Monday, June 5, 2023

Let's Hear It for the Class of 2023!

Don't forget to share your favorite snapshots using #bcpsgrad

Graduations are underway for the Class of 2023! The BCPS graduation schedule and live streams are available on the BCPS Graduation Ceremonies 2023 webpage. Photo albums from BCPS commencement exercises will be added to the BCPS Flickr page as they become available.

In addition, BCPS invites students, parents, and staff to submit their favorite 2023 high school commencement snapshots on social media using #bcpsgrad. To contribute a photo via email, individuals are asked to send the photo as a jpeg file (no larger than 4 MB), and email it to communications@bcps.org, including the school name.

Members of the BCPS community are invited to participate in eight upcoming community events to learn about and meet Dr. Myriam Yarbrough, the incoming superintendent. During the events, Dr. Yarbrough will share information about key priorities for the upcoming school year, hear from members of the Team BCPS community and answer questions. Dr. Yarbrough will begin her tenure as BCPS superintendent on July 1, 2023.

Thursday, June 15, 6 - 7 p.m.

New Town High School - Media Center

Wednesday, June 21, 6 - 7 p.m.

Carver Center - Cafeteria

Thursday, June 22, 6 - 7 p.m.*

Dundalk/Sollers Point - Sollers Café

Wednesday, July 5, 6 - 7 p.m.*

Catonsville High School - Cafeteria

Thursday, July 6, 6 - 7 p.m.

Perry Hall High School - Cafeteria

Monday, July 10, 6 - 7 p.m.*

Kenwood High School - Cafeteria

Thursday, July 13, 6 - 7 p.m.*

Loch Raven High School - Cafeteria

Tuesday, July 18, 6 - 7 p.m.

Randallstown High School - Cafeteria

*Spanish interpretation will be provided

Back-To-School Immunization Clinics

Baltimore County Department of Health

A digital flyer from the Baltimore County Department of Health provides a helpful overview of BCPS' required vaccines.


Bring your child to a Baltimore County health center in your area to get needed shots or make an appointment with your pediatrician as soon as possible! Summertime is an excellent time to avoid the rush! Schedule with your pediatrician today or call 410-887-2705 for an appointment at a Baltimore County community health center.


Free vaccines are available for those who:

• Have Medical Assistance or MCHP.

• Have no health insurance.

• Have health insurance that does not pay for vaccine.

• Are 18 years old or younger.

• Attend a BCDH Mass Vaccine Clinic.

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.

Celebrating this year's School Counselors of the Year, School Advocate of the Year

Please join us in congratulating this year's School Counseling Award recipients, who were recognized by the Baltimore County Association for Counseling and Development.


Elementary School Counselor of the Year

Erin Ruocco, West Towson Elementary School


Middle School Counselor of the Year

Amy Selby, Deep Creek Magnet Middle School


High School Counselor of the Year

Emily Dewlin, Dundalk High School


Elementary School Rookie Counselor of the Year

Samantha Lutters, Deep Creek Elementary School


Middle School Rookie Counselor of the Year

Stacey Jones, Middle River Middle School


High School Rookie Counselor of the Year

Milan Amos, Catonsville High School


School Counselor Advocate of the Year

Adam Carney, Principal, Cockeysville Middle School

Recognizing our School Resource Officers of the Year!

Last week, BCPS and the Baltimore County Police Department recognized this year's School Resource Officers (SRO) of the Year with surprise visits at their assigned schools!


Congratulations to:

Elementary School SRO of the Year

Officer Sloane Fuller

Middle School SRO of the Year

Officer Bryan Dixon, Middle River Middle School

High School SRO of the Year

Officer Kawahn Young, Woodlawn High School

Please join us in congratulating our student athletes and teams who were recognized at the state level during the 2023 spring season!


"I am so proud of these high-achieving student athletes who have demonstrated the value of hard work and determination," said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. "I'd also like to thank their coaches, athletic trainers, physical education teachers, and families for their support."

Baltimore County Community Leaders Award Program - Call for Nominations!



Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski has issued a call for nominations for the inaugural Baltimore County Community Heroes Awards, which will recognize seven individuals - one from each County Council district - who have made significant and meaningful contributions to their communities and for their selfless dedication to making a difference for those around them.


Nominees must reside in Baltimore County. Current Baltimore County employees and elected officials are not eligible. Nominations are open until June 30, 2023.

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

Nourishing Our Youth Round Up Program

Special Announcement from Giant Food


Giant Food is partnering with BCPS to help support children facing food insecurity. From June 16 through July 27, everyone who shops at Giant Food will be invited to "Round Up at the Register" and donate the round up amount to the program fund or donate online through Giant Delivers and Giant Pickup. Giant Food will also include the option to include your FLEX points that are converted into grocery dollars.


We ask for your help to ensure the program is a great success! These funds will be provided directly to BCPS Food and Nutrition to address food insecurity in our school communities.

for parents
from BCPS Parent University

NEW on the BCPS Parent University: In the Know Podcast: A Day in the Life of a Third Grader

The transition from Grade 2 to Grade 3 can be one of the biggest leaps you will see your child make. By Grade 3, children become more socially aware, and there are significant academic changes. In this podcast, you will hear tips from students, teacher, administrator, and parents.


Part 1 and Part 2 of "A Day in the Life of a Third Grader" are available for listening now!

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.

for your viewing pleasure

"A Few of My Favorite Things" by Rodney Sepulveda, Grade 5, Chase Elementary School, from the "2023 BCPS 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

Contributing to a Brighter Future, Part III: Senior Scholarships

A new Mission Moment blog post announces the recipients of 35 scholarships provided through The Education Foundation Scholarship Program and The Education Foundation Private Philanthropic Scholarship Program.


The Foundation awards scholarships for post-secondary education and technical and trade school opportunities for graduating seniors. These scholarships vary in academic focus and support a variety of needs from tuition feeds to living expenses, to purchasing books, as well as many other expenses. This year's scholarships total $53,950.

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

June 5, 2023


Dear Team BCPS,


The end of the school year is always a time for celebration. Each year, I look forward to celebrating our high-achieving students and staff in a multitude of ways.


It is with tremendous gratitude that I congratulate this year's School Counseling Award Winners as well as our School Resource Officers of the Year. Our School Counselors provide a strong support system that is paramount to student success. Additionally, School Resource Officers play a vital role in our schools, and we are grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Baltimore County Police Department.


Recently, we have celebrated BCPS student athletes who were recognized at the state level during the spring 2023 season, talented student artists whose work will be displayed at the 35th annual High School Art exhibition, and of course, our Class of 2023 graduates.


As we begin the final five-day week of the school year, I'd like to take a moment to celebrate each member of Team BCPS! There is so much we have achieved this year, together again.


Sincerely,


Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

VISIT THE BCPS WEBSITE