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Getting to know some of BCPS' talented and dedicated school social workers
Celebrating National School Social Work Week 2023
A new blog post features brief profiles of five BCPS school social workers. The profiles highlight their responsibilities, approaches, engagement in their school communities, and backgrounds. By spotlighting these five professionals, BCPS celebrates the invaluable contributions of all its school social workers.
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Michael Benaderet, LCSW-C, General John Stricker
Middle School
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JoAnna Durham, LCSW-C, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science | |
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Traci Harris, LCSW-C, Pleasant Plains
Elementary School
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Hilary R. Hellerbach, LCSW-C,
Battle Monument School
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Jenn Yelton, LCSW-C,
Towson High School
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About free breakfast and lunch
We are pleased to share that Baltimore County Public Schools intends to provide free breakfast and lunch to all BCPS students, beginning next school year (2023-2024).
Students in 87 BCPS schools currently receive free meals as part of the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. The CEP program allows public schools and local educational agencies located in low-income areas to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students and it eliminates the burden of collecting household applications to determine eligibility for school meal programs. Individual schools, groups of schools and school systems qualify for this program based on the number of students (≥40 percent) who are directly certified for free meals based on existing data from needs-based programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and children who are homeless or in other special circumstances. Due to increased eligibility across the county, it is anticipated that BCPS will be able to adopt a systemwide CEP model next school year.
More information will be available once official eligibility data is released by the Maryland State Department of Education in April. We will provide Team BCPS with updates on the implementation of the free meal service later in the spring.
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Beyond BCPS: Western Tech grads launch SYP Foundation to support student success | | |
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Ten young professionals, all of them former BCPS students, nine of them graduates of Western School of Technology, have established the SYP Foundation.
While they are busy building their own careers, these young men are also working to help the next generation avoid some of the struggles they faced.
The SYP Foundation engages in community service activities, especially related to food and housing, but its focus is on offering scholarships to students in Baltimore City and Baltimore County public schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
A new blog post introduces the founders and further explores the mission of the foundation.
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See BCPS student art hanging on the walls of the Baltimore Museum of Art | |
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Parents/guardians encouraged to take special education survey
BCPS parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services are asked to complete the 2022 Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey over the next few weeks. The information you provide will help guide the state’s efforts in improving special education and related services in public schools. The survey is anonymous and can be completed online. The deadline to complete the survey is May 19.
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Beyond BCPS: Ian Wright, Franklin High School graduate
Serving the community through a career in law
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Ian Wright as a young athlete | |
Ian Wright, right, with his father, a retired judge, at a bar association dinner in 2023 | |
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Throughout his years as a student at Franklin elementary, middle, and high schools, Ian Wright enjoyed music, sports, science, nature, and journalism.
Now an attorney, Wright supervises 10 attorneys in the Circuit Court division of the Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office. “I love my work,” Wright says. “I live in Baltimore County, and through this work, I get to be a public servant and serve my community, which is so rewarding. In addition, I am helping to protect victims and also rehabilitate offenders.”
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Applications accepted now for the Baltimore County Summer Youth Employment Program | |
The Baltimore County Summer Youth Employment Program offers youth ages 14–21 the opportunity to work up to 25 hours each week from July 3 to August 11. Youth selected for jobs will earn $15 per hour. Please note that applying to the program does not guarantee job placement. Apply now! Any questions? Please send them to youthservices@baltimorecountymd.gov. | |
Save the date for the BCPS/CCBC College Fair! | |
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The Community College of Baltimore County, in collaboration with BCPS, is hosting College Fair 2023. At the event, students and their parents can meet representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and military and trade schools.
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CCBC Dundalk
Tuesday, March 14, from 6–8 p.m.
Wellness and Athletics Center
7200 Sollers Point Rd., Dundalk 21222
For more information, call 443.840.3058.
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CCBC Catonsville
Wednesday, March 15, from 6–8 p.m.
Jack Manley Wellness and Athletics Center
360 Campus Dr., Catonsville 21228
For more information, call 443.840.4304.
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for parents
from BCPS Parent University
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Register now for a free, self-paced course on helping an anxious child | |
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The "Building Confidence, Trust, & Hope: Three Things to Help an Anxious Child" course is being offered by Parent University in collaboration with Mariposa Education. The free, self-paced course is designed for parents/caregivers of children ages 3–11. Optional in-person coaching and meetings will be offered. The course becomes available on Thursday, March 16. Parents/caregivers can register now.
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You are invited to help review the BCPS and Title I District Level Family Engagement Plan | |
for your viewing pleasure | |
"Maria Prymachenko-Inspired Animal Drawing in Wixie" by Olivia Doran, Grade 4, Virtual Learning Program/Elementary from the BCPS 2023 Winter Art Exhibition | |
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mission moment
from The Education Foundation of BCPS
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Are you ready for Let's Play Ball! 2023? | |
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Let’s Play Ball! 2023 will take place on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Rd., Towson 21204.
The event will be hosted by The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., in partnership with The Baseball Warehouse, LLC, League of Dreams, Inc., and supported by the Ed Reed Foundation and BCPS Allied Sports. BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams will serve as the honorary event chair.
The day will include:
- a skills clinic facilitated by League of Dreams for BCPS middle school allied sports athletes.
- a Home Run Derby, in which local celebrities will compete against baseball legends to see who can hit the most homeruns.
- a softball game of BCPS administrators versus BCPS educators in a star-studded softball game. All-Star Major League baseball legends Mike Bordick and Rick Dempsey will serve as team coaches.
- a Vendor Village, food trucks, and more!
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A Word from Dr. Williams, Superintendent | |
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March 6, 2023
Dear Team BCPS,
This month, BCPS celebrates Women’s History Month by honoring the many women who contribute to the success of the school system.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 76 percent of public school teachers are female. In BCPS, women are also schoolhouse and central office administrators at the highest levels, and they make invaluable contributions to the life of the school system and community.
While we acknowledge the past during Women’s History Month, we also continue to expand learning opportunities for our female students and to encourage them to see unlimited paths for their future. We nurture them in preparation for the history they will make.
Sincerely,
Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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