Thursday, September 7, 2023

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

Green School Summit set for September 25

In alignment with Board Policy 3540 – Energy Conservation and Sustainability, the Office of Science PreK-12 and the Office of Facilities Support Services invites teachers to the BCPS Green School Summit on Monday, September 25. Register now through the Registration System.

This event is not limited to science teachers and is open to any teacher interested in Green School initiatives. By attending the summit, teachers will be able to:

• Participate in professional development sessions devoted to schoolyard sustainability practices and environmental literacy.
• Network with colleagues from other schools.
• Establish partnerships with local organizations in the Exhibitor Hall.
• Earn credits towards their school’s MAEOE Green School Certification.

More information is available on a digital flyer. Questions? Contact Kelley Holocker.

FEATURED VIDEO:

100 years of Edgemere Elementary

This school year, the Edgemere Elementary School community is celebrating 100 years of excellence!

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Upcoming Parent University events

This year, BCPS Parent University will present a variety of virtual programs. More information is available on the Parent University schedule.

Upcoming programming includes:

• Lunch & Learn: Using Schoology to Support Student Organization - Online

Wednesday, September 20, at 12:30 p.m.

• Lunch & Learn: Back to School Jitters: How to Help your Child Transition from Anxious to Excited

Friday, September 22, at 12:30 p.m.

• Lunch & Learn: The Power of Play: Fun Activities for Parents and Children

Friday, October 20, at 12:30 p.m.

• Year-round New Educator Orientation Workshops



Year-round orientation will be offered each month through the Afterschool Workshop Program. The program is highly recommended, but not required, for new educators who missed the August 2023 New Educator Orientation event. New educators will be paid at least $38.62 per hour for participation. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• 2024 United States Senate Youth Program - Spread the word!



The Maryland State Department of Education is pleased to announce an opportunity for two Maryland students to participate in the 2024 United States Senate Youth Program. Each year, two students from every state and the District of Columbia are selected to attend a week-long government and leadership program in the Washington D.C. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Exchangeree shopping dates - September and October



The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc. will host shopping days during September and October at the Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore, centers at Rosedale/Golden Ring and Windsor Mill. Shopping, from 3-6 p.m. on the days listed below will be open to all full-time BCPS educators and support staff (school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and pupil personnel workers).

Rosedale/Golden Ring

• Tuesday, September 12

• Tuesday, September 26

• Tuesday, October 17

Windsor Mill

• Thursday, September 21

• Thursday, October 5

• Thursday, October 26

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Volunteer coordinators

​​​​​​​The Office of Family and Community Engagement invites all volunteer coordinators to join its BCPS Volunteer Coordinator Schoology group where they will receive information on annual training, resources, and updates. Principals are asked to provide the name of their volunteer coordinator via the Staff Access Management app.

Volunteer coordinators are required to attend one of two annual training sessions, which will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

#1166 Volunteer Coordinator Training

• Wednesday, September 20, from 2-3 p.m.

• Friday, September 22, from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Please visit the Registration System to sign up. For more information, contact Stacey Wade.

• Ask the Governor: Examining Education



Maryland Public Television welcomes your attendance at this first-ever town hall statewide broadcast by Gov. Wes Moore as he addresses the topic of education and the major educational reform known as the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. The taped program will air on Wednesday, September 13, at 7 p.m., as a one-hour special and will be available for livestream viewing at mpt.org.

The taping will take place on Wednesday, September 13, at 3 p.m. (Doors will open at 2:30 p.m.) RSVP required by September 8 to participate in the taping.

• Putting Students First grant applications



In partnership with First Financial Federal Credit Union, The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., is pleased to provide the Putting Students First Grant. The review and award of project funds will be based on the project’s anticipated need of supplies, resources, and opportunities/experiences to fulfill classroom needs and to impact student’s educational readiness.

The application closes on September 29, at 5 p.m. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Office Professionals Induction Program

BCPS prepares office professionals with the knowledge of how to establish and maintain success throughout the school year. To that end, and in collaboration with various departments, Employee Training and Development has launched the Office Professionals Induction Program, a set of professional development courses and opportunities for collaboration with mentors for first-year through third-year office professionals. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Get moving with BCPS! - Join the $10,000 School Team Challenge

BCPS has partnered with HealthyWage! If you are looking for a fun way to get healthier, join the $10,000 School Team Challenge that kicks off September 18.

Gather your coworkers, friends, and family together to create a team of five. Don't have a team? No problem - HealthyWage will match you up with one. Registration is $28/month for three months ($84).

