Thursday, March 9, 2023

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

Today, the Maryland State Department of Education 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 2021–2022 school year accountability data.

While the Maryland School Report Card provides valuable insight about school performance, it provides a very limited snapshot of the progress of our more than 111,000 students and the work our schools are doing to rebound from the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. We use multiple and frequent measures of students’ progress to determine if our schools are meeting the needs of all students and reducing and eliminating disparities in achievement.

Please review the full message online.

FEATURED VIDEO:

Educators Rising Conference 2023

On Friday, March 3, hundreds of BCPS students from around the county gathered for the Educators Rising Conference to learn more about future careers in education.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship

The Teaching Fellows for​ Maryland Scholarship is awarded to students who pledge to work as public school or public prekindergarten teachers in Maryland upon completion of their studies that lead to a Maryland professional teacher certificate.

Recipients must fulfill a service obligation with a public school that has at least 50% of the students in the school eligible for free or reduced-price meals (FRPM). Scholarship information and conditions of award are posted on the Maryland Higher Education Commission webpage.

Applicants for the Teaching Fellows for Maryland scholarship must submit the online application through their​ MDCAPS account. BCPS contractual staff who desire to transition into a paraeducator or teacher position are encouraged to explore this opportunity. The online application and all required documents must be submitted by April 1, 2023 for consideration of the award.

• New Feature Enabled in Focus

A new feature has been enabled in Focus. The School Information module, located under the Setup menu, will provide basic information about each school, including administrative staff, administration, and general information such as school address and phone number. 

In addition, principals and assistant principals have the ability to enter four pieces of school information:

·    Web Address

·    School Mascot

·    School Colors

·    School Logo (a location to upload is provided)

School administrators are asked to update these four fields, using the School Information directions, by Friday, March 10. 

Stay tuned for additional data available in the School Information module throughout the rest of this year and summer. 

• Service-Learning Recognition Deadline

Each year the Office of Family and Community Engagement issues recognition materials for students in Grades 8 and 12 who have achieved high levels of service-learning engagement. Recognition is based on total independent hours, and these hours must be entered into FOCUS by the end of the third marking period to qualify.

Middle schools will receive certificates for their top five Grade 8 students who have achieved 75+ independent service-learning hours.

High schools will receive certificates and cords for their top 10 seniors who have achieved 150+ independent service-learning hours.

Please have hours entered by COB Friday, March 24. Hours entered after this date will not be considered for recognition as the office needs time to process and mail recognition packets to schools.

Updates are shared within our Service-Learning Coordinator Schoology group (XD28-9MDJ-RVNGK).

• Education Foundation Exchangeree March shopping dates

The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc. is hosting shopping days during March, for all full-time BCPS educators and support staff (school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and pupil personnel workers).

During March, the Exchangerees will continue to provide the opportunity to PTT (Pick the Time) and PTC (Pick the Center) that fits into the educator’s schedule to visit. There will be no registration and no appointments needed but shoppers must bring their BCPS photo ID and shopping bags/boxes for their shopping convenience.

On the following dates, educators can shop for both school supplies and new and gently used books:

• Thursday, March 16, from 3 to 6 p.m., Windsor Mill
• Tuesday, March 28, from 3 to 6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Request for Nominations: School Counselor, School Advocate, and Rookie School Counselor of the Year

The Baltimore County Association for Counseling and Development is seeking nominations for:

• School Counselor of the Year

• School Advocate of the Year

• Rookie School Counselor of the Year

The deadline for nominations is Monday, March 13.

• Touchdown for Teachers



The Baltimore Ravens and M&T Bank are inviting nominations for their 10th annual Touchdown for Teachers program, which recognizes local teachers who provide outstanding service for their schools and communities. The online application form will be open through Friday, April 7. All finalists will be notified of their selection by April 21.

• Upcoming Parent University Programs

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

March programming includes:

"Building Confidence, Trust & Hope: 3 Things to Help an Anxious Child" - In partnership with Mariposa Education

Beginning March 16

Family College Night - Presented by Office of School Counseling

Wednesday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m.

Family College Night (en español) - Presented by Office of School Counseling

Thursday, March 23, at 6:30 p.m.

• BCPS Scholarship Loan Program



The BCPS Scholarship Loan Program is designed to encourage and assist new graduates of BCPS to consider a professional career in education. After earning a degree from an approved Maryland teacher education program, these former BCPS students will return to BCPS as teachers and role models for students. This program will provide a $4,000 scholarship loan for up to four years. Information and application will be available online beginning March 1, 2023. The application and fact sheet about the program are available online. The deadline for the scholarship loan application is Friday, March 17.

• Bowie State University - Symposium for Current and Aspiring Conditional Licensed Teachers

In an effort to address the current teacher shortage crisis, Bowie State University is hosting a symposium for conditional licensed teachers on Saturday, March 11, at 11 a.m. Current and aspiring conditional educators will have an opportunity to learn from the experts who will provide:

• an overview of the state certification process and support
• school district requirements and supports
• PRAXIS & EdTPA requirements and supports
• course offerings for content requirements

This event will be held at Bowie State University. Those interested in attending should register.

• Johns Hopkins Art and Science Internship

Johns Hopkins is offering a paid summer internship opportunity for BCPS high school art students. Interns will create artwork inspired by the images from the Webb and Hubble space telescopes. Students are asked to submit samples of their artwork along with the application. The deadline to apply is March 31.

• Year-Round Orientation Afterschool Workshops



New educators hired after New Educator Orientation in August 2022 are invited to participate in Year-Round Orientation Afterschool Workshops. New educators will be paid $37.86/hour for participation. Any new educators who are unable to participate will be welcome to participate in needed modules during New Educator Orientation in August 2023. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

March is Women's History Month!

Please join us in celebrating the achievements and contributions of women throughout history.

How will your school/office recognize Women's History Month? Share your plans with us at communications@bcps.org.

BCPS Graduation Rate Declines 1.7 Percent for Class of 2022; Randallstown High School Achieves Significant Increase

The four-year cohort graduation rate for Baltimore County Public Schools students for the 2021-2022 school year is 84.5 percent, according to data released March 9 by the Maryland State Department of Education. BCPS’ graduation rate is 1.8 percentage points below the state average of 86.3 percent. Learn more in a BCPS news release.

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.

Spread the word! The CCBC/BCPS College Fair is next week!

CCBC and BCPS are hosting College Fair 2023 on March 14 at CCBC Dundalk and March 15 at CCBC Catonsville! Meet representatives from more than 100 universities, HBCUs, colleges, and trade and military schools. Parking for this event is free, and we encourage both high school students and families to attend.

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 Carver Center. 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.

Registration for BCPS players is now open! Calling all administrators and educators to participate in this year's fun and friendly softball game. Registration is first come, first served and is limited to the first 25 administrators and the first 25 educators who sign up. Please register on or before Friday, March 31.

Math Homework Helpers LIVE—plus new Shorts

On Wednesday, March 15, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., join us for “Math Homework Helpers LIVE” on BCPS-TV Verizon channel 34 / Comcast channel 73, and streaming on the BCPS website and the BCPS-TV YouTube channel.

Students are encouraged to call in for live, on-air help with their math questions. The chat feature on the YouTube page can also be used to submit questions. Prizes will be awarded to students who participate by calling or sending in questions during the hour.

In addition, taped “Math Homework Helpers Shorts” can be viewed on Schoology, YouTube, Vimeo, and on BCPS-TV channels Verizon 34/Comcast 73. The “shorts” are math lessons aligned with the elementary math curriculum.

Job Fair Success!

Thank you, Team BCPS, for making yesterday's systemwide job fair at the Timonium Fairgrounds a tremendous success! With all 176 BCPS schools, programs and centers represented, we welcomed, hundreds of prospective BCPS employees. Photos from the event are available in a BCPS Flickr album.

2023 BCPS All-County Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Concerts

The BCPS Office of Performing Arts would like to invite you to the 2023 All-County Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Concerts, which will take place on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Carver Center. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance.

• All-County Band - 11:00 a.m.

• All-County Orchestra - 2:00 p.m.

• All-County Chorus - 5:00 p.m.

The concerts will feature approximately 600 BCPS Middle and High School students. The approximate running time of each concert is one hour in length.

BCPS Art is for Everyone! exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art

The exhibit, which includes artwork from BCPS students in grades Pre-K – 12, is open now through March 12, with a reception on Sunday, March 12, 2023, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including the sculpture garden. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators are all invited to this special event.

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