Wow! One hundred percent across the board! That is what Rodgers Forge Elementary School Principal Missy Fanshaw saw when she pulled up the results of the Maryland State Assessment Test. As she told the Towson Times, "I thought 'does this say what I think it says?' It's 100, 100, 100. How exciting!"
Rodgers Forge was the only Baltimore County school to achieve 100 percent proficiency for each grade level tested — three, four and five — on the Maryland State Assessment Test.
Rodgers Forge is known for its strong academic standing, which is, as Fanshaw, points out "a team effort."
The outstanding faculty, who are dedicated to each pupil, the gifted and hard working students and the terrific parents, who are so involved in their children's education, helped produced these stunning results.
And credit is also due to Sue Deise, the longtime principal of Rodgers Forge Elementary, who left the school in the middle of this past year, and set the pace for the school's current success.
At the July Board of Education meeting, Dallas Dance's first since assuming his role as superintendent of Baltimore County, Dance lauded Fanshaw and her staff for the school's excellence. He also expressed a desire to visit Rodgers Forge to see what the school could share with other county schools.
The Rodgers Forge Community's Safe Routes to School Committee has worked hard this year to ensure that our Rodgers Forge Elementary students learn and employ protective ways of getting to and from school.
Stu Sirota, board member and chair of the committee, was thrilled to announce that new bike racks have been installed at Rodgers Forge and have been practically filled to capacity each day.
What will happen when school is in session?
We have more kudos to bestow on those who helped with last month's Rodgers Forge community picnic.
Association President Jennifer Helfrich is still heaping praises on co-chairs Janine Schofield and Dave Crockett, and sends applause to the board members and neighbors who added to the success.
Forgers who pitched in were Alicia and Mia Defilippi, Gerald Dolan, Julia Harmon, Lily Helfrich, Alex Neary, Elsa Rivera, Brooke and Quincy Renwick and Cecelia Yost.
Jennifer was also extremely grateful to Uncle Wiggley's, who gave the ice cream and supplies, at cost; Wee Center and Woodbrook Baptist's Pastor John Ballenger for the tote bags, face painting and children's crafts.
Also thanks to Lt. Mike Miller of the Baltimore County Fire Department for the Hook and Ladder Unit 1 on display; D.J. Dan Hochrein for his festive music; Wolford's catering for the delicious food; Wells and Pinehurst Liquors for their generous baskets of cheer; and D&D Pony Rides of Frederick for delighting so many youngsters.
Please note that the August board meeting for the Rodgers Forge Community Inc. will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m., in the Rodgers Forge Elementary School cafetorium.
All subsequent meetings will revert to the usual time of the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., also in the Rodgers Forge cafetorium.
That includes the Rodgers Forge open meeting, set for Wednesday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.
Till we meet again ...
