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September 22, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Education Ed Notes

Talbot County Public Schools Recognizes Advanced Placement Scholars

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The Board of Education recognized students who have achieved the status of Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar through their performance on AP exams during their September meeting.  AP exams are scored on a 5-point scale, with many colleges and universities granting credits for scores of 3, 4 or 5. A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam indicates that a student is considered “qualified” for college credit and capable of being successful in a college level introductory course in the particular content area.

There are 3 levels of AP Scholar, with definitions as follows:

AP Scholar with Distinction – Average score of 3.5 or higher; scores of3 or higher on five or more exams

AP Scholar with Honor – Average score of 3.25 or higher; scores of 3 or higher on four or more Exams

AP Scholar – Score of 3 or higher on three or more exams.

Dr. Helga Einhorn, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction shared performance trends in AP testing over the past seven years, in addition to data for the 2020-2021 school year.  A total of 359 students took at least one of the Advanced Placement tests given last year.  Of the 538 tests taken, 242 or 45% earned a qualifying score of 3 or above

“I would like to highlight an important aspect of our AP data this year,” said Dr. Helga Einhorn, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction during her presentation.“While we still have work to do in ensuring commensurate enrollment by race in our AP programs, we did see an increase overall in the number of students of color who enrolled and took AP exams last year. This is a result of our district racial equity focus over time as well as our partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools.  This will continue to be a priority to make sure we are fostering higher-level course opportunities for all students.”

“Given the immense challenges of last year, TCPS should be proud of the number of students who continued to challenge themselves to do higher level coursework and who were successful in earning qualifying scores on the Advanced Placement exams,” Dr. Einhorn concluded.

The following members of the Class of 2022 earned Advanced Placement Scholar Recognition:

AP Scholar with Distinction: Victoria Batley, David Beakley

AP Scholar with Honor: Calvin Davis, Rachel Davis, Harrison Fike, Desmond Fitzroy, Julia Fitzroy, Sophie Leight, Anna Lesher, Mariana Parkinson

AP Scholar: William Burgess, Riyanna Desai, Ahmed Ezzaki, David Gardner, Chiara Kalinski, Gregory Meredith, Emily Middleton, Liam Nuthall, James O’Connor, Madeline Principe, Spencer Rada, Ava Reid, Stevie Shaak, Zachary Spofford, Elaina Steinly

The following students are Talbot County Public Schools’ Advanced Placement Scholars for the Class of 2021:

AP Scholar with Distinction: Luke Adelman, Andre Davis, Elizabeth Harris, Giselle Harris, Matthew Herron, Molly Johnson, Carter Kelly, Kristin Lednum, Maxwell McCall, Naiset Perez, Catherine Toby

AP Scholar with Honor: Lillianna Ball, Jadon Cornish, Jane DeLashmutt, Logan Devaric, Van Arden Dukehart, Molly Fullerton, William Haufe, Madelyn LaBelle, Vladislav Rada, Cindy Rodriguez, Hannah Seek

AP Scholar: Karli Abbott, Owen Baum, Henry Booth, Thomas Brennan, Chloe Briner, Katherine Chapple, James DeLauder, Michael Disilvestro, Emily Dobson, Bradley Duley, Daniela Garcia, Julia Hammons, Bree Haufe, Julie Ireland, Nicolas Lopez, Andrew Matsche, Sarah Mooney, Madeline Morrell, Charles Mueller, Lukas Nilsen, Zoe Pochron, Reid Roach, Anna Roser, Raffaele Verteramo

Country School Students Take on the 40-Book Challenge

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The Upper School English team at The Country School has thrown down the gauntlet and made the 40-Book Challenge the goal this year for all of its 5th through 8th grade students.

With this challenge, students are encouraged to stretch themselves as readers, selecting from a variety of genres—both favorites and not-yet-favorites—to read a total of 40 books during the school year.

In all classes at The Country School, students have considered what kinds of books they already enjoy, and what genres, with more exposure, they might learn to appreciate more. They’ve set personal reading goals to be worked toward, along with a set of reading goals that will be incorporated into classroom instruction. For example, seventh graders later this year will research a person and then write a mystery podcast about them. This will mean students are reading several biographies in class so that multiple books in the biography genre are included in their 40-Book Challenge plan.

Sixth grader Sunny Chandler reads in her classroom.

“We can best serve our students if we can help them to see reading as not limited to English class, or even just for school, but as a life habit,” said Becky Amaral, 6th and 7th Grade English teacher.

Recognizing that reading is a significant predictor of success in life, reading for fun is built into the daily schedule for all Country School students. Summer book clubs are led not just by teachers, but by a corps of volunteers from all school departments who model for students what it means to be a lifelong reader. This message is consistent with that of parents who participate in their own book clubs show their children that reading is for everyone, and it’s for always.

“There is a range of texts that we are open to including in the challenge,” said Amaral. “Ultimately, the goal is to push our students to read, read, read. And along the way, we hope they find new worlds to explore and ideas that inspire.”

Talbot County Public Schools Recognizes Advanced Placement Scholars

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The Board of Education recognized students who have achieved the status of Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar through their performance on AP exams during their September meeting.  AP exams are scored on a 5-point scale, with many colleges and universities granting credits for scores of 3, 4 or 5. A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam indicates that a student is considered “qualified” for college credit and capable of being successful in a college level introductory course in the particular content area.

There are 3 levels of AP Scholar, with definitions as follows:

AP Scholar with Distinction – Average score of 3.5 or higher; scores of3 or higher on five or more exams

AP Scholar with Honor – Average score of 3.25 or higher; scores of 3 or higher on four or more Exams

AP Scholar – Score of 3 or higher on three or more exams.

Dr. Helga Einhorn, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction shared performance trends in AP testing over the past seven years, in addition to data for the 2020-2021 school year.  A total of 359 students took at least one of the Advanced Placement tests given last year.  Of the 538 tests taken, 242 or 45% earned a qualifying score of 3 or above

“I would like to highlight an important aspect of our AP data this year,” said Dr. Helga Einhorn, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction during her presentation.“While we still have work to do in ensuring commensurate enrollment by race in our AP programs, we did see an increase overall in the number of students of color who enrolled and took AP exams last year. This is a result of our district racial equity focus over time as well as our partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools.  This will continue to be a priority to make sure we are fostering higher-level course opportunities for all students.”

“Given the immense challenges of last year, TCPS should be proud of the number of students who continued to challenge themselves to do higher level coursework and who were successful in earning qualifying scores on the Advanced Placement exams,” Dr. Einhorn concluded.

The following members of the Class of 2022 earned Advanced Placement Scholar Recognition:

AP Scholar with Distinction: Victoria Batley, David Beakley

AP Scholar with Honor: Calvin Davis, Rachel Davis, Harrison Fike, Desmond Fitzroy, Julia Fitzroy, Sophie Leight, Anna Lesher, Mariana Parkinson

AP Scholar: William Burgess, Riyanna Desai, Ahmed Ezzaki, David Gardner, Chiara Kalinski, Gregory Meredith, Emily Middleton, Liam Nuthall, James O’Connor, Madeline Principe, Spencer Rada, Ava Reid, Stevie Shaak, Zachary Spofford, Elaina Steinly

The following students are Talbot County Public Schools’ Advanced Placement Scholars for the Class of 2021:

AP Scholar with Distinction: Luke Adelman, Andre Davis, Elizabeth Harris, Giselle Harris, Matthew Herron, Molly Johnson, Carter Kelly, Kristin Lednum, Maxwell McCall, Naiset Perez, Catherine Toby

AP Scholar with Honor: Lillianna Ball, Jadon Cornish, Jane DeLashmutt, Logan Devaric, Van Arden Dukehart, Molly Fullerton, William Haufe, Madelyn LaBelle, Vladislav Rada, Cindy Rodriguez, Hannah Seek

