Thursday, June 8, 2023

Previous editions of the BCPS Staff Bulletin are archived and available for viewing on the BCPS website.

Coming Soon: Meet the Superintendent Community Events!

Members of the BCPS community are invited to participate in eight upcoming community events to learn about and meet Dr. Myriam Yarbrough, the incoming superintendent. During the events, Dr. Yarbrough will share information about key priorities for the upcoming school year, hear from members of the Team BCPS community and answer questions. Dr. Yarbrough will begin her tenure as BCPS superintendent on July 1, 2023.

Thursday, June 15, 6 - 7 p.m.*

New Town High School - Media Center

Wednesday, June 21, 6 - 7 p.m.*

Carver Center - Cafeteria

Thursday, June 22, 6 - 7 p.m.*

Dundalk/Sollers Point - Sollers Café

Wednesday, July 5, 6 - 7 p.m.*

Catonsville High School - Cafeteria

Thursday, July 6, 6 - 7 p.m.

Perry Hall High School - Cafeteria

Monday, July 10, 6 - 7 p.m.*

Kenwood High School - Cafeteria

Thursday, July 13, 6 - 7 p.m.*

Loch Raven High School - Cafeteria

Tuesday, July 18, 6 - 7 p.m.*

Randallstown High School - Cafeteria

*Spanish interpretation will be provided

FEATURED VIDEO:

Graduation Highlights

Congratulations to the Class of '23! Photo albums from BCPS commencement exercises will be added to the BCPS Flickr page as they become available.

In addition, BCPS invites students, parents, and staff to submit their favorite 2023 high school commencement snapshots on social media using #bcpsgrad. To contribute a photo via email, individuals are asked to send the photo as a jpeg file (no larger than 4 MB), and email it to communications@bcps.org, including the school name.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• ALICE Training

Directions to access the ALICE (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, and evacuate) active assailant eLearning course will be sent via email on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, to all staff who have not completed the course.

This includes staff who have joined BCPS since the last message was sent and those who did not respond to the original email by completing the course. The message will come from our vendor, Navigate360 with “ALICE Training 2022-2023” in the subject line.

• End of School Year Cleanup



With the last day of school approaching, students, teachers, and staff will be cleaning out lockers, classrooms, and offices; this is a great opportunity to organize a schoolwide green cleanout. This initiative helps current and aspiring MD Green Schools with their recertification or application under Objective 1.4 Celebration of the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Green School program.

Additionally, presenting your school’s end of the year green cleanout initiative at a faculty meeting qualifies for MAEOE Objective 1.2.1 Professional Development.

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to think sustainably when cleaning out lockers, classrooms, and offices. This includes recycling scrap paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and reusing or donating gently used items. Performing these sustainable practices will align with Board Policy 3540 – Energy Conservation and Sustainability. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Smithsonian Education Summit

BCPS teachers are invited to register for the 2023 Smithsonian National Education Summit. The Summit is offered for free both online and in-person in Washington, D.C., with an amazing line-up of speakers, including leading researchers, museum educators, teacher practitioners, and education advocates. Register today and “save your seat” for this one-of-a-kind professional learning opportunity.

• Evaluation System (Perform) - For Your Records: Print or Save Electronically

Your records, including observation and evaluations, can be found on the Employee Evaluation System (Perform). Be sure to print or electronically save these documents before the end of the school year. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Nourishing Our Youth Round Up Program

Giant Food is partnering with BCPS to help support children facing food insecurity. From June 16 through July 27, everyone who shops at Giant Food will be invited to "Round Up at the Register" and donate the round up amount to the program fund or donate online through Giant Delivers and Giant Pickup. Giant Food will also include the option to include your FLEX points that are converted into grocery dollars. We ask for your help to ensure the program is a great success! These funds will be provided directly to BCPS Food and Nutrition to address food insecurity in our school communities.

• Algebra I Symposium



As part of our system goal of supporting student achievement in mathematics, the Division of Curriculum and Instruction, in collaboration with the Department of Schools, and the Department of Organizational Learning is pleased to announce the Algebra I Summer Symposium for all BCPS Algebra I teachers, teacher leaders, and administrators. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

The symposium will be held over five days of in-person professional learning on the dates and locations listed below. Participants should attend all five days.

New Town High School

• Tuesday, June 27, 2023

• Wednesday, June 28, 2023

• Thursday, June 29, 2023

Carver Center

• Wednesday, August 9, 2023

• Thursday, August 10, 2023

• 2023 MCEE Financial and Economic Education Summit for Teachers

The Maryland Council on Economic Education is offering a conference on Wednesday, June 28, for elementary, middle, and high school teachers and administrators. The audience will include teachers of social studies, math, gifted and talented, personal finance, business, JROTC, family and consumer sciences, and financial literacy courses. Teachers will learn valuable information to use in their classrooms and in their personal lives. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Safe Schools Paid Summer Training Pilot

We are excited to announce a pilot program for TABCO-represented employees, which will allow an opportunity for payment of Safe Schools trainings completed outside of the duty day.

In an effort to communicate best practices for optimum school safety and provide more time to focus directly on teaching and learning during the upcoming school year, TABCO-represented employees may engage in up to eight (8) hours of Safe Schools training beginning Monday, July 3, 2023 – Friday, August 18, 2023.

The stipend for participation is $37.86 per hour and will be paid to all staff in September. TABCO-represented employees are highly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to continuously refine professional practices and support school safety. This opportunity for TABCO-represented employees is optional. Additional information regarding the process for payment is forthcoming.

• Call for Mentors - Mentoring and Comprehensive New Employee Onboarding Training Pilot Program

ESPBC and BCPS are partnering to create and implement a mentoring and comprehensive new employee onboarding training. The 2023-2024 school year will serve as a pilot program for office professionals who have financial and/or registration responsibilities. Mentoring of the new employees is a key component to the program. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Education Foundation Exchangeree shopping dates for July

The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., will host shopping days during July at the Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore centers at Rosedale/Golden Ring and Windsor Mill for all full-time BCPS educators and support staff.

During July, no registration or appointments are needed, but shoppers must bring their BCPS photo ID and shopping bags/boxes.

On the following shopping dates, educators can pick up both academic school/classroom supplies and educational resources and new and gently used books:

• Thursday, July 6, from 3-6 p.m., Windsor Mill

• Tuesday, July 11, from 3-6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring

•Thursday, July 20, from 3-6 p.m., Windsor Mill

•Tuesday, July 25, from 3-6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Back to School Immunization Events Flyer

Schools are encouraged to share this digital flyer from the Baltimore County Department of Health with parents who enroll over the summer.

• Baltimore County Leaders Award Program - Call for Nominations

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski has issued a call for nominations for the inaugural Baltimore County Community Heroes Awards, which will recognize seven individuals - one from each County Council district - who have made significant and meaningful contributions to their communities and for their selfless dedication to making a difference for those around them. Nominees must reside in Baltimore County. Current Baltimore County employees and elected officials are not eligible. Nominations are open until June 30, 2023.

ICYMI: BCPS to Provide Incentives to New Special Education Teachers and Teachers Who Commit to Work at Select High Needs Schools

BCPS has identified select schools with high needs and will provide incentives for teachers who agree to teach in these schools. High needs schools include select schools that are identified as Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI) schools, Targeted School Improvement (TSI) schools, and have high vacancy rates. The full message is available online.

Please note, the phone number in the message sent on Wednesday, June 7, was incorrect, and has been updated.

Thank you, Retirees!

Please join us in celebrating this year’s BCPS Retirees! Use #BCPSRetirees on social media to send messages of gratitude or give a shoutout to a BCPS Retiree.

We're Hiring! - Upcoming Recruitment Events

Spread the word! BCPS is hiring for a variety of positions. Applications are available now online.

Coming in June:

Grounds Worker II

June 20

Building Service Worker

June 20

Cafeteria Worker

June 29

Bus Driver & Attendant

June 9 and June 16

Summer Job Fairs

June 28 at Catonsville High School

June 29 at Dundalk High School

Learn more about upcoming events in a BCPS news release.

2023-2024 Parent University Presentations

The Office of Family and Community Engagement is currently scheduling 2023 – 2024 presentations for families through Parent University. Parent University hosts virtual Lunch and Learn workshops and evening sessions. If staff from your department would like to present, please contact Sue Hahn with a date between September - December. Please also include the title, a short description, and what time of day is preferred.

