BCPS Partnership Spotlight Newsletter, May 2023

May 2023

Dr. Myriam Yarbrough appointed next superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools

Her term begins July 1

The Board of Education of Baltimore County has unanimously selected Dr. Myriam Yarbrough, who currently serves as BCPS deputy superintendent, as its candidate for the superintendency, contingent upon final employment contract negotiations. Dr. Yarbrough's appointment has been approved by State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury, as required by Maryland law.

Dr. Yarbrough began her career as a chemistry teacher at Woodlawn High School. Prior to her current role as deputy superintendent, she served as BCPS’ chief of organizational effectiveness, executive director for secondary schools in the west zone, and director of school performance. Dr. Yarbrough has been an education administrator since 2002 and served as principal of a middle school and a high school in Montgomery County.

A series of public meetings is being planned to facilitate communications between the community and Dr. Yarbrough prior to her assuming the superintendency on July 1.

More about the appointment and Dr. Yarbrough's background can be found in a recent news release.

Partnership with Camp Puh'Tok connects Maiden Choice School students with the joy of caring for horses

A new BCPS-TV video highlights the partnership between Maiden Choice School and Camp Puh'Tok, supported by a 21st Century Grant from The Education Foundation of BCPS. The partnership facilitates authentic learning and personal development as students with disabilities learn to groom and walk horses.

NAACP supports BCPS students through ACT-SO and scholarship programs

ACT-SO

Thirteen BCPS students earned 21 medals in the Baltimore NAACP ACT-SO competition. The seven BCPS students who earned gold medals are now eligible to compete at the national level where they might earn scholarships and other prizes. The national competition will be held in July in Boston.

ACT-SO, the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics, is a yearlong, youth enrichment program, sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). High school students of African descent compete in one or more of 27 categories related to the sciences, humanities, business, and visual and performing arts.

The local competition was held at New Town High School on April 29. Photos from the day can be found on Flickr.

Scholarship programs

The Randallstown NAACP recently honored five BCPS graduating seniors for their outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements. Following are the names of the students, their high schools, the colleges they will attend, and the scholarships they received.

Imani Groce, Western School of Technology, Hampton University, The Randallstown NAACP Scholarship
Janay Rice, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Coppin State University; The Dr. Barbara Dezmon Scholarship
Halee Simons, Chesapeake High School, Spelman College, The Dr. Ella White Campbell Scholarship
Kira Thomas, New Town High School, Stevenson University, The inaugural Randallstown NAACP Scholarship powered by McDonalds of New Town
Jordan White, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Notre Dame of Maryland University, The Randallstown NAACP Scholarship

Partnership with CCBC engages Catonsville High student in outreach to low-income families

Supported by a federal United States Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (USDA SNAP) outreach grant, benefit eligibility specialists are employed by the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). These specialists assist area families with obtaining SNAP benefits, temporary cash assistance, energy and water assistance, childcare scholarships, and employment and education support.

Benefit eligibility specialists partner with BCPS community school facilitators to assist families. This year, specialists began engaging with National Honor Society students from Catonsville High School. Catonsville High senior Hanna Turner has participated in numerous outreach events with Specialist Dawna Manger, including events at Randallstown Public Library, the Amazon fulfillment center in Sparrows Point, and Bedford Elementary School.

A Gold Award Girl Scout, Hanna has volunteered for a local food bank, a local women’s shelter, and the Ronald McDonald House; collected books for the Maryland Book Bank; and spent many hours at ShareBaby, distributing donated baby items to families in need.

Partners help sponsor, judge 2023 BCPS Film Expo

Watch the 10 award-winning entries

Held on May 16 at The Senator Theatre, the BCPS Film Expo is Baltimore County’s largest student film competition. In its eighth year, the competition attracted 148 film and GIF entries from 27 schools, including the Virtual Learning Program. Ten films were selected as favorites by the competition judges and were awarded prizes. The names of the honored students and their films can be found in a BCPS news release.

The film expo was sponsored by The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., the BCPS Office of Visual Arts, and The Senator Theatre.

External judges for the 2023 competition were: Phil Davis, associate professor, digital art and animation, Towson University; David Egan, film and television editor and BCPS alumnus; Christopher Ernst, associate professor of film and moving image, Stevenson University; Vin Grabill, associate professor, emeritus, cinematic arts, UMBC; Jamie Gross, film and television editor; Chung Wei Huang, film director and professorial lecturer, American University; Steve Miller, artist and media professional; Tim Nohe, professor, visual arts, UMBC; and Jeff Otradovec, filmmaker/video instructor, The Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts.

Community Schools partnership updates

According to the National Education Association, “Community Schools mobilize students, families, educators, and community members to develop a grassroots vision for their schools and communities, and they work together to achieve their vision.”

Sandy Plains Elementary School

Sandy Plains Elementary Schools' "Soar Partner," Stanley Snacks for School Kids, provides snacks to students twice each month. The partnership ensures that students in need of snacks have access. It has also allowed Sandy Plains to support its families during family engagement events and to provide weekend supplements. Outside of snacks, Melissa Martin, Stanley Snacks' founder, is always willing to support Sandy Plains Elementary.

In addition, H & S Bakery donates 150 loaves of bread to the school each month. Sandy Plains hosted a pop-up pantry and gave out loaves of bread, peanut butter, jelly, and other food items. It was a quick idea that turned out to be something impactful for the community.

Submitted by Community School Facilitator Whitney Leonard

The Chesapeake Feeder Schools

On May 6, the seven community schools within the Chesapeake Feeder Pattern (Deep Creek, Mars Estates, Sandalwood, and Sussex elementary schools; Deep Creek Middle School; Chesapeake High School; and Rosedale Center) collaborated with the Essex Reimagined Initiative to host the first ever Community Connections Resource Fair.

More than 50 community partners participated and provided resources for stakeholders. The event also featured student performances, activities for children, food trucks, and various vendors.

With more than 1,000 stakeholders attending, this collaboration with Baltimore County government was an exciting experience for all.

Submitted by Community School Facilitators Shannon Ament, Alicia Bennett, Tracey Collins, Meg Hamilton, Shawnya Peace, Peter Reece, and Aretha Washington

Sponsors and volunteers make Let’s Play Ball! 2023 a home run

Let's Play Ball! 2023, held on May 13, at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, was a home run despite the rain.

The day began with a softball clinic for more than 100 Allied Sports student-athletes from 13 BCPS high schools. Next up was the Home Run Derby, won by Mick Rayburn, vice-president, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Inc., and Joe Mondell, vice-president, Legacy Capital | Ameriprise Financial. And the day ended with a rematch of BCPS administrators vs. educators in a softball game. Once again, the administrators earned the trophy.

Throughout the day, participants enjoyed a Vendor Village, Food Truck Courtyard, and visits from many mascots.

A list of corporate and community sponsors can be found in a Mission Moment blog post, and more details about the day can be found in a second blog post.

Message from Dr. Williams

Dear BCPS Partners,

Earlier this month, the Board made a decision that will positively impact the future of Baltimore County Public Schools. I am so pleased that Dr. Myriam Yarbrough, who has been an invaluable member of my team, has been selected to succeed me as superintendent.

I am happy to provide any support needed to assist with the transition.

As the end of the school year fast approaches, I continue to visit schools and be impressed by the quality of instruction teachers provide and the intellectual curiosity students demonstrate. BCPS is blessed with a dedicated Board, highly skilled administrators, educators, and staff, hardworking students, and supportive parents and community partners.

I am honored to lead this school system and will remain committed to its success and growth long after my term as superintendent ends on June 30.

Sincerely,

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Baltimore County Public Schools

Dr. Williams, third from left with NAACP leaders Ray English, Marietta English, and Linda Dorsey-Walker at the ACT-SO competition at New Town High School.

PTA Council of Baltimore County

Dear Reader:

The PTA Council of Baltimore County, Inc., congratulates Dr. Myriam Yarbrough on her selection as the next BCPS Superintendent! We’re grateful that PTA was able to take part in the superintendent search input and interview processes.

This past school year, PTA established an excellent working relationship with Dr. Yarbrough. PTA Council and PTA presidents have attended monthly virtual leadership roundtables with her and BCPS Chief of Staff Mildred Charley-Greene to discuss issues of concern. Thank you to Sue Hahn from the BCPS Office of Family and Community Engagement for facilitating these sessions.

We’re looking forward to next year’s meetings and strengthening our partnership with Dr. Yarbrough, BCPS as a whole, and other stakeholder groups.

Leslie Weber

BCPTA Council President