Thursday, October 31, 2024

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

Don't delay, complete your open enrollment today!

BCPS Open Enrollment is underway now through Monday, November 11. Open Enrollment is the best time to make changes to your coverage, enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts, and review your dependents through Employee Self-Service. More information about Benefits & Retirement is available on the BCPS website.

Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers will host four “Community Conversations” regarding the development of the BCPS Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget. Please join us to provide input on the process and share ideas on areas you believe BCPS should prioritize in the budget and investments our system should make to fast forward student achievement.

• Summit Park Elementary - Tuesday, November 12, 6-7 p.m.

6920 Diana Road, Baltimore 21209

• Windsor Mill Middle - Thursday, November 14, 6-7 p.m.

8300 Windsor Mill Road, Windsor Mill 21244

• Cockeysville Middle - Thursday, November 21, 6-7 p.m.

10401 Greenside Drive, Cockeysville 21030

• Perry Hall Middle - Monday, November 25, 6-7 p.m.

4300 Ebenezer Road, Baltimore 21236

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

FEATURED VIDEO:

Scenes from the Bedford Elementary ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 16

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Safe Schools compliance training reminder - November 1 deadline

Compliance training for the 2024-25 school year was released through Safe Schools on June 17. All staff must complete annual compliance training to ensure that BCPS adheres to all Board of Education Policies and Superintendent’s Rules and meets all state and federal mandates. Staff must complete all training by Friday, November 1.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post. Principals and office heads may contact etd@bcps.org for an updated list of staff who have not completed their required trainings.

• Important end of marking period grading and reporting reminder for secondary families

As a reminder, an October 30 community message outlines important grading and reporting reminders as the first marking period comes to an end.

• Software Update

The use of software during the school day should be limited to those tools that are connected and aligned with BCPS curriculum resources or connected to services outlined in a student’s IEP or 504 Plan. It is crucial that the purchase of software is aligned to the approved content and usage identified in the BCPS Software Portfolio. To assist schools with identifying approved software, criteria will be added to the BCPS Software Portfolio (located in the My Apps Dashboard). More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Forward with Oracle - Time entry and approval changes: How you will submit your time and/or absences

BCPS is implementing Oracle Cloud, our new Human Resources and Fiscal Services Enterprise Resource Planning system. Periodic communications will be provided regarding upcoming changes staff may be interested in as we prepare to launch Oracle Cloud in June 2025. More information on the project and prior announcements can be located on the BCPS website and in a BCPS News Hub post.

• No-cost online work/life support for employees

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a no-cost employee benefit that can provide employees and their household members with information, resource referrals, and consultations for a variety of work–life needs.

To access this free, confidential benefit, employees or their household members can call Cigna EAP at 888-431-4334 (available 24/7) and speak with a work–life specialist or visit the Cigna website, open the drop-down menu entitled Coverage to select Employee Assistance Program (EAP). More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• National Assessment Governing Board

The National Assessment Governing Board, which sets policy for The Nation's Report Card, is accepting applications and nominations for five Governing Board positions:

• Elementary School Principal

• General Public Representative

• Governor – Democrat

• Governor – Republican

• Testing and Measurement Expert

Each board seat is designated to be filled by a leader with unique expertise and perspective — and a deep commitment to improving student achievement for all. Nominate yourself or someone else today. Nominations will be accepted through November 1.

November is Native American Heritage Month

BCPS celebrates the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans and honors the resilience of Indigenous people.

Final reminder! The Magnet application deadline is November 1 at 1 p.m.

The deadline for the BCPS magnet application is tomorrow! Parents interested in having their child participate in a magnet program next school year must submit an online application by 1 p.m. on Friday, November 1. Principals are asked to ensure their students and families are aware of this deadline.

Student Seminar on Mental Health - Spread the word!

Baltimore County Student Councils (BCSC) invites all middle and high school students to join a student seminar focused on mental health and BCPS resources. The seminar will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6. To join, go to meet.google.com on your BCPS account and use code BCPSSeminar.

Recruitment event set for Tuesday, November 12

On November 12, BCPS will host a joint recruitment event for multiple positions at the Baltimore County Workforce Development Center at Eastpoint (7930 Eastern Ave., Baltimore 21225).

Schedule for the day:

• Bus Drivers & Attendants - 9:30 a.m.

• Building Service Workers - 10:30 a.m. (on-site interviews)

• Grounds Worker II - 12 p.m. (on-site interviews)

• Cafeteria Workers/Transporters - 2 p.m. (on-site interviews)

Applicants are encouraged to apply online prior to the event.

Celebrating our multifaceted principals

In celebration of National Principals Month, BCPS invited several principals from across the county to share a little about themselves, their backgrounds, and the joy they find in their work.

This week, the series concluded with Kieran O'Connell of Franklin High School. View the full collection of mini profiles on the BCPS blog.

Free school supply shopping for BCPS educators at The Education Foundation's Exchangeree

BCPS educators are welcome to shop the shelves at The Education Foundation's Windsor Mill and Rosedale/Golden Ring Exchangeree locations on select upcoming dates. No registration required! More information is available on the Education Foundation website.

Growing Ready Employees Through Applied Training

The Growing Ready Employees through Applied Training (GREAT) initiative through the Department of Employee Training and Development prepares current BCPS students receiving special education services for potential employment in high-vacancy, critical-needs job areas within BCPS. If you are interested in hosting a student worker, having one of your students participate, or learning more, please contact Dr. Liz Berquist.

Share your partnership highlights with us!

Talkspace - Resources for anxiety and stress

With the election and holiday season approaching, students and staff may feel anxious or stressed. As educators and staff working with students, it is important to recognize when students may be struggling so that we can get them the support they may need and then be able to perform in the classroom. Anxiety in students may look like distractibility or difficulty focusing, frequent medical complaints, irritability, work incompletion or work avoidance, sadness/crying, being withdrawn, hypervigilance, frequent movements or difficulty sitting still, etc.

We wanted to share some important resources from our Talkspace partners that may be helpful during this time:

• November Talkspace calendar

• Managing your mental health during election season

• Self-care and stress management worksheet

• Destressing at the end of the day

• Understanding anxiety

• Mindfulness guide

Please continue to remind your BCPS high school students about being able to access resources through Talkspace. Any BCPS student 13 or older who attends a BCPS high school is eligible.

FOR EDUCATORS

Aspiring Assistant Principals Course

The Department of Employee Training and Development is excited to offer the Aspiring Assistant Principals Course to tenured candidates aspiring to the assistant principalship. The course will focus on the knowledge and skill development necessary to fulfill the role of an instructional leader aligned with the Maryland Professional Standards for Educational Leaders and the National Board Core Propositions. This course has been redesigned to reflect input from current school-based administrators and will include opportunities for participants to engage in problems of practice with colleagues, as well as completing a leadership project with mentorship from a current leader.

Participants will have required readings and application-based assignments between sessions. Successful completion of this course will provide participants with the core knowledge and skills necessary to maximize their roles as school-based leaders and allow participants to earn Professional Development Points required for licensure.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Possess a master’s degree.
• Possess an Administrator I endorsement.

The Aspiring Assistant Principals Course includes four in-person sessions and intersession work. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR EDUCATORS

Stevenson University Literacy Education Cohort

As a reminder, Stevenson University, in collaboration with the Department of Employee Training and Development, is offering a Literacy Education cohort. BCPS cohorts are graduate programs designed to meet specific school system needs. Cohort participants receive the direct billing benefit, which means participants pay only the advertised out-of-pocket cost for a cohort, and the Department of Employee Training and Development is directly billed for the remaining tuition up to the rate of reimbursement. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR FULL-DAY PREK HELPERS

Professional Development Series

The Office of Early Childhood is excited to announce a series of professional development sessions specifically designed for Blueprint full-day PreK paid helpers. These sessions will focus on equipping participants with the tools and knowledge needed to support PreK students effectively.

The sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Monday, November 18 (PreK Conference Day)
• Tuesday, November 19 (PreK Conference Day). Session offerings on the 18th and 19th will be identical. Select one day to attend.
• Wednesday, January 29 (Systemwide PD Day)
• Monday, March 31 (Systemwide PD Day)
• Friday, April 25 (PreK Conference Day)

Upcoming Board, boundary study, and advisory committee meetings

All are welcome to attend

Board of Education meeting

Monday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.

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

Northwest Elementary School Boundary Study #2 - Public Information Session

Wednesday, November 6, from 7-8 p.m.

Milford Mill Academy cafeteria, 3800 Washington Ave., Windsor Mill 21244

Holly Manor Community Boundary Study Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 13, from 6-8 p.m.

Westchester Elementary School cafeteria, 2300 Old Frederick Rd., Catonsville 21228

Greenleigh Community Boundary Study Committee Meeting

Thursday, November 14, from 6-8 p.m.

Vincent Farm Elementary School cafeteria, 6019 Ebenezer Rd., White Marsh 21162

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m.

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

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT

Josh Wilson, Assistant Principal, Catonsville Middle School

Submitted by Kristine Alexander, Counseling Secretary, Catonsville Middle School

"Mr. Wilson has been a tremendous asset to Catonsville Middle School. This week we have had many speed bumps come up and he has handled them with such ease and grace. He always remains calm under pressure and guides with authority without talking down to anyone.

"He comes with a level of expertise that adds so much value to our building. He is the type of assistant principal that makes you want to step in and lend a hand. I know that I am not the only one at Catonsville Middle School who feels this way. Even though we tell him all the time how amazing he is, I just wanted to let him know on another level."

Antonette Gause, Administrative Secretary, Division of Chief of Staff

Submitted by a BCPS community member

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 - November 11-15

Veterans Day - November 11

American Education Week - November 18-22

Education Support Professionals Day - November 20

Substitute Educators Day - November 22

Thanksgiving - November 28

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org