HCPSS Partnership with Columbia Association to Promote Global Competence

November 28th, 2016

The Howard County Public School System is partnering with the Columbia Association (CA) International Exchange and Multicultural Programs Office to foster international understanding and develop global competence among students and staff. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing on Wednesday, November 30, at the Sheraton Columbia Waterside Restaurant in Columbia, Maryland.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, CA will invite HCPSS staff and students to participate in the International Exchange program with Columbia’s Sister Cities, the World Languages Café, the International Book Club, and various cultural festivals. CA also will invite students to join the Multicultural Youth Council of Howard County and will include HCPSS staff members on the International and Multicultural Advisory Committee.

HCPSS staff will invite CA representatives to participate in HCPSS professional development days and advisory committees to help prepare students to become globally competent and participate in a multilingual environment that values other cultures. This partnership supports Vision 2018 strategies to ensure students have access to culturally proficient staff members who support them and help them solve problems.

Howard County Board of Education Vice Chairman Ellen Flynn Giles, HCPSS World Languages Coordinator Leslie Grahn and International Student and Family Services Specialist Min Kim will join Columbia Association International and Multicultural Advisory Committee Chair Valerie Montague, Community Services Director Leslie Barnett and International Exchange and Multicultural Programs Manager Laura Smit to sign the formal partnership agreement at the November 30 event.

Columbia Association is a nonprofit community services corporation that manages Columbia, Maryland, a planned community that is home to approximately 100,000 people and several thousand businesses.

CA’s International Exchange and Multicultural Programs foster international understanding and celebrate the diverse cultures of Columbia. The goals of the International Exchange Program include developing new exchanges with Columbia’s four sister cities and creating new sister city relationships in other cities and nations. CA also develops multicultural programs for the community such as the World Languages Café, Culture Fests and the International Book Club.

The Howard County Public School System’s Partnerships Office has united schools with more than 1,000 businesses and community organizations to enhance the educational experience of Howard County students. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.

For more information, contact Partnerships Office Manager Mary Schiller at 410-313-6655 or mary_schiller@hcpss.org.