Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Students from six schools share the results of their independent research

Student Independent Research Symposium presentations can be viewed online

The 11th annual Student Independent Research Symposium showcases the results of original research conducted by students at six BCPS high schools during the 2022–23 school year.

Under the direction of their library media specialists, 30 students at Catonsville, Eastern Tech, Franklin, Hereford, Parkville, and Western Tech high schools engaged in a year-long research process culminating in their research presentations. Topics ranged widely and included how video games affect the brain, the benefits of career exploration during high school, TikTok's capacity for political discourse, the relationship between gender variance and autism, mitigating the impacts of systemic racism in American healthcare, and the impact of composting.

An abstract and video presentation of each project can be viewed online.

Please take our survey about converting inclement weather days to virtual school days

Survey closes Sunday, June 4

The Maryland State Department of Education will allow local school systems to repurpose certain days as virtual school days in the 2023-2024 school year. The BCPS 2023-2024 school calendar includes three inclement weather days.

As we plan for next winter weather, BCPS would like to know your preferences. Please complete an online survey by Sunday, June 4, 2023. Input gathered will be used to inform our implementation plan.

There IS such a thing as a free lunch – and a free breakfast, too! All summer long!!

Baltimore County Public Schools will offer free breakfast and lunch meals to all youth up to age 18 through the annual Summer Food Service Program.

The program will begin on Tuesday, June 20, and continue through Friday, August 18. Meals will be served Monday through Friday, but meal sites will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. All meals must be consumed on site. 

Breakfast and lunch will be served at selected schools and lunch only will be served at several public library branches. Check online for the sites closest to you and the times when meals will be served.

Chesapeake High teacher named one of "20 to Watch" in education technology

Justin Patterson, interactive media production instructor and technology education department chair at Chesapeake High School STEM Academy, has received a prestigious “20 to Watch Award” from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The award will be presented at the annual ISTE conference, June 25-28, in Philadelphia. 

Earlier this year, Patterson was named Region 1 Teacher of the Year by Magnet Schools of America. Last fall, he was recognized as the BCPS Magnet Teacher of the Year. 

Hereford High graduating senior named Baltimore County Young Woman of the Year

Samantha Warfel, a graduating senior at Hereford High School, has been named Baltimore County's Young Woman of the Year by the Baltimore County Commission for Women. She will be honored at a ceremony on Thursday, June 22.  

Throughout her high school career, Warfel has been involved in various service and leadership initiatives, including serving as president of Baltimore County Students Councils since 2020.



In the fall, Warfel will attend Yale University to study global affairs on a pre-law track.

Please participate in the Maryland Public Schools Strategic Planning Survey



The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is seeking feedback from BCPS staff, students, and families for the Maryland Public Schools Strategic Planning Survey. Responses will help MSDE and the Maryland State Board of Education draft a multi-year strategic plan for the future of the state's education system. The survey is available in multiple languages.

BCPS students of all ages can register now for Baltimore County Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge. The challenge begins on Saturday, June 3, and will conclude on Saturday, August 26. Students who read for 10 hours can pick up completion prizes and enter in prize drawings!  

In keeping with the "All Together Now" theme, library branches will be offer fun and engaging programs so that youth can connect with others through science, art, culture, music and dance. Programs include:



• Japanese Drumming with Mark H. Rooney
• Intro to West African Culture with Kofi Dennis
• Mexican Folk Dance with Bailes de Mi Tierra
• Art Workshop with Arturo Ho
• Classical Indian Dance with Prakriti Dance and more

Library introduces "Be Surprised Bundles"

What to read next?

What to do next?

Want some help figuring it out?

Baltimore County Public Library has just launched a new service. You give the library staff some ideas about your interests, and they will put together a surprise customized bundle of up to five items for you to try. The bundle might include books, graphic novels, music CDs, DVDs, even learning tablets.

To get started, complete the online request form for adults or the one for children and teens.

Get "In the Know" about PreKindergarten and Kindergarten registration and about the Parent University podcast

A new "In the Know" video features PreKindergarten and Kindergarten registration activities at Sandy Plains Elementary School and encourages parents across the county to register young learners as soon as possible.

A second "In the Know" video promotes the latest episode of the Parent University podcast, "A Day in the Life of a Third Grader." In the episode, students, parents, teachers, and principals explore the changes from Grade 2 to Grade 3.

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.

"Pomegranate for Persephone" by Joselyn Chavarria, Grade 10, Overlea High School, from the "2023 BCPS Art is for Everyone" exhibition

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Contributing to a brighter future, Part II

A new Mission Moment blog post highlights three ways that The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., supports students and community members in exploring their interests, honing their skills, and becoming successful contributors to society.

Featured in the post are:



• Dr. Heather Wooldridge, the foundation's associate director, receiving a grant to fund Makerspace kits for BCPS schools.
• Foundation support for 175 high school students, participants in the Teacher Academy of Maryland program, to take the ParaPro exam.
• The foundation's involvement in the BCPS student intern professional development day.

Learn more about BCPS summer programs

A newly updated webpage showcases the many academic programs and resources available to BCPS students and parents to support continued growth. Offerings include programs for English learners and students with disabilities, math enrichment programs, and more.

A Word from Dr. Williams, Superintendent

May 30, 2023

Dear Team BCPS,

We are just two weeks away from the last day of school – but teaching and learning continue in our classrooms across the county AND will continue throughout the summer through various programs, resources, and camps being offered by the school system.

I encourage families to visit the Summer Programs page of our website and to talk to their children's teachers for additional ideas and information.

I also encourage families to register for and participate in Baltimore County Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge and to take advantage of the public library's many activities and services.

Finally, I am pleased to promote our annual summer meals program, offering free breakfast and lunch at selected schools across the county and free lunch in several public library branches.

Summer is a vital time for students to explore their interests and their communities. It is also a valuable period to continue learning, and BCPS is proud to offer many supports.

Sincerely,

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

CORRECTION

An article in the last issue of this newsletter incorrectly stated that, "After July 1, the Student Member of the Board will be able to vote on all matters before the Board except personnel matters."

Here is the corrected statement: "A new law expands Baltimore County Student Member of the Board voting rights to include capital and operating budget matters. The Student Member of the Board will remain unable to vote on collective bargaining, termination of certificated employees, and school closings, reopenings, and boundaries."

We apologize for the error.