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OMS Read-a-Thon March was Read Across Maryland month, and students were encouraged to take the 30/30 Challenge by reading for 30 minutes every day from 3/1-3/30. To promote the challenge, over 140 students at OMS volunteered to read in 15-minute shifts in the reading lounge set up in the school’s front lobby. The OMS Eagles Reading Lounge was manned with readers for five straight days during the week of 3/16, demonstrating to staff, students, and visitors just how important reading is at FCPS! (Thanks, Kelly Merrbach, for sharing OMS's experience!) | Young Authors ContestOn 3/23, the Frederick County Reading Council sponsored a reception for the middle and high school winners of the FCPS Young Authors Contest. A special thanks goes to Brittney Garst and Samantha Servey for organizing the county competition. Sixth grader, Omegan Wright from TMS was announced as Maryland State's winner for her poem, "The Lonely Heart." She will be honored at a state reception in April. Congratulations to our young authors! Thank you to the local teachers and parents who have given them the skills and courage to express themselves so eloquently. | Poetry Out LoudThe Maryland State Arts Council recently announced that Kyle Shreve, a freshman at THS, placed first at the 2015 Maryland Poetry Out Loud state final competition. The event featured three scored rounds of poetry recitation from the eight Maryland students who advanced through classroom, school, county, and regional contests. Kyle recited "Possible Answers to Prayer" by Scott Cairns, "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold, and "Song of the Powers" by David Mason. As champion, Kyle will represent Maryland in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to both Kyle and his English teacher Ms. Henry! |
OMS Read-a-Thon
Young Authors Contest
On 3/23, the Frederick County Reading Council sponsored a reception for the middle and high school winners of the FCPS Young Authors Contest. A special thanks goes to Brittney Garst and Samantha Servey for organizing the county competition. Sixth grader, Omegan Wright from TMS was announced as Maryland State's winner for her poem, "The Lonely Heart." She will be honored at a state reception in April. Congratulations to our young authors! Thank you to the local teachers and parents who have given them the skills and courage to express themselves so eloquently.
Poetry Out Loud
The Maryland State Arts Council recently announced that Kyle Shreve, a freshman at THS, placed first at the 2015 Maryland Poetry Out Loud state final competition. The event featured three scored rounds of poetry recitation from the eight Maryland students who advanced through classroom, school, county, and regional contests. Kyle recited "Possible Answers to Prayer" by Scott Cairns, "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold, and "Song of the Powers" by David Mason. As champion, Kyle will represent Maryland in the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to both Kyle and his English teacher Ms. Henry!
Upcoming Meetings
High School Reading Intervention Meeting
Wednesday, April 1st, 7:15-10:15
Staff Development Center
Middle School Reading Intervention Meeting
Wednesday, April 1st, 12:15-3:15
Staff Development Center
RADAR Training for Literacy Specialists
Tuesday, April 7th
Staff Development Center, Lab #1
- High School 8:00-9:30
- Middle School 9:30-11:00
Middle School Literacy Specialists & Department Chairs Meeting
Tuesday, April 21st, 8:30-3:00
Staff Development Center, Labs #1 and #2
Resources to Explore
April is National Poetry Month! Engage students in this multimedia education project that invites them to read/listen to poetry and write letters to award-winning poets. (We can thank Carrie Mehl for this great find!)
A bank of online resources where you can find varied texts (literary, nonfiction, audio, video, performance, art, etc.)
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YouTube Tips and TricksTired of embarrassing videos popping up at the end of YouTube videos in front of your students? Click here to learn how to turn those off! | Google Docs Speech-to-Text Google Docs now has an add-on for speech-to-text. Check out Speech Recognition for struggling typists, speaking practice, and/or faster composition. | Google Classroom Management Do you have students post inappropriate comments in the stream? No worries! You can "mute" individual students: Go the the student stream; check the box next to a specific student; click actions and mute. They will still be able to access all materials and complete assignments but will not be able to post or comment in the stream. |
YouTube Tips and Tricks
Tired of embarrassing videos popping up at the end of YouTube videos in front of your students? Click here to learn how to turn those off!
Google Docs Speech-to-Text
Google Classroom Management
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SoMIRAC Mark your calendar for the State of Maryland International Reading Association Council's annual conference on April 15-17, 2015 at the Hunt Valley Inn, Hunt Valley, MD. Join over 1000 colleagues for the 43rd annual conference where you will have opportunities to participate in powerful professional development sessions presented by some of the most outstanding leaders in the field of literacy. You'll even see some familiar faces as Susan Verdi, Anne Navazio, and Kristi Schmidt will be presenting! (More Info) | GAFE SummitJoin the EdTechTeam for the Maryland Summit Featuring Google for Education on April 18-19, 2015. This two-day high-intensity event focuses on deploying, integrating, and using Google Apps for Education (and other Google tools) to promote student learning in K-12 and higher education. The program features Google Certified Teachers, Google Education Trainers, practicing administrators, and other solution providers. Don't miss the fabulous presentations by Anne Navazio and Kristi Schmidt! (More Info) | Common Ground Mark your calendar for April 30 and May 1, 2015! Join education colleagues from across the state and surrounding areas for the fourth annual Common Ground, Maryland's top professional development event of the year. Thought-provoking speakers, hundreds of inspiring sessions (including some from our very own Nicole Long), and demonstrations of the latest products and services will provide you the 21st century know-how you need. Don’t miss this opportunity to join your fellow educators and be teaching, leading, and learning in the digital age! (More Info) |
SoMIRAC
GAFE Summit
Join the EdTechTeam for the Maryland Summit Featuring Google for Education on April 18-19, 2015. This two-day high-intensity event focuses on deploying, integrating, and using Google Apps for Education (and other Google tools) to promote student learning in K-12 and higher education. The program features Google Certified Teachers, Google Education Trainers, practicing administrators, and other solution providers. Don't miss the fabulous presentations by Anne Navazio and Kristi Schmidt! (More Info)
Common Ground
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