Meade High School has received authorization as an International Baccalaureate World School and will start an IB diploma program in August.
The authorization to use the rigorous college-preparatory curriculum marks the end of two years of work by the Meade High School community.
"We have already seen the impact that IB teacher training has had on students in the Extended Learning Program, as well as students who are not in the program, but taught by IB-trained teachers," Principal Daryl Kennedy said. "The whole Meade family benefits from our authorization to become an IB World School. This is just one step on our path to become a premier, culturally diverse school in the state of Maryland."
Meade has offered courses in the Extended Learning Program for students in grades nine and 10 since the 2006-2007 school year. The IB diploma program will begin with students in 11th grade.
Meade is the third high school in Anne Arundel County to become a member of the International Baccalaureate Organization, which has authorized schools in 126 countries. Annapolis and Old Mill high schools each received authorization in 2005 and graduated their first classes of IB diploma students last year.
Countywide, more than 900 students are involved in the Extended Learning Program and the IB program.
Brock Bridge PTA wins national award
The Brock Bridge Elementary School Parent Teacher Association has received the National PTA's Parent Involvement Schools of Excellence Certification.
The Laurel school's PTA has 243 members, 5 percent more than it had a year ago. For the past six years, the PTA has supported the school's drama club and other initiatives designed to promote student achievement.
"The PTA and parents at Brock Bridge Elementary School have done a wonderful job partnering with the school," said Teresa Tudor, administrator for the county school system's Office of School & Family Partnerships. "They have truly created a community school that should be a model for others to follow."
The PTA will be honored at the state convention in November in Frederick.
Mall displaying students' murals
Marley Station, in conjunction with the county public schools, is exhibiting murals by middle school students depicting the communities where they live.
The murals, which measure 54 by 36 inches, were hung Friday and will be on display at the mall in Harundale through June.
The artists will be honored at a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 31 in the mall's center court.
3 school win awards in robotics contest
The Association of South Anne Arundel County Engineers on Friday presented awards to three county schools officials at the FIRST Robotics Competition at the Naval Academy for their support of science and technology.
County schools Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell; Maureen McMahon, director of advanced study and programs for county schools; and South River High School Principal William Myers were given with the Educator of the Year award.
The Edgewater high school has long sent robot-building teams at the nationwide and Chesapeake Regional FIRST contests.
This year's multistate competition took place at the college from Thursday through yesterday, drawing more than 60 high school teams.
Group offering student grants
The Maryland Capital Chapter of the American Business Women's Association is seeking applicants for its $1,500 grant for students pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher.
The field of study is not specified. Candidates must be women who are U.S. citizens and Maryland residents; will be at least a college junior or senior in August; are attending an accredited college or university authorized to confer degrees at the baccalaureate or higher level; and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5.
The one-time scholarships are not renewable. A check will be issued jointly to the educational institution for the recipient. Funds are limited to tuition, books and fees.
To receive an application, visit www.abwamdcap.org, contact terry@tbergsolutions.net, call 410-974-9695 or send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the chapter, care of Terry Berg, 1508 Bishop Road, Edgewater 21037.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. April 30. The winner will be notified by July 31.
St. John's hires Sawyer as controller
Diane Sawyer has been hired as controller at St. John's College in Annapolis, managing accounting, budgeting, auditing and other financial functions.
Before joining St. John's, Sawyer was controller for Purpose Driven Ministries in Lake Forest, Calif.
Sawyer, who has a bachelor's degree from Rollins College and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California, is a certified public accountant. She lives in Annapolis.
Notre Dame senior wins writing awards
Jacqueline Bosworth, a Crofton resident and a senior at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, won two awards for her writing at the Sigma Tau Delta International Convention in Louisville March 5-8.
Bosworth's essay "The Japanese Bath" received the Elizabeth Holtze Best of Creative Nonfiction submissions for Sigma Tau Delta's publication The Rectangle. The essay also won the Judson Q. Owen Best Overall Piece for The Rectangle. A second essay, "Candy Cane Pillars," took second place among the creative nonfiction convention submissions. "The Japanese Bath" is about Ms. Bosworth's communal bathing experience in Japan. "Candy Cane Pillars" is about her adjustment to a new home.
Sigma Tau Delta is the international English honor society.