Patapsco High School named an AVID National Demonstration School -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, April 7, 2025

Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts named newest AVID National Demonstration School in BCPS

Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts was named an AVID National Demonstration School on April 2. (AVID is a college and career readiness program.) The announcement came during a site visit from Thuan Nguyen, AVID CEO; Allison Childress, AVID chief of staff; and Tameka Johnson, AVID implementation strategist for the mid-Atlantic and southern states.

"Becoming a Demonstration School has been our goal for the past six years," said Patapsco Principal Dr. Scott Rodriguez-Hobbs. "We truly believe in the AVID program and what it can do for students. Achieving this honor is a validation of the work we have done in our building to improve instruction and help all our students meet with success."

Patapsco High joins New Town and Pikesville high schools as the third AVID National Demonstration School in BCPS. The designation, earned through an application process, screening, and site visits, means that a school will serve as a teaching and learning center for educators interested in successfully implementing the AVID college and career readiness system.

Celebrating National Assistant Principals Week 2025

In recognition of National Assistant Principals Week, April 7-11, the BCPS blog presents five brief Q&As with Team BCPS assistant principals.

Please join us in sharing appreciation for the vital role assistant principals play in schools across the county.

Alain Chalmin, Deep Creek Middle Magnet School

Meghan Maher, Maiden Choice School

Brandon Proctor-Mendez, Essex Elementary School

Brianna Ross, Deer Park Magnet Middle School

Kaia Stevens, Summit Park Elementary School

Checking on the state of library media services in BCPS

Celebrating National School Library Month

Nottingham Middle Grade 6 students exploring the library

BCPS superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers reading to Hebbville Elementary students

BCPS library media specialists circulated library materials at the equivalent rate of 19.62 books per student in 2023-24, crushing the original goal of 17 books per student. This school year, the goal was set at 20 books per student, and by the end of March, BCPS was already at 17 books per student.

According to Amanda Lanza, BCPS coordinator of the Office of Library Media and Instructional Technology, "This level of circulation shows that students and staff are not only accessing their library collections, but that our BCPS library media specialists are doing amazing work ensuring that students and staff have regular access to materials that support their journey to becoming lifelong readers and critical thinkers."

In honor of National School Library Month, held each April, the BCPS blog presents a State of Library Media Services blog post. The post offers thoughts about our school libraries from BCPS library media specialists and an overview of their nationally-recognized work to promote digital citizenship, as well as updates on research support at every grade level, the BCPS partnership with Baltimore County Public Library, and recent recognitions for library programs and staff.

The graduating senior profile series begins for the Class of 2025

In honor of the Class of 2025, BCPS is profiling one senior from each high school. A new profile will be highlighted on the website and social media each school day until Friday, May 23, the last day for seniors. These profiles highlight the strengths of our seniors and their diversity. Please follow along and share your support on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) as they are posted each day.

Last week, the series began with a profile of this student.

Andrew Polite, Dulaney High School

This future emergency medicine physician says that his most proud accomplishment thus far was traveling to Paris for a presentation of biology research he assisted with and receiving compliments on his survey design from high-level scientists. He credits his Advanced Placement Psychology teacher, Thomas Maranville, for sparking his interest in the brain.

Recent student, staff and school honors

BCPS students earn 28 National Medals in prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Program

BCPS students have earned 28 National Medals in the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers’ prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Program, the nation’s longest running arts recognition program for students in Grades 7-12. Of the nearly 310,000 works entered in the program, only about 2,800 works received National Medals.

Maryland students earned 78 medals, and George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology students earned a third of those.

Ceremony honors BCPS National Board-certified teachers

The 53 BCPS teachers who achieved National Board Certification in December 2024 and the 10 teachers who renewed their certification last year were honored at a ceremony on March 27 at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology.

“Becoming Board-certified is one of many ways that our teachers continually advance their skills and effectiveness,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers. “While BCPS now has 163 Board-certified teachers, 58 percent of these certifications were first earned in the last few years: 13 in 2022, 29 in 2023, and now 53 in 2024. This rapid rise in Board-certification reflects the additional supports this administration offers to assist teachers who undertake the arduous process. Through professional development activities and continued education, Board-certified teachers bring additional expertise to our schools and enrich the academic progress of our students. We are proud of these teachers for serving as role models to both their students and fellow educators.”

