Student Member of the Board applications open on Tuesday, Dec. 3 -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, December 2, 2024

Student Member of the Board applications open Tuesday, December 3

Student Member of the Board (SMOB) applications are open from December 3, 2024 – January 24, 2025.

Applicants must be current sophomores or juniors and will need to have a recommendation from their high school principal, in addition to other requirements. High school principals can nominate up to two students.

The SMOB serves a term of one year and provides an informed student viewpoint to the Board of Education of Baltimore County. The student member votes on all issues except collective bargaining, school openings and closings, and boundaries.

Four Carver Center students named among more than 800 YoungArts award winners for 2025

Two students named among 169 Winners with Distinction, eligible for additional honors

Four George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology students have been named 2025 YoungArts winners by the YoungArts organization. This year more than 800 young visual, literary and performing artists earned this national recognition through a highly competitive application process and rigorous reviews by panels of esteemed artists.

The Carver Center students named 2025 YoungArts winners are:

Jada McAliley, visual arts, Winner with Distinction
Therese Sheedy, visual arts
Cailyn Sydnor, photography
Kaleah Webb, visual arts, Winner with Distinction

More information can be found in a BCPS news release.

"Noise Cancellation Headphones" by Jada McAliley

Jada McAliley, a 2024 graduate, in first year at Maryland Institute College of Art

Therese Sheedy, Grade 12

Cailyn Sydnor, Grade 12

Kaleah Webb, Grade 12

BCPS is proud to reiterate its commitment to ensuring equity and access in all areas of academic programs, social-emotional supports, and business operations.

Owings Mills High student named a Questbridge Scholar

Two Owings Mills High students honored by College Board

Naomi Orimalade

Naomi Orimalade, a Grade 12 student at Owings Mills High School, has been named a Questbridge finalist for the 2025-26 school year.

In 2024, out of more than 25,500 applications, 7,288 students were selected as National College Match Finalists. Finalists exhibit outstanding academic achievement and qualify financially. As a finalist, Orimalade is eligible for a full-ride scholarship to some of the top institutions in the U.S.

In addition, Orimalade and another Owings Mills High student, Abieyuwa Osaghae, received the College Board's National African American Recognition Award for their SAT scores.

Recapping American Education Week 2024

During American Education Week, November 18-22, BCPS-TV visited Hebbville and Jacksonville elementary schools to capture some of the week's activities.

Students ages 14-18 can register now for the 2025 Baltimore County Police Department Youth Leadership Academy. There is no fee for participation. At the academy, youth will learn more about police work. The academy will take place June 23-28 at the CCBC/Dundalk Police Training Academy, 7200 Sollers Point Rd., Dundalk 21222. Lunch will be provided each day. The academy hours are 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. on weekends and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, please call 410-887-1394 or email youthacademy@baltimorecountymd.gov. The registration deadline is May 23, 2025.

Around the county

When the Maryland State Department of Education's Office of College and Career Pathways welcomed delegates from the World Bank and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a day of learning, BCPS served as the host site.

The day concluded with a tour of Sollers Point Technical High School’s outstanding career and technical education programs and a delicious meal prepared by the school's talented culinary students.

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers greeting visitors

A student working on a vehicle at Sollers Point Technical

Northwest Hospital partners with BCPS and its health sciences programs. Recently, 17 sophomores from Randallstown High School were presented with certificates to symbolize the introduction of the clinical component of their four-year Allied Health Program curriculum.

Owings Mills High School held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening for its "Twice Is Nice" thrift store on November 11. The thrift store is a new work-based learning worksite for Owings Mills Functional Academic Learning Support (FALS) students. FALS teacher Rosalyn Gaines organized this new initiative. The store is open to Owings Mills High staff, students, and visitors. More photos from the grand opening can be found online.

Baltimore County is developing Vison Zero Action Plans to identify priorities for roadway safety. County residents are encouraged to take a brief online survey by Monday, December 9, to help the government identify problem areas on our roads.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

The 2025-26 FAFSA form is now available for families interested in financial aid for higher education

The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now available to all students and families. The paper form is also available for students to submit.

Federal Student Aid Webinar

Tuesday, December 10, various times

Registration required.

Parents/caregivers and students are invited to this free online session to learn about how to complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.

Please share your feedback on the BCPS and Title I Family Engagement Plan

BCPS invites family and community members to participate in the annual review of the BCPS and Title I District Level Family Engagement Plan and the Board of Education Family Engagement Policy 1270. Please take a few minutes to review and send feedback .

Video introduces the services provided by the BCPS Birth to Five team

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

"Yarn Painting" by San San Win, Grade 8, Arbutus Middle School This artwork was featured in the 2024 BCPS Art is for Everyone! exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Back and bigger than ever: Designer Bag BINGO!

You are cordially invited to join The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools Inc. for an evening of fun and excitement. The second annual Designer Bag BINGO! will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America (25 Putty Hill Ave., Parkville 21234). All proceeds will benefit the Exchangerees: Gizmos & Gadgets Galore, two collaborative educator resource centers that support BCPS students and educators.

Prizes for the evening will be new, authentic, and unused designer bags from Coach, Kate Spade, Madden, Michael Kors, Vera Bradley, and more! Bags value up to $500 retail.

Learn more in a new Mission Moment blog post, and please purchase tickets or register as a sponsor today.

A word from Dr. Rogers

December 2, 2024

Dear Reader:

Welcome back from Thanksgiving break. I hope you enjoyed time with family and friends and had the opportunity to reflect on the positive things in your life.

We are approaching the end of the calendar year and the beginning of winter break, but this is not a time to slow down or slack off.

Although this is a season of many celebrations, it is also a time for us to continue our collective efforts to support our students, teachers, staff, and schools. I am so proud of the Team BCPS family for its commitment to educational excellence for all.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent