Join us for the Magnet EXPO this Saturday, Sept. 28 -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, September 23, 2024

Join us for the Magnet EXPO! this Saturday, Sept. 28

The school system encourages students and their families to attend the annual Magnet EXPO! Attendees can see displays and meet representatives from all schools with magnet programs. In addition, families can learn more about special education and multilingual achievement programs and see career and technical education exhibits and demonstrations.

Visit from Mexican Consul brings attention to BCPS course for Spanish-speaking students

Spanish for Native and Heritage Speakers course and Maryland Seal of Biliteracy highlighted

Just prior to the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, Consul Maite Narváez Abad of the Mexican Embassy and Lucia Islas, president of Comité Latino de Baltimore, visited Catonsville Middle School and Catonsville High School to learn more about the school system's Spanish for Native and Heritage Speakers course and how it is increasing student achievement and supporting more Spanish-speaking students in qualifying for the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy.

In a new blog post, Amy Pritchett, coordinator of the Office of World Languages, and Kerline Lubin, a World Languages specialist, describe why and how the course was created and the impact it is having on building literacy and a sense of community. The course supports students who already speak Spanish in focusing on writing and reading in Spanish. It reinforces specific skills that the students are simultaneously learning in their English language arts classes.

The course was offered last year in nine schools; this year, it is offered in 12 schools, with close to 400 students enrolled. More than 70 percent of students enrolled in the course show growth over the year – some students have increased their proficiency up to 11 levels worth of growth. Other students begin at a higher reading level, and they sustain that level throughout the course as they work on developing writing skills.

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers will host two community meetings focused on creating safe and supportive learning environments. Team BCPS students, families, staff, and stakeholders are invited to participate in these important conversations 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 meetings. 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.

Thursday, September 26, from 6-7 p.m.

Catonsville High School

421 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville 21228

Thursday, October 17, from 6-7 p.m.

Kenwood High School

501 Stemmers Run Rd., Baltimore 21221

Students, parents, caregivers, and stakeholders are invited to experience BCPS curricula and explore current system efforts to make improvements. At the Curriculum Nights, participants can:

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, the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, and more!

Tuesday, October 1, from 6-7:30 p.m.

Chesapeake High School

1801 Turkey Point Rd.

Essex 21221

Tuesday, October 15, from 6-7:30 p.m.

Franklin High School

12000 Reisterstown Rd.

Reisterstown 21136

BCPS Close-Up: Quincey Lucas-Spencer, Grade 5, Bedford Elementary School

Quincey Lucas-Spencer, who has attended Bedford Elementary School from Grade 1, loves the school: “I like the teachers, feel safe there, and get to see my friends and all. I have tons of friends at Bedford.”

The Grade 5 student, whose favorite subjects are math, reading, and physical education, is an aspiring NBA player but can also imagine a future as a fashion designer.

A new "BCPS Close-Up" blog post shares more about this well-rounded student, including his love of travel, animals, and ability to impersonate soul legend James Brown.

“BCPS Close-Up” profiles accomplished and interesting students, employees, and community supporters. To recommend someone for a profile, please email communications@bcps.org.

BCPS earns 22nd consecutive award for its budget presentation

The Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International has awarded the Meritorious Budget Award to BCPS for excellence in the preparation and issuance of its school system budget for FY 2024. The Meritorious Budget Award is the highest form of recognition in school system budget presentation issued by ASBO International. This is the 22nd consecutive year the school system has been presented with this prestigious award.

Be a "team player" for Attendance Awareness Month

In honor of Attendance Awareness Month, the BCPS Here for It! Attendance Awareness campaign encourages staff and students to participate in countywide spirit days on Fridays in September. For Friday, September 27, everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite team colors, shirts, or jerseys to promote that students can all be "team players" by showing up on time every day.

BCPS celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized annually from September 15 - October 15. Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, BCPS will spotlight Hispanic students and staff on the BCPS Spanish Facebook page. The first two featured are:

Yessy Garcia, of Dominican heritage

Paraeducator

Rossville Elementary School

Eddie Valentin, of Puerto Rican heritage

School security assistant

Cedarmere and Milbrook elementary schools

To be recognized or to nominate a student or staff member, please contact Gevene Harden with the following information: name, job title/grade, and school/office; a recent, high-quality photo; country or countries of origin; and a brief blurb (en español o en inglés) about why you are proud of your Hispanic heritage and/or how you connect with your roots (1-2 paragraphs).

In addition, the BCPS community is invited to share Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and recognitions on social media using #BCPSHerencia. Last week, Woodlawn High School posted images of Hispanic heritage decorations; Deep Creek Elementary School shared a video of Grade 1 students learning a new Spanish word each day; and Perry Hall High School hosted a marimba concert.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

High school students and families can now access Xello for college and career readiness information

BCPS is pleased to announce a new partnership with Xello to advance the college and career readiness program. Following the districtwide introduction to rising seniors in April 2024, students in Grades 9-12 now have access to the Xello platform.

Parents and guardians should have received an email with instructions for accessing Xello. Videos offering additional information are available online in English and Spanish.

Looking for more ideas and information? Please sign up for the Parent University newsletter! It is designed specifically for parents and caregivers and offers ideas, information, resources, and opportunities.

for your viewing pleasure

"In the Light" by Logan Hammond, Grade 8, Sudbrook Magnet Middle School. This artwork was featured in last spring's West School Zone Exhibit in The Superintendent's Gallery at BCPS headquarters.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Recent recipients of Little Free Library Read in Color Expansion grants participate in orientation

The Baltimore County Family Network of Little Free Libraries is pleased to welcome the recipients of the fall 2024 LFL Read in Color expansion grants:

Dumbarton Middle School
Halethorpe Elementary School
Logan Elementary School
The Maryland Zoo
Milford Mill Academy
Orems Elementary School & The Apartments at Canterbury
Parkville Middle School
Relay Elementary School
Sandalwood Elementary School
Seven Oaks Elementary School
Windsor Mill Middle School

These grants support the development of Little Free Libraries containing diverse books and are offered through a partnership between The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., and the Little Free Library organization. Representatives of the grantees recently gathered for an orientation and to select books for their Little Free Libraries. More about the program can be found in a blog post.

A word from Dr. Rogers

September 23, 2024

Dear Reader:

Hispanic Heritage Month, which began on September 15, is particularly meaningful for BCPS. More than 18,000 BCPS students (17 percent of our student body) and many of our staff members are Hispanic, and they contribute greatly to the culture and success of our school system.

Throughout the month, schools across the county are celebrating the diversity and contributions of Hispanic Americans with special programs, classroom learning, and more. Systemwide, we are spotlighting some of our Hispanic staff members and students and sharing information about our programs for Hispanic students such as our Spanish for Native and Heritage Speakers course.

We honor and appreciate that the diversity of our school system enhances the depth of our student learning.

In partnership,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent