Author: eastbaltco

Eastern Tech Named One of Best Schools by Newsweek


Eastern Technical High School and has been named among the nation’s 500 best high schools for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) by Newsweek magazine and STEM.org.

Eastern Tech was ranked 240. Towson High School was ranked in the top 500 best high schools at 310.

Six other BCPS high schools appeared on Newsweek’s longer Top 5000 STEM High Schools list. Those schools are: Dulaney (1309), Hereford (1717), Western Tech (2559), George Washington Carver Center (2649), Catonsville (3112) and Pikesville (4243).

The rankings were based on qualitative and quantitative data collected from 2015 – 2019 along with additional considerations such as median household income.

Perry Hall Girls Soccer Back in State Title Game


Perry Hall Girls Soccer is one win away from another 4A State Title after defeating Montgomery Blair 1-0 at Gaithersburg High School on Saturday night.

According to the team’s Twitter page, Gator sophomore Kyleigh Gough scored the only goal in the win. Goalkeeper Brenna Ellenberger finished off the shutout with help from her defenders Mackenzie Click, Aya Neal, Caroline Rosenthal and Caroline Warns.

The Gators will play Severna Park next weekend at Loyola University. The day and time will be announced soon.

Severna Park got to the finals after they defeated Winston Churchill High School in their state semifinal game 2-0

Perry Hall defeated Walt Whitman High School out of Montgomery County 4-2 in the 2018 4A title game to win their first state title.

Parkville’s Defense Destroys Wheaton 49-0 in Playoff Win


The Parkville Knights forced six turnovers and turn them into six touchdowns to pound Wheaton 49-0 to kick off the 4A playoffs. The game was played Friday night at Perry Hall High School.

After the Knight’s offense failed to score on their first drive, the defense took over. An interception by Jah’kem Allen and a fumble recovery by Da’Vaghn Curbeam set up a short field for the offense. The Knights turned those turnovers into touchdowns to grab a 14-0 lead.

Wheaton’s offense was able to move the ball onto the Parkville side of the field for the second time in the game but Parkville’s Desmond Stuks put the game away with a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown to make it 21-0. The only other time Wheaton got the ball into Parkville territory was after a Knight muffed punt on Wheaton’s opening drive but that drive ended with a sack by Parkville linebacker Desmond Walker.

Parkville defenders forced five interceptions and one fumble in the shutout win.

Parkville scored a touchdown after every turnover. It appeared that the Knights were going to end the first half after a Curbeam interception at their own 44-yard line with 35 seconds. But Curbeam then broke off a 46-yard run to the Wheaton 6-yard line. Curbeam had two turnovers on defense, 80 yards rushing on the evening and scored one touchdown.

Curbeam’s big run set up a score when Noah Hambrick ran in his second touchdown on the last play before halftime to extend the lead to 28-0.

Noah Hambrick scores a touchdown right before the half.
Hambrick had over 100 yards total offense as he had 73 yards on the ground and caught the only pass of the game from Parkville quarterback Kevin Smith III for 27 yards.

Smith and the offense kept the running game going as the team rushed for 338 yards. Smith had 72 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns in the second half. Running back Arriq Redd had 57 yards on five carries and running back Raymond Wood added 56 yards with a rushing touchdown.

The only time Parkville did not score a touchdown off a turnover is after the second half kickoff, which started in Wheaton territory after a return by Hambrick.

Parkville is the number one seed in this region and Wheaton was seeded eight. The Knight improves to 10-0 on the season and will be back at Perry Hall next Friday to play fourth seeded Einstein who defeated fifth seeded Blair 25-21.

Parkville, Eastern Tech, Overlea & Kenwood Start Football Playoffs Tonight


The MPSSAA football playoffs start on Friday. Four local teams made the playoffs.

4A
No. 8 Wheaton (3-6, 3.00) at No. 1 Parkville (9-0, 10.67), Nov. 8, 7 p.m., at Perry Hall
No. 7 Dulaney (5-4, 5.00) at No. 2 Paint Branch (8-1, 10.22), Nov. 8, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Catonsville (5-4, 5.22) at No. 3 Sherwood (7-2, 8.44), Nov. 8, 7 p.m.
No. 5 Blair (5-4, 5.67) at No. 4 Einstein (6-3, 6.56), Nov. 8, 7 p.m.

The Knights had a perfect season and will open “at home” against Wheaton from Montgomery County. Their “home game” will be played at Perry Hall High School Friday next at 7 p.m. since Parkville does not have lights at their home field.

3A
No. 8 Kenwood (4-5, 4.44) at No. 1 Mervo (9-0, 10.23), Nov. 8, 6pm
No. 7 Edgewood (5-4, 5.00) at No. 2 Franklin (7-2, 8.92), Nov. 8, 7pm
No. 6 C.M. Wright (5-4, 5.00) at No. 3 Dundalk (6-3, 7.11), Nov. 8, 7pm
No. 5 City College (5-4, 5.44) at No. 4 Towson (5-4, 6.00), Nov. 9, 1pm

After getting off to a 3-1 start, Kenwood lost four of its last five. The Bluebirds were still able to clinch the last playoff spot and play at Baltimore City power Mervo Friday at 6 p.m.

2A
No. 8 Digital Harbor (3-6, 2.92) at No. 1 Milford Mill (8-1, 9.00), Nov. 8, 6pm
No. 7 Eastern Tech (4-5, 3.67) at No. 2 New Town (6-3, 6.67), Nov. 8, 7pm, at Woodlawn
No. 6 Patterson (5-4, 4.24) at No. 3 Hereford (6-3, 6.11), Nov. 8, 6pm
No. 5 Overlea (5-4, 4.78) at No. 4 Owings Mills (6-3, 5.67), Nov. 8, 6pm

Two local teams made the playoffs in 2A.

Overlea grabbed the 5th seed and will open up at Owings Mills Friday, 6 p.m. The Falcons lost to Owings Mills 20-12 back in September.

Eastern Tech claimed the seventh seed and will play in a rematch against New Town starting at 6 pm. at Woodlawn High field. This is a rematch from last weekend when New Town won 21-0.

County Police Department Mourns Sudden Death of Police K9 Axe


It is with a heavy heart that the Baltimore County Police Department announces the passing of an active duty member of our department and K9 Unit, K9 Axe #3256. Axe passed away last night from a sudden illness.

Axe has been a member of the department and a family member of his handler since April of 2014. He specialized in explosives and firearm detection and in July passed his National Odor Recognition Testing (NORT). Axe will be missed by his family and coworkers alike, remembered as an asset to our department, a cuddle buddy to his family, and an avid dock diver. We thank you for your service, Axe.

Appointment Date: 4-1-2014, EOW: 11-6-2019

Rosedale Center to host Chopped Challenge


The Rosedale Center’s student council organization will host a Chopped Challenge this Friday, Nov. 8 from 9 to 10:10 a.m. at the Rosedale Center, 7090 Golden Ring Road, Suite 103.

Students will be given a list of ingredients and must work together to make the best dish. The list of ingredients is highly confidential, but each group will be given a protein, vegetable, fruit, grain, and a special ingredient. The dishes will be judged by an assistant principal, cafeteria staff and Jay Rohlfing, executive chef of Cunningham’s and a 2019 Chopped Champion.

Each quarter, the student council hosts one team activity to bring students and staff together.

Rosedale is an alternative education center serving middle and high school students from the central, northeast, and southeast areas of Baltimore County. Rosedale offers specialized education, small learning environments, and student support services.

BCPS Approves Post Labor Day Start for 2020-21 School Year


The BCPS Board of Education approved a modified version of Option B which will have schools opening on the Tuesday after Labor Day on Sept. 8.

The school year would end on June 18, 2021 if there are no weather-related closures.

Spring break is scheduled for a 10 day vacation under this model from March 27 to April 5, 2021, and schools will reopen April 6 2021.

BCPS must meet the state requirement of 1176.5 hours for elementary schools and 1183 hours for middle and high schools.

Perry Hall Boys Soccer’s Fitch & Asare Honored Countywide


Two Perry Hall Boys Soccer players have been selected to both All Division and All County teams.

Senior Captain, Andrew Fitch was a unanimous selection to the All Division team.

“He is a two year starter and true team leader. His selfless attitude and standout play placed him among the best backs in Baltimore County. Andrew was also selected to 1st Team All County as well as earning a spot to the Senior All Star game,” said a statement from the Boys Soccer team’s media page.

Junior midfielder Jaeden Asare was also selected to All Division and 1st Team All County.

“His athleticism, technical skill and vision separated his play from the field. Jaeden is a humble, hard working and dedicated to bringing out the best in the Gator program. We are honored to have both outstanding young men as key parts to our Gator family,” said a statement from the team.

