Join us for the Magnet EXPO! on Saturday, Sept. 20 -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, September 15, 2025

Join us for the Magnet EXPO! this Saturday, September 20

Students and their families are invited to the 2025 Magnet EXPO! Participants will see displays and meet representatives from all schools with magnet programs. In addition, families can learn more about special education and multilingual achievement programs and see career and technical education exhibits and demonstrations.

The magnet application process for the 2026-2027 school year has begun. Descriptions of magnet program offerings are available online.

Some key opportunities to learn more:

Application Information Meeting

Tuesday, September 16, at 6 p.m.

Milford Mill Academy, 3800 Washington Ave., Windsor Mill 21244

School-based Showcase Events

Students and families seeking additional information about specific programs can view school websites and/or participate in school-based magnet showcase events in September and October.

You're invited to BCPS Curriculum Night 2025

Students, parents, caregivers, and stakeholders are invited to participate in the 2025 BCPS Curriculum Night. At the event, families can learn about BCPS curriculum and current system efforts to make improvements in English language arts, mathematics, early childhood education, English language development, and special education.

Families can talk one-on-one with BCPS staff about how to support students at home. Attendees will also have an opportunity to view curricular and instructional materials and engage with representatives from county government agencies and nonprofit partners.

11 BCPS students from 7 schools named National Merit semifinalists

Eleven BCPS students have been named semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program coordinated by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. The honored students are:

Catonsville High School

Oliver L. Graves Abe

Dulaney High School

Nicole Y. Jia

Victor Lin

Luke Tao

George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology

Dessa L. Haavik

Leah W. Hoddie

Khushi B. Patel

Hereford High School

Ava E. Beck

Perry Hall High School

Sarah D. Davis

Pikesville High School

Joseph R. Stanger

Towson High School

Sam J. Wheeler

Assessing the State of the Arts in BCPS

In honor of National Arts in Education Week, September 8-12, the BCPS blog presents its annual State of the Arts blog post, highlighting instructional offerings in performing arts – dance, music, and theatre – as well as visual arts and media arts.

The arts are a mainstay in BCPS for many reasons, including preparing students for arts-related careers, skill building, discipline, creative expression, emotional well-being, and connecting students and schools.

Last school year, 69% of BCPS students were engaged in visual arts classes and 65% in music education.

A few upcoming dates of interest

September 29 - Music Composition Project begins

October 26 - Marching Band Showcase

November 21 - Winter Art Exhibition at THE AVENUE at White Marsh opens

December 6 - Annual All-County Honors Concerts

February 5 & 6 - Student Choreography Showcase

March 19, 24 & 26 - Dance Festivals

March 25-29 - Art is for Everyone exhibition opens at the Baltimore Museum of Art

See the blog post for details and more dates.

Join us for Community Conversations on a new BCPS Strategic Plan

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers invites students, families, staff, and stakeholders to participate in Community Conversations focused on the development of a new strategic plan for the school system. The strategic plan will outline goals, initiatives, and strategies to advance student achievement.

Celebrating BCPS Community School Facilitator Appreciation Week, September 14-20

Please join us in celebrating the dedication and impact of BCPS community school facilitators. These professionals address the barriers that impact academic success. They identify needed resources and programs and have expertise in building partnerships and working with all stakeholders.

Learn more about their work in:

A blog post about the work of community school facilitators at Battle Grove, Logan, Norwood, and Victory Villa elementary schools; Lansdowne and Middle River middle schools; Northwest Academy of Health Sciences; and Kenwood and Lansdowne high schools.
A video (below) focused on Sandalwood Elementary School.
An Instagram post about Dundalk Middle School Flag Football.
A Facebook post about Kenwood High School's community school facilitator being honored by the Ravens.
A Summer Stories blog post about the "Try It Before You Try Out" program at Loch Raven High School.

17th Annual Meet the Primes event to connect small, minority-owned businesses with subcontracting opportunities and resources

Meet the Primes, a free networking event, will be held on Wednesday, October 8, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Maryland State Fairgrounds' Cow Palace. The event is designed to connect small and minority-owned businesses with more than 100 prime bidders who offer subcontracting work opportunities, as well as state and local government agencies who offer bidding opportunities and resources to facilitate small business growth. The event will feature one-on-one opportunities to meet with prime contractors through the Maryland Chapter of the Associated General Contractors and free workshops on doing business with BCPS.

Representatives of small and minority-owned businesses can register online. Walk-ins will also be welcome. Businesses that register prior to Tuesday, September 30, will be listed in the event booklet. Attending businesses are encouraged to bring capability statements and references.

Baltimore County Police Department seeks participants for Youth Advisory Council

Registration deadline: September 19

The Baltimore County Police Department's Youth Advisory Council provides young people with a platform to discuss age-appropriate topics while building positive relationships with law enforcement officers. The Council meets one Saturday each month during the school year.

Interested students in Grades 9-12 should submit their applications to btwalton@baltimorecountymd.gov by Friday, September 19.

Be "Here for It": Join us in participating in attendance campaign countywide spirit days

To celebrate September as Attendance Awareness month, the BCPS "Here for It" campaign has organized countywide spirit days to bring attention to the importance of on-time, regular school attendance. Students and staff are encouraged to participate and to post to social media using the hashtags #BCPSHereForIt and #SchoolEveryDay.

