The Maryland State Department of Education is calling for nominations for its second annual parent involvement awards with Comcast. There will be a semifinalist fom each of the state's 24 school districts, five finalists and one overall winner. The finalists get $250 each, and the statewide winner will be awarded $1,000.

In our discussion this week about the fatal stabbing outside Lemmel, many of you talked about the importance of parents being involved in their kids' lives to prevent violence. There's that, and then there are the super-parents, who work on behalf of all children. One is Susana Barrios, Baltimore's finalist in the contest last year. She used her prize money to buy her school, Patterson Park Public Charter, books and DVDs in English and Spanish to help parents learn how to teach their kids to read.

Is there a parent whose volunteer work makes your school a better place? The award nomination forms, available here, must be postmarked by Jan. 16. To qualify, a candidate must have legal responsibility for a child enrolled in a Maryland public school.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.