Broadneck Principal Talks Changes This Year at School

The following column was written by Broadneck High School Principal David G. Smith and made available on the school's website.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2013-2014 School Year! This is an exciting time as 2,196 students come to Broadneck High School. We have many new members of our Faculty & Staff including: Scott McGuire as Assistant Principal (filling the spot created by the re-assignment of Chris Espinas), Jessica Felline (A-Del) and Claire Treanor (McD-Sax) as Professional School Counselors, three new Department Chairs, Art (Beth Mader-Wasko), Math (Chris Shelby) and World & Classical Languages (Karen Dickerson), and fifteen new or re-assigned Faculty and Staff members.

All Anne Arundel County Public Schools will be vigorously pursuing a single School Improvement Goal: “To ensure that every student meets or exceeds standards as achievement gaps are eliminated.” At BHS, we will continue our commitment to moving more students successfully along the “Standard, Honors, Advanced Placement Continuum.” Put more simply, we want the kind, and quality of education for your children that we would want for our own children in a safe and supportive school environment. We believe that the overall success for our entire student body will be achieved one student at a time.

This year our Environmental Literacy Signature and Performing and Visual Arts Music programs continue to grow. The Science Lab Renovation and Open Space Enclosure project (started in June, 2012) has been completed. Thus, many of our students will work with their teachers in nicely enhanced classrooms. Our Counseling staff has established a College & Career Center, which you will learn more about as the year progresses.

As the school year begins, students sometimes need to have their schedules corrected. The period for such requests runs from August 26 through September 10. Please note that such requests must be based on Board Policy as stated on page 29 – right side of page - of the Parent Information Handbook. Here is a link to the 2012-2013 version of that document: http://www.aacps.org/html/Parents/parenthandbook.pdf (As this is written, the 13-14 version has not been released). The “Request for Course Correction” form is available in the Main and Counseling Offices and will soon be on the school websitehttp://www.broadneck.org – which will be updated as we get closer to the opening of school. This form must be completed, with a parent signature, in order for course corrections to be considered. Please note the timeline outlined above. Thank you.

In recent years, we have worked hard to prepare increasing numbers of students for success in AP courses. That being the case, I remind you that except in extraordinary circumstances, students who have registered for AP (Advanced Placement) courses will not be able to drop those courses. While some students are taken aback by the work load in these college level courses, with help from teachers, nearly all adjust and do well. Our students must have the chance to experience that challenge and success.

On or about September 30, your son or daughter will bring home a Federal Impact Aid Survey form. Please help us by filling out the information requested and returning it to AACPS in the self addressed stamped envelope provided. The Federal Government gives localities payments to make up tax dollars that cannot be levied on Federal Property (Ft. Meade and the USNA for example). Last year, AACPS received about 3 million dollars based on the information provided on these forms. Please help us receive all of the funds to which we are entitled by completing and returning this form.

From time to time you may have questions or concerns. When that is the case, please ask or raise them. While your first thought may be to begin with me, I encourage you to ask your question or raise your concern initially with the person who is best placed to respond. That could be a teacher, counselor, coach, assistant principal or support staff member. The goal is to resolve concerns promptly. The staff member who works directly with the student is best placed to do so. If that is not possible, I will become involved as the process continues.

The Evening Orientation Program for Freshmen and their parents is on August 14 in the Main Gym beginning at 6:30 pm. August 26 is opening day for freshmen and all students return for the first full school day on Tuesday, August 27. I remind you that the week of September 1 will be unusual in that school will be closed on Monday the 2nd (Labor Day) and Thursday the 5th (Rosh Hashanah).

Back to School Night (BTSN) will occur on Wednesday, September 11 at 6:30 pm. We must begin the program promptly. To alleviate parking problems please arrive early and ride share. Limited space will be available in the back parking lot as will the Broadneck Library parking lot. Your students should have completed a form that includes their schedule and the time frame for the evening and given it to you. Please ask him or her for it before you leave for BTSN.
Homecoming will occur during the week of October 14. Activities will culminate on Saturday, October 19 with the Parade, Football Game (Severna Park) and Dance. Seniors will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the dance. Each class will have their opportunity to purchase tickets in turn. As we approach Homecoming more information about the dance will be provided.

Broadneck High School is an exciting, vibrant place. Each of us contributes to the success of your sons and daughters – our students - and the programs they pursue. I invite you to work with us as we strive to bring them the best possible instructional program in an environment that is safe, supportive and stimulating. I wish you and yours a very positive and successful school year.

Sincerely,

David G. Smith, Ph.D.
Principal