What's Happening at FCPS?
Myersville Elementary Certified Green School FCPS to Hold Environmental Expo Saturday, May 6
The Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education recently awarded Myersville Elementary 2017 Maryland Green School status. To achieve Green School certification, the school has demonstrated continuous effort to integrate sustainable environmental practices, environmental education curriculum, professional development and community engagement in the culture of the school. According to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), this certification signifies that the school has made a commitment to developing stewards of the earth and reducing environmental impact.
Myersville Elementary is the only public school in Frederick County that is Green School certified for 2017. Principal Kathy Swire commends first-grade teacher Michelle Carpenter and fifth-grade teacher Melissa Hargreaves for their work preparing Myersville’s application for Green School recognition. The Maryland Green Schools Program is a nationally recognized program begun in 1999.
MSDE Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon says, “Our state has been at the leading edge in its commitment to environmental learning and practices that will sustain our world for future generations. We congratulate the 2017 Maryland Green Schools for all their great work to strengthen environmental education and green practices.”
For more information about local schools and environmental education, FCPS Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Curriculum Specialist Kim Day invites the public to the first annual FCPS Environmental Expo, Saturday, May 6, from 11-2, at Tuscarora High School. The expo will provide opportunities to learn exciting ways kids of all ages can become stewards of the environment, hear about environmental literacy in local schools and get information from community groups about environmental resources.
Elementary Honors Chorus to Perform Public Invited Wednesday, May 3, 7 PM, at the Weinberg Center
The Frederick County Public Schools’ Elementary Honors Chorus makes the Weinberg Center for the Arts the place to be on Wednesday, May 3, at 7 p.m. Tickets for this 31st annual event, sold at the door (cash only), are $5 for adults and $2 for students; senior citizens ages 60 and above are admitted free. Ticket prices support the arts in Frederick County public schools. FCPS employees enter free with their ID badge.
“It’s remarkable to watch 150 of our finest young vocalists arrive from across Frederick County, never having met, to rehearse and perform within 36 hours. Our students’ voices are a powerful inspiration to lift the audience’s spirits. As always we expect the house to be packed with proud families and friends of the arts,” says Susan Thomas, FCPS elementary arts curriculum specialist.
Fifth graders who made it through auditions to represent each public elementary school in the county are rehearsing weekly with their school music teachers. The day before the concert, they will meet their fellow chorus members, guest conductor Beverly Gandolfo, and accompanists Green Valley Elementary music teacher Amy Deavers and Yellow Springs and Middletown Elementary music teacher Lois Kuhn.
Conductor Beverly Gandolfo retired from her 38-year teaching career in Carroll County Public Schools in 2015. She taught middle school vocal music for 15 years and high school choral music for 23 years. Ms. Gandolfo's high school choirs consistently received superior ratings at district and state adjudications. She remains active as a choral adjudicator, clinician and accompanist throughout Maryland.
