Santa Claus will visit Severna Park communities on Saturday and Sunday evenings thanks to some help from the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company.

Santa and the local fire company visited several communities last weekend, and will continue to make visits this weekend.

As long as the weather permits, Santa is scheduled to visit the following local communities between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Saturday:

• Chartwell on the Severn
• Kearney Manor
• Chartwood
• Chartwood on the Severn East
• Saint Ives
• Pointfield Landing
• Ben Oaks on the Severn
• Stewarts Purchase
• Lakeland on the Severn
• Highbank on the Severn
• Fairwinds on the Severn
• Williams Woods
• Benfield Manor
• Bendale
• Carrollton Manor
• Bluff Point on the Severn
• Rivendell
• Holly Point
• Sabrina Park
• Chartridge

Sunday

• Brightview Terr
• Elvaton Acres
• Solomons Ridge
• Solomons Woods
• Drexel Estates
• Hampton Manor
• Kilmarnock
• Kilmarnock Woods
• Richards Overlook
• Woodland Estates
• Brittingham North
• Brittingham South
• The Meadow
• Parkview
• Sabrina Park
• Chartwell on the Severn East
• Saint Ives
• Kinder Ridge
• Williams Woods
• Shipley's Choice North
• Shipley's Choice South

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Patch stopped by the Severna Park varsity basketball practice and spoke with seniorKiara Johnson, 17, about her basketball career, life at SPHS and her plans for the future.

Severna Park Patch: What is your favorite Severna Park basketball memory?
Kiara Johnson: Last year beating Severn in double overtime. It was their senior night and we just really needed that win and it was so intense and the whole crowd was into it and all the players were too. It was a great game.

Severna Park Patch: What are your expectations for this season?
Johnson: Just to basically be united with the team and win more games than we did last year.

Severna Park Patch: What other groups or activities do you participate in at Severna Park High School?
Johnson: Falcon Flight. It’s an organization and study group that goes on field trips. I also run track.

Severna Park Patch: What was your favorite class at Severna Park?
Johnson: English, because I just like commenting about different books and hearing different views on things. I like to see how other people think.

Severna Park Patch: What are you plans after high school?
Johnson: I am going to four-year college. I am undecided on where right now but am thinking either Lynchburg, Wesley or Averett, which is in Virginia. I want to play basketball and run track at a Division III school.

Editor's Note: After this interview was conducted, Kiara Johnson suffered a season-ending injury. Patch wishes Kiara a safe and quick recovery.

See Also:

• Girls Basketball: Falcons Focusing on Defense, Striving for Wins

The Severna Park High School field hockey team led the All-State squad with three first-team selections this season. The list was announced last week.

According to The Baltimore Sun, the state Field Hockey Coaches Association released its list for All-State first-team, second-team and honorable mention. Three Falcons were among those named to the first-team, which was the most from any one school in the state.

The following Severna Park field hockey players were named to the first-team All-State squad.

• Marissa Balleza (attack)
• Sam Slattery (midfield)
• Maeve Doherty (defense)

Severna Park field hockey entered the 2012 season as the defending 4A state champions, but fell to South River in the playoffs.

Do you know any of the SPHS first-team All-State members? Congratulate them in the comments.

The National School Boards Association warns that congressional inaction could force the implementation of sequestration provisions, causing critical harm to the public education system.  

At a Wednesday afternoon media teleconference, Deborah Rigsby, the organization's director of federal legislation, said that if legistlators did not take action before the first round of cuts take places on Jan. 2, 2013, public education will stand to lose more than $400 billion over the next 10 years nationwide in federal funding. Ostensibly, she said, school districts would lose $82,000 for every $1 million provided at the federal level for programming including Title I and special education.

"The sequestration fund cuts could result in high class sizes, reduced programming and the consolidation or closing of libraries," she said.

School districts may feel the impact of the cuts as early as the 2013-2014 school year.

"Education may be one of the fatalities that results from sequestration," said C. Ed Massey, the association's president and a member of the school board for Boone County in Kentucky.

Massey said the cuts would cripple the years of progress the public education system has made in boosting student achievement.

"Certainly education is not an area you want to cut, it's a civil right," he said.

John Pennycuff, a school board member in Ohio, said his state expects approximately $114 million in cuts over the 10 years sequestration policies would be enforced.

"We've already cut and cut to where we can't cut anymore without causing egregious harm.

Maryland State Department of Education spokesman William Reinhard, who did not participate in the teleconference, said the state faces more than $35 million in cuts that would impact approximately 80,000 students.

"We've told our [county school] systems to prepare for the worst, hope for the best," Reinhard said. "The results would be difficult to overcome."

Linda’s Legacy, a group that provides items to the homeless, will collect supplies in Severna Park on Saturday and Sunday.

The annual Christmas drive gathers donations for more than 25 homeless shelters in Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City. The group will collect supplies at Homestead Gardens in Severna Park from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

“The whole thing is a homeless drive, and we have done it for years,” said Kim Lank, shelter coordinator. “It is like a big push to fill all 25 plus shelters. We try to supply them with their wish list of needs.”

The name "Linda’s Legacy" comes from an Anne Arundel County woman named Linda Greenberg who originally started the effort. She now lives in Florida but comes up each year to help with the drive.

After the items are collected, they will be sorted from Dec. 20-23 at the Anne Arundel County Farmers Market in Annapolis and then delivered to shelters. Lank said 80 percent of the volunteers who help sort all the donations are kids and teenagers.

“It’s pretty uplifting to see all the kids there running around at the farmers market,” Lank said. “It looks like mad chaos, and it really comes down to a very specific procedure they follow to coordinate things and boxes.”

Those wishing to donate can bring new or gently used winter clothes, shoes, new baby items, new toys and fresh fruit to Homestead Gardens on Saturday or Sunday. Or stop by the farmers market, located at the corner of Riva Road and Harry S. Truman Parkway in Annapolis from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 20-23.

For more information on Linda’s Legacy, visit the website.  

A "substantial" winter storm could blow its way through Maryland by the middle of next week, according to the weather website AccuWeather.

The website’s current forecast predicts a potential for rain that could turn into snow, with coastal flooding and power outages.

“While the details are still uncertain, a larger, slower-moving and more powerful storm could slam the mid-Atlantic and New England with heavy precipitation, strong winds and above-normal tides Tuesday (Dec. 18) into Thursday (Dec. 20),” according to an email from AccuWeather.

The current forecast from the National Weather Service calls for a chance of rain through the early part of next week, but doesn’t currently predict any snow for the area.

Patch has rounded up local death notices. To read the full obituary, click on the name.

Thomas Edward Kennedy, Sr., 79, a resident of Arnold died on Dec. 9, 2012 at his home. (From Barranco & Sons Funeral Home)

Robert J. McClure, 91, of Millersville Maryland passed away at home on Dec. 6, 2012. (From Barranco & Sons Funeral Home)

Myrtle Cumberland Gibbons, 94, of Severna Park, died of natural causes at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis on Dec. 6.

Eleanor Phiel passed away on Dec 5, 2012 at the age of 101.

Joyce Adams died at home Dec. 3 surrounded by family and friends. She married Harold Adams in 1954, and they moved to Severna Park in 1966. (From The Capital)

Anna May Bunker, 91, of Severna Park, died at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown on Dec. 3. (From The Capital)

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Looking for the perfect gift for someone on your shopping list this holiday season? Patch can help.

For the next few weeks, Severna Park Patch will visit local shops and business to find out what items they are offering to holiday shoppers looking to save, spend or splurge on gifts.

Today’s gift ideas come from The Cottage located 568E Ritchie Highway.

The Cottage is a local gift boutique that offers designer products from jewelry, purses, clothes and home decor items. The store has been in its current location for 26 years.

Patch spoke with manager Monica Leisure about items The Cottage has to offer those on your holiday gift list.

Save (Items $20 or less)

• Natural Life ($17-$20)—This lines offers cute pillows and glasses with wholesome sayings that are great for sprucing up any room.
• Fumi Purse Hooks and Bracelets ($19.99)—This unique item is great for a girl on the go. The bracelet holds your purse to your wrist making any wallet a wristlet.
• Glacier Rocks ($15.99)—Leisure said these fancy ice cubes never melt and make a great guy gift.

Spend (Items $50 or less)

• Nora Fleming Platters ($32.55)—These platters can be dressed up for any occasions. For $12.99 you can buy embellishments that hook to the platter making it a decoration for any holiday.
• Buckle Belts ($29.99)—Leisure said these belts are a fun and simple way to update any wardrobe. Plus they are very comfortable.
• Lotus Necklaces ($49.99) You can buy charms to go with these sterling silver necklaces. Leisure said moms enjoy creating necklaces with their kids initials. Charms start at $8.99.