Gunpower Elementary collects pajamas for critically-ill children

For the past two years, Gunpowder Elementary School has been a proud partner with the Casey Cares Foundation, Chick-fil-A, and the Woman's Club of Perry Hall for a special service project called the Casey Cares Pajama Drive.

This service project helps to enhance the lives of critically ill children by providing them with new pajamas on their birthdays. This year, the school collected an estimated 300 pairs of pajamas.

BCPS educators can apply for 2025 Golden Apple Awards

BCPS teachers, school administrators, and school support employees can submit entries for the 2025 Golden Apple Educator Awards from Freedom Federal Credit Union. Ten awards will be presented, ranging from $500-$2,000. Scoring favors submissions with the greatest impact and creativity with a strong preference for ideas/initiatives that are sustainable over multiple years. More information and the application can be found online. Applications are due by Saturday, May 31.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

Teens can apply to serve on the Baltimore County Public Library Summer Teen Advisory Boards

Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) invites teens to apply to serve on one of its Summer Teen Advisory Boards. It's an opportunity for teens to develop leadership skills, contribute to programs, and learn about the library profession -- while earning service-learning hours.

Previous Teen Advisory Board projects include making dog toys for the ASPCA, sprucing up the landscape around library branches, holding SAT parties, organizing video game competitions, and more.

Up to 15 teens will be selected for each branch. Visit the BCPL website for more information and to apply. Applications are due by Wednesday, April 30. All applicants will be notified of their application status by Friday, May 16.

for your viewing pleasure

"Still Life with Oranges" by Shanel T., Grade 11, Virtual Learning Program, was featured in the 2025 "Art is for Everyone" exhibition at The Baltimore Museum of Art. Photos from the exhibition can be found on Flickr.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Exchangerees announce spring "shopping" dates for BCPS educators

The fourth quarter of the 2024-25 school year is quickly approaching. The Education Foundation of BCPS invites you to get ready for shopping, volunteering, fundraising, gratitude, and more!

Shopping at the Exchangerees

BCPS educators may shop at one of the foundation's two Exchangerees once each month for school supplies, books, winter gear, and more at no cost to themselves! Just come by an Exchangeree between 3-6 p.m. on a designated shopping date with your BCPS ID and bags/boxes for your adopted treasures. Come with a colleague and have twice the fun!

Rosedale/Golden Ring

6929 Golden Ring Rd., Baltimore 21237

Tuesday, April 8
Tuesday, April 29
Tuesday, May 13
Tuesday, May 27
Tuesday, June 10

Windsor Mill

2034-F Lord Baltimore Dr., Windsor Mill 21244

Thursday, April 24
Thursday, May 8
Thursday, May 22
Thursday, June 5
Thursday, June 26

The l atest Mission Moment blog post features information about the shopping dates as well as details about upcoming events such as the Champions for Children gala on Wednesday, April 23, and Let's Play Pickleball on Thursday, May 29.

Highlights from the Superintendent's March 2025 press conference

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers held a media availability on March 31 to share updates and information for Team BCPS. In her remarks, Dr. Rogers addressed the status of the Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget; BCPS success in decreasing chronic absenteeism; and the shared responsibility of maintaining school safety.

More details can be found in a staff and community update (available in English and Spanish) and by viewing the press conference on YouTube.

A word from Dr. Rogers

April 7, 2025

Dear Reader:

Next week, schools will be closed for spring break. This well-timed break is an opportunity for us to reinvigorate and ready ourselves for the very busy end of the school year.

Many thanks to everyone on Team BCPS for their contributions to what has been an exciting and successful school year thus far.

Please enjoy the time off with family and friends, and please keep learning – even though schools will be closed from the end of the school day on Friday, April 11, through Monday, April 21. We look forward to reopening our school doors to students on Tuesday, April 22.

Learning opportunities abound in our community: nature walks in parks; visits to museums and historical sites; books, movies, and more from local public libraries; conversations with elders; activities at home, such as making art, playing music, cooking, and gardening; and so much more. Explore and enjoy!

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent