CSM to host community diversity forum April 1

The Diversity Institute at the College of Southern Maryland will host the 2017 Unity in Our Community Diversity Forum, beginning at 8:30 a.m., April 1, at the College of Southern Maryland’s La Plata Campus, as an opportunity to review and provide input on strategic plans drafted over the past several months by various major institu- tions within Charles County.

CSM President Brad Gottfried, who will be hosting the forum, explained in a press release that leaders from various entities, including county government, the sheriff’s office, state’s attorney’s office, public libraries, CSM and public schools, have been working since the fall to develop strategic plans for their units that will promote a more diverse workforce, a positive working environment for all their employees, a provision of services that meets the needs of the community and feedback systems to ensure success.

This year’s forum will center on discussing these plans, with participants receiving draft copies of the plans and hearing from the leadership of each organization. They will be asked to provide input, and after the forum, the three-year plans will be updated and finalized.

Charles County residents are encouraged to attend this free forum, which will be held in the Fine Arts (FA) Building on the La Plata Campus, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata. Coffee and pastries will be available beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the forum to start at 9 a.m. in the theater, FA-100. The forum will conclude by noon.

For planning purposes, attendees are asked to RSVP

Jude House to raise funds for addiction rehabilitation

The Jude House will hold its annual fundraiser 6 p.m. Friday, March 17, at the Waldorf Jaycees. Tickets are $35. For additional ticket information and sponsorship information, contact mlogsdon@judehouse.org.

Auction to support Spring Dell Center

A Quarter Auction will be held 2-7 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department, 911 Washington Ave., La Plata. The event will include various auction items from local vendors such as PartyLite, Scentsy, Lularoe and more. Additional vintage items will be auctioned such as Cabbage Patch Kids, Cherished Teddies as well as experience packages from Dave & Buster’s and the Adventure Park. The doors will open at 2 p.m. and the auction will begin at 3 p.m. Paddles can be purchased for $3 or two paddles for $5. Guests can also purchase food and drinks at the event, and there will be various door prizes announced throughout the auction. Proceeds from the event will support adults with developmental disabilities in the community through Spring Dell’s skill development programs including job-readiness, independent living, and employment placement. For more information or questions, go to springdellcenter.org or contact Ann Davis at 301-934-4561, adavis@springdellcenter.org.

HITS Expo to show students’ achievements in science, history

Charles County Public Schools is hosting its second History, Industry, Technology and Science (HITS) Expo starting at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 18, at St. Charles High School 5305 Piney Church Road in Waldorf.

The expo is a showcase of student accomplishments in the area of science and history, as well as exposes students, parents and the community to programs and extracurricular opportunities available. Programs include activities and student skills in the areas of science, history, technology, computer science, Career Technology Education (CTE) and engineering. Expo presentations begin at 1 p.m. and conclude around 5 p.m.

Several presentations are planned for the expo such as robotics, computer science and coding, engineering, Project Lead the Way, arts and crafts, interactive media production and more. Staff from the Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center are also presenting live raptors from the Nanjemoy Creek area.

An awards ceremony to honor student winners in the History and Science Fair project portion of the expo starts at 5 p.m. The expo replaces the annual science and history fairs, and in- cludes both science and history fair projects from Charles Coun- ty Public Schools students, as well as private school students.

Several hands-on learning activities will be featured for attendees to participate in at the expo. These activities range from a photo booth for students to dress as scientists or historians, marshmallow science, learning about DNA through strawberries, physical science demonstrations and a hands-on S.T.E.A.M. activity to a polar ice and fingerprint activity, flinkers activity, a vortex wave cannon, dissection demonstration and learning about heart health.

Re-enactors from local historical organizations also will lead several interactive demonstrations. Community groups such as the American Indian “Let’s Dance” program and the War of 1812 Traveling Trunk are planned to participate. Also taking place during the Expo in the indoor pool area is a regional SeaPerch challenge. SeaPerch is an underwater robotics program in which students design, build and operate a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) through a complex obstacle course.

Apply for the Charles County Arts Alliance Scholarship

Each year the Charles County Arts Alliance (CCAA) awards $1,000 scholarships to one outstanding graduating senior from each high school in Charles County who plans to continue studying the arts (performing, visual or literary) at a four-year college or university toward a career in the arts.

Additionally, the PNC Foundation is sponsoring three $1000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who demonstrate a financial need and plan to continue studying the Arts at a four year college or university toward a career in the Arts.

The completed application and all required documentation must be received in the CCAA Office by noon, Friday, March 17.

To download an application, go to https://charlescountyarts. org/program/scholarships.

Charles County Public School seniors may also see their high schools’ College and Career Advisors for a copy of the application. Students should determine which scholarship application they wish to submit.

There are three ways to submit an application:

1) Mail (not postmark) the completed application with sealed transcripts to CCAA, PO Box 697, White Plains, MD 20695, in sufficient time to be received in the CCAA office by March 17.

2) Email the application to info@charlescountyarts.org; and mail the sealed transcripts separately to the CCAA Office (PO Box 697, White Plains, MD 20695), in sufficient time to be received by noon, March 17, 2017.

3) Hand deliver the completed application with the sealed transcripts to the CCAA Office at 10250 La Plata Road, La Plata, MD 20646, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information, contact the CCAA office at 301-3925900, info@charlescountyarts. org, or scholarship.ccaa@gmail. com.