High Road School of Elkton is a Type I educational program serving the instructional and behavioral needs of adolescents in a supportive and structured environment.  The program is designed to focus on personalized academic and behavioral goals so students may return to a less restrictive setting as quickly as possible.  The goals of the program are as follows:

• To provide each student with the academic and social skills necessary to be successful in the school, community, and family system;
• To prepare students to return to a less restrictive setting;
• To prepare students for Maryland State testing programs;
• To provide students with consistent and structured tutorials designed to prevent regression and produce both academic and behavioral gains;
• To provide students with an array of cultural and recreational experiences;
• To provide students with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of the history of Maryland.

High Road School of Cecil County offers a graded program in grades 6 through 12 for 45 boys and girls ages 11 to 21.  Classes are small (no more than nine students to one teacher and assistant) ensuring that personalized instruction is provided to each student.

In addition to primarily serving students with serious emotional difficulties, High Road School provides services for students who also have been diagnosed with specific learning disabilities, communication disorders, other health impairments, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and intellectual limitations.  Students are referred to the program through the local school systems (Cecil County Public Schools and surrounding jurisdictions), on average for one school year.  Students may be eligible for the program regardless of their current living situation (e.g. parent’s home, foster care, or Alternative Living Unit).

A personalized educational program is developed for each student.  The program utilizes the curriculum for grades 6 through 12 of the Cecil County Public School System.  High Road School operates Monday through Friday, from 9:30am to 4:00pm.  The educational program focuses on academic instruction in English, math, science, social studies, and career training.  The morning is devoted to academic instruction through tutorials, and the afternoon incorporates academic and recreational activities, including field trips.  In addition, when students are ready, they receive school to work training in the community.  A strong behavioral management system is also implemented which emphasizes the development of appropriate behaviors necessary for academic and social success.

In addition to the 10-month school year, an Extended School Year (ESY) program will also be available beginning in 2005.  This program provides academic and behavioral support through subject-area tutorials.  Recreational and cultural experiences are provided on half-day trips.  These trips also relate to the culture and history of the State of Maryland.

Parents are always encouraged to visit the school at any time.  Opportunities are available to learn about the educational program and to become more involved in their child’s academic endeavors. Family involvement is a high priority at High Road School of Cecil County.

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High Road School of Cecil County Graduation and Awards Ceremony

On June 11th, the High Road School of Cecil County celebrated our outstanding graduates with a graduation and awards ceremony. It was a beautiful day, perfect for a graduation, and staff, students, and guests were invited outside to sit under the tent and hear the teachers talk about some of the positive experiences they have had with the graduates during the school year.

Ms. Leslie spoke and presented Cassy Doelle, Jason Duff, and Jerell Banks with a certificate of completion for the 8th grade. Mr. Jemel presented Michael Gustafson, the only senior, with a certificate celebrating his upcoming graduation in November. Michael has been at the High Road School of Cecil County for over 4 years now and has matured into a very polite and well-respected student. Michael will attend Cecil Community College as soon as he graduates and plans to transfer to a four-year college. Michael has a deep interest in science (especially physics) and hopes to work at an observatory one day.

One senior commented that he liked when Mr. Gary gave out some fun awards. For example, Josh Eder received the “best smile” award, Randy LeTendre received the “most creative” award, and Brandon Torres received the “best dancer” award.

We are all so proud of the students that graduated and were promoted! The dedication they have demonstrated to themselves and their education is remarkable!

Working Together to Help a Student in Need

When the staff and students at the High Road School of Elkton heard about a High Road School of Delaware student who recently lost everything when his home caught on fire, they knew they had to help. A group decision was made to donate the proceeds made from their annual community car wash to help the Delaware student and his family.

Elkton students and staff started washing the first car at 10:30am and did not stop until the school buses arrived to take the students home. At one point during the day, the line of cars wrapped all the way around the school building! The students took pride in their fundraiser, scrubbing tires, washing and drying the exterior and vacuuming and wiping the interior of the cars. When asked about the car wash, Tanner D. said, “It was hard work, but it feels good to help another student in need!”

