Registration for new students and those entering public school kindergarten in August 2008 will be held in Howard County public elementary schools from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 3-7 and at other times determined by individual schools.
Kindergarten is mandatory in Maryland. State law requires that children entering kindergarten in the fall must be at least 5 years old on or before Sept. 1; children entering first grade must be 6 years old.
Parents or legal guardians must register their children at the school serving the address where the child's parent or guardian resides.
Parents of children born outside the United States or for whom English is not the primary language spoken in the home should call the Office of International Student Services at 410-313-7101.
To determine which school serves their neighborhood, parents can call the Public Information Office at 410-313-6682 or check the School Locator at www.hcpss.org.
Documents that must be presented at the time of registration include the child's birth certificate; an authorized record of immunizations (unless the parents request a religious exemption); proof of residency in the form of a lease, deed or house contract and utility bill; a photo identification of the parent or guardian; and proof of custody, if applicable.
Driver's licenses and voter registration cards will not be accepted as proof of residence.
School board to meet Tuesday to adopt 2009 budget request
The Howard County Board of Education will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday to adopt its budget request for the fiscal 2009 operating and capital budgets and the fiscal 2010-2014 capital improvement program.
The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in the boardroom at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.
The Board of Education will meet with the executive board of the PTA Council of Howard County at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in boardroom B at the Department of Education.
Information: 410-313-6682.
Residential summer camp for girls is expanded
The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County has expanded its residential summer camp, Journey, to include 25 girls who will enter the eighth and ninth grades in the fall, and 25 girls who will enter the 10th, 11th and 12th grades.
Maryland Leadership Workshops Inc. will operate the camp, as it has for the past two years. The organization has been providing leadership training programs for Maryland middle and high school students for more than 50 years.
The camp will be held July 20-26 at Washington College in Chestertown. Student delegates to the program will live in the college dorms and eat in the cafeteria.
The camp results from efforts by the Women's Giving Circle to support girls during a formative period of their lives. The program includes workshops on empowerment and motivation, communication skills, decision-making, group dynamics, self-awareness, goal-setting and conflict resolution.
Programs will allow the girls to exercise and get feedback on their leadership and interpersonal skills. Interaction between staff and girls will address needs and develop an action plan to be implemented after the camp.
The camp, which will focus on the theme of what it means to be a woman, also includes activities such as swimming, athletics, team-building games and a confidence course.
The cost is $550. Financial assistance is available. Applications are available in middle and high school guidance offices and at www.womensgivingcircle.org.
Completed applications must be submitted by March 14.
Information: Colleen Taggart-D'Agrosa, 301-854-1107.
College fair for disabled to be held at HCC on Saturday
Howard Community College will hold a college fair for students with disabilities from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday in the college's Burrill Galleria.
Project Access, designed to help students with disabilities make the transition into post-secondary education, sponsors the event. Admission is free.
Those who attend will learn about admission requirements, and support and career service offerings at about 30 post-secondary institutions. Representatives from the Division of Rehabilitation Services and the HCC financial aid office will be on hand.
Participants will be offered workshops on Project Access, federal legislation affecting post-secondary education, financial aid, disability support service programs, career development and strategies for academic success.
In a Career Corner, people in various fields will share strategies for achieving professional goals. An assistive technology demonstration is planned.
Information: Linda Schnapp, 410-772-4625.