Milford Mill Academy's Building and Construction Technology program earns DEWALT grant -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, October 14, 2024

Milford Mill Academy Building and Construction Technology magnet program earns DEWALT Grow the Trades Grant

The Milford Mill Academy Building and Construction Technology magnet program has earned a DEWALT 2024 Grow the Trades Grant for helping high school students build foundational construction skills and introducing them to the electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) trades.

Milford Mill’s Building and Construction Technology program was selected as one of 166 organizations that are providing greater accessibility and resources for trades training. While in the program, Milford students can earn National Center for Construction and Education Core and Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10 certifications.

Instructor Jason J. Smith has led the program for four years and has taught for 20 years. Under his tutelage, all students enrolled in the program have earned both certifications before graduating.

More information about the grant can be found in a BCPS news release.

Celebrating our multifaceted principals

The 176 principals of BCPS have tremendously serious jobs. These experienced educators are responsible for maintaining a positive learning culture, overseeing instruction, managing facilities and budgets, hiring and retaining staff, engaging families and communities, and keeping students and staff safe.

In celebration of National Principals Month, BCPS invited several principals from across the county to share a little about themselves, their backgrounds, and the joy they find in their work. Look for more mini-profiles on social media throughout the month.

Principal C. Michelle Anderson

Eastern Technical High School

Beginning her 14th year as a principal

Favorite subject as a student:

"Biology with Mr. Newberry at Sparrows Point High School!"

Favorite annual school event:

"Cultural Coalescence – our annual event that showcases and celebrates cultures from around the world"

Best thing learned from a student:

"One of the most valuable reminders they continuously model is the respect and appreciation they have for each other regardless of their differences."

Principal Lori Grant

Church Lane Elementary Technology School

Beginning her third year as a principal

Years spent as a classroom teacher: 10

Favorite time of day as a principal: "Morning arrival, welcoming students to a new day of learning"

Best thing learned from a student: "There's always a reason to smile and laugh."

Principal Deborah Magness

Pine Grove Middle School

A principal for 17 years

Years spent as a classroom teacher: 8

First job: "I worked at a county courthouse in the summers during college as a deputy clerk."

Best thing learned from a student: "To never take yourself too seriously"

Principal John Noonan

Shady Spring Elementary School

A principal for 4 years, all at Shady Spring

Favorite food: Korean BBQ

First job: "Selling newspapers outside of local sporting events. Think 'Newsies'!"

Favorite annual school event: "Shady Spring Elementary School's Summer Sendoff Carnival – with a dunk tank!"

BCPS Close-Up: Robert Holland, band director, Woodlawn High School

Making a way for the superstars of tomorrow

A new BCPS Close-Up blog post spotlights Robert Holland, band director of Woodlawn High School's Scarlet Legion. The post was written and photographed by Andrew Hall, an apprentice in the BCPS Office of Communications and Community Outreach and a senior at Woodlawn High.

From the blog post:

Many members of the Scarlet Legion band described their director as a father figure, someone whom any student could go to whenever they needed advice, motivation, comfort, or simply a laugh. Holland creates a family atmosphere for his band and provides an unparalleled mentorship role for his students. When asked how it feels to be an inspiration to the next generation of musicians, he said, "It’s quite an honor. Throughout my life, in high school and even now, most of my mentors were my band directors." He continued, "I can never go back and repay them, the only thing I can do is impart into the next generation what was imparted into me."

When asked if it was accurate to say he had dedicated his life to music, Holland quickly corrected the question saying, “I have dedicated my life to making a way for up-and-coming young students. Music is just the vehicle I use. My dedication lies in helping to nurture students.”

Students, parents, caregivers, and stakeholders are invited to experience BCPS curricula and explore system efforts to make improvements. At the Curriculum Nights, participants can:

View curricular and instructional materials.
Ask questions and connect with content area experts.
Participate in interactive demonstrations.
Receive tips and resources on how to support students at home.
Explore resources from Baltimore County Public Library, the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, and more!

Spanish interpretation will be provided. Interpreting services for other languages are also available upon request at no cost to participants. Please call 443-809-1250 as early as possible to request.

Tuesday, October 15, from 6-7:30 p.m.

Franklin High School, 12000 Reisterstown Rd., Reisterstown 21136

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers will host the second of two community meetings this fall focused on creating safe and supportive learning environments. Team BCPS students, families, staff, and stakeholders are invited to participate and learn more about BCPS efforts to ensure student and staff safety, connect to community resources, and build positive partnerships for student support.

Thursday, October 17, from 6-7 p.m.

Kenwood High School, 501 Stemmers Run Rd., Baltimore 21221

BCPS is committed to hiring a diverse workforce representative of the students and communities it serves. At this job fair, BCPS is seeking qualified candidates for all positions, including teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, school nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, social workers, additional adults, building service workers, bus drivers, bus attendants, food service workers, grounds workers, and maintenance employees. BCPS encourages applicants to apply online prior to attending the job fair.

