Changes to the Middle School curriculum – BOE hearing Jan 12th

There are big changes in the works for the middle school curriculum which could start this September. Some of the significant proposed changes are listed below:

• Remove Reading as a stand-alone class and incorporate literacy instruction into all courses. Instead, an English/Language Arts class would be taught.
• Increase class period length (since one less class offered) resulting in seven 50-minute periods a day
• Increase PE instruction to 90 calendar days, when possible (up from 45 days)
• Students have option of starting a World Language in 6th grade.
  

As you can see the whole school day would change for middle schoolers. Teachers, staff, administrators, parents, PTAs, and more have been reviewing these proposed changes and taking positions regarding them. To help you make an informed stance on the proposed changes, please check out the links below for additional information:

• HCPSS’s Facts: the Proposal to Restructure Middle School Reading Program
  

• HCPSS’s Overview of the Proposed New Middle School Program of Studies – presented to BOE 12/8/11

• PTA Council of Howard County Power Point Presentation given PTA Delegates on 1/2/12
  

• Howard County Education Association (Teacher’s Union) Response

• Relevant News articles:
  
  • Staff urges board to “take bold steps” in changing middle school reading curriculum
  • Cutting Middle School Reading: ‘Bold Step’ or ‘Joke’?

Wondering why all the changes? Maryland has to implement new national Common Core Standards  in 2013-2014 and the resulting national assessments. The new  Maryland State Assessments (MSA’s) will no longer be used after Spring 2013 and the new assessments will being on Spring 2014.

Our principal, Cindy Dillon, welcomes parents to talk to her about this proposal and she will take the time to discuss them with you. Also, please share your opinions on these proposed changes with the Howard County Board of Education at their Jan 12th meeting at 7:30pm or email the Board ahead of time at boe@hcpss.org.

Your time staying up-to-date on the school curriculum helps not just your child, but all students in Howard County Public Schools.

Allison Anderson
PTA President

Additional Information on Proposed Changes:

• http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/hcpssmd/Board.nsf/files/8PAJAF4C3575/$file/12%2008%202011%20Middle%20School%20Program%20Studies%20BR.pdf
• http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/howard/news/ph-ho-cf-reading-1215-20111213,0,390784.story
• http://columbia.patch.com/articles/cutting-middle-school-reading-bold-step-or-joke

PTA-Sponsored Dance, Friday January 27th

Get ready for the first PTA-sponsored middle school dance of the year!

Event:                   The Snow Ball
Date:                     Friday, January 27, 2012
Time:                     7:00pm-10:00pm
Admission:          $3.00 (lunch time ticket sales January 25-27)
Location:              Patapsco MS Gymnasium and Cafeteria
Attendees:          Patapsco MS students ONLY

To volunteer at the dance or to sell tickets during lunch, please visit SignUp Genius at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45ABAF29A46-winter.  You will be instructed to create an account with SignUp Genius if you don’t already have one.  If you have any problems signing up online, please contact the dance volunteer coordinator, Trish DeWitt, at btkad@verizon.net.

The kids are going to have a “ball” at the dance!

PERMISSION SLIP