Thursday, December 21, 2023

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

Happy Holidays, Team BCPS!

As winter break approaches, we wish all members of Team BCPS a wonderful and restful winter break. Thank you for everything you do to support our students and families. Stay safe and be well. We'll see you again in the new year!

The holidays can be a source of joy and excitement for many people, but for some, it can be a time of sadness and stress. Please know that whatever you are feeling -- it is okay to have those feelings.

For assistance, please contact:

• Baltimore County Crisis Response System - Support is available 24/7 - 410-931-2214

• Baltimore County Substance User Services - Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to midnight - 410-887-3224

• Maryland Health and Human Services - Call 211

• BCPS Employee Assistance Program - 410-887-5414 (confidential voicemail)

• Crisis Text Line - Support is available 24/7 - Text HOME to 741741

• Trevor Lifeline - LGBTQ+ Crisis Line - Support is available 24/7 - 1-866-488-7386

FEATURED VIDEO:

Inclement Weather Decisions

This winter, be prepared for emergency updates from BCPS. More information about closings, delays, cancellations, and postponements is available in the BCPS Inclement Weather FAQ.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Benefits Cards for 2024

Benefit cards for 2024 will be mailed to employees who either elected new enrollments OR who made changes to their benefits during open enrollment. Benefit cards will be mailed by the insurance carriers no later than this week.

Employees should receive their cards within 10 business days. If an employee does not receive their benefit cards by January 5, they may contact the appropriate member services department for their respective benefit carrier. Contact information for vendors is available online.

If an employee did not make any changes to their benefits during open enrollment, they may continue to use their current benefit cards. If an employee is seeking a new card or has lost their card, they may request new cards from their respective benefit carrier(s) using the link above.

• Team Coaching Training

BCPS is continuing its partnership with Team Coaching International and is providing team coaching training this spring for interested participants. This method builds your skills as a coach to help teams in BCPS improve their performance.

The training will be offered as a hybrid model with asynchronous online work, synchronous online collaboration, and in-person training. The training will be paid in full through the Maryland Leads grant. An information session will be held on Tuesday, January 23, from 4:30 - 5 p.m.

If you are interested in learning more about team coaching, please complete this form to receive an invitation to the session. You may also contact Niamh McQuillan with any questions.

• Holiday Technology

Did you get a new phone for the holidays?

Remember that if you use the Microsoft authentication app for multifactor authentication (MFA), it must be removed from the old phone before activating it on your new phone.

New computer for the holidays?

• Do not use InTune for software installation on personal computers.

• Office can be installed from www.office.com after logging on with BCPS credentials.

• Adobe Creative Cloud can be installed with BCPS credentials.

• Call for Art: BCPS Makes Art! Exhibition

The art submission form for BCPS Makes Art! is open through January 12. This exhibition is open to all BCPS faculty, staff, and retirees.

This year, BCPS Makes Art! will be exhibited at the Towson University StarTUp (307 Washington Ave., Towson 21204). All artwork submitted will be included in the BCPS Makes Art! virtual exhibition. Each staff member can submit one artwork.

Only selected artwork will be displayed at the Towson University StarTUp. As space is limited, there will be a random selection process. The art office will notify staff members of selected artworks. Artworks are due at the art office on Thursday, January 18.

Questions? Contact Camille Gibson, supervisor, Office of Visual Arts.

• Summit Park Elementary School Farewell Tour

On Monday, January 8, Summit Park Elementary School invites the community to gather from 4 - 6 p.m. for a farewell tour of the original school building. With a contribution of $20, community members can receive a commemorative brick after the building is demolished.

• Essential and Essential as Needed designations for 2023-2024

Employees will not be receiving individual notifications of their Essential or Essential as Needed designation for the 2023-2024 school year. Employees will continue with their current designations as previously notified and in accordance with their position classification. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• SMOB Applications open through Monday, January 8

Applications are open for the next Team BCPS Student Member of the Board! The application deadline is January 8, at 11:59 p.m. Each high school in Baltimore County is able to nominate up to two candidates to apply. Only students who are current sophomores or juniors are eligible to apply. More information is available on the BCPS website. Questions? Contact Stacey Wade, program specialist, 443-809-4496.

'Tis the season for sniffles, sneezes, coughs and more

Many viruses, including COVID, circulate during the winter months. Holiday gatherings and being indoors add to the spread of viral illnesses. Tips to protect yourself and your family are available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Remember the best of 2023 with #BCPSWrapped

2023 was a year to remember for Team BCPS! The BCPS community is invited to join us in sharing highlights and memories using #BCPSWrapped on social media.

Follow along with us on Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram as we take a walk down memory lane.

The #BCPSWrapped campaign will conclude as we countdown to the new year with the Top 5 BCPS blog posts of 2023, beginning on December 27!

Home internet access resources for families/students

Families needing assistance with paying for or obtaining internet access for their children while at home should be directed to the Maryland Emergency Broadband Benefit (MEBB) service.

This internet access can be used for virtual learning, and access to online resources such as job postings, health resources, and other benefits for adult family members and children. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Mark your calendar! Team BCPS Day returns on Thursday, January 11

On Thursday, January 11, Team BCPS Day will be back and bluer than ever!

The BCPS community will be encouraged to wear blue and post photos using #BCPSblue as we celebrate our schools, students, teachers, staff, volunteers, and supporters.

Stay tuned for more information about award categories and prizes.

School-based and Systemwide Professional Development Offerings

The Office of Teacher Development is seeking input from educators and resource-based personnel specific to school-based and systemwide professional development offerings. The input will be reviewed to assist with developing a Professional Learning Plan for BCPS.

Principals are asked to disseminate the survey to staff: Professional Development Input Form. The survey will close on December 22, at 5 p.m.

The Education Foundation Presents: Designer Bag BINGO on January 25

The Education Foundation's Designer Bag BINGO event will take place on Thursday, January 25, from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America, 25 Putty Hill Ave., Parkville, MD 21234. Purchase your ticket today!

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Things to know about the December 19 Board of Education meeting

1) The Board received a report on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 County Capital Budget request.

2) The Board approved two administrative appointments.

Faculty and staff who may be interested in transferring to the new northeast area middle school next school year are invited to join Principal Bryan Thanner at upcoming sessions around the county.

Share your partnership highlights with us!

Schools and offices are invited to send brief highlights and photos of their partnerships with businesses and community organizations to communications@bcps.org. This information might be featured in the monthly BCPS Partnership Spotlight Newsletter.

FOR ESPBC-REPRESENTED STAFF

ESPBC/BCPS Professional Development Day

The ESPBC/BCPS Professional Development Day has been scheduled for Friday, January 12, from 8 a.m.– 3 p.m. and Tuesday, January 16, from 8 a.m.– 3 p.m. at the Loyola University Maryland Graduate Center in Timonium. Participants may choose to attend either day.

Multiple breakout sessions will be offered for all ESPBC-represented employees; health assistants, interpreters, technicians, paraeducators, and office professionals, etc. Registration for the ESPBC/BCPS Professional Development Day is ongoing.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR CURRENT AND ASPIRING MENTORS OF PRESERVICE TEACHERS

Mentoring the New Teacher, Parts I and II

The Office of Teacher Development is offering these FREE 3-credit CPD courses recommended for current mentors of preservice teachers (student teachers) as well as those who want to be qualified to mentor preservice teachers. This course is also recommended for teachers who act as mentors or coaches to new or non-tenured teachers.

This is a web-based course with all class sessions taking place through the Schoology platform, with the exception of a mandatory virtual orientation. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR EDUCATORS

MRSPA Foundation scholarship opportunity for educators

The Maryland Retired School Personnel Association (MRSPA), through its MRSPA Foundation, is offering three $2,000 scholarships to public school employees in Maryland who are enrolled in a program leading to teacher certification or certification as a school counselor, speech and language pathologist, physical or occupational therapist, school social worker, administrator or supervisor, media specialist, or school psychologist. The scholarship is also available to certificated teachers who are pursuing certification in another area or level of teaching or to become qualified as one of the above-listed education specialists.

Applicants can apply online from January 2 through January 19. Winners will be notified by March 30. Please contact Wanda R. Twigg, executive director, if you require assistance or have questions.

FOR EDUCATORS

Professional learning support for teachers planning to take the ESOL/Special Education Praxis - Spring 2024

BCPS is pleased to share information about new professional learning/support for teachers who plan to take the ESOL/Special Education Praxis in 2024.

This professional learning opportunity is designed for BCPS professionally certified teachers who are interested in taking the ESOL or Special Education PRAXIS in spring 2024 to add an ESOL or Special Education endorsement to their certificate. It will be a four-week asynchronous study course from February 3 through March 1.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Upcoming community advisory group & boundary study meetings

All are welcome to attend

Central Area Elementary School Capacity Relief Boundary Study committee meeting

Thursday, January 4, from 6-8:30 p.m. (Snow date: Friday, January 5, from 6-8:30 p.m.)

George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology cafeteria, 938 York Rd., Towson 21204

Study webpage

The Superintendent's FY 2025 Budget Proposal presentation

Monday, January 8, at 9 a.m.

George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Rd., Towson 21204.

The presentation will be live-streamed on the BCPS YouTube channel.

Northwest Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, January 8, at 6 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “A Community Partner Panel for Bilingual Families”

Southwest Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, January 8, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: "Advanced Placement vs. Honors, SAT vs. CAT, Sports vs. Clubs"

Central Area Education Advisory Committee meeting

Wednesday, January 17, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “Facilities Planning, MYIPAS (Multi-Year Improvement Plan for All Schools), and other issues regarding repairing and updating our schools"

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT



Lansdowne Elementary School Toy Drive

Submitted by Alexandra Maher, Community School Facilitator, Lansdowne Elementary School

"Every year we do an annual holiday giveaway and last night was our biggest one yet. We had several community partners donate, such as the Preston Mitchum Foundation, Next Day Floors, and more. We helped over 103 children receive gifts and other items for the holidays."

Learn more in a WMAR News article and video.

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.

UPCOMING RECOGNITIONS

National Mentoring Month - January

Team BCPS Day - Thursday, January 11

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 15

Holocaust Remembrance Day - Saturday, January 27

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org