Thursday, April 20, 2023

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

Celebrating Our BCPS Champions for Children!

On Wednesday, April 19, we celebrated excellence in education, recognizing a variety of all-star Team BCPS school supporters at our Champions for Children awards gala! The full event is available for viewing online.

• Beverly Folkoff, a special education teacher at Relay Elementary School, was named BCPS Teacher of the Year for 2023-24. Folkoff will represent BCPS and its thousands of educators in the Maryland state Teacher of the Year program.

• Brian Powell, principal at Kenwood High School, was named BCPS Principal of the Year for 2023-24

• Nicole Bridges, assistant principal at Towson High School, was named BCPS Assistant Principal of the Year for 2023-24.

Additionally, BCPS recognized the following:

• Lauren Deardorff - Rising Star Teacher of the Year (English teacher, Chesapeake High School)

• Denise Saulsbury - Supervisory Leader of the Year (Supervisor, Innovative Learning)

• Joanna Crandall-Sick - Supporting Services Employee of the Year (Paraeducator, Relay Elementary)

• Engr Johnson - Transportation Service Champion (Dispatcher)

• Vance Scovens - AFSCME Employee of the Year (Building operations supervisor, Hillcrest Elementary)

• Ramona Basilio - Volunteer Champion (Family Engagement Committee, Baltimore County PTA Council)

• Scott Dorsey - Business Partner Champion (Merritt Construction Services)

More information about the event and the honorees is available in a BCPS news release.

FEATURED VIDEO:

"The CTE Show": April 2023

The April 2023 edition of "The CTE Show" highlights multiple Loch Raven High School students who are taking advantage of work-based learning and internships. In addition, students enrolled in the College and Career Research Development course have the opportunity to develop financial literacy skills.

For the regular "Ask Dr. G" segment, Dr. Michael Grubbs, BCPS coordinator of Career and Technical Education, spends time with cosmetology students at Sollers Point Technical High School.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Golden Apple Educator Awards

Freedom Federal Credit Union is now accepting entries for the 2023 Golden Apple Annual Educator Awards. Teachers can receive up to $2,000 for their schools. The deadline is May 31. More information is available on a digital flyer.

• Celebrating Earth Day

Celebrating Earth Day aligns with the adopted Board Policy 3540 – Energy Conservation and Sustainability, by promoting more sustainable practices in BCPS facilities.

There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day by promoting sustainability within the school system, both in schools and at the office. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Limited Access to BCPS Serve

On Friday, April 21, 2023, and Saturday April 22, 2023, there may be limited access to BCPS Serve due to monthly maintenance. During this time, you may experience intermittent inaccessibility of hosted services while internal systems are updated.

• Power School (Schoology) - Friday, April 21, evening testing

On Friday April 21, 2023, between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., Power School (Schoology) will be testing their system. Users may experience a brief interruption of service during this time.

• Upcoming Parent University Programs

In April and May, BCPS Parent University will present a variety of virtual programs. More information is available on the Parent University schedule.

Upcoming programming includes:

How to Connect with Kids When They Shut Down

Presented by Mariposa Education

Tuesday, April 25, at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Focusing on Strengths - Help Your Child Persevere in the Face of a Challenge

Presented by Mariposa Education

Tuesday, May 9, at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

• Technology Training Workshops



Staff members in the Office of Technology Training and Compliance Management focus on improving the technical skills of new and experienced employees from all employee groups to enhance their performance in achieving systemwide goals. Spring 2023 technology course workshop offerings are listed in the course catalog. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Education Foundation Exchangeree shopping dates for May

The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., will host shopping days during April at the Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore centers at Rosedale/Golden Ring and Windsor Mill for all full-time BCPS educators and support staff.

During May, no registration or appointments are needed, but shoppers must bring their BCPS photo ID and shopping bags/boxes.

On the following shopping dates, educators can pick up both academic school/classroom supplies and educational resources and new and gently used books:

• Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring

• Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m., Windsor Mill

• Tuesday, May 23, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring



• Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m., Windsor Mill

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Let's Play Ball! 2023 with the Education Foundation - Call for Mascots!

Does your school have a mascot? A mascot who has a costume? A mascot who is filled with pep, vim, and vigor? A mascot who has school spirit and would like to represent your school? If you were able to respond to these questions with YES…We invite you and your mascot to join us on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Let's Play Ball! Register your mascot to participate today!

Let's Play Ball! 2023 is set for Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. Once again, Team BCPS administrators will square off against Team BCPS educators in a star-studded softball game. Learn more in a BCPS blog post.

• Extended Pay Option Program for 10-month TABCO-represented Employees

BCPS will continue to provide 10-month TABCO-represented employees with the Extended Pay Option Program to spread their pay over 12 months during the 2023–2024 school year. Your current participation in the Extended Pay Option Program will automatically roll over for the 2023–2024 school year. Therefore, no action is necessary if you wish to continue your current participation or non-participation. Please submit the 2023-2024 Payroll Election Form if:

1) You are not currently participating in the Extended Pay Option Program but would like to participate for the 2023–2024 school year.

OR

2) You are currently participating in the Extended Pay Option Program but do not wish to participate for the 2023–2024 school year.

The enrollment/change period ends April 28, 2023. A memorandum and Frequently Asked Questions regarding the details of the Extended Pay Option Program can be found on the Payroll website. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to twelvemonthpay@bcps.org.

• End-of-Year Evaluations Procedures for the Evaluation System (Perform)

As a reminder, all end-of-year evaluations for all full-time equivalent school-based and central employees will be completed in the Evaluation System (Perform). Perform is the single and only source for all; paper evaluations are no longer accepted.

Principals and supervisors must complete all end-of-year evaluations for 10-month employees by Friday, June 9, 2023, and 12-month employees by Friday, June 30, 2023. AFSCME and ESPBC-represented employees are evaluated a minimum of once every two years.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Preferred Name Update - Employee Self Service



BCPS recognizes that some members of the staff choose or prefer to use names (preferred names) to identify themselves other than their legal names. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post and see the April 12 update here.

• College and University Programs Fall 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. These programs are not cohort programs. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Towson University Opportunities in Equity-Centered Educational Leadership

Beginning in fall 2023, Towson University, in collaboration with BCPS, will offer programs for educators interested in developing equity-centered, culturally responsive leadership skills. An information session will be held by Towson University on Wednesday, April 26, at 6 p.m. Information about the programs can be found on the attached flyer.

Please note that this is not a cohort program. Participants will pay tuition up front and may seek any reimbursement they are eligible for through the process managed by the BCPS Office of Certification.

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Brick Bodies is FREE for BCPS Employees for the Month of April!

All BCPS employees are invited to use any Brick Bodies club at no cost for the entire month of April! Employees must provide proof of BCPS employment. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Celebrating BCPS Administrative Professionals

April 23 - 29 is Administrative Professionals Week! Please join us in celebrating our hardworking BCPS administrative professionals, who play an integral role in our schools and offices every day.

Don't forget, Wednesday, April 26, is Administrative Professionals' Day!

BCPS College & Career Decision Day - May 1

On Monday, May 1, we will celebrate BCPS College & Career Decision Day! Graduating seniors are invited to share their plans on social media using #BCPSdecisionday. In addition, Team BCPS staff, students, and community members are invited to wear college gear.

In case you missed it:

June 13 will be the last day for teachers and students

BCPS did not use any of the five days that were built into the 2022-2023 school calendar for inclement weather. The last day of school for students and teachers will now be Tuesday, June 13, 2023, instead of June 21, 2023. The revised calendar is available online.

Celebrating the Class of 2023: Graduating Senior Profiles

In honor of the Class of 2023, BCPS is profiling one senior from each high school. A new profile will be posted each school day until Friday, May 19, the last day for seniors. These profiles highlight the intellectual and personal strengths of our seniors and their diversity.

This week, the series continued with:

• Alyssa Reddy, Eastern Technical High School

• Nishita Yarra, Ridge Ruxton School

• Casey Walker, Kenwood High School

• Deborah Olorundare, Owings Mills High School

• Temitayo Ariyo, Overlea High School

We are Hiring!

Spread the word! We are seeking grounds workers and building service workers to join Team BCPS! Applications are available online.

On Tuesday, April 25, prospective grounds workers and building service workers are invited to join us at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively at the Eastpoint Workforce Development Center for in-person recruitment sessions.

For more information, please call 443-809- 7872.

2023 BCPS Haiku Contest Winners

Three winners selected from nearly 2,200 entries received from 111 schools, centers, and programs - including the Virtual Learning Program. Read the winning haiku and learn more about this year's unique contest in a BCPS news release.

School Resource Officer of the Year Award

In collaboration with the Baltimore County Police Department, BCPS will recognize outstanding school resource officers (SRO) at each level (elementary, middle and high) for the 2022-2023 school year. Nominations for this award will be accepted through Friday, April 28.

Please use the following link to access the SRO of the Year Nomination 2022-2023 form. Once you have completed the form, please email the form to Sergeant Eric Knox, assistant safe schools' facilitator, or mail to 9600 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 118, Baltimore, MD 21220.

Math Homework Helpers LIVE School Year Finale Set for May 3 - Plus New Shorts

The final edition of Math Homework Helpers LIVE for the 2022-23 school year is set for Wednesday, May 3. K - 5 students are invited to call in with questions from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube and air on Fios 34 / Comcast 73.

Additionally, new Math Homework Helpers Shorts are available on Vimeo. These vignettes are short math lessons aligned with the elementary math curriculum.

Mental Health Matters Month Kick Off Event

Students and families are invited to the Mind Over Matters Mental Health Matters Kick Off Event on Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. Please join us for workshops and visit vendors to learn more about children's mental health and substance use prevention.

1) Board Chair Lichter, Vice Chair Harvey and other members of the Board welcomed newly appointed members of Board of Education—Tiara Booker-Dwyer, Tiffany Lashawn Frempong, and Emory Young.

2) Superintendent Darryl Williams highlighted recent BCPS achievements and celebrations and provided system updates.

3) The Board received a report on Golden Ring Middle School’s program closure. The next steps for the facility will be determined through a comprehensive process that will involve stakeholder groups.

4) The Board approved the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Appropriation Transfer. The proposed transfers are necessary to implement the FY2023 operating plan, implement the teacher substitute contract, provide for FY2023 textbooks, year two of classroom display panel lease, support prekindergarten classrooms, support principals' reallocation of funds to classroom supplies and provide for maintenance of plant.

5) The executive search firm provided an update on stakeholder feedback.

6) The Board received an update on the four and five-year 2022 BCPS graduation rates and dropout rates.

7) The Board approved two administrative appointments.

Special Education Parent Involvement Survey

Special Education Teachers: Help spread the word! Each year the Maryland State Department of Education surveys parents of children receiving special education services. The purpose of The Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey is to hear from parents about how well they think their children’s school is partnering with them and promoting parent involvement in their children’s education. Surveys were mailed by February 10 and must be returned (by mail or online) by May 19. Parents can also complete the survey online.

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