Principals honored with the Mark Mann Award

The Mark Mann Award is given annually by Montgomery County Public Schools to one (and occasionally two) administrators who have shown an exceptional ability to encourage academic excellence, positive human relations and strong community outreach.

The award honors Dr. Mark Mann, former principal of Parkland Junior High School, who died in 1988.

Garrett Park students’ overall performance on the state tests improved over the past several years under Derby’s watch, while achievement gaps between African American and Latino students and their peers have decreased.

Derby also has supported the individual interests and pursuits of his staff. This support has enabled two teachers to become certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, one teacher being nominated for the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher award, and another being recognized as national Disney Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Staff and parents sponsor after-school support and enrichment groups matched to students’ needs and interests. Derby is also a strong supporter of family involvement and community outreach. Garrett Park has joined the National Network of Partnership Schools, participated in Study Circles and Conquista Tus Sueños programs, and partnered with community organizations.

Students, staff, and parents at Cedar Grove Elementary School are hoping that Derby will bring the same blend of high expectations, concern and respect that won him this year’s Mark Mann Award to their school.

Superintendent Jerry D. Weast presented the awards at a Sept. 19 meeting of administrators and supervisors. Derby and Dempsey will also be recognized at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting.

Clarksburg High Schoolstudents named

Two Clarksburg High School seniors have recently been recognized for their academic achievements.

Michael Leaman, 17, of Germantown was recognized as a National Merit Achievement Acholar. Leaman is captain of the cross country Team and indoor track Team at Clarksburg High.

John Garvey, 16, of Boyds become a Maryland Distinguished Scholar Finalist. He is a member of the school’s National Honor Society and he has earned straight A’s throughout his high school career.

Celebrate Octoberfestat Damascus Elementary

Damascus Elementary School PTA will hold an Octoberfest from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the school, 110201 Bethesda Church Road.

Octoberfest will feature a pumpkin patch, haunted house, scarecrow making, a moonbounce and food. For flea market space, call Christina Jessee at 301-253-7134. The cost is $15 per space.

Knitting for the needyat Damascus High

The Damascus High School art club and Robert Dickie’s humanities class will sponsor a ‘‘Knitting for the Needy” activity 2:15 to 3:30 Friday in the ceramics studio, Room 163.

Students are asked to help those less fortunate feel warmer on the outside and inside by knitting hats and scarves.

CHS Cut and Gut Party

Teams of volunteers are needed at Clarksburg High School between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Oct. 19 to help clean and prepare 2,000 pumpkins for carving at the Pumpkin Festival the next day.

Some 200 volunteers are needed for two-three hours at a time.

The pumpkin festival will be held 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 20. Individuals and groups are invited to signup to help carve pumpkins for a display that will be lit at sunset.

Parents are encouraged to donate pumpkin baked goods and help man the PTSA bake sale table. Proceeds from the bake sale will benefit the school’s PTSA and two charities — the Children’s Inn at NIH and HomeAid.

Columbus Day open houses

Little Bennett Elementary School invites parents to visit their children’s classrooms on Monday, Columbus Day. Parents are encouraged to visit classrooms between 9 and 11 a.m. or between 2 and 3 p.m.

Due to limited seating in the cafeteria, parents will not be able to have lunch with their children this year.

Clarksburg Elementary School will have its open house from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday.

Lois. P. Rockwell Elementary School also invites parents to visit their children’s classrooms Monday. Third grade parents are also invited to a special open house Oct. 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and fourth grade parents are also invited to a special open house Oct. 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Second grade parents are also invited to a special open house Oct. 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

On Monday, Woodfield Elementary School will also have an open house. Parents are welcome to visit between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Woodfield walks for diabetes

Woodfield Elementary will hold its third ‘‘School Walk for Diabetes” during recess Oct. 16.

The walk is an educational fundraising program of the American Diabetes Association that teaches students the benefits of making healthy life choices.

Last year, the walk raised more than $6,000. The funds raised by the students will help the association accomplish its mission of preventing and curing diabetes and improving the lives of those affected by diabetes.

Two Woodfield students — second-grader Miranda Clay and third-grader Kendall Hoefler — have Type 1 diabetes. To sponsor Miranda or Kendall, donations made payable to the American Diabetes Association can be mailed to Woodfield Elementary PTA, School Walk for Diabetes, 24200 Woodfield Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20882.

DHS class collecting for the troops

The Damascus High School Leadership Class is accepting donations that will be used to make care packages for the troops.

Acceptable items include stockings, cookies, books, movies, gum, toiletries, power bars or beef jerky. No pork products or aerosol cans can be accepted.

Drop off donations in the marked boxes in the social studies office at the school by Oct. 22.

Items appropriate for this column may be sent to Susan Singer-Bart, Assistant Editor, The Damascus⁄Clarksburg Gazette, 1200 Quince Orchard Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878; faxed to 301-670-7183; or e-mailed to ssingerbart@gazette.net. Include a telephone number for clarification purposes. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday. All items are subject to space availability and editing.