Tuesday, February 20, 2024 | |
Community invited to participate in online discussions about BCPS school counseling program | |
BCPS is transforming its school counseling program to make the program even more accessible, relevant, and effective. Parents/families and school staff are invited to participate in online Microsoft Teams discussions to offer feedback about their experiences with the current school counseling program and ideas for the future. The meetings will be hosted by Dr. Kim Ferguson, executive director, Department of Social-Emotional Support Services; Patricia Mustipher, director, Office of Student Support; and MaatenRe Ramin, coordinator, Office of School Counseling.
Those not available to participate in the online discussions can submit comments via an online survey.
Meeting details:
Wednesday, February 21, from 6-7 p.m.
Microsoft Team meeting link (Meeting ID: 251 018 368 567; passcode: hv2rct)
Call in (audio only): +1 301-960-8406 (Phone conference ID: 478 824 162#)
Tuesday, February 27, from 6-7 p.m.
Microsoft Team meeting link (Meeting ID: 262 166 372 444; passcode: N7UPea)
Call in (audio only): +1 301-960-8406 (Phone conference ID: 492 865 954#)
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Look at a picture.
What thoughts arise in your mind?
Now write a haiku.
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BCPS students, from Kindergarten through Grade 12, are encouraged to enter the 2024 Team BCPS Haiku Contest. Students are asked to write works inspired by a piece of student artwork selected from among 10 pieces.
At the conclusion of the contest, three winners will be selected (one each at the elementary, middle, and high school levels) and awarded prizes. This year's contest will accept entries until 4:45 p.m. on Monday, March 4. Entries must be submitted using an online form. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 17, International Haiku Poetry Day.
Winners (who are in Grades 4 through 12) will receive a scholarship to participate in this summer’s asynchronous writing camp (June 24 – August 23), sponsored by the Maryland Writing Project at Towson University. Other prizes will include a gift from The Charmery and a framed print of the winning haiku and the artwork that inspired it.
In addition to the winning haiku, additional poetry, selected by the contest judges, will be used to compile an online book. Each school library will receive a print copy.
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Registration opens for BCPS fine arts summer enrichment programs
Camps offered for students to explore visual arts, dance, instrumental music, songwriting, musical theater
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This summer, BCPS will offer summer enrichment programs for students interested in visual arts, dance, instrumental music, songwriting, and musical theater.
All programs are open to students entering Grades 5-12 in the 2024-2025 school year, except for the visual arts summer program, which will accept students entering Grades 3-12. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 17. Enrollment priority will be given to current BCPS students and children of BCPS staff. Bus transportation is available. Fee waivers are available for students who do not have permanent or adequate housing.
Summer Art Enrichment Camp
Monday, July 1, through Friday, July 12, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Pikesville High School, 7621 Labyrinth Rd., Pikesville 21208
Cost: $140 per student
Summer Art Enrichment Camp registration form
Summer Dance Intensive
Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Pikesville High School, 7621 Labyrinth Rd., Pikesville 21208
Cost: $130 per student
Summer Dance Intensive registration form
Summer Music Camp Session I -- orchestra and songwriting
Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Pikesville High School, 7621 Labyrinth Rd., Pikesville 21208
Cost: $130 per student
Summer Music Camp registration form
Summer Music Camp Session II -- band and ukulele
Monday, July 15, through Friday, July 19, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dumbarton Middle School, 300 Dumbarton Rd., Baltimore 21212,
Cost: $130 per student
Summer Music Camp registration form
2024 Musical Theatre Intensive (offered in partnership with Broadway Theatre Connection)
Monday, July 15, through Friday, July 19, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology, 938 York Rd., Towson 21204
Cost: $130 per student
Musical Theatre Intensive registration form
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BCPS staff, students, and parents encouraged to nominate school counselors of the year, school counseling advocate of the year | |
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The Baltimore County Association for Counseling and Development invites BCPS employees, parents, and students to nominate school counselors and school counseling advocates for recognition through its annual awards program.
The school counseling nominees should demonstrate effective leadership, advocacy, and collaboration to address students’ academic, social/emotional, and academic development. Counselors will be honored at each school level – elementary, middle, and high school.
The school counseling advocate award is for a BCPS administrator, teacher, support staff, parent, or community member who consistently supports the critical work of school counselors.
All nominations are due by Monday, March 11. Nominations can be made in the following categories:
Rookie School Counselor of the Year (a BCPS counselor with less than five years' experience) – Nomination form
School Counselor of the Year (a BCPS counselor with at least five years' experience) –Nomination form
School Counseling Advocate of the Year – Nomination form
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Have you taken the 2024 BCPS Climate Survey?
Survey has fewer questions, can be completed in 3 minutes or less
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The annual BCPS Climate Survey has been revised with fewer questions and a focus on school climate and engagement. Students in Grades 3–12, parents/caregivers, community members, and all staff are asked to complete the online survey, which is accessible from the BCPS home page. The survey takes three minutes or less to complete, is anonymous, and is available in multiple languages. The survey window will close on Friday, March 8. | |
Black History Month spotlight on BCPS graduates | |
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Each school day throughout Black History Month, BCPS is honoring on social media a graduate from a BCPS high school. Community members and BCPS staff can continue to submit nominations to ensure that each BCPS high school is represented.
The graduates highlighted last week are:
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Deli Okafor
Perry Hall High School graduate
Public engagement officer, Maryland State Comptroller; and vice president, Perry Hall Alumni Association
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Isaiah Lamb
Dulaney High School graduate
Physician liaison, Maryland Vascular Specialists; business owner; former professional basketball player in Armenia, twice featured on cover of Sports Illustrated
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Monifa Lewis
Randallstown High School graduate
School counseling department chair, Loch Raven Technical Academy
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Calvin Ball III
Woodlawn High School graduate
County executive, Howard County
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Sherise Atkins
Hereford High School graduate
Broadcast journalism and pre-law student, Hampton University
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Register now for the 2024 BCPS/CCBC College Fair | |
Towson High invites community to 33rd Annual In/Edible Art Competition | |
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Special Education Hybrid Job Fair
Wednesday, February 21, from 4-6 p.m.
Attend in person at BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204 OR join virtually on Microsoft Teams
At this hybrid event, BCPS is seeking to recruit special educators, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. Online applications are encouraged.
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BCPS Job Fair
Tuesday, March 12, from 4-7 p.m.
Timonium Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium 21093
BCPS is hiring teachers, paraprofessionals, additional adult support workers, building service workers, grounds workers, maintenance employees, school nurses, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school psychologists, school social workers, bus drivers, bus attendants, food service workers, and school counselors. All 176 schools, centers, and programs will be represented, and interviews will be conducted. Those interested are encouraged to bring their resumes and to begin the online application process before the job fair.
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for parents
from BCPS Parent University
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Register for Lunch & Learn virtual sessions in March | |
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"Compassion vs. Control: Finding the Balance You Need"
Friday, March 8, at 12:30 p.m.
Research shows that children need to feel understood and accepted for their feelings and to have clearly stated boundaries and expectations. In this virtual workshop, a presenter from Mariposa Education will discuss successful adult-child relationship styles and some tips and language to try to strike the balance needed between control and compassion. Please register online. (This workshop will also be offered on Friday, May 10.)
"Introduction to Bullying Prevention"
Tuesday, March 12, at 12:30 p.m.
Brad Engel, school climate initiatives specialist with the Maryland State Department of Education, will provide an hour of crucial information on how to effectively respond to bullying situations and get a better understanding of the barriers that prevent children from reporting to adults. This workshop is for educators and parents/caregivers. Please register online. (This workshop will also be offered on Tuesday, May 14.)
"Celebrating Baby Sleep Day: Preventing Sleep Problems Before They Occur"
Friday, March 15, at 12:30 p.m.
This workshop will be presented by the Center for Family Success Center for Family Success.
Please register online.
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for your viewing pleasure | |
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mission moment
from The Education Foundation of BCPS
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Applications open for Little Free Library Read in Color grants | |
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Schools and community organizations can apply until Friday, March 15, to be one of 10 new Little Free Library Read in Color grant recipients from The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc.
Selected recipients will be responsible for planting their Little Free Libraries and celebrating Read in Color by holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony on or before June 14, and promoting receipt of the grant on their social media platforms. The Read in Color initiative aims to make more accessible books that celebrate diversity in all forms.
Each grant recipient will receive one Little Free Library, a box of 25 diverse books, and an official Little Free Library charter number plaque. The charter number officially registers the library on the Little Free Library world map and enables others to find and visit the library. The Education Foundation will provide unlimited books to keep their Little Free Libraries stocked. Learn more in a new Mission Moment blog post.
What a 2023 grant recipient says:
“Our school community has been greatly impacted by our Little Free Library. Students and parents request different books they would like to see in the library. We have had requests for diverse books about people of color, LGBTQIA representation, and books in different languages. It is clear that the mission of the library is to serve our school community's needs. We have trouble keeping up with the demand; the books fly out as soon as they go in.” – Alexis Windwer-Geppi, Martin Boulevard Elementary School
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February 20, 2024
Dear Reader:
As we continue to deal nationally with concerns about school safety and student behavior, I want to remind our parents and guardians of the importance of setting positive examples at home and in the community.
The behaviors we model at home and values we instill in our children have tremendous impact on the schoolhouse. We know that many of our school safety issues stem from unresolved community conflict and are often amplified on social media. We call on parents to limit or monitor student social media and cellphone use, join with the school community to provide a positive presence and to share safety concerns directly with school leaders who will ensure they are addressed quickly.
I also encourage you to connect with your child’s school. Joining the parent-teacher-student association, volunteering, and/or attending school events are just some of the many ways you can participate.
To make a difference at the community level, please consider attending area educational advisory council meetings or joining a council. There are also councils or committees focused on career and technology education, gifted and talented education, and special education.
In addition, we invite parents to learn more about BCPS Parent University. In collaboration with many partners, Parent University offers online resources, in-person and online workshops, and a mobile parent resource center to support parents in nurturing their children’s success. Follow Parent University at @BCPSParentU on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Thank you for your partnership and support.
Regards,
Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Upcoming Board and advisory group meetings
All are welcome to attend
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