Latest Summer Stories showcase students making a difference in the community | Carver Center student Ivy McKnight advocates for those with disabilities | | What are venues doing to ensure that patrons with disabilities will be safe in an emergency? And what more can they do? | | | |
These questions have occupied much of Ivy McKnight’s thoughts and activities for more than a year. Ivy, a rising junior at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, is involved with the advocacy organization Disability EmpowHer Network, dedicated to advancing causes important to disabled women.
Ivy's work on this issue began in summer 2024, when she was one of seven girls selected nationally to participate as young leaders in the organization’s Camp EmpowHer, which promotes self-advocacy and leadership. Her work culminated this summer with part two of the camp, this time held in Washington, D.C. Between the two camps, working with a mentor, Ivy developed an extensive research paper and presentation to draw attention to the needs of the disabled during emergency evacuations. She was able to speak with supporters of disability advocacy and Maryland Senator Alsobrooks’ staff.
Learn more in a new Summer Stories blog post.
| | Three Woodlawn High students intern on Red Line Baltimore project | | |
In the next several years, The Red Line, a proposed high-frequency, high-capacity light rail line, might connect Bayview in East Baltimore to Woodlawn in west Baltimore County. This summer, Woodlawn High School students De’Marcus Beal, J’Da Edwards, and Sofiat Sule, along with six city high school students who also live in potentially impacted communities, are participating in the Maryland Transit Administration Red Line High School Internship Program.
Over the course of six weeks, the paid interns, selected through an intensive application and interview process, are exploring careers in transportation planning and engineering while learning about the Baltimore Red Line Transit Project.
Through office work, field visits, and mentorship, the interns are building teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. The interns are also learning about transportation investments, including government and private sector roles, project development, transit operations, and community engagement.
Learn more about Marcus, J'Da, and Sofiat and their internships in a new Summer Stories blog post.
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Every summer since 2018, BCPS has invited its students, teachers, and staff to share stories about their summer activities and adventures on the BCPS blog. The invitation to contribute to the Summer Stories series is extended again this year. To submit a blog post or suggest a story idea, please write to communications@bcps.org. We want to know about your summer jobs/internships/externships, vacations, creative projects, competitions, camps, and more!
| | Baltimore Ravens present new jerseys to New Town Titans as winners of the 2024 Rising Stars Relay | | |
As the winners of the 2024 Rising Stars Relay, the New Town High School varsity football team was presented with new jerseys donated by the Ravens. The jerseys were presented on July 23 by Ravens players Kyle Hamilton and Zay Flowers.
Prior to all Ravens home games, two area schools compete on the M&T Bank Stadium field against each other and the clock in a relay race competition of football drills.
While both schools receive tickets to the game and Ravens prize packs, the school with the fastest time each week receives a $500 donation to their school's athletic department. The fastest time for the entire season wins brand new jerseys for their varsity team.
Sparrows Point High School won this honor in 2021, while Woodlawn High School won it in 2017.
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BCPSfest is coming! BCPSfest is coming! | | |
Save the date! BCPSfest, your favorite back to school festival, has moved to a new location! Join us!
Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
New Town High School, 4931 New Town Boulevard, Owings Mills 21117
At BCPSfest 2025, let's celebrate the upcoming 2025-26 school year. Join us for fun hands-on activities, to learn more about BCPS and community-based programs and services, and to explore employment opportunities with BCPS.
Here are just 15 of the many things you can do at this year's event:
- Ride a spin-art bicycle presented by Maryland Cycling Classic and sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.
- Learn more about job opportunities with BCPS.
- Explore a foam playground courtesy of The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc.
- Enjoy story time with special guest readers.
- Register to vote with Black Girls Vote or the Baltimore County Board of Elections.
- Put out "fires" with the Fire Museum of Maryland.
- Upcycle trash into art with Watershed Public Charter School.
- Meet an animal ambassador from Irvine Nature Center.
- Be interviewed by the BCPS Department of Communications and Community Outreach.
- Launch straw rockets with the BCPS Science Office.
- Participate in the "multilingual office challenge" with CAPSI (Center for the Advancement of the Immigrant).
- Learn to jump rope "Double Dutch" style.
- Take the Wheel of Dance challenge with the BCPS Office of Performing Arts.
- Participate in Scouting America's "rain gutter regatta" (tiny boat race).
- Touch dinosaur poop, megalodon teeth, a raccoon skull, and more with the Natural History Society of Maryland.
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And don't miss the Back to School vaccine clinic at BCPSfest
The Baltimore County Department of Health will hold a back-to-school vaccine clinic at BCPSfest. All school-required vaccines will be administered at this clinic. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.
| | | County Commission on Disabilities seeks nominations for annual awards | | |
The Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities is seeking nominees for its annual awards program. Nominations can be made online, and selected individuals and companies will be honored at a ceremony in the fall. The awards categories are:
- Student of the Year
- Teacher of the Year
- Employee Award
- Volunteer Award
- Disability Advocate Award
- Accessibility Award
The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, September 9.
| | Summer Food Service Program continues | | |
To reach as many children (ages 2-18) as possible, the Summer Food Service program, managed by the BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services, offers several ways to access free summer meals through Friday, August 15.
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Summer Meals TO-GO: Families can register to pick up summer meals at Carroll Manor or Kingsville elementary schools or Hereford High School. Each week, registered families can pick up boxes containing five breakfast meals and five lunches per child.
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Organized program sites: Summer programs (including camps, day cares, sports teams, and religious groups) can register to have free breakfast and/or lunch meals delivered to their sites in Baltimore County. Last year, more than 300 programs participated. Registration is required, and participating programs must serve at least 25 children per day.
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Baltimore County Public Library branches: Sixteen branches of Baltimore County Public Library are serving free lunches each weekday. These meals must be eaten on site. The list of participating branches and their mealtimes is available online.
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BCPS Summer School: All students attending summer school receive free breakfast and lunch each day. No registration is required for these meals. Summer school (Monday through Thursday) continues through July 31.
| | July episode of "The CTE Show" highlights partnerships | The July episode of "The CTE Show" features three segments about partnerships. The first story is about the Arts Career Day event held for BCPS high school students by Arts for Learning Maryland. The second story explores Northwest Hospital's enduring partnerships with Northwest Academy of Health Sciences and Randallstown High School. The show ends with coverage of a science fair at Prettyboy Elementary School that was organized by Hereford High School's Science National Honor Society. | | |
In many ways, communication is at the heart of the books recommended this week by our wonderful colleagues in the Baltimore County Public Library Collection Department. A chef uses cuisine to tell the story about her Chinese heritage. A boy who connects with others via video games finds himself in a tech-free camp. A Grade 7 student fighting for justice finds new ways to be heard. And a nonfiction book explores the urban legends we tell each other. The recommendations are available in English and Spanish.
Please remember to stop by your local library branch to participate in the summer reading program, have them put together a Be Surprised Bundle for you, and take part in their many activities.
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for parents
from BCPS Parent University
| | A look back at BCPS summer music, art, and dance camps 2025 | | An overview of the 2025 BCPS Partnership Fair | | for your viewing pleasure | | |
"Milli March" by Kamori White-Hill, Chesapeake High School, was featured in the 37th Annual High School Art Exhibition.
Artist statement:
The big idea behind this artwork is to express the meaning and purpose of anthropomorphism. This artwork was created because I wanted to portray insects that are “unpleasant” to look at, as cuter by doing macro photography. I wanted to inform my audience that insects aren’t unpleasant to look at unless you make it that way, and can be cuter, just like any other insect. My artwork was made with the passion and dedication I put into doing macro photography. I used a macro lens and different key aspects, such as pink fabric or bright lighting, to enhance the picture to make the millipede look attractive to the eyes. Javier Rupérez is an artist who does macro photography of insects. During this process, I was experimenting with image stack, and this artist introduced me to it, and I wanted to implement that into my artwork. My artwork is significant because it tells the story of the anthropomorphism world and introduces it to a new audience. People wouldn’t look at a millipede and think it’s cute, and I wanted my audience to look at this millipede with admiration.
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mission moment
from The Education Foundation of BCPS
| | Help us "stuff the bus" with needed school supplies | | |
Join WBAL-TV, WBAL News Radio, and 98 Rock, as part of the Hearst Cares Campaign, in partnership with The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., for the Third Annual Dr. Tim Tooten’s Stuff the Bus School Supplies Drive in support of BCPS. (Dr. Tooten, a beloved veteran education reporter, passed away earlier this year.)
The school supply drive collection will take place on Friday, August 22, from 3-7 p.m. at Padonia International Elementary School, 9834 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21030 (at the Galloway Drive entrance).
Community members are invited to host school supply drives via businesses, places of worship, community outreach, family service, and other civic-minded outlets, and deliver their donations to Padonia International Elementary School on August 22 to help us stuff the bus!
A new Mission Moment blog post lists the most needed school supplies.
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Upcoming Board meetings
All are welcome to attend
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Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, August 12, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204
Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, August 26, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204
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