Date	Theme	Suggested Action
Friday, September 19	“Your Future is Bright”	Wear neon or bright colors.
Friday, September 26	“Team Up for Attendance”	Wear your favorite sports gear.

Applications open for countywide student leadership roles

Applications are open for middle and high school students interested in serving on the 2025-2026 Board of Selected Students or one of four Baltimore County Student Councils (BCSC) committees. The application deadline for both BOSS and the BCSC committees is Wednesday, September 24, at 11:59 p.m.

BOSS applications are open to students who are not already involved in student council/government leadership at their schools. BOSS members are asked to share their schools’ views with BCSC and to collaborate with other student leaders from across the county. BOSS will meet virtually once a month, throughout the school year. Two students from each middle and high school will be selected. Students can apply by completing the BOSS application found on the BCSC website.

The four BCSC committees accepting applications are the Environmental, Culture & Climate, Student Resources & Wellness, and Student Member of the Board (SMOB) Outreach committees. Interested students can apply by completing the application found on the BCSC website.

Let's celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2025

Does your school or office have plans to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month? Please contact us at communications@bcps.org.

Please also nominate a staff member for an "Orgullo BCPS" spotlight on the BCPS Spanish Facebook page! Please contact Gevene Harden with the following information:

Name, job title, and school/office.
A recent, high-quality photo.
Country or countries of origin.
A brief blurb (en español o en inglés) about why you are proud of your Hispanic heritage and/or how you connect with your roots (1-2 paragraphs).

BCPS hosts event to recruit bus drivers and attendants, and building service, grounds, and cafeteria workers

Wednesday, September 17

Liberty Workforce Development Center (inside CCBC Building)

3637 Offutt Rd., Randallstown 21133

BCPS is hosting an in-person recruitment event to include an information session and pre-employment scheduling. This event is for individuals interested in school bus driver, bus attendant, grounds worker II, building service worker, and cafeteria worker positions. BCPS encourages applicants to apply online prior to attending this session, but walk-ins will be accepted. For more information, please call 443-809-7872.

Schedule for the day:

Bus Drivers/Bus Attendants – 9:30 a.m.

Building Service Workers – 10:30 a.m.

Grounds Workers II – 12 p.m.

Cafeteria Workers – 2 p.m.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

BCPS Parent University offers year-round resources to support families

To learn more about what BCPS Parent University offers:

Visit the website.
Watch the latest "Parent University Show."
Listen to the "In the Know" podcast.
Register for a free virtual workshop.
Stop by the Parentmobile at events across the county.
Sign up for the FACEtime newsletter.

Special Education offers free virtual workshops for parents and caregivers

Parents and caregivers can register online for free virtual workshops offered by the BCPS Department of Special Education.

The following will be offered in September and October:

Wednesday, September 24, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

"ADHD and Executive Functioning"

Wednesday, October 8, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

"Considering an FBA: How to Partner with Your Child's School to Build a Behavior Intervention Plan"

Wednesday, October 8, from 6-7 p.m. "Potty Training"

Thursday, October 16, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

"LRE: Inclusive Practices for Students with Significant and Complex Instructional Needs"

for your viewing pleasure

"Warm and Cool Sun and Moon" by Shylee Mohammadinina, Grade 1, Pinewood Elementary School, from the 2024-2025 Winter Art Exhibition at THE AVENUE at White Marsh.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Four grant opportunities for schools, offices have September 30 deadlines

A new Mission Moment blog post encourages BCPS schools and offices to apply for four grant opportunities by their September 30 application deadlines.

These grants are:

The Spring 2026 Little Free Library Read in Color Grant
The 21st Century Instructional Initiatives Grant
First Financial Federal Credit Union’s Putting Students First Grant
The ABC Construction Pathway Grant

Grants with upcoming deadlines include:

The Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge Grant open until April 30, 2026
The Growing Our Own Teachers for BCPS Grant open until September 30, 2026

Since 2012, The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., has awarded 643 grants (worth more than $1.2 million) to schools and offices for special projects to enhance the BCPS curricula. Grant opportunities continue to grow and are now offered multiple times per year.

Watch the full meeting and view the administrative appointments online.

a word from Dr. Rogers

September 15, 2025

Dear Reader:

Last Wednesday, I shared a Staff and Community Update outlining our multi-tiered approach for managing school and office safety and providing welcoming learning and working environments.

Our approach includes physical safety measures such as a new standard response protocol from the "I Love U Guys" Foundation; School Resource Officers and School Safety Assistants; the Omnilert AI-powered weapons detection systems; Opengate metal detection technology; and Raptor visitor management system. In addition, we continue to expand social emotional supports and resources through Conscious Discipline, Restorative Practices, a Multi-Tiered System of Support, mental health services, community mental health partnerships, Talkspace free online therapy, and more.

If you haven't had a chance, please read the full message online in English or Spanish.

School safety requires physical security, mental health support, digital safety, and active community involvement. When we work together and commit to upholding our roles, we support student and staff success.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent