Thursday, November 2, 2023

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

Celebrating School Psychologists

Inspired by the importance of both personal and shared strengths in our growth as individuals and school communities in every season of life, the theme of National School Psychology Week 2023 (November 6 – 10) is “Let’s Grow Together.” The theme recognizes every aspect of growth as fundamental to effective learning environments and to school psychologists' role in supporting student well-being and learning.

To celebrate a few of the amazing school psychologists who serve BCPS, the blog conducted short interviews with three of them:

• Dr. Colleen Bachman, Maiden Choice School and Chapel Hill Elementary School

• LaDena Eames, Randallstown High School

• Dr. MaryEllen Hanover, Chesapeake Terrace Elementary School and Deep Creek Magnet Middle School

FEATURED VIDEO:

"The CTE Show": Season Premiere

"The CTE Show" soars into another great season with an episode focused on aviation technology programs currently offered at Hereford and Kenwood high schools, and soon to be available at Lansdowne High School. The episode, hosted and written by student Abigail Evans, also explores the critical role CCBC plays in the program.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Grading and Reporting - End of Marking Period

This Friday, November 3, marks the end of the first marking period. Principals are asked to review the information below and share it with staff as needed to ensure a successful grading and reporting period. The FOCUS Schoology Group contains a folder in resources called Grade Reporting and Report Cards. Within this folder are documents that will assist with the grading and reporting process.

• Elementary Grade Entry Directions

• Secondary Grade Entry Directions

It is important that teachers ensure proper gradebook set up so that the grade pull from Schoology into FOCUS is successful. Please remind teachers of the directions below as needed.

• Gradebook Guidance Grades K-3

• Gradebook Guidance Grades 4-12

Following the grade pull from Schoology, all teachers are required to review grades in FOCUS to check for accuracy and must hit “Save” to ensure accurate posting.

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Deanna Giannelli, supervisor, and Megan Shay, executive director.

• Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting

Parents, staff, and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend SECAC’s in-person meeting on Monday, Nov 6, when the committee will host Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough). This is SECAC’s first meeting with Dr. Rogers, and the group is pleased to have the opportunity to share current stakeholder priorities.

Registration is not required. Contact bcpssecac@gmail.com for more information.

What: SECAC November Meeting with Dr. Rogers

When: Monday, Nov 6, from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Where: Board of Education meeting room, Building E on the Greenwood campus.

• 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:

• Cold/Flu & Germs

Tuesday, November 7, at 12:30 p.m.

• When Worry Gets Too Big: Strategies to Move Through Anxious Moments Towards Confidence

Friday, November 10, at 12:30 p.m.

• Start Your Own Childcare Business

Monday, November 13, at 12:30 p.m.

• "Can you say 'Mama?": How Young Children Develop Language"

Friday, November 17, at 12:30 p.m.

• Winter schedule of restorative practices trainings and workshops

The following Restorative Practices trainings and workshops are available for registration and will take place throughout the school year. Sessions for November through February have just been posted: ​​

Restorative Circles 101 (Virtual):

• November 15, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Restorative Practices Days 3 and 4: Facilitating Restorative Conferences (two full days- In person)

• December 4 and December 5, from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Greenwood E Room 123

Restorative Practices Refresher for Educators (Asynchronous)

• December 6, from 5 - 7 p.m.

Restorative Practices Days 1 and 2: Introduction to Restorative Practices and Using Circles Effectively (two full days- In person)

• December 11 and December 12, from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Greenwood E Room 123

Planning for Community Circles

• December 13, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Introduction to Restorative Practices (Virtual)

& more!

• November SEL Calendars

Supporting the social-emotional learning (SEL) of adults and students is critical to navigating the instructional environment. The MTSS (Multi-Tiered Support Services) Team within the Office of School Climate has developed several social and emotional learning resources for administrators and school staff. The resource, Self-Care for Adults Calendar November 2023, provides administrators with suggested strategies to help with adult self-care as well as ideas to keep school staff connected.

Additional resources for school staff include Elementary and Secondary SEL calendars for November 2023 to foster staff and student connections towards engagement. Additional resources for school staff can be located on the Department of Social-Emotional Supports website. Questions? Contact Tammi Coit, coordinator.

• Morgan State University Educational Opportunities

Morgan State University will host a Virtual Open House on Thursday, November 9, from 4 - 6 p.m. so participants can

learn more about the Morgan State University M.A.T in Secondary Teaching, M.S. in Administration and Supervision, and Certificate in Administration and Supervision programs. Participants will learn about each program’s curriculum, application process, and more. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Science and social studies teachers Annual Surveys

Section 7-203(e) of the Education Code of the Annotated Code of Maryland requires the Maryland State Department of Education to survey social studies and science educators annually. The surveys are to determine the amount of instructional time in those disciplines; available resources, including professional learning; and the number of classes taught by teachers certified in these content areas. All surveys will be confidential and identified only by school system and grade level (elementary, middle, and high school). MSDE is required to compile the survey results, post those results on its website, and send a report to the governor and General Assembly each January.

The surveys will close on November 17. Questions? Contact Christine Schumacker, director of science, health, and physical education, or John Billingslea, director of social studies.

• Update from PTA Council on Multilingual Community Partnership

The PTA Council of Baltimore County, Inc., will significantly increase its outreach to multilingual students and their families through a brand-new project, the Multilingual Community Partnership (MLCP). The MLCP is a subcommittee of the PTA's Family, School, and Community Partnerships Committee.

The MLCP Steering Committee, comprising council board members, BCPS partners, and community members, has been meeting regularly to determine the MLCP’s framework, strategic plan, and course of work. The MLCP’s mission is to advocate for English learner students and their families at the BCPS school/PTA unit level.

A key part of the partnership’s structure is identifying youth delegates to advise the MLCP Steering Committee. Northwest and Southwest Area delegates have been found, and the Committee has reached out to PTSA leaders in the Central and Northeast Areas for recommendations.

Ideal delegate candidates will be bilingual, have some prior experience/knowledge of the issues and needs of multilingual students, be children of immigrant parents, or possibly have the dual role of interpreting for non-English-speaking family members. If you can recommend a student, please email president@bcptacouncil.org.

BCPS proudly celebrates National Native American Heritage Month

FY2025 Operating Budget forums continue Nov. 9

Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough) is hosting “Community Conversations” regarding the development of the BCPS Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget.

The final two events are scheduled for:

• Thursday, November 9, from 6-7 p.m. in the Parkville High School cafeteria

• Tuesday, November 14, from 6-7 p.m. in the Western School of Technology and Environmental Science cafeteria

A recording of the October 17 event at Pikesville High School is available online. More information is available in a BCPS community message.

Here For It Attendance Campaign Update

As a system, BCPS is making some great strides in attendance. The Departments of Social & Emotional Support, Pupil Personnel Services, and Multi-Tiered System of Supports have banded together, utilized a multi-pronged approach in schools throughout the county and the results of our combating chronic absenteeism speak for itself.

We are proud to announce that 21 out of 24 CSI/TSI identified schools have shown a significant decrease in chronic absenteeism compared to October of last year. Beginning with the goal that 80% of our CSI/TSI schools would have a significant reduction in chronic absenteeism, we now sit at 87.5% within those schools. We want to thank all of our BCPS staff, students, and families who have participated in our Attendance Campaign where we promote a culture of daily on-time attendance in schoolhouses all over the county, all of the hard work is paying off, and we salute you all. Please keep up this amazing work!

Special Education Focus Areas Survey

The BCPS Department of Special Education is seeking feedback related to staffing of services and supports for students receiving special education services within BCPS. This information will be used in the development of the Special Education Staffing Plan for next school year. Please take a moment to take this brief survey and provide your feedback before Friday, December 1, 2023.

Open Enrollment is open now through 4 p.m. on Friday, November 10



Open enrollment is the annual period in which eligible employees can make changes to their current medical, dental, vision, and flexible spending account elections. Employees make enrollment selections via Employee Self-Service through Friday, November 10. All elections made during open enrollment will be effective beginning January 1, 2024.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

United Way Campaign Underway

The 2023 BCPS campaign for the United Way of Central Maryland began Wednesday, Nov. 1, and extends through the end of the calendar year. The United Way has actively supported BCPS schools and students for years with a variety of programs and assistance, and many Baltimore County families are in need of the support that BCPS giving to United Way can provide.

All employees are encouraged to consider an online donation to the United Way.

Mobile ESOL Welcome Center launching screening services

The Office of ESOL is excited to announce the screening calendar for the Mobile ESOL Welcome Center.

The BCPS ESOL Welcome Center provides English language proficiency assessment and enrollment services to new BCPS multilingual learners. The launch of the Mobile ESOL Welcome Center will bring this service closer to students and families in the communities. The Mobile ESOL Welcome Center will be stationed at schools across the county, following the calendar as below:

• First Tuesday of every month, at Halstead Academy

• Second Tuesday of every month, at Cockeysville Middle School

• Third Tuesday of every month, at Holabird STEM Middle School

• Fourth Tuesday of every month, at Reisterstown Elementary School

Spread the word - Teen Summit set for Nov. 11

BCPS is joining the Baltimore County Police Department, NAACP, and others in supporting the Tweens & Teens Youth Summit which will be held at New Town High School on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature a youth and an adult panel, vendors, music, snacks and giveaways. Register online today.

Monthly Webinar - How to become a Youth Apprenticeship Employer



As apprenticeship opportunities for BCPS students continue to grow, prospective employers are invited to join the BCPS Office of Career and Technical Education and the Maryland Department of Labor on Thursday, November 9, at 11:30 a.m. to learn how to become a youth apprenticeship employer. More information is available on the BCPS website.

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.

We are seeking qualified professionals to join Team BCPS in facilities support positions. Please spread the word! Online applications are available now. More information about upcoming recruitment events is available in a BCPS news release.

Upcoming community advisory group & boundary study meetings

All are welcome to attend

Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee meeting

Monday, November 6, from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood -- Building E, Board conference room, 6901 N. Charles St., Towson 21204

Special Guest: BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough). No registration is required. All are welcome to attend.

Northwest Elementary School Boundary Study public information session

Wednesday, November 8, from 7-8 p.m.

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

Northwest Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, November 13, at 6 p.m.

Location to be determined

Topic: "The Student Handbook"

Southwest Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, November 13, at 7 p.m.

Location to be determined

Topic: "Transportation"

Central Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Wednesday, November 15, at 7 p.m.

Virtual

Topic: "Artificial Intelligence - Electronics Use and Curricular Implications"

Central Area Elementary School Capacity Relief Boundary Study public information session

Wednesday, November 15, from 7 - 8 p.m.

Cockeysville Middle School cafeteria, 10401 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21030

Study webpage

Central Area Elementary School Capacity Relief Boundary Study public information session

Thursday, November 16, from 7 - 8 p.m.

Loch Raven High School cafeteria, 1212 Cowpens Ave., Towson 21286

Study webpage

Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, November 20, at 7 p.m.

Middleborough Elementary School Library, 313 West Road, Essex 21221

Topic: "Staffing"

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT



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

Native American Heritage Month - November

National School Psychology Week - Monday, November 6 - Friday, November 10

Veterans Day - Saturday, November 11

American Education Week - Tuesday, November 14 - Friday, November 17

Education Support Professionals Day - Wednesday, November 15

Substitute Educators Day - Friday, November 17

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org