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Thursday, December 14, 2023
Previous editions of the BCPS Staff Bulletin are archived and available for viewing on the BCPS website.
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MSDE releases 2023 Report Card data | Yesterday, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released new accountability information for each public school system in the state, including the Star Ratings for individual schools. These new Star Ratings are calculated using 2022–2023 school year accountability data. Several BCPS schools are among the highest rated in the state. | |
Out of 161 BCPS schools with accountability data as outlined by MSDE:
• 19 schools earned a Star Rating of 5
• 28 schools earned a Star Rating of 4
•70 schools earned a Star Rating of 3
• 42 schools earned a Star Rating of 2
• 2 schools earned a Star Rating of 1
Please read our full community message regarding MSDE report card data online.
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FEATURED VIDEO:
A Family Legacy: Three generations of teaching at Holabird STEM/Middle
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• Planned BCPS Serve maintenance
On Friday, December 15, and Saturday, December 16, there may be limited access to BCPS Serve due to monthly maintenance. During this time, you may experience intermittent inaccessibility of hosted services while internal systems are updated.
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• Essential and Essential as Needed designations for 2023-2024
Employees will not be receiving individual notifications of their Essential or Essential as Needed designation for the 2023-2024 school year. Employees will continue with their current designations as previously notified and in accordance with their position classification. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.
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• Central Area Elementary School Boundary Study survey open through Sunday, December 17
The Central Area Elementary School Boundary Study affects students currently attending Carroll Manor, Cromwell Valley Regional Magnet, Halstead Academy, Hampton, Jacksonville, Lutherville Laboratory, Mays Chapel, Oakleigh, Padonia International, Pine Grove, Pinewood, Pleasant Plains, Pot Spring, Rodgers Forge, Riderwood, Stoneleigh, Timonium, Warren, and West Towson elementary schools.
The Central Area Elementary School Boundary Study survey is open now through Sunday, December 17, for the community to provide feedback on the options for revised attendance areas for elementary schools in the Central area. The survey is available in several languages.
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• Kids Helping Hopkins Campaign Underway
Kids Helping Hopkins (KHH) is back! Since 1994, KHH has been giving children throughout BCPS opportunities to learn about compassion, caring, leadership, and helping others. BCPS supports the goals of KHH and has set aside December 6 - 20 as a time for each school to participate should they choose. To learn more about Kids Helping Hopkins, or to donate directly to the Children’s Center, please visit the website.
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• Who will be the next Student Member of the Board?
Applications are open for the next Team BCPS Student Member of the Board! The application deadline is January 8, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Each high school in Baltimore County is able to nominate up to two candidates to apply. Only students who are current sophomores or juniors are eligible to apply. More information is available on the BCPS website. Questions? Contact Stacey Wade, Program Specialist, 443-809-4496.
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• Focus SIS System mobile app now displays student lunch assignments
The Focus Student Information System mobile app has been enhanced to include viewing student’s lunch assignments. In the app, users can navigate to the student’s schedules and view lunch assignments. More information, including a screenshot of the new interface, is available in a BCPS News Hub post.
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Reminisce with us as #BCPSWrapped kicks off on Monday, December 18! | |
2023 was a year to remember for Team BCPS! Beginning on Monday, December 18, the BCPS community is invited to join us in sharing highlights and memories using #BCPSWrapped on social media.
Follow along with us on Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram as we take a walk down memory lane.
The #BCPSWrapped campaign will conclude as we countdown to the new year with the Top 5 BCPS blog posts of 2023, beginning on December 27!
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Mark your calendar! Team BCPS Day returns on Thursday, January 11
On Thursday, January 11, 2024, Team BCPS Day will be back and bluer than ever!
The BCPS community will be encouraged to wear blue and post photos using #BCPSblue as we celebrate our schools, students, teachers, staff, volunteers, and supporters.
Stay tuned for more information about award categories and prizes.
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The Education Foundation Presents: Designer Bag BINGO on January 25
The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., invites you to mark your calendar to join us for an evening of fun, community, and fundraising as the inaugural Designer Bag BINGO ushers in 2024.
The event will take place on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America, 25 Putty Hill Ave., Parkville, MD 21234. Purchase your ticket today!
More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.
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School-based and Systemwide Professional Development Offerings
The Office of Teacher Development is seeking input from educators and resource-based personnel specific to school-based and systemwide professional development offerings. The input will be reviewed to assist with developing a Professional Learning Plan for BCPS.
Principals are asked to disseminate the survey to staff: Professional Development Input Form. The survey will close on December 22, at 5 p.m.
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Call for nominations - School Psychologist of the Year
The Baltimore County School Psychologist Association would like to recognize practicing school psychologists who have made impactful contributions to the profession with its annual School Psychologist of the Year award.
The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, December 20. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.
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Faculty and staff who may be interested in transferring to the new northeast area middle school next school year are invited to join Principal Bryan Thanner at upcoming sessions around the county. | |
Share your partnership highlights with us! | |
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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.
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FOR TENURED EDUCATORS
Aspiring assistant principals course - Winter 2024
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The Department of Organizational Development and Leadership is offering the aspiring assistant principals course to tenured candidates aspiring to the assistant principalship. This course will focus on the knowledge and skill development necessary to fulfill the role of an assistant principal. Participants will have required readings to grow and develop their school-based leadership skills. Successful completion of this course will provide participants with the core knowledge and skills necessary to maximize their roles as school-based leaders.
The recommendation form must be completed by the applicant's current principal or supervisor no later than Friday, January 19, 2024. The six-session course will begin on Thursday, February 1. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.
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FOR CURRENT AND ASPIRING MENTORS OF PRESERVICE TEACHERS
Mentoring the New Teacher, Parts I and II
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The Office of Teacher Development is offering these FREE 3-credit CPD courses recommended for current mentors of preservice teachers (student teachers) as well as those who want to be qualified to mentor preservice teachers. This course is also recommended for teachers who act as mentors or coaches to new or non-tenured teachers.
This is a web-based course with all class sessions taking place through the Schoology platform, with the exception of a mandatory virtual orientation. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.
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FOR EDUCATORS
MRSPA Foundation scholarship opportunity for educators
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The Maryland Retired School Personnel Association, through its MRSPA Foundation, is offering three $2,000 scholarships to public school employees in Maryland who are enrolled in a program leading to teacher certification or certification as a school counselor, speech, and language pathologist, physical or occupational therapist, school social worker, administrator or supervisor, media specialist or school psychologist. The scholarship is also available to certificated teachers who are pursuing certification in another area or level of teaching or to become qualified as one of the above-listed education specialists.
Applicants can apply online from January 2 through January 19, 2024. Winners will be notified by March 30, 2024. Please contact Wanda R. Twigg, executive director, if you require assistance or have questions.
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FOR EDUCATORS
Professional learning support for teachers planning to take the ESOL/Special Education Praxis - Spring 2024
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BCPS is pleased to share information about new professional learning/support for teachers who plan to take the ESOL/Special Education Praxis in 2024.
This professional learning opportunity is designed for BCPS professionally certified teachers who are interested in taking the ESOL or Special Education PRAXIS in Spring 2024 to add an ESOL or Special Education endorsement to their certificate. It will be a four-week asynchronous study course, beginning February 3, 2024, through March 1, 2024.
More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.
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FOR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND PRINCIPALS
Assessment Skills Center 2023-2024 data and information
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CALENDAR REMINDER
December 22 (F) - Winter break begins at the end of the school day - Schools and offices close three hours early - Students will engage in asynchronous learning (virtual, self-paced) while teachers and staff engage in planning and professional development
January 2 (T) - Schools reopen
January 15 (M) - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Schools and offices closed
January 19 (F) - End of second marking period - Schools close three hours early for students
January 29 (M) - Report cards distributed
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Upcoming community advisory group & boundary study meetings
All are welcome to attend
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Central Area Elementary School Capacity Relief Boundary Study committee meeting
Thursday, January 4, from 6-8:30 p.m. (Snow date: Friday, January 5, from 6-8:30 p.m.)
George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology cafeteria, 938 York Rd., Towson 21204
Study webpage
Northwest Area Education Advisory Council meeting
Monday, January 8, at 6 p.m.
Meeting details
Topic: “A Community Partner Panel for Bilingual Families”
Southwest Area Education Advisory Council meeting
Monday, January 8, at 7 p.m.
Meeting details
Topic: "AP vs. Honors, SAT vs. CAT, Sports vs. Clubs"
Central Area Education Advisory Committee meeting
Wednesday, January 17, at 7 p.m.
Meeting details
Topic: “Facilities Planning, MYIPAS (Multi-Year Improvement Plan for All Schools), and other issues regarding repairing and updating our schools
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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.
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Submit News to the Staff Bulletin
Please use the form below to submit news to the BCPS Staff Bulletin. If you have trouble using the form, please contact communications@bcps.org.
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BCPS News Hub
BCPS news is posted each day to the BCPS News Hub.
Be sure to click "Latest news" at the top left and then “See all” at the top right to view all items. For ease of access, bookmark this site for daily reference. The link to the BCPS News Hub can also be found on the BCPS Staff webpage.
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UPCOMING RECOGNITIONS
National Mentoring Month - January
Team BCPS Day - Thursday, January 11
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 15
Holocaust Remembrance Day - Saturday, January 27
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BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Engage. Empower. Excel.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach
443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org
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