Baltimore County Council Passes HOME ACT on Party Lines


As expected the Baltimore County Council passed the controversial HOME ACT, which would make it illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to a potential tenant based on the person’s source of income, just as renters can’t be discriminated against based on their race, sex, religion, and other legally protected groups. The bill passed along party lines 4 to 3.

The four Democratic Council members voted for the bill and the three GOP councilman voted no.

County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. released a statement thanking the Council for passing this bill.

“Today is a major step forward for Baltimore County. I thank the County Council for recognizing that discrimination in any form is wrong and for working with me in taking this critical step to fulfill our legal and moral obligations,” Olszewski said.

“Together we will continue to expand economic opportunity, improve equity, and build a better Baltimore County.”

Fifth District Councilman David Marks explained why he was going to vote “no” over this past weekend.

“I posted a poll in Perry Hall Neighbors about the proposed HOME Act. The results are striking – 463 against and only 28 votes for. I posted an identical poll on Loch Raven and Towson Facebook pages, although there are no comparable Facebook communities with large number of members. But still, even in Democratic areas, there is strong opposition to this bill,” Marks explained.

“I have received many emails and phone calls about this legislation. Simply put, the supporters tend to live in areas – with almost no rental properties – that will not be affected by the HOME Act. It’s a point I made at the work session – the affordable housing settlement linked to legislation is fundamentally unfair and flawed. A wealthy neighborhood will not be affected. Those communities right in the middle – Ridgeleigh, Seven Courts, Carney – will bear the greatest impact.”

Seventh District Councilman Todd Crandell also released a statement before his “no” vote.

“A common theme in Tuesday’s Council Work Session testimony regarding the HOME Act was that the Housing Voucher program is deeply flawed, out of date, and administered horribly. An overhaul on the federal level is necessary,” Crandell explained.

“How does it make sense to require property owners. – against their will and against their rights – to participate in such a bad program? It doesn’t. The bill should be voted down.”

County Seeks Bids to Develop Long-Term School Construction Plan


Ten-Year Improvement Plan for All Schools
Baltimore County and Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) (PDF) for an independent consultant to assist in the development of a long-range plan for identifying and prioritizing capital improvements to Baltimore County’s school buildings. The plan will prioritize needs based on enrollment projections and capacity, educational equity and adequacy, and the conditions of facilities.

“Every student and educator deserves a safe, modern school where they can learn and grow. While Baltimore County has made significant progress, we still have a number of aging facilities and a growing student population which leads to unacceptable learning conditions for many of our students,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “Providing a world-class education for our children is and will always be the number one priority of my administration. This long-term plan will outline a clear roadmap to ensure we can best serve all our children and communities.”

“Building on the substantial progress made during the past decade to modernize our schools, this plan will allow us to comfortably accommodate our growing enrollment into the next decade,” said Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “I deeply appreciate the support and partnership from state and County elected officials.”

Equitable and Effective Allocation of School Construction Funds
The RFP issued today anticipates identifying a consultant to develop a High School Master Plan by September 2020, followed by a plan for all remaining schools, centers and programs by May 2021. Baltimore County has significant school construction needs, including eight remaining projects under the Schools for Our Future program. In addition, the County is projected to have 1,700 more students than seats in its high schools over the next decade.

In response to these challenges, Olszewski has made support for public education his administration’s top priority. Recognizing the need for a long-term plan to ensure the County has a roadmap for equitable and effective allocation of school construction dollars, County Executive Olszewski included funds for the development of a 10-year capital plan in his Fiscal Year 2020 budget.

Olszewski also provided funds in the current budget for all remaining Schools for Our Future projects and has allocated $15 million for planning and design at Lansdowne High School. He also recently committed planning funds for both Towson and Dulaney High Schools.

Support for Public Education a Top Priority
All of these projects are unable to move forward without the State of Maryland’s remaining portion of funding. County Executive Olszewski has consistently called on the state to increase its commitment to help the County meet the needs of its growing student population. Earlier this year, Olszewski called on Governor Hogan to release $127 million in currently withheld school construction funding approved by the legislature in the 2019 legislative session.

Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne Jones has indicated that she intends to make school construction a top priority for the state in the upcoming legislative session and Olszewski has committed to advocating on behalf of Baltimore County students in Annapolis.