Thursday, January 5, 2023

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

A new year is here!

A word from Superintendent Dr. Darryl L Williams:

Happy New Year to every member of Team BCPS!

At the start of the year, many of us make resolutions to enhance our lives. To me, a new year is also a reminder that every day is new, and each day is an opportunity to improve.

Let's start 2023 recommitted to our students, staff, and schools, and recommitted to working together to make BCPS an even better community in which to teach, learn, and work.

This is our year. Let's work together to make it great!

Sincerely,

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

FEATURED VIDEOS:

Apprenticeship Maryland Signing Day at Patapsco High

On November 16, the Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts community gathered to celebrate the school's annual Apprenticeship Maryland Signing Day Ceremony.

Amazing front office staff at Colgate Elementary

In recognition of the essential role front office staff play in the operations and culture of school communities, BCPS-TV profiles the front office staff at Colgate Elementary School!

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Benefits Coverage Information

The Division of Human Resources has been made aware that some active employees and retirees who made changes to their medical, dental, and vision plans during the 2022 open enrollment time period, set to become effective on January 1, 2023, may not see those changes reflected until January 6, 2023, in vendor systems. However, all coverage is effective as of January 1, 2023. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

• SharePoint Landing Page Update

The Department of Information Technology has redesigned the landing page for SharePoint. The new look, live as of today, will provide a different experience depending on your role (staff, student, or guest). Staff will have access to links such as the MyApps Portal, News Hub, and Staff Hub. Students will only see links to Schoology and the Focus Student Portal. Guests will be directed to BCPS.org.​​​​​​​

• We're hiring – Spread the word

Online applications are available for a variety of BCPS positions. Also, BCPS Recruitment is now on Twitter!

• School-based summer employment application

The BCPS central and school-based summer program employment process will be launched no later than February 2023. Like last year, the Frontline Education Applicant Tracking System (Applitrack) will not be used for the summer hiring process.

To be considered for any summer program, all current 10-month employees will need to complete and submit the Summer Program Interest Form when it becomes available. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• College and University Programs - Spring 2023

The Department of Organizational Development and Leadership, in partnership with local colleges and universities, will offer programs for BCPS staff to enhance professional practice and meet MSDE certification requirements. Please note that these programs are not cohort programs; participants may choose to apply to any of the programs based on individual needs. All costs must be paid by the participant. Participants must pay for courses in advance and, if eligible, seek individual tuition reimbursement from the Office of Certification after successful completion.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Racial Justice Poetry Contest



Entries for the 2023 Racial Justice Poetry Contest are being accepted now through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1. Students in Grades 6 – 12 in Baltimore County public, parochial, and independent schools and homeschooled children in Baltimore County can apply. Poems must be original and no more than three pages long.

Contest details, prize information, and a submission form can be found on Schoology in the resource folder for teachers of secondary English language arts. Teachers from other content areas may contact Justin DePrima at Dumbarton Middle School or the BCPS English language arts office for access.

Learn more in a BCPS blog post.

• Stock Market Game 2022-2023

The Stock Market Game is an online simulation of the global capital markets that engage students in Grades 4–12 in the world of economics, investing, and personal finance.

All teachers interested in participating must complete the Stock Market Game – Pre-Enrollment Form before the start of the session.

Stock Market Game Sessions for 2022–2023:

Spring: February 13 – April 21

Enrichment Spring: April 17 – June 9 (non-competitive)

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

Team BCPS Day is one week away!

On Thursday, January 12, the entire TeamBCPS community is invited to wear blue to participate in this annual celebration of our schools, students, staff, and supporters! Participants are asked to post photos on social media using #BCPSblue.

Save the date! 2023 State of the Schools event set for March 22

Join The Education Foundation of BCPS for the annual State of the Schools event on Wednesday, March 22, at Towson University. At the event, Superintendent Williams will share his vision for how BCPS is preparing all students for success and will highlight the achievements of outstanding students and staff.

ESPBC/BCPS Professional Development Day - January 13 or January 17

The ESPBC/BCPS Professional Development Day has been scheduled for Friday, January 13, and Tuesday, January 17, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Sheraton North Baltimore. Participants may choose to attend either day.

Multiple breakout sessions will be offered for all ESPBC-represented employees; health assistants, interpreters, technicians, paraeducators, office professionals, etc.

Registration for the ESPBC/BCPS Professional Development Day will close on Monday, January 9.

Math Homework Helpers LIVE - Wednesday, January 11

On Wednesday, January 11, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., for the second time this school year, “Math Homework Helpers LIVE” will air on BCPS-TV Verizon channel 34 / Comcast channel 73, and stream live on the BCPS website and the BCPS-TV YouTube channel.

BCPS-TV "Math Homework Helpers Shorts" are also available on Vimeo and YouTube. These vignettes are short math lessons aligned with the math curriculum for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5.

How will your school/office recognize Black History Month this February?

As Black History Month approaches, the Department of Communications and Community outreach seeks information regarding upcoming activities and celebrations.

Share your plans with us at communications@bcps.org.

BCPS IN THE NEWS

New monthly "Televisión BCPS" show explores topics of interest to Spanish-speaking families

BCPS continues to expand its outreach to Spanish-speaking families with the launch of “Televisión BCPS,” a new monthly program on BCPS-TV. The show, hosted by Gevene de Harden, BCPS bilingual senior communications officer, features in-depth interviews in Spanish with school system staff. Learn more in a BCPS news release.

Submissions Open - BCPS Makes Art! Faculty & Staff Exhibition

In this exhibition teachers and staff will have the opportunity to showcase their work in the Vollmer Center Gallery at Clyburn Arboretum. This exhibition is virtual and on-site.

The due date to complete the art submission form for the Vollmer Center Gallery is Friday, January 13, 2023.

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.

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Raising the bar, Closing Gaps, Preparing for our future

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org