U.S. Department of Energy visits Watershed Public Charter School, highlights school's infrastructure improvements, energy efficiency | |
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U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk toured Watershed Public Charter School with BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers, Board Chair Tiara Booker-Dwyer, Watershed Principal Lori Widney, County Council Chairman Izzy Patoka, County Councilman Julian Jones, Jr., and other education and government leaders on March 20. Following the tour, Deputy Secretary Turk made an announcement regarding the Renew America's Schools program, which supports infrastructure improvements in schools, with a focus on local education agencies that qualify as rural and/or high poverty. (Welcoming remarks and Deputy Secretary Turk's announcement can be seen on Vimeo.)
Watershed Public Charter School was awarded a $1.27 million Renew America’s Schools grant from the U.S. Department of Energy in July 2023. The funds are being used to improve the school's learning environment, improve air quality and health outcomes for students and staff with asthma, lower energy costs, and shrink the school's carbon footprint through increased energy efficiency. BCPS is one of only 24 school districts nationally to benefit from the first round of Renew America’s Schools grants. The federal grants program received more than $5.5 billion in requests from 236 school districts across 48 states and two territories.
Last April, Watershed was named a 2023 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. This school year, the public charter school serves approximately 330 students in Grades K-6. The school’s curriculum focuses on environmental sustainability and the natural world.
|  | Top photo: Dept. of Energy Deputy Secretary David M. Turk accepts the gift of a plant from a Watershed student. Bottom photo: Deputy Secretary Turk in a Watershed classroom. More photos from the event can be found on Flickr. | |
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A Fast Forward Update from Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers
On March 22, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers issued a community message reviewing the school system's efforts in its four priority areas: academic achievement, infrastructure, safety and climate, and highly effective teachers, leaders, and staff.
Please read the full message for valuable information about the strides the school system is making in collaboration with the community, staff, five employee associations, and area leaders.
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Middle, high school students to cast ballots on Thursday for Student Member of the Board
BCPS middle and high school students will cast ballots for their preferred new Student Member of the Board (SMOB) from 7 a.m.-11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 4. The finalists for the position are juniors Ugonma Chike-Kalu of Western School of Technology and Kimberely Hernandez of Dulaney High School. Students can learn more about the candidates and find the voting link on the SMOB webpage.
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Kayla Drummond, Student Member of the Board and Parkville High senior | |
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On the eve of student voting for the next Student Member of the Board (SMOB), the BCPS blog profiles the current SMOB, Kayla Drummond, a senior at Parkville High School.
The post, written by Habiba Lam, a Chesapeake High senior and BCPS Communications apprentice, explores why Kayla sought the post, her efforts to stay connected to fellow students, and how she made history as the first SMOB to vote on the school system's operating budget.
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Share your thoughts about inclement weather days and virtual learning days | |
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Maryland public school systems can use virtual learning days after they have used all the inclement weather days built into the school year calendar. The 2024-2025 BCPS school calendar includes three inclement weather days. As we plan for winter weather for next year, we would like to know your preferences. Please complete an online survey by Sunday, April 14. Input gathered will be used to inform our virtual instruction day plan.
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Congratulations to the 2024-2025 BCPS Teacher, Principal, and Assistant Principal of the Year finalists | |
The Teacher of the Year finalists | |
Kim Brackeen, a social-emotional learning teacher at Padonia International Elementary School | |
Stephanie Gerhold, an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher at Woodlawn Middle School | |
Kate Clemmens, an English language arts teacher at Woodlawn High School | |
The Principal of the Year finalists | |
Melissa Lingenfelder of Sandalwood Elementary School | |
Adam Carney of Cockeysville Middle School | |
Dr. Scott Rodriguez-Hobbs of Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts | |
The Assistant Principal of the Year finalists | |
Erica Lundy of Lyons Mill Elementary School | |
Dorian Barnes of Deer Park Middle Magnet School | |
Kevin Whatley of George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology | |
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The honorees will be recognized at a special Champions for Children Celebration Gala at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Rd., in Towson. At that event, Baltimore County’s Teacher, Principal, and Assistant Principal of the Year will be announced.
