Annual remembrance of Mr. Johns Hopkins planned for Dec. 24

Unlike most of the year, when everyone rushes to where they're going, December is a good time to stop and remember where we came from. At Johns Hopkins, it is a particularly good time to remember that the university and health system came from the magnificent philanthropic act of one man.

The annual observance in honor of Mr. Johns Hopkins will take place at his grave in Green Mount Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 24, the 134th anniversary of his death.

The brief informal Christmas Eve ceremony, led by Ross Jones, university vice president and secretary emeritus, will include remembrances of Mr. Hopkins and a wreath laying.

To reach the gravesite, enter at the main gate along Greenmount Avenue, about five blocks south of North Avenue; drive straight up the hill; and park near the crest.

 

Global Program on Malaria gets $15 million award for Tanzania

The Global Program on Malaria at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Communication Programs has received a $15 million grant to develop communication strategies to prevent and treat malaria in rural Tanzania. The award was made by the President's Malaria Initiative through the United States Agency for International Development. This is the first time a procurement will focus on behavior change communication.

CCP's technical strategy will focus on those living in rural areas who are at the highest risk of death from malaria. It will promote behavior change to support the use of insecticide-treated nets, prompt treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy, intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women and indoor residual spraying.

Work on the five-year award will begin immediately. Partners on the project include Population Services International, JHPIEGO, RTI International and a number of Tanzanian nongovernmental organizations.

CCP's Global Program on Malaria was formed in 2006 when the CCP received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for a global advocacy project called VOICES for a Malaria-Free Future. VOICES is educating policy-makers about effective programs and strategies for malaria control and is working closely with malaria advocates and stakeholders around the world.

 

School of Nursing announces GRE requirement change

The School of Nursing announced last week that submission of the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores is now optional for applicants to the BS to MSN and the master's programs. Applicants to the MSN/MBA, MSN/MPH and MSN/PhD programs are still required to submit GRE scores with their application.

Due to the rigorous and demanding nature of the nursing program, the master's admissions committee will continue to apply stringent admissions criteria to ensure the candidate's success in the master's program.

For more information about the School of Nursing programs, go to www.son.jhmi.edu/academics/academic_programs/ masters.

 

Researchers write handbook for schools' family reading nights

Family Reading Nights, a book written by three leaders at the National Network for Partnership Schools at Johns Hopkins, was released this month by Eye On Education, an organization that publishes practical reference books for teachers, principals, administrators and other educators.

Family reading nights are designed to engage parents and the community in ways that encourage children to value and enjoy reading and writing. Based on 10 reading themes, the book shows teachers and parents how to conduct the activities at their schools. A typical night includes a group activity, a performance by students in a selected grade level, dinner for families, reading workshops and activities, and take-home activities and information. The book includes agendas, suggestions for activities, ideas for student performances and presentations, and invitations and evaluation forms.

Authors Darcy Hutchins, Marsha Greenfeld and Joyce Epstein were classroom teachers before joining Johns Hopkins. Hutchins began family reading nights at the elementary school where she taught first grade in Baltimore City as a way to more closely involve parents. Greenfeld conducted the events when she worked in the Baltimore City school system as a classroom teacher and as a district facilitator for School Family Community Partnerships.

Epstein is the founder and director of NNPS, which guides school district leaders in developing programs of family and community involvement. The NNPS also conducts research, develops policy and programs, and provides professional development about building family and community partnerships with schools.

 

This issue of 'Gazette' is last for semester; next will be Jan. 7

This is the last issue of The Gazette for the semester; the next issue will appear on Jan. 7. The deadline for calendar and classified submissions for that issue is noon on Monday, Dec. 31. This issue's calendar carries listings for events, scheduled as of press time, through Jan. 7; for updates, go to the universitywide calendar at www.jhu.edu/calendar.

GO TO DECEMBER 17, 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
GO TO THE GAZETTE FRONT PAGE.