Thursday, December 1, 2022

Join us in-person or virtually for a Community Conversation

Tonight, Thursday, December 1, Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) will 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 and will hear from Dr. Christa Kulp, a school psychologist and consultant with the Maryland Center for School Safety, who will share information on statewide data trends, adolescent behaviors, and tips for building positive partnerships for student support in middle schools.

The community conversation will take place from 6-7 p.m. in the cafeteria at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21204. Members of the community can also watch online via the BCPS TV YouTube channel. Spanish interpretation will be available. The recorded stream will be available for viewing on the BCPS TV YouTube channel at the conclusion of the event.

FEATURED VIDEO:

Outstanding Young Women’s Leadership Program

The Outstanding Young Women’s Leadership Program is a collaboration between BCPS and Towson University. In a new BCPS-TV video, four students from the Class of 2023 cohort share what the program meant to them.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• 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. More information is available in a BCPS News Release.

• We're hiring – Spread the word

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

• Towson University Master of Arts in Special Education

Beginning in Spring 2023, Towson University, in collaboration with the Department of Organizational Development and Leadership, will offer a Master of Arts in Teaching collaborative program for conditionally-certified special education teachers. An information session will be held by Towson University on Wednesday, December 7, at 6:00 p.m.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Exchangeree shopping dates for December

The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc. will host shopping days during November and December at the Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore locations in Rosedale/Golden Ring and Windsor Mill 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, December 6, at Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Thursday, December 15, at Windsor Mill
• Tuesday, December 20, at 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, December 7, at Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Wednesday, December 21, at Windsor Mill

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• 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 survey 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.

• LifeChanger of the Year

Since 2011, the LifeChanger of the Year Program has recognized almost 7,000 educators in all 50 states and awarded more than $650,000 to schools and school employees. Each nominee will automatically be eligible to win a cash prize up to $10,000, and all prizes are split between the individual educator and their school.

Nominations are open to all and completely free.

• Deputy Cross-Divisional Project

In response to ongoing employee and retiree concerns related to customer service and follow-through, the Office of the Deputy Superintendent has been charged with convening and leading multiple cross-divisional projects impacting school system operations.

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Staff Bulletin Archive

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

• 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, 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!

ICYMI: Virtual Instruction Days During Inclement Weather

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is providing local school systems with the option to repurpose inclement weather days as virtual school days. The BCPS draft plan was presented to the Board of Education on October 11 and then submitted to MSDE for approval. MSDE approved BCPS' plan on November 10.

These virtual instruction days will count towards the minimum required days of instruction under Maryland law. The Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan applies to the 2022-2023 school year only.

BCPS Teacher of the Year 2023-24

All BCPS Principals are asked to nominate one outstanding teacher on your staff as your school's Teacher of the Year (TOY) for 2023-24, who will then participate in next spring's BCPS Teacher of the Year competition and celebration. The annual program is a great opportunity to recognize an excellent educator as well as to honor all teachers throughout your school.

Nominations are open now and are due no later than the end of the business day on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. Contact: Charles Herndon, 443-809-4171.

“Share the Warmth” campaign collects winter accessories and wellness items for BCPS students

The Education Foundation effort focuses on collecting items through January

Community members are invited to contribute new/unused winter accessories and wellness items to support Baltimore County Public Schools students during the winter months.

Learn more in a BCPS news release.

SMOB Application Available Now

Applications for the 2023-2024 Student Member of the Board of Education of Baltimore County will be available beginning Thursday, December 1, 2022.

Each high school in Baltimore County can nominate up to two candidates to apply for Student Member of the Board. Applicants are required to read the application instructions and timeline carefully before submitting their online application. Only students who are current sophomores or juniors are eligible to apply.

Selected students will need to complete the online application by Friday, January 6, 2023. Applications will need to include letters of recommendation from a principal and other designated school staff, along with a resume and a short essay. Please direct students to the SMOB website for more information.

Contact: Stacey Wade.

1) Board Chair Julie Henn, along with state and county elected officials, recognized and thanked outgoing Board of Education members.

2) The Board recognized several BCPS students whose artwork was featured in the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

3) The Board discussed the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

4) The Board received a report on the Northeast and Southeast Area High School Study.

5) The Board received an update on school suspensions, climate, and culture.

6) The Board approved five administrative appointments.

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