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OWINGS MILLS HIGH EARNS A SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE RATING

More than 1150 students at Owings Mills High School in Baltimore County have one more reason to take pride in their school. National PTA has certified Owings Mills High School as a Parent Involvement School of Excellence. National PTA’s Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence certification recognizes schools that uphold the highest standards in parent involvement.

As part of the certification process, Owings Mills formed a team consisting of the principal, guidance counselors, teachers, parents and representatives from the community; completed a self-assessment; and then applied for the National PTA’s Certification of Excellence based on the results of their self-assessment. The certification is a symbol of parents, staff, and community members working together for the common goal of helping children succeed.

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Secondary School Principals, National Education Association, and National School Public Relations Association joined National PTA in the development and implementation of the certification program.

Owings Mills High School is the only high school in Baltimore County to be awarded this certification.

Linda Boteach
Susan Katz
Co-Chairs, OMHS School of Excellence Committee

March 1 Ceremony at OMHS Brings Congratulations from County and State Officials

Some 60 people attended the School of Excellence celebration held in the OMHS library. Susan Katz and Linda Boteach, OMHS School of Excellence Committee chairs, explained the process and the activities that gained our school this recognition: the program for transitioning 9th graders, college information night for 11th graders, senior financial aid night, our signature community service program -- AIDS Awareness Week and the Adopt-a-Family program directed by our SADD chapter.

Diane Garbarino, our prinicpal, displayed a School of Excellence banner that will hang in the main hallway. Baltimore County Public Schools superintendent, Joe A. Hairston, spoke briefly and made the point that one of the most elusive factors in high schools is parental involvement and praised Ms. Garbarino for her leadership. Two of the 11th district representatives in the Maryland House of Delegates, Dan Morhaim and Bobby Zirkin, presented citations from the Maryland General Assembly to Ms. Garbarino on behalf of the school, and to Mrs. Boteach and Mrs. Katz for their efforts.

Also sending citations were the Baltimore County Council presented by Councilman Oliver, a representative of Jim Smith on behalf of the Baltimore County Executive's Office, and Gail Tucker of the Maryland State Dept. of Education on behalf of Nancy Grasmick, who presented a plaque to the school. Also in attendance were Michael Franklin, president-elect of the Baltimore County PTA, the presidents of the PTAs of Chatsworth Elementary and Timber Grove Elementary, Joe Palazzi, school board member, past OMHS president Barbara Berg, and members of the County PTA Council.

In addition to Ms. Garbarino, Susan Katz and Linda Boteach, the School of Excellence committee included Barbara Berg, Donovan Prescott, Sona Prescott, Alice DeVaney, Alice Faber, Sherri Edelman, Leslie Epstein, and Mike Finifter.
School of Excellence awards ceremony

Left to right: Michael Franklin, president of PTA Council of Baltimore County and president-elect of Maryland PTA; Linda Boteach, past OMHS PTSA president; Sona Prescott; her son Donovan Prescott, an OMHS student leader; Susan Katz; Barbara Berg, 2004-05 OMHS PTSA president; and Charles Saylors, secretary-treasurer of National PTA.

School of Excellence Awards Ceremony at the Maryland PTA
The Owings Mills High School PTSA was honored at a ceremony by the Maryland PTA for winning national recognition as a School of Excellence for Parent Involvement. Three past presidents were on hand for the event in October 2005, including Susan Katz, who spearheaded the process of applying for this honor.

WIN-WIN SITUATIONS: OUR AWARD-WINNING STUDENTS

Our award-winning students from 2006-07:

  • OUR LEGAL EAGLES: Our Mock Trial team came in first place in our region, which includes Baltimore and Harford Counties, public and private schools. Now it's on to the regionals in mid April 2007 for a shot at repeating 2005's feat of making it to the state championship round.
  • ROBO-BUILDERS: On Saturday, Jan 27th, members of the Engineering Club went to the University of Delaware for the FIRST VEX Robotics regional competition. The OMHS "Geagles," as they called themselves, have spent the past few months building a robot to meet the specific VEX engineering challenges. Competing against 44 teams from the Mid-Atlantic region and one that came all the way from Singapore, the OMHS robot participated in a game that is a combination of basketball and soccer, making it to the quarterfinals and coming away ranked 8th! Congratulations to the team and their faculty advisor Mark Wolf, and special thanks to Fred and Robyn Needel, who generously supported this program.

OF ONGOING INTEREST

Garden Spot Our school nurse, Joan Ainge, has spearheaded an effort over the past few years to make OMHS beautiful, and as of fall 2007 she's been joined by Delegate Dana Stein, who represents Owings Mills in the Maryland Assembly. You may have noticed that the grounds have already been spruced up with grass, flowers, mulch, repainted front doors, a new sidewalk and benches. Make a tax-deductible donation payable to Owings Mills High School and note "Landscape Fund" on the check. Turn funds in to Joan Ainge at the school.

Home Delivery of the Eagles' Eye: Parents may purchase subscriptions to the student newspaper, The Eagles' Eye, by sending in their name, mailing address and phone number along with $8.00. The copies will be mailed to your home. If you'd like to advertise in paper, send a note to the Main Office Attn: Ms. Jefferson to discuss rates -- ad prices start at $18.

DIRECTORIES & LINKS

Find Out "Weather" or Not School's Closed: Wondering if school is closing due to weather? Check the Baltimore County Public Schools web site, call the BCPS at 410-887-5555, or register with Schoolsout.com, a free service that sends an automatic e-mail to you when there is an unexpected closing. Schoolsout.com is updated by BCPS staff. Click on the Services tab and follow the instructions. You can also sign up for a $2 per month service that sends the alerts to your cell phone here.

Contact Us: info@omhsptsa.org

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