Thursday, August 29, 2024

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

The 2024-2025 school year is underway!

This week, more than 111,000 Team BCPS students streamed into our 176 schools, centers, and programs as we kicked off the 2024-2025 school year. BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers led the welcome, greeting students at schools around the county. More information about the start of the school year is available in a BCPS news release.

Photos from the first day of school, including an album of first day photos submitted by the Team BCPS community, are available on the BCPS Flickr page.

It's not too late to share first day moments with us! Just use #BCPSFirstDay on social media or email photos to communications@bcps.org.

FEATURED VIDEO:

First Day of School Highlights

On Monday, BCPS-TV was on the scene at Eastern Technical High School, Nottingham Middle School, Fort Garrison Elementary School, and Timonium Elementary School to capture the magic of the first day of school! Be sure to also check out our First Day Sights & Sounds video.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Community Notice: Instructional materials available for review

As outlined in Policy and Rule 6002, prior to consideration by the Board of Education of Baltimore County, all instructional materials intended for systemwide student use will be placed on public display to provide parents/caregivers, staff, and community members an opportunity for review and comment.

Current instructional materials under review are linked below:

• Materials of Instruction Discount Program

Any BCPS staff member, student, or parent/guardian may provide feedback concerning the proposed books for PreKindergarten library curriculum by completing the Citizens Review of Instructional Materials form. Information on materials available for review is posted on the BCPS website homepage, in the Team BCPS Spotlight section.

• Volunteer coordinators for the 2024-2025 school year

Principals are asked to provide the name of their volunteer coordinator via the Staff Access Management app. All new and returning volunteer coordinators are required to attend one of three annual training sessions, which will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. This annual training will provide updates regarding access to the Vector Solutions training site, tracking volunteer hours, and procedures for accepting applications. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Schools and offices have until Friday, Oct. 25, to apply for 21st Century Instructional Initiative grants

BCPS schools and offices can apply for 21st Century Instructional Initiative Grants of up to $2,000 each to fund projects that focus on one or more of the following 21st century themes: Financial, Economic, Business, and Entrepreneurial Literacy; Health Literacy; Environmental Literacy; Civic Literacy; Arts and Culture; Global Awareness; and/or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Grant applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 25. An optional grant information session will be held on at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4. More information is available in a BCPS Mission Moment blog post.

• Grading and Reporting Manual update

In response to feedback and our focus on student achievement, significant revisions are being made to the Grading and Reporting Procedures Manual. Essential updates are provided in an online document. The PowerPoint presentation, with additional notes, has been provided for use with teachers. Teachers are encouraged to review this information and school-based grading and reporting practices during the first week of school, Back to School Night, and parent conferences. The Smartsheet link can be used by school principals to request changes to the gradebook setting.

During the 2024-2025 school year, we will monitor the implementation and impact of these changes. We will also have opportunities for administrator, teacher, student, and parent/guardian feedback during the year.

4 Things to Know About the August 27 Board of Education Meeting

1) The Board held a work session on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 State Capital Budget request.

2) The Board received an update on hiring. BCPS began the 24-25 school year with the lowest number of classroom vacancies in years. Seventy percent of schools do not have any vacancies.

3) The Board received a presentation and approved the Office of Internal Audit's FY25-28 Work Plan.

4) The Board approved two administrative appointments.

Baltimore County Implements School Bus Camera Safety Program

Under a new initiative, focused on student safety, the Baltimore County Police Department has partnered with BCPS and AngelTrax to install automated school bus enforcement cameras on nearly 1,000 buses that transport students to and from school and various programs within Baltimore County.

Following a 30-day warning period, motorists who illegally pass a stopped school bus with activated flashing red lights will be subject to a $250 fine. More information is available in a BCPS news release.

BCPS students make gains on 13 of 16 2024 English and math state assessment data points

In case you missed it, please review Tuesday's Community Update regarding the release of data from the 2024 administration of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) in English language arts, mathematics, and science.

SAMHSA 2024 Suicide Prevention Toolkit

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. The 2024 Suicide Prevention Month Toolkit offers various assets, such as social media posts and shareable graphics, that will help raise awareness about the information and resources Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers about suicide prevention.

Some include:

• Key Messages and Weekly Themes
• Social Media Shareables
• Hashtags to help connect social media content

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Wayfinder Grant recipients announced, additional funding available

The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., is pleased to announce the first four recipients of the inaugural Purpose-Centered Social Emotional Learning (SEL) grant in partnership with Wayfinder and to announce that the deadline has been extended.

The first four recipients are:

• Dundalk Middle School, Principal Matthew Wickman, Project Coordinator Jessica Cuozzo
• Lansdowne High School, Principal Allison Seymour, Project Coordinator Tiffany Saylor
• Sparrows Point Middle School, Principal Eric Eiswert, Project Coordinator Robin Taylor-Chadwick
• Woodlawn Middle School, Principal Dr. Rochelle Archelus, Project Coordinator Scott Saffron

A total of 10 schools will have the opportunity to participate in the Purpose-Centered SEL program during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. Therefore, the application deadline has been extended to August 30 at 5 p.m. More information is available in a Mission Moments blog post.

