Welcome back to school! Let's have a great year! -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, August 31, 2026

Don't forget to share your first day moments with us! Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter) for a chance to be featured on our feed. Photos can also be submitted via email to communications@bcps.org. From early morning smiles to reunions with friends, and the triumphant return at the end of the day, we wish every member of Team BCPS a great first day and a wonderful year!

Middle and high schools host orientation activities for incoming Grades 6 and 9 students

On August 27, across the county, students entering Grades 6 and 9 spent a few hours in their new schools getting to learn their schedules, meet teachers, learn more about school offerings, find their lockers, reconnect with old friends, and meet new friends. More images from orientations at Perry Hall Middle School and Loch Raven High School can be found on Flickr.

Interested in student leadership?

Applications accepted for Board of Selected Students (BOSS)

Through Friday, September 18, at 11:59 p.m.

Applications are open for BCPS middle and high school students interested in serving on the 2026-2027 Board of Selected Students (BOSS). BOSS acts as an advisory council for the Student Member of the Board of Education. Three representatives from each secondary school are invited to participate in discussions on current student issues. BOSS members are asked to share their schools’ views with Baltimore County Student Councils (BCSC) and to collaborate with other student leaders from across the county. BOSS meets monthly in a virtual setting with the possibility of one or two in-person meetings throughout the year. BOSS applications are open to students who are not already involved in student council/government leadership at their schools.

Applications accepted for Baltimore County Student Council Committees

Through Friday, September 18, at 11:59 p.m.

Applications are open for BCPS middle and high school students interested in serving on one of four BCSC committees: Environmental, Culture & Climate, Student Resources, and Student Member of the Board (SMOB) Outreach. BCSC committees meet monthly in a virtual setting with the possibility of additional subcommittee meetings as needed.

Focus on Families

from BCPS Parent University

Find out more about upcoming Parent University events and register for them online.

The Baltimore County Bureau of Behavioral Health is conducting a survey to better understand the behavioral health needs of Baltimore County students and families.

Your input will help shape how behavioral health funding is spent in Baltimore County schools. All responses are completely anonymous, and the survey will take about 5 minutes to complete. The survey will remain open until Monday, September 14.

(This survey is supported by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports.)

Students ages 14-21 invited to apply to become members of the new Baltimore County Youth Council

Youth ages 14-21 can apply now to serve on the new Baltimore County Youth Council. Young people from all backgrounds, experiences, and communities are encouraged to apply.

The 12 selected council members will share their perspectives on issues affecting young people and help identify ways to strengthen communities. Members will participate in regular meetings and activities focused on leadership development, community service, youth advocacy, and engagement with county leaders and community organizations.

Art Showcase

"Sunflowers" by Dorian T., Grade 7, Holabird Middle School. This artwork is featured in the BCPS Middle School Juried Art Exhibition, which can be viewed online. Selected pieces from the exhibition will be on display in the BCPS Administration Building, Greenwood Campus, through Monday, September 21.

Mission Moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Announcing the 12th Annual Tee Off for Team BCPS Golf Classic

Sponsorship opportunities available

The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Publ ic Schools, Inc., is pleased to announce that the 12th Annual Tee Off for Team BCPS Golf Classic will be held on Friday, October 16, at Greystone Golf Course (2115 White Hall Rd, White Hall, MD 21161) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sponsorships are already going fast! Select your sponsorship, and register to play today!

All sponsorships afford an opportunity for organizations to show their support for BCPS and to bring colleagues, friends, and family together for a fun-filled day of golf, gratitude, and networking. To see the details for each sponsorship level, please visit the event website.

More information about the golf classic -- including the schedule for the day and a list of planning committee members -- can be found in a new Mission Moment blog post.

Donate school supplies for BCPS students at Baltimore County Public Library branches

Baltimore County Public Library is once again partnering with The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., to hold a school supply drive through Sunday, September 13.

Customers can bring the school supplies to the BCPL's 18 open branches during normal business hours, which are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop off the items in any of the bins labeled school supply drive.

The full meeting can be viewed online.

Highlights from Dr. Heiser

August 31, 2026

Dear Team BCPS:

Happy first day of school! What an exciting time this is – a new beginning filled with opportunities.

The start of anything new can also spark some jitters. As a new superintendent, I fully understand that. However, I am confident – and you can be, too – that this will be a great school year. Here are some reasons why:

We have an amazing team of highly qualified and dedicated educators ready to instruct and inspire our students.
School administrators spent the summer making sure their buildings and teams would be ready for the new school year.
The school system has unwavering support from elected officials, community leaders, business partners, and parents and caregivers.
We serve 108,000 talented students, full of potential.

In other words, we have all the ingredients we need to advance excellence together

To help get the school year off to a great start, we need all students in their classes on time, every day. Tips to improve attendance can be found on our attendance resources webpage.

To discover more about what students will be learning this school year, families and stakeholders are invited to the BCPS Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 16, from 6:30-8 p.m. at Pikesville Middle School, 7701 Seven Mile Ln., Pikesville 21208.

I also invite you, if you want to know more about the 2026-2027 school year, to watch my August 24 press conference or read highlights from it in English or Spanish.

Have a great first day and a great school year!

Sincerely,

Bill Heiser, Ed.D.

Superintendent