In addition to these schoolhouse champions, the April 18 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, Community School Facilitator of the Year, Transportation Champion, AFSCME Employee of the Year, Volunteer Champion, and Business Partner Champion.
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A blog post features the names and photos of all 171 Teacher of the Year nominees.
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Youth, ages 14-21, can apply now for Baltimore County's Summer Youth Employment Program | |
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Baltimore County is offering a six-week summer youth employment program from Monday, July 1, through Friday, August 9. Youth, ages 14-21, will work virtually or in person, earning $15 an hour for up to 25 hours per week. Online applications must be submitted by 11:59 a.m. on April 12.
Prior to beginning the program, youth will participate in structured, job-readiness activities to prepare them for success, and they will receive financial literacy training and support from program monitors, caseworkers, and counselors.
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The best time to register for PreKindergarten and Kindergarten? Right now!
The 2024-2025 school year will begin in late August, but spring is the best time to enroll children in PreKindergarten and Kindergarten. The "Registration and Enrollment" page of the BCPS website provides helpful instructions. In addition, all BCPS elementary schools will be hosting "round-up" events to provide additional support for parents. For more information, please contact the elementary school your child is zoned to attend.
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Beyond BCPS: Meet Nina (Lloyd) Spencer, Milford Mill graduate and financial services executive | |
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Initially considering a career in education, Nina (Lloyd) Spencer, a graduate of Milford Mill High School (now Milford Mill Academy) found her niche in the financial services industry. She now serves as vice president of retail delivery for MECU (Municipal Employees Credit Union), overseeing the credit union's network of nine branches.
Outside of work, in addition to spending time with family, Spencer and her husband love to travel and are very active in their church, Rising Sun First Baptist Church in Woodlawn, and with social and civic organizations.
A new Beyond BCPS blog post explores her career and personal journey.
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Beyond BCPS is an occasional series about BCPS graduates, what they are doing now, and how the school system prepared them for success. Please send story ideas to communications@bcps.org. | |
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Discover more about what students are learning
Join us for the next BCPS Curriculum Night
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Photos from the March 12 Curriculum Night at Woodlawn High, taken by Habiba Lam, Chesapeake High School senior and BCPS Communications apprentice. The opening session was livestreamed and can be seen on the BCPS-TV YouTube channel. | |
Participate in upcoming Community Conversations with Superintendent Rogers | |
BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers invites the Team BCPS community to discuss a variety of important school system-related topics at upcoming Community Conversations. During the events, Dr. Rogers will share information about key priorities for BCPS, hear from Team BCPS community members, and answer questions. The April 3 session will be livestreamed on the BCPS-TV YouTube channel. | |
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Wednesday, April 3, from 6-7 p.m.
Eastern Technical High School
1100 Mace Ave., Essex 21221
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Wednesday, April 10, from 6-7 p.m.
Loch Raven Technical Academy
8101 Lasalle Rd., Towson 21286
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Interpreting services available for Curriculum Nights and Community Conversations
Spanish interpretation will be provided at all sessions. Interpreting services for other languages are also available upon request at no cost to participants. Please contact 443-809-1250 as early as possible to request.
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Community invited to register for 5K race to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Baltimore County Police Department | The race will be held in downtown Towson on Saturday, May 11, beginning at 9 a.m. Find more information and register online. | |
Register now for BCPS fine arts summer camps | |
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All BCPS fine arts summer enrichment programs are open to students entering Grades 5-12 in the 2024-2025 school year, except for the visual arts summer program, which will accept students entering Grades 3-12. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 17. Bus transportation is available. Fee waivers are available for students who do not have permanent or adequate housing.
