Monday, February 27, 2023

Registration open for BCPS summer music, dance, and theatre camps

BCPS continues to expand summer opportunities for students

Registration is now open for Baltimore County Public Schools’ Broadway Theatre Connection Musical Theatre Intensive, Summer Dance Intensive, and Summer Music Camp.

This is the 37th year for the Summer Music Camp, the second year for the Summer Dance Intensive, and the first year for the theatre summer program in partnership with Broadway Theatre Connection.

The registration deadline for all three camps is Friday, May 12, and each camp is $125 per student (which includes a camp T-shirt).

New artificial intelligence career and technical education program approved for BCPS

The Maryland State Department of Education has approved BCPS plans to launch an artificial intelligence program in the 2023-2024 school year as one of its career and technical education offerings. The program, officially titled Computer and Information Sciences Artificial Intelligence, will be offered at George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology, Sollers Point Technical High School, and Western School of Technology and Environmental Science. A BCPS news release describes the program's development, course offerings, and industry and higher education partners.

Last date to submit haiku contest entries is this Thursday, March 2

For the BCPS 2023 Haiku Contest, each student is invited to choose from among 10 pieces of student artwork and to write a haiku inspired by that artwork. Entries for the annual BCPS Haiku Poetry Contest will be accepted through 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 2. 

All haiku must be original and must be submitted using the online 2023 Haiku Contest Form. Winning haiku will be chosen at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 17, International Haiku Poetry Day, and will receive prizes.

See a photo gallery of all 169 nominees in a new blog post

Through the Teacher of the Year program, BCPS seeks to elevate the teaching profession, recognize excellence in teaching, and thank all teachers for their skill, knowledge, creativity, and dedication.

The process begins with an invitation for each principal to nominate one teacher. This year, 169 educators were nominated, and from their applications, the BCPS Teacher of the Year committee will select BCPS Teacher of the Year finalists and the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year – who will be named during a gala on Wednesday, April 19, at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology.

Racial Justice Poetry Contest deadline is March 1



Entries for the 2023 Racial Justice Poetry Contest are being accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1. Students in Grades 6–12 in Baltimore County public, parochial, and independent schools and homeschooled children in Baltimore County can apply. Poems must be original and no more than three pages long.

Contest details, prize information, and a submission form can be found on Schoology in the resource folder for teachers of secondary English language arts. Teachers from other content areas may contact Justin DePrima at Dumbarton Middle School or the BCPS English language arts office for access.

Learn more in a BCPS blog post.

BCPS high school students of African descent invited to participate in the NAACP Baltimore County's talent competition

Applications accepted now for the Baltimore County Summer Youth Employment Program

The Baltimore County Summer Youth Employment Program offers youth ages 14–21 the opportunity to work up to 25 hours each week from July 3 to August 11. Youth selected for jobs will earn $15 per hour. Please note that applying to the program does not guarantee job placement. Apply now! Any questions? Please send them to youthservices@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Save the date for the BCPS/CCBC College Fair!

The Community College of Baltimore County, in collaboration with BCPS, is hosting College Fair 2023. At the event, students and their parents can meet representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and military and trade schools.

Do you know about BCPS 6-Year Plans for students?

BCPS school counselors help students begin thinking about their career paths as early as Grade 7. In a new "In the Know" video, school counselors from Loch Raven Technical Academy explain what 6-Year Plans are and how they support student growth and success.

Register now for a free, self-paced course on helping an anxious child

The "Building Confidence, Trust, & Hope: Three Things to Help an Anxious Child" course is being offered by Parent University in collaboration with Mariposa Education. The free, self-paced course is designed for parents/caregivers of children ages 3–11. Optional in-person coaching and meetings will be offered. The course becomes available on Thursday, March 16. Parents/caregivers can register now.

You are invited to help review the BCPS and Title I District Level Family Engagement Plan

BCPS invites parents and community members to participate in the annual review of the BCPS and Title I Systemwide Family Engagement Plan. Please register now to participate in this virtual meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in English and Spanish.

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.

"Landshapes" by Crystal Knauer, visual arts teacher, Franklin Middle School, from the "BCPS Makes Art!" faculty and staff exhibition

Artist statement:

"Since moving to Hereford, I have been inspired by the open fields and abundant trees. I used watercolor to paint the undertone while on site. I then collected color samples and reference photos to finish the top layer with chalk pastels. I love using chalk because of its vibrancy and texture. I also love the physicality of drawing with them, almost as if painting with my fingers. I often scrape, rub, and grind chalk onto the paper, it is very much about manipulating the material in various ways and the intuitive interaction experienced while doing so."

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

3Gs for our teachers - Gizmos, gadgets, and gratitude

A new Mission Moment blog post showcases three ways that The Education Foundation helps provide BCPS teachers with gizmos, gadgets, and gratitude.

• The lead volunteers for the Student Support Network's "Nest" at Owings Mills High School visited the Exchangeree in Windsor Mill and selected materials and resources to deliver to teachers at the school.

• The BCPS Peer Assistance and Review Program held a professional development activity for its consulting teachers at the Exchangeree in Rosedale/Golden Ring. Then the consulting teachers were able to shop for needed supplies for themselves and the new teachers they support.

• Members of the Overlea High School Student Government Association partnered with The Education Foundation to write notes of gratitude to be distributed to BCPS teachers across the county.

A Word from Dr. Williams, Superintendent

February 27, 2023

Dear Team BCPS,

In this issue of the newsletter, we share two exciting new learning opportunities for BCPS students:

• an artificial intelligence career and technical education program to be offered at George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology, Sollers Point Technical High School, and Western School of Technology and Environmental Science beginning in the 2023–2024 school year.

• a new musical theatre summer program offered this July in partnership with Broadway Theatre Connection.

We are proud that we continue to expand learning options for our students, to connect them with industry partners and potential mentors, and to prepare them for fields of interest and in-demand careers.

We encourage all parents and students to fully explore the learning opportunities available in our schools and throughout our school system.

Sincerely, 

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent