Thursday, November 3, 2022

BCPS open enrollment -

Now through November 26

Open enrollment is the annual period in which benefit eligible employees can make changes to their current medical, dental, vision, and flexible spending account elections. You may begin enrollment via Employee Self-Service (ESS) now through 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 26.

Open enrollment this year will require all benefit eligible employees to access ESS to make changes to their elections. Paper enrollments will not be accepted for these benefits. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FEATURED VIDEO:

Black Boy Joy & Genius Movement Kickoff

On Thursday, October 27, BCPS celebrated the kickoff for the Black Boy Joy & Genius Movement, which has been expanded to all middle schools this year after a successful pilot in three schools. The kickoff event featured three sessions titled Building Your Own Wealth, Conflict Resolution & Healthy Relationships, and When They See Us: Knowing Your Rights.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• First marking period ends Friday, November 4

Friday, November 4, marks the end of the first marking period. Students and families will be able to access marking period one grades in Focus beginning Monday, November 14.

• We're hiring – Spread the word

Online applications are available for a variety of BCPS positions. Also, BCPS Recruitment is now on Twitter!

• Vision Coverage - 2023 Open Enrollment

Employees are encouraged to review their coverage information via the Employee Self-Service (ESS).

If you are currently enrolled for vision coverage through CareFirst, you will need to elect coverage via ESS for coverage continuation into 2023, as the vision carrier has changed to National Vision Administrators (NVA).

If changes are necessary to your tiered coverage, you will need to make these updates in ESS. If not, future changes can only be made due to a qualifying life event (QLE) or during the next open enrollment.

You must also make elections for HCFSA and DCFSA via ESS. If you desire to make changes to your benefits or elections, you will need to select your current benefit options before proceeding to the elections.

• Exchangeree shopping dates for November and December

The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc. will host shopping days during November and December at the Exchangerees: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore, Rosedale/Golden Ring and Windsor Mill locations, for all full-time BCPS educators and support staff (school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and pupil personnel workers).

On the following dates, from 3 - 6 p.m., the Exchangerees will distribute academic school/classroom supplies and educational resources:

• Tuesday, November 1, Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Thursday, November 3, Windsor Mill
• Tuesday, November 15, Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Thursday, November 17, Windsor Mill
• Thursday, December 1, Windsor Mill
• Tuesday, December 6, Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Thursday, December 15, Windsor Mill
• Tuesday, December 20, Rosedale/Golden Ring

On the following dates, from 3 - 5 p.m., the Exchangerees will distribute new and gently used leveled books (PreK-12) only:

• Wednesday, November 9, Rosedale/Golden Ring 
• Wednesday, November 30, Windsor Mill 
• Wednesday, December 7, Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Wednesday, December 21, Windsor Mill

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• BCPS holiday meal returns Thursday, November 10

Our holiday meal is back after a two-year hiatus! Please join us, in all school cafeterias, to celebrate the return of the holiday meal on Thursday, November 10. The holiday meal includes sliced turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, assorted fruits and vegetables, and a harvest cookie, all for $6.00 for adults.

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post

• Coming Soon - BCPS United Way Campaign

Stay tuned for news about this year's BCPS campaign for the United Way of Central Maryland. As we prepare for the season of gratitude and blessings, it's especially important to consider a donation to the United Way of Central Maryland as it seeks to support our schools and students as well as many Baltimore County families in need. Look for more information soon both here and on the BCPS website about how you can contribute to the 2022 BCPS United Way effort.

• Young Women Leader Awards

Nominations for 2023 Maryland Young Women Leaders Awards are due by Friday, November 4. 

• Administrative Appointments

The Board of Education of Baltimore County approved two administrative appointments at its October 25 meeting.

Celebrating National School Psychology Week

Please join us as we proudly celebrate our Team BCPS school psychologists during National School Psychology Week from November 7 - 11. Thank you, school psychologists, for supporting student growth and success every day!

Information about this year's theme, "Together We Shine," is available on the National Association of School Psychologists website.

Face of the Week - Liz Miller, Bear Creek Elementary School

Describing Liz Miller, a visual arts educator at Bear Creek Elementary School, in one short blog post is like showing someone the corner of a painting and expecting them to imagine the rest. Through her interdisciplinary art, Miller has found a way to express herself, advocate for racial and social justice, nurture young students, convey her love for Baltimore, and connect with fellow educators.

"I want [my students] to know they are powerful and formidable. I want them to leave my classroom knowing that the things they like matter and they can put that into their work."

Learn more in a new BCPS blog article.

Get ready for American Education Week!

American Education Week will be celebrated in schools nationwide during the week of November 14. We look forward to welcoming Team BCPS families to our school buildings for the first American Education Week since 2019. We invite all Team BCPS members to share messages of appreciation, updates on what students are learning, and more throughout the week using #bcpsAEW on social media.

As part of American Education Week, we look forward to celebrating Education Support Professionals Day on Wednesday, November 16. and Substitute Educators Day on Friday, November 18.

Stay tuned for more information regarding Parent University events during American Education week!

Kenwood High International Baccalaureate student builds and donates dog houses for project

Students in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Kenwood High School are required to complete a CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) project. Grade 11 student Yeily Benitez built dog houses with her family and sold them to raise over $450 for the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). Please congratulate her on the completion of this endeavor!

BCPS IN THE NEWS

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