Online Learning Program applications due Friday, December 13, at 1 p.m. | |
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The BCPS Online Learning Program provides a full-time online educational environment for students in Grades 4-12. The program offers a full day of synchronous instruction taught by certified BCPS teachers. Students in the program are co-enrolled in their primary school of enrollment or zone school. The Online Learning Program offers courses that fulfill BCPS requirements for promotion and graduation.
Applications for the 2025-26 school year are due by 1 p.m. on Friday, December 13.
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Recent honors for BCPS staff and schools | |
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Baltimore Highlands Elementary School teacher named a Scholastic Teacher Fellow
Bridget Jordan, an English language development teacher at Baltimore Highlands Elementary School, has been selected as one of 12 educators nationwide to join the 2024-25 Scholastic Teacher Fellows Cohort. (English language development was formerly known as English for Speakers of Other Languages or ESOL.)
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Hebbville Elementary School earns grant to build its library of math-related books
Hebbville Elementary School is one of 36 Title I schools nationwide to earn the fifth annual Mathical Collection Development Award. As an award recipient, Hebbville Elementary will receive an $850 grant to expand its collection of fiction and nonfiction books related to mathematics. The school library will select these books from the Mathical Book Prize list, which features books selected for their potential to inspire students to explore the role of mathematics in the world.
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Students from Dulaney and Loch Raven high schools, along with BCPS supervisor, honored for accounting apprenticeships | |
Christine Omanga and Neveah Brown | |
The Association of International Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants honored two BCPS students during National Apprenticeship Week (November 17-23). The honored students are Christine Omanga of Loch Raven High School, an apprentice at Maryland Auto Insurance, and Neveah Brown of Dulaney High School, an apprentice at The Y. BCPS and Alicia Fales, a BCPS supervisor of career and technical education (CTE) were also recognized for their partnership with AICPA and encouraging students to explore accounting careers. BCPS students participate in the Maryland Youth Apprentice Program with support of the CTE Office. | | |
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Stephanie Gerhold, BCPS Teacher of the Year 2024-25 and World Languages Department chair, Woodlawn Middle School | |
Stephanie Gerhold, the BCPS Teacher of the Year for 2024-25 and World Languages Department chair at Woodlawn Middle School, is profiled in a new BCPS Close-Up blog post written by Andrew Hall, BCPS Department of Communications and Community Outreach and a senior at Woodlawn High School. | |
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In the post, Gerhold says, "Being able to represent all the amazing educators that I've worked with and learned from over the years is a true honor. This is not an award that we win individually; it's an award that's built upon the collaboration of so many stakeholders."
The post explores Gerhold's journey to teaching as well as her commitment to nurturing present and future educators.
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Woodlawn Middle staff embracing Gerhold after she was named Teacher of the Year | |
BCPS shares winter weather reminders | |
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Students and families are encouraged to review the BCPS Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan for the 2024-2025 school year.
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.
As a reminder, decisions regarding school operations are made by 5:30 a.m. A video describes how these decisions are made.
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All-County Concerts now available for online viewing
The middle and high school all-county honors concerts, which took place last month, are now available viewing online.
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The Baltimore Ravens partnered with Winfield Elementary School (a community school) to provide 100 Thanksgiving meals to students' families. The meals were delivered curbside to the families by Ravens players thanks to another Winfield partner, Weekend Backpacks of Baltimore, which advised the Ravens to select Winfield for the special holiday meals. | | |
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County library's Winter Reading Challenge offers free basketball game 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, and 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 a discounted tickets for friends and family.
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High school students invited to participate in WJZ Black History Oratory Competition | |
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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:
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“Service to your people is the rent you pay for living on this earth.” – Dr. Lillie May Carroll Jackson
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“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
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"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.
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for parents
from BCPS Parent University
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Parents invited to learn more about "The Power of Play" | |
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Parent University Lunch & Learn Workshop: “The Power of Play”
Friday, December 13, at 12:30 p.m.
This virtual session, presented by the Center for Family Success, will explore the power of play, how it supports child development, and ideas for playful learning. Registration required.
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Federal financial aid webinar offered on December 10 | |
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The United States Department of Education is offering a free webinar on Tuesday, December 10, to assist parents/caregivers and students in learning more about how to complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
Registration is required. The session will be offered at multiple times.
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Please share your feedback on the BCPS and Title I Family Engagement Plan | |
for your viewing pleasure | |
Drawing by Isabella Decker, Catonsville Middle School This artwork is featured in the 2024 Winter Art Exhibition on display at the skating rink at THE AVENUE at White Marsh. | |
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mission moment
from The Education Foundation of BCPS
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The Education Foundation's executive director honored by Loyola University Maryland | |
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The Loyola University Maryland School of Education recently honored author, motivational speaker, and longtime Baltimore County educator Deborah Phelps with the University’s inaugural School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award. Phelps is currently the executive director of The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools.
Phelps received her master’s degree in education management and supervision from Loyola and her bachelor’s degree in education from Fairmont State College.
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Deborah Phelps (right) and Afra Ahmed Hersi, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education | |
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“Throughout nearly five decades of teaching and administrative experience, Debbie Phelps has profoundly impacted countless students, teachers, and community members,” said Afra Ahmed Hersi, Ph.D., dean of the Loyola University Maryland School of Education. “Her visionary leadership has transformed resources for students and teachers, establishing programs and opportunities that nurture growth, equity, and achievement.”
A new Mission Moment blog post shares more of the story.
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December 9, 2024
Dear Reader:
Last week, BCPS celebrated some incredible news with the release of the 2024 MD Report Card. As I highlighted in my December 3 community message, available in English and Spanish, the data for BCPS shows significant improvement thanks to our strong focus on providing the highest quality instruction and critical supports for all students, fostering safe and welcoming environments, and facilitating continuous improvement.
Not only does BCPS have the most 5-star schools in Maryland, but we also have the top-rated high school (Eastern Technical) and the top two elementary schools (Rodgers Forge and Sparks). I am incredibly excited and applaud the 38 schools that have increased their star ratings and the 20 schools that are rated 5 stars. I also want to recognize McCormick Elementary School for increasing its rating by two stars! Your perseverance and dedication to our students' success are truly commendable.
As we celebrate this good news, we also intensify our efforts to build on this momentum and strive for even greater success for all our schools.
It takes all of us working together – staff, students, families, and community – to build a world-class school system that we can all be proud of. Thank you for all that you have done thus far; our collective efforts are making a positive difference.
Regards,
Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Upcoming Board meeting
All are welcome to attend
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Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, December 17, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204
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