Thursday, April 27, 2023

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

U.S. Secretary of Education names Watershed Public Charter a 2023 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School

Watershed Public Charter School was nominated by the Maryland State Department of Education. Watershed students are stewards of the environment, and environmental awareness is a part of the school culture. Learn more in a BCPS news release.

On Monday, April 24, BCPS leaders, members of the Board of Education, and state and county officials joined the Watershed school community to celebrate the award at the school's Earth Day Extravaganza. Photos from the event are available in a BCPS Flickr album.

FEATURED VIDEO:

Beverly Folkoff - BCPS Teacher of the Year for 2023-24

Last week, Beverly Folkoff, a special education teacher at Relay Elementary School, was named Team BCPS Teacher of the Year for 2023-24! This BCPS-TV video takes a look inside Folkoff's classroom and details her teaching journey.

Videos about Teacher of the Year Finalists Talven Pearsell (Sudbrook Magnet Middle School) and Abigail Karey (Maiden Choice School) are available for viewing online.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• We are Hiring! - Upcoming hiring events



Spread the word! BCPS is hiring in a variety of positions. Applications are available now online.

Teacher Career Changer Fair (Virtual)

Thursday, May 4, 2023

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Diversity Teacher Job Fair

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Loch Raven High School

Summer Job Fairs

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Catonsville High School

Thursday, June 29, 2023

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Dundalk High School

• Algebra I Summer Symposium — Save the Date

As part of the BCPS goal of supporting student achievement in mathematics, the Division of Curriculum and Instruction, in collaboration with the Department of Schools, and the Department of Organizational Learning are pleased to announce the Algebra I Summer Symposium for all BCPS Algebra I teachers, teacher leaders, and administrators.

The Algebra I Summer Symposium is intended for all Algebra I teachers in middle and high school, math department chairs and the special educators and ESOL teachers who support students in Algebra I. Teachers will be paid a stipend for attendance. Administrators are welcome to attend all five days but will have specific leadership sessions on the first and last day of the symposium. More information will be forthcoming.

The symposium will be held over five days of in-person professional learning on the dates and locations listed below. Participants should attend all five days.

New Town High School

• Tuesday, June 27, 2023

• Wednesday, June 28, 2023

• Thursday, June 29, 2023

Carver Center

• Wednesday, August 9, 2023

• Thursday, August 10, 2023

Registration will open on Monday, May 1, in the Registration System.

• Maryland Green Schools

We are pleased to announce the 2022/23 Maryland Green Schools. There are 71 Baltimore County Public Schools participating in the program. This year, 14 schools have successfully recertified. The state will celebrate our Green Schools in-person at the Maryland Green Schools Youth Summit at Sandy Point State Park on May 18 to recognize awardees. We congratulate all of the schools that have participated this year!

• Repticon Baltimore May 13 & 14 - Teachers Get in FREE

Repticon Baltimore will take place at the Timonium Fairgrounds on May 13 & 14. Teachers get in FREE with a valid school ID or paystub at the door. No reservation needed.

Saturday, May 13, Showtime - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 14, Showtime - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• 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 week, the series continued with:

• Nicole Dobihal, Loch Raven High School

• Praise Korie, Franklin High School

• Savannah Kelly, Sollers Point Technical High School

• Morgan McCullough, New Town High School

• Nirel Vaday, Maiden Choice School

• 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.

• Upcoming Parent University Programs

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

Upcoming programming includes:

Focusing on Strengths - Help Your Child Persevere in the Face of a Challenge

Presented by Mariposa Education

Tuesday, May 9, at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Lunch & Learn: Nutrition/Taking Charge of Your Health

Presented by Priority Partners

Tuesday, May 17, at 12:30 p.m.

• Technology Training Workshops



Staff members in the Office of Technology Training and Compliance Management focus on improving the technical skills of new and experienced employees from all employee groups to enhance their performance in achieving systemwide goals. Spring 2023 technology course workshop offerings are listed in the course catalog. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Education Foundation Exchangeree shopping dates for May

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 for all full-time BCPS educators and support staff.

During May, 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, May 2, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring

• Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m., Windsor Mill

• Tuesday, May 23, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring



• Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 3 to 6 p.m., Windsor Mill

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Let's Play Ball! 2023 with the Education Foundation - Call for Mascots!

Does your school have a mascot? A mascot who has a costume? A mascot who is filled with pep, vim, and vigor? A mascot who has school spirit and would like to represent your school? If you were able to respond to these questions with YES…We invite you and your mascot to join us on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Let's Play Ball! Register your mascot to participate today!

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Celebrating BCPS Principals

May 1 is National Principals Day! Please join us in thanking our amazing Team BCPS principals for everything they do. Give your favorite principals a social media shoutout using #ThxBCPSprincipals.

Teacher Appreciation Time!

Let's hear it for Team BCPS teachers! THANK YOU for your enthusiasm, expertise, and dedication.

• Teacher Appreciation Day is May 2

• Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8 - 12

BCPS College & Career Decision Day - May 1

On Monday, May 1, we will celebrate BCPS College & Career Decision Day! Graduating seniors are invited to share their plans on social media using #BCPSdecisionday. In addition, Team BCPS staff, students, and community members are invited to wear college gear.

Superintendent Search Update

After careful review and deliberation, the Board of Education has selected four finalists for a final round of interviews. The four finalists will be interviewed by the Board and members of key stakeholder groups that represent students, parents, multicultural and civic organizations, employee associations, and area advisory councils.

The full message is available online. More information about the Superintendent Search is available on the BCPS website.

In addition, the Superintendent Search Community Engagement Report is available online.

School Lunch Hero Day - May 5

Friday, May 5, is School Lunch Hero Day! Don't forget to give your cafeteria workers and food and nutrition staff an extra special thank you.

Prettyboy Elementary's Melissa Salkeld Recognized by State Board

On Tuesday, April 25, the Maryland State Board of Education honored Melissa Salkeld, a kindergarten teacher at Prettyboy Elementary School. Salkeld was Maryland's 2021 Milken Educator Award recipient. She was surprised with the $25,000 award during a school assembly in May 2022.

The Milken Family Foundation selected Salkeld due to her implementation of innovative classroom practices with a strong focus on social and emotional learning (SEL). Along with the financial prize, Milken Educator Award recipients join the national Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,800 top teachers, principals, and specialists. The network serves as a rich resource for fellow educators, legislators, school boards, and others dedicated to excellence in education.

AAPI Heritage Month

Each May, Team BCPS proudly celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month

In recognition of Better Speech and Hearing Month, we'd like to thank our speech language pathologists and audiologists!

Substitute Teacher Appreciation

Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week is May 1 - 5. Thank you, substitute teachers, for the crucial role you play in our schools!

Math Homework Helpers LIVE School Year Finale Set for May 3 - Plus New Shorts

The final edition of Math Homework Helpers LIVE for the 2022-23 school year is set for Wednesday, May 3. K - 5 students are invited to call in with questions from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube and air on Fios 34 / Comcast 73.

Additionally, new Math Homework Helpers Shorts are available on Vimeo. These vignettes are short math lessons aligned with the elementary math curriculum.

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.

Shoutout to Administrative Professionals

Administrative Professionals Week may almost be over, but there's still time to thank our administrative professionals!

Celebrating Pupil Personnel Workers

Pupil Personnel Worker Week is May 8 - 12! Thank you for the vital support you provide to our students and families.

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