Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for new Bedford Elementary School building -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, October 21, 2024

Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates new building for Bedford Elementary School

Baltimore County Board of Education Chair Tiara Booker-Dwyer, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers, County Executive Johnny Olszewski, and other Team BCPS leaders, Board of Education members, and state and county officials gathered on October 16 for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Bedford Elementary School's replacement building. The new building opened to students in August. Photos from the event are available in a BCPS Flickr album, and a video of the full ceremony is on Vimeo.

90 middle school students attend Black Boy Joy and Genius Conference

On October 5, students from General John Stricker, Lansdowne, Sparrows Point, Southwest Academy, and Sudbrook Magnet middle schools participated in the 2024 Black Boy Joy and Genius conference. The one-day conference, sponsored by the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) was held simultaneously on the college’s Catonsville and Essex campuses.

Black Boy Joy and Genius is a mentoring program that began in Baltimore County Public Schools more than three years ago.

During the 2024 conference, the 90 attendees participated in sessions on financial literacy, social emotional learning, and entrepreneurship; toured the college; and talked to current Black male students at CCBC about college life. A blog post about the conference includes more details.

Celebrating our multifaceted principals

The 176 principals of BCPS have tremendously important jobs. These experienced educators are responsible for maintaining a positive learning culture, overseeing instruction, managing facilities and budgets, hiring and retaining staff, engaging families and communities, and keeping students and staff safe.

In celebration of National Principals Month, BCPS invited several principals from across the county to share a little about themselves, their backgrounds, and the joy they find in their work. Find their mini profiles in a new blog post and on social media.

Principal Sean McComb, Lutherville Lab

Beginning his 4th year as principal

Years spent as a classroom teacher: 12

First job: "Selling ice cream cones and frozen treats at a local farm/creamery"

Favorite annual school event: "Cultural Fair as part of our Fall Family Night"

Principal Terri Moses, Owings Mills High School

A principal for 1 year and 3 months

Favorite subject as a student: "English"

Favorite book: "'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Stephen Covey"

Best thing learned from a student: "People are not important because of how long they live. People are important because of how effectively they live."

Principal Kieran O'Connell, Franklin High School

A principal for 4 years

Favorite food: "Pizza"

Favorite subject as a student: "Physical education"

Favorite annual school event: "Cultural EXPO"

This week, October 21-25, BCPS is participating in Bullying Prevention Week October 21-25. Students and staff are encouraged to wear the designated color for each day of the week. The color represents character traits that all people can demonstrate. Please share photos on social media using #BCPSCares.

This month is a great opportunity to learn more about those who are neurodivergent, meaning they think or learn differently. Understood's website offers fact sheets and profiles.

In recognition of America’s Safe Schools Week, BCPS reiterates its commitment to providing safe and supportive learning environments for all students. More information is available on the BCPS Department of School Safety webpage.

October 21-25 is National School Bus Safety Week! Please review our tips to help keep students safe.

On Wednesday, October 23, please join us in celebrating BCPS Transportation Appreciation Day and showing appreciation to our amazing team members who safely transport students every school day.

County police department to host Community Hiring and Trunk or Treat events

The Baltimore County Police Department invites the public to its Community Hiring and Trunk or Treat events, both on October 26.

During the hiring event, participants can apply for positions, take the written test, complete the agility test, and speak with a background investigator and members of specialized units.

Everyone is invited to wear costumes and attend the Trunk or Treat. Attendees can decorate police vehicles and receive candy!

BCPS is committed to hiring a diverse workforce representative of the students and communities it serves. At this job fair, BCPS is seeking qualified candidates for all positions, including teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, school nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, social workers, additional adults, building service workers, bus drivers, bus attendants, food service workers, grounds workers, and maintenance employees. BCPS encourages applicants to apply online prior to attending the job fair.

Magnet showcase events continue throughout October

Event for Parkville High rescheduled for October 24

Throughout October, schools with magnet programs are hosting showcase events for students and families interested in applying to the programs for the 2025-2026 school year.

Please note that the magnet showcase event for Parkville High School is rescheduled to Thursday, October 24, at 6 p.m.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

Families encouraged to participate in this week's BCPS/CCBC Financial Aid Information Sessions

BCPS is partnering with the Community College of Baltimore County to offer four opportunities for families to receive information and support on completing the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to learn more about the financial aid process. Please RSVP online and direct any questions to the college and career counselor at your child’s high school. Before attending this event, students and parents/caregivers should sign up for Federal Student Aid accounts.

High school seniors can register now for BCPS HBCU College Fair

BCPS high school seniors interested in attending the Eighth Annual Baltimore County Public Schools Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Fair can register now through StriveScan.

The college fair will be held on Wednesday, October 30, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at New Town High School, and bus transportation will be provided for students who register for the fair.

In addition to completing fair registration, students should see their college and career counselors to receive permission slips. Participants are also strongly encouraged to complete the Common Black College Application prior to the event, with help from their school counselors or college counselors if needed. Bus transportation to the event will be provided.

Looking for more ideas and information? Please sign up for the Parent University newsletter or read past newsletter issues on Smore. It is designed specifically for parents and caregivers and offers ideas, information, resources, and opportunities.

for your viewing pleasure

"Patterned Paper Quilt" by Jemima Williams, Grade 1, Chatsworth School. This artwork was featured in last school year's West Zone Exhibit in The Superintendent's Gallery at BCPS headquarters.

Artist Statement:

My favorite part of my artwork is gluing together the shapes for the paper quilt patches that have the purple rectangle strips. This is my favorite part of my artwork because purple is my favorite color. My finished artwork makes me feel happy because it's full of color and patterns. One new thing that I learned from making this paper quilt was using different size squares and rectangles to make a colorful pattern.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Putting Students First grant recipients announced

Applications still open for Little Free Library and 21st Century grants

The 2024-2025 Putting Students First grant recipients have been announced and will be honored at a ceremony and reception on Wednesday, October 30, at First Financial Federal Credit Union's Hansen Hall in Sparks.

The grant recipients and their projects are:

Catonsville High School: Catonsville High School’s AVID Field Trip to the University of Delaware – Principal Matthew Ames and Grant Liaison Brad DeSantos
General John Stricker Middle School: Stand Up for Music: Stands for Band and Strings at GJSMS – Principal Melanie Kearns and Grant Liaison Rebecca Hying
Glyndon Elementary School: Books for Literacy – Principal Tracy Robinson and Grant Liaison Jessica Conway
Hawthorne Elementary School: Keeping Our Husky Readers Fed – Principal Jennifer Burch and Grant Liaison Schelle Schnell
Hernwood Elementary School: Hernwood Elementary Library Lions at Battle of the Books – Principal Tamera Harris Murphy and Grant Liaison Shannon Johnson
Martin Boulevard Elementary School: Martin Boulevard Elementary School is Here for It! – Principal Kate Whisner and Grant Liaison Sarah Schwinn
Milbrook Elementary School: House Day Program – Principal Anne Gorman and Grant Liaison LeeAnne Barnett
Sparrows Point Middle School: Reading in Spanish – Principal Eric Eiswert and Grant Liaison Aimee Farrell
Western School of Technology and Environmental Science: Western Tech Career and College Fair – Principal Jewell Ralph and Grant Liaison Amy Horvitz

A new Mission Moment blog post includes background about the grant program as well as information about two grant programs still accepting applications from BCPS schools and offices: the 21st Century Instructional Initiative grant (application deadline: October 25) and the Newrez Little Free Library grant (application deadline: November 30).

A word from Dr. Rogers

October 21, 2024

Dear Reader:

On Wednesday, October 30, we are pleased to present our 8th Annual BCPS Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Fair. This year's event will be held at New Town High School in Owings Mills.

We encourage high school seniors to register now for this event through StriveScan. This fair is an outstanding opportunity for students to learn more about higher education options, whether or not they are focused on attending an HBCU.

In addition, at the event, students will be able to learn more about courses of study, scholarship opportunities, and college life from representatives of the Community College of Baltimore County, First Financial Federal Credit Union, The Education Foundation of BCPS Inc., and local chapters of the sororities and fraternities in the National Pan Hellenic Council (also known as the “Divine Nine”).

Congratulations to our outstanding Office of School Counseling for organizing this major event, and many thanks to the Department of Transportation for coordinating shuttle services to the college fair from high schools across the county.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent