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GCPS Readies for Southern Area Grade-Band Alignment: Introducing the Broad Ford Elementary 6th Grade Academy

changes are on the horizon for sixth-grade students in the southern area of Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS). On January 26, 2024, GCPS administrators convened to further refine plans for the grade-band alignment, particularly focusing on 6th grade and Broad Ford Elementary. Set to commence in the 2024-2025 school year, this transition marks a significant milestone in the educational landscape of the region.

In preparation for this transformational shift, GCPS is gearing up to unveil comprehensive details in the upcoming weeks. Among the key areas of focus are program overviews, daily schedules, and logistical specifics tailored to the unique setting of the Broad Ford Elementary School. Let’s take a closer look at what awaits students at the Broad Ford Elementary 6th Grade Academy.

The academic framework at the Broad Ford Elementary 6th Grade Academy is designed to optimize learning outcomes and cater to the diverse needs of students. Here’s a glimpse into what students can expect.

One of the hallmark features of the academy is its departmentalized instructional model. Students will rotate between core English, Math, Science, and Social Studies classes, each taught by specialized teachers. This approach allows educators to delve deeper into their respective content areas and deliver targeted instruction.

Recognizing the importance of catering to individual learning styles and abilities, the academy offers varying academic levels, including honors, general, and merit tracks. This ensures that every student receives instruction tailored to their specific needs, fostering academic growth and success.

To provide additional support and address learning gaps, students will participate in a dedicated intervention block. This focused time allows educators to provide targeted assistance and remediation, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive academically.

Aligned with Maryland regulations, the curriculum encompasses all core subject areas, including English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, and Social Studies. Additionally, students will engage in a fine arts class and Physical Education/Health, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

The academy places a strong emphasis on student choice and enrichment. With eight blocks of time available, students are encouraged to explore a diverse range of elective courses, including Computer Science, Technology Education, General Music, Band, Chorus, Theatre, and Visual Art. Most electives will follow a quarterly rotation, allowing students to sample various subjects throughout the year.

Electives will follow an A day/B day rotation, providing students with the flexibility to pursue their interests while maintaining a balanced schedule. Whether participating in band rehearsals, honing their artistic skills, or exploring the world of technology, students have ample opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Bobcat Academy gives students immersive college experience

Frostburg State University will be hosting students from both Allegany and Garrett Counties in a Dual Enrollment Pilot program next fall.  The Bobcat Academy will give students an immersive college experience and an opportunity to earn college credits while completing their senior year of high school.  Dr. Kim Green-Kalbaugh, Chief Academic Officer for Allegany County, spoke about the academy at this month’s school board meeting. Garrett County schools will have open house events on May 19th and 30th for students and parents interested in the Bobcat Academy.

for more information Bobcat Academy gives students immersive college experience | WCBC (wcbcradio.com)

Garrett County school board accepts report

Cumberland Times News

OAKLAND — The Strategic Facilities Committee, established and appointed in March by the Garrett County Board of Education, detailed its final report during a public meeting Tuesday with recommendations to address enrollment, demographic data and the community’s concerns and preferences.

Some recommendations in the capital projects plan include the establishment of a joint working group composed of staff of the Board of Education and county government to further identify and coordinate the program; to add security in the form of five security vestibules that help improve control of the school environment by allowing administrators and staff to know who’s in the building at all times; to address disruptive behavior by building dedicated spaces for de-escalation that get students back in the classroom as soon as possible; to undertake projects identified by the superintendent and staff that are in need of upgrade or replacement; and to enclose open-space classrooms to reduce noise and distractions for students.

Funding for the capital program is estimated to cost $50.6 million over six years, an average of $8.4 million per year.

David Lever, facilitator of Education Facilities Planning LLC and a part of the facilities commission, provided a comparison using current replacement value.

The replacement value of county schools is approximately $232 million and the industry standard capital expenditure is 2%. When added with deferred maintenance, the total in comparison comes to $99 million, an average of $9.9 million per year.

To read the full article click here.

$100,000 grant coming to Garrett County

The Garrett County Republican

McHENRY — The Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area Maryland Heritage Area was notified that one of the Garrett County projects on the reserve list was awarded funding by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.

Garrett College Foundation was awarded a project grant for $100,000 for development of the Garrett College to Ag Hall Heritage Trail.

“In July, the Town of Oakland received funding for the Oakland Heritage Trail and the Chamber (of Commerce) was awarded a Heritage Area management grant totaling $129,631 so we were thrilled to receive additional funding from the reserve list this year,” said Kim Folk, heritage area & groups director for the chamber. “That brings the FY20 grand total of MHAA grant funding to $229,631 for the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area. These grants will allow the recipients to expand awareness of Garrett County’s historical and cultural heritage.”

The Ag Hall Heritage trail will provide locals and visitors a trail from Garrett College to the Agriculture Heritage Hall at the Fairgrounds, both located on Mosser Road. This trail will connect the two largest event venues in the county, as well as adding to the counties already growing and extensive trail system. Interpretive signage will be included along the route.

To read the full article click here.

Garrett Pride — Garrett County well-represented at robotics tournament

From The Garrett County Republican

McHENRY — GEARS Inc. and Garrett College co-hosted the 2019 Mountain Maryland FIRST Tech Challenge regional qualifier robotics competition Saturday at the Garrett College Community Aquatic and Recreation Complex gymnasium in McHenry.

G-FORCE, a community-based FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team sponsored by GEARS Inc. and 4-H, served as the host team for the event. Twenty teams represented Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to compete for one of five spots at the Maryland state competition. Of the 20 teams participating, seven teams were from Garrett County.

To read the full article click here.

County art teachers attend GCAC-hosted workshop with DC Pottery artist

From The Garrett County Republican

MCHENRY — Visual art teachers with the Garrett County Public Schools were able to be students for a day recently in a pottery and ceramics workshop led by Lorie Skidmore of Deep Creek Pottery. The day-long event was hosted by the Garrett County Arts Council earlier this month as part of its mission to help support local artists and art education, and to provide professional development events.

Nine teachers gathered at Deep Creek Pottery and were led by Skidmore through several pottery projects. Those taking part were Kristen Winebrenner, Melinda Bishoff, Ronni Digioia, Kelly Lasher, Bonnie Frederick, instructor Skidmore, Jay Paxton Alyssa Rodeheaver, Jennifer Wampler, and Melissa Pyle.

“The ceramics workshop was awesome!” said Rodeheaver. “We were all so thankful for the arts council sponsoring the workshop. I thought it was nice to have professional development that I could actually use in my art classes. This was the first time since college that I was able to practice art-making techniques I could take back to my classroom.”

To read the full article click here.

New listing! 511 E Street Mt Lake Park – GA8370729 – $129,900

Priced to sell! Incredibly private setting in Mountain Lake Park, tucked-in by a fully fenced lot + mature oak, pine trees & lots of shrubs & greenery. 5BR 2.5BA with nearly 3,000sf, this home offers plenty of space, an eat-in kitchen, sun room, library, multiple heat sources and lots of built-ins throughout. Central to area schools, playgrounds, and Broadford Lake. Much more here.
Listing Information
Property Type: Single Family-Detached
5 2 Full/1 Half
9,000 Sq. Ft. 2,820 (approx) 1945
3
MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK
Public
Public Sewer
School Information
CALL SCHOOL BOARD SOUTHERN MIDDLE SOUTHERN GARRETT HIGH
Room Information
Bathrooms
2 1
Sep Dining Rm, Eat-In Kitchen, Other
Interior Features
 Gas Heat, Wood, Stove, Hot Water
Improved, Other, Partial
 Ramp-Main Lvl, Other
Exterior / Lot Features
 Drvwy/Off Str
Brick, Vinyl
Asphalt Shingle
None
R
Renov/Remod
Driving Directions
From Hwy. 135, go past Southern Garrett Rescue Squad and turn left on D Street, immediately turn right on E Street and home will be on your right.
Financial Considerations
Fee Simple
1216010235
$2,357
2013

More here.

Bill would aid school districts with declining student numbers

Legislation requested by Allegany, Garrett boards of education

Matthew BieniekCumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — Bills aimed to help school districts in areas with declining student populations, like Garrett County, are being considered by the General Assembly.

The importance of the bills is that they would automatically provide funding rather than forcing local representatives to fight for special appropriations every year, said Del. Wendell Beitzel. In the past few years, districts with declining populations have been hit hard by the state’s school funding formula, contributing to school closures in Garrett County.

Beitzel has introduced House Bill 814 and Sen. George Edwards has introduced companion Senate Bill 534. A bill to help with the issue was requested by members of the Allegany and Garrett County boards of education at a December meeting with legislators before the General Assembly session began.

“The bill would not help Allegany County at this point, but would help Kent County, among others,” Beitzel said, assessing the statewide nature of the proposed legislation. Garrett County has lost about 18.5 percent of its budget in the last four years due in part to a loss of student enrollment, officials said.

For the last five years Garrett County will have the largest decrease in student enrollment, in terms of a percentage loss, across the state, Larry McKenzie, director of finance for the Garrett school system, said recently. Since 2009, the Garrett board has lost $4.5 million and is anticipating losing $1.5 million this year.

More here.

New state discipline guidelines could have big financial impact on Garrett County schools

From Staff Reports

Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — New student discipline regulations recently adopted by the Maryland State Board of Education may have a $200,000 to $250,000 impact on the Garrett County school system, according to Jim Morris, supervisor of Research, Evaluation and Information.

“At this point, we are just beginning to determine how our local jurisdiction will respond in order to comply with these new regulations and several questions remain to be answered and clarified,” said Morris. “Certainly GCPS (Garrett County Public Schools) will have to revise the discipline and associated policies to be compliant with the state board’s new discipline regulations.”

The regulations require local school systems to adopt policies that reduce all suspensions and expulsions of students; eliminate any disproportionate or discrepant expulsions or suspensions of students; and meet additional reporting and timeline requirements. Expulsions would only be permitted when a student poses an imminent threat of serious harm to other students or staff, according to Morris.

Extended suspension (longer than 10 days) would be permitted when a student has engaged in chronic or extreme disruptive behavior. The aforementioned discipline responses along with both short- and long-term suspensions will require that the school system provides both comparable educational services and behavioral support services as well as counseling during the period of the expulsion and/or suspension.

Currently 22 of 24 school systems within the state have alternative education sites that could provide these services but Garrett County doesn’t have one, according to Morris. The school system will likely be required to create alternative placement sites for students who require an alternative education program outside of their school.

More here.

Garrett school board looking to expand advocacy committee

Elaine BlaisdellCumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — The Garrett County Board of Education is looking for new members to join the Advocacy Committee, which will include high and middle school students.

“What I would like to do is find out the interest for those people who were originally appointed to the advisories, those who would like to stay on to do some planning on behalf of the school system,” said Superintendent Janet Wilson.

Those wishing to be on the committee will be required to fill out a new application because the scope of the group has changed since the board halted a plan to close three elementary  schools. The board was required to keep the schools open as one of the conditions of the county commissioners’ decision to give the board $2.2 million.

The Advocacy Committee has to have “a manageable number of members” with one from each school, according to Wilson. Board members will also be present at the Advocacy Committee meetings.

Paul Swanson of Facility Engineering Associates, who is the author of the facilities study, and Mike Gehr, of Bushey Feight Morin Architects Inc., met with the Advocacy Committee on Monday and answered 162 questions, about 90 of which pertained to the facilities study, according to William Swift, director of maintenance and operations with Garrett County Public Schools.

Board member Rodney Reckart discussed the renovation of Southern Middle School and said funding for it “has been nightmare” and that the state won’t pay for 20 percent of the construction costs. Reckart asked Gehr if it would be more cost effective to raze part of the building. Gehr said taking off square footage may not be in the best interest and indicated there were other options to explore.

In July, the commissioners voted to defer the $582,400 renovation for one year.

More here.

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301-501-0420
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