Thursday, February 8, 2024

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

Share your thoughts in the new 2024 BCPS Climate Survey

The annual BCPS Climate Survey has officially launched, and, this year, the survey has been revised. The new 2024 BCPS Climate Survey has fewer questions and questions are focused on school climate and engagement. Please help get the word out and promote participation. The survey is available through Friday, March 8.

The survey is open to students in Grades 3–12, parents/caregivers, community members, and all staff. It takes three minutes or less to complete and is anonymous. Information to promote the survey, including translated flyers, can be found online. Questions? Contact Dr. Christine Koth.

FEATURED VIDEO:

BCPS, local leaders join community to celebrate opening of new Summit Park school building

On February 1, education leaders, members of the Board of Education, and state and county officials gathered for the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new replacement building for Summit Park Elementary School. The building opened to students in January. The $63 million project features more than double the capacity (684 seats) and square footage (100,441 square feet) of the former school building.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• ICYMI: Professional Learning Staff Message

BCPS is committed to improving, expanding, and aligning professional learning opportunities for all Team BCPS staff. Comprehensive, engaging, and effective professional development is vital to moving our school system forward.

We are excited to focus on professional learning and pleased to share our 2024 in-person, summer professional development schedule. Staff are strongly encouraged to attend all applicable professional learning sessions this summer. BCPS has targeted significant resources to develop collaborative learning environments and opportunities for all staff. Please note, staff who do not complete their professional learning on the identified professional development days will be required to participate in makeup sessions in the fall. Please read the full message online.

• Save the Date - Mind Over Matters conference set for Saturday, March 9

BCPS is hosting its annual Mind Over Matters Conference on Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. The event is designed to raise awareness about the importance of children's mental health and substance use prevention.

All BCPS students and their parents/caregivers are invited. The event will include student performances, a keynote speaker, and breakout sessions. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• BCPS summer programs 2024 update

Realizing that summer programs, in the last couple of years, have largely been funded by federal grants that have since expired, the plans for summer programs 2024 are research-based, represent a smaller scope, and are aligned with the superintendent’s priorities. All summer programs will take place from Monday, July 8, through Friday, August 2. All programs will be offered for four hours per day and five days per week. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Join BCPS in celebrating "Mix it Up" Day 2024 on February 22

The Maryland Center for School Safety's Student Advocates for School Safety are asking all Maryland schools to join in efforts to expand healthy school culture through student connections. Participate in “Mix It Up” Day 2024 on Thursday, February 22, by hosting activities during the school day that promote students making new connections. For additional information and resources, refer to this flyer and learn more online. Questions? Contact Dr. Kimberly Ferguson or Tammi Coit,.

• Education Support Professional of the Year nominations

Education support professionals provide invaluable skills and contributions that support BCPS students and staff. The Education Support Professionals of Baltimore County Paraeducator and/or Office Professional of the Year Awards recognize the contributions made by education support professionals to their schools, communities, and their profession.

The job titles eligible for this recognition include, but are not limited to, health assistant, interpreter, office professional, paraeducator, or computer technician.

The nomination deadline is Friday, March 8. Please visit the ESPBC website for specific information.

• Direct deposit pay stubs

As of March 15, direct deposit pay stubs will no longer be printed and mailed to employees. BCPS strives to create efficiencies through budgetary savings in postal fees, paper, and printing costs; and to protect employee salary and withholding information. Pay stubs are available through the Employee Self Service application through the Microsoft 365 portal. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Summer employment application information

The BCPS school-based summer program employee interest form is anticipated to be open in mid-February. To be considered for a school-based summer program job, all current 10-month school-based employees will need to complete and submit the Summer Program Interest Form that will be housed this year using the All-Apps portal in Microsoft. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• "Taste the Rainbow" Nutrition Challenge

February is American Heart Month, and the Employee Wellness Program will kick off the new year with a colorful challenge. Learn more and join the challenge today on the Employee Wellness Hub.

Important message from Board Chair Tiara Booker-Dwyer regarding the FY25 operating budget

On February 5, Board of Education Chair Tiara Booker-Dwyer sent a message regarding the FY2025 operating budget.

"On February 27, 2024, the Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget...Ahead of this vote, we want to ensure that the community understands what Superintendent Myriam Rogers has outlined in her proposal and clear up any misconceptions about the request."

Celebrating National School Counseling Week

Please join us in recognizing National School Counseling Week (February 5 - 9)! We are grateful for everything our dedicated Team BCPS school counselors do to support our students and school communities.

A new blog post highlights five school counselors and the work they do to support student success. The featured school counselors are Milan Amos, Catonsville High School; Emily Dewlin, Dundalk High School; Donna Murphy, Eastern Technical High School; Erin Ruocco, West Towson Elementary School; and Amy Selby, Deep Creek Middle School .

