Thursday, September 25, 2025

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

Celebrating our incredible Team BCPS Principals!

National Principals Month begins next Wednesday, October 1. This is an opportunity to show appreciation for the selfless, around-the-clock role that schoolhouse leaders assume. Thank you for leading with confidence, integrity, and patience!

Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, X (Formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn as we spotlight some of the many amazing principals in schools across the county.

Fast Forward Profiles in Excellence: Dogwood Elementary School

Dogwood Elementary is one of several BCPS schools that achieved double-digit gains on the 2025 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) English language arts assessment. In a new series, BCPS-TV and the BCPS blog take a closer look at the reasons behind the school's success.

Led by Principal Novella Ables, staff and students are reaching new heights as Ables aims to "change the narrative." We look forward to seeing continued success at Dogwood, exemplifying the important work that is occurring systemwide to Fast Forward student progress.

Personal social media use reminder

School system staff reserve the right to communicate via personal social media. In accordance with Policy 4104, Acceptable Use Policy for Technology and Social Media (TAUP) for Authorized Users, staff must adhere to established guidelines. Policy 4104 details expectations for all BCPS employee social media use.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• ICYMI: Payroll Operations and Human Resources FAQ

The linked FAQ document is shared by the Department of Staff Relations related to the September 19, 2025, pay date.

Any questions should be directed to the Department of Staff Relations:

• Office of Payroll

• Human Resources Customer Support Center

• Director of Staff Relations: Joelle Bielski

• Marking Period 1 interims Schoology gradebooks

Friday, September 26, 2025, marks the midpoint, or interim, of the first marking period. As a reminder, the system Grading and Reporting calendar can be found on the Grading & Reporting SharePoint site.

It is important that teachers verify that the appropriate gradebook scale is selected for each assignment to ensure that a student’s academic progress is accurately represented in the gradebook. Assignment settings can be verified or changed by utilizing the Bulk Edit feature in the Schoology Gradebook. Information about gradebooks and the Bulk Edit feature can be found in the gradebook guidance documents below:

• Gradebook guidance PreK3 - Grade 3

• Gradebook guidance Grades 4 - 12

• Safe School Compliance Training Reminder - October 31 Deadline

Compliance training for the 2025–2026 school year was released in SafeSchools on May 5. All staff are required to complete this annual training to ensure BCPS remains in full compliance with Board of Education policies, Superintendent’s Rules, and state and federal mandates. The deadline to complete all modules is Friday, October 31. Staff who have not completed their training are encouraged to do so on October 2 and 20, if they are not engaged in professional development content. Additional details are available in the BCPS News Hub.

Principals and designated office heads have access to completion reports for their schools, offices, or departments. These reports should be used to identify employees who have not yet finished their assigned training and to provide the necessary support to ensure completion.

Guidance on the updated login process can also be found in the BCPS News Hub.

• October is Energy Awareness Month

In alignment with Board Policy 3540 – Energy Conservation and Sustainability, and to promote more sustainable practices in BCPS facilities, the Office of Facilities Support Services, is celebrating Energy Awareness Month throughout the month of October. A variety of resources on energy conservation in schools can be found in the updated Green Schools Guidebook on the BCPS Energy and Sustainability webpage under Resources, then For BCPS Staff.

• Service-learning coordinators for the 2025-26 school year

All new and returning service-learning coordinators are required to attend annual training sessions, which will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. This annual training will provide updates to the current service-learning guidelines, implementation plan, required forms, and more!

Participants must register by logging into the Microsoft Apps Portal. Select KickUp and then click Browse Events. In the search box, type Service-Learning, and choose from the following dates:

• October 8 at 2:30 p.m.

• October 10 at 10 a.m.

Service-learning coordinators are also asked to join the Service-Learning Coordinator Schoology Group for additional updates and resources.

• BCPS Multilingual Welcome Center

The BCPS Multilingual Welcome Center continues to provide English language proficiency screening and enrollment services to our new multilingual learners.

Through December, the Welcome Center will also offer services at two local library sites to make the screening and enrollment process more accessible for families. The full schedule for these library locations can be found in the Library Schedule 2025 document. To schedule an appointment, please call 443-809-6752.

Schools are encouraged to share the Welcome Center brochure with their newly arrived families and assist families with scheduling an appointment for an English language proficiency screening.  The brochure is available in multiple languages.

Upon enrollment in a BCPS school, every family completes a standardized home language survey. If a language other than English is indicated on two or more of the questions, the student is screened for English Language Development services.

• Registration open for October 2 systemwide professional development day

Registration for the October 2 Systemwide Professional Development Day is now open. Educators should register for their professional learning in KickUp in the collection titled: Systemwide Professional Development Day (SPDD): October 2, 2025.

The following content areas will meet in person at a centralized location and should register by content area:

• Career and Technical Education

• Performing Arts PreK-12

• Physical Education PreK-12

• Visual Arts PreK-12

• Elementary School Counselors

• Elementary Computer Science and Innovation

• Secondary Health Education

• Elementary ISDM Teachers and Paraprofessionals

• Secondary FALS/CLS/PSFALS

All other educators should register at their assigned school location. As a reminder, the October 2 Systemwide Professional Development Day will be held for all educators from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• School staff assisting parents/caregivers with access to various accounts

School staff can use directions in the Focus Schoology group, School Staff Supporting Parent Account, when assisting parents who are reporting issues with:

• Accessing Parent Portal in Focus

• Accessing Schoology.

• Receiving School Messenger messages. (School staff can unblock parents who may have inadvertently blocked themselves. The directions for how to unblock are located under the Direction for Use section on the SchoolMessenger - Communicate Product Page.)

• Receiving messages from Talking Points.

• Educator Development Conference

Staff in the Department of Employee Training and Development are excited to host monthly Educator Development Conference. Registration is now open. This monthly conference is intended for staff development teachers, consulting teachers, and educator retention teachers to strengthen their capacity to support new educators. Participants will engage in professional learning topics related to new educator induction and to collaborate with colleagues to develop new educator support plans. Participants will also have time for job-alike sessions aligned to expectations for their unique role in supporting new educators.

Participants will need to attend all sessions. All sessions will be held at the Employee Development Center. Interested participants must register through the KickUp registration system.

Next Thursday, October 2, is National Custodians Day!

Please join us in sharing an extra special "Thank you!" next week, as we celebrate National Custodians Day! *Please note that schools are closed for students on October 2.

We are grateful for these diligent, hardworking members of Team BCPS who ensure that students and staff have safe and sanitary environments for learning and working.

Strategic Plan Community Conversations continue Sept. 30 at West Towson Elementary

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers invites students, families, staff, and stakeholders to participate in Community Conversations focused on the development of a new strategic plan for the school system. The strategic plan will outline goals, initiatives, and strategies to advance student achievement.

All events will take place from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:

West Towson Elementary School -

Tuesday, September 30

6914 N. Charles Street, Towson 21204

Pine Grove Middle School - Thursday, October 14

9200 Old Harford Road, Baltimore 21234

Arbutus Middle School - Thursday, October 16

5525 Shelbourne Road, Baltimore 21227

Dundalk High School - Thursday, October 23

1901 Delvale Avenue, Baltimore 21222

Spanish interpretation will be provided. Interpreting services for other languages are also available upon request at no cost to participants. Please call 443-809-1250 as soon as possible to request.

Photos from the first event at Windsor Mill Middle, as well as a video recap, are available courtesy of BCPS-TV.

Share your Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations with us!

Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized annually from September 15 - October 15. Does your school or office have plans to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month? Please contact us at communications@bcps.org. We look forward to highlighting the impact of these important recognitions around the county.

Consider also nominating a staff member for an "Orgullo BCPS" spotlight on the BCPS Spanish Facebook Page! Please contact Gevene Harden with the following information:

• Name, job title, and school/office
• A recent, high-quality photo
• Country or countries of origin
• A brief blurb (en español o en inglés) about why you are proud of your Hispanic heritage and/or how you connect with your roots (1-2 paragraphs)

Magnet showcase events are now underway

Spread the word! Students and families seeking additional information about specific programs can view school websites and/or participate in school-based magnet showcase events in September and October.

Magnet applications for the 2026-2027 school year must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21.

Final "Here For It" spirit day: Be a team player on September 26!

As Attendance Awareness Month comes to a close, students and staff are invited to Team Up for Attendance by wearing their favorite sports gear on Friday, September 26!

Share photos with #BCPSHereForIt on social media to highlight your participation. More information and resources are available on the BCPS Here For It Attendance Campaign webpage.

Cromwell Valley's Theresa Iacarino honored as a County Music Association Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence

For three days, Theresa Iacarino, vocal music teacher at Cromwell Valley Elementary Magnet School, stepped out of the classroom and into the spotlight.

As one of 30 teachers named Music Teachers of Excellence by the County Music Association (CMA) Foundation, she flew to Nashville to meet the other winning teachers, engage in professional development, be feted at a gala celebration, and receive a $5,000 award.

In a new blog post, Lacarino shares her experiences and her plans for the award funding. She also encourages other BCPS music educators to apply for this honor. Applications for 2026 honors are due on Thursday, November 13.

Five things to know about the September 24 Board of Education Meeting

1) The Board received a report on the proposed 2026-2027 school calendars. Staff provided pre-and post-Labor Day options to the Board. A public hearing on the proposed calendars will be held on October 7.

2) The Board received a report on local, state and federal funding. The report outlined the primary sources of funding for the BCPS operating budget and highlighted the various fiscal accountability controls in place.

3) Staff provided a report on the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA). Recently released state data show that BCPS student proficiency in science for grades 5 and 8 has increased.

4) The Board received a report on energy and sustainability efforts in BCPS. BCPS has 20 LEED silver and two LEED gold schools; 35 Maryland Green and 26 Maryland Sustainable schools; and three U.S. Green Ribbon Schools.

