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Students from the Leadership Training Institute at John F. Kennedy High School hosted their 2010 Women's Leadership Conference on March 16. In celebration of Women's History Month, the event emphasized the importance of female leadership using the theme "Making History, HER story."

Five speakers shared their stories and encouraged the 200 students attending the assembly to achieve their dreams.

Speakers were Johanna Aragon, D.C. probation and parole officer; Linda Gustitus, Senate aide, and co-founder of Washington Religious Campaign Against Torture; Lucie Snodgrass, author and longtime assistant of U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski; Caroline Smith-DeWaal, director of food safety, Center for Science in the Public Interest; and Anna Mwalgho, actress, dancer, poet and singer.

Learn to lead

Youth Leadership Montgomery is accepting applications for the class of 2010. The program, open to Montgomery County public or independent high school students entering grades 9-12, is designed to empower them with the skills necessary to be successful throughout their lives. Participants broaden their awareness of issues in the community, meet peers from other schools who become lifelong friends, improve their communication skills and grow in self-confidence. The application deadline is April 16. For further information, call Esther Newman, executive director of Leadership Montgomery, at 301-881-3333, or e-mail her at Esther.Newman@LeaderMont.org or visit www.LeadershipMontgomeryMD.org.

Special-needs

education information

A forum on educational placements for students with autism will be held April 7 from 6:30-9 p.m. at Aspen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Road, Aspen Hill. The Partnership for Extraordinary Minds, a nonprofit organization the works to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of diploma-bound students on the autism spectrum is sponsoring the forum in collaboration with Montgomery County Public Schools.  MCPS administrators will discuss placements and services available and how staff support students in managing core challenges of autism, including self-regulation, executive functioning, social skills and cognitive and emotional differences. Parents may choose to hear about services in grades K–5 or grades 6–12. The forum is free and registration is helpful but not required. Register by calling 301-444-5225 or online at www.xMinds.org.

Pretty prom package

Gala Events Inc., an events-planning company in Rockville, is sponsoring an essay contest for county high school students. The writer of a 250-word essay explaining why his/her high school should earn a $20,000 dollar club-themed prom package could win the package, which includes design and decorating for the winner's prom led by Gala's owner and President Jaime Greenwald. Greenwald, along with her brother, David Garner, is an MCPS graduate. The two decided the contest would be a way to share their talents and give back to the community, Greenwald said in an e-mail. 

Applications are due by April 12 and should be sent to jgreenwald@galaevents.com.

Photographers take a look

The Nora School in Silver Spring is seeking entries for the Ninth Annual Nora School Photography Festival being held in conjunction with the Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival in Silver Spring from April 23-25.  Students in grades 6-12 from any public or private school are invited to submit photographs with the theme: "The Human Condition."  Submission deadline is April 15 at 7:30 p.m.  Awards will be presented at an exhibition and reception at the school, 955 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, April 24.  Entries will be judged by a panel of professional photographers and prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place, with honorable mentions.  For more information, visit www.nora-school.org.

Parking lot yard sale

The yearbook staff of Northwood High School will host its second-annual outdoor community yard sale from 9 a.m. to noon April 10.  Community members wishing to sell items can rent two parking spaces for $15. Some tables are available for rent for $5. E-mail Daryl Alston at daryl_alston@mcpsmd.org for a registration form, which must be returned by April 7. The school is located at 919 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring.

Rounding up the little ones

Along with daffodils and longer days, spring means time for Kindergarten Orientation at all Montgomery County Public Schools. Children who will be 5 years old on or before September 1 should attend Kindergarten Orientation at their neighborhood school. Parents are asked to call the school to schedule an appointment. During the orientation, children and their parents will have an opportunity to meet the school principal, kindergarten teachers and other staff members, take part in activities and see the classrooms he or she will be coming to when school begins on August 31. Parents can take advantage of the time to officially enroll their children and the schools will get a head start on welcoming their newest students. The orientation period takes place April 7 through May 28.

These area schools are holding orientation during the next few weeks:

Broad Acres Elementary School, 710 Beacon Road, Silver Spring, April 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 301-571-6966.

Burnt Mills Elementary School, 11211 Childs St., Silver Spring, April 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call 301-649-8192.

New Hampshire Estates Elementary School, 8720 Carroll Ave., Silver Spring, April 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 301-431-7607.

Rolling Terrace Elementary School, 705 Bayfield St., Takoma Park, April 15 and 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call 301-431-7600.

Stonegate Elementary School, 14811 Notley Road, Silver Spring, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 301-989-5668.

Weller Road Elementary School, 3301 Weller Road, Silver Spring, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and April 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 301-929-2010.

Education Notebook accepts short news items and photographs about events, people and good news at your school. We feature fundraisers, event and meeting announcements, student and staff achievements, requests for donations, new education initiatives and anything else that goes on in your school. Please send us story ideas at least a week in advance of the event. Contact Peggy McEwan at pmcewan@gazette.net, fax at 301-670-7183 or 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877.