Thursday, October 3, 2024

Previous editions of the BCPS Staff Bulletin are archived and available for viewing on the BCPS website.

October is National Principals Month

Please join us in celebrating our amazing Team BCPS principals! Thank you for leading our 176 schools, centers, and programs with compassion and enthusiasm every day. Stay tuned on BCPS social media (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn) for a series of Principal Profiles to be posted throughout the month of October.

Let’s hear it for our outstanding custodians! In recognition of National Custodian Day (yesterday October 2), please join us in extending gratitude to our Team BCPS custodians who work diligently to provide a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for students and staff.

Important Update: Employee Absence Monitoring Program FY25

Please read this important message about the Employee Absence Monitoring Program that was sent to all Team BCPS staff on October 3. It also includes resource documents that were inadvertently left out of the email.

FEATURED VIDEO:

BCPS community gathers for annual Magnet Expo

The CCBC Essex Wellness & Athletics Center was filled with energy as BCPS students and families flocked to the Magnet Expo on September 28!

Students and families seeking additional information about specific magnet programs can view school websites and/or participate in school-based showcase events throughout October.

Magnet applications for the 2025-2026 school year must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Friday, November 1.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Flu vaccines to take place around the county throughout October

The Baltimore County Department of Health will offer free flu vaccines throughout October. Principals and office heads are encouraged to post fliers about the vaccine clinic dates and locations. Staff are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to protect the health of themselves and their families.

• Little Free Library Grant application open through November 30

The Education Foundation’s spring 2025 Newrez Little Free Library Read in Color Fall Grant application window will be open through November 30. The foundation, in partnership with the Little Free Library organization and Newrez, will distribute another 10 Little Free Libraries and boxes of diverse books to grant recipients this spring. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Passion for Partnerships

The Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce invites principals and staff to attend the Annual Passion for Partnerships Program on Thursday, October 10. As speakers, this event will feature BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers and CCBC President Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis, as well as experts discussing the advantages of artificial intelligence in business and education.

• Energy Convservation Awareness Month

BCPS is celebrating Energy Conservation Awareness Month throughout October. A variety of resources on energy conservation in schools can be found in the Green Schools Guidebook on the BCPS Energy and Sustainability webpage under Resources, then For BCPS Staff.

• Safe Schools Maryland Parent/Guardian Presentation - October 8

Register online for a virtual seminar with Sandra Caldwell on October 8 at 7:00 p.m. about supports offered, situations to report, and keeping children safe.

Maryland Service-Learning Cohort

The Office of Family and Community Engagement is partnering with Education+ to offer BCPS staff a chance to participate in a free, multi-county, service-learning professional learning community. The Maryland Service-Learning Cohort is a pilot program, designed to strengthen civic engagement among Maryland youth. These sessions were created to inspire educators to implement service-learning in their schools to enhance learning and service-learning delivery and to support students in meeting their student service-learning graduation requirements. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Voter Education Spirit Week set for October 7-11

We’re thrilled to announce that the Baltimore County Student Councils and the Parkville High NAACP Youth Council are teaming up to bring you the BCPS Voter Education Spirit Week (VESW) from October 7 – 11! This week is all about sparking enthusiasm and engagement in voter education throughout our BCPS community.

With the generous support of The Education Foundation, every high school principal will receive a toolkit to help make this event a success. The materials supplied will support schools in hosting an information table at lunch periods during the spirit week.

To request the assistance of a community organization to host the table and register eligible students, please fill out the VESW information form.

You can also find all the materials via the online Voter Education Toolkit to replenish your table. Let’s come together to celebrate the power of voting and ensure everyone is prepared for the upcoming elections!

Questions regarding this information can be directed to Stacey Wade.

Nottingham Middle School celebrates ribbon cutting ceremony

Yesterday, Team BCPS leaders, Board of Education members, and state and county officials gathered for the official ribbon cutting ceremony for Nottingham Middle School, which opened to students in August. Nottingham Middle is the first new BCPS middle school since 2006. Photos from the event are available in a BCPS Flickr album.

¡Celebramos con orgullo!

Hispanic Heritage Month is here! Does your school or office have plans to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month? Please contact us at communications@bcps.org so we can highlight your celebrations and special events. Now through October 15, the BCPS community is invited to share celebrations and recognitions on social media using #BCPSHerencia.

Curriculum Nights continue on October 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Franklin High School

Students, parents, caregivers, and stakeholders are invited to experience BCPS curricula and explore system efforts to make improvements.

• View curricular and instructional materials.
• Ask questions and connect with content area experts.
• Participate in interactive demonstrations.
• Receive tips and resources on how to support students at home.
• Explore resources from Baltimore County Public Library, Recreation and Parks, and more!

Community Conversation on School Safety set to take place from 6-7 p.m. on October 17 at Kenwood High School

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers will host the second of two community meetings this fall focused on creating safe and supportive learning environments. Team BCPS students, families, staff, and stakeholders are invited to participate and learn more about BCPS efforts to ensure student and staff safety, connect to community resources, and build positive partnerships for student support.

Spanish interpretation will be provided at both events. 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.

We are pleased to share the 2025 in-person, summer professional learning (PL) schedule. Staff are strongly encouraged to attend all applicable professional learning sessions next summer. BCPS has committed significant resources to develop collaborative learning environments and opportunities for all staff. Please note, staff who do not complete their professional learning on the identified professional learning days will be required to participate in makeup sessions in the fall.

BCPS will celebrate Bullying Prevention Week October 21-25. During that week, we encourage students and staff to wear a designated color for each day of the week. The color represents character traits that all people can demonstrate. Please share photos on social media using #BCPSCares.

Share your partnership highlights with us!

FOR NEW EDUCATORS

New Educator Orientation Make-up Sessions

New Educator Orientation is part of the BCPS Induction Program for new educators. Themed "The Power of Engagement: Empowering New Educators on a Path to Excellence," it enhances professional skills, introduces system leaders and processes, and provides valuable information. Make-up sessions, held at the Employee Development Center in Timonium, will be offered for those who missed the August orientation. Participants will receive a stipend, and registration details are available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR PRINCIPALS

Principal internship applications due Monday, October 14

The Principal Internship, a professional learning pathway for assistant principals, has been designed to sustain a principal pipeline. This professional learning pathway is a blend of coursework, opportunities for professional learning, and an internship. The program will be held between November 2024 - April 2025. Applications are due no later than Monday, October 14. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR HIGH SCHOOL STAFF

2024-2025 Maryland General Assembly Page Program

The Maryland Department of Legislative Services recently provided information about the Maryland General Assembly Page Program to all high school principals. Fourteen students from public and private schools in Baltimore County will be selected to participate in this program. Candidates must be seniors at least 16 years old.

School staff should submit a signed PDF version of the nominating form, application, and essay. Completed PDF forms must be returned to Carol Rook in the Office of Social Studies by Friday, October 11. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR HIGH SCHOOL STAFF

State Student Member of the Board

The Maryland Association of Student Councils is now accepting nominations for the 2025-2026 State Student Member on the Board of Education (SMOB). The application packet is available online or as a PDF. The SMOB Informational Webinar will be held Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m. Interested students are strongly encouraged to attend. The State SMOB Application deadline is Monday, November 18.

Upcoming Board, boundary study, and advisory committee meetings

All are welcome to attend

Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee meeting

Monday, October 7, at 7 p.m.

Zoom meeting link

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m.

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

Northwest Area Elementary School Boundary Study #2 - Meeting 3

Wednesday, October 9, from 6-8 p.m.

Milford Mill Academy cafeteria, 3800 Washington Ave., Windsor Mill 21244

Holly Manor Community Boundary Study - Public Information Session

Wednesday, October 16, from 7-8 p.m.

Westchester Elementary School cafeteria, 2300 Old Frederick Rd., Catonsville 21228

Greenleigh Community Boundary Study - Public Information Session

Thursday, October 17, from 6-8 p.m.

Vincent Farm Elementary School cafeteria, 6019 Ebenezer Rd., White Marsh 21162

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT

Sarah Miller, School Counselor, Chesapeake High School

Submitted by Holly Kern, Assistant Principal, Chesapeake High School

Michele Giguere, Reading Specialist, and Brian Stahl, Math Resource Teacher, Sandalwood Elementary School

Submitted by Lindsey Douglass, English Language Development Teacher, Holabird STEM Middle School

"Both Michele and Brian make up the Resource Team with me at Sandalwood Elementary and are also a part of the Instructional Leadership Team. I watch them work tirelessly every day to provide instruction for our students, lead professional learning communities and grade level meetings, mentor teachers, and run responsive groups. This doesn't even include all of the other hats they wear in the building. I am fortunate to work on such a cohesive team and truly believe they deserve to be recognized for all their hard work."

You may submit a shoutout for a variety of reasons. For example, you may want to offer a pat on the back to a colleague for helping out, recognize a staff member or student achievement, or welcome a new employee. When your shoutout appears in The Staff Bulletin, your name and school/location will be included.

UPCOMING RECOGNITIONS

Hispanic Heritage Month - through October 15

National Principals Month - October

National Bullying Prevention Month - October

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month - October

International Walk & Roll to School Day - October 9

National School Lunch Week - October 14-18

Digital Citizenship Week - October 14-18

America's Safe Schools Week - October 20-26

National School Bus Safety Week - October 21-25

BCPS Transportation Appreciation Day - October 23

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org