Loiederman, Parkland students qualify for geography bee

Student qualifiers from eastern Montgomery County schools:

*Timothy S. Porter, Grade 7, Francis Scott Key Middle School, Silver Spring

*Daniel Galitsky, Grade 8, Parkland Middle School, Rockville

*Raphael N. Grimes, Grade 8, Silver Spring International Middle School, Silver Spring

*Daniel E. Hafner, Grade 8, Eastern Middle School, Silver Spring

*Saurav Das, Grade 6, Takoma Park Middle School, Silver Spring

*Anthony V. Clark, Grade 8, The Newport School, Silver Spring

*Francisco I. Gonzalez, Grade 8, A. Mario Loiederman Middle School, Silver Spring

*Ronald K. Borkow, Grade 7, St. Bernadette Elementary

Blair students raise funds for measles prevention

Two Montgomery Blair High School student groups, the Future Educators Association and the Technology Student Association, presented a $271 check to Norma Gamero of the National Capital Chapter of the American Red Cross to go toward measles prevention initiatives.

The students spent two weeks in February asking for $1 donations for the Red Cross’ ‘‘Have a Heart, Save a Child” program, where donors received paper hearts to place on a wall at the school for their contributions, said Lisa Seid, lead teacher for the Human Services Professions Academy at Blair.

‘‘The students wanted to do a community service project, and they had the opportunity to contact the Red Cross,” Seid said. ‘‘They were very excited about this.”

The Red Cross initiative to reduce measles deaths is an effort in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Contest seeks designs about global warming

Montgomery County Department of Environment Protection is sponsoring an environmental graphic design competition for high school and college students. The contest asks applicants to create a design that promotes simple actions in one of three categories: be energy efficient at home, plant trees, and reduce your global footprint.

Three winning designs will be used for web sites, publications, newspapers, mailings, transit ads and other public education and outreach efforts by the department.

The first place winner will receive a $300 gift certificate to B&H Photo and Video or Amazon.com. The second and third place winners will receive $100 gift certificates.

Entries are due by April 22.

The winners will be selected by a panel comprised of DEP staff, design professionals and representatives from the Montgomery County Council on the Arts and Humanities.

More details about the entry format and other requirements, along with a downloadable entry form, are available on DEP’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov⁄dep or by calling 240-777-7700.

Paint Branch student wins Comcast scholarship

Paint Branch High School senior Sehar Sabir was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Comcast Leaders and Achievers program to go toward her college education.

The award recognizes students who get involved with their schools to make a positive change for their community and serve as models for other students, according to a news release from Paint Branch

Sabir, president of the student government association, is also the vice president of the school’s National Honor Society and the opinions section editor of her school newspaper.

She has served as a Senate page for the Maryland General Assembly, participated in the Washington Post’s Ninth Annual High School Writing Seminar and Scholarship Program, and works as an assistant Sunday school teacher and actively does charity work for her youth group.

Paint Branch celebrates Pi

Paint Branch High School celebrated Pi Day Friday in honor of the important number, roughly 3.14, that represents the ratio of any circle’s circumference to its diameter. Friday’s date—March 14, or 3⁄14—was chosen in honor of the number.

Students celebrated by playing math games, competing against one another and eating pie. They also presented pi projects, which included research on the history of pi, pi poems, pi cartoons, pi plays, original pi songs and pi fashion.

Springbrook student takes part in scholarship contest

Christina Washington, a senior at Springbrook High School, recently participated in Lynchburg College’s scholarship competition. Washington, already a grant winner, was among 200 students competing for additional funds through completion of an essay contest and interviews with faculty members. The competition recognizes students who excel in scholarship, leadership and community service.

School sponsors lectureon global climate change

Sandy Spring Friends School teacher John Fuller will report on his firsthand look at global climate change in the Arctic and Antarctic during an illustrated lecture at the school 7:15 p.m. April 2 in the campus Performing Arts Center, 16923 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring.

In ‘‘The Arctic and Antarctic: A Firsthand Report on Their Majesty and Fragility,” Fuller will show photos and video taken on two polar expeditions and discuss his impressions and opinions on climate change. The program is suitable for upper middle school grades through adults.

Fuller teaches physical science courses in the Sandy Spring Upper School, including astronomy, physics, and foundations of science.

For further information on the talk, part of the School’s Faculty Lecture Series, call 301-774-7455, ext.131, or visit www.ssfs.org.

Mulch sales

The Springbrook Booster Club’s mulch sale will be held April 5 at White Oak Middle School. High-grade shredded hardwood mulch will be sold for $4 pick-up or $4.25 delivered (delivery for Northeast Consortium only, 10-bag minimum). All proceeds to benefit Springbrook athletics. An order form can be found at http:⁄⁄www.gobluedevils.net⁄boosters⁄index.html.

James Hubert Blake High School will hold its mulch sale 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5. The sale is sponsored by the Blake Booster Club and benefits school activities. Three-cubic-foot bags of shredded hardwood mulch cost $3.75 before March 28 and $4 afterward. To order, call Ken Salins at 301-384-7616 or e-mail kensalins@verizon.net.

Northwood High School will hold a mulch sale April 5. Orders should be placed by March 30 for delivery or pick-up.

The price is $4 per bag for delivery, with a minimum order of 12 bags, and $3.50 per bag for pick-up at the school. Proceeds will benefit Northwood athletes and musicians and will help pay for the school’s After Prom Party.

To download an order form, visit the school’s Web site at http:⁄⁄montgomeryschoolsmd.org⁄schools⁄northwoodhs⁄.

Mail orders and checks to Northwood High School Mulch Sale, 919 University Blvd., Silver Spring, MD 20901.

For more information, call Louise Jung at 301-589-0374 or e-mail ljungatheart@yahoo.com.

Transfer seasonfor public schools

Montgomery County Public Schools will hold its transfer season between Feb. 1 and April 1.

Students may change schools under the following circumstances:

*An older sibling attends the requested school

*A continuation in a feeder pattern from middle school to high school, except when affected by boundary changes

*A documented hardship situation

*A student selected for an exempt program.

Parents may request an assignment change form and information booklet at the student’s home school.

The form will be available in schools beginning in February and on the school system’s Web site at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org⁄info⁄transfer.shtm.

For more information about the transfer process, contact the principal of the home school.

For information about assignments for students residing in the Northeast Consortium, Downcounty Consortium or Middle School Magnet Consortium, contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services at 301-649-8081 or the MCPS Web site at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org⁄departments⁄schoolchoice

Reading tutors needed

Nonprofit organizations the George B. Thomas Learning Academy, Interages and Passion for Learning are looking for volunteer reading tutors to work with elementary school students as part of the Ruth Rales Comcast Kids Reading Network.

Training and materials are provided at host schools: East Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Woodlin, Sligo Creek, Oak View, Rolling Terrace, Montgomery Knolls and New Hampshire Estates elementary schools.

Schools that need tutors in the Wheaton area include Arcola, Glenallan, Sargent Shriver and Harmony Hills elementary schools.

Middle and high school students can receive community service hours for volunteering. Tutors work with the same child for one hour per week.

Call Peggy Graham at 301-279-3890 for more information, or visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org⁄readingnetwork.

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