Have fun -- and learn -- at the University of Maryland April 27
Every spring the University opens the campus to its neighbors and friends. This year, Maryland Day is Saturday, April 27 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Games, booths, tours, performances -- every department from dance to physics shows its stuff. It's fun and interesting for folks of all ages. And it's free. Just come down Route One and take a look. More details are located at www.marylandday.umd.edu.
Reminder: Scholarships to College
Each Senator and Delegate is allocated funds for scholarships to students in our district who attend Maryland colleges. There are so many deserving students in Beltsville and with college tuition a struggle for many families, we need to do everything we can to help hardworking students get a good education. We can't help everyone with Senatorial Scholarships, but we can certainly help some.
To apply online for a 2018-2019 Senate scholarship, students should visit www.21stDistrictDelegation.com/college-scholarships, and the deadline to apply is Friday, July 12. A separate Delegate scholarship application from Delegates Barbara Frush, Joseline Peña-Melnyk, and Ben Barnes is on that page as well with a Tuesday, April 2 deadline. Information on other financial aid for Maryland college students can be found at www.mhec.state.md.us.
More help paying for college
Saving for college is a challenge for many families. That's why the State of Maryland and Maryland 529 want to help Maryland families through the Save4College State Contribution Program. The program is designed to help lower to middle-income families in Maryland save money for higher education. Individuals may receive a $250 or $500 contribution by the State who do the following: 1) open or have opened a new Maryland College Investment Plan (MCIP) after December 31, 2016, 2) file an application by 11:59pm on May 31, 2019, and 3) make at least the minimum contribution ($25-$250 based on taxable income) to the account. Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on May 31, 2019. Learn more at maryland529.com/MDMatch250, or call 888.4MD.GRAD (888.463.4723) and select option 1, or email info@marylandcollegeinvestmentplan.org.
The fight for a new High Point High School building
As you may know, Delegates Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, Mary Lehman and I have been working with High Point's PTSA, Beltsville Civic Association President Karen Coakley, and many others to convince the Prince George's School Board to make constructing a new building a high priority. Then-Councilwoman Lehman got $100,000 in County funds to study whether it would be more cost-efficient to fix the existing building or build a new one. Former Delegate Frush and I participated in the advisory group to the School Board staff. The important conclusion was that, because of the age and deterioration of the existing building, the options of fixing it and replacing it will cost about the same amount.
Last month, the Prince George's School Board, led by Beltsville's member David Murray, voted to proceed with the construction of the new High Point High School, pending the recommendation of an updated feasibility study to be completed no later than April 2019, and for the school system to retain the services of an architectural/engineering firm to design the new High Point High School no later than 90 days after the feasibility study has been completed. Unless an unexpected obstacle appears, the construction of the new High Point High School should be underway in the near future.
Contact us
Please let us know if there are other issues you have questions or thoughts about. And, of course, feel free to be in touch if we can be of help to you. Just email 21stDistrictDelegation@gmail.com or call 301-858-3141.