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The county school system last week recognized the efforts of the Damascus High School Environmental Club and the school's building services staff with a superior School Energy and Recycling Team School Award.

Damascus was one of only a few county schools to receive a superior award, which recognizes the school's efforts to increase recycling awareness and participation, as well as decrease energy use.

The award reads: "SERT recognizes schools that exhibit exceptional energy-aware behavior and demonstrates a culture of conservation."

With the award, the school received $1,000 to assist in continuing its efforts.

The award was presented last week to Bob Dickie, sponsor of the school Environmental Club and the building services staff.

The Environmental Club collected a variety of items for recycling and reuse this year.

Dickie reported the club collected several pounds of batteries, 60 cell phones, 50 pair of eyeglasses, 15 burned out CFL bulbs, 75 ink cartridges and more than 100 plastic bags.

The cell phones and bulbs contain heavy metals that can contaminate the water supply. Empty computer ink cartridges were sold as a fundraiser and the eyeglasses were donated to the Lion Club's Gift of Sight program.

"At our school it appears that our recycling percentage has risen and our energy consumption has gone down," Dickie said, comparing last year to this year.

The club also collected more than 150 Campbell Soup Company labels and raised enough money in loose change to donate $25 to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and a bag of groceries to a local food bank.

DHS auto program re-certified

The automotive training program at Damascus High School has received re-certification by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Damascus' automotive program has been re-certified in the following areas:  brakes, electrical, engine performance, suspension and steering.

To achieve the coveted recognition, the school's automotive training program underwent rigorous evaluation by the foundation. Nationally-accepted standards of excellence were used. 

Clarksburg student among four to win scholarships

Four Montgomery County Public Schools seniors, including one from Clarksburg High School, are among about 800 students nationwide who have won awards in the 2009 National Achievement Scholarship Program for African American students.

The winners were selected from more than 150,000 African-American students nationwide who participated in the program, which is privately financed and conducted annually by the nonprofit National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

MCPS winners of $2,500 National Achievement scholarships are: Abiye L. Ibiebele, Clarksburg High School, Richard A. Adjogah, John F. Kennedy High School, Abiola D. Laniyonu, Richard Montgomery High School and Joseph E. Walburn, Northwood High School.

Russian Life magazine supports DHS Russian program

Russian Life magazine is providing free copies of the periodical to students studying the Russian language at Damascus High School.

Damascus has one Russian-language class with nine students.

The magazine is making the donation as a way to encourage them to keep studying the difficult language.

The 51-year-old magazine features Russian culture, history, travel and life. It is a private, American-owned publication that is published bimonthly in English.

Scholarships available

from congresswoman

College scholarships are available from the Office of Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-Dist. 4) for students living in the 4th Congressional District.

Contact Selena Mendy Singleton at 301-516-7601 or Selena.Singleton@

mail.house.gov for eligibility information and applications. Applications are due on June 5.

Physical exams to be offered at Damascus

Damascus High School students who want to participate in fall sports can complete their required physicals at the school next month.

The Damascus High School Athletic Boosters Club will hold a fundraiser 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 6.

Doctors and nurses have volunteered to examine students who want to play fall sports. The cost of the physical is $40 per player or $30 for additional players from the same family. Siblings who do not attend Damascus may also undergo their physicals with advance notification to football coach Eric Wallich. Money raised will be used for the football team.

Health assessment forms will be good for the entire 2009-2010 school year.

To sign up for a physical, send an e-mail to the coach at eric_r_wallich@

mcpsmd.org or call 301-370-8404.

Library seeks volunteers

The Damascus Library is looking for motivated high school students to help with the children's summer reading program.

Volunteers will explain the rules and answer questions, distribute prizes and assist with special programs.

Student Service Learning hours may be earned. Basic computer knowledge is required.

Interested teens should call 240-773-9444 to schedule an interview on May 30. Volunteers must be able to attend a 90-minute training session 2 p.m. June 6 at the library, 9701 Main St.

Education Notebook is compiled by Staff Writer Susan Singer-Bart. Items appropriate for this column should be sent to ssingerbart@gazette.net, by fax to 301-670-7183, or by mail to Education Notebook, The Damascus/Clarksburg Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday for consideration for the following week's paper. Items are used on a space-available basis.