Monday, October 26, 2026

Fort Garrison, Kingsville, and Seventh District elementary schools awarded Maryland Blue Ribbon honors

BCPS schools have now received this statewide honor 30 times

Fort Garrison, Kingsville, and Seventh District elementary schools were among 23 schools statewide to be named 2026-2027 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools.

The 2026-2027 Maryland Blue Ribbon schools will be formally honored at the Maryland State Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, December 8, and during the General Assembly legislative session next spring.

BCPS stakeholders invited to Community Conversations on the Fiscal Year 2028 operating budget

Meetings to take place across the county from October - December

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Bill Heiser is hosting five Community Conversations to discuss the development of the Fiscal Year 2028 Operating Budget. Families, community members, and staff are invited to provide input on the process and give feedback on budget priorities.

The Community Conversations will take place on the following dates:

Spanish interpretation will be provided at each meeting. 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.

Recent Honors

Superintendent Heiser receives honor from Loyola University Maryland's School of Education

BCPS Superintendent Dr. William Heiser has received the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award from The School of Education at Loyola University Maryland.

Dr. Heiser was recognized for his outstanding contributions to education and his commitment to serving students and communities. The award was presented during an October 19 reception.

Dr. Heiser earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology (1995) and Master of Education degree in school counseling (1997) from Loyola University Maryland.

Dr. Afra Hersi, dean of the Loyola University Maryland School of Education, presenting the award to Dr. Heiser.

(Photo credit: Jeremy Travlos)

Woodlawn High senior Emily Cuellar-Diaz named a Coca-Cola Scholarship Foundation semifinalist

Emily Cuellar-Diaz, a Woodlawn High senior, has been named one of 1,277 Coca-Cola Scholarship Foundation semifinalists. The semifinalists were selected from among 113,000 applicants and will be considered to become one of 150 Coke Scholars-select in February 2027 and earn a $20,000 scholarship in April 2027. 

Emily is a leader on Woodlawn's girls soccer team and Mock Trial team, and she is president and founder of the Hispanic/Latinx Student Alliance at Woodlawn. She balances these leadership roles while maintaining a 5.625 weighted GPA and earning her Seal of Biliteracy in English and Spanish. She also received the College Board National First-Generation Recognition Program Award in 2025 and 2026. 

Get to know four of our amazing principals!

Three BCPS elementary schools rank among the top 10 in Maryland, according to U.S. News & World Report

Each year, U.S. News and World Report ranks elementary and middle schools across the nation based on their performance on state assessments and how that compares to their socioeconomic characteristics.

In the Best Elementary Schools list, the following BCPS schools ranked among the top 100 in Maryland:

#4 Rodgers Forge

#6 Riderwood

#8 West Towson

#12 Sparks

#14 Pinewood

#20 Timonium

#24 Cromwell Valley

#31 Chapel Hill

#50 Fort Garrison

#54 Carroll Manor

#58 Fifth District

#62 Honeygo

#67 Oliver Beach

#70 Stoneleigh

#73 Jacksonville

#94 Hillcrest

The top five ranked BCPS schools on the Best Middle Schools list are: #62 Hereford, #70 Ridgely, #170 Dumbarton, #171 Cockeysville, and #175 Perry Hall.

Please participate in Special Education Staffing Plan Focus Survey

The BCPS Department of Special Education and Early Childhood Programs invites stakeholders to participate in a brief survey to help prioritize focus areas for the BCPS Special Education Staffing Plan for the 2027-2028 school year.

We appreciate your assistance and encourage you to complete the anonymous online survey prior to Sunday, November 1. It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete and will provide us with valuable information.

Focus on Families

from BCPS Parent University

Tickets to the Maryland Science Center for only $5 per person! How?

Did you know that if you have a valid Maryland SNAP or Maryland WIC card, you can purchase up to four tickets to the Maryland Science Center for $5 per person through its Access Science Program. During the school year, Access Science tickets can only be used on Saturdays and Sundays and must be purchased online at least one day before your visit.

For more details, visit the Maryland Science Center website.

Upcoming Parent University workshops

“Navigating the Road to College and Career Readiness: BCPS Roadmap to Ready & Xello College and Career Platform”

Wednesday, October 28, from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

During this virtual session, Emily Caster, coordinator of the Department of Student Support Services, will share the BCPS Roadmap to Ready Plan for students in Grades 6-12 and discuss how the Xello College and Career Platform supports students in planning for high school, college, and careers. Registration required.

"Navigating Focus & Schoology"

Thursday, October 29, from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

This virtual workshop will be presented by Valerie Schaffer, an instructional technology specialist in the BCPS Office of Special Projects. In this session, participants will learn how to navigate key features in Focus vs. Schoology to support their children's success throughout the school year. Registration required.

"Building Strong Readers Together – What Families Need to Know"

Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m.

In this virtual session, participants will learn about how BCPS supports foundational reading and writing skills in Kindergarten through Grade 3. The session will cover how students are screened for risk of reading difficulty, what the screening results mean, and what families can expect if their child is identified as “at risk,” including Student Reading Improvement Plans. Participants will receive strategies and resources to support their children’s literacy development at home. Registration required.

Digital Wellness Playbooks available to support students and families

The Governor's Office for Children, in partnership with the Child Mind Institute, has released Maryland's Youth Digital Wellness Playbook, a practical, evidence-based guide that helps young people, families, and educators build healthier habits in a digital world. The Playbook is available in two editions, one for elementary school students and one for teens. It includes skill sheets on mindfulness and cognitive reframing, strategies for managing compulsive digital behaviors, and targeted resources on cyberbullying and online gambling.

Join us for Substitute Networking and Recruitment Events

Current and prospective substitute teachers are invited to learn how to find more assignments (short- and long-term), become a preferred substitute, and use our hiring and scheduling technology. Each event will only feature schools in that zone. Please RSVP.

Central Zone 

Thursday, Nov. 5, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology

938 York Rd., Towson 21204

West Zone  

Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Catonsville High School

421 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville 21228

Art Showcase

"Visual Autobiography" by Korey G., Grade 11, Overlea High School. This artwork is featured in the 2026 BCPS Art is for Everyone! Exhibition, which can be viewed online and which was displayed at the Baltimore Museum of Art this past spring.

Mission Moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Announcing the 4th Annual Designer Bag Bingo fundraiser

Save the date for Thursday, January 28

Designer Bag Bingo is one of The Education Foundation's most beloved events of the year. It brings together teachers, staff, community members, and business partners for an evening of networking, connection-making, friendship-building, and of course, 'FUNdraising.' Sponsorships and tickets are now available, and all proceeds will support the mission-driven work of the foundation.

Designer Bag Bingo will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2027, from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America, 25 Putty Hill Ave., Parkville 21234.



All bingo prizes will be new, authentic, and unused designer bags from Coach, Kate Spade, Madden, Michael Kors, Vera Bradley, and more! Bags are each valued at up to $500 retail. Learn more in the latest Mission Moment blog post.

A video of the meeting and the administrative appointment details can be found online.

Highlights from Dr. Heiser

October 26, 2026

Dear Team BCPS:

I want to begin this week's message by recognizing Fort Garrison, Kingsville, and Seventh District elementary schools for being named our newest Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools.

We are so proud of all the hard work and support that has gone into making these schools premier elementary school programs in Baltimore County. Congratulations to Principal Sara Solter at Fort Garrison, Principal Matt Winaker at Kingsville, Principal Heather Denmyer at Seventh District, and all the students, staff, families, and communities that make these schools so special. This recognition is a result of your diligence, partnerships, and commitment to advancing excellence for all students.

Please note that the first marking period of the school year concludes this Friday, October 30. I want to encourage students to finish this marking period strong! Parents and caregivers can support their children's progress by reviewing the weekly attendance and grade reports that are sent each Friday morning via Focus and Schoology. If you are not receiving these reports, please ensure your contact information is up-to-date in Focus. As we look ahead, it is important that we all continue to set goals to push our achievement to the next level, building upon our great start.

The fall season is a key time for the development of the recommended operating budget for the 2027-2028 fiscal year. We anticipate another challenging budget cycle for BCPS and school systems across the state due to probable constraints in federal, state, and local revenue. Please plan to join us at one of the upcoming Community Conversations on the Operating Budget to share your thoughts about what BCPS should prioritize in the next budget. The first of five Community Conversations about the budget will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, October 27, from 6- 7 p.m. at Cockeysville Middle School. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Bill Heiser, Ed.D.

Superintendent

BCPS schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 3, for mid-term elections. Get out there and vote!

Upcoming Board and community meetings

All are welcome to attend

Special Education Citizen Advisory Committee meeting

Monday, November 2, at 7 p.m.

Link to virtual meeting

Overlea High School Capacity Relief Boundary Study Boundary Committee meeting #3

Wednesday, November 4, from 6-8 p.m.

Nottingham Middle School, cafeteria, 5210 King Ave., Rosedale 21237

Board of Education meeting

Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204

Citizens Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education meeting

Wednesday, November 4, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Northwest Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Tuesday, November 10, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “School Safety and Security”

Central Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Wednesday, November 11, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “Capital Budget & Facilities”