Thursday, December 7, 2023

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

BCPS to connect with multilingual families via Talking Points app

BCPS is pleased to share that Talking Points, an engagement platform for multilingual students and families, is now available for use across all BCPS schools and offices. Talking Points allows teachers, administrators, and schools to communicate with families in more than 100 languages. BCPS staff can use Talking Points to connect with multilingual families directly in their preferred languages. The platform is now live, and school staff can immediately message multilingual families in their school community.

This service is currently only available for use with families whose students receive English for Speakers of Other Languages services. School staff also can continue to use other language access resources to connect with multilingual families such as Language Line, School Messenger, and requesting on-site interpreting services.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Hernandez and Angela Dregier.

'Tis the season for giving! Kids Helping Hopkins Campaign underway

Kids Helping Hopkins (KHH) is back! Since 1994, KHH has been giving children throughout BCPS opportunities to learn about compassion, caring, leadership, and helping others. Students and teachers who choose to participate are encouraged to support the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and its patients by holding fundraising events such as dances, games, and contests or through direct donations. BCPS supports the goals of KHH and has set aside December 6-20 as a time for each school to participate should they so choose.

Participation is voluntary, and schools who wish to participate may plan another activity or may choose to participate at another time of the school year. To learn more about Kids Helping Hopkins, or to donate directly to the Children’s Center, please visit the website.

FEATURED VIDEO:

American Education Week provides a blast from the past at Powhatan Elementary

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Focus SIS System mobile app now displays student lunch assignments

The Focus Student Information System mobile app has been enhanced to include viewing student’s lunch assignments. In the app, users can navigate to the student’s schedules and view lunch assignments. More information, including a screenshot of the new interface, is available in a BCPS News Hub post

• Upcoming Parent University events

This year, BCPS Parent University is presenting a variety of virtual programs. More information is available on the "Parent University schedule" on the Parent U website.

Upcoming Lunch & Learn programming includes:

• Can You Hear Me Now? When Your Questions to Your Children Go Unanswered and Your Worries Grow Bigger, Friday, December 8, at 12:30 p.m.

• How to Handle the Holidays Without Your Loved Ones, Friday, December 15, at 12:30 p.m.

• Vacation accrual cap for staff who accrue vacation leave

Vacation accrual caps are suspended until December 31, 2023. Effective January 1, 2024, vacation accrual caps will be increased by five days for each bargaining unit. 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.

Supervisors will make every effort to approve vacation requests. Employees are encouraged to work with their supervisors to formulate a plan to use their excess leave prior to December 31, 2023.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Joelle Bielski, manager, 443-809-2097.

• Northeast or Nottingham? Help decide the name for BCPS' new middle school

The Team BCPS community is invited to complete our new naming survey now through Tuesday, December 12.

Your vote may decide! More information is available in a BCPS news release.

• Central Area Elementary School Boundary Study survey open through Sunday, December 17

The Central Area Elementary School Boundary Study affects students currently attending Carroll Manor, Cromwell Valley Regional Magnet, Halstead Academy, Hampton, Jacksonville, Lutherville Laboratory, Mays Chapel, Oakleigh, Padonia International, Pine Grove, Pinewood, Pleasant Plains, Pot Spring, Rodgers Forge, Riderwood, Stoneleigh, Timonium, Warren, and West Towson elementary schools.

The Central Area Elementary School Boundary Study survey is open now through Sunday, December 17, for the community to provide feedback on the options for revised attendance areas for elementary schools in the Central area. The survey is available in several languages.

• Superintendent's Gallery Central Zone Art Exhibition now open

The Superintendent’s Gallery Central Zone Art Exhibition is open for viewing! The virtual exhibition consists of more than 170 student artworks from Central Zone schools, K-12, and can be viewed online using the link or by QR code in the invitation.

Twenty-four selected artworks are on display in the Superintendent’s Gallery at Greenwood Administration Building A, through Saturday, February 3, 2024. The student artworks in this exhibition were completed during the 2023 school year and reflect their creativity, artistic voice, and enthusiasm for making artwork with their peers.

Things to Know About the December 5 Board of Education Meeting

1) The Board selected Tiara Booker-Dwyer as Chair of the Board of Education. Christina Pumphrey was elected vice chair. Both officers will serve a one-year term.

2) Dr. Rogers provided an update on the FY 2025 Operating Budget process and shared highlights of stakeholder responses for the budget priorities survey.

3) The Board voted to renew Watershed Public Charter School’s charter for a five-year term.

4) The Board received a report on Blueprint Pillar Four and BCPS’ efforts to ensure increased access and opportunity for students through community schools.

Tiara Booker-Dwyer selected as Chair of Board of Education of Baltimore County; Christina Pumphrey selected as Vice Chair

Tiara Booker-Dwyer was selected on December 5 to serve as chair of the Board of Education of Baltimore County, while Christina Pumphrey was selected as vice chair. Both officers will serve a one-year term. More information is available in a BCPS news release.

Who will be the next BCPS SMOB?

Applications are open for the next Team BCPS Student Member of the Board! The application deadline is January 8, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Each high school in Baltimore County is able to nominate up to two candidates to apply.

Only students who are current sophomores or juniors are eligible to apply. More information is available on the BCPS website. Questions? Contact Stacey Wade, Program Specialist, 443-809-4496.

December 22 is an asynchronous half-day for students

The calendar has been revised to identify Friday, December 22, as an asynchronous half-day for students and a self-directed virtual professional development half-day for teachers.

A clarification document has been developed to provide additional information regarding expectations for instruction and detailing support from Curriculum and Instruction. Please note that it will be the responsibility of each school to develop and communicate their specific schedule for the day (although it is already determined to be an A Day) and to identify responsibility for taking attendance since this is a requirement from the Maryland State Department of Education for virtual asynchronous instructional days.

In accordance with the MOU, TABCO unit members who work in high needs schools will be provided with a full day of release time on Dec. 22.

Questions? Contact Megan Shay, Executive Director.

Inclusive Schools Week

December 4 - 8 is Inclusive Schools Week, designed to recognize progress being made in equity and inclusion and to commit to doing even more to educate all children.

Call for nominations - School Psychologist of the Year

The Baltimore County School Psychologist Association would like to recognize practicing school psychologists who have made impactful contributions to the profession with its annual School Psychologist of the Year award.

The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, December 20. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Spread the word! We are seeking qualified professionals to join Team BCPS in a variety of positions. Online applications are available now. More information 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

Nominations sought for Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program 2024

High school principals are encouraged to nominate one student for the 2024 Outstanding Young Women Leaders cohort. We are seeking one outstanding Grade 11 student leader from each high school to participate in the fifth cohort of the Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program. This program is part of Towson University’s Leadership Program and is co-sponsored by First Financial Federal Credit Union. The nomination deadline is Friday, December 8.

Principals should complete the Principal Nominating Form. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Liz Berquist.

FOR ADDITIONAL ADULT ASSISTANTS

Become a Paraeducator - Additional Adult Assistant to Paraeducator Pathway

The Office of Workforce Development is pleased to offer a career pathway for additional adult assistants working within Special Education who are interested in becoming paraeducators. Participants will be compensated for their attendance at all training sessions, will receive ParaPro practice materials, and will have their ParaPro assessment fees paid.

To register for this course, please visit the Registration System and search for "Become a Paraeducator - Additional Adult Assistant to Paraeducator" or search the course number 17907.

Please note that capacity for the fall session is limited to 50 participants. All sessions will be facilitated in a face-to-face format. Questions? Contact Jordan Birnbaum, Manager, Workforce Development, 443-809-5034.

FOR EDUCATORS

Teacher Leader University - Spring 2024

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 continuing professional development courses in the spring of 2024.

Interested participants should register using the BCPS Registration System. Registration for the courses will be available in the BCPS Registration System beginning Friday, December 8. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR EDUCATORS

Loyola University scholarships available for spring 2024

Loyola University will host a virtual information session on Wednesday, December 13, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. During the session, participants will learn about the university's curriculum and instruction, educational technology, literacy education, ESOL, and administration and supervision programs, the application process, scholarships, and more.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND SELECTED SCHOOL STAFF

SchoolMessenger Communicate webmaster training and resources

SchoolMessenger Communicate offers live training sessions for new users who will send broadcasts (phone calls, text messages and emails). Pre-registration is required.

