Author: eastbaltco

Overlea High SRO named SRO of the Year

When DJ Moore became a police officer, chances are that she never envisioned being seen as a “transformational leader” at a high school. But that is how Overlea High School Principal Monica Sample describes her. And that is why Officer Moore has been named the high school level School Resource Officer of the Year for Baltimore County Public Schools.

BCPS administrators surprised Officer Moore with the news today.

According to Sample, Officer Moore is Overlea High’s “biggest cheerleader” and someone who “demonstrates commitment, loyalty, empathy, discipline, and diplomacy” and interacts with students “in a positive and restorative manner.”

“Many female scholars,” Sample wrote, “consistently approach Officer Moore for guidance, support, and mentorship with social-emotional issues. She is viewed by many as an honorary mother who represents confidence, optimism, and hope.”

Three of the many ways that Officer Moore contributes to the school culture are by serving as co-coordinator of the female mentoring Group IT Girls, as a member of the Overlea student support team, and as a member of the Restorative Practices team. According to Sample, Officer Moore has “conducted over 100 restorative conferences,” thereby preventing numerous physical altercations in the school and community.

“SRO Moore is non-judgmental in her role and gives each scholar endless opportunities and support despite their disciplinary histories. She inspires and gives hope to our scholars that each day is a new day and that our scholars are all capable of being model citizens who will make a great impact on society.”

K. Hawthorne-Jones, clinical school social worker and student mentoring coordinator, wrote that Officer Moore “has immersed herself in the culture of the school seamlessly. She has built strong relationships with students and staff. She knows how to be confident, firm, and compassionate at the same time. She believes in the good in people first and extends mercy when appropriate.”

Hawthorne-Jones concluded her recommendation: “With the addition of Officer Rawleigh, Overlea is grateful to have the best SROs a school could have. They work well together and balance one another out. You would never think that [Moore] has only been doing this job for a little over a year. She has hit the ground running and hasn’t turned back.”

Overlea High students to perform in groundbreaking Baltimore Choral Arts Society production

OOn Sunday, May 12, Mother’s Day, 22 members of Overlea High School’s Honors Chorale will perform in the U.S. premiere of a groundbreaking “community opera” – Jonathan Dove’s The Monster in the Maze – presented by Baltimore Choral Arts Society.

The Monster in the Maze is one half of a show, titled Captivity to Liberty, which will feature a total of 200 performers. The show will also feature Mendelssohn’s Die erste Walpurgisnacht. Tickets for the 3 p.m. show are available at the Choral Arts website, and the show will be presented at Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd., 21204. (A pre-concert Choral Conversation will begin in the auditorium at 2 p.m.)

“The production is pretty intense, and our students have a major presence,” said Kellie Zephir, Overlea High’s choral director and piano instructor. “They will be portraying Athenian youth who must cross Crete so that Theseus can kill The Minotaur and thereby save them from being sacrificed. As they sing, they will also be carrying a rope that becomes a labyrinth and becomes the arena for the major battle. It’s a very innovative production.”

Zephir, a former member of Choral Arts, explains that the group normally produces concerts and sings symphonic works with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Taking on such a large and complex production as Captivity to Liberty is outside its norm. However, “its musical director, Anthony Blake Clark, is trying to press the limits of what singers in Baltimore do.”

In addition to the singers from Overlea High, the production involves several lead singers as well as the Baltimore Choral Arts Orchestra, Larks of the Junior League of Baltimore, Maryland State Boychoir, Muse 360 (a youth arts organization), and Peabody Youth Orchestra. (Overlea High French teacher Laura Redfurn is a Choral Arts member and will be singing in the show.)

According to Zephir, Clark approached her last May to invite the Overlea Honors Chorale to be a part of the production. “I organized this school year around it,” Zephir said. “The students have been learning music and staging all year, and we have been going offsite to practice with others in the show. This week, every evening, we take a van over after eating dinner so that we can rehearse.”