Splurge (Items $100 or more)

• Stand Up To Cancer Boots ($150-$250)—Made completely of leather and hand stitched these boots are fashionable and sold for a good cause. Leisure said a portion of the cost from the boots goes to the Stand Up To Cancer Foundation.
• Jude Connally Dresses ($178-$188)—Leisure said this dress can be a girls go-to outfit. They are made with a weighted bottom so they sit nicely on ones figure, are machine washable and won't wrinkle in a suitcase.
• Brighton Bag ($395)—This bag is part of Brighton's holiday collection and Leisure said it is really embellished for the holidays.

The cottage also has retired Vera Bradley patterns currently 40 percent off. Small wallets start at $12 and travel bags are priced at $120.

The store will also host its Men's Night on Friday. From 5 to 8 p.m. men can stop by for beer and food and receive specials and gift wrapping.

See Also:

• SP Holiday Gift Guide: Savvy
• SP Holiday Gift Guide: Victoria’s Fancy Foods
• SP Holiday Gift Guide: Paper Trousseau
• SP Holiday Gift Guide: Franklin's Toys

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The Severna Park housing market saw a significant increase in home sales during the month of November compared to last year's numbers. A local agent said when homeowners put their houses on the market now, they have slightly lower expectations—which has led to an increase in sales.

“I think for the most part there was a huge downslide in prices since 2007 and before people weren’t caught up with the reality that prices were going down,” said Coldwell Banker agent Mike Murray.

He and his wife, Melissa, grew up in the Severna Park area and now sell homes together. The pair was recently ranked in the top 10 of Coldwell Banker agents in the Baltimore area.

Murray explained how homeowners having lower expectations have led to more sales, not just in Severna Park but also in all of Anne Arundel County.

“Markets have now told sellers their house isn’t worth what it was before," Murray said. "But if you price it where it should be, it will go in a pretty quick amount of time.”

According to statistics from Coldwell Banker, the number of homes sold in Severna Park is up by 40 percent, which can be attributed to more realistic pricing of individual units.

The average price of homes sold during the month of November in Anne Arundel County was $352,170, compared to $482,500 in Severna Park.

Murray said a main reason for the increase in Severna Park is because the area lacks multifamily housing, which is traditionally less expensive than detached single-family homes.

“One big factor is that attached units sold in the county—meaning condos, townhouses and so on—is only two in Severna Park and 168 in the county,” Murray said. “That’s definitely why that number is inflated.”

Murray said buyers who come to the Severna Park area do so mostly because of the schools and the safe community.

“It’s really schools even more than safety,” Murray said. “The reputation of the schools here is great. And people don’t want to feel like they have to send their kids to private schools.”

In the coming months, Murray will provide Patch readers with updates on the housing market along with some tips for home buyers and sellers.

Murray and his wife are introducing a new Severna Park Patch blog and here’s a rundown of some items you may see: 

• Tips for first-time homebuyers
• 10 things to do before listing your home
• A monthly feature on homes sold in the area
• General housing trends

Be sure to check back on Patch for more information on the local housing market and let us know if there is something you'd like to see the Murray's cover in their real estate blog.

Little kids take the best photos, especially when they are not trying to.

Today’s Photo of the Day highlights three kids who needed to get a little closer to the Severna Park Elementary School fourth- and fifth-grade chorus, during their performance at the Severna Park Chamber tree lighting ceremony held on Friday.

I’m not sure if any of them had siblings performing, they probably did, but these little ones wanted to get in on the action too.

Want to see more photos from Friday’s Christmas in the ‘Park activities? Click here or like Severna Park Patch on Facebook.

Looking to try something new with your Christmas cookies this year? Consider trying this recipe that begins with cake mix.

One can make several varieties of cookies from just one batch of cake dough. If you’re tired with sugar cookies, use a chocolate fudge cake mix. The cookies were a big hit with my family, and they’re fun to make with kids.

“Cake and Bake” base ingredients:

• 1 box of cake mix of a flavor of your choice (preferably Betty Crocker Super Moist)
• ¼ cup each Crisco and butter, softened
• 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla

With an electric mixer, beat together the Crisco, butter and vegetable oil. It may seem odd to use three different types of fat in one recipe, but go ahead and try it. The butter adds flavor, the shortening keeps the cookies from spreading too much, and the vegetable oil keeps the mixture from being grainy.

Add the eggs and vanilla, and beat well. Add the cake mix and beat well, set dough aside and assemble your extras.

For the extras, think fun things such as coconut, your favorite chopped candies, toffee chips, dried fruit, nuts, miniature chocolate chips, jam, crushed Oreos or graham crackers, miniature marshmallows, flavorings and mint, peanut butter or white chocolate chips.

Divide your dough evenly into three different bowls. Add about a third of a cup of extras to each dough segment. If desired, add an additional one-quarter of a teaspoon of flavoring, such as mint, coffee or rum. Mix your chosen extras into the three bowls of dough and set aside.

Bake the cookies on cookie sheets with no sides for even baking. For thicker cookies, bake them in a miniature muffin tin.

Thoroughly coat two cookie sheets (or the miniature muffin tin) with cooking spray. Coat your hands and a tablespoon with cooking spray. Measure a tablespoon of dough into your hand and roll it into a ball. Place the balls in muffin tins or onto cookie sheets about two inches apart. You’ll have about 30 cookies.

You don’t want the balls to be much larger than a tablespoon, or they will be difficult to remove from the muffin tin and will spread too much on the cookie sheet.

Bake the cookie-sheet cookies for eight to 12 minutes and the muffin-tin cookies for 12 to 15 minutes in a preheated 350-degree oven. Check the cookies at the minimum cooking time. They should be firm and dry around the edges and their centers should be quite soft but not wet. If they’re still too moist, leave them in the oven for a few more minutes.

Put the cookie sheets of cookies on a cooling rack and let cool for only five minutes. Carefully loosen the cookies from the cookie sheet and let them cool completely on the cookie sheet.

For the muffin-tin cookies, let cool for five minutes, run a knife gently around the sides of the cookies, but leave them in the tin. Let them cool completely and then remove them from the tins.

Here are some "extras" ideas for your Christmas cookie plate:

For the mini-muffin tin:

• Candy Kisses: Press a candy cane Hershey Kiss into each cookie ball, pushing only part-way into dough.
• Jam thumbprints: Make a thumbprint in each ball and fill with a half a teaspoon of jam.

For the cookie sheets:

• Chocolate crinkles: Roll chocolate cookie dough balls in powdered sugar.
• Mini Mints: Add miniature chocolate chips and green mint chips.
• Brickle: Add toffee bits and chopped pecans.
• Java: Add half a teaspoon of instant espresso powder and chopped walnuts.
• M&M's: Add miniature M&M candies.
• Coconut: Add white chocolate chips and roll the cookie balls in coconut.
• S’mores: Add crushed graham crackers and miniature marshmallows.

For more easy and festive Christmas cookies, read "Last-Minute Cookies" on North Potomac-Darnestown Patch.

Each year, Hanukkah falls in close proximity or during Christmas according to the Hebrew calendar. Because of that, the two are celebrated side by side under the “Happy Holidays” moniker.

But in terms of religious significance, Hanukkah doesn’t rank as high for Jews as Christmas ranks for Christians.

“It’s hard to not make a big deal of out Hanukkah living in America, and I’m not sure it’s a bad thing,” said Rabbi Rhoda Silverman of Temple Emanuel in Reisterstown. “That’s not a problem for me as long as we don’t forget about everything else that makes us Jewish.”

Jonathan Schwartz, senior aide to Baltimore County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond and a member of Temple Emanuel, sees Hanukkah as having two roles in the lives of American Jews – religious and cultural.

“Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are definitely more important holidays from a religious point-of-view,” he said, referring to the Jewish New Year and Day of Atonement, respectively. “[Hanukkah’s] taken on a role in our culture, our Jewish American culture, that is bigger than it is in our religious culture.”

So what exactly is Hanukkah all about? On each of Hanukkah’s eight nights, Jewish families around the world light the hanukkiyah, a nine-branched candelabrum also known as the Hanukkah menorah. It commemorates the miracle of the oil.

When the Temple in Jerusalem was re-dedicated in 165 BCE, after the Jews had gotten control of their land and temple back from the Seleucid Empire of Syria, they had only enough oil to light their seven-branched menorah for one day, but it miraculously lasted eight days. Thus, Hanukkah is an eight-day holiday, which falls from sundown on Dec. 8 to sunset on Dec. 16 this year.

Other common traditions include eating oil-rich foods like donuts or potato latkes, which are fried potato pancakes.

While Rabbi Silverman and Schwartz both give their children gifts on Hanukkah, they make sure that the holiday is put in context. Schwartz and his family attend synagogue on the High Holidays, and the Rabbi makes sure her family keeps its own religious traditions.

The Silvermans light multiple hannukiyah every night, sing songs and invite family and friends over for all eight nights.

“It’s ultimately the family’s responsibility to create tradition,” Silverman said, which is how she thinks small children, excited by Hanukkah’s gifts, can understand the religious significance of the other holidays. At Temple Emanuel, religious school students learn about the holidays throughout the year.

At the end of the day, though, Hanukkah is “a minor holiday,” Silverman said.

Before planning your weekend, you may want to check out some of these activities. Click on the links for more information on any of the events.

Santa Visiting Local Dental Office
When: Friday, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Arundel Pediatric Dental Care
Details: Children can take free pictures with Santa and receive a free goodie bag. Refreshments will be served.

Linda's Legacy Homeless Drive
When: Saturday 1-4 p.m.; Sunday noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Homestead Gardens
Details: The annual Christmas drive gathers donations for more than 25 homeless shelters in Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City. Click here for suggestions on what to donate. 

U.S. Army Field Band Chamber Music Concert
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Where: St. Martin's in-the-field Church
Details: The concert is free to the public and features an original work by Janáček and arrangements by Staff Sgt.

Santa Runs
When: Saturday and Sunday 4-8 p.m.
Where: Severna Park Communities
Details: Santa Claus will visit Severna Park communities on Saturday and Sunday evenings thanks to some help from the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company. Click here for a list of communities.

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Have an event you want to see in our Weekend Planner? Upload it to our events calendar.

The town of Severna Park is full of local businesses that provide great services for the community.

In order to get a better sense of the owners and managers behind the businesses, Patch is introducing a new column. Severna Park Patch will talk with local business owners about life in Severna Park and how they got their start.

This week Patch spoke with Spark Running owner Caitlin Burman.

Spark Running has been located in Park Plaza for just over a year now and provides shoes, clothes and running accessories. Burman went to college at the University of Miami and at first majored in marine biology. She later changed her major to communications and sports administration, which led to Spark Running.

Severna Park Patch:What is your favorite part about running a business in Severna Park?
Caitlin Burman: It would definitely be the support from the local community and the support from other local merchants. I love being part of the chamber of commerce and exchanging ideas with more experienced business owners there.

Severna Park Patch:How did your business get started, and where did the idea come from?
Burman: The idea came to me in college while I was working in a similar store called FootWorks in Miami. That store had been there for 37 years and I knew I wanted to move back home after college. So I started looking for a running store where I could work and couldn’t find one. So I looked into opening one and six months later we opened.

Severna Park Patch: What’s the biggest challenge Spark Running has overcome?
Burman: A lot of it is still things that we are still dealing with. Being a smaller business we are not able to work with the larger vendors that we would like to work with. However, we make up for that in the level of service we provide and the education the staff and I all have. Our philosophy is a lot more in natural running and minimal style footwear.

Severna Park Patch:What’s unique about your business? Why should customers come?
Burman: The level of knowledge and expertise that the staff here has. They have all gone through a training and vendors all have a training on their website where we can learn about the product and the foot. We can match a shoe type to a customer’s biomechanics.

Severna Park Patch:What’s a typical day like for you?
Burman: There’s not really a typical day—they are all different because we have different customers coming in everyday, which is something I love about the business. I work with fitting customers, receiving new merchandise, restocking the store and, of course, back room work as well.

Severna Park Patch:What other local business do you like to frequent?
Burman: I am at The Big Bean at least once a day and at Freedom Bakery a lot. And I like to do my gift shopping at Side Street Framers and The Cottage.

See Also:

• Chatting with Mutt & Joe Manager Heather Jones
• Chatting with Breakfast Shoppe Owner Kyle Algaze

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When shopping for holiday gifts, it may be more traditional to head to the mall and shop around. However, online shopping provides unlimited options of gift buying and you never need to leave your home.

Patch has rounded up a few items available for purchase on Craigslist in the Severna Park area that may help you with your shopping.

Homemedics Rolling Back Massager/Seat Cover ($20)—This item can't be used in the car but can be used at home. It has many different functions and settings making it great for someone with a sore back.

Computer Desk ($50)—A modern style desk that would fit nicely in a small room or college dorm. It also features a shelf for a monitor or printer.

Trek Mountain Train Folding Trailer Bike ($145)—According to the website, this pedal trailer makes it easy to bring kids along on your biking adventure.

Coach Leather Bag ($55)—The owner said this bag was rarely used and is in great condition. The interior of the bag has an embossed Coach logo.

Boys Ice Hockey Skates ($15) If you have a little one looking to try out ice hockey, these skates might be a great place to start. According to the owner, they are brand new and listed as a boys size 10.

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Maryland State Police (MSP) are still searching for the driver in Tuesday's hit-and-run accident on I-97 that killed a 50-year-old Millersville man.

Police said Wilmer R. Borgmann III was ejected from his truck after a crash and was then struck by a vehicle that left the scene, according to police. 

"We have nothing new in that investigation," said MSP spokesman Greg Shipley. "We have not made any arrests and have no good suspect information. We are still working on it and still hoping someone out there calls us with that information."

Police believe Borgmann's body landed on the vehicle's hood since it was found more than 200 feet from the point of impact.

The vehicle that struck Borgmann may have extensive front end damage—most likely to the hood and windshield, police said. The vehicle is missing a windshield wiper, which was recovered at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or may have been in the area at the time is urged to contact police at 410-761-5130.

See Also:

• UPDATE: Police Seek Driver in Fatal I-97 Hit-and-Run
• Fatal Crash Hinders Morning Commute

Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: Although there isn't specific information for Severna Park, data for Maryland is on Google's Flu Trends.

Overall in Maryland, activity is considered high now, while it was considered just below moderate at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends.

If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in Severna Park that offer the vaccine (besides your own doctor, of course):

• Rite Aid
• Walgreens

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health provides free flu shot and nasal spray clinics in Annapolis and Glen Burnie. For more information, call the department's flu information line at 410-222-7343

For more locations—type in your ZIP code to find locations in Anne Arundel County.

According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country. 

Five states – Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee – are reporting flu rates not normally seen until January, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The flu season normally peaks in January and February.

Holiday travel and more time spent indoors due to soggy weather will contribute to the spread of the flu virus, so now is the time to get vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following information:

• Who should get vaccinated
• When to get vaccinated
• Selecting a flu vaccine
• Symptoms, complications and severity
• Treatment if you get the flu
• How flu spreads

UPDATE (4:10 p.m.)—In the wake of news that a gunman reportedly shot and killed 27 people at an elementary school in Connecticut, Anne Arundel County police boosted security at all public schools Friday afternoon prior to dismissal.

According to Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) spokesman Bob Mosier, a county police officer was stationed at every school during dismissal. He also said security will remain heightened as children arrive at their schools Monday morning.

The shooting occurred Friday morning in Newtown, CT.

Newtown Patch is on the scene near the school, providing live updates and breaking news.

According to Newtown Patch, parents of children who were killed during the shooting are still being notified by public officials and emergency personnel.

In a statement released by AACPS (also attached to this article as a PDF):

We have invested heavily in technology such as video intercom systems at main entrances to schools, and in electronic visitor tracking systems, which allow us to detect registered sex offenders who may try to gain access.

Front office staff must buzz in visitors to our school buildings. At our newest schools, there is a double-door system that prevents direct access from the front door to hallways where classrooms are located.

All of our schools run periodic emergency drills to familiarize students and staff with what to do in a variety of situations ranging from tornadoes to active shooters in buildings. This month’s drill, ironically, focused on an active shooter in the building. ...

[P]arents should monitor the reaction of their children to these events, as well as the activities of their children. Please be sensitive to the news coverage, as some of it may be graphic and disturbing.

It is parents who are best able to gauge the moods and reactions of their children to circumstances such as these. Please know that our school counseling staffs are ready and prepared to talk to any student or parent who has a need to discuss their feelings.

For the latest update on the Connecticut incident, see Newtown Patch.

In President Barack Obama’s speech to the nation Friday afternoon, he said, “Our hearts are broken today.”

Gov. Martin O'Malley released a statement:

“The loss of innocent lives today in the shootings in Connecticut are tragic beyond words. Katie and I send our thoughts and prayers to those who lost loved ones in this heartbreaking tragedy.

"It's incomprehensible to even attempt to understand the pain these families are feeling today, especially the speechless pain of losing a child. We encourage everyone to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers."

In this week's look at one of Severna Park’s most expensive homes, Patch takes you inside the $2,699,000 home at 43 Boone Trail. 

The waterfront home in the Linstead community has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and one half-bathroom. The property has a backyard with nice views and sits on a half-acre of land.

The single-family home was built in 1965 and is located on the Severn River. It features two fireplaces, a spacious dining room, an open-galley kitchen and a first-floor master suite.

For more information on this home, visit its listing on AOL Real Estate.