Thursday, August 21, 2025

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

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year, Team BCPS staff! We hope you enjoyed the summer months and are ready to dive into a successful year.

Staff, students, and families are invited to share first day photos as we go Back2BCPS on Monday, August 25! We would especially love images from new teachers and those who are new to BCPS. Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or X (Formerly Twitter) for a chance to be featured on our feed. Photos can also be submitted via email to communications@bcps.org.

From early morning smiles to reunions with friends, and the triumphant return at the end of the day, we wish every member of Team BCPS a great first day and a wonderful year!

Oracle Cloud successfully went live on June 16!

More information about the implementation of Oracle Cloud is available in a BCPS News Hub post. Please review important reminders regarding time and absence submission deadlines, leave absence requests (non-TABCO employees only), and timecard status, below.

*Please note, desktop users can right-click the slides and open them in a new tab to see the full-size image

Video highlights new cell phone policy

Principal Adam Carney of Cockeysville Middle School shares reminders about the Off and Away cell phone policy.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Gradebook Guidance Documents

Schoology Gradebook Guidance documents for PreKindergarten to Grade 3 and Grades 4-12 have been updated for this school year. These documents include important information regarding the setup and maintenance of the Schoology Gradebook.

• Schoology Gradebook Guidance for Grades PK3-3

• Schoology Gradebook Guidance for Grades 4-12

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Talking Points Training for 2025-2026

As we kick off the 2025–2026 school year, we’re excited to share that TalkingPoints will continue to be available across all BCPS schools. Some new and exciting features are available that will make engaging with families even better. Virtual trainings on September 9 are for school principals and assistant principals and TalkingPoints liaisons (appointed by the principal). More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Mind Over Matters Campaign

The Mind Over Matters campaign has been updated for the 2025-2026 school year. Mind Over Matters is an ongoing initiative designed to raise awareness about mental health and promote wellness among BCPS students and staff.

This year’s campaign is organized around themes aligned with the 5 Social Emotional Learning CASEL Competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. A 10-month SEL Calendar (September 2025-June 2026) in alignment with the five themes is also available. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Here For It Attendance Awareness Campaign

The Here for It Attendance Awareness Campaign is an ongoing initiative that includes a curated collection of tools, resources, and suggested activities available to various BCPS stakeholders to raise awareness around the importance of regular school attendance and offer support for decreasing barriers to regular school attendance.

As we prepare to continue the great work of the campaign in the 2025-2026 school year, the following additional resources/tools have been developed for school-based attendance committees:

• Here For It Attendance Pledge (Raffle)
• Here For It Attendance Pledge (Raffle) SPANISH
• Here For It Attendance Pledge (No Raffle)
• Here For It Attendance Pledge (No Raffle) SPANISH
• Here For It Attendance Certificates (8 Versions)
• Here For It Attendance Awareness Month Countywide Spirit Days
• Attendance Awareness Best Practices School Presentations (Conducted by Assigned PPW)
• Here For It Systemwide Superintendent Proclamation Student Success Mentors Program (Coming Soon)

These documents are available on the BCPS Here For It webpage.

• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program has been awarded to 51 BCPS elementary schools for the 2025-2026 school year! This exciting program provides tastings and hand-on learning experiences for young learners, to increase exposure and excitement for fresh fruits and vegetables. It is a favorite among BCPS students and continues to be a huge success! Many thanks to teachers and school staff for their partnership in integrating education for healthy lifestyles into the classroom. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Highlights from the Superintendent's back-to-school press conference

On August 19, BCPS Superintendent Myriam Rogers held one of her monthly press conferences with local media. She discussed recruitment efforts, curriculum and instruction, capital planning, and safety and social-emotional/mental health resources. A full summary can be found online in English and Spanish.

Save the Date! BCPS to host Curriculum Night on September 16 at Pikesville High School

Students, parents, caregivers, and stakeholders are invited to participate in the 2025 BCPS Curriculum Night to be held on Tuesday, September 16, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Pikesville High School.

At the event, families can learn about BCPS curriculum, view instructional materials, and talk one-on-one with BCPS staff about how to support students at home.

Sign language interpretation will be provided. Spanish interpretation will be provided and interpreting services for other languages are also available upon request at no cost to participants. Please contact 443-809-1250 as early as possible to request.

U.S. News & World Report ranks BCPS high schools among Maryland's best

Eastern Tech, Western Tech ranked first, fifth best in state

In the annual U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools list released this week, Eastern Technical High School and Western School of Technology led the way for BCPS, ranking first and fifth respectively among all public high schools in Maryland. Both schools also ranked first and fifth among Maryland schools for their STEM instruction, a new category for the U.S. News survey. Dulaney High School also made the list of the top 12 Maryland STEM education schools.

