Dear BCPS Partners,

Welcome to the second edition of the Partnership Spotlight. As superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, I appreciate this monthly opportunity to update you on our efforts to connect schools and surrounding communities. We know that to succeed in our work to raise the bar, close gaps, and prepare our students for the future, we must – and we do – partner with businesses, industry leaders, and the community. 

It has been only three months since we held our inaugural BCPS Partnership Fair at Mays Chapel Elementary School, yet we are already seeing new connections, ideas, and relationships being formed, and look forward to continued engagement with our schools and partners throughout the school year. Your insight and support are invaluable. 

 On October 13, 2022, I was pleased that more than 330 parents, guardians, and community members joined me for virtual town halls on safe school environments. We focused on our shared responsibility for ensuring the well-being of our young people. As partners, we appreciate your help not just with providing our students with access to internships and other hands-on, real-world experiences, but also with creating an additional positive adult presence in schools. Schools are looking for volunteers to support before school, during lunch or after school. It makes a difference to our students to see parents, community organizations and business leaders invested in their success. 

We also need you to continue to be communicators working with the system and your communities to identify priorities and work towards solutions. If you are already engaged in a partnership with BCPS that is working well, we encourage you to spread the word and share the good news. Come to a Board meeting, send a letter, or share with the community on social media. We want Team BCPS to know the collective efforts of Baltimore County to support our staff and students. 

This year, our BCPS theme is Moving Forward: Together Again. This speaks to our work – building community in an authentic way. If nothing else, the experience of the last two and a half years has taught us that we can’t do this work alone. We need all members of the community to meet the needs of our system. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.  

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Baltimore County Public Schools

CHAI Advocates for Resources for Baltimore County Schools

CHAI’s Pikesville Community & Schools Director, Stephen D. Bowley, Sr. (pictured right), speaks at the August Baltimore County Board of Education meeting. Click here to learn more about CHAI's work in schools and the community.

The PTA Council of Baltimore County’s Family, School, and Community Partnerships (FSCP) Committee, chaired by Ramona Basilio, is focused on increasing family engagement and increasing outreach to underserved communities. Partners are needed for two projects:

 PTA Parent Liaison Teams (West Zone Pilot Project): 

 The FSCP Committee is looking for parents, guardians, and caregivers to create a network of "community builders" in elementary and secondary schools in the West Zone. Parent Liaison volunteers will connect parents with services, resources, training, and joint programs offered by local PTA units and community partners. Parent Liaisons will be supported by the FSCP Committee Chair.

ESOL-PTA Student Bridge Project Taskforce (Spring Kickoff):

This task force between the PTA Council, PTA units, ESOL Welcome Center, and ESOL area schools will work on the Bridge Project, an extension program to connect ESOL/ELL students and their communities when transitioning to their home schools. The project will feature after-school "homework helpers,” enrichment activities, and networking opportunities for parents and caregivers. 



For more on how you can get involved, contact PTA Council Family, School and Community Partnerships Committee Chair, Ramona Basilio, at [email protected].

Leslie Weber

BCPTA Council President

1. Volunteer for robotics, mock interviews, and more.
2. Apprenticeship Business Partner Information Session: How can you get involved as a youth apprenticeship provider?
3. Thank public school educators and staff for their service during American Education Week- November 15 - 19, 2022. 
4. Subscribe to Team BCPS E-Newsletter.
5. Join the PTA at your local school.
6. Become a BCPS Volunteer.
7. Participate on a school or community advisory committee.