Monday, September 14, 2026

State Supt. of Schools announces statewide decline in chronic absenteeism during event at Sudbrook Magnet Middle School

Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore and other dignitaries tour the school

Principal Webb greeting State Supt. of Schools Dr. Wright

First Lady Moore posing with Sudbrook students

On September 10 at Sudbrook Magnet Middle School, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright announced a four-year decline in the statewide chronic absenteeism rate, the lowest since the pandemic, reflecting significant progress in getting students back into Maryland classrooms. The new Maryland State Department of Education campaign, Maryland Shows Up, kicked off in early September to commemorate Attendance Awareness Month.

Dr. Wright was joined by State Board of Education President Dr. Joshua Michael and BCPS Superintendent Dr. Bill Heiser. Prior to the announcement, they toured the school with First Lady Dawn Moore, State Sen. Charles Sydnor III, Board of Education members, and others.

Video of the event can be viewed on YouTube, and more photos from the event can be found on Flickr.

Principal Webb, Supt. Dr. Heiser, State Supt. Dr. Wright, and State Board of Ed. President Dr. Michael

First Lady Moore speaking to a class

Join us for BCPS Curriculum Night this Wednesday, September 16

Free dinner provided!

Photos from a 2025 Curriculum Night



• Talk one-on-one with BCPS staff about how to support students at home.
• View curricular and instructional materials.
• Engage with representatives from county government agencies and nonprofit partners.

Free dinner will be provided.

Sign language interpretation will be provided. Spanish interpretation will be provided and 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.

Meet Community School Facilitator of the Year LeeAnne Barnett of Milbrook Elementary

Barnett profiled in honor of BCPS Community School Facilitators Appreciation Week, Sept. 13-19

In successfully nominating LeeAnne Barnett of Milbrook Elementary School as the 2026 BCPS Community School Facilitator of the Year, Elizabeth Smith (then assistant principal at Milbrook) wrote a document she titled “Why LeeAnne is Great!” In this document, Smith praised Barnett’s “extraordinary leadership, vision, and tireless commitment to our students, families, and staff” and credited Barnett with “building strong partnerships and creating meaningful opportunities that strengthen the fabric of our entire school community.”

Anne Gorman, Milbrook’s principal says, “Mrs. Barnett consistently works to ensure that everyone has the resources and support necessary to be successful and thrive. She is innovative in her approach, thinking outside the box to identify opportunities and secure resources that benefit our school community. Her commitment to finding unique and meaningful ways to support the Milbrook Family has strengthened relationships, student success, and contributed to a positive and supportive school environment.”

A new blog post describes Barnett's journey to becoming a community school facilitator and describes some of her work projects.

Share your thoughts on system priorities

All Team BCPS members are invited to share their thoughts on system priorities with the Superintendent's Transition Team via a new online survey.

Survey results will assist Dr. Heiser's Transition Team in assessing the school system’s current state of teaching and learning, operations, and culture/climate. The transition team is charged with identifying challenges and developing short-term and long-term recommendations for system progress in the following priority areas: Academic Excellence, Operational Readiness and Financial Sustainability, Talent Identification, and Community Engagement.

Application process for 2027-2028 magnet programs begins at noon on Tuesday, September 15

Magnet EXPO! to take place on Saturday, Sept. 19

The magnet application process for the 2027-2028 school year will begin at noon on Tuesday, September 15. BCPS magnet programs are available in elementary, middle, and high schools across the county. Descriptions of program offerings are available online.

Some key opportunities to learn more:

Magnet EXPO!

Saturday, September 19, from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

CCBC Essex Wellness and Athletic Center

7201 Rossville Blvd., Essex 21237

Photos from the 2025 Magnet EXPO!

Application Information Meetings

Students and families are also invited to attend one of two application information meetings: 

• Thursday, September 17, at 6 p.m.

Kenwood High School, 501 Stemmers Run Rd., Essex 21221

• Tuesday, September 22, at 6 p.m.

Milford Mill Academy, 3800 Washington Ave., Windsor Mill 21244

Application Assistance for Multilingual Families 

The Multilingual Achievement Liaison Team will be available to assist families with completing magnet applications at four sessions around the county.

• Tuesday, September 22, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Owings Mills Branch of Baltimore County Public Library, 10302 Grand Central Ave., Owings Mills 21117

• Wednesday, September 30, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Cockeysville Branch of Baltimore County Public Library, 9833 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21030

• Wednesday, October 7, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

White Marsh Branch of Baltimore County Public Library, 8133 Sandpiper Cir., Nottingham 21236

• Tuesday, October 13, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Multilingual Welcome Center, 6401 Leslie Rd., Baltimore 21209

School-based Showcase Events

Students and families seeking additional information about specific programs can view school websites and/or participate in school-based magnet showcase events in September and October.

Recent Honors

Two BCPS educators named 2026-2027 NEA Global Learning Fellows

Dr. Kelli Hickey of Stoneleigh Elementary and Edwin Pérez of Perry Hall High selected

Dr. Kelli Hickey, teacher and equity liaison, Stoneleigh Elementary School, and Edwin A. Pérez, Spanish teacher, Perry Hall High School, have been selected to serve as 2026–2027 Global Learning Fellows with The NEA Foundation.

Chosen from a highly competitive national pool, Hickey and Pérez will be part of a cohort of 50 educators from 41 NEA state affiliates.

Over the next year, they will engage in specialized coursework, national collaboration, and a 10-day international field study in Perú, bringing back impactful cross-cultural curriculum strategies to their classrooms.

9 BCPS students named National Merit semifinalists

Nine BCPS students have been named semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program coordinated by the National Merit Scholarship Corp.

The honored students are:

Of the 16,000 semifinalists selected nationally, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level and compete for about 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million.

This week's countywide spirit day: 
Attendance All-Stars Friday

Join Team BCPS in celebrating Attendance Awareness Month and recognizing the importance of on-time, regular school attendance by participating in a countywide spirit day each Friday in September.

September 18 is "Attendance All-Stars Friday." Staff and students are asked to wear a team or sports jersey to celebrate being "on the team" by attending every day.

Save the date for Meet the Primes

A free opportunity to connect small and minority-owned businesses with prime bidders to discuss potential subcontracting opportunities

BCPS invites prime contractors and small and minority-owned businesses to connect with each other at Meet the Primes 2026, the school system's 18th annual meet and greet networking event.

At this event, more than 100 state and local agencies will meet with small, minority, veteran-owned, and woman-owned firms looking to provide goods and services on public contracts across Maryland. Businesses can expand their professional networks while increasing opportunities to join subcontractor pools for future projects.

A published booklet available at the event will list all those who register prior to Wednesday, September 30. Registration will be open through Friday, October 2. Walk-ins are welcome. Meet the Primes is designed to be a low-pressure event. Those attending are encouraged to bring capability statements and references.

For more information, contact Cherelle Vasudevan at cvasudevan@bcps.org or 443-809-9948.

Interested in student leadership?

Applications accepted for Board of Selected Students (BOSS)

Through Friday, September 18, at 11:59 p.m.

Applications are open for BCPS middle and high school students interested in serving on the 2026-2027 Board of Selected Students (BOSS). BOSS acts as an advisory council for the Student Member of the Board of Education. Three representatives from each secondary school are invited to participate in discussions on current student issues. BOSS members are asked to share their schools’ views with Baltimore County Student Councils (BCSC) and to collaborate with other student leaders from across the county. BOSS meets monthly in a virtual setting with the possibility of one or two in-person meetings throughout the year. BOSS applications are open to students who are not already involved in student council/government leadership at their schools. 

Applications accepted for Baltimore County Student Council Committees

Through Friday, September 18, at 11:59 p.m.

Applications are open for BCPS middle and high school students interested in serving on one of four BCSC committees: Environmental, Culture & Climate, Student Resources, and Student Member of the Board (SMOB) Outreach. BCSC committees meet monthly in a virtual setting with the possibility of additional subcommittee meetings as needed. 

Focus on Families

from BCPS Parent University

Don't miss the following upcoming Parent University workshops

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to sign up for virtual Parent University workshops. Registration is required. 

“Here for It! Partnering to Support Strong Attendance”

Wednesday, September 16, at 12:30 p.m.

In this virtual session, presented by Emily Caster, coordinator of Student Support Services, caregivers will learn about the importance of daily attendance and how to support their child's success. This session will provide practical information about why attendance matters, how it impacts academic progress, and simple strategies families can use to build consistent routines.

“Budgeting & Saving”

Wednesday, September 23, at 12:30 p.m.

In this virtual session, presented by Brian Peller, community relations officer for Freedom Federal Credit Union, participants will learn why budgeting is important, how to create a written budget, ways to balance a budget, great ways to start savings, and how to create an emergency savings account. Participants will receive a copy of the seminar and a budgeting worksheet.

Still need vaccines? The Baltimore County Department of Health can help!

The Baltimore County Department of Health is offering several vaccine clinics in schools to help students get their required vaccines. Please note that, for all these clinics, pre-registration is encouraged but not required. 

Around the County

Chesapeake High School commemorates 9/11

Chesapeake High School STEM Academy’s Homeland Security program, led by teacher Adam Rothwell, coordinated a display of approximately 1,850 flags to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The flags, which were placed in the ground by students and administrators, are sponsored by Chesapeake affiliates as well as Rice Law, Ravens Roost 73, and Pizza Johns. Leading up to 9/11, Lindsey MacGregor, outreach manager/projects director, from Congressman Johnny Olszewski’s office, and Jessica Klaitman, regional director, from Senator Chris Van Hollen’s office, spoke to students about the value of civic engagement.

Art Showcase

"The Very Hungry Flamingo" by Ariana C., Grade 7, Loch Raven Technical Academy. This artwork is featured in the BCPS Middle School Juried Art Exhibition, which can be viewed online. Selected pieces from the exhibition will be on display in the BCPS Administration Building, Greenwood Campus, through Monday, September 21.

Mission Moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and BCPS announce new STEM Centers at Cedarmere, Dogwood, and Featherbed Lane elementary schools

Schools can apply now for new STEM Center opportunities

A Lansdowne Middle School student in her school's STEM Center (2024)

In a new Mission Moment blog post, The Education Foundation announces that the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, in partnership with BCPS is creating new state-of-the-art STEM Centers at Cedarmere, Dogwood, and Featherbed Lane elementary schools. This increases the number of STEM Centers in BCPS schools to 24.

Through its National STEM Center Initiative, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has opened more than 850 STEM Centers nationwide, providing students across the country with access to education, technology, and resources designed to develop skills in science, technology, engineering, and math, and introducing students to educational and career opportunities in STEM fields.

The Ripken Foundation and BCPS are exploring the potential to add six more STEM Centers during the 2026–2027 school year. BCPS schools can apply now to be considered. The application window closes on Friday, April 30, 2027.

The full meeting can be viewed online.

Highlights from Dr. Heiser

September 14, 2026

Dear Team BCPS:

It was our great honor last week to host State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Board of Education President Dr. Joshua Michael, Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore, State Senator Charles Sydnor III, Board of Education members, and other dignitaries at Sudbrook Magnet Middle School for an event focused on statewide efforts to improve school attendance.

Principal Gordon Webb and his staff and students were exceptional hosts, and Principal Webb shared the impressive story of Sudbrook's successful efforts to improve attendance and academic progress.

Systemwide, BCPS is committed to fostering a culture of attendance excellence, promoting equitable access to education, and implementing innovative strategies to ensure every student attends school regularly and reaches their fullest potential. I am pleased to report that last school year, 148 BCPS schools further reduced their chronic absenteeism rates. Additionally, 129 BCPS schools met their chronic absenteeism targets.

We are truly proud of the work happening here in BCPS, and we will continue to work diligently to remove all barriers that may impact a student’s ability to show up ready to learn.

And speaking of learning, I look forward to seeing all of you this Wednesday, September 16, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Pikesville Middle School for BCPS Curriculum Night. This will be a great opportunity for families to learn more about what their children will be studying this year.

Sincerely,

Bill Heiser, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Upcoming Board and community meetings

All are welcome to attend

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, September 22, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204

PTA Council of Baltimore County Fall Workshops and General Meeting

Thursday, September 24, at 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

West Towson Elementary School, 6914 N. Charles St., Towson 21204