and businesses. But overnight, just a few hours before school doors were to open, power was restored—proving even a hurricane's force couldn't stop the first day of school. At the…

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Photos: East County Schools Honored by Maryland PTA

The Paint Branch High community went home with three awards.

Four public schools in East Montgomery County were recognized for the combined efforts of staff and students at Maryland PTA's President’s Dinner and Awards Celebration.  Paint Branch High in Burtonsville went home with three honors. Principal Jeanette Dixon won Educator of the Year, an award that acknowledges faculty members who build relationships among parents, communities and schools.  Parent Don Hauprich won the Dad 4 PTA Award, which is given to an exemplary male member of the PTA. (Hauprich will serve as the school's PTA president during the 2011-12 school year.) Paint Branch also won a Membership Award for increasing participation by at least 10 members. Benjamin Banneker Middle, Greencastle Elementary and Jackson Road Elementary …

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Schools in East County Get a Face-Lift Over the Summer

Both Cannon Road Elementary and Paint Branch High will move into new buildings next year.

While Montgomery County students get a bit of rest during the hottest months of the year, construction crews are hard at work on their various campuses. At least four schools in East Montgomery County are getting a face-lift this summer, while two are about midway through construction of new buildings. Both Cannon Road Elementary in Colesville and Paint Branch High in Burtonsville will move into new buildings next year.  According to a spokesperson for HESS Construction + Engineering Services, the Gaithersburg-based company chosen to build both facilities, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is spending $18.6 million to construct an 83,377-square-foot campus for Cannon Road Elementary. Students were moved to a temporary building on Old…

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