February 12, 2023

A Note from the Director

Dear families,

Thank you to those who read about and supported our efforts this past week to move forward legislation on salary parity so that teachers in Maryland non-public special education schools can be paid on par with public school teachers. There's another window to help tomorrow. See below for more information.

Also scroll down for an example of the numerous ways we continue to creatively celebrate Black History Month. February is also made sweeter with Valentine's Day celebrations. See photos from the Valentine's Dance held on Friday.

Finally, thank you in advance for participating in the PTA's Valentine's Staff Appreciation Snack Drive. We love how you care about our teachers, related service providers and administrative staff.

Sincerely,

Susan Holt

NEWS YOU NEED RIGHT NOW!

Ivymount School

Dates to Remember

February 20

President's Day

No School for Students or Staff

February 21

Professional Day

No School for Students

March 17

Professional Day

No School for Students

Support Teacher Salary Parity Tomorrow

Register Support Online 9 am to 3 pm

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) conducted a salary parity study that shows that average teacher salaries in public schools are between 23% and 40% HIGHER than in non-public schools. The study recommends that non-public special education schools be allowed to provide equivalent salaries. For the last few years, Ivymount has been working with The Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Schools (MANSEF) and Montgomery County Senators and Delegates on this issue.

Last week, there was a first hearing on the Teacher Pay Parity Act in the Senate Budget and Tax Committee. Ivymount School's Brooke Hess, a program services coordinator, was one of several witnesses to speak personally and passionately about the work of teachers in non-public special education schools.

Our Work is Not Done!

This week, the cross-filed bill (HB 448) will be heard in the House Ways and Means Committee. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REGISTER SUPPORT OF THE BILL TOMORROW, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 BETWEEN 9 AM AND 3 PM. Follow the steps below:

Click here to make an account: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/
Click on the square burgundy MyMGA account icon in the upper right corner
Select “witness sign up” from the navigation menu
Scroll down to HB448
Click on Position and select Favorable
You can select to provide testimony or you can select none
YOU MUST SELECT THE SAVE BUTTON on the top left of the page

In addition, please consider reaching out to the members of the Senate Budget and Taxation committee, the members of the House Appropriation Committee and the members of the House Ways and Means Committee, to ask for their support of the bills. You can reach out either via email or calls to their officers. Click for a list of members.

Black History Month Highlights Inventor

Have you ever been thankful that someone invented traffic signals? This week, Room 172 learned about an African American inventor, Garret Morgan, who created a public safety tool that we all rely on every day. Garret Morgan invented a traffic signal with a warning light to alert drivers that they would need to stop. As a way of honoring Garret's invention, 172 students created traffic light crafts.

Students Celebrate Valentine's Day Dance

The Aspire Academic & Applied Model High School hosted a Valentine's Dance. High school aged students across program models participated. It was a fun afternoon of dancing, sweet treats, games, and friendship.

Spread the Word - Outreach Resource Fair

Do you work with great service providers that other families could benefit from? We encourage you to let your provider know about the Ivymount Outreach Resource Fair. We also hope you will plan to join us at the fair so you can connect with many local organizations and enjoy complimentary workshops, led by Ivymount experts.

Sunday, March 19

12 pm - 3 pm

Ivymount Campus

EXHIBITORS

Click to Register

for the Fair and/or the Resource Guide

Early Bird rate till Feb 17

Final Registration Feb 28

FAMILIES/CAREGIVERS

Mark your calendars, share with friends, and

plan to attend.

Reply to this email to suggest workshop topics

PTA NEWS AND UPDATES

Bring Snacks Mon - Wed for Valentine's Staff Appreciation

The Staff Appreciation Event is this week. We hope you will consider donating boxes or bags of nut-free snacks and treats for Grab ‘n Go Snack Bars that will be set up for staff.

Snacks can be sent to school with students who arrive in buses or vans or brought to school during drop-off and pick-up times for students arriving by car starting tomorrow, Monday, February 13 and continuing through arrival on Wednesday, February 15.

In addition to store-bought snacks and treats, homemade baked good are welcome. Individually-wrapped or individually-packaged snacks, treats and baked goods are preferred, but not required.

To sign up to provide snacks, go to this SignUpGenius link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080948AAA822A64-valentines

Easy Way to Volunteer and Make a BIG Impact

The PTA needs a few parents to help coordinate a spring dance and our fall festival. All planning can be done remotely and we have examples from previous events to help guide the way. Please let us know if you can help make these two events happen. Contact ckgottfried@gmail.com.