March is National Nutrition Month!

National Nutrition Month is an annual nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign, celebrated each year during the month of March, focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

Key Messages:

1. Discover the benefits of a healthy eating style.
2. Choose foods and drinks that are good for your health.
3. Include a variety of healthful foods from all of the food groups on a regular basis.
4. Select healthier options when eating away from home.
5. Be mindful of portion sizes. Eat and drink the amount that's right for you, as MyPlate encourages us to do.
6. Keep it simple. Eating right doesn't have to be complicated.
7. Make food safety part of your everyday routine.
8. Help to reduce food waste by considering the foods you have on hand before buying more at the store.
9. Find activities that you enjoy and be physically active most days of the week.
10. Consult the nutrition experts. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists can provide sound, easy-to-follow personalized nutrition advice to meet your lifestyle, preferences and health-related needs.

MSDE proudly celebrates National Nutrition Month through placing the spotlight on our Summer Meals and Afterschool Meals Programs! Have a program you'd like to highlight? Tell us about it! Use #MDAfterSchoolMeals or #SummerMealsMD in your posts on social media or tag @MdPublicSchools ! 

CTE: Empowering the Workforce of the Future At Hancock High in Washington County, senior Cara Trembly enjoys the CASE program. CASE stands for the Curriculum for Agriculture Science Education, and in it, Cara has found her field of study. For the full story,follow this link.

State Board Actions

January 22, 2019 

The following actions were taken at the February 26, 2019 State Board of Education meeting:

• Recognized Brian Quinn, a 4^th grade math teacher at East Silver Spring Elementary School in Montgomery County, as Maryland’s 2018-2019 Milken National Educator.
• Consensus for the Department to move forward with finalizing draft regulatory language for future in-state pathways to obtain an educator certificate in Maryland. This language is aligned to the MSDE’s comprehensive plan to increase the rigor and accountability of educator certification and teacher preparation programs in Maryland.
• Agreed to further amend regulations under Code of Maryland Regulations 13A.04.07 Gifted and Talented Education based on comments received during the public comment period. The additional amendments will be published again for public comment. 
• Approved Garrett County Public Schools’ conditional waiver to open school on April 22^nd as a snow make-up day, if needed, for the 2018-2019 school year.
• Approved Allegany County Public Schools’ waiver to open school on April 22^nd as a snow make-up day for the 2018-2019 school year.

The following Opinions and Orders were rendered: 

• Frederick Classical Charter School, Inc. v. Frederick County Board of Education – request for reconsideration – Opinion No. 19-08
• Latin Schools of America, LLC v. Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners – request for reconsideration – Opinion No. 19-09
• Samuel R. v. Anne Arundel County Board of Education – grade promotion – Opinion No. 19-10

Meeting materials, Opinions, and Orders can be found HERE.

• March is National Nutrition Month!
• State Board Actions

Maddie, Baltimore County, describes the creative process behind her artwork to State Superintendent Salmon during Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan's Spring Art Display. Wonderful work, Maddie.

BOOST Scholarship Program Accepting Applications for 2019-20 School Year

Financial Aid Program to Attend Nonpublic Schools Now in Fourth Year

MSDE has announced the official opening of the application process for a scholarship program designed to help income eligible students attend nonpublic schools.

The Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Program, entering its fourth year, will provide scholarships for students who are eligible for the free- or reduced-price lunch program. The BOOST program was the result of a bipartisan compromise during the 2016 session of the Maryland General Assembly, and received widespread support from legislators in both parties.

The BOOST program is available for students either already attending or hoping to attend a nonpublic participating school.  Students must be enrolled in – or have applied to – a potential participating school before completing the BOOST application.

Continue Reading.

State Agency Town Halls to Focus on Early Childhood Development

MSDE, Department of Health and Department of Human Services Seek Public Input

MSDE, Maryland Department of Health (MDH), and the Maryland Department of Human Services (MSDH), in partnership with Ready At Five, will hold a series of regional town hall meetings on the State’s early care and education system.

MSDE was recently awarded a Preschool Development Birth through Five (PDG B-5) Grant, a $10.6 million federal grant that will help states conduct a comprehensive statewide birth through five needs assessment followed by in-depth strategic planning. 

As part of the PDG B-5, nine regional town hall meetings will take place between March 26 and May 17, 2019, with both morning and evening sessions offered to accommodate various schedules and needs. Continental breakfast will be provided at morning sessions and a light dinner will be served at evening sessions.

For a full list of meetings, follow this link.