My husband I just returned from two weeks in Europe to find that North Laurel has been very busy while we were gone. It is exciting to see all the people that are stepping up to be involved in our community.
The Laurel Woods Elementary PTA is very concerned about the overcrowding at its school. Each year the population has grown by at least 4 percent. The school is at 117.4 percent capacity. There is a proposal to move a small group of students next year to Forest Ridge, but this would only reduce the overcrowding, not eliminate it.
Therefore, the PTA has started a petition and is looking for anyone in the area that is interested in signing it. The PTA would like the school to be reduced to 90 percent capacity so that it had room for the expected growth and to better serve our students. If you are interested in the petition, go to http://www.change.org/petitions/lwes-2012-redistricting.
The North Laurel Civic Association has been busy working for our community as well. It has worked on its bylaws and have updated them to say stipulate that its area is the entire 20723 ZIP code. Everyone is a non-voting member just for living here. If you want to vote on issues, then you need to join the Association for $10 a year.
The association tries hard to be a conduit for communication and representation for this area. It held a community picnic in the fall and has donated the leftovers to a local church to help the less fortunate. The General Plan Task Force has proposed increasing the density, or population, in our area plus increase the amount of rentals.
Many people feel that since North Laurel already have the highest density in the county that we do not need an increase. If you would like to get more involved in these issues, call Bibi H. Perrotte-Foston at 240 786 5747 or email bhfoston@comcast.net or Pam Peseux at 301-335-1725 or peseux@comcast.net. The association's next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 4 at the community center.
Did you know that now the county now has bus service to the community center? Starting this week, there will be service to the North Laurel Community Center on the C or E routes. This should make the center more assessable for all. For more information call CMRT at 1-800-270-9553 or go to http://www.cmrtransit.org.
The next free Gator Academy is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 11, 1:30-3:30 p.m., at the Savage Branch Library. Students will need a permission slip, notebook and textbook. Email Kris Kendall at KrisKendall@verizon.net for more information.
Beth Blough wants to inform you that Mt. Zion United Methodist Church has special events during advent. On Sunday, Dec. 11, the choir will sing carols at 5 p.m. followed by a pot-luck dinner. On Dec. 18, it will host a Las Posadas and pot-luck at 5 p.m. Their Christmas Eve Services will consist of a children's service at 4 p.m., a traditional service at 9 p.m. and Madrigals at 11 p.m. The church is at 12430 Scaggsville Road.