Pointers Run

Fed up by years of enrollment forecasts that seemed far too low, parents in River Hill, Columbia's newest, most upscale village, took matters into their own hands. Volunteers led by Parent Teacher Association President Patrice Durham surveyed 1,000 homes around Pointers Run Elementary School this fall, knocking on the doors of nearly 200 residents who hadn't responded to a questionnaire sent home with pupils. Armed with new data - and a forecast of increased classroom crowding - they confronted school officials.

Fed up by years of enrollment forecasts that seemed far too low, parents in River Hill, Columbia's newest, most upscale village, took matters into their own hands. Volunteers led by Patrice Durham, president of the Parent Teacher Association, surveyed 1,000 homes around Pointers Run Elementary School this fall, knocking on the doors of nearly 200 residents who hadn't responded to a questionnaire sent home with pupils. Armed with new data - and a forecast of increased classroom crowding - they confronted school officials.

As classrooms grow increasingly crowded and development limits tighten, Howard County officials are closing most of the area outside Columbia to home building starting in 2003. People eager to enroll their children in Howard's highly regarded newer schools are fueling a tight real estate market and rising home prices, officials say. But a law limiting development around elementary schools that are more than 15 percent over capacity will delay the construction of homes in much of the county until 2006.

Virginia Charles and Patricia S. Gordon dressed up for their first official meeting day as members of the Howard County Board of Education - Charles in a black pants suit and Gordon accenting her outfit with a soft, floral scarf. They grinned and chatted with the 75 or so people who gathered to greet them last night at a cookies-and-punch reception at the Board of Education in Ellicott City. Elected to six-year terms last month, they were officially sworn in last night as family members, dignitaries and constituents looked on. Then they took their seats on the raised stage, faced a room full of people, and did just what they promised voters they would do. They listened.

A bill that would temporarily halt home building around several crowded elementary schools in western Howard County was unanimously approved Monday night by the County Council. In the same session, higher rates for taxicabs were approved. The council voted to close the Bushy Park and Lisbon school districts to new development in 2003, in addition to shutting off development around Pointers Run and Atholton elementary schools that year. County enrollment projections put Pointers Run and Atholton over 115 percent of their designed capacity by 2003.

IN OBSERVANCE of Earth Day, the Pointers Run Elementary School PTA organized three projects to benefit animals and beautify the Pointers Run neighborhood. Lesli Ancona, a member of the community service committee for the PTA, helped coordinate the school's efforts. "We wanted to find ways that were local to celebrate Earth Day," she said. The PTA organized a neighborhood cleanup day April 15. Pointers Run families were encouraged to pick up trash in the community's tot lots, open spaces and from roadsides.

ON FRIDAY, children at Pointers Run Elementary School spent the day working on arts and crafts. Organized by art teachers Lisa Huriaux and Pamela Lennon, Art Extravaganza is an annual tradition at the school. "I once participated in a day like this as an art education student at Centennial Lane Elementary School, where I demonstrated weaving," Huriaux said. "I was so enthralled by the whole idea, I thought, `When I get to be an art teacher, I'm doing this.' " So, for the past nine years, Pointers Run schoolchildren have spent one full day immersed in art. Pupils rotate through activities tied into their grade's curriculum.

A drive through the average cul-de-sac in River Hill -- where swing sets dot the lawns and minivans line the driveways -- reveals the very essence of Columbia's newest village. Kids. "We've accused Al Scavo of putting something in the water," said David W. Berson, a former village official, referring to the Rouse Co. executive who oversees development in Columbia. "That is one of the identifiers of the village: It is child-heavy." River Hill's many tony homes, spacious yards and location near Clarksville have given it an image of elitism.

THE POINTERS Run Elementary PTA is writing its first cookbook.Titled "Village Gourmet -- Culinary Collections from the Families and Friends of Pointers Run Elementary," the book will include more than 500 recipes for appetizers, beverages, soups, sandwiches, side dishes, entrees and desserts.A "Just for Kids" section with edible -- as well as nonedible -- recipes also is planned.River Hill resident Vickie Yozwiak is in charge of the project."We wanted to put together a keepsake that families will have, as a memory of their children's time at Pointers Run Elementary, for years to come," Yozwiak said.

TWO POINTERS Run teen-agers who are studying the ancient Chinese martial art of Kung Fu have brought home trophies from tournaments in recent months.Jeffrey Ogle won three trophies at the 9th National Battle of the Martial Arts Championship held last month at Milford Mill Academy.He took first place in the 13 to 15 boys forms division, and in the 13 to 15 boys sparring division.He won second place in the 13 to 15 boys weapons division, using a long staff.John Droege competed in the Metropolitan Martial Virtue Championship held in Laurel last fall.