Law enforcement program offers accelerated credits
Carroll Community College and the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions have signed an agreement to help law enforcement students earn their college degree more quickly.
The agreement provides graduates of the Police Entrance Level Training Program, administered by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions, with 33 criminal justice program credits, as well as a certificate in law enforcement from the college.
With half their associate's degree credits, academy graduates need 30 or 31 general education credits to complete their degree, said Steve Geppi, coordinator of the college's Criminal Justice Program.
The college is working on a correctional component to the agreement and is planning to offer the additional credit courses on campus in Westminster.
Police officers from other police academies can call Geppi to determine what benefits they qualify for toward earning their degrees from Carroll Community College.
Information: 410-386-8524.
School board to meet Wednesday in Westminster
The Carroll County Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Room 007 of the board offices, 125 N. Court St., Westminster.
The regular meeting agenda will be posted on the school system's Web site: www.carr.org/ccps.
The meeting will be broadcast live on CETV, Channel 21 on Adelphia cable TV. It will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. Thursday and Dec. 19; at 9 a.m. Saturday; and 8 p.m. Dec. 15.
Information: 410-751-3020.
Multicultural banquet at county Career Center
The Carroll County Career and Technology Center will hold its second Multicultural Banquet and Fashion Show at 6 p.m. Friday at the school in Westminster.
Students from the Culinary Arts and Fashion Design/Textiles programs will present food and clothing from ethnic groups from around the world.
Advance tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens and $10 for adults. Tickets at the door will cost $2 more.
Information: 410-751-3669.
Anti-tobacco speaker slated at Liberty High
Piggy Thomas from MTV's Road Rules will speak to Liberty High School students at 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Friday.
She talks about the hazards of smoking and ways in which tobacco companies target youth. The program is being funded through a grant from the Carroll County Health Department's Smoke Free Schools Projects.
Thomas is beginning her third year of anti-tobacco speaking presentations aimed at teen-agers. She combines a compelling story and conservative language in a style that encourages audiences to participate in a discussion about smoking.
Thomas quit smoking two years ago after 10 years of tobacco use. She gave up her dream of competing in the Olympics before she was able to control her habit. Since then, she has dedicated herself to educating teens about how "Big Tobacco" specifically targets them to be the next generation of lifelong smokers. Thomas hopes the teens will turn away from smoking.
Thomas has worked for MTV for four years. She also is a host of Unfiltered, a groundbreaking anti-tobacco reality program aimed at youth. Originally produced by the Washington State Department of Health, a version of this entertainment/education hybrid is making its way to other state programs.
Information: 410-751-3560.
Board seeking name for elementary school
The Carroll County Board of Education is inviting all county residents to participate in naming the new southwest-area elementary school being built in Mount Airy.
All suggestions must be submitted to the Superintendent of Schools, 125 N. Court St., Westminster, 21157, no later than 4 p.m. Dec. 20.
The superintendent will submit a final recommendation to the Board of Education for approval. Names should give proper recognition to the school and community.
Information: 410-751-3020.
CCC sponsoring tour of Ireland in June
Carroll Community College is offering its first summer tour in June to Ireland. Carroll students can earn three credits by enrolling in Humanities 160.
Members of the community are welcome to take the 10-day trip. The cost for students, ages 25 and younger, is $1,920. The price for adults, older than 25, is $2,185. This includes airfare, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast and lunch, entrance fees, and the services of a full-time tour director. Full payment to EF Tours is due by Feb. 15.
The requested date of departure is June 5. The first three days, participants will tour Dublin, including Trinity College and its famed Book of Kells. The group will visit Kildare, Kilkenny and Cork to see Queenstown Story Museum and Blarney Castle.
In the Killarney region, the group will visit Ring of Kerry, Bog Village and Galway. The last two days will offer visits to the Burren Region, an area of limestone rock and wildflowers, the Cliffs of Moher, the coast of Clare and Aran Islands.
Students taking the trip for credit will have a reading list, project, travel journal and meetings with the instructor. Other independent student options are available.
Information: Suzanne Dixon, 410-386-8262 or Connie Skewers, 410-386-8202.
Peters state finalist for presidential award
Jim Peters, the science department chairman and a biology and anatomy teacher at Westminster High School, has been selected as one of two state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Established in 1983 by the White House and sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the award identifies outstanding mathematics and science teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Peters has been teaching 24 years, 22 in Carroll County. Before coming to Westminster High, he taught at West Middle 15 years.