Thursday, January 18, 2024

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

Meet Michael Crispens, elementary social studies coordinator and Patapsco High grad

Michael Crispens was a student at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts when he decided he wanted to become a history teacher for BCPS. After fulfilling that goal by teaching at Chesapeake, Perry Hall, and Loch Raven high schools, Crispens accepted the role of elementary social studies coordinator for BCPS.

In a new Face of the Week blog post, Crispens explains how elementary social studies has evolved, especially in the areas of evidence-based writing, financial literacy and career readiness, and Black history.

“There is so much to say about Mike as a person and his support of BCPS teachers and students,” said John Billingslea, director of social studies. “As a BCPS leader, Mike is a compassionate visionary who develops innovative ways to expand inclusivity, to elevate cultural relevance, and to engage students and staff in inquiry-based, learner-driven processes.”

FEATURED VIDEO:

Team BCPS Impact

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough) recently presented a $2.58 billion operating budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025. During the presentation, Dr. Rogers shared this video to highlight the impact of Team BCPS! More information is available in a BCPS news release.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Technology Training workshops

Staff in the Office of Technology Training and Compliance Management focus on improving the technical skills of employees to enhance their performance in achieving systemwide goals. The effective use of technology is essential to ensure the success of a high-performing workforce for all staff members. Winter 2023 technology course workshop offerings are listed in an online course catalog.

Participants must register by using the registration system. In the "Course Search" box, search for the course name. Once the course is located, click the "Register" button for the desired date, and click "Next" to finalize your registration.

• Introducing "Inspiring Wellness" awards

The Employee Wellness Program invites employees to share their wellness success stories. Each month, the wellness team will choose one inspiring story to highlight, encouraging others to make the necessary changes to achieve lasting health and happiness.

The team is looking for stories that uplift and motivate others to achieve their wellness goals. If an employee’s submission is selected, they will receive a special gift compliments of the Employee Wellness Program. Employees should submit their story to empwellness@bcps.org and are asked to include a picture along with their name and where they work.

The deadline for story submissions is the 25th of each month. Monthly award winners will be announced the following month.

*Stories may be edited for length and clarity.

• Junior Achievement 18 Under 18 -nominations deadline extended to January 22

Junior Achievement Maryland and Baltimore Magazine are seeking nominations for the second annual JA 18 Under 18 awards program! They are looking for young people who are reshaping the world through their entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and service to their communities. More information is available on the Junior Achievement website. Nominations close at 5 p.m. on Monday, January 22. Individuals nominated must be born on or after April 30, 2005.

• 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.

• Volunteers sought for interactive financial literacy programs

Volunteers are needed to assist with interactive financial literacy programs offered to BCPS students through a partnership with Junior Achievement Maryland. Those interested can sign up online. Volunteers are needed for several dates in January, including January 23-24, 26, and 29-31. Volunteers are typically needed from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., but exact times vary.

Recognizing the best Team BCPS administrators!

All BCPS stakeholders and community members are invited to nominate outstanding administrators for BCPS Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year for 2024-25. Finalists for each level (elementary, middle, and high) will participate in the BCPS Principal of the Year and BCPS Assistant Principal of the Year competitions.

The BCPS Principal of the Year and BCPS Assistant Principal of the Year will represent Baltimore County in statewide competitions.

Nominations are due no later than the end of the business on Monday, January 29.

Black History Month is on the horizon — and we need your input!

How will your school/office recognize Black History Month? The Department of Communications and Community Outreach seeks information regarding upcoming activities and celebrations. Share your plans with us at communications@bcps.org.

Additionally, throughout Black History Month, we will honor graduates from around the county on social media. Team BCPS staff members are invited to complete our nomination form now through Monday, January 29. Last year's list of honorees included a Harvard University professor, NFL players, a BCPS principal, a Saturday Night Live actress and comedian, a CNN journalist, and much more! Please note that we plan to recognize no more than one graduate from each BCPS high school.

Superintendent statement regarding audio recording circulating on social media

On January 17, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough) released a statement regarding an audio recording, allegedly of the principal of Pikesville High School, that is circulating on social media.

Although BCPS cannot confirm the veracity of this recording at this time, the school system is taking this matter seriously and has launched an investigation. Once the facts have been determined, BCPS will swiftly address this incident.

Please read the full statement online.

Reminder - Virtual Instruction Days Inclement Weather Plan

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is providing local school systems with the option to repurpose inclement weather days as virtual school days.

MSDE has approved the BCPS

Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan for the 2023-2024 school year.

When inclement weather is forecasted, BCPS leadership will monitor the weather forecast and families will be notified if BCPS will transition to virtual learning that day. Students will be reminded to bring devices, chargers, and other instructional materials home. Staff will also be asked to prepare lessons and materials.

Community Update - College and career readiness exams, early access programs, and opportunities for BCPS secondary students

BCPS has a comprehensive strategy to ensure all students are learning at high levels, have access to and participate in innovative programs, and are prepared to thrive in college, career and the community. Please review the full message online.

ICYMI: BCPS partners with Talkspace to provide free telehealth therapy to high school students

In December, BCPS announced a new partnership with Talkspace, a leading online behavioral health care company, to provide free, unlimited telehealth therapy for all BCPS high school students ages 13 and above.

