Tell us how we are doing! The 2023 BCPS Stakeholder Climate Survey has launched | |
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The 2023 BCPS Stakeholder Climate Survey is open now through Friday, March 3.
BCPS invites students in Grades 3-12, parents/caregivers, staff, and community members to participate in the school system’s annual Stakeholder Climate Survey. The brief online survey will be available in multiple languages. Survey feedback is used by schools to refine School Progress Plans as well as by BCPS to measure progress toward goals in The Compass strategic plan.
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Throughout the Month of February, Team BCPS will celebrate and recognize Black History Month in its schools and offices and on social media!
Black History Month Writing Contest - The Office of English Language Arts and the Office of Social Studies are co-sponsoring a writing contest for all students in Grades K–12.
All entries must be submitted by Friday, February 10. More information is available in an online flyer. Questions? Contact klochary@bcps.org.
Black History Month Trivia Tuesdays - Please join us on Instagram story (@teambcps) every Tuesday in February at 3:00 p.m. Stories will be live for 24 hours and will also be archived in our Instagram highlights.
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On Friday, January 27, BCPS announced three finalists for the upcoming Student Member of the Board (SMOB) election. The candidates were selected following application reviews and interviews with a panel of students and staff.
Congratulations to:
1) Nick Dimitriades, Grade 11, Towson High School
2) Kayla Drummond, Grade 11, Parkville High School
3) Nathan Harris, Grade 11, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Recorded speeches from the candidates will be available online, on social media, and in selected English language arts and social studies classes beginning on February 21. On March 23, BCPS middle and high school students will cast ranked-choice votes to select the 2023-2024 SMOB. More information is available in a BCPS news release.
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Middle school students encouraged to enter National Civics Bee
Deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 24
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The National Civics Bee is "an annual competition that encourages young Americans to be engaged in civics and contribute to their communities."
To enter the competition, BCPS students in Grades 6 – 8 participate in an essay contest. Twenty finalists from the essay contest will be selected to compete in a quiz event testing their civics knowledge. The top three students from each local competition will advance to a statewide competition. The top three local prizes range from $125 – $500; and the top three statewide prizes range from $250 – $1,000. Contest details may be found online.
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Staff, parents, community members encouraged to make nominations
This year, BCPS staff, parents, and community members are invited to nominate outstanding schoolhouse leaders to be named Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year for 2023-24. A principal and assistant principal will be recognized for each level: elementary, middle, and high. Awards will be presented in April at a ceremony where the Teacher of the Year will also be named.
To nominate a principal or assistant principal, please submit your nomination forms by 6 p.m. on Monday, February 6.
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Edgemere Elementary School wins national environmental art challenge for mural of marine life | |
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Edgemere Elementary School was named the elementary school winner in the 2022 Wyland National Art and Classroom Mural Challenge. As a prize, the school will receive a $250 gift card in art supplies from Blick Art Materials.
The 50-foot-long, award-winning mural at Edgemere Elementary was created by about 20 students in Grades 4 and 5, under the leadership of art teacher Gregory Flach. The mural depicts a tropical coral reef and is painted in the style of artist and conservationist Robert Wyland. “When my principal asked me in August if I wanted to participate in this challenge, I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough,” said Flach. More information is available in a BCPS news release.
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for parents
from BCPS Parent University
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"Stop The Bleed" Training
Wednesday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Prettyboy Elementary School, 19810 Middletown Rd., 21053
All parents and caregivers of BCPS students and all BCPS staff are encouraged to participate in a free, 90-minute "Stop the Bleed" course. The course trains participants to recognize a bleeding emergency, then pack wounds and use tourniquets to help stop the bleeding until first responders arrive. Registration is free, and space is limited.
"Grandparents Raising Grandchildren"
Wednesday, February 15, at 6:30 p.m. (Virtual Dinner & Discussion) -- register online
or Thursday, February 16, at 12:30 p.m. (Virtual Lunch & Learn) -- register online
The "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" workshop will identify specific needs of grandparents who are raising and/or supporting grandchildren. Topics will include the following:
- Acknowledging the challenges faced by grandparents raising grandchildren
- Discussing strategies for building a home-school partnership
- Accessing resources to support student academic and social/emotional development
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for your viewing pleasure | |
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mission moment
from The Education Foundation of BCPS
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Bonding with Bear Creek Elementary School | |
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The Exchangerees are centers created to ensure educators have the necessary supplies and resources for their students and classrooms. Did you know that the Exchangerees are also hubs that allow teams to meet and engage in team-building, problem-solving, decision-making, and much more?
The Exchangeree in Rosedale/Golden Ring served as the Hub for Professional Learning on Monday, January 23, for the faculty and staff of Bear Creek Elementary School.
“When meeting with Principal Matt Corner and Wendy Grieco, staff development teacher, I could see light bulbs going off in their heads” said Deborah Phelps, executive director of the Education Foundation. “Observing their reactions as they walked from space to space and listening intently to their thoughts, I knew it was excellence at its finest." A new blog post details the Bear Creek team's experience.
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A Word from Dr. Williams, Superintendent | |
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January 30, 2023
Dear Team BCPS,
Team BCPS students in Grades 3-12, parents/caregivers, staff, and community members are invited to participate in the school system’s annual Stakeholder Climate Survey beginning Monday, January 30. The brief online survey will be available on the BCPS home page from January 30 through Friday, March 3, 2023.
The survey is available in multiple languages for students, parents, and community members. This annual survey is an important way for us to listen to you, the BCPS community, learn your views, and be responsive to your feedback by taking action to improve our schools and school system. Survey feedback is used by our schools to refine School Progress Plans as well as by the system to measure progress toward goals in The Compass strategic plan.
The views of respondents will help to shape our budget, our staffing, and our programs. We hope all members of Team BCPS will participate in this important annual survey, we want to hear from you! Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration on behalf of our incredible students and staff.
Sincerely,
Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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