PAWS for People

PAWS for People is a non-profit, volunteer organization serving parts of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The organization’s mission is to provide elders, children, and folks with disabilities individualized, therapeutic visits with gentle, affectionate pets. PAWS provides one-on-one therapeutic visits to High Road students in Elkton every other month. The students get to spend about 1 hour with the animals during individual therapy, group therapy or reading time.
The social workers in Elkton are responsible for facilitating the visits between the students and pets. “We have seen our students benefit in several ways as a result of interacting with the animals and participating in this program” Pet therapy has been proven to have physical health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and diminishing pain as well as mental health benefits such as reducing depression and anxiety, encouraging communication and increasing socialization. One student described the animal visits best when he said “They spread happiness throughout the school!”
To learn more about the PAWS for People program, visit www.pawsforpeople.org

Fine Arts Festival 2010

Student performances make a lasting impression

This year, the 5th Annual Fine Arts Festival took place on April 29, 2010 at the Columbia Meeting House in Columbia, Maryland. This is our biggest and most spectacular event of the year and it’s the only time that all 10 Maryland Schools unite for a single event. 

To help ensure that the Fine Arts Festival is a success each year, a committee, featuring staff representatives from all of the schools, meets monthly to create, plan and implement the event.  Under the leadership of Carrie Spies (Chief School Director – Northern Maryland) and Greg Marancik (Chief School Director – Southern Maryland), the program signifies much of what our schools stand for including vision, hard-work, unity, dedication and passion. 

The Fine Arts Festival is an amazing showcase of projects and performances submitted by High Road’s most creative and talented students.  For months, the students at each of the 10 schools work diligently to prepare artwork and practice stage performances.  This year, as a result of the committee leadership, this year’s event was the best ever.  With over 300 people in attendance (including several school district representatives from Baltimore City, Prince George’s County and MSDE), the students showed off their creativity on the canvas and on the stage.

The show began with an art show featuring student displays from each of our schools.  There was an artistic tribute to Michael Jackson from High Road School of Prince George’s County, art inspired by endangered species from High Road School of Cecil County and a nature themed collection from High Road School of Southern Maryland. There were also numerous collages, sculptures, jewelry pieces, artistic photographs, and paintings on display.

The performances were kicked off by Ju’Not Joyner, a singer who was among the top 36 finalists on American Idol last season. He briefly spoke about his experience attending non- public schools in Maryland and sang his version of “Hey there, Delilah”.  More specifically, Ju’Not spoke to the students about commitment, hard work and desire. 

The New Hope Academy student drummers and pep squad were the first to deliver a heart pounding performance.  The beat of the drums reverberated throughout the room and energized the audience instantly.  For the next 90 minutes, our students rocked the stage with exhilarating singing, dancing, and even poetry by Dalton B from the High Road School of Cecil County. A modern day rendition of Kyo Sakamoto’s SUKIYAKI was given by Joey P from the High Road School of Baltimore County, and a hip dance routine was performed by the students from the High Road Academy of Prince George’s County.

The show was concluded with the Bulldogs Band from the High Road Upper School of Prince George’s County and a Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 medley from the High Road School of Prince George’s County.

The DVD of the 2010 Fine Arts Festival is coming soon!!!!!!

Plane Pull

On April 18th, 2010, The High Road School of Perryville joined efforts with the High Road School of Elkton and the High Road School of Delaware in a plane pull competition.  The event was held at the Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, DE.  Team High Road competed against 20 other teams to see who could pull the C-130 aircraft 12 feet in the fastest time.  This aircraft weighs 100,000 pounds, is 97 feet long, has a wing span of 132 feet, and stands 38 feet high!

Staff from all three High Roads worked as a team to complete the pull and finished seventh overall.  More importantly, staff enjoyed a great outing, spending time with family and friends, and raising $750.00 for the Special Olympics.

Since the inaugural pull, 16 years ago, 316 teams have participated in the Delaware National Guard Plane Pull raising over $217,000 for Special Olympics Delaware!

Big Improvements!

Jory B. came to High Road of Elkton in February 2009 from the Cecil County Alternative Program.  Since his arrival to our school, Jory has made significant improvements both behaviorally and academically. He has maintained green and blue levels for the majority of the 2009-2010 school year.  He is respectful and kind to peers and staff.  Jory exhibits a great sense of humor that allows him to make friends easily.  Recently, Program Director, Mr. Gary, sat down with Jory to ask him about his progress this year.

Mr. Gary: “What do you think your behavior strengths and weaknesses are?”

Jory:  “I am very funny and outgoing.  It is easy for me to make friends and I think people would say I am fun to be around.  My strengths can also be a weakness because I can get off task easily and take jokes too far.” 

Mr. Gary:  “How do you feel you have improved on your behavior?”

Jory: “I attempt to do my work, even though I don’t want to at times.  I try to focus on my work and staying on task.”

Mr. Gary: “How has your new awareness of your behavior helped you improved academically?”