Here For It Attendance Awareness Campaign

The Here for It Attendance Awareness Campaign is an ongoing initiative that includes a curated collection of tools, resources, and suggested activities available to various BCPS stakeholders to raise awareness around the importance of regular school attendance and offer support for decreasing barriers to regular school attendance.

As we prepare to continue the great work of the campaign in the 24-25 school year, several additional resources/tools have been developed for school-based attendance committees.

Welcome to Team BCPS! This is a reminder that all newly hired employees have 60 days from the first day of employment to enroll in benefits. If you wish for benefits to start September 1, 2024, please make your elections, and upload all applicable supporting documentation, by 11:59 p.m., on August 31, 2024.

Please note that dependents cannot be added without providing proof of relationship. If elections are made on or after September 1, 2024, but before October 1, 2024, benefits will begin October 1, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact our Employee and Retiree Customer Service Center at 443-809-1000, or cschelp@bcps.org.

Share your partnership highlights with us!

FOR 10-MONTH TABCO & AFSCME-REPRESENTED STAFF

2024-2025 Extra Duty Activity (EDA) process)

The updated Extra Duty Activity (EDA) process for the 2024-2025 school year is now operational. The Division of Fiscal Services worked collaboratively across divisions to facilitate this updated process to include additional fields in the Smartsheet and a new dedicated email address for our EDA work at eda4schools@bcps.org.

This new dedicated email was created to facilitate communication between schools and the Division of Fiscal Services staff about the Extended Day Activities process. As in prior years, you will be uploading your EDA information to a Smartsheet. The link to the Smartsheet can also be found in the updated BCPS EDA Procedures Manual. More information can be found in a News Hub post.

FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATORS

Elementary and middle schools invited to participate in Black Excellence Program

The Black Excellence Program (BE Program) is an extracurricular event that will engage students in the people, places, and events that have been important throughout the Black experience. This program provides a forum for students to showcase their knowledge and celebrate Black history and achievements. Principals who would like their school to participate in the BE Program should identify a club coach or sponsor and complete the registration form. Teacher sponsorship of the program is an approved EDA. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR FIRST THROUGH THIRD YEAR PARAEDUCATORS

Paraeducator Induction Program

The Office of Workforce Development is proud to offer another year of the Paraeducator Induction Program for first through third year paraeducators in BCPS! The Paraeducator Induction Program is a year-long program that meets each month to provide ongoing professional development from content experts and opportunities to collaborate with experienced mentors throughout the county. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR TEACHERS

New Science of Reading requirement

Beginning July 1, 2025, teachers employed in a Maryland public school, Maryland-operated school, or Maryland nonpublic special education facility and assigned to teach early childhood education, elementary education, special education, or English for Speakers of Other Languages are required to demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction at the renewal of their Maryland Educator License. Educators renewing a certificate to a license are not required to complete the Science of Reading requirement. It is required when renewing the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) license.

Options to complete the Science of Reading requirement can be found on MSDE’s website. These are the only options currently accepted by MSDE. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

The Office of Workforce Development is pleased to offer a career pathway opportunity to additional adult assistants working within Special Education who are interested in becoming paraeducators. Participants will be compensated for their attendance at all training sessions, will receive ParaPro practice materials, and will receive direct support and guidance in preparation for the ParaPro assessment.

Please note that capacity for the fall session is limited to 25 participants – attendance for all sessions is required, and sessions will be held in person. This program will be repeated in spring 2025. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR NEW SCHOOL BOOKKEEPERS

Operating Budget Management for Schools

The Office of Budget and Reporting is offering a series of four training courses titled Operating Budget Management for Schools. The courses are mandatory for new school bookkeepers. Current school fiscals may take the courses as a refresher. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Upcoming Board and boundary study meetings

All are welcome to attend

Northwest Area Elementary School Boundary Study #2 - Meeting 1

Monday, September 11, from 6-8 p.m.

Milford Mill Academy Cafeteria

3800 Washington Ave., Windsor Mill, MD 21244

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, September 12, at 6:30 p.m.

6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson, MD 21204

Holly Manor Community Boundary Study - Meeting 1

Wednesday, September 18, from 6-8 p.m.

2300 Old Frederick Rd., Catonsville, MD 21228

Greenleigh Community Boundary Study - Meeting 1

Thursday, September 19, from 6-8 p.m.

Vincent Farm Elementary School Cafeteria

6019 Ebenezer Rd., White Marsh, MD 21162

Northwest Area Elementary School Boundary Study #2 - Meeting 2

Monday, September 25, from 6-8 p.m.

Milford Mill Academy Cafeteria

3800 Washington Ave., Windsor Mill, MD 21244

Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m.

6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson, MD 21204

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT

UPCOMING RECOGNITIONS

Library Card Sign-up Month - September

National Payroll Week - September 2-6

International Literacy Day - September 8

National Arts in Education Week - September 9-13

World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10

Patriot Day - September 11

Community School Facilitators Week - September 15-21

Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15 - October 15

IT Professionals Day - September 17

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org