5) The Board approved two administrative appointments.

Share your partnership highlights with us!

FOR CENTRAL OFFICE LEADERS

Central office leaders' professional development 2025-26

OPE supervisors and managers, and non-represented administrative assistants, directors, executive directors, and chiefs who work with departments supporting business operations will be provided monthly professional learning opportunities focused on building leadership capacity.

These half-day sessions will focus on unpacking and applying the BCPS Standards of Excellence: Customer Service, Communication, Relationships, Innovative Problem Solving, and Mutual Accountability. Registration is available in the Kickup registration system. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR EDUCATORS

Shop the shelves at The Exhangeree for FREE this Fall with The Education Foundation

BCPS educators may shop at one of The Education Foundation's two Exchangerees once per month for school supplies, classroom resources, books, social-emotional support tools, and more at no cost to them! Join us on a designated shopping date with your BCPS ID and bags/boxes.

Fall Shopping Dates (3-6 p.m.)

Mind Over Matters: Upcoming Events

Mind Over Matters (MOM) is an ongoing initiative designed to raise awareness about mental health and promote wellness among BCPS students and staff. This year’s campaign is organized around themes aligned with the 5 Social Emotional Learning CASEL Competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The theme for September and October is Self-Awareness.

SEPTEMBER 2025

Team BCPS will participate in the Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday, September 27. This walk is held all over the country and is the largest fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The walk is scheduled to be held in person at 10 a.m. in Columbia at the Merriweather District (Azlon Plaza, 6100 Merriweather Dr., Columbia, MD)

However, participants can participate virtually if they prefer. Join Team BCPS, create your own team, or walk as an individual. Transportation to the event is not provided.

OCTOBER 2025

In October, MOM has a focus of anti-bullying. Please see some ideas from the MOM campaign on how you can promote bullying prevention and self-awareness.

Wear a Color for Character – Week of October 6 - 10

A color for students and staff to wear each day of the week has been suggested to represent character traits that all people should demonstrate. Share photos on social media and tag BCPS or Mind Over Matters on Instagram.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR AFSCME AND ESPBC STAFF

Better business writing two-day course

Staff in the Department of Employee Training and Development are excited to offer the "Better Business Writing" course for AFSCME and ESPBC staff. The two-day course is offered by CCBC at no cost to employees. Participants are required to attend both sessions. A laptop is required for this course. If you do not have access to a laptop, please contact Tracey Carroll to obtain a loaner laptop for the course. This course is limited to 16 participants.

• Monday, October 13, and Thursday, October 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The BCPS Correspondence Manual will be used as a reference throughout the course. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Continuing professional development Fall 2025 course registration

Registration for the Fall 2025 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session is now open. Courses are offered in the following areas: preventing and treating athletic injuries, diverse learning and social/emotional student needs, health education, literacy, teacher leader university and new educator wellness. Upon successful completion of any of these courses, participants will be issued MSDE CPD credits. For a list of specific courses available, please see the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) webpage. Courses with fewer than 13 registered participants will not run.

Interested participants must be able to attend all sessions and must register through the BCPS Registration system. Participants must register by logging into the Microsoft Apps Portal. Select KickUp and then click Browse Events. CPD courses can be found by selecting Events or Self-paced Courses.

MSDE Workgroup on Social Studies - Apply to join by Sept. 28

To support the implementation of the newly revised social studies frameworks, MSDE is forming a Social Studies Frameworks Implementation Workgroup. The group will be comprised of educators, parents, history experts, organizations, and more, and they will develop instructional guidance aligned to the revised frameworks. The deadline to apply for the workgroup is Sept. 28, and more information can be found on the application form.

Upcoming meetings

All are welcome to attend

PTA Council of Baltimore County Fall Workshops and General Meeting

Thursday, September 25, at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

West Towson Elementary School, 6914 N. Charles St., Towson 21204

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, October 7, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT

Brianna Hopkins, Assistant Principal, Deep Creek Elementary School

Posted on X (Formerly Twitter) by Dr. Heather Swinder, Principal, Deep Creek Elementary School

"97% Attendance today! "How?" you ask?

1. PJ DAY is always a hit!

2. Our AP Ms. Hopkins visited each bus stop this morning. If students were missing, she had other students run back, knock on their door, and tell them to come on!"

Deep Creek Elementary is Here For It!

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

Hispanic Heritage Month - through October 15

National Principals Month - October

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month - October

National Bullying Prevention Month - October

National Custodian Day - Thursday, October 2

BCPS Color for Character Week - Monday, October 6 - Friday, October 10

International Walk & Roll to School Day - Wednesday, October 8

National School Lunch Week - Monday, October 13 - Friday, October 17

America's Safe Schools Week - Sunday, October 19 - Saturday, October 25

National School Bus Safety Week - Monday, October 20 - Friday, October 24

Digital Citizenship Week - Monday, October 20 - Friday, October 24

BCPS Transportation Appreciation Day - Wednesday, October 22

Red Ribbon Week - Thursday, October 23 - Friday, October 31

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org