Challenge start date: Monday, September 18

Last day to register: Monday, October 2

Challenge end date: Monday, December 11

Questions? Contact info@healthywage.com or call 888-636-3832.

• Hersheypark back-to-school offer

BCPS staff are invited to celebrate the last days of summer by saving on 1-day tickets to Hersheypark! There is no limit on the number of tickets you can purchase. Processing fee and amusement tax apply.

Discounted price: $44.99 (Regularly $84.95)

Use promo code 24489862 now through September 10.

How will your school/office recognize Hispanic Heritage Month?

Does your school/office plan to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Please send details to communications@bcps.org.

From September 15 through October 15, we invite students, staff, and families to share some of their favorite traditions on social media using #BCPSHerencia.

Save the Date - BCPS Magnet Expo

This year’s Team BCPS Magnet Expo is set for Saturday, September 30, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Delta Hotel Hunt Valley. The expo will feature 32 schools with magnet programs; English for speakers of other languages and special education representatives; and career and technical education exhibits and demonstrations!

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be available from September 12 through November 3.

Remembering

September 11, 2001

Each year on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we remember the victims and honor those who served. We will never forget.

Here For It

attendance campaign

resources & toolkit

The "Here for It" attendance awareness campaign is an ongoing initiative that includes a curated collection of tools, resources, and suggested activities for BCPS stakeholders to use to raise awareness of the importance of regular school attendance and offer support for decreasing barriers to regular school attendance.

Principals and schools are encouraged to utilize the Here for It tools and resources throughout the year to promote a culture of attendance and to support efforts to decrease the percentage of chronically absent students.

World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10

Together we can help stop suicide. If you think someone is struggling, trust your gut. Ask directly and listen.

Mind Over Matters is an ongoing movement to raise awareness about mental health and promote wellness for students and staff in BCPS. The Mind Over Matters 2023-2024 Campaign is available now.

Mental health resources are available on the Team BCPS Focus App, available for download on iOS and Android.

International Literacy Day

In recognition of International Literacy Day (Friday, September 8), we are highlighting the ongoing work of the BCPS Office of English Language Arts:

• Training all PreK-3 teachers in the science of reading.

• Implementing HMH Into Reading in all BCPS elementary schools.

• Implementing newly-developed literacy skills units to support students in transition grades (Grades 6 and 9).

• Provided Reading Apprenticeship professional learning to support teachers of all content areas in promoting disciplinary literacy.

• Implementing newly-developed novel planners to support equitable instruction of culturally relevant texts.

ICYMI: Superintendent shares final Transition Team Report

In case you missed it, please review last week's Team BCPS Update regarding the Superintendent's Transition Team Report. The assessment resulted in a list of 24 short- and long-term recommendations to drive improvement in our five focus areas.

You can read the full report here.

BCPS offers multiple ways to stay connected and to be informed about news and important information from your school system. From the website and various social media platforms to our community newsletter and much more.

Visit the STAY CONNECTED webpage for a one-stop shop for tools that help you stay in touch with BCPS.

You asked for it; you've got it! Principals requested an easy, at-a-glance document to share with families!

Here they are:

• Stay Connected - English

• Stay Connected – Spanish

STAY CONNECTED and remember to stay in touch!

We're hiring! Please spread the word about our upcoming recruitment events.

Online applications are available now.

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT



Nicole Torbit, Supervisor, Health Services

Brittany Sydnor, School Nurse, Essex ES

Eva Merryman, School Nurse, Oliver Beach ES

Submitted by Eva Merryman

This summer, Torbit, Sydnor, and Merryman represented Team BCPS at the National Association of School Nurses' annual conference in Orlando, Florida. At the conference, the group spent four days alongside national peers learning about the latest issues and trends in school nursing.

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

World Literacy Day - Friday, September 8

World Suicide Prevention Day - Sunday, September 10

National Arts in Education Week - Sunday, September 10 - Saturday, September 16

Patriot Day - Monday, September 11

Hispanic Heritage Month - Friday, September 15 - Sunday, October 15

National Principals Month - October

National Bullying Prevention Month - October

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month - October

National Custodian Day - Monday, October 2

International Walk & Roll to School Day - Wednesday, October 4

National School Lunch Week - Monday, October 9 - Friday, October 13

America's Safe Schools Week - Sunday, October 15 - Saturday, October 21

National School Bus Safety Week - Monday, October 16 - Friday, October 20

Color for Character Week - Monday, October 16 - Friday, October 20

BCPS Transportation Appreciation Day - Wednesday, October 18

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org