Thursday, November 10, 2022

American Education Week is almost here!

BCPS will celebrate American Education Week 2022 from Monday, Nov. 14, through Friday, Nov. 18, with activities designed to showcase teaching and learning and encourage engagement in BCPS schools.

All members of Team BCPS are encouraged to tweet photos throughout the week using #bcpsAEW.

Learn more in a BCPS news release.

Education Support Professionals Day

Wednesday, November 16

On Day 3 of American Education Week, please join us in celebrating our hardworking education support professionals! Thank you for everything you do each day in our schools.

Substitute Educators Day

Friday, November 18

As American Education Week comes to an end, remember to say thank you to our substitute educators for the vital role they play in supporting our students and staff!

FEATURED VIDEO:

Why I Teach: Courtnee Lacks-Brown, Perry Hall High School

BCPS-TV's "Why I Teach" series is back. In this new segment, Courtnee Lacks-Brown, a special education teacher at Perry Hall High School, explains her passion for teaching.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Open Enrollment - Make your elections today!

Open enrollment is the annual period in which benefit-eligible employees can make changes to their current medical, dental, vision, and flexible spending account elections. You may begin enrollment via Employee Self-Service through 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 26.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• We're hiring – Spread the word

Online applications are available for a variety of BCPS positions. Also, BCPS Recruitment is now on Twitter!

• CareFirst dropped coverage

The Division of Human Resources has been made aware that some employees were notified their CareFirst Dental and/or Vision coverage has been dropped. Please know we are working to quickly resolve the issue.

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Exchangeree shopping dates for November and December

The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc. will host shopping days during November and December at the Exchangerees: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore, Rosedale/Golden Ring and Windsor Mill locations, for all full-time BCPS educators and support staff (school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and pupil personnel workers).

On the following dates, from 3 - 6 p.m., the Exchangerees will distribute academic school/classroom supplies and educational resources:

• Tuesday, November 15, Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Thursday, November 17, Windsor Mill
• Thursday, December 1, Windsor Mill
• Tuesday, December 6, Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Thursday, December 15, Windsor Mill
• Tuesday, December 20, Rosedale/Golden Ring

On the following dates, from 3 - 5 p.m., the Exchangerees will distribute new and gently used leveled books (PreK-12) only: 

• Wednesday, November 30, Windsor Mill 
• Wednesday, December 7, Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Wednesday, December 21, Windsor Mill

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Junior Achievement of Central Maryland "18 Under 18" competition

In partnership with "Baltimore Magazine," Junior Achievement of Central Maryland is looking for the "18 Under 18" most extraordinary people in the Baltimore area. Let's make sure BCPS is well-represented. If you know an impressive student who is 18 or under, nominate them today! (Please note that nominated students must be 18 or under on the event date May 10, 2023.)

• BCPS United Way Campaign

The BCPS campaign for the United Way of Central Maryland is back for 2022, and it's easier and more rewarding than ever to participate. This year's campaign will run through Saturday, Dec. 31, but if you wish to contribute to the United Way through a payroll deduction, make sure you pledge no later than Friday, December 16!

The United Way of Central Maryland works year-round to support our schools and students and many Baltimore County families in need. To donate, go to the "Staff" tab on the BCPS homepage, scroll to the "BCPS United Way 2022" button at the bottom, and click to the donation page. There, use your work email address for your Username and the last five digits of your employee ID number for your password to make a donation and do what you can to help those who need a helping hand this holiday season. Your donation will be included automatically in the BCPS campaign total when you pledge.

Thank you for your generous support of the BCPS United Way campaign!

• Support Towson University Athletics

1) First, Towson is offering unlimited free tickets for BCPS staff for its Volleyball game this Saturday at 1pm. Simply click the link below, type into the promo code box BCPS, hit apply, and you can select as many free tickets as you'd like.

2) Join the Towson Women's Basketball team on December 13 at 11 a.m. as they host Memphis on STEM Day.

Tickets are only $1. Cheer on Towson for a fun day of basketball and learn more about STEM at various stations around the concourse for all grade levels.

• Staff Bulletin Archive

Previous editions of the BCPS Staff Bulletin are archived and available for viewing on the BCPS website.

Employee Compensation Update

The Baltimore County Council approved the Board's Supplemental Budget Appropriation Transfer Request on Monday, November 7, 2022. The approval will allow BCPS to use surplus funding to provide enhanced compensation for each bargaining unit and non-represented employees.

On September 27, 2022, BCPS announced the details of an enhanced compensation package for more than 20,000 BCPS employees. Under the plan, substantial salary increases will be given to all bargaining units and non-represented employees, retroactive to July 1, 2022.

Employees will receive increases no later than the middle of December 2022, bonuses for employees at the top of their pay scale ($2,500) will be paid the subsequent pay period. Retention bonuses of at least $1,000 for all employees will be paid in the spring of 2023.

Are you an HBCU alum and/or in the "Divine Nine?"

BCPS staff who are graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and/or members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council are sought as volunteers to assist with the 6th Annual BCPS HBCU College Fair on Dec. 10. Please sign up by Nov. 25.

Thank you, Veterans

Each year on November 11, we honor and thank all who served.

Recycling Awareness Month

November is Recycling Awareness Month!

As part of this awareness initiative, the Office of Facilities Support Services encourages students, faculty, and staff to celebrate America Recycles Day on Tuesday, November 15, to spread awareness about the importance of recycling and its impact on the natural environment.

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

Student mentoring at Lansdowne Middle School

On November 9, Lansdowne Middle School welcomed members of the Baltimore Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., for an evening of student mentoring. Photos from the event are available in a BCPS Flickr album.

BCPS IN THE NEWS

1) Superintendent Williams highlighted recent BCPS achievements and celebrations and provided operational updates, including system efforts to foster safe and supportive learning environments. On December 1, 2022, BCPS will host a community conversation focused on middle school safety. 

2) The Board approved the 2023-2024 school year calendar. The school year will begin on August 28, 2023, and end on June 14, 2024. 

3) The Board approved the 2022-2023 plan for virtual instruction on inclement weather days. The plan is aligned to state requirements and virtual instruction days will count towards the minimum required days of instruction under Maryland law.

4) The Board received a report on college and career readiness programs and academic achievement.

5) The Board approved three administrative appointments.

You may submit a shoutout for a variety of reasons. For example, you may want to offer a pat on the back to a colleague for helping out, recognize a staff member or student achievement, or welcome a new employee. When your shoutout appears in The Staff Bulletin, your name and school/location will be included.

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Raising the bar, Closing Gaps, Preparing for our future

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org