In addition to Eastern and Western, four other BCPS schools ranked among the top 50 in Maryland – George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology and Hereford, Dulaney, and Towson high schools. New Town and Overlea high schools and Milford Mill Academy made the best Maryland high schools list for the first time.

More details can be found in a BCPS news release.

We're ready to Stuff the Bus!

Join us this Friday at Padonia International Elementary School for The Education Foundation's third annual Stuff the Bus event in honor of the late Dr. Tim Tooten.

Were you there for BCPSfest 2025?

BCPSfest 2025, the school system's annual back-to-school festival, was the best ever – drawing more than 2,000 students and family members to New Town High School on August 16.

The event featured more than 70 vendors and a Baltimore County Department of Health vaccine clinic, allowing families to connect with BCPS and community services and resources. New Town High School's own Code Cardinal Varsity Cheerleaders and The Titan Legion of Sound Marching Band welcomed attendees.

See more of the event in a Flickr album and on Vimeo.

Five things to know about the August 12 Board of Education Meeting

1) Dr. Rogers provided updates on the Back2BCPS and Off and Away cell phone campaigns. She highlighted the 2025 New Educator Orientation and the significant progress BCPS has made to fill vacancies by the start of the school year. 

2) The Board approved the proposed changes to magnet and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in BCPS.

3) The Board approved the revised 2025-2026 school calendar. The revised calendar includes early release days on November 14, 2025, and February 20, 2026. Additionally, November 26, 2025, will be a half-day for students and a half-day mental health early release day for staff.

4) The Board received a report on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 state capital budget request.

5)The Board approved six administrative appointments and recognized staff members who were appointed at the July 22 meeting.

Share your partnership highlights with us!

FOR EDUCATORS

Fall shopping dates announced for The Education Foundation's Exchangerees

BCPS educators may shop at one of The Education Foundation's two Exchangerees once per month for school supplies, classroom resources, books, social-emotional support tools, and more at no cost to them! Join us on a designated shopping date with your BCPS ID and bags/boxes.

Summer Shopping Dates (3-6 p.m.)

FOR CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF

I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol

Standard Response Protocol training will be provided for all central office staff. This training will familiarize staff with the protocols used in a variety of circumstances to maintain safety in schools and offices. The training will take place at the EDC on September 9 and September 11. Participants must register by logging into the Microsoft Apps Portal. Select Kickup and then click Browse Events. In the Course Search box, type: I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol. Contact Eric Knox at eknox@bcps.org for more information.

FOR EDUCATORS

Talkspace: Back-to-school materials

Talkspace continues to be available for BCPS high school students. Any BCPS student 13 or older who attends a BCPS high school is eligible. Visit talkspace.com/bcps and enter bcps to sign up.  

For Educators & Staff 

Goal: Support staff well-being and give educators tools to recognize and respond to student mental health needs. 

What’s included: 

• Updated postcard: “Back-to-School Wellness Guide for Educators” — tips and articles around teen mental health and self-care
• Newsletter: Includes data, quick facts, and mental health resources to prep for the year
• Poster: an eye-catching print piece to boost awareness around staff wellness and recharge your hallways, bathrooms, and staff lounges this fall 

How to share: 

Print and post in break rooms, lounges, and staff restrooms; include in welcome-back packets or staff newsletters.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Upcoming meetings

All are welcome to attend

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, August 26, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT

Lilly Richardson and Vicki Shields, School Counselors, Hereford Middle School

Submitted by Christy Moore-German, Principal, Hereford Middle School

"Ms. Richardson and Ms. Shields organized and led a New Student Orientation for students new to Hereford Middle entering 7th and 8th grade to ease their transition. Peer volunteers supported our new students as they received their schedules, opened their lockers and navigated the building. This event was held simultaneously with the systemwide 6th Grade Orientation. Ms. Richardson and Ms. Shields are keenly aware of the needs of our students and consistently go the extra mile to ensure students feel comfortable and cared for at school."

Two BCPS educators named among recipients of Freedom Federal Credit Union's 2025 Golden Apple Awards

Taylor Herring of Chesapeake Terrace Elementary School (not pictured above) is one of two grand prize winners receiving $2,000 grants. Herring will launch a student-led podcast, aiming to build confidence, communication skills, and leadership opportunities across her school community.

Jim Renaud of Western School of Technology (on the right in the photo) is a $1,000 grant winner, and he plans to expand engineering opportunities to spark creativity and confidence in his students. More information is available on the Freedom FCU website.

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.

UPCOMING RECOGNITIONS

Labor Day - September 1

National Payroll Week - September 1 - 5

National Arts in Education Week - September 8 -12

National Literacy Day - September 8

World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10

Patriot Day - September 11

Community School Facilitators Appreciation Week - September 14 - 20

Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month - September 15 - October 15

IT Professionals Day - September 16

Library Card Sign-Up Month - September

Suicide Prevention Month - September

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org