Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates new Nottingham Middle School -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, October 7, 2024

Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates new Nottingham Middle School

Baltimore County Board of Education Chair Tiara Booker-Dwyer, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers, County Executive Johnny Olszewski, and other Team BCPS leaders, Board of Education members, and state and county officials gathered on October 2 for the official ribbon cutting ceremony for Nottingham Middle School. The new school opened to students in August. Photos from the event are available in a BCPS Flickr album.

BCPS Close-Up: Brailyn and Washington Jones, Grade 3 students, Watershed Public Charter School

Twins growing as scholars and environmental stewards

Brailyn Jones

Washington Jones

Talking to twins Brailyn and Washington Jones about Watershed Public Charter School brings twice the understanding and twice the joy.

Enrolled at Watershed Public Charter School since Kindergarten, the Grade 3 students (who are in separate classes) have fully embraced the environmental focus of the school, which emphasizes arts-integrated and project-based outdoor learning.

In a conversation captured on the BCPS blog, Brailyn and Washington discuss outdoor learning, "Trash Free Tuesdays," invasive species, protecting the ecosystem, axolotls, being twins, and having fun.

Watershed Principal Lori Widney says, “Washington and Brailyn live the mission and vision of Watershed in their everyday lives. Their enthusiasm for learning is contagious to both their peers and to staff! They love going outside and love learning through experiences – we are lucky to have them as Watershed Turtles!”

Applications open next month for 2025-2026 BCPS Online Learning Program

Students must be entering Grades 4-12 next school year

The BCPS Online Learning Program offers a fulltime online educational environment for students in Grades 4-12. The program offers a full day of synchronous (real time) instruction taught by certified BCPS teachers. The program offers courses that fulfill BCPS requirements for promotion and graduation. Any student who is eligible to attend a BCPS school may apply. The application window for the 2025-2026 school year opens at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 8, and closes at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 13. The application will be available online.

BCPS community gathers for annual Magnet Expo

The CCBC Essex Wellness & Athletics Center was filled with energy as BCPS students and families flocked to the Magnet Expo on September 28! Students and families seeking additional information about specific magnet programs can view school websites and/or participate in school-based showcase events throughout October. Magnet applications for the 2025-2026 school year must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Friday, November 1.

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

This is BCPS Voter Education Spirit Week!

Baltimore County Student Councils and the Parkville High School NAACP Youth Council are hosting a systemwide BCPS Voter Education Spirit Week from Monday, October 7, through Friday, October 11! This week is designed to spark enthusiasm and engagement in voter education.

With support from The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., high schools will host information tables during lunch periods.

Athlete Spotlight: Amory Hills, lineman, Milford Mill Academy

The newest episode of "BCPS Sports Scene" includes an "Athlete Spotlight" on Milford Mill senior Amory Hills. The scholar-athlete is committed to attend the University of Maryland.

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 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:

Andrés Lugo

Spanish teacher

Catonsville Middle School

Argelina Nuñez

Office secretary

Northwest Academy of Health Sciences

Casandra Ramos

Spanish teacher

Lansdowne High School

To be recognized or to nominate a student or staff member, please contact Gevene Harden with the following information: name, job title/grade, and school/office; a recent, high-quality photo; country or countries of origin; and a brief blurb (en español o en inglés) about why you are proud of your Hispanic heritage and/or how you connect with your roots (1-2 paragraphs).

In addition, the BCPS community is invited to share Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and recognitions on social media using #BCPSHerencia.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

Upcoming sessions on financial aid and colleges

High school seniors and their parents/caregivers can register now for BCPS/CCBC Financial Aid Information Sessions

BCPS is partnering with the Community College of Baltimore County to offer four opportunities for families to receive information and support on completing the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to learn more about the financial aid process. Please RSVP online and direct any questions to the college and career counselor at your child’s high school. Before attending this event, students and parents/caregivers should sign up for Federal Student Aid accounts.

Monday, October 21, from 6-8 p.m., virtual
Tuesday, October 22, from 6-8 p.m., New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., Owings Mills 21117
Wednesday, October 23, from 6-8 p.m., Parkville High School, 2600 Putty Hill Ave., Baltimore 21234
Thursday, October 24, from 6-8 p.m., Dundalk High School, 1901 Delvale Ave., Dundalk 21222

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 during the school day 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.

At the fair, students will meet college admissions representatives from HBCUs. Nearly 20 HBCUs have confirmed their participation.

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

"Giraffe Study under Light Source" by Reagan Romeo, Grade 8, Loch Raven Technical Academy. This artwork was featured in last school year's Central Zone Exhibit in The Superintendent's Gallery at BCPS headquarters.

Artist Statement:

The giraffe drawing uses a reference of a toy giraffe at an angle facing a light on the right of the giraffe. The light simply makes the highlights, shadows, textures, and colors more visible to incorporate into the drawing and to achieve the goal to make a realistic piece of art. I chose to draw the giraffe to have a deep meaning in the art, that patience is the key. Giraffes symbolize patience, which I had to have while making this piece.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

The Education Foundation seeks community members to help tell its story

Since 2010, The Education Foundation of BCPS has awarded more than $540,000 in grants, more than $160,000 in scholarships, nearly $200,000 in special projects, and provided almost $3 million worth of classroom resources, school supplies, and books to schools benefiting 14,000 teachers and more than 350,000 students.

But to earn a Top-Rated Nonprofit Award from the GreatNonprofits organization, the foundation needs YOU to help tell its story. The foundation encourages its grant and scholarship recipients, Exchangeree shoppers, event attendees, volunteers, and more to share stories of the impact the foundation has had. Submissions accepted through December 31.

Learn more in a new Mission Moment blog post.

A word from Dr. Rogers

October 7, 2024

Dear Reader:

Student-led groups – Baltimore County Student Councils and the Parkville High School NAACP Youth Council – have organized a systemwide

BCPS Voter Education Spirit Week for October 7-11. As part of this, high schools will share information about voting and will register student voters during lunch periods.

This initiative is an excellent example of how BCPS engages and empowers students to excel. I commend the student leaders who planned this activity as well as the educators and parents/caregivers who have nurtured the students' leadership abilities and The Education Foundation of BCPS, which is providing support.

Our goal in BCPS is to prepare our students to succeed in college and careers but also as active citizens. We are excited that BCPS Voter Education Spirit Week will demonstrate, once again, the impact of our student leaders and will inspire more students to register and vote.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent