Thursday, December 12, 2024

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

Let's remember the best of 2024 with #BCPSWrapped!

How do you measure a year? This year's #BCPSWrapped social media campaign will officially kick off on Friday, December 13! Through the end of 2024, the Team BCPS community is invited to share favorite memories from this year on social media using #BCPSWrapped.

Next week, stay tuned for a 3-part video series on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter highlighting some of our favorite moments from each month.

Beginning December 27, we will count down to the new year with the Top 5 BCPS blog posts of 2024. Let's reminisce and celebrate a wonderful year.

Drivers urged to prioritize student safety

The Baltimore County Police Department is urging drivers to prioritize student safety. Newly installed school bus cameras continue to capture drivers who fail to stop for school buses picking up or dropping off Baltimore County students. Despite the implementation of the school bus camera program, violations remain alarmingly high. Since citations began to be issued on November 4, the police department has issued 7,437 citations.

Motorists are reminded that Maryland law requires drivers traveling in both directions to stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus with activated flashing red lights unless they are traveling in the opposite direction of the bus on a divided highway (with dirt, grass, or barrier median). Motorists who fail to stop are subject to a $250 fine. The Baltimore County Police Department asks all drivers to stay alert, follow the law, and prioritize student safety.

FEATURED VIDEO:

All-County concert videos available

On November 9, BCPS students from around the county united for this year's all-county concerts.

• High School Band

• High School Chorus

• High School String Orchestra

• Middle School Band

• Middle School Chorus

• Middle School String Orchestra

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• 2024-25 school year essential and essential-as-needed designations

Employees will not be receiving individual notifications of their essential or essential-as-needed designation for the 2024-25 school year. Employees will continue with their current designations as previously notified and in accordance with their position classification. Department leadership may use acknowledgement forms to notify new or update any current employee regarding their obligation to work when schools and/or offices are closed during adverse weather conditions or any other emergency. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• School Psychologist of the Year nominations open through December 20

The Baltimore County School Psychologist Association would like to recognize practicing school psychologists who have made impactful contributions to the profession with its annual School Psychologist of the Year (SPOTY) award. SPOTY nominees must be BCPS school psychologists. Any BCPS employee can nominate a school psychologist for this recognition. Winners of the SPOTY award may be nominated for consideration for the Maryland School Psychologist Associations’ School Psychologist of the Year. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• ICYMI - BCPS to shift to pay in arrears for all employees

During the 2023-24 school year, BCPS announced that the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (which replaces the current payroll system) would be implemented on July 1, 2025. BCPS’ transition to the new ERP system includes a shift to pay in arrears for all employees.

Pay in arrears is a standard practice in Maryland and nationally. Payment is transacted after a good or service is provided. Presently, all BCPS hourly employees (AFSCME, ESPBC) are paid in arrears, but all salaried employees (CASE, OPE, TABCO, and salaried non-represented) are not.

The move to pay in arrears will occur for 12-month employees on the July 11, 2025, pay day and on the September 5, 2025, pay date for 10-month employees. The current pay schedules are still in place for the 2024-2025 school year. The last pay-to-date pay will occur on June 20, 2025.

In early December, we will provide options for receiving a pay advance to offset the three-week gap caused by the transition of BCPS’ salaried employees from the current system to pay in arrears.

Choo Choo, True Blue! All aboard for Team BCPS Day on January 9

Every year on Team BCPS Day, the entire community is invited to wear blue and post photos on social media using #BCPSBlue. For 2025, the focus will be celebrating the many reasons why students, teachers, staff, schools, offices, and community partners are proud to be #BCPSBlue.

The Department of Communications and Community Outreach has created a toolkit that contains templates to support schools and offices in sharing their reasons for #BCPSBlue pride. Some of the templates can be printed out for teachers, staff, and students to fill in. Others can be edited and posted directly on social media.

Awards will be presented for distinguished participation, including:

• Best Alumni Pride

• Best Large Group Photo

• Most Fun Classroom Photo

• & much more

Let's take the opportunity of Team BCPS Day to toot our own horns and share the many ways that we engage, empower, and excel. Please share any questions or concerns with Sam Lister or Diana Spencer.

Inclement weather reminders

ICYMI: We want to share important information about our Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan for the 2024-25 school year as well as our process for how inclement weather decisions are made.

After three full-day closures, when inclement weather is forecasted, families will be notified if BCPS will transition to virtual learning for that day. Students will be reminded to bring devices, chargers, and other instructional materials home. Staff will also be asked to prepare lessons and materials. Decisions regarding school operations are made by 5:30 a.m.

2025-2026 Declaration of Intent

Beginning Friday, December 13, 2024, the Office of Staffing will email a link to the Declaration of Intent (DOI) form for the 2025-26 school year. All CASE, TABCO, and ESPBC employees will receive their DOI via Smartsheet. Employees represented by these bargaining units will be able to amend their DOI for the 2025-26 school year as indicated in their respective master agreements.

