Northwestern Students Take Part in Walter Reed Science Program

Twice a week, staff from the army institute offer hands-on research opportunities.

22nd District Lawmakers Offer Legislative Scholarships

Deadlines for the senatorial and delegate programs are coming up in April.

Residents of the 22nd legislative district who plan to attend a Maryland college or university next year are encouraged to apply for one of several scholarships made available through their state lawmakers. The 22nd district covers Riverdale Park, University Park, and several other nearby communities. Sen. Paul Pinksy and its three delegates are all offering scholarships for the 2012-13 academic year. To qualify, students must enroll at a two- or four-year Maryland college or university as a full- or part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student (or attend certain private career schools). An out-of-state exception may be granted if a particular major is not available at a Maryland school. Delegate scholarships range from $200…

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Poll: Are Kindergartener Suspensions Helpful or Hurtful?

Patch asks if is school suspension an effective discipline tool for the county's youngest students.

Dozens of the area's littlest learners were sent home from school early or outright suspended for misbehavior last year, reported The Washington Post. According to The Washington Post, more than 2,000 students were suspended from Prince George's County public elementary schools, including 94 children enrolled in kindergarten or pre-kindergarten. A. Duane Arbogast, chief academic officer for Prince George's County schools, said that the 94 students represent about 1 percent of the students enrolled, and that he does not find such a small number surprising. Some parents and critics question the effectiveness of suspending children at such a young age, with studies showing that the suspensions do not improve behavior. Such behavior can …

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DREAM Act Could Be Major Focus of 2012 Maryland Elections

Advocates and opponents of in-state tuition bill gearing up for November.

While Barack Obama and his Republican opponent will capture national headlines this November, Maryland voters will turn their attention to in-state policy disputes, like 2011's In-State Tuition Bill, also known as the DREAM Act. "The idea is that, while you're waiting for citizenship, you can be preparing yourself to contribute to the future of Maryland," said Sen. Victor Ramirez, D-Prince George's, who coauthored the in-state tuition bill in 2011. By the end of April, groups like Educating Maryland Kids and Help Save Maryland will be canvassing neighborhoods, calling homes and distributing pamphlets in an attempt to sway voters on a referendum vote for the controversial bill. Presidential candidates will of course be on the ballot in …

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O'Malley Rolls Out Gas Tax, Highlights Tough Choices

Republicans say governor's tax proposals will hurt the working families he wants to help.

Gov. Martin O'Malley called for legislators to pass a sales tax on gasoline saying the decision would be unpopular but much needed. The governor made his comments during his sixth State of the State speech in which he focused on jobs, taxes and what he called tough choices. "Asking our fellow citizens to do more will not be popular," said O'Malley. "But without anger, fear or meanness, let’s ask one another: how much less education do we think would be good for our children’s future?  How much less education do we want?  How much less public safety?  How many fewer jobs?  There are costs, and there are values." Republicans in the House and Senate criticized O'Malley for policies they said will hurt the same middle class working families …

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3:16 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012

There is little to defend of this Governor's latest attempt to increase his traditional "tax and spend ways," as well as promote his own social agenda items in lieu of his strong desire to secure the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2016. O'Malley and his supporters are on track to make former Governor Spendening look like a fiscal conservative and Moral Majority leader.   more ›

Hite Seeks Year-Round Schooling

Prince George’s County Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. wants year-round calendars to turn around underperforming schools.

Cable Laid in Riverdale Park for Statewide Broadband Network

The project is designed to create a high-speed link between schools, libraries, and other public facilities.

High-speed Internet may become a bit more accessible in Riverdale Park soon thanks to the One Maryland Broadband Network. Workers began laying new cable in town last week as part of the initiative, beginning on Queensbury Road between Town Hall and the Riverdale Fire Department. Backed by a $115 million federal stimulus grant, OMBN is designed to create a high-bandwidth link between more than 1,000 "anchor" institutions—including schools, libraries, and public safety agencies—across Maryland.  The project will also use community partnerships to help local Internet providers bridge the last mile and offer broadband service to under-served communities. Plans to lay the cable in Riverdale Park have been in place for several months, according …

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Hite, Baker Fight Mock Fire to Mark New Training Program

The High School Fire Science Program will offer college-level classes that students can apply toward national certification.

Prince George's County Public Schools and the Prince George's County Fire and EMS Department reached an agreement Friday that will allow district high schoolers to begin training as first responders. Starting in the fall, the High School Fire Science Program will offer college-level classes that students can apply toward national certification as firefighters and emergency medical personnel. "We are equipping our students with the necessary tools to succeed while helping the county to meet future public safety workforce needs," Superintendent William R. Hite, Jr. said in a statement. To mark the memorandum of understanding between the two departments, Hite and County Executive Rushern Baker were invited to fight a mock fire at the county's…

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