BCPS celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, BCPS is spotlighting Hispanic students and staff on the BCPS Spanish Facebook page. Most recently featured were:

Dr. Velda Pabellón, Spanish teacher, Hereford Middle School, and her daughter Velmar Ramos, Spanish teacher, Berkshire, Deep Creek, Honeygo, Shady Spring, and Victory Villa elementary schools

Bertha Alicia Barrón-Valenzuela

Office secretary

Woodholme Elementary School

Michael Brux

Grade 3 teacher

Stoneleigh Elementary School

Karen Carpio

English teacher

Franklin High School

Michele Hacksaw

Multilingual achievement family-school liaison

Northwest Academy of Health Sciences

Eli Hernandez

Art teacher

Stoneleigh Elementary School

In addition, the BCPS community shared Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and recognitions on social media using #BCPSHerencia.

Featherbed Lane Elementary hosted an International Night in collaboration with the BCPS Multilingual Achievement Office, Deer Park Magnet Middle, Sudbrook Magnet Middle, and Southwest Academy schools.

Hebbville Elementary School celebrated its already established annual Hispanic Cultural Heritage Program.

Baltimore County Police Department hosting free young drivers' safety program

Young drivers are invited to participate in a free safety program hosted by the Baltimore County Police Department in collaboration with other traffic safety organizations. The event will include driving, impaired and distracted, and rollover simulators as well as information about commercial vehicle awareness, first aid and emergency care, motorcycle safety, and agricultural vehicle safety.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

The October episode of the Parent University show is ready for viewing!

The newest episode of the Parent University show features the Xello college and career exploration platform, the Magnet Expo and magnet showcase events, and BCPS Curriculum Nights.

Students, families invited to open house at The Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts

The Sheffield Insitute for the Recording Arts is hosting an open house on Saturday, November 2, beginning at 11 a.m. for BCPS students and families. The facility, located at 13816 Sunnybrook Rd. in Phoenix, offers instruction in audio engineering, audio-visual technology, and video production. Participants will be able to tour the facility, meet instructors, get hands-on experience, and learn more about career prep programs and exclusive scholarship opportunities for BCPS students. Please RSVP for the event.

High school seniors can register now for BCPS HBCU College Fair

BCPS high school seniors interested in attending the Eighth Annual Baltimore County Public Schools Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Fair can register now through StriveScan.

The college fair will be held on Wednesday, October 30, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at New Town High School, and bus transportation will be provided for students who register for the fair.

In addition to completing fair registration, students should see their college and career counselors to receive permission slips. Participants are also strongly encouraged to complete the Common Black College Application prior to the event, with help from their school counselors or college counselors if needed. Bus transportation to the event will be provided.

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

"Overgrown" by Diana Roadas-Hernandez, Grade 11, Perry Hall High School. This artwork was featured in last school year's East Zone Exhibit in The Superintendent's Gallery at BCPS headquarters.

Artist Statement:

For this artwork, I wanted to do a simple landscape with a small silhouette as the main focus. I also really wanted to make texture be emphasized all around so that my painting seemed more realistic. The main idea this artwork explores is growth; I tried to portray growth through the vines on the tree, which is also another main focus. The vines are a bit more overgrown than they are in the original picture that I was referencing, which I thought was an interesting way to portray growth and abundance through my artwork.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Introducing the Yoga for SEL grant recipients

Supported by a $15,000 grant from the United Way of Central Maryland's Changemaker Challenge, The Education Foundation invited BCPS educators to apply for Yoga for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) grants.

Grantees can participate in the Breathe For Change 200-Hour Mindfulness, SEL Facilitator, Yoga Instructor training during 2024-2025 school year. This is a research-based, trauma-informed training recognized by the Yoga Alliance. Grant recipients will then create and execute a plan to embed their learned strategies into their classrooms and train their colleagues to do the same.

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Yoga for SEL Grant Recipients:

Colleen-Christine Braun, school counselor, Johnnycake Elementary School
Erica Confair-Weimer, teacher, Chadwick Elementary School
Marci Ebur-Perrott, teacher, Catonsville High School
Santana Goodrich, community school facilitator, Powhatan Elementary School
Jasmine Gorss, teacher, Battle Monument School
Jennifer Houseknecht, library media specialist, Hereford High School
Lisa Ludwig, school counselor, Rodgers Forge Elementary School
Chelsea Reid, resource teacher, The Chatsworth School
En’dea Small, school psychologist, Lansdowne Middle School
Kris Spaulding, teacher, Halstead Academy
Dr. Heather Wooldridge, associate director, The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc.

More about this grant program can be found in a Mission Moment blog post.

A word from Dr. Rogers

October 14, 2024

Dear Reader:

The success of our schools is only achieved with the support and involvement of our community.

My administration highly values two-way communication with our families and neighbors as well as area organizations and businesses.

This week, we will host two wonderful opportunities to gather and share thoughts and ideas.

First, this Tuesday, October 15, at Franklin High School, we will present a Curriculum Night. Please join us to experience BCPS curricula and explore system efforts to make improvements.

Then, on Thursday, October 17, at Kenwood High School, we will hold the second of two community meetings this fall focused on creating safe and supportive learning environments. Please participate to learn more about BCPS efforts to ensure student and staff safety, connect to community resources, and build positive partnerships for student support.

Your engagement is important to me. I hope to see you at one or both of this week's events.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent

This Friday, October 18, BCPS schools will be closed for students and teachers so that educators can participate in the Maryland State Education Association convention.