Headline Stories

Since the eighth-graders have lived through two years of the construction, they will be permitted to experience the event live, as part of the audience. The sixth- and seventh-graders will view it on Smart Boards and flat screens elsewhere in the school.

As visitors enter the gym, a photo slide-show of the construction project will be shown while the chorus sings, and then the SPMS band will perform the National Anthem. Evan Bradley-Lewis, student government president, will lead the ceremony, accompanied by vice president Erin Pryzbyla. Bradley-Lewis will show a video (made by Print and Design on the Smart Board) of the state-of-the-art technology that has been integrated into the school, including the Smart Boards, student response systems, audio and video equipment, laptops, and iTouches.

A star-studded lineup of special guests are slated to appear and speak at the ceremony. Among them are: Patricia Nalley, president of the County Board of Education; Dr. Kevin Maxwell, AACPS superintendent; Dr. Nancy Grasmick, Maryland Schools Superintendent; John Leopold, County Executive; Cathy Vitale, County Councilwoman; Leslie Brown, PTO president; and John Kerr, vice president of JV Schafer and Sons, the company responsible for the construction. Senator Ben Cardin’s office will then present the school with a flag that was flown over the State House.

The climax of the event will be a time capsule ceremony, featuring students from each grade who will place items in the time capsule and watch as it gets cemented in place, to remain sealed for the next half-century. Principal Sharon Morell was impressed with the deep thought that went into the time capsules, noting the children decided to put an iTouch in it, and speculated about what communications devices will be used in 2060.

A reception will follow the ceremony in the Media Center, featuring culinary creations made and served by FACS (Family and Consumer Sciences) students. These students will wear aprons made on the computerized sewing machine in the FACS department. The school orchestra will provide background music during the reception.

According to Morell many parties are to be thanked for the planning of this program, including the music and FACS departments, as well as a committee comprised of teachers, and the PTO, who also had Childs Landscaping decorate the gym for the event.

Ms. Morell is very excited about the new changes to the school, stating, "The students love it; especially the technology, the spacious and bright cafeteria, the central AC, and the natural light in the hallways and classrooms."

In other exciting SPMS news, that same morning 46 visitors from the National Middle School Conference in Baltimore will come to the school to learn about its technology, meet students, parents, and teachers, and attend the dedication ceremony.

Congratulations to the "new" Severna Park Middle School for continuing its journey of excellence!