We're hiring! We are seeking qualified professionals to join our team. More information about upcoming recruitment events is available in a BCPS news release.

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 HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

The Lockheed Martin CYBERQUEST® competition will be held on March 23 - Register now!

Lockheed Martin CYBERQUEST is an annual cybersecurity competition for high school students. Faced with a wide range of scenarios, teams of up to five must complete as many as possible before time runs out. Space will be limited at both in-person and virtual events and is first-come, first-served. Be sure to register ASAP!

• General registration through February 23.

• In-person and virtual competition options available.

• Important: Coaches who are attending in person cannot attend the virtual competition.

• Please review the CYBERQUEST website for official rules and the registration website for site eligibility.

• For questions, contact cyberquest.info@lmco.com

FOR EDUCATORS

Prospective Staff Development Teacher Information Session

The Office of Teacher Leadership is offering a virtual information session on Thursday, February 15, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. for prospective staff development teachers (SDT). This 90-minute session will share information about the roles and responsibilities of the SDT and the SDT application process. It is highly recommended that tenured teachers attend this information session prior to applying for the SDT pool. No stipend is offered for attending this session. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR EDUCATORS

National Board Certification for Teachers: Grant Opportunity

National Board Certification is an excellent opportunity for teachers to experience relevant and impactful professional development designed to target individual growth and student achievement. Through this comprehensive experience, teachers will enhance their lesson planning and reflection on practice. Additionally, BCPS National Board candidates and current certified teachers have access to a multi-tiered and differentiated support system from the Department of Employee Training and Development and its amazing group of professional learning facilitators and National Board coaches throughout the year and process!

In recognizing the impact of this process and the necessity of retaining quality educators, National Board-Certified teachers will receive an increase in salary of $10,000. Teachers staying or moving to a building meeting the state’s definition of a “low performing school” will receive an additional $7,000 raise. The salary increase, as per The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, is an annual increase and is contingent upon teachers maintaining their certificate every five years and teaching for 60 percent of their working time (50 percent for “teacher leaders,” as outlined in the MOU).

Staff members interested in earning a National Board Certification are also invited to visit the National Board Certification Support Schoology Group by using access code: V7S7-Q7ZZ-M4DS9. Once in the group, members will have access to a host of resources, including eligibility requirements, information session presentations and materials, and the candidate support plan for SY 23-24.

Questions? Contact Jordan Birnbaum, 443-809-5034

FOR PRINCIPALS

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

As we approach the end of the second marking period, principals are asked to remind service-learning coordinators to refer to the Infused Student Service-Learning Hours Timeline to support classroom teachers with review of generated infused hours in FOCUS. Infused hours will be generated in FOCUS for courses that have infused lessons and are ending this quarter. This and other supporting documents can be found in the “Infused Hours Support” folder in the Resources tab of the Service-Learning Coordinator Schoology group.

Principals should confirm that Service-Learning coordinators have access to FOCUS via Staff Access Management and are members of the Service-Learning Coordinator Schoology group (XD28-9MDJ-RVNGK). Questions? Contact Stacey Wade, 443-809-4496.

Upcoming community meetings

All are welcome to attend

Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, Jan 22, at 7 p.m.

Chesapeake High School library

Topic: “Special Education”

Joint meeting of the Southwest and Northwest area education advisory councils

Monday, February 12, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “Equity”

Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, February 26, at 7 p.m.

Chesapeake High School library, 1801 Turkey Point Rd., Baltimore 21221

Topic: “Artificial Intelligence”

Joint meeting of the Central and Northwest area education advisory councils

Monday, March 11, at 6 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “New Superintendent, New Organizational Structure – Where are we now?”

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT



Alisa Jackson, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Resource Teachers, Southwest Academy

Submitted by Davonne Jones, Student Safety Assistant, Southwest Academy

"Leader. Educator. Advocate for children. Facilitator. (L.E.A.F.) These are the words I would use to describe Mrs. Jackson. Since she has been the MTSS Resource Teacher for the last year and a half here at SWA, she inspires both teachers and students to aim high. She creates a non-judgmental safe space for members of the school community to feel comfortable coming to talk, vent, or just breathe for a minute.

"Mrs. Jackson will meet you at any level with her strong passion to make sure you achieve your great potential. She is honest and encourages people to strive for progress and not perfection. There is no giving up with Mrs. Jackson. When you meet her, you will know her by the fruit that she bears. Mrs. Jackson is truly an example of someone who is a L.E.A.F. on a tree that always bears fruit and that is why I salute her today!"

Debbie Decker, General Education 3s/4s Paraeducator, Halethorpe Elementary School

Submitted by Abigail Metcalf, General Education 3s/4s Teacher, Halethorpe Elementary School

"Debbie Decker has been supporting BCPS students for 36 years. She comes in early every day to prepare materials and plan for instruction. She collects data, collaborates with other staff members, and models fantastic instructional practices.

"Debbie uses her knowledge of students to modify lessons and support student behavior. Debbie supported me when I first started teaching, and I continue to learn something from her every single day. She has taught me so much, and we are lucky to have her in BCPS!"

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

Maryland School Board Recognition Month - January

National Mentoring Month - January

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