AP Scholar:  Karli Abbott, Owen Baum, Henry Booth, Thomas Brennan, Chloe Briner, Katherine Chapple, James DeLauder, Michael Disilvestro, Emily Dobson, Bradley Duley, Daniela Garcia, Julia Hammons, Bree Haufe, Julie Ireland, Nicolas Lopez, Andrew Matsche, Sarah Mooney, Madeline Morrell, Charles Mueller, Lukas Nilsen, Zoe Pochron, Reid Roach, Anna Roser, Raffaele Verteramo

TSPCS Appoints Student Representatives to Board of Education

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Easton High School Senior Joel Duah and St. Michaels High School Senior Macy Motovidlakwill represent their schools as members of the Talbot County Board of Education for the 2021-2022 school year.  The students were chosen following an application and interview process, and were officially sworn in during the September Board Meeting.

“We are so thrilled to have our new student Board members join us,” said Board of Education President Susan Delean-Botkin.  “They provide the Board an intimate look at the daily life of our high school students, and provide input on student concerns and successes.”

St. Michaels Middle High School Senior Macy Motovidlak has been appointed to represent her school as a Student Board of Education member for the 2021-2022 school year.

Macy Motovidlak has demonstrated leadership in the classroom at St. Michaels Middle High and through her extra-curricular activities.  She has been active in the Student Government Association, currently serving as President, and is a member of the Students Helping Other People (SHOP) Interact club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Biomedical Engineering Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Macy has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, and has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll. She is also active in athletics, earning recognition as MVP of the Varsity Field Hockey team as well as playing Varsity Basketball.

Macy expects to earn an Associate of Arts degree in Allied Health Studies from Chesapeake College in May of 2022 in addition to her high school diploma.  Her long term goal is to become an Emergency Room Physician.

“I am honored to be able to represent St.Michaels as a whole; the student body, athletes, and the community, and help to make a positive impact on education.”

Senior Joel Duah will represent Easton High School as a Student Board of Education member for the 2021-2022 school year.

After graduation from Easton High School, Joel Duah plans to attend college and also hopes to pursue a career in the medical field. Joel is a high achiever in both academics and athletics.  He holds a 4.0 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society, has been on the Honor Roll throughout high school, and is a Carson Scholar.  He is President of Brothers Entering Success Together (BEST) and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Joel is also a member of the Varsity Football team and the Indoor and Outdoor Track teams.

“I want to thank the staff of Easton High School, the Board, and Dr. Griffith for this opportunity,” Joel said.“I feel honored to be granted this opportunity, for now we have the potential to work together to serve everyone in the county.”

Record Enrollment at Gunston Prompts Expansive Facilities Master Plan

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In June 2021, The Gunston School’s Board of Trustees approved a Facilities Master Plan that aims to expand the school’s current facilities and programming to accommodate robust enrollment growth. The plan includes a STEM Center and Environmental Field Station to support the school’s dynamic science, math, robotics, and environmental programming, as well as a new Athletics Center and Performing Arts Center. Additional upgrades include expanded and upgraded athletic fields, the development of a central campus promenade, as well as parking improvements.

“Our trustees have approved a plan that is equally ambitious and creative,” shared Head of School, John Lewis, “and the plan aims to align the school’s facilities with our needs and strengths, as well as our robust enrollment growth, which has grown nearly 80% since 2010. Our hope is to create one of the premier independent school campuses on the East Coast, anchored by our 35-acres of waterfront property.”

Photo: The Gunston School in Centreville, Md. has announced a facilities master plan that aims to expand the school’s current facilities and programming to include a STEM Center & Environmental Field Station to support the school’s dynamic science, math, robotics, and environmental programming, as well as construct a new Athletics Center and Performing Arts Center. Additional upgrades will include expanded and upgraded athletic fields, the development of a central campus promenade, as well as parking improvements. 

Led by the highly regarded architect Al Rubeling of JMT, the master planning process involved collaboration with every constituent group in the Gunston community — employees, parents, students, alumni, and community partners through surveys, focus groups, and thinking/visioning exercises.