Please note: There is a new option for teachers on their DOI. Teachers will be able to volunteer to be considered a Priority Transfer Teacher (PTT) should their school have a reduction in allocations. Once a principal has identified the position(s) to be reduced, they must first select a teacher in that content who has volunteered to be a PTT, if applicable. If employees have any questions, please contact your respective human resources representative as indicated on the declaration of intent or send an inquiry to HRStaffing@bcps.org.

Spread the word: We're hiring!

We’re hiring in a variety of positions! Interested applicants are invited to join us at an upcoming recruitment event or apply online today.

Application for 2025-26 Student Member of the Board now open

Each BCPS high school principal can nominate up to two candidates to apply for Student Member of the Board. Selected students must submit their completed application by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025. Questions? Contact Stacey Wade, (443-809-4496).

Please share your feedback on the BCPS and Title I Family Engagement Plan

BCPS invites staff, family and community members to participate in the annual review of the BCPS and Title I District Level Family Engagement Plan and the Board of Education Family Engagement Policy 1270. Please take a few minutes to review and send feedback.

Share your partnership highlights with us!

BCPS United Way Campaign: There's still time!

The 2024 BCPS campaign for the United Way of Central Maryland won’t end until Friday, Dec. 20, so there is still time to consider a contribution through the BCPS webpage. As a BCPS employee, you can also consider selecting The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools Inc. using designated code #5910. Contributions received through the United Way Campaign via your selection of The Education Foundation will support improved education outcomes for our community by contributing to a brighter future in which all students, educators, and schools have the resources needed for success.

County library’s Winter Reading Challenge offers prizes, including free Towson University basketball tickets

Students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 can win prizes for participating in Baltimore County Public Library's Winter Reading Challenge.

The challenge runs through Friday, January 31. Details are available online and at all county public library branches. Students who read for at least 400 minutes will receive special pompom beanies while supplies last. All students who complete the 400 minutes will receive a complimentary ticket to a Towson University Athletics basketball game as well as discounted tickets for friends and family.

FOR HIGH SCHOOL STAFF

High school students invited to participate in WJZ Black History Oratory Competition

Students in Grades 9-12 are invited to enter the WJZ Black History Oratory Competition 2025.

Students are asked to write original essays (500 words or less) based on one of these quotations:

• “Service to your people is the rent you pay for living on this earth.” – Dr. Lillie May Carroll Jackson

• “We are all bound up together in one great bundle of humanity, and society cannot trample on the weakest and feeblest of its members without receiving the curse on its own soul.” – Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

• "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." – Jackie Robinson

The students with the 20 highest-scoring essays will be invited to perform their speeches to compete for scholarship prize money. The speech event will be streamed live on WJZ-TV. Winners will be announced during the WJZ Black History Oratory Competition Awards Special. All essays and signed application forms must be emailed to Oratory@wjz.com by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 20.

Recharge your mind and body with Pure Edge Inc. – Free social-emotional resources for staff and students

Pure Edge Inc. continues to provide practical strategies to support social-emotional learning. The strategies are simple and promote resilience and well-being for adults and students.

If you can't join Pure Edge Inc. live, you can watch the recorded classes on YouTube.

Studio Series: Holiday Harmony

December 9-13 at 3:30 p.m.

For five consecutive days, these classes will support your inner harmony as you move mindfully into the holidays. Join us for 20 restorative minutes of breathing, mindful movement, and guided rest.

On Demand: Toolkit for a Balanced Life

Recorded November 18-22

In this series, consider your relationship to movement and play, learning and creating, sleep and active relaxation, and socialization and relationships. In the final session, we'll break down the basics of habit and supporting change.

On Demand: Brain Breaks for PreKindergarten, Transitional Kindergarten, and Kindergarten

Recorded November 2

Watch this 30-minute session to learn practical tips for incorporating Brain Breaks with young learners. We’ll share Brain Breaks for this age group and recommend some of the best times to use them.

On Demand: Brain Breaks in the 6-12 Classroom

Recorded October 23

Learn tips for simple implementation of breathing, mindful movement, and guided rest. Explore strategies and procedures for integrating Brain Breaks into existing classroom routines to empower students to focus, manage everyday stress, and respond to test anxiety.

Junior Achievement: Learn more and get involved

This year, BCPS students in Grades 4 and 7 are participating in interactive career awareness and financial literacy experiences at Junior Achievement (JA). Administrators, central office staff, and school-based staff involved in community outreach and field trips who are interested in learning more and possibly taking a tour of the facility while students are engaged in the experience should contact Mike Barberesi.

Additionally, our students greatly benefit from the support of volunteers, who make the JA experience possible and more meaningful! Please consider sharing this information with your school community to help recruit volunteers. You can learn more about volunteering in the BCPS JA BizTown Volunteer Flyer and JA Finance Park Volunteer Flyer. The flyers link to the BCPS volunteer page that includes a calendar that identifies the days BCPS schools are visiting JA and need volunteers.

This year, all Grade 7 students will visit the BCPS Career and Technical Education Career Center located at the JA of Central Maryland Youth Workforce and Innovation Center (1725 Twin Springs Rd., Baltimore 21227).

FOR EDUCATORS

Introduction to Bullying Prevention for Educators – Register by Friday, December 20

One of the best ways to address bullying in your school is to learn more about bullying; what it looks like, how to prevent it, how to respond, and how to support students.

Educators are invited to register for the Maryland State Department of Education's hour-long, non-credit course, "An Introduction to Bullying Prevention for Maryland Educators."

Over 3,000 Maryland educators have taken the course over the past year. Course registration is open until December 20, 2024.

FOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program Cohort – Nominations due by Sunday, December 15

We are seeking one outstanding Grade 11 student leader from each high school to participate in the sixth cohort of the Outstanding Young Women Leaders Program. This program is part of the Towson University Women’s Leadership Collective and is co-sponsored by the First Financial Federal Credit Union. High school principals are encouraged to nominate one young woman for the 2025 Outstanding Young Women Leaders cohort. Young women leaders may also self-nominate. Nominees should currently hold a leadership role in their school. The nomination deadline is Sunday, December 15.

Both the principal nominating form and student application must be submitted. An email template is available to share with your student nominee. Questions? Contact Dr. Megan Shay, Director of Educator Development

Junior Achievement of Central Maryland "18 Under 18" nominations due by Monday, December 16

Do you know an extraordinary student? Nominate them for the next class of Junior Achievement (JA) 18 Under 18! Tell us about a young person you know who is reshaping the world through their entrepreneurial spirit, leadership. and service to their communities. They could be one of our next JA 18 Under 18 honorees! Honorees will be featured in the May 2025 issue of Baltimore magazine and at an event in May 2025. The deadline to nominate is Monday, December 16.

FOR EDUCATORS

Upcoming Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Trainings and Workshops

Are you ready to strengthen your classroom connections and practices? Join us for exciting training programs that will delve into effective strategies, classroom management, and innovative approaches to learning in positive and productive environments. Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your techniques and enhance your impact in the classroom. Secure your spot today! Some of the offerings include:

• Introduction to Conscious Discipline in Elementary Schools
• CHAMPS: An Evidence-Based Approach to Creating Positive and Predictable Conditions for Student Learning
• Zones of Regulation: Integrating SEL Practices to Strengthen Self-Regulation
• ACES and Resilience
• Restorative Practices Days 1 and 2

Please see the winter flyer for more information. Interested participants must register in the registration system.

Please note that courses may not be visible in the catalog if the staff member is not the intended audience for the course. If this is believed to be an error, contact Caryn Mouring.

Upcoming Board meeting

All are welcome to attend

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, December 17, at 6:30 p.m.

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

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT

Lindsay Bossi, Individualized Education Program (IEP) Facilitator/Special Educator, Prettyboy Elementary School

Submitted by Karen Waganer, Speech Language Pathologist, Prettyboy Elementary School

"Lindsay is doing a great job taking on the role of IEP facilitator at our school while juggling her responsibilities as a special educator. Her willingness to collaborate and consult with the professionals (e.g., teachers, related services professionals, special educators, additional assistants) helps everyone involved work together and be prepared for IEP teams. She seeks supports from outside of our building if needed so that all options to help students are considered. She makes connections with the students and the staff and cares about the kids. Prettyboy is lucky to have Lindsay!"

Frank Young, Resource Teacher, Edmondson Heights Elementary School

Submitted by Stephanie Wimbish, Staff Development Teacher, Edmondson Heights Elementary School

"I would like to take a moment to recognize Frank Young for the incredible impact he has on a group of boys at our school. Every morning, Mr. Young meets with these students, empowering them to make positive decisions. His dedication to helping them grow, both emotionally and socially, truly makes a difference.

"Mr. Young is a role model who not only demonstrates the importance of making good choices but also shows our students how to navigate and express emotions with strength and integrity. His genuine care for our students is evident in all that he does.

"Thank you, Mr. Young, for taking the time each day to guide and inspire our students. Your commitment to modeling emotional intelligence and self-regulation is shaping our students into confident, thoughtful young men. We appreciate you!"

Kat De la Durantaye, Kristen Kemp, Carlie Glassman, and Sarah Legge, Middle School Teachers, Watershed Public Charter School

Submitted by Laura Guelcher, Academic Director, Watershed Public Charter School

"Shoutout to the Watershed Public Charter School middle school teachers! This group has been an integral part of adding a grade each year to open our middle school program. These outstanding educators have collaborated to build a middle school experience that is true to the experiential mission and vision of the school, while preparing students for high school and beyond.

"They can be found holding study halls to provide support, inventing athletic games that integrate social studies standards, teaching math to students using countless resources, and crafting curriculum that is reflective of the community and student interests. They work to integrate across content areas, so the students truly immerse themselves in the concepts they are teaching. They are the epitome of a team, and we are thankful for all they do to support our students."

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

National Mentoring Month - January

Maryland School Board Recognition Month - January

Team BCPS Day - January 9

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 20

Holocaust Remembrance Day - January 27

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org