Homework Helpers

The New Book of Knowledge and America the Beautiful
AES students with Internet access at home can now go to www.go.grolier.com to access The New Book of Knowledge and America the Beautiful. The user name and password are both bcps. These resources offer information on a wide variety of topics and are an excellent source on information!

BCPL Online
Did you know that you can search the Baltimore County Public Library's databases, reserve books, renew items, and more -- all online? Visit their web site: www.bcplonline.org

KidsClick Web Browser
A kid-friendly web "browser" developed by public libraries to help guide young users to valuable and age appropriate web sites. Visit sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!

Fun & Games

Brainium BugZone
BugZone is a cutting-edge, interactive online multimedia environment. Part cartoon, part adventure game, and a whole lot of science, the BugZone follows a rag-tag band of fugitive bugs through a series of misadventures in space, on their way back to Earth. Through an engaging episodic story, interesting characters, and challenging puzzles, students are encouraged to apply scientific know-how to help the hapless bugs out of their wacky predicaments.Visit us.brainium.com (Note: This is a sample site. You must sign up for a free 30-day trial to enter the active site) It's definitely worth a look!

Discovery School
For parents, teachers, and students. Discovery School has fresh ideas to enhance learning. For students, there are tools to help you study, games to challenge your mind, and tons of great clip art to use. In addition, there are nearly a dozen learning adventures that let you explore everything from Ancient Egypt to the Space Station. Visit school.discovery.com

Parents’ Helpers

Adventures in Parenting
Finally! Someone has published the “Instructions Manual” for raising kids! This booklet, published by the National Institutes of Health, describes in simple terms the steps to being a successful parent. Best of all, this booklet is free! Contact the NICHD Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 3006, Rockville, MD 20847 or call 1-800-370-2943 or fax 301-984-1473 or email NICHDClearinghouse@mail.nih.gov or visit www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubslist.cfm (Scroll down to Adventures in Parenting. You can order online or simply download it.)

Useful Web Sites
Have questions or need additional information about your child's school? Visit the Baltimore County Public Schools site: www.bcps.org. Also visit the National PTA web site: www.pta.org.

Summer School Reading Programs
The Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Alternative Education offers summer school reading programs for students who are performing below grade level as indicated on their report cards. These programs are available on a "first come, first served" basis. Enrollment is limited. For more information, contact 410-887-7845 or visit www.bcps.org/offices/alted.

Resource Centers
See what the Resource Centers have for you! Letter and shape die cuts; clip art and activity books; poster making; punch and bind machines; laminating; button making; workshops, and more. Small fee charged for cost of materials used. Available to Baltimore County public schools, students, and families. Visit the SW Center at Maiden Choice, 4901 Shelbourse Rd. Mon/Wed/ Thur/Fri: 9am-4pm; Tues: 10am-5pm. Call 410-887-3646 for directions and to verify hours.

Resource Centers for Special Eduction
The Baltimore County Resource Centers offer Outreach and support services for families of children with special educational needs. Contact Jean Considine 410-887-5443 for more information.

Community Connections

Arbutus Improvement Association
The Arbutus Improvement Association (AIA) is a group of committed and concerned citizens of Arbutus working to promote community growth, pride and responsibility. The AIA strives to maintain and enhance the quality of community life in Arbutus by affirming what is good, encouraging positive change, and responding in a unified voice to issues of concern to the community. Visit their web site: www.arbutus4me.com

Greater Arbutus Community Alliance
The Greater Arbutus Community Alliance (GACA) is an organization of business and community associations, schools, churches, and individual citizens working collectively to provide leadership and to focus on the preservation of the Arbutus area communities, the character of development of our community youth, and the improvement in the quality of community life. The group also serves as an allied voice of Arbutus in the Southwest Area. Visit their web site: www.arbutus.org

Do you have an item for this page that would be of interest to other AES parents or students? Email your suggestion to: aespta@umbc.edu. Please state "Reference Desk" in the subject line.

Note: The AES PTA does not specifically endorse any resource listed on this page. These resources are provided as a courtesy to our visitors.