“Al Rubeling led our previous master planning process with great success, and he coordinated a very intensive and inclusive process,” shared Board Chair, Patrick Shoemaker ’03. “Our goal was to create an updated Facilities Master Plan that resonates and transforms as powerfully as the one Gunston completed in 2011.” The 2011 plan resulted in a nearly $6 million renovation and enhancement of the school’s academic classrooms as well as the addition of both Fine Arts and Waterfront Athletic Centers.

In recent years, Gunston acquired an additional 3-acre parcel of adjacent waterfront property, which will anchor the new STEM Center and Environmental Field Station. The plan also reflects the school’s twin strategic goals of significantly enhancing its offerings in Athletics and the Performing Arts. These facilities will serve both Gunston students, as well as the hundreds of children who attend the Horizons and YMCA summer programs hosted on the school’s campus.

Longtime admissions director David Henry shared, “While we currently have an extraordinary campus, talented students, and a deeply committed faculty, our enrollment growth has created some mismatches between the scope of our facilities and the scope of our programs. Simply put, our STEM, Athletics, and Performing Arts programs are outgrowing their current homes.”

Lewis concludes, “Like our previous campus master plan that emphasized classrooms and common spaces with abundant natural light, this updated version aims to take full advantage of our campus setting. Since the times of Plato, it has been well understood that the physical environment is essential to inspiring student learning. At Gunston, we’re continually working to create optimal campus spaces for the educational experience.”

Gunston currently enrolls 235 students from six Maryland counties and Delaware, and 11 international students from Germany, South Korea, China, and Spain. In 2021-2022, the school’s trustees and leadership team will be conducting a feasibility study with CCS Fundraising to determine next steps for bringing the campus master plan to reality.

Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

Easton Airport Announces ACE Program Sponsorship and Scholarship Program

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Easton Airport’s Aviation Career Education (ACE) Committee is excited to announce the return of the “ACE Tent” to Easton Airport Day on September 25. The tent will house a variety of aviation flight schools, trainers, and pilots. Their goal will be to engage students and help them explore career pathways in aviation.

The ACE Tent was first introduced to Easton Airport Day in 2019. Students enjoyed the opportunity to learn about aviation from industry experts. The tent also served as the hub for event information, raffles, and Easton Airport Day merchandise.

This year, Sundance Kitchen, Bath & Exteriors is sponsoring the ACE Tent and ACE Scholarship Program. Their support makes it possible for the committee to launch a brand new initiative called the ACE Passport in 2022.

“It’s my goal to get more of our kids interested in aviation,” Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher said. “Our new ACE Passport will provide a self-paced program that will introduce students to aviation career possibilities that exist right here at home and within the region. Sundance’s sponsorship of the ACE Tent and new Passport program helps us to inspire more of our youth towards careers in aviation.”

The ACE Passport will task students with visiting the airport to learn about the variety of aviation businesses on campus. They will attend engaging aviation workshops, participate in airport tours, and other events at the airport. Students will capture their experiences through the passport, helping them track their progress and encouraging them to complete the program.

Students that participate will submit their completed passport with an essay about what they have learned through the program. The goal is to have students be rewarded for their efforts by having their first powered flight experience funded through an ACE scholarship.

“Sundance has helped provide the ACE Committee a wonderful opportunity to get kids excited about aviation,” Easton Airport Marketing & Events Coordinator Jeff Lankford said. “The ACE Tent will be the education hub of Easton Airport Day and the ACE Passport is shaping up to be a fun way for students to stay engaged with the airport throughout the year.”

For more information about the ACE Program, visit www.eastonairport.com/ace and follow Easton Airport on Facebook @EastonAirport for news and updates. A full schedule of activities for Easton Airport Day, sponsored by Scott & Tracy Wagner, can be found at www.eastonairportday.com.

Aviation Career Education (ACE) Program: ACE is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. The ACE committee organizes programs that promote interest in aviation careers by teaching safe operating principles, using leading edge technology, and committing to the future of aviation in Talbot County.

About Sundance Kitchen, Bath & Exteriors: We are a local home improvement company that has proudly served residents in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania since 2004.  The care and precision we take in providing and professionally installing our extensive selection of high quality products ensures that our customers receive the best quality products the industry has to offer.

