Thursday, November 17, 2022

So much to be thankful for!

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to thank Team BCPS for your dedication, enthusiasm, and expertise. Whether it is your first year or 30th year in BCPS, you have made a significant impact in our communities.

We wish you a meaningful and restful Thanksgiving break!

As the holidays approach, many members of the BCPS community will have the opportunity to connect with family and friends. We know that the holiday season can be stressful and we want to encourage you to use this time to embrace social and emotional wellness practices. 

Enjoy the Moment

As we reconnect and experience the hustle and bustle of the holidays, please remember to:

•Delight in being with family and friends.

•Take a moment to enjoy the change of seasons.

•Be mindful of the sounds of laughter and chatter as you celebrate this special time.

•Enjoy your family/community traditions.

Don't eat with your eyes. Listen to your belly!

Your eyes can deceive you and may cause you to eat more than you intended. It is important to know what satiety feels like for you. This can be challenging if you are not used to reading your body's cues. Simply asking yourself "Am I really hungry?" can help you learn your body's signaling system. Feelings of discomfort are sure signs you have exceeded your maximum intake for that meal. Enjoy the delicious Thanksgiving food and treats with family and loved ones but also know when you are full then back away from the table.

Navigating the Holiday Season

The holidays can be a source of joy and excitement for many people, but for some, it can be a time of sadness and stress. Whatever feelings you have they can be overwhelming. Please know that whatever you are feeling—it is okay to have those feelings.

Baltimore County Crisis Response System - Support is available 24/7 - 410-931-2214

Baltimore County Substance User Services - Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to Midnight - 410-887-3224

BCPS Employee Assistance Program - 410-887-5414 (Confidential Voicemail)

Crisis Text Line - Support is available 24/7 - Text HOME to 741741

Trevor Lifeline - LGBTQ+ Crisis Line - Support is available 24/7 - 1-866-488-7386

FEATURED VIDEO:

Essential to Team BCPS | Building service workers

In a new segment, BCPS-TV highlights the tremendous work of BCPS building service workers. The video features staff from Sandalwood Elementary School and Southwest Academy Magnet School for Science and Engineering.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Stakeholder Feedback - Special Education Staffing Plan

Staff in the Department of Special Education are seeing stakeholder feedback on the Special Education Staffing Plan. Please share this flyer with families of students receiving special education services. Please also encourage completion by school staff. The survey will be open through Friday, December 9.

Questions? Contact Executive Director Allison Myers.

• We're hiring – Spread the word

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

• 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.

• 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:

• 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.)

• Staff Bulletin Archive

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

• Towson University Women's Basketball STEM Day

Join the Towson Women's Basketball team on December 13 at 11 a.m. as they host Memphis on STEM Day. (STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.)

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.

• 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, visit the "BCPS United Way 2022 page. There, use your work email address as your username and the last five digits of your employee ID number as your password to make a donation and help those who need a helping hand. 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!

• Victory Villa paraeducator prepares for release of debut novel

Ricky Ruszin, a paraeducator at Victory Villa Elementary and graduate of Patapsco High, is preparing for the release of his debut novel "Showtime."

Ruszin works with small reading and writing groups at Victory Villa and is excited to share his work with students from around the county. The book is set to be stocked in 15 branches of the Baltimore County Public Library.

Celebrating a Successful 2022 American Education Week!

Across the county, American Education Week has been a tremendous success! This week, our schools welcomed parents, grandparents, family members and community members into classrooms as we showcased high-level teaching and learning and encouraged family and community engagement.

There's still time to share photos on Twitter using #bcpsAEW!

Community Conversation on Safe and Supportive Environments

On Thursday, December 1, BCPS is partnering with Maryland Safe Schools to host a community conversation focused on middle school safety. Parents, staff, students, and members of the community will learn about BCPS’ efforts to ensure student and staff safety. A psychologist from Maryland Safe Schools and school system leaders will share information on statewide data trends, adolescent behaviors, and tips for building positive partnerships for student support.

The community conversation will take place from 6 - 7 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Rd., Towson 21204. Members of the community can also watch and participate online via the BCPS TV YouTube channel.

Celebrating Education Support Professionals

Dear Team BCPS Education Support Professionals,

Thank you for the vital work you do every day in support of our students, schools, and families.

We celebrate you and appreciate your dedication!

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

History in the Making: Inaugural Special Needs Track Event hosted by Maiden Choice School

The students trained for weeks, becoming faster and surer of themselves at every practice. And then it was time. On a beautiful 70-degree day, they lined up to start. When the whistle blew, they raced forward, the cheers of more than 80 family members and friends growing louder. To the side, they saw signs bearing their names, and ahead of them, the finish line tape.

This was the experience for participants in the inaugural Special Needs Track Event, hosted by Maiden Choice School on Saturday, November 12, at Catonsville High School. With this event, Maiden Choice became the first BCPS school for students with special needs to ever host a track and field event.

Learn more in a new BCPS blog post.

Thank you, substitute educators!

Dear Team BCPS,

Please join me in thanking our substitute educators who work tirelessly to provide the continuity of education for our students. Every day that they step in front of a classroom, they demonstrate patience, flexibility, enthusiasm, and commitment. Their presence enables our teachers to take needed time off with the knowledge that their students will be safe and engaged in learning. Our substitute educators are a vital part of Team BCPS and as BCPS and school systems across the state and nation continue to face a national labor shortage, our substitute educators are more vital than ever. They are among the unsung heroes of public education, and I am pleased that we have this day to honor and thank them. 

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Annual BCPS HBCU College Fair

BCPS students and families are invited to join us on Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at New Town High School for the Sixth Annual BCPS HBCU College Fair.

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 event. Please sign up by Nov. 25.

BCPS IN THE NEWS

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