Schools, students celebrate BCPS College & Career Decision Day -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, May 5, 2025

Schools, students celebrate BCPS College and Career Decision Day

On May 1, BCPS College and Career Decision Day, graduating seniors were invited to share their plans on social media using hashtag #BCPSdecisionday. Many schools set up special photo booths and held signing events. In addition, the BCPS community was invited to post photos with college gear. If you didn't participate on May 1, it isn't too late. Just email photos to communications@bcps.org and include your name and school. Photos received will be added to the College and Career Decision Day Flickr album, which already includes more than 290 images.

BCPS-TV produced a video about Decision Day activities at Perry Hall High School.

Spring conference encourages college interns to become BCPS educators

The BCPS Department of Employee Training and Development, in partnership with TABCO (Teachers Association of Baltimore County) and the Maryland State Education Association, hosted a Spring Intern Conference on April 7 at the BCPS Employee Development Center.

College students interning in classrooms across the county were invited to a day of professional learning. Interns attended sessions on classroom management, high-quality instruction, first-year supports, and other topics, and learned more about licensure requirements and the application process to become a BCPS educator. Photos from the conference can be found on Flickr.

Free webinar offered during National Mental Health Awareness Month

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and this week (Sunday, May 4 – Saturday, May 10) is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Be sure to wear GREEN on Thursday, May 8, for National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day.

On Tuesday, May 6, at 1 p.m., TalkSpace will host a free webinar on “Breaking Barriers to Personal Growth: Identifying What Holds Us Back." The webinar will include ways to recognize roadblocks, both individual and structural, that prevent people from reaching their full potential and to develop effective strategies to overcome them. Please register using this link.

Arbutus Middle School takes center stage in new "Entertainment Blvd" episode

The latest episode of "Entertainment Blvd" features Arbutus Middle School's jazz band, chorus, and orchestra led by teachers Chris Kim, Joshua Schwarz, and James Miskimon.

Registration open for annual HZR STEM Summer Camp

Camp to be held July 14-18

Registration is open for the annual Hereford Zone Robotics (HZR) STEM Summer Camp. Students who participate in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) camp will:

Explore lifting, driving, walking, and sensor guided robots.
Design robots to complete specified tasks.
Build robots to participate in robotic competition.
Program robots to operate autonomously and by remote control.

The camp is recommended for students who will be in Grades 5-8 during the 2025-26 school year. The camp will be held at Hereford Middle School, from Monday, July 14, through Friday, July 18, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The cost for the camp is $250.

Recent student and staff honors

James Renaud of Western Tech earns one of 25 national Teacher Excellence Awards for technology and engineering educators

James Renaud of Western School of Technology and Environmental Science is one of just 25 outstanding technology and engineering educators who was honored with a Teacher Excellence Award by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) at its 87th Annual Conference held last month in St. Louis, MO.

Renaud worked as a civil engineer for 20 years before becoming a teacher. At Western Tech, he supports students in many ways, including serving as Engineering Club advisor, Day with an Engineer liaison, and University of Maryland Outreach coordinator.

Renaud (center) with Ruth Akers and Robin Bowden of the BCPS Career and Technical Education Office

Charles Elendu Jr. of Owings Mills High School recognized as one of 12 PNC Achievers

Charles Elendu Jr. of Owings Mills High School is one of 12 lacrosse players in Maryland honored as an outstanding student-athlete by the PNC Achievers program.

An AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) participant, Elendu ranks 12th out of 200 students academically and is considered a leader and a team player on the lacrosse field.

Elendu being interviewed on WLIF (101.9 FM)

Tim Scherer of Dundalk High School named 2025 Athletic Director of the Year for Baltimore County

Tim Scherer, athletic director at Dundalk High School, has been named the 2025 Maryland State Athletic Directors Association District 6 (Baltimore County) Athletic Director of the Year.

"Tim is an outstanding athletic director who consistently demonstrates a tireless work ethic and a deep commitment to the students he serves," said BCPS Director of Athletics Michael Sye. "He is a true advocate for our student-athletes, always prioritizing their academic and personal development. His approach to leadership is both student-centered and results driven. Tim goes above and beyond to ensure that each athlete has the resources, support, and guidance they need to succeed, not just on the field, but in life. In addition to his student-focused initiatives, Tim is a champion for our coaches and athletic teams. He works tirelessly to promote their successes, ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve."

Stoneleigh Elementary office secretary Jennifer Wachob named BCPS Education Support Professional of the Year

On May 1, Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers and other leaders visited Stoneleigh Elementary School to surprise office secretary Jennifer Wachob with the news that she has been named the BCPS Education Support Professional of the Year. More photos from the event can be found on Flickr.

Support Graham Pitts, a Charlesmont Elementary teacher, in a national contest

Graham Pitts, the physical education teacher at Charlesmont Elementary School, is one of just 20 national finalists in a Tropical Smoothie Cafe contest Sunshine for Teachers. If he wins, Pitts will receive a dream vacation for his family, $1,000 for his school, and a smoothie party for students and staff. Please use your personal (non-BCPS) devices to vote for him by Friday, May 9. Pitts was nominated for this contest by his colleagues – unbeknownst to him.

The graduating senior profile series continues for the Class of 2025

In honor of the Class of 2025, BCPS is profiling one senior from each high school. A new profile will be highlighted on the website and social media each school day until Friday, May 23, the last day for seniors.

Please follow along and share your support on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) as they are posted each day.

During the week of April 28-May 2, the series featured the following students:

Grace Bright,

Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts

An aspiring FBI agent, Grace participates in her school's homeland security completer program and in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination).

Adam Elmachi,

Sollers Point Technical High School

This student athlete, enrolled in his school's CISCO Networking Program, will pursue a career as a professional pilot.

Blen Kifle,

Owings Mills High School

Blen is headed to Howard University where she will study health sciences as she prepares for a career as a physician assistant.

Jacob Hinton,

Battle Monument School

Jacob is highly social and has great interest in wrestling, bowling, and 80's rock music.

Sean Marshall,

Woodlawn High School

Sean serves as the coordinator of Woodlawn High's tutoring programs. He will study cybersecurity engineering as a Presidential Scholar at Coppin State University.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

Join Parent University for virtual Lunch & Learn Workshops this week

“Grandparents Raising Grandchildren”

Thursday, May 8, at 12:30 p.m.

Nearly 3 million children in the U.S. are being raised by grandparents. In this virtual workshop, learn about the challenges faced by grandparents raising grandchildren, discuss strategies for building a home-school partnership, and access resources to support learning at home. Registration required.

“Easy Productivity Tips, Tricks & Techniques”

Friday, May 9, at 12:30 p.m.

This virtual workshop, presented by the Center for Family Success, will teach a variety of ways to approach prioritization and increase productivity without increasing stress. Registration required.

Special Education Parent Involvement Survey to close on May 30

Parents and guardians encouraged to make their voices heard!

Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services should have received the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey in February.

Families are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage-paid envelope by Friday, May 30. The survey may also be completed online.

Feedback from families will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in local school systems.

for your viewing pleasure

"Grandma's Hands" by Chyler Sydnor, Grade 12, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, is featured in the annual statewide High School Juried Art Show at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Latest Mission Moment blog post recognizes American Design Associates as the BCPS Business Partner Champion of the Year

Board Vice Chair Robin Harvey, American Design Associates' Executive Vice President Theresa Alcarese and President Jim Jones, and BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers

At last month's Champions for Children event, American Design Associates was named the 2025 BCPS Business Partner Champion of the Year. A new Mission Moment blog post explores the depth of the American Design Associates partnership with BCPS and The Education Foundation -- including its support for the foundation's Exchangerees (educator resource centers) and its establishment of a new grant program to provide alternative learning spaces in BCPS schools.

The Education Foundation's inaugural Let's Play Pickleball fundraiser is just one month away

The Education Foundation of BCPS is pleased to present the inaugural Let’s Play Pickleball fundraiser. Community members are invited to a competitive pickleball tournament, friendly pickleball clinic, Pickle Pong, networking, and more! Please join us on Thursday, May 29, from 2-5 p.m., at Copper Union, 5700 Cottonworth Ave., Baltimore 21209. All proceeds will go toward supporting the mission-driven work of the foundation.

Sponsorships and tickets are now available. A Mission Moment blog post offers details about ways to participate in and support this event.

A word from Dr. Rogers

May 5, 2025

Dear Reader:

When we get this close to the end of the school year, calendars fill with award ceremonies, performances, and special events. It is a joyous time to celebrate all that we have accomplished.

But it is also time to renew our focus on learning. I encourage families to remind their children that there is still work to be done and knowledge to be gained. Maintaining positive habits – like good nutrition, physical exercise, and designated times for homework and sleep – will help students stay on track for success.

Please remember also to reach out to teachers and school counselors to resolve any issues.

We want to do all we can to ensure that every student ends the 2024-25 school year on a positive note!

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent