Governor Larry Hogan recently announced the launch of “Safe Schools Maryland,” a tip line and mobile app designed to streamline reporting of possible threats to students and school facilities. You can anonymously report information to Safe Schools Maryland via a mobile app available for download through the Apple App Store or Google Play, online at www.SafeSchoolsMD.org, or by calling 1-833-MD-B-SAFE (1-833-632-7233). Trained technicians will respond to reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Click on the title to access the link. Click on the link.
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SOMERSET COUNTY, Md. – School Districts across the Eastern Shore are now sifting through Maryland’s brand new rating system, including Somerset County.

“Anytime you give greater criteria, you give greater opportunities to show strengths rather than one indicator,” explains Superintendent Dr. John Gaddis. Maryland’s new public school rating system isn’t just about test scores, it’s a new way to measure success. And for Somerset County, it’s proving their students are right in line with others throughout the state despite their unique challenges.

“The fact that we can have the highest poverty setting in the state and our students can achieve means we’re removing that barrier.” All of the schools in Somerset County received three and four star ratings. Ratings that Dr. Gaddis says prove their efforts across the board are working.

“I think overall we’re pleased because we’ve had a focus on early childhood, we’ve also had a focus on educating the whole child so when you look at the incentives we’ve done for attendance rates when you look at what we’ve done for graduation rates at the high school level, when you look at the intervention we put in with testing,” Gaddis continues, “Of course we want our testing scores to be higher, but when you have students that are coming to school you should be rewarded for that. Because school is not always a positive for some of our students and the fact that they’re coming and that they’re working with us is a positive. We were just happy really across the whole board.”
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Somerset County Special Education Department will be hosting Sensory Santa. The event will take place at the Somerset County Board of Education on November 30, 2018 from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM. We are excited to extend our welcome to all families that are part of our Infants and Toddlers Program as well as our friends from the Judy Center. Santa will be back this year with pictures with our friends! We will have cookie decorating, crafts, sensory activities and much more! Click on the title for more information. Then click in the pdf file to get directions to RSVP.
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Ocean City (October 25, 2018) It was announced Thursday evening that Somerset County Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. John B. Gaddis has been selected as the Maryland Superintendent of the Year. The Superintendent of the Year is chosen annually by a panel of other Maryland superintendents following an extensive application process. The winner then goes on to represent the state in the National Superintendent of the Year process, all of which is a program of AASA: The American Association of School Administrators. The announcement was made at the concluding banquet of the Maryland Negotiation Service (MNS) Conference, an affiliate of the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland (PSSAM). Click on the title for more information and several photographs.
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Statewide Winner is from Somerset County

BALTIMORE (October 12, 2018) – Dr. Richard Warren, Jr., an eighth grade Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) teacher at Somerset County’s Crisfield High School and Academy, tonight was named the 2018-2019 Maryland Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, made the announcement at the 28th Annual Teacher of the Year Gala. The event attracted educators and dignitaries, such as Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, and former Sen. Paul Sarbanes.

Richard has taught for six years, the last five at Crisfield High School and Academy. He holds three degrees from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore: a bachelor of science degree in science (2011); masters of arts in teaching (2014) and a doctorate in educational leadership (2018).

STEM education is Richard’s passion. He looks to inspire, connect, and help students stretch their potential through technology and relatable learning experiences.

“Teaching is so much more than content,” he said. “Teaching is about reaching students where they are, connecting them to real-world experiences, and equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and make a difference in life.”

Governor Larry Hogan and Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford congratulated Maryland’s new Teacher of the Year. Click on the title for more information and great photographs.
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At its monthly meeting tonight October 16, 2018, the Board of Education approved a change in the 2018-2019 Academic Calendar. November 21 will now be a half day of school with early dismissal instead of a day with the school system being totally closed. Three inclement weather days were built into the calendar at its approval date of August 21. We have missed two days already because of inclement weather and high water on many of the roads. A statement on the original calendar indicates November 21, January 21, February 18, April 18 and May 27 are potential make-up days. If we miss more than three days that were built into the calendar, we have to show local effort by using one of the aforementioned days. We cannot get a waiver on other days if we have not shown local effort. Given the fact the school system has been closed an average annually of 6-7 days for the last number of years, the Board made this decision to be proactive.
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The fourth annual Maryland STEM Festival will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 from 5:00 PM-7:30 PM at UMES at the Engineering & Aviation Science. Complex. Activities include Robotics, Flight Simulator, STEM Career Information, Virtual Reality Goggles, 3 D Printing, Electronics Demo. STEM/STEAM Activities and more! Our students and parents have actively participated in this event during the last four years.
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The 7th Annual Tri-County Pathways Night will be held at WOR WIC Community College on November 14, 2018 from 5:30 -7:00. It will be held in the Fulton-Owen Hall. Participants will be able to meet with representatives from Local Colleges/Employers/Military/Police/Fire/Nasa Wallops Island and adult agencies for individuals with disabilities. We will also be holding several break out sessions covering a number of topics such as Financial Aid, Dual Enrollment/College Scholarships/Naviance and some breakout sessions to meet the needs of student’s with a disability. This has been well-attended throughout the years and has proven to be successful.
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Randi Merritt is a veteran teacher who presently teaches language arts, reading and social studies at Somerset Intermediate School. She is the October 2018 recipient of the statewide Digital Learning Showcase. She is being recognized for her willingness to support student learning through her work using Google Classrooms. Brian Cook, Ed.D. is the Professional Development Chair for the Maryland Society for Educational Technology. Regarding Mrs. Merritt he said, "Your willingness to support student learning through your work using Google Classrooms at Somerset Intermediate is second to none. Your drive to use digital resources has raised the level of each of your students. MSET is proud of your passion and drive to transform education through technology."
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Each Month the Maryland Center for Character Education at Stevenson University (MCCE@SU) picks one of the Best Practices from a Character Education award winning school to share with you. Greenwood Elementary School has been recognized as an outstanding school in Maryland for October 2018 in fostering and maintaining the Development of Character Education. Click on title for more information.
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