School news

Friday, June 12, 2009

The school board approved contracts Wednesday with the Education Association of St. Mary's County and Collective Education Association of St. Mary's County.

The contracts include a 1.8 percent raise for all employees but will not fund step increases due to about 70 percent of school employees for years of service or education levels. The three-year contract on language issues leaves open economic issues, including salary raises, for the latter two years.

"We think our teachers and administrators will be better off," teachers union president Wanda Twigg said.

Parity issues between the two unions have been addressed and committees will be formed to look at teacher stipends for extra work and advancement opportunities and pay scales for support staff.

"CEASMC has come a long way," said Joe Shade, president of the support staff union.

Both union and school board negotiators have said the process went extremely well this year and the teams were able to avoid the bitterness often experienced in previous contract negotiations.

Hollywood, Greenview Knolls recognized for PE

Hollywood Elementary School and Greenview Knolls Elementary School have been selected as Maryland Physical Education Demonstration Schools for 2009-2011.

This recognition is awarded to schools whose physical education programs are considered to be exemplary and thus model programs in the state.

Hollywood first obtained demonstration status for 2007-2009 under physical education teachers Mary Kaye Roper and Trish Tillotson.

Greenview Knolls was elevated to honor roll status this year under teachers Melissa Warner and Lisa Benamati.

Great Mills classes raise money, donate time

Great Mills High School teacher Luanne Ruonavar's social studies students participated this spring in a program called Project Possible.

The group has volunteered 1,187 hours in the community and raised more than $5,000.

The nonprofit Tap's Community Brotherhood, a local group that brings awareness to meningitis, will contribute an additional about $3,000, according to a release from the school.

The students donated $2,000 to the St. Mary's public schools Shoe Fund., while the remainder of the funds will be going to build a school in Ecuador through Free the Children. 

The top volunteers were Shefali Shah, with 209 hours, Jackie Thompson with 172 hours, Elizabeth McConnell with 146 hours, Claire Weber with 138 hours, Meg Waldron with 109 hours and Danielle Wilkin with 106 hours.

There were 20 students all together who each volunteered more than 40 hours.