Thursday, April 13, 2023

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

Join us for Champions for Children on April 19!

On March 24, three finalists each for 2023-2024 BCPS Teacher, Principal, and Assistant Principal of the Year were announced!

The trios will be celebrated at a special livestreamed Champions for Children Celebration Gala at 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Road, in Towson. At that event, Baltimore County’s teacher, principal, and assistant principal of the year will be chosen from among the respective groups.

Teacher of the Year Finalists

• Beverly Folkoff, Grades 3-5 special education teacher, Relay Elementary School

• Talven Pearsell, mathematics teacher, Sudbrook Magnet Middle School

• Abigail Karey, vocational/life skills teacher, Maiden Choice School

Principal of the Year Finalists

• Andrea Derrien, Chatsworth School

• Kalisha Miller, Pikesville Middle School

• Brian Powell, Kenwood High School

Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists

• Anthony Schultz, Westowne Elementary School

• Jodi Pasquale, General John Stricker Middle School

• Nicole Bridges, Towson High School

In addition to these schoolhouse champions for BCPS students, the April 19 gala will also celebrate a variety of other all-star school supporters. Jamie Costello of WMAR will serve as the emcee of the event. More information is available in a BCPS news release.

FEATURED VIDEO:

All-County Honors Concert 2023 - High School Chorus

All-County Honors Concert 2023 videos are available for viewing online! During the All-County High School Chorus Contest, the middle and high school choruses came together to perform “Come, Thou Almighty King” with a guest conductor appearance by BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. The song begins at 20:45 in the above video.

Additional videos:

1) All-County Honors Concert 2023 - High School Band

2) All-County Honors Concert 2023 - Middle School Chorus

3) All-County Honors Concert 2023 - High School Orchestra

4) All-County Honors Concert 2023 - Middle School Orchestra

*Note: Unfortunately, the files for the Middle School Band Concert are unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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.

• Workplace Conflict: Strategies and Solutions

The BCPS Employee Wellness Program, in partnership with Cigna, our external Employee Assistance Program provider, presents "Workplace Conflict: Strategies & Solutions." Participants will explore conflict triggers and how to prevent small conflicts from turning into big ones. Learn how to better manage difficult relationships, and get pointers on how to discuss things openly without anger or hurt feelings.

• Wednesday, April 19, at 2 p.m.

• Log in to register for this seminar.

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub 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



The Division of Information Technology (DoIT), in conjunction with the Department of Equity and Cultural Proficiency, has created a process for staff to identify a preferred name. BCPS recognizes that some members of the staff choose or prefer to use names (preferred names) to identify themselves other than their legal names. By the beginning of April, DoIT will begin has begun rostering resources using preferred name. Legal documents will still use legal names. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post and see the April 12 update here.

• All BCPS Employees are Eligible for Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Wellness Services!

BCPS provides access to no-cost, confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services as a benefit to all regular, temporary, contractual, full or part-time, 12- or 10-month employees, irrespective of health insurance coverage.

Specifically, EAP services (1-10 sessions per personal or work-related concern) are offered free to all employees and their family members. Additional work/life services: eldercare, childcare, pet care, relocation, financial, legal, and identity theft consultation are also available via our partner Cigna EAP. Telephone: 888.431.4334 – toll-free 24/7/365. Website ID: Baltimore

Supervisory/Management consultations and coordination of critical incident/staff trauma response services are offered via EAP Specialist Dr. Bernie McCann, 443-809-5414 or bmccann@bcps.org.

• 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.

• Education Foundation Exchangeree shopping dates for April

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 locations for all full-time BCPS educators and support staff.

During April, 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, April 18, from 3 to 6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring

•Thursday, April 20, from 3 to 6 p.m., Windsor Mill

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• New Budget and Reporting communication site



The Office of Budget and Reporting has a new communication site. This site will house resources for budgeting tasks (Budget Line Transfers, Accounting String Maintenance) and budget information for schools, offices, and grant accounting (training information, instructional reference material). Please follow and bookmark the page for easy access in the future. This site will help engage and inform staff of all relevant BCPS budgeting practices.

• Let's Play Ball! 2023 with the Education Foundation

Mark your calendar! 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.

• 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 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 year's series begins with:

• Orion Cooper, Randallstown High School

• Azzoria Lewis, Lansdowne High School

#BCPSAPWeek: April 3 - 7

National Assistant Principals Week was April 3 -7! Although schools were closed for spring break, members of the BCPS community shared heartfelt messages of gratitude on social media for our amazing Team BCPS assistant principals! Thank you for all that you do to raise the bar, close gaps and prepare students for the future.

Thank you, BCPS Paraprofessionals!

April 3 was Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! Please join us in taking a moment to celebrate and thank our fantastic Team BCPS paraprofessionals for the integral role they play in our schools.

In case you missed it:

Summer 2023 Work Schedules Message

From July 10, through August 4, eligible Team BCPS staff will be provided with flexible work options including a compressed work week and/or remote Mondays or Fridays. All staff who work remotely shall be accessible telephonically, via electronic meeting platform, and/or by email during their assigned school’s or office’s regular operating hours. Additionally, principals working remotely must be able to respond to emergencies in their buildings and should be able to access their buildings within an hour of notification.

Staff members who elect to participate in any flexible summer work option must submit their request to supervisors in writing no later than April 17.

For more information, please read the full message on the BCPS website.

Derrick Dixon, LifeChanger of the Year Grand Prize Winner

On March 29, Derrick Dixon, an additional adult assistant at Bedford Elementary School, received a surprise visit! Dixon has been named National Life Group's LifeChanger of the Year Grand Prize Winner! With the award, Dixon will receive $10,000 to share with his school, plus a trip to Mexico in June. Learn more about Dixon, who was nominated by Bedford Principal Christina Connelly, on the LifeChanger of the Year website.

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.

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.

5K Walk and Community Fair to be held in honor of Nora Murray

Baltimore County Student Councils and Baltimore County Junior Councils are co-hosting the Nora Murray Memorial Walk, a 5K walk and community fair to support FINISH Sarcoma (a rare cancer).

Online registration is $30 for adults (ages 18+), $15 for students (ages 6–17), and free for children under age 6.

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.

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 Board of Education Chair Jane Lichter and Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams released a statement in response to County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget.

Welcome Reception: 4 - 4:45 p.m.

Awards Program: 4:45 - 6 p.m.

Celebration Reception: 6 - 6:45 p.m.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Honoring:

Teacher of the Year

Rising Star Teacher of the Year

Principal of the Year

Assistant Principal of the Year

Supervisory Leader of the Year

Supporting Services Employee of the Year

Transportation Champion

AFSCME Employee of the Year

Volunteer Champion

Business Partner Champion

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.

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