Monday, October 19, 2026

BCPS stakeholders invited to Community Conversations on the Fiscal Year 2028 operating budget

Meetings to take place across the county from October - December

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Bill Heiser is hosting five Community Conversations to discuss the development of the Fiscal Year 2028 Operating Budget. Families, community members, and staff are invited to provide input on the process and give feedback on budget priorities.

Additionally, stakeholders can share their thoughts on the budget by completing a survey by Wednesday, October 21.

The Community Conversations will take place on the following dates:

Spanish interpretation will be provided at each meeting. Interpreting services for other languages are also available upon request at no cost to participants. Please call 443-809-1250 as early as possible to request.

Magnet applications for 2027-2028 school year due by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20

Applications for magnet programs for the 2027-2028 school year must be submitted online by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20.

October 20 is also the last date to schedule high school assessment appointments. These appointments can be scheduled online through the Magnet Online Application System or by calling BCPS Magnet Programs at 443-809-4127.

The tentative date for the release of elementary and middle school magnet decisions is Friday, January 8, 2027, and for high school magnet decisions is Friday, February 19, 2027.

9th Annual Green School Summit promotes environmentalism across the school system

The BCPS 9th Annual Green School Summit, held on October 9 at the Employee Development Center, was the largest Green School Summit held so far. More than 80 school administrators, community school facilitators, and Green School coordinators attended the summit, which featured 13 professional learning sessions from a variety of stakeholders, including nonprofit organizations and county and state agencies. In addition, 34 organizations participated in the Partnership Hall, offering resources for teachers and students, professional learning opportunities for staff, and community engagement and partnership opportunities for schools. Photos from the event can be found on Flickr.

Here are a few comments from attendees:

“I had a great experience at my first summit. There was a great assortment of valuable and informational presentations. I also had the opportunity to talk one-on-one with our Green School partners in the table area, which left me with many incredible resources for our staff and students to engage in environmental projects with intention. This is an experience that all of our Green School advocates should attend.”

“The sessions were valuable and I left with a new understanding of the small steps you can take to be more environmentally friendly inside your school building.”

“I really appreciated the layout of the summit. Being that I am working on my 3rd recertification, I found it really helpful to hear what other schools are and have been doing to maintain their Green School status. This even provided a great opportunity to network and refamiliarize myself with activities and programs I had forgotten about over the years.”

High school marching bands will take the field on Sunday, October 25, to demonstrate their skills

And you're invited!

The annual BCPS Marching Band Showcase will take place on Sunday, October 25, at 2 p.m. at

Woodlawn High School (1801 Woodlawn Dr., Woodlawn 21207).

Marching bands from the following schools will participate in a noncompetitive showcase:

This is a free public event. The inclement weather date for this outdoor event will be Sunday, November 1. 

Join us for the Fall Special Education Resource Fair this Saturday, October 24

Catonsville Elementary teacher Kelly Sacks honored by Girls on the Run of the Greater Chesapeake

Girls on the Run of the Greater Chesapeake has honored Kelly Sacks, a Grade 3 teacher at Catonsville Elementary School, as a recipient of this year’s Remarkable Volunteer Award. This annual national recognition from Girls on the Run International shines a spotlight on extraordinary volunteers whose dedication and passion create an inspirational impact in their communities.

In presenting the award, Girls on the Run wrote about Sacks: "From putting the FUN in 'Girls on the Run is so much FUN!' to celebrating girls’ accomplishments with her signature Sweat Goddess Energy Award, Coach Kelly brings joy, encouragement, and unforgettable energy to every practice. She creates an experience that girls can’t wait to come back to, all while helping them recognize their strength, confidence, and limitless potential."

Please participate in Special Education Staffing Plan Focus Survey

The BCPS Department of Special Education and Early Childhood Programs invites stakeholders to participate in a brief survey to help prioritize focus areas for the BCPS Special Education Staffing Plan for the 2027-2028 school year.

We appreciate your assistance and encourage you to complete the anonymous online survey prior to Sunday, November 1. It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete and will provide us with valuable information.

Focus on Families

from BCPS Parent University

Latest episode of Parent University Show now available for viewing

The latest edition of the Parent University Show highlights an afterschool initiative that empowers the families of multilingual learners to support their children in learning to read; the 2026 BCPS Green School Summit; and a profile of Stacey Wade, a program specialist in the Office of Family and Community Engagement overseeing student leadership, student service-learning, and volunteerism.

Upcoming Parent University workshops

“Caregiver Toolbox” 

Friday, October 23, from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

In this virtual session, Thrive Behavioral Health will share “The Caregiver Toolbox,” a variety of practical strategies families can use to support their children during heightened emotions, challenging behaviors, and everyday quality time. The toolbox includes techniques such as utilizing consequences, modeling emotional regulation, and limit setting. Registration required.

