The Board of Education launched its FY '08 operating budget process with a recent public hearing seeking feedback about 2007-08 needs and priorities. The next steps--

• February 28: BOE finalizes budget request
• March 1: BOE forwards request to the County Commissioners
• May 1: County Commissioners hold public hearing at Middletown HS, 7 PM
• June: Commissioners adopt final County budget and set the allocation to the BOE
• July 1: Budget becomes effective for the 2007-08 school year

For details: http://www.fcps.org/budgetfy08.pdf

To share your opinions, email boe@fcps.org and the County Commissioners (who fund 50% of the FCPS operating budget, with the state funding 45%): jgardner@fredco-md.net, dgray@fredco-md.net; khagen@fredco-md.net; chjenkins@fredco-md.net; lthompson@fredco-md.net

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Special education instructional assistant Ashley McLeod works wonders in the FCPS SUCCESS program. Based in Walkersville, SUCCESS teaches 18- to 21-year-olds skills for independent living. Ashley went the extra mile by staying with a student during 3 hours of extensive dental work.

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This section features questions to and answers from Superintendent Dr. Linda Burgee. Please send your questions for future issues to Dian.Nelson@fcps.org.

Q: I've heard that each school is identifying "wildly important goals." Do you have some for FCPS as a system?

A: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People author Stephen Covey coined the phrase based on the principle that to achieve excellence people need to focus on a few goals at a time. My WIGs are:

1) Provide challenge for all students
2) Eliminate the achievement gap
3) Recruit and retain quality teachers
4) Increase family involvement

School-based leaders are collaborating with stakeholders to determine WIGs to guide them toward achieving the school's top priorities and ultimately the 5 strategic goals that drive our achievement as a school system:
http://www.fcps.org/content/publications/pr18supplement.pdf

Thanks to Sandra Doggett for this question.

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2006 Maryland School Assessments For outstanding achievement on the MSAs and improving the performance of special populations from 2004-06, 14 schools earned recognition: Ballenger Creek ES, Deer Crossing ES, Gov. TJ MS, Green Valley ES, Kemptown ES, Middletown ES and MS, Myersville ES, New Market ES, Oakdale MS, Spring Ridge ES, Tuscarora ES, Urbana ES and Walkersville ES.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Teachers Beverly Long, Rebecca Reickel and Mary Rogers recently passed the challenging NBPTS certification, bringing to 27 the number of FCPS teachers to achieve this. For more about becoming certified: Kathryn.Crawford@fcps.org

Caring FCPS staff generously pledged $82,128 in our recent Combined Charities Campaign.

Science Bolstered by staff support, students Teddy Kamata at Frederick HS and Jarrett Remsberg at Middletown HS placed in the nation's top 300 as semifinalists among 1,705 entrants in the Intel Science Talent Search.

Outstanding Contributions The Maryland Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education is honoring New Market ES teacher Cathy Alspaugh, North Frederick ES student Patrick Hall and Walkersville MS Renzulli resource teacher Pam Lippy.

Emergency Preparedness All principals and 220 other school staff attended full-day training led by Counseling and Student Support supervisor Sharon Boettinger, deputy superintendent Dan Cunningham, Communication Services executive director Marita Loose and local law enforcement, health and emergency-management officials. Attendees got updates on topics ranging from gangs, weapons, incident-command and communication procedures to Internet safety and pandemic planning.

First-Class Awards 59 employees received awards for work exceptionally well done: http://www.fcps.org/images/firstclass/FCwinners.pdf

Watch for more names in our next issue! To nominate someone:http://www.fcps.org/content/publications/fcnominate.doc

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Help Students Discover Career Interests For cool polls, quizzes and info to help students in grades 6-12: http://www.bewhatiwanttobe.com

Is Your Password Secure? From an FCPS-networked computer, check out important password-protection tips: http://insidefcps/iknow/attach/Password_Security_70706.doc

Restricted Schools Based on enrollment projections, 23 schools will be limited in 2007-08 to enrollment only by students who reside within the school's attendance area: http://www.fcps.org/content/release.cfm?id=504

American Stars of Teaching The U.S. Department of Education seeks nominees: www.ed.gov/teacherinitiative Deadline: March 31.

Jumpstart Students to a Rewarding Career The FCPS Teaching Academy at Brunswick HS is accepting applications for next year's sophomores and juniors countywide: http://www.bhs.edu/academic/FACS/teachingacademy.htm

Get Pumped: Exercise Every Day! It's great for your heart, burns calories, prevents disease and helps you feel better: http://www.fcps.org/content/fff.cfm

English Language Learner Parent-Involvement Seminar FCPS employees are invited to "Developing Community Outreach Programs for International Families," June 7: 8:30-noon in Columbia, MD. To register: Joanne.Harrington@fcps.org

Educated People Live Longer A New York Times review of research offers a compelling reason to convince students to stay in school: Educated people live longer. Education "is more important than race; it obliterates any effects of income," including health insurance.

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First-Class Staff: Thanks to you, public education works in Frederick County

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News to Use

Mark Your Calendar

March 3-25: Youth Art Month Show, Delaplaine Visual Arts Center

March 5: Parent-Teacher Conferences: Students Dismissed 3 1/2 Hours Early

March 6: Parent-Teacher Conferences: Schools Open 4 Hours Late

March 12-21: MSAs

March 20: First Day of Spring

March 23-24: Frederick County Science and Engineering Fair

March 28: Teacher Work Session: 2-Hour Early Dismissal for Students

New Faces in
Key Places

Gov. TJ HS new assistant principal Jack Bentley... Linganore HS new assistant principal Michael Dillman... elementary physical education and health curriculum specialist Kathleen Wack photo, following Jeannie Schulze's retirement... secondary teacher specialist Elizabeth Stiffler photo, following Karen Howser's retirement.

FCPS Factoids

Q: Which Maryland school district ranks first for students enrolled in career and technology education programs for environmental and natural resource systems?

A: FCPS, with 2,400 students in these programs in 2005-06 (most recently reported year)

Q: How does Frederick County rank in per pupil wealth, compared to Maryland's 23 other school districts?

A: 14th, and we rank 20th in cost per pupil, according to MSDE's recently released 2005-06 Fact Book.

FCPS Television

View Program Guide:
www.fcps.org/cable18.htm

Submit Bulletin Board items: Dian.Nelson@fcps.org.

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© 2007 Frederick County Public Schools

The Frederick County public school system does not discriminate in admissions, access, treatment or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. For information, call 301-696-6851.