Thursday, January 17, 2013
Jo Ann Leleck, noted for increasing student achievement at Broad Acres Elementary, was recognized by the Montgomery County Board of Education.
The former principal of Broad Acres Elementary in Silver Spring, nationally known for turning around the once-underperforming school, was honored by the Montgomery County Board of Education for her commitment to students. Jo Ann "Jody" Leleck, a 25-year veteran of Montgomery County Public Schools, died in her Olney home on Dec. 11 after a struggle with colon cancer. The school board issued a memorandum honoring her achievements on Jan. 8. "As a lifelong educator, Mrs. Leleck earned a well-deserved reputation as a transformative and inspiring leader with an unrelenting passion for instilling in every child a love for learning and a motivation to excel beyond his or her circumstances," wrote Board of Education President Christopher S. …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Manna Food Center and MCPS work to bring healthy lunches to both the schools and homes of local elementary students.
It’s 11 a.m. on a Wednesday and students at Broad Acres Elementary School are making their way to the cafeteria to receive their lunch. The menu options consist of pancakes, carrots, spinach salad, cherry tomatoes, strawberry banana yogurt and milk. “I like the carrots, but I don’t like the white dressing,” said second grade student Ashley Padaro as she refers to the Ranch dressing. “It tastes like Cool Whip.” Ashley along with her classmate Rose Legiste opt for the tomatoes instead of the carrots and they both gulp down their strawberry banana yogurt as they make yogurt mustaches to each other. “Yesterday I ate the fruits and vegetables. Today I’m eating the vegetable and fruit yogurt,“ said Rose as she pops a tomato in her mouth. New U.S…
Monday, October 22, 2012
Non-profit provides after-school programming to girls of mostly low-income, immigrant backgrounds.
“Can I have more brownies,” asked fifth grade student Aaliyah as she and the rest of the Community Bridges girls wrapped up their journal entries and handed them to Ms. Sia. It was a normal Tuesday afternoon and, for the most part, the hallways of Broad Acres Elementary school were clear as the school day had ended and the janitors were putting finishing touches on the floors. Sia Boima, program manager at Silver Spring non-profit Community Bridges, was tucked away down a side hallway with a class full of about 15 fourth and fifth grade girls who were eager to unwind after a long day of school work. According to Katherine Morrison, the organization’s interim executive director, Community Bridges serves about 125 girls in the Silver Spring …
