Monday, November 9, 2026

Families, staff invited to Community Conversation on Special Education

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Bill Heiser invites families, staff, and community members to attend a Community Conversation on Special Education. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 18, from 6-7 p.m. at Stoneleigh Elementary School, 900 Pemberton Rd., Baltimore 21212.

Participants will learn more about the school system’s special education services and ongoing efforts to ensure that students and families have access to a range of comprehensive supports and resources to aid growth and achievement.

Spanish interpretation will be provided. Interpreting services for other languages are also available at no cost to families. Please contact 443-809-1250 as soon as possible to request.  

Celebrating National School Psychology Week

School psychologists David Michelson and Zari Press share how they "Inspire Connection" across their school communities

Zari Press, Parkville High School

David Michelson, Towson High School

The theme of National School Psychology Week 2026 (November 9-13) is “Inspire Connection.” In honor of the theme and to celebrate the amazing school psychologists who serve students across BCPS, the blog conducted short interviews with two of them: David Michelson, assigned to Towson High School, and Zari Press, assigned to Parkville High School. 

Michelson is a graduate of Randallstown High, and while Press was only a BCPS student for one school year, her mother was a BCPS educator for 30 years, and her sister is school counseling department chair at Northwest Academy of Health Sciences.

Both Michelson and Press were inspired to pursue school psychology careers because of support they received in educational settings. Learn more about the work they do to impact students' sense of safety, connection, and confidence in the latest blog post.

Recognizing Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11

With immense gratitude, we honor all who served, including the many veterans who are part of Team BCPS.

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

Meetings taking place across the county through December 1

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Bill Heiser is hosting three more 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.

Photos from the previous Community Conversations at Cockeysville Middle School and Lyons Mill Elementary School can be found on Flickr, and a video from the Cockeysville Middle School event is on YouTube.

The remaining Community Conversations will take place on the following dates:

Spanish interpretation is 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.

Around the County

Partnership Profile: Baltimore County Public Library

Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) partners with BCPS to ensure every student has access to lifelong learning resources.

Through a monthly Library at Lunch initiative, BCPL librarians deliver reserved books and share curated selections at some middle and high schools. Author visits bring acclaimed writers into schools. Still more initiatives include the annual Battle of the Books, summer and winter reading challenges, homework help, service-learning opportunities, summer reading recommendations, and serving free lunches at many branches.

"The library's goal is to support students throughout their learning journey by offering a free space to explore, learn, create, and connect," said Conni Strittmatter, BCPL Youth and Family Engagement department manager.

Learn more about how this essential partnership serves BCPS students.

Quick Takes

Local police officers, fire fighters, and more visited Hebbville Elementary School for First Responders Day. The first responders gave engaging presentations and answered student questions.

Arbutus Middle School Grade 8 students stepped back in time for a fun-filled day of hands-on learning! Students experienced life in colonial times by playing traditional games, exploring traveling trunks, writing with a quill and ink, and more.

New Town High School's International Baccalaureate Environmental Science students took to the water for a canoeing adventure, connecting classroom learning to real-world environmental exploration.

BCPS welcomes families to its schools during American Education Week

During American Education Week, November 16-20, schools will set aside specific times for parents and caregivers to visit their children’s classrooms and/or attend special events. Schools will share their specific plans directly with families.

The BCPS Parent University American Education Week webpage features links to classroom observation checklists as well as resources to help parents and caregivers prepare for upcoming conferences with teachers.

A recent news release addresses BCPS plans for the week including recognition of Wednesday, November 18, as Education Support Professionals Day, and Friday, November 20, as Substitute Educators Day.

Focus on Families

from BCPS Parent University

Families invited to free webinar on "Kids, Gaming, and Online Safety"

Wednesday, November 11, at 3 p.m.



Video games bring unique challenges, such as navigating in-game chats, hidden costs, and extended screen time. Join Common Sense Media and AT&T for a free parenting webinar to learn simple, effective ways to set healthy technology limits and protect children’s online safety. Please RSVP.

Register now for Parent University workshops in November

Empowering Parents & Supporting Youth: Building Healthy Relationships, Setting Boundaries, and Consent

Wednesday, November 11, at 12:30 p.m.

Gaby Asuad, community engagement and training manager at TurnAround, Inc., will lead a virtual workshop to equip parents and caregivers with the knowledge and practical tools to protect and empower children and youth in their lives. Participants will learn how to recognize, prevent, and address unhealthy relationships while promoting child safety and healthy relationship skills. Registration required.

Parent University Lunch & Learn Workshop: “Service-Learning in BCPS”

Tuesday, November 17, at 12:30 p.m.

This virtual session is designed to help families understand what service-learning is and why it is a BCPS graduation requirement. The session will explain how service-learning connects classroom learning to real-world impact and offer practical ways families can support students in completing meaningful service-learning experiences. This session is best for families of students in Grades 3 -12. Registration required.

Parent University Lunch & Learn Workshop: “Surviving the Holidays”

Wednesday, November 18, at 12:30 p.m.

Brian Peller, community relations officer at Freedom Federal Credit Union, will present a virtual workshop on how to enjoy the holidays without breaking the bank. Registration required.

Parent University Dine & Learn Workshop: “Service-Learning in BCPS

Thursday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m.

The session will explain how service-learning connects classroom learning to real-world impact and offer practical ways families can support students in completing meaningful service-learning experiences. This session is best for families of students in Grades 3 -12. Registration required



Join us for West Zone Substitute Networking and Recruitment Event

Current and prospective substitute teachers are invited to learn how to find more assignments (short- and long-term), become a preferred substitute, and use BCPS hiring and scheduling technology:

This event will include only schools in the western zone of Baltimore County. Join us on Wednesday, November 11, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave. Catonsville 21228. Please RSVP.

Art Showcase

"After Hours" by Joelle W., Grade 12, Randallstown High 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

The Education Foundation awards more than $60,000 in grants

Awards to schools and offices support innovative projects, field trips, support for construction education, and more

The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., is pleased to announce its fall 2026 grant recipients.

Congratulations to the recipients of The Education Foundation’s 21st Century Instructional Initiative Grant, the ABC Construction Pathway Grant, the new Friedman Field Trip Grant, and the First Financial Federal Credit Union’s Putting Students First Grant. Combined, the 2026-2027 grant recipients will receive more $60,000 in grant funding.

Learn more in the latest Mission Moment blog post.

Highlights from Dr. Heiser

November 9, 2026

Dear Team BCPS:

As we celebrate National School Psychology Week, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated school psychologists across BCPS. 

This year’s national theme, “Inspire Connection,” reflects the critical work our school psychologists do every day. By partnering closely with families, teachers, and administrators, they help build safe, healthy, and supportive education environments that bridge home, school, and community.

We encourage our families to utilize our support staff. Their deep expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior ensures students receive the guidance needed to succeed.

Sincerely,

Bill Heiser, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Upcoming Board and community meetings

All are welcome to attend

Northwest Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Tuesday, November 10, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “School Safety and Security”

Central Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Wednesday, November 11, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “Capital Budget & Facilities”

Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, November 16, at 7 p.m.

Holabird Middle School, library, 1701 Delvale Ave., Dundalk 21222

Topic: “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics”

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, November 17, at 6:30 p.m.

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

Overlea High School Capacity Relief Boundary Study Public Information Session

Wednesday, November 18, from 7-8 p.m.

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

The purpose of this boundary study is to provide capacity relief at Overlea High School and will potentially affect boundaries for Overlea, Loch Raven, and Parkville high schools. Those interested can participate in the meeting in person or watch it on BCPS YouTube Live.