Mother Earth: The Ultimate in Recycling with Douglas R. Levin, Ph.D.

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Douglas R. Levin, Ph.D.

The earth is 4.6 billion years old, yet the oldest ocean crust is on the order of 200 million years. This suggests that we are, roughly, on the 22nd iteration of the oceans on our planet. In this presentation, we will show how this happens continuously and what it means for the history of the world in a geologic sense as well as what it means to societies the world over.  For example, if you are wondering what plate tectonics might have to do with our everyday lives, the answer will become clear as we explore how it is that we are able to communicate globally over the Internet without the aid of satellites. To put the idea of earth’s ability to “recycle itself” into a larger perspective, we will imagine compressing the history of the earth into one year such that our recorded history would be compacted into the last few seconds before the culmination of that year of years just prior to the stroke of midnight. Choose between ZOOM class or RECORDEDSingle Session, Thursday Sept 30, from 10 to 11:30 am $10.

Doug Levin, PhD, has over 40 years of experience mapping globally dispersed seafloors with a myriad of technologies. His project experience spans oil seep detection off Cartagena, SA, Lease Block Hazard Surveys, pipeline and fiber optic cable route selections in the Gulf of Mexico, the Aleutian Islands and the Mediterranean, shipwreck imaging in Thunder Bay, Cortez’s treasure in Veracruz, and searching for evidence of Noah’s deluge in the Black Sea.To register for this class or to find the list of Fall classes visit the website at: Chesapeake Forum – Lifelong Learning, Classes.

Birds Ecology and Conservation Landscape with Wayne Bell, Ph.D. in Collaboration with Pickering Creek Audubon Center

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Wayne Bell, Ph.D.

Dr. Bell invites you to look at our local birds through an ecological lens. Class sessions will introduce the concept of ecological succession to examine how the history of land use on the Chesapeake Bay watershed from pre-colonial days to the present has influenced the region’s bird species diversity. Field trips to three local destinations will provide “binoculars-on” opportunities for species identification while gaining first-hand experience with ecological principles that inform and challenge approaches to habitat conservation. After registering, you will receive more information about the topics covered in the field trips.

Our collective goal is twofold: to gain personal confidence in identifying local bird species in our own backyard and understand how the local working landscape contributes to the Eastern Shore’s bird biodiversity. Persons of any birding skill are welcome. We will all do our best to make you a better, and more informed, birder! Enrollment is limited. Field Trips are for Zoom class participants only. Field Trip times may change. Choose between ZOOM classes (with field trips) or RECORDED 3 Class Sessions: Thursdays Sept. 23, Oct 14, Nov. 18 from 2:30-4:00 pm, 6 Field Trips: Mondays Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Oct. 25, Sundays Nov. 21, 28 from 8 am-3 pm $30.

Wayne Bell is Senior Associate and former Director of the Washington College Center for Environment and Society. A native of Silver Spring, MD and a marine microbiologist by training, he graduated from the University of Miami, Florida, and earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University where E.O. Wilson infected him with a lasting love of all things ecological. Retired since 2006, Dr. Bell continues his passion for birds and teaching through the Talbot County Bird Club, the Youth Program of the Maryland Ornithological Society (YMOS) and, of course, the wonderful Chesapeake Forum. To register for this class or to find the list of Fall classes visit the website at: Chesapeake Forum – Lifelong Learning, Classes.

Embarkation Ceremony Welcomes 87 Students and Faculty to Gunston

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The Gunston School commenced its 111th year (and 25th anniversary of becoming a day school) on Friday, September 10, with the annual Embarkation tradition, welcoming a total of 74 new students and 13 new staff and faculty to the community by boat. After exchanging a fist bump with the Head of School, newcomers signed the school’s Honor Code, and made their way up the hill to greet fellow students and current staff and faculty. The 2021-2022 cohort included the largest 9th grade class in school history with 62 students, nine 10th graders, three 11th graders, and 13 new faculty and staff members. Parents and family members were invited to watch from the shoreline as students arrived. The event, originally scheduled for September 1, was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

The Gunston School’s annual Embarkation ceremony welcomed 74 new students and 13 new faculty and staff for the 2021-2022 year, marking a record enrollment for the school’s 111th year and its 25th year as a day school. Photo by MYH Photography.

Two weeks prior, during the last full week in August, Gunston hosted several orientations and leadership retreats for students as well as faculty and staff. “After a hiatus in 2020, we were thrilled to be able to offer our usual 9th Grade Orientation at Camp Pecometh,” said Head of School John Lewis. The two-day retreat welcomed 60 students, where they spent the day and evening getting to know each other while participating in various outdoor challenges and team building activities offered by the Camp Pecometh Challenge Course Program. After a picnic dinner with current Gunston student leaders, 9th graders were able to play games and relax before heading back to individual tents to sleep. Following breakfast the next morning, 9th graders returned to Gunston’s campus for the continuation of their retreat program with sessions focused on environmental, global, and digital citizenship.

Ms. Emily Beck (standing) and new students and faculty wave goodbye to the camera as they set off on the Corsica River to Gunston. Photo by MYH Photography.

Running simultaneously, Gunston’s 6th Annual Leadership Institute invited student leaders from various clubs, student government, and athletics to gather and learn about leadership practices, set goals for the year, and to help facilitate activities for 9th graders.

“Coming into my first year as a new student and also new to the area, I remember walking into the retreat and I actually didn’t know a single soul,” recalled Senior Class President Lucy Bamford ’22. “I wish I could go back and tell myself ‘listen, everything you’re worried about and everything you’re scared about right now — you have nothing to be afraid of.’ When it comes to that sense of belonging (and I think that’s something that we all fear we won’t find), […] what I’ve learned is that Gunston helps you find that sense of belonging and helps you find those people who make you feel like you belong.”

Founded in 1911 and currently enrolling 235 students, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

Stroke & Aphasia Recovery with Thomas G. Broussard, Jr., Ph.D.

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Thomas G. Broussard, Jr., Ph.D.

Second Chance at Second Nature:  In his first session, Dr. Broussard will share his stroke experience from the perspective of a stroke survivor. Although he couldn’t write, he managed to keep what turned out to be a 500-page diary using graphs, charts and metaphorical drawings with text that didn’t make much sense. He will discuss the concept of neuroplasticity and how it related to his recovery. He will also review a variety of learning activities (diary, voice recordings, and taking pictures) that he had developed before he knew that they were also highly therapeutic. Dr. Broussard will also detail the differences in deficits among and between different modalities including reading, writing, speaking and awareness.

Metaphors Help Us Mend and Learn:  Dr. Broussard will explain in his second session how metaphors provide a powerful linguistic tool that repairs the language function of the people with aphasia as well as educating the wider public about aphasia, recovery, and plasticity. Metaphor’s exercise brainpower by creating more cognitive stimuli (thought and cognitive activities) to generate new learning and provide the resultant neurological effects (and feeling the effects) of working through the problem. Choose between ZOOM classes or RECORDED

2 Sessions Tuesdays Sept 21 & 28 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. THIS CLASS IS OFFERED AT NO CHARGE AS A PUBLIC SERVICE.

Thomas G. Broussard is an awarded author, public speaker, and three-time stroke survivor.  He is a 1973 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, naval officer, naval shipbuilder, and a business owner in career development and training. He received his Ph.D. at The Heller School at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA and focused his work on supporting people with disabilities and employment. Dr. Broussard started his company, Stroke Educator, Inc. in 2015 and has published four books about stroke, aphasia, recovery, and plasticity: the foundation of all learning. He is conducting a national “Aim High for Aphasia” awareness campaign dedicated to educating people about aphasia, a language disorder, typically from a stroke. About 180,000 people acquire the disorder each year, yet most people have never heard of it. To register for this class or to find the list of Fall classes visit the website at: Chesapeake Forum – Lifelong Learning, Classes.