Thursday, October 13, 2022

Color for Character Week is Back Oct 17 - 21!

As part of the 2022-2023 Mind Over Matters Campaign, BCPS "Color for Character Week" is back! Each day of the week, student and staff are encouraged to wear a specific color to represent character traits that all people should demonstrate. Share photos on social media using #BCPSCares.

Monday - BCPS Blue

Civility

Tuesday - Green

Equity

Wednesday - Orange

Unity

Thursday - Red

Respect

Friday - Purple

Positivity

Mind Over Matters is an ongoing movement to raise awareness about mental health and promote wellness for BCPS students and staff. Additionally, BCPS is partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (and participating in the Out of the Darkness Walk. The Baltimore Walk will begin at 401 Light St, Baltimore 21202 on Saturday, October 29, at 9:30 a.m. We encourage BCPS staff, students, and community members to participate. You can create your own team, or you are welcome to join Team BCPS.

FEATURED VIDEO:

Carver Center Cosmetology Program

This new BCPS-TV video spotlights the Cosmetology Program at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Secondary Principals:  Board of Selected Students application now open!

Baltimore County Student Councils (BCSC) invites secondary students to apply for membership on the Board of Selected Students (BOSS) for the 2022-2023 school year. BOSS applications are open to students who are not currently engaged in student council.

Interested students should apply by completing the BOSS application. A recommendation from a BCPS staff member is required. Applications are due by Oct. 30, at 11:59 p.m. For more information or questions, please email Stacey Wade at swade@bcps.org.

• We're hiring – Spread the word

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

• BCPS Serve Knowledge Base

The Division of Information Technology is pleased to announce the launch of a new self-help tool called the BCPS Serve Knowledge Base. Use the knowledge base to search for answers to common support questions such as “How do I reset my password?” Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post

• Seasonal flu vaccine clinics

1) All BCPS employees with Kaiser or Cigna health coverage can receive the seasonal flu vaccines from their regular healthcare providers at no cost. 

2) The Baltimore County Department of Health is offering free flu vaccines to all Baltimore County residents from October 22 - 27. Details are available in English and Spanish. Vaccines are free regardless of insurance, and no appointment or proof of insurance is necessary.

3) Kaiser Mobile Vaccine Clinic will be giving free flu vaccines to anyone 18 years of age and older at the Greenwood Campus, E Building parking lot, on Thursday, October 20, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. Employees, retirees, and community members are welcome! Vaccines are free to all regardless of insurance. No appointment necessary

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Commemorations and Observances - Policy 6304

The Board of Education requires the commemoration and observance of certain days and events when required by law or identified by the Board as a day of national significance. Commemoration of special days and events shall be observed in a manner that enriches the instructional program.

Upcoming commemorations and observances include:

• Native American Heritage Month (November)

• Veterans Day* (Friday, November 11)

• Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 24)

• Pearl Harbor Day* (Wednesday, December 7)

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 16)

• Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and Constitution Day (Monday, January 30)

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post

• BCPS Intern Festival

October 24, 26 & 27 | 4:45 - 6:40 p.m.

6901 Charles Street | Greenwood Campus | Building E

Towson 21204

Current BCPS teaching interns are invited to an event to learn more about teaching opportunities with the school system, including teacher supports and career pathway options. At the event, interns can meet current first year teachers, interview with principals (or schedule interviews), and meet with system leaders, human resources staff, and representatives from the Teachers Association of Baltimore County.

• Staff Device Refresh

During the 22-23 school year, staff devices will be refreshed/replaced. The new devices are HP ProBooks 445. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post

• 2022 Teacher as Artist Exhibition

The annual Teacher as Artist Exhibition recognizes BCPS art teachers, both past and present, for their work as professional artists. The exhibit features 22 artworks showcased at the Greenwood Administration Building, 6901 N. Charles Street, Towson 21204. Artworks will be on display through Friday, October 28. The virtual exhibition will be open to view on Monday, October 10, 2022. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• U.S. Department of Education Presents: Federal Financial Aid Virtual Bootcamp

The October 18 and 20 sessions are free of charge, and online registration is open now.

School Bus Safety Week and BCPS Transportation Appreciation Day

The third week of October is National School Bus Safety Week! Last year, BCPS-TV teamed up with the Office of Transportation to share some tips to keep students safe.

Also, Wednesday, October 19, is BCPS Transportation Appreciation Day! Please join us in celebrating and thanking our hardworking transportation team members who safely transport tens of thousands of students to and from school every day!

Meet Sharnetta Green, building operations supervisor at Riderwood Elementary School

Sharnetta Green, building operations supervisor at Riderwood Elementary School, says that her responsibilities include maintaining everything from ceiling and floor tiles, HVAC, lighting, plumbing, electrical, and painting to building cleanliness and supervising a staff of three.

Before joining BCPS in 2014, she worked at Bethlehem Steel for 34 years.

Learn more in a new BCPS Blog article.

America's Safe Schools Week

In recognition of America's Safe Schools Week (October 16 - 22), BCPS highlights systemwide efforts to enhance school safety, including the addition of student safety assistants in all secondary schools for the 2022-23 school year and our continued partnership with the Baltimore County Police Department.

In addition, the Student Code of Conduct was updated ahead of this school year, changes were made to improve safety at athletics events, and BCPS has plans to continue community conversations about safety throughout the school year and beyond.

Superintendent Williams Featured in New Podcast Episode

In a new episode of Ed's Not Dead, "a podcast covering today's hottest education issues," BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl Williams joins to discuss his experience from teacher to principal to superintendent. The episode is available now online.

In Case You Missed It: Salary Scale Message

The following message was sent to all Team BCPS staff on Thursday, Oct. 6.

Dear Team BCPS Staff:

Updated employee salary scales for fiscal year 2023, which reflect recently approved increases, are now available online (Salary Scales Mid-December). 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.

Communications will follow with specific dates. Staff will receive union-specific salary information from association leadership in the coming weeks.

Thank you.

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D. Superintendent

BCPS IN THE NEWS

Sparrows Point field hockey's Emily Bean battled back from illness to play senior season

Emily Bean was one of Sparrows Point top scorers in field hockey last season despite battling constant pain in her legs. After one surgery and with more ahead, she's back on the field. Learn more in a Baltimore Sun article.

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