Important inclement weather reminders for Team BCPS

The BCPS Virtual Day Plan outlines our plan to transition to virtual learning after three inclement weather days. As you know, we have had two inclement weather closures so far this school year. Once we have the third full-day closure, when inclement weather is forecasted, and we must make the decision to close schools, we will notify staff and families of our transition to virtual learning. Please read the full message online to learn how to best prepare.

Two BCPS educators are among 44 nominees for the 2024 Maryland School Librarian of the Year award

The Maryland Association of School Librarians has recognized Travis Knox (Seventh District Elementary) and Jacqueline Schoen (Hillcrest Elementary) as two of its 44 nominees for 2024 Maryland School Librarian of the Year. More information is available in a BCPS news release.

Annual Team BCPS Haiku Contest begins Friday, February 16

The 2024 Team BCPS Haiku Contest will accept entries from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024, through 4:45 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2024. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

School Resource Officer Appreciation Day - Thursday, February 15

On Thursday, February 15, please join us in celebrating our school resource officers!

ICYMI: County Executive Olszewski announces $1 million in scholarships to boost teacher diversity in Baltimore County

To enhance the teacher pipeline and promote greater diversity within the teaching profession across the district, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and BCPS have announced the award of a $1 million grant to support the creation of a new Diverse Teacher Recruitment Scholarship: Growing Our Own for BCPS program.

Learn more in a BCPS news release.

During Black History Month, BCPS is continuing to celebrate the contributions African Americans have made, and are making, to American history and culture. On social media, we are celebrating BCPS graduates. Follow along with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.

In the past week, we have spotlighted:

• Monica Ikegwu, Carver Center grad and artist

• Carl Jackson, Overlea grad and member, Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 8

• Tamira Dunn, Parkville grad and co-owner and chief operating officer of DMC Empowering Health Services

• John Randall Jr., Frankin grad who serves his alma mater as a school psychologist

• Lariel Yarrall, Loch Raven grad and neuropsychology Ph.D. candidate at Howard University

Spread the word! 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 AFSCME-REPRESENTED STAFF

AFSCME Vacation Accrual Caps

Per the AFSCME Memorandum of Understanding signed December 6, 2023, vacation accrual caps are suspended until February 14, 2024. Any vacation days earned after the cap has been reached will be moved to rolled leave. Upon separation from BCPS, vacation will be paid in accordance with the negotiated master agreement toward retirement.

Employees are encouraged to work with their supervisors to formulate a plan to use their excess leave prior to February 14. Questions regarding this information should be directed to Joelle Bielski, 443-809-2097.

FOR EDUCATORS

MSDE to host Science of Reading virtual event for families of multilingual learners

Spread the word! On Thursday, February 22, from 5 - 6:30 p.m., MSDE will present a virtual event to help families support bilingualism and biliteracy by sharing strategies that parents can use at home to support their child's literacy and language development.

Parents/guardians must register online.

FOR EDUCATORS

Department Chair Application Process 2024

For teachers interested in a department chair position, applications are being accepted online. All department chair positions will be posted when a vacancy has been confirmed. Unlike past department chair processes, there will not be a department chair candidate pool for each content area. Department chair vacancies will be posted by content and school for all schools with a vacancy. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Upcoming Board and advisory group meetings

All are welcome to attend

Joint meeting of the Southwest and Northwest area education advisory councils

Monday, February 12, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “Equity”

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, February 13, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood – Building E, 6901 N. Charles St., Towson 21204

Information about attending and making public comments at meetings can be found on the Board’s website.

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”

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood – Building E, 6901 N. Charles St., Towson 21204

Information about attending and making public comments at meetings can be found on the Board’s website.

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



Kelly Murkey, Social Emotional Learning Teacher, Battle Grove Elementary School

Submitted by Kelly Evans, Supervisor, Behavior, Department of Special Education

"Ms. Murkey is a tremendous support to staff and students! She works tirelessly to support students, even when they are demonstrating very challenging behavior. She is kind, compassionate, empathetic, and patient in her interactions with students, serving as a model for students and staff alike. Ms. Murkey's persistence and dedication to students is commendable! She makes a positive impact every day in our students' lives!"

Robin Bowden, Supervisor, Technology Education, Career and Technical Education

Submitted by Carol Rook, Administrative Secretary III, Office of Social Studies

"I had the privilege of serving at the VEX VRC Winter Spin Up Robotics Tournament on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Parkville Middle School. Robin Bowden and the CTE team are remarkable, and they do a phenomenal job of organizing and overseeing these events.

"From students to volunteers, everyone works seamlessly together to encourage and direct the students competing in the tournament. It was energizing to experience such camaraderie among students! If you have not volunteered to support this program, I highly recommend you take the opportunity, you will never forget it!"

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

Black History Month - February

Career and Technical Education Month - February

National School Counseling Week - Through Friday, February 9

National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day - Thursday, February 15

Presidents' Day - Monday, February 19

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org