Even before the big day, Zephir can see that this experience is having a significant impact on her students. “It is blowing their minds,” she said, “expanding their horizons about what is possible with singing. Experiencing the diversity of music and particularly what is happening in classical music is exciting for our students.”

Zephir notes that every year a few Overlea students think about pursuing music professionally. “But in my nine years at the school, only three students have pursued further studies or careers in classical music. That might expand because of the exposure to this experience.”

Because the production is taking place on Mother’s Day, Choral Arts offered each Overlea High performer one free ticket for their mothers and a discounted price for their family members.

The relationship between Choral Arts and Overlea High extends beyond this performance. Members visit the school each year to host a workshop to help students prepare for their singing adjudication.

Students from Overlea High School’s Honors Chorale singing as the Athenian Youth inJonathan Dove’s The Monster in the Maze on Sunday, May 12, 2019:

Benedicta Ajagunna

Raven Askins

Jose Avila-Zepeda

Dasia Biggers

William Brown

Jessica Carpenter

Christopher Cooke

Tyekeir Davis

Kandice Dowell

Ashley Gomez

T’Asia Hall

Teddana Hobbins

Victor Iheanacho

Nia Johnson

Olivia Johnson

Sanaa’ Jones

Ericka Lowery

Mason Mahon

Daniel Miller

Blessing Onuegbu

Nasir Perry

Kaitlyn Rhodes

Kellie Zephir, Choral Director & Piano Instructor…

BCDC Employee Charged with Rape of Juvenile

Baltimore County Police have charged Thomas Michael Mannion Jr, 45, with multiple counts of rape after having sex with a 13-year-old child.

The investigation was initiated Monday, May 6, when a neighbor saw the juvenile enter the residence where Mannion rents a room through a rear sliding glass door just before 6 p.m. Believing his neighbor’s home was being burglarized, he went to the home to assist the homeowner, who gave him permission to enter the basement to check for the burglary suspect. Instead, the neighbor found Mannion naked in bed with the juvenile. The neighbor left and called police.

Mannion initially denied the accusation by the neighbor. The preliminary investigation has indicated that this is the second time that Mannion has had sex with this juvenile, the first time being early this year.

Mannion, an employee of the Baltimore County Detention Center who resides in the 100 block of Bourbon Court in Parkville, 21234, is now being held without bail pending trial.

Police Response to Subject with a Gun Turns Deadly, Injures Officer

Baltimore County Police are identifying the officer shot during an officer-involved shooting in Parkville on May 2 as Police Officer First Class T. Hays, a 13 ½ year veteran of the force with one prior police-involved shooting in 2008, currently assigned to Parkville Precinct patrol. Officer Hays remains in stable condition at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma after suffering a gunshot wound to the upper body.

The deceased suspect in this shooting is identified as Robert Uhl Johnson, 76, residing in the 3000 block of Linwood Avenue, 21234, where police were dispatched to a call of a subject with a gun around 1:37 p.m. on May 2.

The Department provided misinformation shortly after the incident occurred, indicating that the suspect fired a weapon at the officers upon entering the home. Further review of body-worn camera footage and additional evidence now reveals that the suspect picked up a firearm, did not follow officers’ commands to put down the weapon, and pointed the gun at the officers, causing the officers to fire upon the suspect.

Officers were dispatched to the suspect’s home in the 3000 block of Linwood Avenue when Suspect Johnson called 9-1-1, methodically providing his personal information to the call-taker before stating that there was an unknown subject waiving a gun at him inside his home. Suspect Johnson hung up on the 9-1-1 call-taker when she attempted to gather additional information. Multiple attempts were made to contact the caller but he did not answer the phone on any call-back.

Officers from the Parkville Precinct approached the suspect’s home and observed him inside, seated in a chair facing the front door. One officer initiated conversation with the suspect, who refused to get up from the chair or exit the home. Suspect Johnson told the officer that he called 9-1-1 and that there was no one else inside the home. Officers further investigated by entering the house and directing Suspect Johnson to keep his hands up in the air. As the officers entered the home, Suspect Johnson lowered his right hand down to his thigh and picked up a handgun, pointing it at the officers as he said, “I’m sorry I have to do this.” Four officers fired their service weapons in response.

During the subsequent investigation by Homicide Unit detectives, it was determined that Suspect Johnson’s gun was not loaded. They also discovered that Suspect Johnson left his will and last requests for burial out for officers to find.

Officer Hays and three other responding officers fired their service weapons at the suspect. Those officers are currently on routine administrative leave and are identified as the following:

Police Officer First Class J. Hummel, an 18 year veteran with no prior police-involved shootings.

Police Officer First Class A. Burns, a 17 ½ year veteran with no prior police-involved shootings.

Police Officer First Class J. Deford, a 10 ½ year veteran with no prior police-involved shootings.

The Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit will complete their investigation and submit the case to the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.

Parkville Student One of Four to be featured in juried state exhibit at BWI airport

Artwork by four students will represent Baltimore County Public Schools in the juried Maryland Art Education Association BWI Spring 2019 Youth Art Gallery. Yancy Quijada Amaya, of Parkville High was of those students. Amaya’s art teacher is Caitlin Tellie.
Joel Ferman Hernandez, of Owings Mills High, Ethan Nagy, of Padonia International Elementary and Frank Rosas-Espinoza, of Padonia International Elementary were the other three winners.

The exhibition, Let Art Take You There!, will feature 24 artworks from across Maryland. The pieces will be on display at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport from June until November in the Airport Observation Gallery. The gallery is open to the public and located on the upper level adjacent to the B/C security checkpoint.

“Their artworks will greet the thousands of visitors who pass through BWI daily,” said Sherri Fisher, BCPS coordinator of visual arts. “The Office of Visual Arts extends its congratulations to the students, their teachers, and school communities.”

The exhibition reception will take place on Saturday, June 1, at BWI.

Victim Identified in Kingsville Fatal Crash

The female passenger who died in a fatal crash on Raphel Road in Kingsville Wednesday, May 1 has been positively identified as Samantha Jean Muehleisen (24) of the 600 block of Yorkshire Drive, 21040.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team is continuing their investigation to determine the factors that contributed to this fatal crash. 

Police were called to Bradshaw Road around 7 p.m. when a Chrysler 300 traveling northbound on Raphel Road near the intersection of Bradshaw Road crossed the oncoming lane of traffic and collided with a BGE pole and then a tree, causing the vehicle to catch fire.

The driver and a female passenger in the vehicle both suffered life-threatening wounds and burn wounds during the crash. The female was pronounced deceased at the scene and has not yet been positively identified. The male driver was transported to an area hospital and remains in critical condition.

Police Continue Investigation into Weekend Shooting in Essex

Baltimore County Police continue to investigate a shooting in the 1100 block of Tace Drive in Essex that occurred just before midnight on Saturday.

Police located an adult male and an adult female victim upon their arrival, both suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body. Both were taken to area hospitals with life-threatening wounds. The suspect(s) fled prior to police arrival. The female victim died a few days later. She was identified as Jessica Holly Diotte, 27, of the 2100 block of Southorn Road in Middle River. 

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact BCoPD detectives by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous.

Reward Offered

Metro Crime Stoppers, an organization that is separate from the Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County Government, offers rewards for information in connection with felony offenses.

Anonymous tips can be sent to Metro Crime Stoppers by phone, online or via mobile app.

County wraps a forest around Shady Spring Elementary School

County Executive Johnny Olszewski celebrated Arbor Day on April 26 with Shady Spring Elementary School students and staff, planting trees to complete a 2.5-acre reforestation project that surrounds the schoolyard with native trees.

“Trees are critical infrastructure for our communities and for our environment, and it makes perfect sense for us to replace underutilized lawn space in schoolyards with forested acreage that reduces air pollution, absorbs stormwater and provides shade to help cut energy costs,” said Olszewski. “We appreciate our partners in the school system for helping us make a difference that will span generations.”

The Shady Spring Elementary School project is a 2.5-acre native tree planting along the perimeter of the school property. Students had the opportunity to plant and monitor the newly planted trees, meeting several Maryland Environmental Literacy Standards and Maryland Green School objectives.

The project is a result of a partnership between the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (EPS) and BCPS’ Office of Science, called Comprehensive Landscape Improvement Projects. Since 2014, they have reforested 39 acres and planted 196 landscape-style trees at 37 schools.

EPS’ approach to planting on school property focuses on planting trees on underutilized school lawns to increase the County’s tree canopy and reduce BCPS’ long-term mowing costs. In addition to these plantings, EPS also planted 957 native shade trees from 2011 through 2012 at 46 County schools and other facilities under EPS’ Cool Trees program.

Crossroads Nielsen named BCPS Teacher of the Year

Crossroads Center student Abby Lawson is just a few weeks away from graduation, and she credits her English language arts teacher, Kristen Nielsen, for helping her get there and being her inspiration.

“Unfortunately, not every school can have her, but I was blessed with her, and everything she’s done for me,” Lawson said.

Nielsen, a champion for all her students, was named the 2019-20 BCPS Teacher of the Year at a ceremony Wednesday night.

Nielsen is in her second year as a teacher at Crossroads, where she teaches Grades 9 and 12. She is also an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program teacher and a member of Crossroad’s equity team.

“Kristen Nielsen does whatever it takes to assist all her students,” BCPS Interim Superintendent Verletta White said. “She has dedicated her career to not just doing all she can to teach others but serve as a powerful advocate for equity in public education.”

Nielsen, who resides in Middle River, is in her 16th year as a Baltimore County Public Schools educator. Previously, she taught at Eastern Technical High for 11 years, Deep Creek Middle for three years, and Chesapeake High for one year. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a reading specialist certification with a focus on adolescent literacy at Goucher College.

Principals at the 174 BCPS schools, programs, and centers could nominate one educator for BCPS Teacher of the Year. Nominations were received from 164 schools. A selection committee, comprised of administrators, teachers, students, and staff, selected Nielsen as this year’s BCPS Teacher of the Year.

In addition to Nielsen, four other BCPS finalists were recognized. They include:

  • Christina DeSimone, child development teacher, Catonsville High
  • Jamie Metzgar, Grade 5 teacher, Honeygo Elementary
  • Abigail Metcalf, inclusion teacher, Relay Elementary
  • Ronald McFadden, choral arts teacher, Southwest Academy

Past BCPS teachers of the year include:

2018: Brendan Penn, Lyons Mill Elementary
2017: Rebecca Eig, Owings Mills Elementary
2016: Corey Carter, Northwest Academy of Health Sciences
2015: Orly Mondell, New Town High
2014: Anne Cross, Gunpowder Elementary
2013: Sean McComb, Patapsco High & Center for the Arts, the 2014 National Teacher of the Year

Honeygo and Overlea High Have Best Principals

Baltimore County Public Schools held their Teacher of the Year ceremony which was won by Crossroad Center teacher
Kristen Nielsen on Wednesday, April 24. There was also awards for BCPS Elementary & Secondary Principals of the Year and are both from the eastside. Charlene Behnke of Honeygo Elementary School was named the Elementary School winner Monica Sample of Overlea High School was named the best principal for Secondary Schools.

Behnke had the challenge of starting a new elementary school as Honeygo is in its inaugural year.

“I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to work at a school that has been embraced by the entire community,” Behnke said at the ceremony. “I’m inspired by the overwhelming support for our school from our students, our parents, local businesses and Baltimore County.”

Sample has spent her 24-year professional career in Baltimore County by previously serving as a high school Spanish teacher and Assistant Principal.

“I feel blessed that I am a principal and get to be a nurturer as one who is consistently and unconditional supportive of scholars by letting them know they can accomplish their dreams,” Sample said.