163 students, including 5 Marchione Award recipients, honored at 50th Annual CTE student recognition ceremony | |
2024 Marchione Award winners: Megan Taylor, Gurvansh Singh, Hamna Hareem, Kira Linville, and Tegan Hakim | |
BCPS held its 50th Annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student Recognition Ceremony on May 1 at the TU Arena. The program was live-streamed and is available for online viewing. During the ceremony, 163 seniors – one student from each CTE program at each high school – were recognized as exemplary students.
Five students, one from each of the county’s geographical areas, were recognized with annual Anthony G. Marchione Awards for Excellence in CTE. Recipients of the honor, which comes with a $1,000 prize for each student, are selected based on career program success, community involvement, and employer or teacher reference. The 2024 award winners are:
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Central Area– Megan Taylor, Dulaney High School, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program and the Apprenticeship Maryland Program
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Southeast Area – Gurvansh Singh, Dundalk High School, P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School)
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Southwest Area – Hamna Hareem, Lansdowne High School, Army JROTC
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Northeast Area – Kira Linville, Eastern Technical High School, Teacher Academy of Maryland
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Northwest Area – Tegan Hakim, Pikesville High School, Information Technology: Computer Science
More information about the event, the Marchione Award winners, and a complete list of recognized students can be found in a BCPS news release.
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High school seniors celebrate their plans on BCPS College and Career Decision Day | |
On May 1, 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 230 images. | |
Recent honors for Team BCPS | |
U.S. Secretary of Education names Lutherville Lab elementary school a 2024 Green Ribbon School | |
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The U.S. Department of Education has named Lutherville Laboratory elementary school a 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. Lutherville Lab was nominated by the Maryland State Department of Education. Last year, Watershed Public Charter School in Windsor Mill was among the 2023 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award honorees.
With a history of growing “citizen scientists” among its students, the school in 2004 achieved status as a Maryland Associated for Environmental and Outdoor Education Green School and, with recertification every four years, earned Bronze Sustainable Status in 2022 – the only BCPS elementary school to do so.
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Office of Food and Nutrition Services honored by University of Maryland for improving student nutrition | |
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The University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) has presented the BCPS Office of Nutrition and Food Services with a 2024 Cornerstone Award for the office's "Improving Student Nutrition in Baltimore County Schools through Access, Quality Improvement, and Partnership" initiative. The award recognizes programs and activities that increase awareness, enhance visibility, or elevate the prominence of AGNR’s Strategic Initiatives. The award will be presented Wednesday, May 8, at the Samuel Riggs Alumni Center in College Park.
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Eastern Tech school counselors earn national award for their support of students | |
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Eastern Technical High School was awarded a Schools of Excellence Award on May 1 from the American College Application Campaign. The award recognized the work of Eastern Tech school counselors to provide resources, activities, guidance, and support as students pursue their post-secondary goals.
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Cockeysville Middle Grade 8 student selected as 2024 AVID Student Speaker | |
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Cockeysville Middle School Grade 8 student Jayden Yancey has been selected as the 2024 AVID Student Speaker for the Summer Institute in Baltimore, August 5-7.
AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness system designed to prepare students for college readiness and success.
This year, AVID Center is offering summer learning institutes in 12 U.S. cities to support educators in building instructional and leadership strategies for student engagement and success.
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Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts student wins congressional art award | |
Seergae's award-winning artwork: "Presence" | |
Spencer Seergae, a student in Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts' art magnet program, won the 7th Congressional District Art Award for 2024 from U.S. Congressman Kweisi Mfume's office for his digitally altered photograph "Presence." Spencer will be honored in Washington, D.C., in June with other winners from districts across the nation. | |
5 BCPS students among the 16 finalists in Lyric Baltimore's Dream Big Contest | |
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Four BCPS students were recognized as “Visionaries” (grand prize winners) and one as a “Dreamer” (runner-up) in Lyric Baltimore's 2024 Dream Big Contest. The contest challenged Baltimore area students in Grades 5-12 to respond to the question “What will it take for us all to be free?” by submitting a poem, essay, video, or original art piece.
The honored BCPS students are:
Visionaries
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Hanna Acevedo, Grade 11, Dundalk High School
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Christian Alexander, Grade 11, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
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David Arowolo, Grade 9, Eastern Technical High School
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Ashanti Nicole Gillis, Grade 10, Towson High School
Dreamers
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Tenzin Dorjee, Grade 6, Catonsville Middle School
The awards celebration, which took place on April 26, will air on WBAL-TV 11 on Wednesday, June 19. Chiemela Nwokoro, a senior at Eastern Technical High School and a 2022 Dream Big Contest finalist, provides the program’s keynote address.
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Join Golden Ring Middle School for a day of community and nostalgia | |
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Farewell to Golden Ring Middle School
Friday, May 17, from 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Golden Ring Middle School, 6700 Kenwood Ave., Rosedale 21237
In May 2023, the Board of Education of Baltimore County voted to close Golden Ring Middle School at the end of the 2023-2024 academic school year. During this farewell event, the Golden Ring Middle School community will celebrate the school’s history and impact. The event will include school tours, commemorative T-shirts, music, games, displays of student artwork and other projects, free summer reading books, a BCPS resource session, archived yearbooks and treasures, and community partners including the Volunteer Fire Department, Rosedale branch of Baltimore County Public Library, and the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks. Registration is required.
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Wednesday, May 8, from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
CCBC Catonsville Wellness Center, 800 S. Rolling Rd., Catonsville 21228
This event is for students who are interested in learning more about vocational careers and apprenticeship programs available in the Baltimore County area. Transportation will be provided for high school students. The event is sponsored by the Baltimore County government, BCPS and its Office of Career and Technical Training and its Office of School Counseling, and the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC).