BCPSFest: Call for Vendors!

BCPSfest 2023 will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Road, Towson 21204. Please register by June 30, 2023, for your office to participate as a vendor. Questions regarding this information should be directed to Diana Spencer or Jill Stephenson.

Summer Food Service Program - Updated Distribution List

Baltimore County Public Schools will offer free breakfast and lunch meals to all youth up to age 18 through the annual Summer Food Service Program.

The program will begin on Tuesday, June 20, and continue through Friday, August 18. Meals will be served Monday through Friday, but meal sites will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. All meals must be consumed on site.

Breakfast and lunch will be served at selected schools and lunch only will be served at several public library branches. Check online for the sites closest to you and the times when meals will be served. Please note, the list was updated this week to include Sussex Elementary School and Woodlawn Middle School.

First Financial Federal Credit Union Summer Financial Wellness Sessions

The Department of Employee Training and Development in the Division of Human Resources has recently collaborated with First Financial Federal Credit Union to provide high quality professional development and training to staff. Staff from FFFCU presented sessions on financial wellness at the Leadership Advance and the Facilities Advance. These highly rated sessions will be repeated for interested staff during the summer months.

In addition, FFFCU has partnered with HR leadership to host the Central Staff Induction Program (CSIP) final reflection and celebration and the Human Resources Administration and Compliance retreat at their headquarters in Sparks. FFFCU headquarters will be the site of the 23-24 ASPIRE BCPS and CSIP programs: the training and development team is thrilled to offer these programs at this location and include a variety of financial wellness options for participating staff.

Registration for both ASPIRE and CSIP will open at the end of June. We are grateful to FFFCU for their continued support, which is outlined in an MOU that describes our exclusive partnership and collaborative programs spanning HR, Academics, Organizational Development and Leadership and the Education Foundation.

Virtual MSDE Charette - Ready for Kindergarten

The Maryland State Board of Education and Maryland State Department of Education are hosting a virtual Ready for Kindergarten Charette on June 8, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 7:30pm.

This charette will focus on the Strategic Plan Priority – Ready for Kindergarten and provide an opportunity for educators, principals, district staff, higher education and community partners, and family members to provide input on the flagship programs, strategies and initiatives that will ensure Maryland students are prepared socially, emotionally, and academically for success in kindergarten.

Participants will learn about the Strategic Plan - Phases 1 and 2 and engage in collaborative planning that incorporates their expertise, ideas, and enables participants to become mutual authors of the plan. Watch live on YouTube.

Team BCPS celebrates Pride Month! This June, the Mind Over Matters campaign offers a variety of activities, resources, and tools for the theme “Pride Matters.”

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT

Brandi Zellhofer, Social Emotional Learning Teacher, White Oak School

Submitted by Kelly Evans, Specialist, BCBA, Department of Special Education



"Brandi goes above and beyond to support her students and other staff. She celebrates students' progress and achievements and shows patience and grace when students are struggling. She is prepared, organized, and enthusiastic in all areas of her work. She works diligently to meet students' needs and build their academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and college and career skills while supporting staff in addressing these areas well. In a recent meeting with MSDE, she was able to share critical information about her students' strengths and needs and demonstrated her well-rounded knowledge and care for each student."

• Melody Ashburn-Payton

• Rae'tta Bond

• Jerome Coates

• Shanae Creek

• Kristin Dickson

• Tia Dickerson

• Jessica Finke

• Joy Garvey

• Anthony Gentry

• Carrie Goetzke

• Megan Griffin

• Jessica Harman

• Deidre Hill

• Monica Jones

• Julie Leonard

• Rachel Leslie

• Dale Martin

• Lateisha Mason

• Stacey Regino

• Andrew Reid

• Ricardo Rodriguez

• Tiffany Smith

• Pashael Todman

• Bianca Waddell

• Raymond Zacharski

You may submit a shoutout for a variety of reasons. For example, you may want to offer a pat on the back to a colleague for helping out, recognize a staff member or student achievement, or welcome a new employee. When your shoutout appears in The Staff Bulletin, your name and school/location will be included.

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Raising the bar, Closing Gaps, Preparing for our future

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org