Monday, March 27, 2023

Meet the Student Member of the Board for 2023-2024: Kayla Drummond of Parkville High School

Middle and high school students from across Baltimore County have selected Parkville High School junior Kayla Drummond to serve as the student member of the Board of Education of Baltimore County (SMOB) for the 2023-2024 school year. Drummond’s one-year term begins July 1, 2023.


Drummond is an honor roll student at Parkville and serves as a class officer and in leadership roles in the school’s AVID Club, Student Council, and in the One Love Club. She is a National Society of High School Scholars Ambassador and member of the Rho Kappa National Honor Society, and she has been a member of Parkville’s varsity and junior varsity cheerleading squads. Active in community service, she has volunteered at Manna House, the Love for Our Elders program, and at AVID Family Night. She has also worked as a camp counselor at the YMCA of Central Maryland. 

The finalists will be celebrated at a special Champions for Children Celebration Gala at 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Road, in Towson. At that event, Baltimore County’s teacher, principal, and assistant principal of the year will be announced.


In addition, the April 19 gala will also celebrate a variety of other all-star school supporters, including a “Rising Star” Teacher of the Year, Supervisory Leader of the Year, Supporting Services Employee of the Year, Bus Driver/Attendant of the Year, AFSCME Employee of the Year, Volunteer Champion, and Business Partner Champion. 

Pot Spring Elementary School Grade 3 students discover their power to protect the environment

After taking a walking field trip, Grade 3 students from Pot Spring Elementary School discovered that soil erosion was damaging Springlake Pond. Once they were back in the classroom, the students wrote letters to the Springlake Community Association urging the association to act. In response, Ron Boone, chair of the Springlake Community Pond Preservation Committee, worked with the Springlake Community Pool on a solution. A new blog post delves into the story and the role a Towson University professor and Towson University interns played.

Please take an online survey about the superintendent search

BCPS parents, caregivers, staff, students, and community members are invited to take an online survey about the educational priorities and leadership qualities they want to see in the next superintendent. The survey closes on Saturday, April 1.

Parents/caregivers encouraged to take Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey

BCPS parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services are asked to complete the online Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey by Friday, May 19. The information you provide will help guide the state's efforts in improving special education.

BCPS student leaders to host 5K walk and community fair in honor of former staff advisor

Community invited to participate, support 

Nora Murray Memorial Walk


Saturday, April 15,

from 9–11:30 a.m.

 

Hereford High School 17301 York Rd.

Parkton 21120


Online registration is $30 for adults (ages 18+), $15 for students (ages 6–17), and free for children under age 6. Free T-shirts will be provided to all paid participants who register by March 30.


In-person registration on the day of the event will be available by cash or check only.

Baltimore County Student Councils and Baltimore County Junior Councils are co-hosting the Nora Murray Memorial Walk, a 5K walk and community fair to support FINISH Sarcoma. (Sarcoma is a rare cancer.) The event is being held in memory of Catherine “Nora” Murray, the former coordinator of BCPS student leadership programs and a co-founder of FINISH Sarcoma. The community is invited to participate. All proceeds will benefit FINISH Sarcoma to support sarcoma patients and their families, sarcoma research funding, and promoting sarcoma awareness.  

for parents
from BCPS Parent University

Still time to register for two Parent University virtual workshops offered this week

"What Children Need When Stress is Rising"

Tuesday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m.

Presented by Mariposa Education

Years into the pandemic, the pressure to help children heal, socialize, and catch up academically is creating more stress on parents and children. Relationships are being strained and tested. In this virtual workshop, parents and caregivers will examine specific factors that contribute to resilience in the face of adversity as well as specific things they can do to quiet the stress response, increase connection, and help their child reengage. Registration is required.

"Being the Best Advocate for Your Child at School and in the Community"

Wednesday, March 29, at 4:30 p.m.

Presented by Special Education Resource Center

Parents and families play an important role in how well their children do in school and in the community. They are the first agents for identifying children’s strengths and concerns, opening doors to support and services, and ensuring those doors remain open to meet their children’s needs. Can they be even more effective? This virtual workshop will be presented by Mirian Ofonedu, Ph.D., LCSW-C, director of training, Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities, Kennedy Krieger Institute. Registration is required.

Looking for more ideas and information? Please sign up for the Parent University newsletter! It is designed specifically for parents and caregivers and offers ideas, information, resources, and opportunities.

New episode released of "Entertainment Blvd"

The latest episode of "Entertainment Blvd," hosted by Hailey Greaves, features  Runa Matsushita of Towson High School, the 2023 BCPS Young Soloist; performances of "The Waltz of the Flower" and "Snow" from "The Nutcracker" performed by Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts students; and an interview with award-winning visual arts content leader Vernon Fains of Pine Grove Middle School.

for your viewing pleasure

"Untitled" by Kara Foertsch, Grade 6, Cockeysville Middle School, from the "Art is for Everyone" exhibition.

To see more artwork by BCPS students, teachers, and other members of the BCPS community, please visit the Office of Visual Arts gallery webpage.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Here, there, and everywhere, Part II: The Education Foundation supports student, school success in even more ways

The latest Mission Moment blog post shares three examples of the many ways The Education Foundation supports the success of BCPS students and schools, highlighting a recent board meeting at Western School of Technology and Environmental Science; participating in the BCPS job fair; and supporting the BCPS Black History Month Writing Contest.

A Word from Dr. Williams, Superintendent

March 27, 2023


Dear Team BCPS,


Last week's State of the School's 2023 gala, presented in partnership with The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., was a tremendous success! The event was held on the campus of Dundalk High School and Sollers Point Technical High School and featured remarks from foundation and board leadership and award-winning educators, and included student-created performances, artwork, and even donuts.


Many thanks to the staff and students whose hard work and dedication contributed to the incredible event, as well as Chick-fil-A Eastpoint, Flowers and Fancies, Media Star Promotions, and VPC, Inc., for their generous in-kind donations.


A recording of the full program is available for viewing online. Photos from the event are available in a BCPS Flickr album.


Before the program's conclusion, I delivered the annual State of the Schools address highlighting staff and student accomplishments, underscoring the importance of partnerships, and expressing my confidence that the school system is well-poised for continued success as we move forward, together again.


As I near the conclusion of my tenure, I appreciated the opportunity to thank my family and friends, as well as the entire Team BCPS community, for their support of my work as superintendent.


Sincerely, 


Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

VISIT THE BCPS WEBSITE