ADELPHI, MD—Prince George's County Public Schools were honored for achievement in the First In Math Online Program on May 14 at a district-wide Awards Celebration. The audience of parents and family members cheered as awards were presented to Region Superintendents, Principals, Teachers and students on the stage of the Inn and Conference Center at the University of Maryland. Program creator Robert Sun attended the ceremony and presented key awards.
PGCPS Talented and Gifted Supervisor Theresa Jackson says that First In Math is a wonderful teaching tool because it engages both teachers and students in learning and achievement. "I am impressed with the performance of all the students, especially at Calverton Elementary. They have produced phenomenal results in a relatively short period of time." The top two nationally-ranked Prince George's County schools are Paint Branch ES, ranked #6 nationally and #1 in Maryland and Calverton, who finished #9 nationally while holding on to the #2 state ranking.
LEFT PHOTO: Left to right, back row: PGCPS Elementary Mathematics Coach Richard Birecree; PGCPS Acting Elementary Supervisor Patricia Morrison; Robert Sun; PGCPS Talented and Gifted Supervisor Theresa Jackson and PGCPS Acting Coordinating Supervisor for Academic Programs Judith Russ. Front row: Bond MIll Team Leader Umbrenda Fisher; Belviane Songong; Ashley Akateh; Azzah Ismail and Pauline Belton, accepting an award for Bond Mill Principal Justin Fitzgerald.
RIGHT PHOTO: Theresa Jackson; National All Star Caleb McCammon and Judith Russ.
The top five Schools statewide were singled out for special recognition, along with the students whose mathematics achievement propelled their alma maters to state and national honors. The top-ranked PGCPS schools within Maryland are: Heather Hills, ranked #4; Kenmoor ES, ranked #9; Chase ES, ranked #13 and John Bayne ES, ranked #14.
Prince George's County Teams also garnered many state awards. Paint Branch's Lydia Laidlow proudly accepted a beautiful acrylic award as Team Leader of the #1 Team in the state, as did Umbrenda Fisher, Team Leader of the #2 team at Bond MIll ES.
Fourth grader Caleb McCammon, who was honored in 2006 as Maryland's top-ranked second grader, received the prestigious "National Top Ten All Star Award" as the #10 nationally-ranked player—all grades. "I really want to thank my math teachers for all they have done," said McCammon, after accepting the trophy and a hug of congratulations from Sun.
Judith Russ, Acting Coordinating Supervisor, Academic Programs for PGCPS, fully supports implementation of the program for the '08-09 school-year. "Its value in motivating students to engage and excel in mathematics merits the district's continued support," says Russ. Russ and Jackson were presented with Suntex's "Spirit In Education Award" for their ongoing efforts on behalf of the program in Prince George's County. Patricia Morrison, Acting Supervisor for Mathematics, also received a special Recognition Award.
Guests were treated to refreshments, and after the presentations, students crowded the stage to have pictures taken with Sun. Prince George's County Regional Superintendents Janice Briscoe, Oretha Bridgwaters, Kathleen Kurtz, Yvonne Crawford and Dr. Marylyn Moreno were slated to receive special awards.