Black History Month Begins on Thursday, Feb. 1 -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, January 29, 2024

Black History Month begins this Thursday, February 1. The contributions African Americans have made, and continue to make, to American history and culture will be celebrated by BCPS students and staff. Across the county, individual schools will welcome guest speakers, share information during morning announcements, host door decorating contests, assign written reports and research projects, offer special assemblies, and more.

Systemwide Recognitions

Black History Month Writing Contest

In celebration of Black History Month, the Office of English Language Arts and the Office of Social Studies are co-sponsoring a writing contest for all students in Grades K-12. A winner will be selected in each of the following grade level bands: grades K-2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. Prizes for winners are generously provided by The Education Foundation of BCPS.

All entries may be submitted to a teacher, reading specialist, or department chair by Friday, February 9. More information is available on a digital flye r.

Trivia Tuesdays

At 3 p.m. every Tuesday in February, BCPS will post Black History Month trivia questions on Instagram Stories (@teambcps). Stories will be live for 24 hours and will be archived in BCPS Instagram highlights.

Social Media Alumni Spotlights

Throughout February, BCPS will honor graduates from around the county on social media. New this year, the Team BCPS community is invited to nominate BCPS alumni for this recognition! Last year's honorees included a Harvard University professor, NFL players, a BCPS principal, a Saturday Night Live actress and comedian, and a CNN journalist. Follow along with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.

Stay tuned for more information about Black History Month activities and recognitions!

On Saturday, January 27, we paused to recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. We honor and remember the innocent millions who lost their lives and those who have survived.

Paul Steinert, Student Teaching Intern

McDaniel College junior and Patapsco High graduate returns home to Norwood Elementary

As winter break approached, Paul Steinert, a junior at McDaniel College, developed a unique proposal for his January term. After reaching out to a few different contacts, Steinert worked with his professors to design a customized January internship at Norwood Elementary School, the school he attended as a child, only minutes away from his family's home. "I was really hoping this experience was going to work out," he said. "And I know it was kind of cliche to say, but since day one, I loved it."

For a three-week mini semester, Steinert not only returned to the school he attended as a child but he was also being mentored by Valerie Tarbell, his Grade 3 teacher at Norwood. Steinert fondly remembers Tarbell as a teacher who incorporated his high-energy nature into the learning experience. "Seeing students that have energy isn't a negative thing," he said. "I was really supported and enabled by my teachers to use my energy, so I want to put that forward."

In a new Face of the Week blog post by Habiba Lam, Chesapeake High School senior and BCPS Communications Apprentice, Steinert explains how he fell in love with education and reflects on his Norwood internship experience.

"His zest for teaching and learning motivates me to be my best as well, even after 30 years of teaching elementary school students," Tarbell said.

Steinert takes the lead in Tarbell's classroom.

Steinert and Tarbell proudly wore #BCPSblue on Thursday, January 11, for Team BCPS Day!

Baltimore County Circuit Court, volunteer attorneys support high school mock trial teams

From January through March, 10 BCPS high schools are among the 23 local high schools participating in the Baltimore County/Harford County mock trial competition. Participating BCPS high schools are Dulaney, Eastern Technical, Franklin, Milford Mill Academy, New Town, Patapsco, Perry Hall, Pikesville, Woodlawn, and Towson.

Multiple partnerships make this initiative possible. Baltimore County Circuit Court provides judges and courtrooms. Maryland Youth & the Law (MYLAW) coordinates the statewide competition and helps BCPS secure attorney scorers who volunteer their time and expertise. In addition, each high school team has a volunteer attorney coach. Attorneys interested in supporting the program can contact MYLAW or Dani Biancolli, coordinator of BCPS high school social studies (dbiancolli@bcps.org).

"Last year, between 100-120 volunteers were involved in supporting the program," said Biancolli. "The judges often compliment the students for being so well prepared, and the judges and attorney scorers take a great deal of time, post-trial, to give the students feedback. Our students clearly grow in expertise throughout the competitive season; the length of trials grows from an average 45 minutes in January to 1.5 hours in March."

Girls wrestling continues rapid growth in popularity at Eastern Tech, reflecting regional trend

"Ravens Sam" reminds Reisterstown Elementary School students to use their "big voices"

Reisterstown Elementary School welcomed Ravens player Sam Mustipher to the school on December 18. Mustipher, a Reisterstown Elementary School alum, participated in the school's monthly "Conscious Discipline" assembly where he spoke with students about using their "big voices." He gave examples of how he uses his big voice on the football field when protecting the quarterback. He also spoke about the importance of teamwork, noting that the Ravens are a team family just as Reisterstown Elementary is a school family.

"Reisterstown Elementary students eagerly waited to get signatures from Sam on their lunch boxes, shirts, papers, and anything they could find to have a memory from the day," said Principal Candace Brinkley. "Several teachers and staff reminisced about what it was like to have Sam as a student at Reisterstown Elementary, and they were excited to be reunited with him. It was great welcoming Sam back to the place he once called home."

Ravens Sam speaking to Reisterstown Elementary students

Assistant Principal Kaia Stevens, Ravens player Sam Mustipher, and Principal Candace Brinkley

Harlem Wizards basketball player encourages BCPS elementary school students to pursue their dreams

Arthur “King Arthur” Lewis of the Harlem Wizards basketball team spoke to Bedford and Featherbed Lane elementary school students at an assembly on January 3. Lewis is from the Baltimore area.

In addtion to demonstrating baskeball tips and tricks, he encouraged the students to pursue their dreams. The visit was coordinated in partnership with the Woodlawn Recreation and Parks Office.

The Harlem Wizards will play the staff of Milford Mill Academy on January 30 in an exhibition game.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

Is it time for your family to have a technology talk?

Cybersafety is an issue that affects us all. The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has joined with the Norton company to create a free tool to help families talk about digital safety, create safety guidelines, and feel more empowered.

The free tool, The Smart Talk, is designed to help families talk together for 10-15 minutes each about four key topics: privacy and safety, communications, media choices, and health and wellness.

Looking for more ideas and information? Please sign up for the Parent University newsletter! It is designed specifically for parents and caregivers and offers ideas, information, resources, and opportunities.

for your viewing pleasure

"Night Routine" by Karyn Kasule, Grade 12, Patapsco High School. Work featured in The 2023 Winter Art Exhibition at THE AVENUE at White Marsh.

To see more artwork by BCPS students, teachers, and other members of the BCPS community, please visit the Office of Visual Arts gallery webpage.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

New Year's Resolution Check-in

Can you believe that January is almost over? It feels like just yesterday we were making our New Year’s Resolutions for 2024! And we'd like to say, "Thank you!"

For 2024, we asked you to consider making a New Year’s Resolution to support The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., throughout the year. Our suggestion for January 2024 was to support our inaugural Designer Bag BINGO on January 25. Thanks to you, the event sold out!

This week, let's focus on how you can support The Foundation during the month of February: Host a Share the Warmth and Joy drive! Help us keep our students warm, healthy, and happy all through those cold winter days at the bus stop, walking to school, or on the playground. All donations will go on the shelves and in the bins at our Exchangerees: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore centers, from which teachers can shop at no cost to them for their students and school community members. More information is available in the latest Mission Moment blog post.

A word from Dr. Rogers

January 29, 2024

Dear Reader:

It is with great excitement that this week we begin our celebration and recognition of Black History Month. BCPS staff have worked hard in recent months to plan meaningful activities and events for our students as we commemorate the history and contributions of African Americans in our nation, from liberation to the civil rights movement — and the change-makers of the present and the future.

Last year, our Black History Month Alumni Spotlight Campaign was viewed by more than one hundred thousand users across all social media platforms. New this year, we have opened nominations to the BCPS community. From local business owners to BCPS educators and leaders, scientists and researchers, writers and authors, artists and performers, professional athletes, and beyond, we are always proud to recognize the tremendous success of our graduates. Be sure to follow this year's campaign on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.

I look forward to visiting BCPS schools this month to engage in our system's celebration of Black history. Stay tuned for upcoming Black History Month highlights in our newsletter, on the BCPS blog, and on social media.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent