by Mary Lankester | Feb 9, 2021 | News
From Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Students in Early Childhood Education and prekindergarten through fifth grade whose families selected for them to return to school buildings in a hybrid environment will do so on March 1 under a reopening plan presented by Superintendent George Arlotto to the Board of Education at its February 3, 2021, meeting.
Under the plan, students in grades 6, 9, and 12 who are taking part in hybrid learning would return on March 8, followed by students in grades 7, 8, 10, and 11 on March 22. Students at all three levels would attend class in school buildings on either Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday each week. All learning would take place virtually on Wednesday, when schools would undergo a thorough cleaning.
Approximately 39 percent of elementary school students will return in a hybrid format. That number is 36 percent in middle school and 34 percent at the high school level.
On January 14, 2021, the Board of Education directed Dr. Arlotto to begin the hybrid reopening of schools for as many students as possible by March 1. That is the same timeline that has been publicly urged by Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland State School Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon.
Dr. Arlotto also provided the Board with the following timeline that will see smaller groups of students come back to buildings beginning next week:
-
- February 11, 2021: Center of Applied Technology – North; Developmental Centers (Phase I elementary)
- February 16, 2021: Developmental Centers (Phase II elementary)
- February 18, 2021: Center of Applied Technology – South; Developmental Centers (secondary)
- February 22, 2021: Elementary ED Regional Centers (Glendale ES, Odenton ES, Rolling Knolls ES); J. Albert Adams @ Mary Moss Academy (all grade levels); Phoenix Academy (ED elementary students)
- February 25, 2021: Secondary ED Regional Centers (Bates MS, Chesapeake Bay MS, Chesapeake HS); Secondary Autism Classrooms (Old Mill MS South and Old Mill HS); and Phoenix Academy (alternative education programs and ED secondary students)
School-based staff would return to buildings no later than February 17, 2021, with school system central and satellite office staff returning on a similar timeline. Teachers and others involved with instructing small groups of students will return earlier.
More information on the reopening of schools, including safety protocols and other mitigation measures, can be found at www.aacps.org/spring2021.
by Monarch Academy | Jan 28, 2021 | News
Monarch Academy Annapolis, a public contract school with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, is hosting a free, virtual family EdCamp conference on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. for school families and the community to help them support their children’s education.
The conference will provide opportunity for families to collaborate with Monarch Academy Annapolis educators and other families as well as attend virtual workshops covering topics including academics, social-emotional needs, technology, and general school topics.
Families can register for the Family EdCamp conference online .
by Monarch Academy | Jan 27, 2021 | News
The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations, promoted Jillian Szczepaniak-Gillece to director of behavioral health services. Previously, Szczepaniak-Gillece served as clinical social work supervisor.
As director of behavioral health services, Szczepaniak-Gillece will manage The Children’s Guild Alliance’s Outpatient Mental Health Center and the delivery of mental health services and support to children and families. Szczepaniak-Gillece is a licensed clinical social worker and brings more than 13 years of experience providing clinical services as well as supervising clinicians, conducting individual and group supervisions, and working with interdisciplinary teams to improve outreach to schools.
Szczepaniak-Gillece has managed the medical billing for The Children’s Guild Alliance’s Outpatient Mental Health Center for the past eight years and implemented electronic health records and the use of communication and collaboration software. She joined The Children’s Guild Alliance in 2010 as a clinician. Previously, she worked at Sheppard Pratt and before that, at Martin De Porres School in New York.
Szczepaniak-Gillece is also a volunteer health provider with Give an Hour. She holds a master’s degree in social work with a focus on children and families from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree from La Salle University.
by Monarch Academy | Dec 28, 2020 | News
AACPS is updating their plan and schedules. Please visit aacps.org/spring2021, where you will find the following links to the details of the changes:
by Monarch Academy | Dec 17, 2020 | News
Monarch Global Academy Laurel teacher Maria Cummings and Monarch Academy Glen Burnie teacher Sonja Bolotin are among 43 teachers nominated for Anne Arundel County’s Teacher of the Year. Monarch Global Academy Laurel and Monarch Academy Glen Burnie are charter or contract schools with Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
Sonia Bolotin
Sonja Bolotin teaches second grade at Monarch Academy Glen Burnie.
“Mrs. Bolotin meets each child where they are, creates a safe crew where children thrive and brings students to success as they engage in meaningful work that makes a difference. She does this while contributing to a culture of personal growth for the adults at Monarch Academy to ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to our commitment to equity,” said Monarch Academy Glen Burnie Principal Kim Jakovics. “Walking into Mrs. Bolotin’s second grade class is a magical experience. There are few places where I would rather be.”
Through Bolotin’s leadership, second grade students partnered with an author and nonprofit organization to write and illustrate a book about bees. The book was translated into Amharic and then distributed to children in Ethiopia.
“Our students, with Mrs. Bolotin’s commitment and passion for relevant learning experiences that affect the local and global community, made that happen,” Jakovics said.
Bolotin also created a reading program called the Caterpillar Club to encourage her second grade students to be excited about reading as she worked to ensure that all read on grade level by the end of their second grade year. This program brought in community volunteers and partners each morning and made reading fun and exciting for children.
Maria Cummings
Maria ‘Conchi’ Cummings teaches world and classical language to middle school students at Monarch Global Academy Laurel.
“Sra. Cummings came to us with a wealth of experience in all things Spanish. In her time at Monarch Global Academy, Conchi, as she is called, has consistently demonstrated her effectiveness as a teacher through her strong example, tireless work ethic and high expectations. Conchi’s classroom radiates a warmth that embraces her Spanish heritage,” said Monarch Global Academy Principal Donna O’Shea. “She is a true leader and team player and supports the implementation of curriculum and instruction that is both rigorous and highly differentiated to meet the needs of all learners. Parents respect Conchi because she holds high expectations for her students. They appreciate her willingness to go above and beyond, so their children succeed in Spanish.”
Cummings’ students have consistently scored high on the quarterly benchmark tests. Her students said they can tell she loves them. Positive and calm, she allows students to be creative and experience different things, they said.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools will honor Bolotin and Cummings at its 35th annual Excellence in Education Awards hosted by the 21st Century Education Foundation on April 15, 2021. The event will culminate with the announcement of the 2021 Anne Arundel County Public School Teacher of the Year, who will represent the county in the Maryland State Teacher of the Year competition.
by Monarch Academy | Dec 14, 2020 | News
We are collectively living through one of the most sweeping health crises in our history. This issue of Transformation shares how The Children’s Guild Alliance has relied on empathy and action to persevere during these challenging times.
The holidays are difficult for many of our families, especially this year. We introduce our Holiday Gift Catalog and invite you to help us spread joy with an array of gifts from school supplies and daily essentials to gift certificates or a special experience such as a trip to the beach.
We are thankful for the success of our virtual Kids First Celebration and congratulate our 2020 Sadie Award recipients Guy and Nupur Parekh Flynn. We also congratulate the recipients of our 2020 Monarch Award, the highest honor bestowed upon our staff. Their dedication has been truly inspirational during a year of unforeseen stress and change.
Our staff continue to amaze us with their creativity and commitment. From virtual pep rallies to flexible mental health services, we are educating and caring for the whole child. We also welcome new staff members hired to build a more inclusive school culture.
Learn how The Guild is making the most of grants and special funding to launch preschool programs in Annapolis and College Park. We have also received grants to fund our community-building efforts during distance learning and support our ongoing food distribution program in Annapolis.
This issue of Transformation highlights how The Guild has transformed its approach during COVID-19 to meet the needs of our students. As you read these stories, join us in celebrating learning, giving, and putting “kids first”.
