Monday, June 22, 2026

Board of Education to announce the next BCPS superintendent today, Monday, June 22

Following a final round of interviews with the four superintendent finalists, the Board of Education of Baltimore County has identified its preferred candidate and has submitted its selection to Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright, as required by state law. 

Pending state approval, the Board will announce the name of the selected candidate on Monday, June 22, and will meet in person on Wednesday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m. to appoint the next superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools. The Board's closed session will begin at 6:15 p.m. The new superintendent will take office on Wednesday, July 1.

The partner application is open through Tuesday, June 30.

Staff registration is open through Thursday, July 2. 

And so it begins. . .

It's summer! Time for bike rides, cookouts, swimming, waking up late, and going to bed late. Time for visiting family and traveling to new places. AND time for books. Time to read what you like when you like.

Just in case you need some book recommendations, each week for the remainder of the summer, our wonderful colleagues in the Baltimore County Public Library Collection Department will put together a list of some of their favorites.



Many thanks to them, and please remember to stop by your local library branch to participate in the summer reading program, have them put together a Be Surprised Bundle for you, and take part in their many activities.

In recognition of Pride Month, the Mind Over Matters campaign provides a variety of resources and activities for students, families, and staff.

Everyone belongs in Team BCPS!

Every summer since 2018, BCPS has invited its students, teachers, and staff to share stories about their summer activities and adventures on the BCPS blog. The invitation to contribute to the Summer Stories series is extended again this year. To submit a blog post or suggest a story idea, please write to communications@bcps.org. We want to know about your summer jobs/internships/externships, vacations, creative projects, competitions, camps, and more!

Save the date for BCPSfest 2026 –

Saturday, August 22

BCPSfest 2026 is the annual back-to-school festival designed to spark excitement about learning and to connect students and their families to school system and community resources.

This year, the event will be held at New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., in Owings Mills 21117, on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (rain or shine).

Any questions about the event can be directed to Diana Spencer at dspencer4@bcps.org or Jill Stephenson at jstephenson@bcps.org.

for parents/caregivers

from BCPS Parent University

Learn more about service-learning hours in latest "Toni's Quick Connect"

The Maryland State Department of Education requires that all graduating students seeking a high school diploma complete 75 service-learning hours.  

Students and families are encouraged to read the Service Learning Guidelines to better understand how the BCPS service-learning program is implemented. BCPS students can begin earning hours the summer before Grade 6. To further support the requirement, BCPS infuses service-learning opportunities within specific courses throughout students' secondary careers. However, it is important for students to participate in independent service-learning opportunities beyond the infused hours.  

To learn more, please reach out to your school's Service-Learning Coordinator.

for your viewing pleasure

"A Quiet Spring" by Nevaeh Rohrbaugh, Lansdowne High School. At the 38th Annual BCPS High School Art Exhibition, this set of pottery earned honorable mention status in the BCPS Awards. The exhibition is on display at The Towson University StarTUp at The Armory (307 Washington Ave, Towson 21204) through Friday, July 31.

Artist statement:

These pieces investigate the calmness and beauty of pond animals, a theme inspired by my childhood when I would visit ponds with my oldest uncle and siblings, where we would feed the koi fish and watch the birds. When I was there, I felt carefree, calm, and right where I wanted to be. Each piece I created is based on the animals I remember seeing during those spring days. Each one was calm and quiet, which gave me so much peace and so many good memories. To develop these pieces, I experimented with many textures, shapes, and intricate designs. I was also inspired by the softness of the chinoiserie style and worked on refining the designs to fit and flow through each animal's movements. After researching chinoiserie, I noticed that each artist created their own unique designs, which is why I fell in love with this style. It encouraged me to create my own patterns for each animal, showing that while things may look the same from afar, their details are always different! I hope that when viewers are met with my pieces, they are also met with that peace I was met with at the pond in spring.

recent honors

Padonia International Principal Jennifer Hernandez selected for 2026-2027 Arts for Learning Principal Fellowship

Arts for Learning Maryland has accepted Jennifer Hernandez, principal of Padonia International Elementary School, as a member of its 2026-2027 Arts for Learning Principal Fellowship Cohort. This group, comprised of leaders from Baltimore City and Baltimore, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties, will spend the summer and next school year exploring how the arts can strengthen school communities, support student success, and advance equity.

In addition, Hernandez, who in April was appointed as one of 15 members of the inaugural Education Impact Advisory at Fred Rogers Productions, has also been selected to serve as a member of the institute's Educators' Neighborhood for the 2026-27 school year. This learning community will study the life and work of Fred Rogers as it relates to their work as educators.

BCPS students win six state-level and one national-level PTA Reflections awards

Reflections is National PTA’s long-standing nationwide arts education program. It’s a juried competition featuring six arts categories in five age divisions.

The following BCPS students were honored:

Literature

• Award of Merit (3rd place), Intermediate Division – Phoebe Olorunnishola, Lyons Mill Elementary School

Photo by Leah Knuth,

Hereford Middle School

Music Composition

• Award of Merit (3rd place), Intermediate Division – Jack Barrett, Jacksonville Elementary School
• Award of Excellence (2nd place), High School Division – Josiah Brion, Towson High School



Photography

• Outstanding Interpretation (1^st place), Middle School Division – Leah Knuth, Hereford Middle School. This entry was submitted to National PTA where it won the Award of Excellence (2nd place)!
• Award of Excellence (2nd place), Middle School Division – Piper Foltz, Cockeysville Middle School

Visual Arts:

• Outstanding Interpretation (1^st place), Accessible Arts Division – Grayson Gonzalez, Prettyboy Elementary School. This entry was submitted to National PTA.

2026 BCPS graduates earn PTA Council scholarships

PTA Council President Leslie Weber with Grace Towner, Olivia Virago,

Allison Roberts, and Ryan May

The following 2026 BCPS graduates received scholarships from the PTA Council of Baltimore County:

• Lennyn Campbell, Sparrows Point High School
• Sarah Gaff, Eastern Technical High School, who won the Georgie Clevenger Memorial Scholarship for students planning a career in the health sciences
• Ryan May, Lansdowne High School
• Allison Roberts, Sparrows Point High School, who won the Marilyn Ryan Memorial Scholarship for exceptional volunteering or public service
• Grace Towner, Dulaney High School
• Olivia Virago, Catonsville High School

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Dr. Heather Wooldridge appointed director of The Education Foundation and Grants for BCPS

In a new blog post, Nancy Hofmann, The Education Foundation's vice president of communications, expresses the foundation board's excitement that Dr. Heather Wooldridge has been appointed foundation director.

Hofmann writes: "For those who have had the privilege of working with Heather, this announcement feels less like a beginning and more like a well-earned recognition of the leadership she has already been providing for several years. Heather has been serving the foundation with remarkable dedication,

professionalism, heart, and vision, often doing the work of this role long before the official title was in place."

a word from Dr. Rogers

June 22, 2026

Dear Reader:

Now that the 2025-2026 school year has ended, I want to congratulate all Team BCPS students and staff for another great year of progress, collaboration, and discovery.

When I reflect on this school year, I am in awe of all that our students and staff accomplished. Your determination and persistence were evident in and out of the classroom. You set goals and surpassed them, reaching new heights in achievement. This spring, I had the privilege of shaking the hands of more than 7,000 Team BCPS graduates who have completed their journey as BCPS students and stepped into truly limitless horizons.

At my final Board of Education meeting, I shared that the progress we see belongs to all of us, and I have no doubt this forward momentum can continue with conditions conducive to success. I want to thank our educators, support staff, administrators, and central office teams whose dedication makes this work possible each school year.

Together, we have halted academic decline, strengthened supports, and laid the foundation to move BCPS forward. As I look forward to retirement, I am profoundly proud of what we have accomplished in just three short years. Congratulations, Team BCPS! I wish our students, staff, graduates, and families the very best. I hope you have a restful and memorable summer filled with joy and continued learning.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent

• Election Day – Schools and offices closed Tuesday, June 23

Upcoming Board meeting

All are welcome to attend

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m.

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