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The Cheonan delegation also engaged with local leadership, including members of the County Council, Congressman Glenn Ivey, and key representatives from the state and federal levels.
Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation Hosts Cheonan City Delegation Following Successful Visit to South Korea
By PRESS OFFICER
PGCEDC
LARGO, Md. (April 17, 2025)—Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC) proudly hosted a distinguished delegation from Cheonan City, South Korea, on April 15–16, 2025, strengthening the growing international partnership first initiated during a Prince George’s County delegation visit to Cheonan in September 2024. The delegation will also visit Atlanta, Georgia after their tour of Prince George’s County.
The delegation’s itinerary included a warm welcome and formal gift exchanges at the Prince George’s County Building where they met Acting County Executive Tara H. Jackson and County Council Chair Edward P. Burroughs III. The delegation also made site visits to innovation leaders including NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland Discovery District. These visits highlighted the County’s strength in research, smart technology, and economic development.
The Cheonan City delegation included:
• Kim Seog-pil, Deputy Mayor
• Song Min-chul, Director of Enterprise Support Division
• Park Su-mi, International Exchange Team Leader
• Kim Hyeon-sik, Secretary to the Deputy Mayor
• Lee Eun-hye, International Exchange Team Member
“Prince George’s County is honored to host our partners from Cheonan City as we continue to strengthen our global ties,” said Acting Prince George’s County Executive Tara H. Jackson. “This visit builds on the momentum of last year’s successful trade mission, where our delegation engaged with South Korean small and medium-sized enterprises during the 2024 Cheonan City Dance Festival. Through collaboration and shared priorities, we’re unlocking new pathways for innovation, economic growth, and international cooperation that will enrich our residents and businesses for years to come.”
The visit follows a successful business trade mission where representatives from PGCEDC and local Prince George’s County-based companies engaged with 19 South Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the 2024 Cheonan City Dance Festival. The initial engagement fostered robust dialogue on international expansion, export readiness, and collaboration between U.S. and Korean businesses.
“This reciprocal exchange underscores the value of global collaboration and the strong foundation we are building with Cheonan City,” said Ebony Stocks, Interim President & CEO of PGCEDC. “Our shared commitment to innovation and inclusive economic growth makes this partnership a powerful driver of opportunity for businesses on both sides.”
The Cheonan delegation also engaged with local leadership, including members of the County Council, Congressman Glenn Ivey, and key representatives from the state and federal levels. These meetings showcased the County’s vibrant business ecosystem and commitment to international partnerships.
“Welcoming the Cheonan City delegation to Prince George’s County reflects our ongoing commitment to building bridges that extend far beyond our borders,” stated Prince George’s County Council Chair Edward P. Burroughs III. “This partnership not only celebrates cultural exchange but also highlights our shared vision and strength in research, innovation, and global progress. We are proud to be deepening our Sister City relationship and positioning Prince George’s County as a leader in international growth.”
“Hosting our friends from Cheonan City is the natural next step in a relationship rooted in economic opportunity and shared values,” added Martin Ezemma, Director of International Business Development at PGCEDC. “After our impactful visit to Cheonan last fall, this exchange reinforces our commitment to building sustainable, mutually beneficial trade and innovation ties.”
Prince George’s County looks forward to continued collaboration with Cheonan City and other international partners to create a global bridge for business, innovation, and cultural understanding.
Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC)’s mission is to cultivate and promote a strong local economy supporting entrepreneurs’ and businesses’ growth and prosperity. It is dedicated to strengthening communities through business development and job creation. For more information about Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation’s services to local companies, visit www.pgcedc.com
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Fort Foote Elementary Principal Honored with National Leadership Award
By PRESS OFFICER
PGCPS
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (April 17, 2025)—Fort Foote Elementary School Principal Dr. Ryan Daniel was named a National Distinguished Principal by the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP). The honor was presented in a special ceremony at the school on April 11, recognizing Dr. Daniel’s exceptional leadership and dedication to student success.
A proud graduate of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), Dr. Daniel brings 18 years of educational experience to her role. Her journey has taken her from the classroom as a teacher and mentor to leadership positions as assistant principal at Calverton Elementary and principal at Chillum Elementary, before joining Fort Foote in 2021.
“Dr. Daniel brings both heart and innovation to her work as a leader, and is dedicated to creating learning environments where students feel supported, seen, and valued,” said Superintendent Millard House II. “She’s equally committed to empowering educators and working tirelessly to build meaningful partnerships that strengthen the home-to-school connection.”
Through Daniel’s leadership, Fort Foote has cultivated a strong, collaborative school culture focused on equity and academic growth. The school’s targeted efforts to support English Language Learners (ELL)—including strategic teacher collaboration, data-driven interventions, and family engagement through Parent Academies—have significantly closed the achievement gap between ELLs and non-ELLs, narrowing it from -17.1% to just 0.3% over the past three years. Fort Foote has also earned recognition as one of Maryland’s Top 50 schools for reading performance on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP).
“Dr. Daniel has the remarkable ability to build and sustain a positive school climate and culture,” said Instructional Director Sheena Hardy. “Her emphasis on relationship building is evident in the way she fosters open communication and genuine partnerships with all stakeholders, ensuring that the needs of her students and families are met holistically.”
In addition to her work within the school, Dr. Daniel is a respected leader at the national level. Through the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), she has mentored first-year educators as a National Mentor Principal and served in multiple leadership roles, including Executive Board Member, President Elect, President, and now Immediate Past President. She is a contributing author to She Leads: A Woman’s Guide to a Career in Educational Leadership, a book celebrating women in education, and serves on Maryland’s Blueprint Implementation Team.
Dr. Daniel’s leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including PGCPS’ 2023 nominee for The Washington Post Principal of the Year and receiving the Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. Community Service Award in both 2022 and 2024.
She holds a doctorate from Bowie State University and a master’s degree from Trinity Washington University.
Established in 1984, the National Distinguished Principals® (NDP) program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level principals who demonstrate excellence in leadership, student achievement, and school culture.
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Berwyn Heights Elementary Among Maryland Nominees for 2025 National Green Ribbon School Award
By PRESS OFFICER
PGCPS
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (April 15, 2025)—Berwyn Heights Elementary School is one of just three schools in the state to be selected by Dr. Carey Wright, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, as a 2025 Maryland Nominee for the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) Award. This prestigious national recognition honors schools for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and costs, improve the health and wellness of students and staff, and provide effective environmental and sustainability education.
A proud Title I school serving a diverse population of K-5 students, Berwyn Heights has embedded sustainability into its school culture for nearly two decades. Since becoming a Maryland Green School in 2006, BHES has steadily advanced its environmental initiatives, reaching Sustainable Bronze status in April 2024. The school’s environmental practices are wide-ranging, hands-on, and community-centered—from student-led composting and vermicomposting programs to pollinator habitat cultivation and watershed education.
“Sustainability is not just a program at Berwyn Heights Elementary—it’s something our entire school district is aspiring to as outlined in our Climate Change Action Plan,” said Superintendent Millard House II. “Our district leads the state in the number of Maryland Green Schools, and Berwyn Heights is one of just seven schools to have reached elite ‘Sustainable’ status.”
Berwyn Heights students begin learning about environmental impact as early as kindergarten through in-class instruction, project-based learning, and outdoor activities. Notable programs include raising sunfish for release into the Chesapeake Bay watershed and growing vegetables in the school garden, which is maintained year-round with support from the community and shared with local families.
“Our students are learning to be stewards of the environment from their earliest years, and their school community is modeling what it means to make a real, lasting impact,” said principal Amanda Alerich. “This nomination reflects the powerful work of educators, students, and families who are committed to building a greener, healthier future.”
Throughout the school, conservation efforts have led to measurable reductions in energy and water usage. The school has installed energy-efficient lighting, monitored plumbing for efficiency, and adjusted HVAC systems to reduce consumption. Staff and students work together to power down unused electronics and incorporate sustainability into daily routines.
Outdoor learning is also central to Berwyn Heights’ approach. With support from the Town of Berwyn Heights, the school has developed and maintained outdoor spaces including a sensory garden, pollinator garden, and an outdoor classroom that enhance both education and well-being.
The ED-GRS Award Program celebrates institutions that exemplify sustainability leadership and share resources and strategies others can adopt. Berwyn Heights Elementary’s nomination underscores the PGCPS commitment to environmental education and serves as a model for schools nationwide.???????
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Youth Mental Health Part Eight
Funding Restored to Maryland Youth Mental Health Initiatives
By SASHA ALLEN
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (April 14, 2025)—Maryland mental health advocates and providers are relieved coming out of this year’s legislative session, where state lawmakers decided against a drastic cut in funding to the state’s year-old, big-money program aimed at improving the mental health of its young people.
The Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, created under the state’s ambitious and expensive education reform plan called the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, will receive $70 million from the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget to award mental health providers in its second round of grants. That’s up from the $40 million Gov. Wes Moore originally suggested spending.
But with some money left over from funding this past fiscal year, the consortium plans to allocate closer to $98 million in grants. Legislators previously allocated $119.7 million over two years to set up the consortium and issued its first $111 million of grants in February 2024.
Partly as a result of those grants, more than 80% of Maryland public schools now have some sort of mental health service available for students. And mental health advocates said the additional funding means the state’s effort will continue to reach a large percentage of the state’s children.
“This is a critical investment that’s ensuring students in every corner of our state have the resources and support necessary to learn and thrive,” said Dan Martin, senior director of public policy at the Mental Health Association of Maryland. “We couldn’t be happier.”
The consortium provides mental health funding for dozens of services, including in-school counseling, substance abuse treatment and peer support groups for families and students.
But at the beginning of this year’s difficult legislative session where the General Assembly would have to fill a $3 billion budget hole, Moore proposed a spending plan that allocated only $40 million to the youth mental health effort—even though he once proposed the program should receive $130 million for fiscal year 2026.
The General Assembly, however, passed a bill on the last day of the legislative session that added $30 million to the youth mental health budget on top of what Moore had proposed, leaving many relieved for the future of the program.
Sen. Katie Fry Hester, a Democrat representing Montgomery and Howard counties, said this decision was crucial for the future of the consortium and the youth mental health programs it funds.
“I think when you’re trying to address the mental health needs of the entire state, you can’t really do it piecemeal,” Hester said.
If funding for the consortium had been limited to the amount suggested in Moore’s budget, “you would have to redo the entire program,” Hester added.
The consortium’s grant allocations are designed around a “hub and spoke” model that aims to include community organizations in the program. The hubs, or organizations already established in Maryland’s counties, including churches and community centers, help promote and run the services of the spokes, or mental health programs. Both are funded through consortium grants.
“The hub and spoke model would not have worked at $40 million,” Hester said.
While the community organizations are in different stages of operation in each county, Mark Luckner, executive director of the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, said the funding provided will allow for the program to move closer to full implementation this upcoming year.
Luckner said a good number of active service providers have applied for the second round of funding, which the consortium is expected to issue by June 30.
The initial 127 grants were projected to serve about 150,000 people, “and they’re well on their way to do that globally,” Luckner said at Thursday’s consortium meeting.
Luckner said he believes within two years, as many as 22 of the state’s 24 jurisdictions will either have a fully operational or almost fully operational youth mental health hub.
“We should just take a moment and celebrate that accomplishment that the consortium is achieving,” Luckner said.
Service providers agree. Jan Guszynski is the project manager for Prosper, an app that, under Uneo Health, provides mental health check ins-for adolescents. The app received $1.4 million grants to provide services in Prince George’s, Frederick and Calvert counties.
Before the legislation was passed confirming $70 million in consortium funding for fiscal year 2026, Guszynski said she was worried for the future of not only mental health services but for the students using them.
“I really, really hope that we do not see these resources shuttered or too heavily impacted as time goes on,” Guszynski said. “Because it’s hugely important.”
Those resources won’t likely get shuttered or too heavily impacted if the General Assembly sticks with the outline it set in the budget it just passed, which projects $100 million in youth mental health funding in fiscal year 2027 and $100 million annually after that.
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