Thursday, May 18, 2023

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

Board of Education selects Dr. Myriam Yarbrough as next Superintendent of BCPS

The Board of Education of Baltimore County is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Myriam Yarbrough as its candidate for superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, contingent upon final contract negotiations. Dr. Yarbrough, whose appointment has been approved by State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury, was selected following a nationwide search facilitated by McPherson and Jacobson, LLC, incorporating input from hundreds of BCPS staff, parents, students, and other stakeholders.

Dr. Yarbrough, who began her educational career as a chemistry teacher in BCPS in 1996, currently serves as deputy superintendent. In this capacity, she plans, coordinates, and administers all professional learning activities, functions, and programs of BCPS and provides leadership and collaboration with and among all offices to ensure that resources and supports are prioritized to meet individual school needs. Dr. Yarbrough ensures that systemwide goals, strategies, initiatives, and priorities identified in the school system’s strategic plan, The Compass, are implemented.

Dr. Yarbrough returned to BCPS in 2020. Prior to her 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 in educational administration since 2002 and served as a principal of Francis Scott Key Middle School and Paint Branch High School in Montgomery County, Maryland. She is the recipient of several system, state, and national awards and citations and is highly regarded for her development of educational policy and strategic initiatives to improve academic performance and operational efficiency. More information is available in a BCPS news release.

FEATURED VIDEO:

Why I Teach: Lisa Collins

In a new "Why I Teach" BCPS-TV video, Lisa Collins, a Grade 2 teacher at Powhatan Elementary, shares how coming from a family of educators sparked her love for teaching.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Revised Graduation Schedule for 2023

The BCPS 2023 Graduation Schedule has been revised to support planning and preparedness for the spring and summer ceremonies. Revisions include:

• PSFALS Graduation on Thursday, May 25, at 11 a.m. at CCBC Catonsville

• Summer Graduation on Thursday, August 10, at 5 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology.

• We are hiring! - Upcoming hiring events



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

Summer Job Fairs

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

12 - 2 p.m.

Catonsville High School

and

Thursday, June 29, 2023

12 - 2 p.m.

Dundalk High School

• Learn About FACE Resources for Staff to Support Family Engagement and Student Success

The Office of Family & Community Engagement (FACE) is scheduling professional learning sessions about resources available on the FACE SharePoint site. The SharePoint and Parent University sites contain hundreds of valuable resources for engaging families and supporting student success. Schedule now for a visit to your school in the fall.

Complete the request form for the Parent University course titled “BCPS Staff SharePoint & Resources." We look forward to hearing from you and scheduling a training! More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• 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.

• Final Reminder - Special Education Parent Involvement Survey



Special education teachers: Please help spread the word! Each year the Maryland State Department of Education surveys parents of children receiving special education services. The purpose of The Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey is to hear from parents about how well they think their children’s school is partnering with them and promoting parent involvement in their children’s education. Surveys were mailed by February 10 and must be returned (by mail or online) by May 19. Parents can also complete the survey online.

• Celebrating the Class of 2023: Graduating Senior Profiles

In honor of the Class of 2023, BCPS is profiling one senior from each high school. The last profiles will be posted tomorrow, Friday, May 19, the last day for seniors. These profiles highlight the intellectual and personal strengths of our seniors and their diversity.

This week, the series concluded with:

• Reeve Nyland, Catonsville High School

• Sean Williams Jr., Milford Mill Academy

• Nylah Cagnolatti, Western Tech

• Jermaine Agboka, Woodlawn High School

• Jazmyn Saunders, Woodlawn High Extended Day Learning Program

• Oluwatofunmi Oyebanji, Pikesville High School

• Education Foundation Exchangeree shopping dates for May

The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., will host shopping days during May 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 May, 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:

• Tuesday, May 23, from 3 to 6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring



• Thursday, May 25, from 3 to 6 p.m., Windsor Mill

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Upcoming Parent University Program

On Wednesday, May 31, BCPS Parent University will present:

"Bullying Harrassment & Intimidation of Students with Disabilities"

Presented by Special Education Resource Center

Wednesday, May 31, at 12 p.m.

• Golden Apple Educator Awards

Freedom Federal Credit Union is accepting entries for the 2023 Golden Apple Annual Educator Awards. Teachers can receive up to $2,000 for their schools. The deadline is May 31. More information is available on a digital flyer.

• New Educator Orientation - Registration

New Educator Orientation (NEO) will be held during the week of August 14-18, and will include a combination of face-to-face and virtual synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. NEO will include three days of professional learning occurring over one week.

The Department of Organizational Development and Leadership will provide new educators with a stipend for participating in up to 20.25 hours of professional learning. Most new educators will report to their home schools on Monday, August 14, for school-based orientation.

New educators who were hired after NEO 2022 and who have not been oriented through year-round orientation are welcome to register and participate in August 2023. They should select and register for any modules still needed. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

HMH Into Reading English language arts curriculum approved

BCPS is excited to share that the Board of Education approved the contract for the HMH Into Reading English language arts curriculum for all students in Grades K-5! We believe this high-quality evidence-based curriculum is key to raising student achievement in literacy, and we are committed to supporting our teachers and students with this opportunity.

The Division of Curriculum and Instruction has posted access codes in Schoology to allow teachers, staff, and leaders to explore the curriculum. In the coming weeks, we will provide information about a comprehensive professional learning plan to support teachers, staff, and leaders with curriculum implementation and support. We will also share information about this highly-rated resource for students and their families.

Last Day for Seniors!

Friday, May 19, is the last day of school for graduating seniors.

Congratulations to the Class of 2023! Team BCPS commencement exercises will begin on Tuesday, May 23.

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.

Board of Education Votes to Close Golden Ring Middle School

At its public meeting on May 16, the Board of Education of Baltimore County voted to close Golden Ring Middle School. In accordance with COMAR 13A.02.09.01D, the Board’s final decision can be found online.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore signs HB 175, expanding SMOB voting rights

On May 16, Governor Wes Moore signed House Bill 175 into law. The law expands Baltimore County Student Member of the Board (SMOB) voting rights to include capital and operation budget matters. The law will also require each SMOB to complete budget training within two months of their election to the Board.

Congratulations to current SMOB and Perry Hall High School senior Roah Hassan, who continued the work of her predecessors Omer Reshid, Josh Muhumuza, and Christian Thomas in advocating for this change. The bill was originally filed in December 2020, during Reshid's tenure as SMOB.

10th Annual Kindness for Paws Art Show is on Sunday, May 21

This year’s Kindness for Paws will take place on Sunday, May 21, from 12-3 p.m. at White Marsh Mall (on the first floor by Macy’s Home Store). Community members can purchase portraits of adopted animals created by local students and teachers. Funds raised will benefit the Maryland SPCA. Learn more in a BCPS news release.

BCPS Virtual Mental Health Mile

The third annual BCPS Virtual Mental Health Mile is a culminating event promoting mental health awareness. We encourage everyone to engage in some kind of physical activity, for example, walking, running, swimming, or rollerblading on May 27- 29.

You can participate individually, with family or friends, or with colleagues. If you take photos of your participation, please tag @MentalHealth_CB on Twitter and use the hashtag #BCPSCares. Please register for the Virtual Mental Health Mile by Friday, May 19, to receive your racing bib. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

2023 BCPS Film Expo honors 10 projects from 8 schools: Projects available online for public viewing

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. Learn more in a BCPS news release.

1) The Board announced the selection of Dr. Myriam Yarbrough as its candidate for superintendent of BCPS, contingent upon final contract negotiations for employment and approval by the state superintendent. Dr. Yarbrough will begin her term July 1.

2) The Board voted to close Golden Ring Middle School. The school building will be repurposed and the next steps for the facility will be determined through a comprehensive process that will involve stakeholder groups.

3) The Board voted to award a contract for a new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum.

4) The Board received a report on 2022-2023 Third Quarter results.

5) The Board received a report on the work of the Education Foundation to support BCPS students and staff.

6) The Board approved three administrative appointments.

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT

Laurie Dungey, Grade 3 Teacher, Timonium Elementary School

Submitted by Christine Miller, Reading Specialist, and Mara Lamb, ESOL Teacher, at Timonium Elementary School

"Laurie goes above and beyond to recognize and celebrate the different backgrounds her students bring into her third-grade class family. She greets newcomers by learning words of welcome in their native language, and teaches them to her students as well, so they can communicate with their new classmate right away. She translates everything sent home to her families to make sure they feel included and can participate in various events over the course of the year. Laurie teaches and uses American Sign Language with her students, highlighting the many benefits to knowing this skill for classroom activities and games. It’s through these ongoing gestures that Laurie models acceptance and kindness for her students daily, and they demonstrate what they have learned as they continue on after being in her class."

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