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Celebrating the Class of 2024 with graduating senior profiles | |
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In honor of the Class of 2024, BCPS is profiling one senior from each high school. A new profile will be featured on the website and social media each school day until Friday, May 24, the last day for seniors. These profiles highlight the strengths of our seniors and their diversity. Last week, the series continued with a focus on these five students.
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Akash Paranilam,
Dulaney High School
As a student at Ridgely Middle and then Dulaney High, Akash competed in more than 50 robotics competitions at the regional, state, and world levels, and won numerous awards for competition, robot design, and community impact. He plans to study mechanical engineering.
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Raquel Baraka,
Sollers Point Technical High School
A cosmetology student at Sollers Point, Raquel will be entering college with plans to become a dental hygienist and entrepreneur. She is a member of the Johns Hopkins Center of Adolescent Health Youth Advisory Board and is passionate about addressing health disparities between the U.S. and African nations.
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Starlena Smith,
The Rosedale Center
Starlena, a member of the BCPS Board of Selected Students, took extra classes to graduate early. She plans to study business management and real estate and to ultimately own a restaurant and a real estate company.
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Chuka Nwafor,
Overlea High School
A student in Overlea's Allied Health magnet program, Chuka will graduate with certifications in CPR, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, first aid, and physical rehabilitation. He is especially proud of making it to HOSA Nationals (for future health professionals) and becoming lead trumpeter in the school band.
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Shahmeer Mirza,
George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
As the artistic director for Trapdoor Theatre, Carver Center's student-run theatre business, Shahmeer directed the highest-grossing show in the company's 12-year history. Beyond his love for theatre, Shahmeer is active in student government and school organizations, and he mentors young actors.
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Enjoy viewing the 27th Annual County Dance festivals | |
The West Central Zone Dance Festival took place on March 19 at The Gordon Center for Performing Arts in Owings Mills. The following schools participated: Cedarmere Elementary School, The Chatsworth School, Deer Park Middle Magnet School, Franklin High School, Franklin Middle School, New Town High School, Owings Mills High School, Pikesville High School, Pikesville Middle School, Pinewood Elementary School, Southwest Academy, Sudbrook Magnet Middle School, Timonium Elementary School, Windsor Mill Middle School, and Woodlawn High School. The countywide 2023-2024 BCPS Honors Dance Ensemble (freshmen/sophomores) was a featured performer. |  | The East Central Zone Dance Festival took place on March 21 at Perry Hall High School, The following schools participated: Dundalk Elementary School, Relay Elementary School, Deep Creek Middle School, Dumbarton Middle School, Dundalk Middle School, Lansdowne Middle School, Loch Raven Technical Academy, Middle River Middle School, Dulaney High School, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Hereford High School, Kenwood High School, Lansdowne High School, Milford Mill Academy, Overlea High School, Parkville High School, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, and Perry Hall High School. The countywide 2023-2024 BCPS Honors Dance Ensemble (middle school and juniors and seniors) was a featured performer. | |
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The best time to register for PreSchool-3, PreKindergarten, and Kindergarten? Right now!
The "Registration and Enrollment" page of the BCPS website provides helpful instructions. In addition, all BCPS elementary schools will host "round-up" events to provide additional support for parents. For more information, please contact the elementary school your child is zoned to attend.
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for parents
from BCPS Parent University
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Parent University Dine & Learn Workshop: "Reducing Stress & Anxiety Through the Summer: Strategies to Help Your Children and Young Teens"
Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m.
For many, summer is a time of increased stress and worry. The loss of what is familiar to us (i.e., teachers, school, friends), starting new activities, having too much free time, and worrying about the start of the next school year can increase stress and anxiety. In this virtual workshop, Dr. Tana Hope of Kennedy Krieger Institute will present strategies families can use to help their children and young teens manage and even reduce their level of stress and anxiety throughout the summer. Register online for this virtual workshop.
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for your viewing pleasure | |
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mission moment
from The Education Foundation of BCPS
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Please help The Education Foundation win a $5,000 Audience Choice Award to benefit BCPS | |
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The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., is one of 12 finalists vying for a $25,000 grant in United Way of Central Maryland’s 2024 Changemaker Challenge. During a live pitch event on Thursday, May 9, from 6-8:30 p.m., The Education Foundation will seek funds to bring "Yoga for Social-Emotional Learning" to BCPS schools. From approximately 8-8:10 p.m., members of the public can vote to support the foundation winning a $5,000 Audience Choice Award. Registration is required to attend virtually and to vote.
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May 6, 2024
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 2023-2024 school year on a positive note!
Regards,
Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Upcoming Board and advisory group meetings
All are welcome to attend
Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee meeting
Monday, May 6, from 7-8:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood – Building E, 6901 N. Charles St., Towson 21204
Topic: "Year End Review and Brainstorming for Next Year"
Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood – Building E, 6901 N. Charles St., Towson 21204
Information about attending and making public comments at meetings can be found on the Board’s website.
Joint meeting of Northwest and Southwest area education advisory councils
Monday, May 13, at 6 p.m.
Meeting details
Topic: “Summer Resources – What’s new for families this year?”
Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting
Monday, May 20, at 7 p.m.
Oliver Beach Elementary School library, 12912 Cunninghill Cove Rd., Baltimore 21220
Topic: “English for Speakers of Other Languages”
Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood – Building E, 6901 N. Charles St., Towson 21204
Information about attending and making public comments at meetings can be found on the Board’s website.
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