Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is clearly is another example of MCPS not leveling the playing field for all students at every school. Please do not get me started on the offering pertaining to languages!
Mom of DS who has for the past 5 years topped out on PARCC and carries a MAP-M score over 280.

No, it's not. It's about schools who want to participate or not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not just math competitions. Magnet kids at Eastern and Blair get to compete in the CSPAN Student Video Competition. They get to use class time and have teachers to mentor them to WIN. Asked my kids world studies teacher at a non-magnet, and they had never even heard of it.

The World Studies teacher likely isn't familiar with it because the class time that is used is in MEDIA class - a class that is not offered in neighborhood MSs and is an integrated part of the unique curriculum at Eastern and Blair CAP. It takes ALOT of effort across the 100 or so kids and teachers in each cohort. To put that time, effort and $$ up for the 5-10 kids in a neighborhood school that could be interested in an afterschool program just doesn't work. If your kid is interested in filmmaking and isn't going to Eastern (which is a tough curriculum in the humanities - lots of writing and reading far beyond what is required in home MS) - enroll him or her at Imagination Stage filmmaking - its not documentary filmmaking, but it does a very good job at teaching the fundamentals and helping with narrative filmmaking. Then, if your child is DCC, apply for CAP for HS. It's a great program also focused on the humanities and communication arts - and yes, gives a very good broad-based foundation in filmmaking, journalism, scriptwriting, etc.

It's about resources - there simply aren't enough kids in each public school to support this curriculum in each school. Maybe in a private school that is taking $40K a year in tuition + whatever $$ they can fundraise, they can afford to support such a program for 10 kids - most public schools cannot. So, funnel them into one or two schools (Poolesville competes as does Clemente), the resources can be allocated more meaningfully, and then watch the accolades roll in as talented kids with the right instruction 'blow them all away.'

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2 kids going to 2 different HS. One school shared info about this, and there was radio silence from the other. Why is MCPS not sharing such info to everyone?

https://www.math.umd.edu/highschool/mathcomp/2019.html

The 41st Annual (2019) University of Maryland High School Mathematics Competition

The format:
Part I - 25 multiple choice questions, 75 min;
Part II - 5 problems, 2 hours.
Part I of the Competition is open to all students enrolled in high schools in Maryland and the District of Columbia. High scores on Part I will qualify to participate in Part II of the Competition. The three participants earning the highest combined scores on both parts will win $500, $400, and $300, respectively. Among those completing both parts of the competition, the highest scorer in each county and in Baltimore City and in the District of Columbia will be awarded a prize of $100.
The top three overall scorers* will be offered a scholarship for full tuition and expenses if and when they enroll at the University of Maryland (for non-seniors, this might be a few years from now). (*To receive a scholarship, a student must be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident.)

In addition to a sound knowledge of high school mathematics (up to, but not including, calculus), both parts will require a fair amount of mathematical insight and ingenuity.
The dates for 2019:

Part I, Wednesday, October 23, 2019, 1:00 - 3:00 pm;
Part II, Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 1:00 - 3:00 pm.

The competition is usually given at the student's school. For special situations (for example, home-schooled students), contact Dr. Ebrahimian (math-comp "at" umd.edu). There is no registration fee for the competition. It's free.


Registration information:
Students who would like to register should contact their high school teachers. Teachers who will administer the exam should click here for information on how to register.
Registration deadline: October 13, 2019

Here is the list of schools from which registration emails were received. (interesting to note that only W schools and magnet schools participate. Among MS, its TPMS but not Clemente.)

https://www.math.umd.edu/highschool/mathcomp/hslist2019.html
If you have questions or requests, please contact the chair of the competition committee, Dr. Ebrahimian. e-mail: math-comp "at" umd.edu tel.: (301)405-5154 fax: (301)314-0827.

Huh????
What about Northwest and Sherwood?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not just math competitions. Magnet kids at Eastern and Blair get to compete in the CSPAN Student Video Competition. They get to use class time and have teachers to mentor them to WIN. Asked my kids world studies teacher at a non-magnet, and they had never even heard of it.

The World Studies teacher likely isn't familiar with it because the class time that is used is in MEDIA class - a class that is not offered in neighborhood MSs and is an integrated part of the unique curriculum at Eastern and Blair CAP. It takes ALOT of effort across the 100 or so kids and teachers in each cohort. To put that time, effort and $$ up for the 5-10 kids in a neighborhood school that could be interested in an afterschool program just doesn't work. If your kid is interested in filmmaking and isn't going to Eastern (which is a tough curriculum in the humanities - lots of writing and reading far beyond what is required in home MS) - enroll him or her at Imagination Stage filmmaking - its not documentary filmmaking, but it does a very good job at teaching the fundamentals and helping with narrative filmmaking. Then, if your child is DCC, apply for CAP for HS. It's a great program also focused on the humanities and communication arts - and yes, gives a very good broad-based foundation in filmmaking, journalism, scriptwriting, etc.

It's about resources - there simply aren't enough kids in each public school to support this curriculum in each school. Maybe in a private school that is taking $40K a year in tuition + whatever $$ they can fundraise, they can afford to support such a program for 10 kids - most public schools cannot. So, funnel them into one or two schools (Poolesville competes as does Clemente), the resources can be allocated more meaningfully, and then watch the accolades roll in as talented kids with the right instruction 'blow them all away.'

Anonymous wrote:This is clearly is another example of MCPS not leveling the playing field for all students at every school. Please do not get me started on the offering pertaining to languages!
Mom of DS who has for the past 5 years topped out on PARCC and carries a MAP-M score over 280.

Anonymous wrote:It's not just math competitions. Magnet kids at Eastern and Blair get to compete in the CSPAN Student Video Competition. They get to use class time and have teachers to mentor them to WIN. Asked my kids world studies teacher at a non-magnet, and they had never even heard of it.

Anonymous wrote:Takoma Park Middle is participating in a high school-level competition?
I think it's sort of funny that it is the only middle school in the sea of high schools competing. Has to be full of math geniuses.

Anonymous wrote:This is clearly is another example of MCPS not leveling the playing field for all students at every school. Please do not get me started on the offering pertaining to languages!
Mom of DS who has for the past 5 years topped out on PARCC and carries a MAP-M score over 280.

Anonymous wrote:This is clearly is another example of MCPS not leveling the playing field for all students at every school. Please do not get me started on the offering pertaining to languages!
Mom of DS who has for the past 5 years topped out on PARCC and carries a MAP-M score over 280.