BCPS Partnership Spotlight Newsletter, December 2022

December 2022

BCPS Partner Highlight:

Maryland Center for School Safety Consultant

BCPS partnered with the Maryland Center for School Safety to host a "Community Conversation on Safe and Supportive Environments" focused on middle schools. In addition to presentations by BCPS administrators and conversations among participants, the evening featured a talk on "Understanding and Supporting Adolescents at School," presented by Dr. Christa M. Kulp, a nationally-certified school psychologist affiliated with the Maryland Center for School Safety.

The event was held on December 1 at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. In addition to the dozens who attended the event in person, more than 800 have viewed it either by live-stream or in English or Spanish on the BCPS-TV YouTube channel.

32 HBCUs connected with BCPS students at 6th Annual BCPS HBCU College Fair

Thirty-two Historically Black Colleges and Universities participated in the Sixth Annual BCPS HBCU College Fair, held on December 10 at New Town High School. More than 1,900 high school students registered to attend.

Drop-in support was offered throughout the day for writing college application essays and completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Additional workshops offered related to the college selection process, college admissions, financial aid, and college life.

In addition, The Education Foundation of BCPS raffled off two $500 HBCU Book Scholarships on-site at the college fair. The foundation will make additional scholarships will be available by application after the fair.

The colleges and universities that participated are:

Alabama State University
Benedict College
Bethune-Cookman University
Bowie State University
Clark Atlanta University
Coppin State University
Delaware State University
Dillard University
Florida A&M University
Florida Memorial University
Grambling State University
Hampton University
Howard University
Jackson State University
Johnson C. Smith University
Lincoln University of PA

Morehouse College
Morgan State University
Norfolk State University
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Central University
Prairie View A & M University
Shaw University
South Carolina State University
Stilman College
Tuskegee University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of the Virgin Islands
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia State University
Virginia University of Lynchburg
Winston-Salem State University

Business that employs BCPS students honored by Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council

Clarity Cyber, a BCPS youth apprenticeship partner, was honored with a 2022 Maryland Apprenticeship Award by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council.

In nominating Clarity Cyber, Alicia Fales, a supervisor in the Office of Career and Technical Education, noted that the company approached BCPS about building a pipeline for students into careers in cyber security. The internships provided were converted into apprenticeships in July 2022. Fales praised Clarity Cyber for ensuring that students would feel comfortable and welcome by selecting diverse, younger employees to mentor them. “The mentors,” Fales wrote, “have effectively and closely worked with apprentices, both in-person and remotely, to ensure they are developing the skills needed to be successful in the field. They have designed projects that are high-interest for high school students while teaching them the skills needed to develop secure android apps."

In addition, Delana Shifflett, apprenticeship program supervisor/career and technical education site-coordinator at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, was honored in the outstanding youth apprenticeship program category.

Photo credit: Lt. Governor's Office of Maryland. L to R: MD Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford; Dr. Michael Grubbs; Mike Ridge and Steve Barth, Clarity Cyber; Delana Shifflett, Patapsco High; Alicia Fales, BCPS: MD Secretary of Labor Tiffany Robinson; Faith Ramsburg, MD Dept. of Labor Apprentice Navigator; Dr. Scott Rodriguez-Hobbs, Patapsco High

The Apprenticeship Maryland Program, designed to lead to employment opportunities and further education, offers paid working and learning opportunities to students in all BCPS high schools. The program is focused on career clusters such as information technology, health and biomedical sciences, manufacturing, construction and development, and banking, management, and finance, and is offered in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education and Maryland Department of Labor. Employers interested in participating are asked to contact Alicia Fales at afales@bcps.org.

Egyptian leaders visited Dundalk High/Sollers Point Technical High on tour to learn more about U.S. career and technical education

Fifteen representatives of the Workforce Egypt Project spent the morning of December 8 at Dundalk High School/Sollers Point Technical High School. The guests were led on their tour by Dr. Mary McComas, BCPS chief academic officer, and Dr. Michael Grubbs, BCPS coordinator of career and technical education. The Egyptian officials are engaged on a study tour to learn more about how career and technical education programs are developed, funded, and implemented across the U.S. More photos from the visit to BCPS can be found on Flickr.

Message From Dr. Williams

Dear BCPS Partners,

This month’s issue of the Partnership Spotlight features collaboration with agencies, colleges, universities, private corporations, and more. All highlight Baltimore County Public Schools’ commitment to fostering strong partnerships with schools to ensure student success. This month we share a visit from the Workforce Egypt Project during which the Egyptian delegation, BCPS leaders, staff, and students engaged in a rich exchange of ideas and culture. Also spotlighted: the 6^th Annual BCPS HBCU College Fair which paired students with school representatives for important college conversations; recognition of a BCPS apprenticeship partner building a student pipeline to cybersecurity careers; and key problem-solving conversations attended by students and families as well as the Maryland State Department of Education and Baltimore County Police.

We know that responsibility for equipping young people with the skills and experiences to thrive extends beyond the schoolhouse. We are excited by our rapidly growing list of individuals and organizations eager to join the BCPS learning community and hope that you are inspired by the stories of connection.

As we close out the 2022 calendar year, I would like to thank all who help make the BCPS partnership vision a reality. I look forward to continued progress in our joint efforts on behalf of students in the new year.

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Baltimore County Public Schools

Photo: Dr. Williams with members of the safety patrol at Edmondson Heights Elementary School (November 2022)

PTA Council of Baltimore County

The PTA Council of Baltimore County’s Family, School, and Community Partnerships (FSCP) Committee is focusing on increasing support for multilingual students and their families through establishing strategic partnerships. The FSCP Committee is working with the BCPS Office of Family and Community Engagement, ESOL Office, ESOL Welcome Center, and Northwest Area Education Advisory Council on the ESOL Outreach Initiative. A multi-faceted plan is being developed which includes:

connecting with schools, principals, and PTA units,
reaching out to community partners,
potentially partnering with the Baltimore County Health Department, BCPS Health Services, and Northwest Hospital (LifeBridge) to develop monthly immunization clinics,
sponsoring or co-sponsoring local community engagement events at times and locations most accessible to multilingual students and families.

A key goal of the initiative is hosting a Community Resource Fair.

Thank you to FSCP Chair, Ramona Basilio, for her vision and leadership getting this important initiative off the ground! Reach out to Ramona at familyschool@bcptacouncil.org for more information or if you’d like to get involved.

Leslie Weber

BCPTA Council President