“Navigating the Road to College and Career Readiness: BCPS Roadmap to Ready & Xello College and Career Platform”

Wednesday, October 28, from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

During this virtual session, Emily Caster, coordinator of the Department of Student Support Services, will share the BCPS Roadmap to Ready Plan for students in Grades 6-12 and discuss how the Xello College and Career Platform supports students in planning for high school, college, and careers. Registration required.

"Navigating Focus & Schoology"

Thursday, October 29, from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

This virtual workshop will be presented by Valerie Schaffer, an instructional technology specialist in the BCPS Office of Special Projects. In this session, participants will learn how to navigate key features in Focus vs. Schoology to support their children's success throughout the school year. Registration required.

"Building Strong Readers Together – What Families Need to Know"

Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m.

In this virtual session, participants will learn about how BCPS supports foundational reading and writing skills in Kindergarten through Grade 3. The session will cover how students are screened for risk of reading difficulty, what the screening results mean, and what families can expect if their child is identified as “at risk,” including Student Reading Improvement Plans. Participants will receive strategies and resources to support their children’s literacy development at home. Registration required.

First Financial is the credit union for all of Team BCPS

Parents and guardians are welcome to join

As a long-time partner and approved credit union of BCPS, First Financial Federal Credit Union is committed to supporting BCPS families. Parents and guardians are welcome to join and access resources that strengthen financial well-being.

As a member-owned credit union, earnings are reinvested into services that support families. Membership includes free savings and checking accounts, financial counseling, online and mobile banking, and financial tools like GreenPath offering guidance on budgeting, managing debt, and planning for future goals.

FFFCU staff showing support on Team BCPS Day 2026

Learn more: Parent & Family Resources - First Financial Federal Credit Union

Save the date! Baltimore National College Fair to be held on Wednesday, October 21

Event is free for students and their families

Join us for Substitute Networking and Recruitment Events

Current and prospective substitute teachers are invited to learn how to find more assignments (short- and long-term), become a preferred substitute, and use our hiring and scheduling technology. Each event will only feature schools in that zone. Please RSVP.

East Zone 

Wednesday, Oct. 21

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Dundalk High School

1901 Delvale Ave.

Dundalk 21222

Central Zone 

Thursday, Nov. 5

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology

938 York Rd.

Towson 21204

West Zone  

Wednesday, Nov. 11

 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Catonsville High School

421 Bloomsbury Ave.

Catonsville 21228

Art Showcase

"Varied Thrush" by Donovan M., Grade 8, Hereford Middle School. This artwork is featured in the 2026 BCPS Art is for Everyone! Exhibition, which can be viewed online and which was displayed at the Baltimore Museum of Art this past spring.

Mission Moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Join The Education Foundation Caravan of Warmth and Joy

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 18, the foundation's inaugural Stuff the Trucks event

The Education Foundation is gearing up for a new event – Stuff the Trucks – a community-wide donation drive benefiting the foundation's Exchangerees. These two educator resource centers provide BCPS teachers and staff with school supplies, classroom resources, books, and other essential items at absolutely no cost to themselves all year long, helping ensure students have the tools they need to succeed.

Stuff the Trucks will be held at the BC Brewery in Hunt Valley (10950 Gilroy Rd., Suite F, 21031) on Wednesday, November 18, from 2-7 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from all food and beverage sales that day will go toward supporting the mission-driven work of the foundation. 

A new Mission Moment blog post offers more information about how the community can get involved.

Highlights from Dr. Heiser

October 19, 2026

Dear Team BCPS:

This week is both America's Safe Schools Week and National School Bus Safety Week. Nothing is more important than keeping our students and staff safe from when they leave their homes until they return home at the end of the school day.

I want to thank everyone who contributes to creating and nurturing safe school environments. The list is long and includes staff in our departments of School Safety, Student Support Services, and Transportation as well as our teachers, principals, students, families, and volunteers.

Fostering safety requires a comprehensive approach involving physical security, mental health support, digital safety, and active community involvement.

When we work together and commit to upholding our roles, we create safe and welcoming spaces where students can maximize learning and experience all that our schools have to offer. If you see something of concern, please say something. Please notify school administrators, call 911, and report suspicious activity to the Maryland Center for School Safety and/or Maryland Coordinated Access Center.

Thank you for doing your part.

Sincerely,

Bill Heiser, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Upcoming Board and community meetings

All are welcome to attend

Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, October 19, at 7 p.m.

Sparrows Point Middle and High School, library, 7400 North Point Rd., Sparrows Point 21219

Topic: “Pre-Budget Operating & Capital/Career Navigators”

Overlea High School Capacity Relief Boundary Study Boundary Committee meeting #2

Wednesday, October 21, from 6-8 p.m.

Nottingham Middle School, cafeteria, 5210 King Ave., Rosedale 21237

Board of Education meeting

Wednesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204