• SchoolMessenger Communicate New User Mondays - available 1 – 2:30 p.m. on December 11.

 • SchoolMessenger Communicate New User Tuesdays - available 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on December 19.

SchoolMessenger Communicate also offers live trainer sessions for experienced users looking for more tips and tricks for getting the most out of the system. Pre-registration is required.

 • SchoolMessenger Communicate Q&A Wednesdays - available 11 a.m. – noon on December13, or 20.

Video training is also available for:

 • SchoolMessenger SecureFile – a secure document delivery solution to send important documents home to parents

 • SchoolMessenger Communicate Advanced User – for those comfortable with SchoolMessenger Communicate who want to learn how to create advanced lists and customized messages

The Office of Communications has requested additional training times and will share those dates and times when available. For more information, email communications@bcps.org.

FOR WEBMASTERS

SchoolMessenger Presence webmaster training and resources

SchoolMessenger Presence live training sessions for new webmasters responsible for maintaining basic page content and homepage features, including calendar and news. Pre-registration is required. 

Sign-up to attend the Dec. 12 – Part 1 & Dec. 13 – Part 2, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. EST sessions

Additionally, please download the Presence Help Cards as we plan to review many of these concepts during our session. 

If you can’t make the training session, please visit the on-demand section of the training website to learn more about SchoolMessenger Presence. Or, watch our full-length Presence website introduction on-demand video. Please note all Website Administrators must view an essential 30 minute, on-demand video. This presentation is for anyone responsible for maintaining the back end of the system. These topics are not covered in the editing session.

If you have questions regarding the Admin video, please register for the weekly Q&A session, which are held every Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST. 

Upcoming community advisory group & boundary study meetings

All are welcome to attend

Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee meeting

Monday, December 4, from 7-8:30 p.m.

Meeting link

Topic: "Special Education 101"

Northwest Area Elementary School Boundary Study committee meeting

Wednesday, December 6, from 6-8 p.m.

Pikesville Middle School cafeteria, 7701 Seven Mile Ln., Pikesville 21208

The snow date for this meeting is Thursday, December 7. If the committee determines that another meeting is needed, that meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 13, with a snow date of Wednesday, January 3.

Gifted and Talented Citizens Advisory Committee meeting

Wednesday, December 6, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Meeting with BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough)

Southwest Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, December 11, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: "Department of Planning"

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT



Anna Melton, Special Education Teacher, Ridge Ruxton School

Submitted by Conya Bailey, Director, Department of Special Education

"Ms. Melton's innovative approach to developing vocational skills is to be commended. She has created a schoolwide coffee service for staff that not only provides practical vocational training but also fosters a sense of inclusion and community within the Ridge Ruxton school community.

"Maintaining high expectations for all students is a crucial aspect of effective teaching, and Ms. Melton definitely upholds this standard. Her consistent use of visual supports, sign language, and prompting ensures that students with different communication, cognitive, and social skills are able to actively participate in authentic vocational learning opportunities.

"Her efforts are not only shaping the lives of her students but also contributing to positive post-secondary outcomes. We appreciate her dedication and contributions to the BCPS community."

Luke Sattler, Student Safety Assistant, Catonsville High School

Submitted by Christy Moore-German, Acting Principal, Catonsville High School

"Luke Sattler is an amazing safety assistant! In addition to his assigned job responsibilities, Mr. Sattler is always available to assist in any way necessary to ensure smooth and safe daily operations at Catonsville High School. He has developed a professional, positive rapport with our students and staff, and he always has a smile and kind words for those he encounters.

"Last week, Mr. Sattler stepped in to read the names of students who earned straight A's in marking period 1 at the Principal's Breakfast! Talk about going above and beyond expectations! We're so proud that Mr. Sattler is a Comet!"

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

Inclusive Schools Week - Through Friday, December 8

National Mentoring Month - January

Team BCPS Day - Thursday, January 11

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Monday, January 15

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