Nearly 1,200 attend 8th Annual BCPS HBCU Fair -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, November 4, 2024

Nearly 1,200 attend 8th Annual BCPS HBCU College Fair

Nearly 1,200 students (and some families) from across the county participated in the Eighth Annual BCPS Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Fair, held on October 30 at New Town High School.

Participating students met with representatives of 23 colleges and accessed resources and information offered by 12 organizations related to financial aid, college life, and careers.

Seven of the participating colleges awarded instant admission to qualified students. In addition, The Education Foundation of BCPS raffled off two BCPS HBCU Book Scholarships, valued at $500 each. The scholarship winners are Kiera Barnes of Dundalk High School and Camille Parson of Franklin High School.

Three Eastern Technical High School seniors who received instant admissions to Coppin State University

Kiera Barnes (center photo, shown with Education Foundation Board President Cindy Jones) and Camille Parson (right photo, with foundation Associate Director Dr. Heather Wooldridge and BCPS School Counseling Specialist Jessica DeShields)

Join Superintendent Rogers for Community Conversations on the FY 26 Operating Budget

During November, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers is hosting four Community Conversations to discuss the development of the BCPS Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget. Community members are invited to share their ideas on budget priorities. Spanish interpretation will be provided at each meeting. To request interpreting services for other languages, please call 443-809-1250 as soon as possible.

Tuesday, November 12, from 6-7 p.m.

Summit Park Elementary School

6920 Diana Rd., Baltimore 21209

Thursday, November 14, from 6-7 p.m.

Windsor Mill Middle School

8300 Windsor Mill Rd., Baltimore 21244

Thursday, November 21, from 6-7 p.m.

Cockeysville Middle School

10401 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21030

Monday, November 25, from 6-7 p.m.

Perry Hall Middle School

4300 Ebenezer Rd., Baltimore 21236

Volunteers sought to fill two vacancies on the Board's Ethics Review Panel

The Board of Education of Baltimore County seeks volunteers to fill two vacancies on its Ethics Review Panel. Interested applicants should send a completed application no later than Monday, November 11. Finalists will be required to undergo a routine background check. For additional information regarding required qualifications and panel member responsibilities, please visit the Ethics Review Panel website.

Recent staff and student honors

Reggie White of Milford Mill Academy named the Baltimore Ravens' "Coach of the Week"

Reggie White of Milford Mill Academy has been honored as the Baltimore Ravens' Coach of the Week and is now in the running to be named Coach of the Year. As Coach of the Week, White receives a $2,000 donation to Milford Mill's football program.

The Ravens honor 10 outstanding high school coaches each year. Earlier in the season, Anthony Burgos of Franklin High School was named Coach of the Week.

Four BCPS physical education teachers receive statewide awards

SHAPE Maryland has honored four BCPS physical education teachers with its Simon A. McNeely Award for their outstanding contributions to the fields of health and physical education. The honorees are:

Barb Bates, Catonsville Middle School

Katie Henry, Arbutus Elementary School

Shawn Ketterer, Norwood Elementary School

Hannah Owen, Westchester Elementary School

Works by 3 Carver Center students accepted into global photo/video contest for high school students

Photographs by three George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology students have been accepted into a global photo/video contest for high school students. The honored students are Derrian Bolden (Grade 11), Tatiana Parker (Grade 12), and Ari Snyder (Grade 12).

The contest is coordinated by the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and the contest prompt this year is "We The Public: Engagement, Action, and Each Other."

The work of the Carver Center students is featured in an exhibition in the college's photography gallery, and an exhibition reception was held on November 2.

BCPS celebrates the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans and honors the resilience of Indigenous people.

Around the county

On October 30, Sparks Elementary School students Krishna, Shreeya, Riya, Aadhya, and Aarav shared their South Asian culture on their school's morning announcements by explaining how they celebrate the holiday Diwali.

Pikesville Middle School held its fall festival on October 30. Coordinated by the school's PTA, the event featured food trucks, fall crafts, a pumpkin decorating contest, and more.

Vincent Farm Elementary School students participated in "Dress Like a Principal Day" on October 29.

The Grade 8 Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) class at Cockeysville Middle School celebrated the end of the quarter with collaborative "minute to win it" challenges.