Jory:  “Well, I took the HSA’s in January and have improved my scores by 40 points each in Algebra and Government.  Even though I didn’t pass them I am very close and confident that I will pass next time I take them.”

Mr. Gary: “What is your favorite subject in school and why?”

Jory: “I like biology because I like hands- on work and I like learning about living and non- living things.” 

Mr. Gary: “What do you like most about High Road?”

Jory: “The staff is very friendly.  I like the food. I get to use the ping pong table when I have a good day and some day I will beat Mr. Ethan.”

A little hard work goes a LONG way…..

Ms. Kristin and Mr. Ethan’s Technology Education classes recently tried their hand at building a complex launching device from medieval times called the catapult.  Several classes have decided to work together, rather than have a competition, to build a large type of catapult named the trebuchet.  Eleventh grade student, Michael G., found the design for the five foot tall device.  After much planning, positive teamwork and determination, the classes were successful in completing their design. The students enjoyed launching potatoes, bocce balls, and even water balloons up to one hundred feet.

Reading is a Treat!

Ms. Melanie began a new reading program in Elkton this school year.  Each time a student reads a book, they write the title of the book on an ice- cream scoop.  Once they have collected five ice- cream scoops, they post them on the “Ice- Cream for Books” bulletin board for everyone to see.  Students are rewarded with an ice- cream sundae with all of their favorite toppings and ice- cream themed prizes. The students are motivated by this incentive and have definitely increased the amount of time they spend reading! Since the beginning of the school year, the students have read and enjoyed over 95 books!

Scales and Tales

The students at the High Road Schools of Baltimore County, Delaware, Elkton and Perryville, along with the students of New Hope Academy gathered for an exciting program called Scales and Tales. 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers the program to local schools to give students the opportunity to see wildlife native to Maryland.

Ms. Morgan, a naturalist from Patapsco State Park, educated students on a variety of birds and reptiles in the area. Students got an up close and personal look at a baby and mother black rat snake, a diamondback terrapin, a great horned owl, and a turkey vulture. Students learned about wildlife habitats, diets, and life- spans. 

Ms. Morgan also discussed interesting wildlife facts and mentioned how each bird and reptile was brought into the park’s care.

During the program, students passed around a molted snakeskin, which one student said felt like wax paper. Some brave students had the opportunity to touch the black rat snake as they were leaving. The students enjoyed the program and learned lots of cool new facts about wildlife in Maryland!

Student Feature

Brian C. is a 10th grade student at the High Road School of Cecil County. He came to us from Bohemia Manor Middle School in November 2008. Brian likes to work on the computer and play video games. He also enjoys spending time outside and being involved in sports. His favorite subject is Physical Education. Brian is a member of various sports teams here at High Road School. He has remained on green or blue level since the start of this school year and was nominated “Student of the Week” in his classroom during the second week of school.
Academically, Brian has applied himself to excel in his school work. He is creative and uses details when asked to complete written passages. He does well when he is learning new concepts and has the ability to stay on task and put forth his best effort. Some of Brian’s previous areas of weaknesses included; excessive calling out, sleeping during rotations, being off task, and struggling to manage frustrations. Although he has not perfected these areas of concern, Brian has managed to make tremendous improvement. He also completes his homework and turns it in on a daily basis.
Brian has a positive relationship with staff and other students and he helps out within the classroom. He has shown the ability to make mature decisions. Brian’s goal for the school year is to remain on green or blue level, stay out of the quiet room, and complete all his work. We are proud of Brian for making such great improvements.  We know that he will continue to be successful in the future.

Therapeutic Riding Program

The High Road Schools of Perryville and Elkton are participating in the Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program this year. This program is a fun, hands- on and extremely beneficial program that brings horses and individuals with disabilities together for a variety of therapeutic goals.

Students began their lessons at Freedom Hills, which is located in Port Deposit, Maryland, in September and “work” on the farm on a weekly basis. Students are responsible for grooming their assigned horse, organizing supplies, cleaning different areas of the stable and farm, and walking their horse to and from the paddock. They also participate in riding lessons. The students were encouraged to establish a relationship of trust with the horse before riding. One student commented, “My horse seemed to trust me. I walked him, groomed him and fed him before we started riding. I thought I would be nervous to ride, but I wasn’t nervous at all!”

Staff members at the farm agree that individuals have the potential to learn about aspects of life such as accountability, forgiveness, learning through mistakes, teamwork, responsibility, and concentration by interacting with the horses.  One staff member mentioned the amount of emotional control it takes to master riding. 

This program has provided a huge incentive for students to do well in school as they have to maintain the 2 highest behavioral levels in order to participate. Ms. Carri, a teacher in Perryville, is thrilled that the program has been a hit with the students and is not surprised by the never- ending questions about Freedom Hills and one question in particular, “When can we go back??”

Reading Specialist

The Reading Specialist position can hold a number of different roles within a variety of school settings. This position is found at all levels, from elementary through high school, private and public schools. The primary role of a person in this position is sometimes a coach for classroom teachers and other times as one-on-one intervention teacher. In my position at High Road, I wish to fill both of these roles as intervention teacher and coach.

The students who meet with a Reading Specialist are most often recommended by their classroom teachers or Administrators. These referrals are based upon discrepancies in potential ability and performance, or reading skills that are far below what would be expected. When a student is referred, further testing is completed to determine the most effective course of action. I use a variety of assessments such as the QRI-IV (Qualitative Reading Inventory, 4th edition), and vocabulary and phonics surveys. These assessments allow me to identify whether a student’s weaknesses are in decoding alone, comprehension, or a combination of both.

Following the individualized nature of our school programs, I am able to decide upon a plan with the classroom teacher that best meets each student’s needs. This may come in the form of individualized intervention in phonics utilizing one of a number of research-based programs, or as supplementary activities to assist the classroom teacher. If a student has strengths in phonemic awareness but weaknesses in comprehension, their plan for individualized sessions will reflect that. 

Some of the programs utilized in our schools include: Edmark Reading, Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading, and Lindamood-Bell (LiPS). Each of these is a research proven program that addresses the ‘Big 5’ areas of Literacy: Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. Through these programs, students are offered intense, individualized instruction in the areas with demonstrated weaknesses.

It is our responsibility as educators to ensure that students have the opportunity to reach their potential. It is my wish that each of our students find independence in their reading, and that such independence helps them reach their goals.

List of Reading Interventions

Athletic Teams

The High Road Schools and New Hope Academy are committed to providing services, programs and activities that provide opportunities for students to grow both inside and outside of the classroom. For several years, our schools have had an Inter-High Road School/ New Hope Academy Sports league.

The Maryland North region of schools including Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Delaware, Elkton, and Perryville compete throughout the school year in three sports.

Fall – Flag Football
Winter – Basketball
Spring – Volleyball

These teams provide an opportunity for our students to gain knowledge and skills in team sports and sportsmanship.  Only students (on green or blue level) that have demonstrated the ability to make sound decisions can participate in practices and games.  The league provides students a chance to interact with students from other regional schools and to show school pride for their own.

Each sport season has its own playoff and crown champions for that season.  In flag football, the playoffs are in a bowl format similar to the NCAA.  Naturally, we have our own form of March Madness to crown our Basketball Champions.  

Each year, all the schools get together for a Sports Banquet where the students are celebrated for their athletic performance and sportsmanship.  All participating students receive a participation award at the banquet.

For more information about our Sports League Programs, please contact your child’s school and ask for the team coach.

Transition Program

All of the programming that is designed to transition the student from school to work emphasizes preparation for productive employment after graduation. To make this employment as successful and fulfilling as possible, we help the student explore his or her interests and then build upon natural talents in choosing possible career paths. As students mature, we encourage them to gradually become more self reliant. Our Transitional Services staff aids in this process by giving the students just the right amount of independence and interaction with the wider community, while still providing the supports necessary for the students to feel secure and confident.

School-to-Work Program
Our School- to Work Program offers students the opportunity to participate in true- to- life jobs within the school setting. The end goal of the program is to develop the student’s employment skills and social skills in order to maximize their potential for success in the real world. As such, students seek to obtain jobs by first filling out an application and interviewing for the position they are interested in, as they would in real life. Once the student obtains a suitable position at school, they are held accountable for their attendance and performance, so we work with them on such aspects of employment as punctuality, responsibility, and working independently. Many of the jobs the students procure involve our student - run on the premises retail business. Students participating in the School-to-Work Program are trained to operate many of the state- of- the- art machines that make customized products for sale through this retail business.

Community Work
New Hope Academy affords students the opportunity to take their learning outside of the classroom and transfer it into the community. We work with our students to practice the proficiencies they have mastered in the School- to- Work Program, and then, when a student is ready, a job coach accompanies them to volunteer or paid job sites out in the community. We partner with a wide array of local- area businesses, including restaurants, hospitals, preschools, and retail shops, to expose the students to real - life work experience and social interactions. In this way, students can explore numerous career avenues and gain valuable work experience to list on their resumes.

Official Site for Cecil County Public Schools
www.ccps.org