Thursday, February 23, 2023

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

Systemwide Job Fair set for March 8!

Spread the word! BCPS is hiring! Join us at the Timonium Fairgrounds on Wednesday, March 8, to learn why you should join Team BCPS! On-the-spot interviews will be available, and all 176 BCPS schools, programs, and centers will be represented.

We recommend that attendees start their applications prior to the fair!

We are hiring:

• Teachers
• Paraprofessionals
• Additional adult support positions
• Building service workers
• Grounds workers
• Maintenance workers
• School nurses
• Related services
• School psychologists
• School social workers
• Bus drivers and attendants
• Food service workers
• School counselors

BCPS interns as well as priority and voluntary transfers are encouraged to attend! More information is available online.

FEATURED VIDEO:

Johns Hopkins Lung Ambassador Program at Golden Ring Middle School

Also featured in the February 2023 edition of the BCPS Partnership Spotlight Newsletter, the Johns Hopkins Lung Ambassador Program connects students in the school's health sciences magnet program with Hopkins representatives to learn how to create a tobacco-free community.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Service-Learning Recognition Deadline

Each year, the Office of Family and Community Engagement issues recognition materials for Grade 8 and Grade 12 students 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 Grade 12 students who have achieved 150+ independent service-learning hours.

Please have hours entered by close of business on 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).

• New Feature Enabled in Focus

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

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, 2023. 

Stay tuned for additional data available in the School Information module throughout the rest of this school year and summer 2023. 

• Applications open for Baltimore County Summer Youth Employment Program

The Baltimore County Summer Youth Employment Program offers youth ages 14 - 21 the opportunity to work up to 25 hours each week from July 3 to August 11. Youth selected for jobs will earn $15 per hour. This is a great opportunity for BCPS students, please share this information with eligible students and families. Please note that applying to the program does not guarantee job placement. Students can apply online. Students and families can contact  youthservices@baltimorecountymd.gov with any questions or concerns.

• Education Foundation Exchangeree March shopping dates

The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc. will be hosting shopping days during the month of 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 IDs and shopping bags/boxes for their shopping convenience.

On the following shopping dates, from 3 - 6 p.m., BCPS educators can shop for both academic school/classroom supplies and educational resources and unlimited amounts of new and gently used books:

• Thursday, March 2, Windsor Mill

• Tuesday, March 7, Rosedale/Golden Ring

• Thursday, March 16, Windsor Mill

• Tuesday, March 28, 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.

• 2023 BCPS Art is For Everyone Exhibition

The Baltimore Museum of Art will host the Baltimore County "Art is for Everyone!" Exhibit showcasing artwork from BCPS students, Grades PreK – 12. All schools are asked to submit two student artworks using this submission link. Teachers should deliver artworks to the Art Office by Friday, February 24. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Year-Round Orientation afterschool workshops



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 in these workshops. 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.

• Upcoming Parent University course

Beginning March 16, BCPS Parent University will present a free course in partnership with Mariposa Education:

"Building Confidence, Trust & Hope: 3 Things to Help an Anxious Child"

This program shares with parents information about brain science research and concrete tools to help their children cope in times of stress. This is a self-paced course with optional one-on-one coaching and meetings. Best for parents of children ages 3 - 11.

• Racial Justice Poetry Contest deadline March 1



Entries for the 2023 Racial Justice Poetry Contest are being accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1. Students in Grades 6–12 in Baltimore County public, parochial, and independent schools and homeschooled children in Baltimore County can apply. Poems must be original and no more than three pages long.

Contest details, prize information, and a submission form can be found on Schoology in the resource folder for teachers of secondary English language arts. Teachers from other content areas may contact Justin DePrima at Dumbarton Middle School or the BCPS English language arts office for access.

Learn more in a BCPS blog post.

Congratulations to these outstanding BCPS educators!

This year, 169 educators were nominated, and from their applications, the BCPS Teacher of the Year committee will select BCPS Teacher of the Year finalists and the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year -- who will be named during an invitation-only ceremony on Wednesday, April 19, at 4 p.m. at Carver Center.

New artificial intelligence career and technical education program approved

The Maryland State Department of Education has approved BCPS’ plans to launch an artificial intelligence program in the 2023-2024 school year as one of its career and technical education offerings. The program, officially titled Computer and Information Sciences Artificial Intelligence, will be offered at Carver Center, Sollers Point Tech, and Western Tech. Learn more in a BCPS news release.

Share your thoughts! Stakeholder Survey closes in one week

Share your thoughts! The 2023 #TeamBCPS Stakeholder Climate Survey is open through Friday, March 3.

This annual survey is an important way for us to listen to you, the BCPS community, learn your views, and be responsive to your feedback by taking action to improve our schools and school system. The survey is open to students in Grades 3 – 12 as well as all parents/caregivers, staff, and community members, and is available in multiple languages.

It's time for haiku!

Entries for the annual BCPS Haiku Poetry Contest will be accepted through 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 2. For the BCPS 2023 Haiku Contest, each student is invited to choose from among 10 pieces of student artwork and to write a haiku inspired by that artwork.

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.

Black History Month Graduate Profiles

We are honoring a Team BCPS graduate on each school day during Black History Month, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Over the past week we have recognized:

• Brandon Terry, associate professor of the Social Sciences at Harvard University (Western School of Technology)

• Emmanuel Obu, electrical and computer engineering student and football player at Carnegie Mellon University (Hereford High School)

• Nana Yaa Boateng, public health student at American University (Randallstown High School)

• Donovan Smith, offensive tackle in the National Football League (Owings Mills High School)

Stay tuned for more!

Latest "In the Know" podcast highlights financial aid applications

“In the Know" is a Parent University podcast that features in-depth conversations with staff, students, and caregivers. Join Sue Hahn from the Office of Family and Community Engagement to learn more about completing financial aid applications.

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

GenCyber Teacher Camp

University of Maryland Global Campus is hosting a hybrid GenCyber 2023 Teacher Camp for non-STEM high school teachers who are interested in incorporating cybersecurity concepts into their curriculum. More information is available on a digital flyer.

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