While registration is full for the BCPS summer art and musical theatre camps, space is still available in the following:
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Summer Dance Intensive
Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Pikesville High School
Cost: $130 per student
Summer Dance Intensive registration form
Summer Music Camp Session I -- orchestra and songwriting
Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Pikesville High School
Cost: $130 per student
Summer Music Camp registration form
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Summer Music Camp Session II -- band and ukulele
Monday, July 15, through Friday, July 19, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dumbarton Middle School
Cost: $130 per student
Summer Music Camp registration form
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for parents
from BCPS Parent University
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Register now for Parent University Lunch & Learn sessions in April | |
“This is Hard! How to Help Your Child Do Hard Things and Persevere in the Face of Challenges”
Friday, April 12, at 12:30 p.m.
In this workshop, parents/caregivers will learn language to help support their children so they can build the self-motivation needed to try again and do hard things. Please register online.
“Embracing Your Power: The Importance of Nurturing Yourself”
Friday, April 19, from 12:30 p.m.
Please register online.
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for your viewing pleasure | |
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mission moment
from The Education Foundation of BCPS
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BCPS educators, administrators invited to register as players for Let's Play Ball
New blog post also introduces event partners
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Registration for BCPS players is now open! Calling all administrators and educators to participate in the fun and friendly softball game that is the centerpiece of the Let's Play Ball event, to be held this year on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology.
Registration is limited to the first 25 administrators and first 25 educators who sign up. Please register on or before April 15. All those who register will receive a follow-up email indicating whether they made the star-studded roster or are on the waiting list. A Let’s Play Ball! 2024 Player Meet and Greet will be held on Thursday, May 16, from 5:30-7 p.m.
A new Mission Moment blog post offers more details and introduces the following event partners:
- The Baseball Warehouse
- League of Dreams
- BCPS Allied Sports Athletes
- Lamb Awards and Engraving
- Leveling the Playing Field
- Media Star Promotions
- The Ed Reed Foundation
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April 2, 2024
Dear Reader:
Welcome back!
After spring break, time seems to accelerate as we enter the season of year-end projects, final exams, spring productions and concerts, award ceremonies, and commencement exercises.
It is an exciting period, but also a time when students need to maintain focus on academics. I encourage students who might need additional assistance in any subject area to reach out to their teachers or school counselors.
I also encourage parents/caregivers and students to join us for this month's Community Conversations and Curriculum Night. These are opportunities to hear from us, but also for us to hear from you. While the Community Conversations will address a wide range of topics, the Curriculum Night offers a unique opportunity for parents/caregivers and students to talk one-on-one with subject area experts.
Please join us for some or all of these events. The April Community Conversations will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, at Eastern Technical High School and on Wednesday, April 10, at Loch Raven Technical Academy. Curriculum Night will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, at Dulaney High School.
I look forward to seeing you at one or more of these events.
Regards,
Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Friday, April 5
Third marking period ends – Schools close 3 hours early for students
Wednesday, April 10
Professional Development Day – Schools closed for students
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Upcoming Board and advisory group meetings
All are welcome to attend
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Citizens Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education meeting
Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m.
Meeting details
Baltimore County PTA Council Reflection Art Exhibit and Awards
Sunday, April 7, from 2-4 p.m.
StarTUp at the Armory, 307 Washington Ave., Towson 21204
The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for PreK through Grade 12 students attending a BCPS school with a PTA or PTSA. More information is available online.
Joint meeting of Central, Northwest, and Southwest area education advisory councils
Monday, April 8, at 6 p.m.
Meeting details
Topic: “What Are the Students Saying?”
Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting
Monday, April 15, at 7 p.m.
Deep Creek Middle School library, 1000 S. Marlyn Ave., Baltimore 21221
Topic: “Gangs and Gang-Related Activities”
Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, Building E, 6901 N. Charles St., Towson 21204
Information about attending and making public comments at meetings can be found on the Board’s website.
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