BOE denounces health ed. bill

Continued from Page 43 explain that the only reason it didn’t cosign the letter from the county commissioners opposing the bill is that the letter was drafted and sent before the board had a chance to meet.

School board member Jon Andes said that the board’s decision is in line with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) belief that curriculums should be set by local school boards.

“We have been working through

(MABE) to oppose HB119 for all the many reasons that were said today,” Andres said. “We need as much flexibility as we possibly can implement the curriculum that makes sense for our students. What might work in Howard County or Baltimore County or Baltimore City may not work in Worcester County in delivering instruction.”

HB119 has yet to cross chambers and is awaiting its second reading, as is its twin bill SB0199.

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer

(March 3, 2023) The Worcester County Public Schools Board of Education discussed the following during its Feb. 21 meeting:

Calendar

The board officially adopted the 2023-24 school system calendar. The first day of school is Sept. 4, the Monday after Labor Day, and the last day is scheduled to be Wednesday, June 12.

Christmas break will start with an early dismissal on Thursday, Dec. 21 and students will come back on Jan. 3.

Spring break will begin with an early dismissal on Wednesday, March 27 and students will return on Tuesday, April 2. The schedule accommodates three makeup days if inclement weather or other emergencies necessitate.

According to the proposal from Superintendent Lou Taylor, the school system will not close beyond the three makeup days and will instead transition to virtual learning for any additional days needed.

There are 10 standalone holidays throughout the school year where schools are closed overall or for students only, including Friday, Oct. 20 for the Maryland State Education Association convention in Ocean City and Tuesday, April 23 for the Presidential Primary.

Behavior intervention

Ocean City Elementary School gave a presentation on its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program and how it has enhanced the student experience at the school.

The program included using the word “values” over “rules” that reflect the school’s four points that are vital to its culture — respecting oneself, respecting others, respecting learning and respecting the environment. Each value has a corresponding guideline for conduct at arrival and dismissal, hallways and transitions, bathrooms and the cafeteria.

The program adds mindful moments and a value matrix to the old code of conduct. Value matrices rank

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