Thursday, April 25, 2024

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

Grab your gear for BCPS College & Career Decision Day!

To celebrate BCPS College & Career Decision Day on Wednesday, May 1, as well as the school system’s culture of promoting higher education and career preparation, all graduating seniors who have committed to a college or university or career plans are asked to share their news on social media on May 1 using hashtag #BCPSdecisionday. A printable decision day template is available for download on Flickr.

In addition, all BCPS staff members, students, and community members are encouraged to wear college gear and post photos on social media using the #BCPSdecisionday hashtag. Photos may also be submitted via email to communications@bcps.org.

FEATURED VIDEO:

Get to know BCPS Teacher of the Year Stephanie Gerhold

On April 18, Stephanie Gerhold, an English for Speakers of Other Languages teacher at Woodlawn Middle School, was named BCPS Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025 during our Champions for Children celebration. Spotlight videos about the other Teacher of the Year finalists, Kim Brackeen of Padonia International Elementary School and Kate Clemmens of Woodlawn High School are also available for viewing online.

Additionally, videos highlighting the Principal of the Year finalists and Assistant Principal of the Year finalists are available online.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• ICYMI - Summer 2024 Professional Development 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.

In case you missed it, please review our April 24 message regarding Staff Professional Development for summer 2024. 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.

• Maryland State Board of Education appoints Dr. Carey M. Wright as the next State Superintendent of Schools

The Maryland State Board of Education voted unanimously on April 24 to appoint Dr. Carey M. Wright as the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools for a term beginning July 1. Since last October, Dr. Wright has served as the Interim State Superintendent of Schools. More information is available in an MSDE news release.

• Professional development day on Friday, May 17

Friday, May 17, is an asynchronous learning day for all students and a systemwide professional development day for teachers and school staff. Schools and offices will close 3 hours early.

Professional development will be systemic. Additional information will be forthcoming about topics, format, and locations. Teachers in high-needs schools and special educators are not required to participate in planned professional learning. Any professional learning offered in a virtual format will be recorded for later use.

• Materials Review

Any BCPS staff member, student, or parent/guardian may provide feedback concerning proposed books, curricula, and materials for student use in English language arts and English for Speakers of Other Languages courses by completing the Citizens Review of Instructional Materials.

• Accessing Employee Self Service

Employee Self Service (ESS) allows staff to access various information regarding their employment, including W-2s, benefits, and salary, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ESS can be accessed through the My Apps portal . Please review our directions document for more information on how to log into ESS.

• Professional learning participation form

The Professional Learning Participation Form survey is to be completed by all teachers and instructional staff by Tuesday, April 30. The survey is intended to provide BCPS leadership with information on grade-level engagement in professional learning opportunities for required registration courses, as well as how professional development opportunities are aligned with teaching and learning. School principals will schedule time for teachers and instructional staff to participate in the survey, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete. The survey results will provide important information to support our priority areas of mathematics, literacy, ESOL, and special education. Questions? Contact Kevin Connelly.

• Baltimore Music Educators Wind Symphony concert benefitting Kids Helping Hopkins - April 27

The BCPS community is invited to join us at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 27. The concert is free to the public and any donations collected directly benefit Kids Helping Hopkins.

This year marks the 21st year of the Baltimore Music Educators Wind Symphony partnership with Kids Helping Hopkins. The ensemble consists of current and retired BCPS educators and community members and is conducted by Dr. Shane Jensen, BCPS music education specialist, and Dr. Brian Schneckenburger, BCPS music education supervisor.

The performance will feature works by Ticheli, Standridge, Barnett, Sousa, and others, including two composers with strong BCPS ties. The ensemble will perform "Contraption" by Catonsville graduate and published composer, Adrian Sims. Additionally, the ensemble will premiere a new work for band by Woodlawn High School student Sean Marshall.

• Applications for BCPS online learning program must be submitted by 1 p.m. on May 3

The application for the 2024-2025 BCPS Online Learning Program is now available on the Department of Academic Programs and Options (DAPO) website. Applications must be submitted by 1 p.m. on May 3, 2024. Students must be entering Grades 4-12 in the 24-25 school year. Current Virtual Learning Program students do NOT need to re-apply. Enrollment in the BCPS Online Learning Program is limited to students eligible for enrollment in BCPS as defined in Board of Education Policy and Superintendent’s Rule 5150. All applicants are selected for placement through a centralized random lottery process. More information, including a brochure, can be found on the DAPO website.

• BCPS-TV 2024 Apprentice Film Showcase set for April 29

BCPS-TV invites the BCPS community to its 2024 Apprentice Film Showcase on Monday, April 29, from 5 -7 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology. The event will feature works created by five student apprentices from Chesapeake, Franklin, Hereford, and Towson high schools.

Pikesville High School investigation update and community message

Earlier today, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers, County Executive Johnny Olszewski, and Baltimore County Chief of Police Robert McCullough held a joint media availability to provide an update on the Pikesville High School investigation. Dr. Rogers also sent a community update regarding the investigation to the Team BCPS community via email.

Wednesday, May 1, is National Principals Day

On National Principals Day, please join us in thanking our amazing Team BCPS principals for everything they do as the leaders of our 176 schools, centers, and programs. Give your favorite principals a social media shoutout using #ThxBCPSPrincipals.

Students, parents, caregivers, and stakeholders invited to explore BCPS curriculum at April 30 event

On Tuesday, April 30, from 6-7:30 p.m., BCPS students, families, and stakeholders are invited to join us at Dulaney High School for Curriculum Night! This is a great opportunity to connect with elementary and secondary content area experts and discover more about what students are learning.

U.S. News & World Report ranks BCPS high schools among best in state and nation

Eastern Tech named best high school in Maryland, Western Tech named 8th best

BCPS high schools placed well in the annual U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools list released earlier this week, with five placing among the top 30 high schools in the state, 14 among the top 150, three among the state’s top five magnet schools, and four among the nation’s best magnet schools. More information is available in a BCPS news release.

Registration open for BCPSfest vendors

Registration is now open for offices/departments and organizations to participate in BCPSfest 2024, the school system's annual back-to-school festival. The event will be held at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology (938 York Road, Towson 21204) on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Saturday, Aug. 24, is the tentative rain date.)

If your office, department, or organization is interested in participating, please complete the online registration form and submit it by Friday, May 10. If you have any questions about the event or this form, please contact Diana Spencer or Jill Stephenson.

BCPS celebrates the Class of 2024 with graduating senior profiles

We are celebrating our 2024 graduating seniors by presenting a profile of one student from each high school, selected by the school principals.

In the past week, the series has recognized:

• Shribani Singh, Perry Hall High School

• Demones Banks, Battle Monument School

• Jeannie Cronise, Lansdowne High School

• Khristian Brown, New Town High School

• Shawna Reed, Eastern Technical High School

Follow along on Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram, and stay tuned for more!

Summer food service program begins June 20

Food and Nutrition Services will offer summer meals starting on Thursday, June 20. There will be several ways to access meals, so please visit the BCPS Food and Nutrition website to learn more and share this flyer throughout the community.

We are seeking summer programs to register as program sites, and we are seeking suggested community (public) meal service sites. Please note, there is no need to register summer school programs, only for additional summer programs. If you have any questions, please contact 443-809-7855 or SFSP@bcps.org.

Introduction to Xello college and career exploration online platform

Xello is the new BCPS college and career exploration online platform. The program uses an investigative, discovery-based learning process. All high school students will have access beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. To learn more, please join us for a virtual information session on Monday, April 29, from 6-7 p.m.

It's time for Preschool-3, PreKindergarten, and Kindergarten registration!

Please help us spread the word!

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 INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TEACHER CERTIFICATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, OR CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

University Partnerships Fair to take place on April 29

The Department of Teacher Development is hosting a BCPS University Partnerships Fair on Monday, April 29, from 4-6 p.m. at Cockeysville Middle School.

BCPS works with local universities to provide tuition reimbursement and additional support at the undergraduate and graduate levels for individuals seeking teacher certification, continuing professional development, or pursuing career advancement opportunities. During this event, local universities will share higher education options.

Interested participants should register for the information sessions by completing an online form. A session agenda is included for your review. Please note that advanced sign-up for sessions is required and space is limited. Questions? Contact Charlene DiMino.

FOR EDUCATORS

Teacher Leader University

Are you a teacher or teacher leader interested in developing leadership skills that will help you grow professionally and personally? Then Teacher Leader University is for you! The Office of Teacher Leadership is offering asynchronous Teacher Leader University (TLU) CPD courses in summer 2024. Registration for the TLU CPD courses will be available in the BCPS Registration System beginning Friday, May 3. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR 10-MONTH TABCO-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES

2024-2025 Extended Pay Option Program

BCPS will continue to provide 10-month TABCO represented employees the Extended Pay Option Program to spread their pay over 12 months during the 2024-2025 school year. Your current participation in the Extended Pay Option Program will automatically roll over for the 2024-2025 school year. Therefore, no action is necessary if you wish to continue your current participation or non-participation.

Please submit the 2024-2025 Payroll Election Form, if:

• You are not currently participating in the Extended Pay Option Program but would like to participate for the 2024-2025 school year.

OR

• You are currently participating in the Extended Pay Option Program but do not wish to participate for the 2024-2025 school year.

The enrollment/change period is April 2 to May 3. A memorandum and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding the details of the Extended Pay Option Program can be found on the payroll website at "12 Month Pay Program."

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Payroll staff at 443-809-4240 or twelvemonthpay@bcps.org.

Upcoming Board and advisory group meetings

All are welcome to attend

Citizens Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education meeting

Wednesday, May 1, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “Gifted and Talented Report from Wade Kerns, Office of Advanced Academics”

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, May 7, 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 Northwest and Southwest area education advisory councils

Monday, May 13, at 6 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “Summer Resources – What’s new for families this year?”

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT

Kathryn Banaszak, Reading Resource Teacher, Scotts Branch Elementary School

Submitted by Hanna Guenther, Staff Development teacher, and Katelynne de Haan, Math Resource teacher, at Scotts Branch Elementary School

"Katie is a ray of sunshine at the Branch. She is always willing to help anyone who may need anything throughout the day. Katie has great relationships with both students and staff. We can always depend on Katie to be enthusiastic and raise her hand to help with any events or initiatives."

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

Administrative Professionals Week - Through April 26

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - May

Better Speech & Hearing Month - May

National Principals Day - May 1

BCPS College & Career Decision Day - May 1

School Lunch Hero Day - May 3

National Physical Education and Sports Week - May 1 - 7

Children's Mental Health Awareness Week - May 5 - 11

Teacher Appreciation Week - May 6 - 10

Teacher Appreciation Day - May 7

National Nurses Week - May 6 - 12

National Nurses Day - May 6

School Nurse Day - May 8

Pupil Personnel Worker Week - May 13 - 17

Memorial Day - May 27

BCPS Salute to Custodians, Groundskeepers, Maintenance Personnel & Logistics Personnel - May 31

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org