Latest episode of "Why I Teach" features Lisa Levine of Fort Garrison Elementary School

$250 fine for passing stopped school buses begins today

Beginning today, Monday, November 4, motorists who illegally pass a stopped school bus with activated flashing red lights will be subject to a $250 fine.

Carver Center students featured on newest episode of "Entertainment Blvd"

The latest episode of BCPS-TV's "Entertainment Blvd" features Avery Grace and Jack Robert, two seniors at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, who perform together as the country music duo Blank Page.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

Families can learn more about Online Learning Program before application process opens on November 8

Applications for the Online Learning Program for the 2025-26 school year will be accepted from Friday, November 8, through Friday, December 13. A virtual information session about the program will take place on Tuesday, November 12, from 6-7 p.m. Participants are asked to register in advance.

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

"Scarred Hands" by Habiba Lam, Grade 12, Chesapeake High School. This artwork was featured in the 36th Annual High School Art Exhibition at The Startup at Towson University. (Lam is now a first-year photography student at Parsons School of Design. During her senior year of high school, she apprenticed with the BCPS Department of Communications and Community Outreach.)

Artist Statement:

The piece “Scarred Hands” dives into the layers of the American Dream from the viewpoint of an immigrant who aspires to succeed in the context of the American Dream. I intended to show the perspective of a migrant who arrived under a year ago to share the constraints within freedom and the inconsistencies of support within the pursuit of success. I view the American Dream as something that shouldn’t be a pedestal for achieving true success, as that leads to failure, comparison, and low consciousness. I want viewers to critically examine their aspirations and societal narratives, ultimately navigating a more authentic understanding of success and fulfillment. My work is inspired by photojournalists who capture untold stories. Like their photos, I wanted to capture an untold story of an immigrant from the perspective we don’t often see in the media. My work is significant because I strove to shed light on the daily struggles, hopes, and dreams of these individuals, and expose the grim reality that stands in contrast to the American Dream. I am committed to using my skills and passion for photography to continue fighting for migrants, amplifying their stories, and advocating for their rights as they navigate the challenging path towards a better life in the United States.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Time for the Share the Warmth and Joy Campaign

Winter is rapidly approaching, and The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools Inc. is gearing up for its annual Share the Warmth and Joy Campaign. Through this campaign, the foundation collects winter clothing and accessories, games, puzzles, and more to keep BCPS students academically and socially-emotionally successful. Contribute today to the Share the Warmth and Joy Campaign!

Host a supply drive!

Collect items on our shopping lists and then schedule a donation drop-off date and time with foundation headquarters staff (call 443.809.8962 or email hwooldridge@bcps.org).

Shop our wish lists!

Peruse our Amazon, Target, and Walmart wish lists and select items to purchase on our behalf. Items will be delivered to Susan Goodhand, the Exchangeree volunteer coordinator, 506 Patleigh Rd., Catonsville, MD 21228

Make a monetary donation!

Make a monetary donation through our electronic “DipJar” or our website’s giving portal.

A word from Dr. Rogers

November 4, 2024

Dear Reader:

The first marking period of the school year closed last Thursday, and, in a recent Community Message (available in English and Spanish), we reminded families of changes to BCPS’ grading and reporting practices, student assessments, and credits that went into effect at the start of this school year.

One significant change is that students will be awarded 0.5 credit after successful completion of Marking Period (MP) 1 and MP 2. As a reminder, this change aligns our practices with other school systems in the state, emphasizes the importance of closely measuring and monitoring student progress throughout the marking period, and provides built-in opportunities for students to reset and get back on track faster.

A short informative video by Student Member of the Board of Education Ugonma Chike-Kalu explains the benefits of this change for secondary students. Students will earn 0.5 credit after a passing grade is achieved for Semester I (MP1, MP2) and earn another 0.5 credit for Semester II (based on MP3, MP4, and final exams). MP3 and MP4 will each weigh 45 percent, and the final exam will weigh 10 percent to calculate the Semester II grade. Final grades will be calculated in Focus based on the MP3, MP4, and final exam grades.

Families are strongly encouraged to monitor student grades and progress consistently in Focus/Schoology, and contact teachers, counselors, and administrators when a student needs help.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent