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2023-2024 Year in Review: A Year of Firsts
The 2023-2024 school year was a Year of Firsts around the county. Meet some of the amazing members of Team BCPS who just wrapped up their first year in new roles as they share lessons learned.
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Lauren Bayer
Grade 8 American history teacher, Lansdowne Middle School – first year as a BCPS teacher
“One thing that I learned this year is the importance of collaboration and community in teaching. As teachers, it is easy to forget that, like our students, we are always still learning, so it is okay to ask for help when we need it, and not be afraid to try new things.”
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Tiara Booker-Dwyer
Chair, Board of Education of Baltimore County – first year as board chair
“My learnings this year have reinforced what I have always known about BCPS – that we have high-quality staff, visionary leadership, and globally competitive students. I am looking forward to continuing to work in partnership with all members of the Board of Education to propel our school system into greatness.”
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Daijon Fauntleroy
Grade 6 student, Windsor Mill Middle School – first year as a middle school student
“This year I learned how to solve problems in a better way. I learned about things in history that I had never learned before. I also learned Spanish, which is fun! And finally, I learned how to write a paragraph the ‘right’ way!”
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Jaime L. Hetzler
Director, BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services – first year leading a BCPS office
“A healthy lifestyle is a critical ingredient in the student learning experience. Implementing FREE meals for ALL students this year has taught me that great things happen when qualification barriers are removed – for students, families, and staff!”
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Jade Madison
Grade 6 student, Windsor Mill Middle School – first year as a middle school student
“In history, I learned about kings and rulers from a long time ago. I also learned in all my classes how something can happen and what the outcome will be in the end. This is called 'cause and effect.' I also learned a new language – Spanish!”
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Ben Thompson
Varsity boys basketball coach, Parkville High School – first year as a varsity coach
"My advice to other first-time coaches is to be incredibly ambitious, but also be patient in the process of building. Let’s make sure that, when we get to do it our way, it’s built on a strong foundation that uses sports to change lives.”
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A new blog post and an ongoing social media campaign features the above individuals as well as:
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Sonja Bloetner, Director, BCPS Office of Multilingual Achievement– first year leading a BCPS office
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Kim Culbertson, Ph.D., Principal, Towson High School – first year as a principal
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Tamera Harris Murphy, Principal, Hernwood Elementary School – first year as a principal
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Susan Stansbury, Director, BCPS Department of Human Resources/Office of Staffing – first year leading a BCPS office
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Current/aspiring partners invited to apply by July 1 to participate in BCPS 2024 Partnership Fair | |
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Organizations and businesses that are currently partnering with BCPS or interested in partnering with BCPS schools are invited to apply online by Monday, July 1, to participate in the school system’s annual partnership fair. BCPS values partnerships with organizations and businesses that invest time and talent in school success. These partnerships augment staff capacity, enable innovative learning opportunities, and connect students to authentic learning and development through mentoring, volunteering, student work experiences, service learning, and scholarships.
The event will be held on Wednesday, July 17, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., Owings Mills 21117.
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Volunteers needed to serve on northwest elementary school boundary committee | |
BCPS planners are seeking parent and staff volunteers from each of the 10 schools included in the upcoming northwest elementary school boundary process to serve on the project’s study committee. Two BCPS parents and one staff committee member per school are needed to represent Campfield Early Learning Center and Church Lane, Deer Park, Hernwood, Lyons Mill, New Town, Randallstown, Scotts Branch, Winand, and Woodholme elementary schools. The purpose of the study is to expand attendance areas for two new replacement buildings for Deer Park and Scotts Branch elementary schools, to relieve enrollment pressures at northwest area elementary schools, and to facilitate the move of students currently attending Campfield Early Learning Center to attend their home school or regional program. Those interested in serving on the committee are encouraged to express interest by Monday, July 8, by completing the Committee Member Interest Form or contacting their school’s principal. | |
Free summer meal service has begun | |
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BCPS is offering free breakfast and lunch meals through the Summer Food Service Program on weekdays through Friday, August 16 (with the exception of Thursday, July 4). Free meals are available for all children ages 2-18.
This year, daily on-site lunch meals are offered at 16 community locations across the county. All students who attend BCPS summer school from July 8-August 2 will receive free breakfast and lunch every weekday.
In addition, in two rural areas, once per week, families will be able to pick up five breakfast and five lunch meals per child.
Weekly bulk meals will be distributed at two drive-through locations:
Mondays, 12-12:30 p.m., beginning Monday, June 24
Kingsville Elementary School, 7300 Sunshine Ave., Kingsville 21087
Tuesdays, 8-8:30 a.m., beginning Tuesday, June 25
Sparks Elementary School, 601 Belfast Rd., Sparks 21152
Lunch meals, which must be consumed onsite, are offered at 16 community locations:
Monday – Friday, from 12-12:30 p.m.
- Essex Park Townhomes & Apartments, 1572 Alconbury Rd., Essex 21221
- Lakebrook Circle Park, 2926 Lakebrook Cir., Lansdowne 21227
- Morgan Properties Community Pool, 509 Gwynnwest Rd., Reisterstown 21136
- The Commons at White Marsh, 9901 Langs Rd., Middle River 21220
Baltimore County Library Branches (times vary by location)
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Arbutus Branch, 855 Sulphur Spring Rd., Arbutus 21227 – 12-1 p.m.
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Essex Branch, 1100 Eastern Blvd., Essex 21221 – 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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Lansdowne Branch, 500 Third Ave., Lansdowne 21227 – 12-1 p.m.
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Loch Raven Branch, 1046 Taylor Ave., Towson 21286 – 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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North Point Branch, 1716 Merritt Blvd., Dundalk 21222 – 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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Parkville-Carney Branch, 9509 Harford Rd., Parkville 21234 – 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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Perry Hall Branch, 9685 Honeygo Blvd., Perry Hall 21128 – 12-1 p.m.
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Randallstown Branch, 8604 Liberty Rd., Randallstown 21133 – 12-1 p.m.
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Reisterstown Branch, 21 Cockeys Mill Rd., Reisterstown 21136 – 12-1 p.m.
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Rosedale Branch, 6105 Kenwood Ave., Rosedale 21237 – 12-1 p.m.
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White Marsh Branch, 8133 Sandpiper Cir., Baltimore 21236 – 12-1 p.m.
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Woodlawn Branch, 1811 Woodlawn Dr., Woodlawn 21207 – 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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BCPS continues to seek organized summer programs where free meals can be served
Each summer, BCPS provides free meals to more than 300 organized programs in Baltimore County, such as summer camps, daycare programs, and religious groups. Programs can register online to receive free breakfast and lunch meals for participating children. The program must serve at least 25 children (ages 2-18) daily, and staff will be required to complete annual compliance training. For additional information, program organizers can email SFSP@bcps.org or call 443-809-7855.
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Harvard Graduate School of Education partners with Johnnycake Elementary School to improve student math performance | |
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Through the spring of 2024, staff and families at Johnnycake Elementary School had a unique opportunity to take a deep dive into their family and community engagement practices in collaboration with the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The Johnnycake group was comprised of Community School Facilitator Rachel Valsing, Math Specialist Kerry Macek, and PTA President Jordan McKinney working with a team of five graduate students all of whom had different types of experience working as educators or school or district leaders.
In working with the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Johnnycake leaders hope to test and assess the most effective and accessible ways for families to participate in academic-focused family engagement and develop a math-focused family engagement “tool kit” with resources and recommendations for a family engagement schedule of events in the 2024-2025 school year.
The full story is in a new blog post.
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Summer learning –
We're here for it!
The BCPS "Here for It!" attendance campaign is ready to guide students to summer program success! Twenty days present is 20 days of progress! Are you here for it?
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Each week this summer, our wonderful colleagues in the Baltimore County Public Library Collection Department will put together a list of some of their favorite book recommendations. Learn more about this week's suggestions in a new blog post.
Please remember to stop by your local library branch to participate in the summer reading program, have them put together a Be Surprised Bundle for you, and take part in their many activities.
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Every summer since 2018, BCPS has invited its students, teachers, and staff to share stories about their summer activities and adventures on the BCPS blog. The invitation to contribute to the Summer Stories series is extended again this year. To submit a blog post or suggest a story idea, please write to communications@bcps.org. We want to know about your summer jobs/internships/externships, vacations, creative projects, competitions, camps, and more! | |
for parents
from BCPS Parent University
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Summer Connect: When school is out | |
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BCPS staff members are working hard to prepare for the 2024-2025 school year! Stay tuned for upcoming announcements and updates via BCPS Summer Connect.
This summer, don't forget to visit the BCPS ParentU "When School is Out" webpage to explore community resources and learning activities. The page includes information about area parks and museums, as well as ideas for fun family day trips and hands-on learning activities that can be done at home or in the neighborhood.
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for your viewing pleasure | |
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"The Great Potato" by Maya Cortez Rivera, Grade 7, at Lansdowne Middle School. Work featured in 2024 Middle School Art Exhibition. Grade 7 third-place honoree.
Artist statement:
I chose to make a collage representation of a potato. I chose that because I like to eat potatoes and cook them. I started planning my collage by the first day we started. I built my collage by finding the colors of the newspaper. The final step of the collage was to seal it with Mod Podge. The colors I used for my collage are multiple shades of brown, some shades of blue going light to dark, and the same thing for the pink and black. I placed different shades of browns by doing dark on the bottom and light on the top. The most difficult part of making a collage was the potato because finding the multiple shades of light brown was hard since none of them seemed to fit. I overcame that difficulty by changing some of the dark colors to blend into the light colors that I had. My favorite feature in the collage is the blue gradient on the top. The finished collage is expressing who I am because I think it shows that I learned something new during the time I was planning what I was going to make for my project and since I learned how to make fries, I drew a potato.
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mission moment
from The Education Foundation of BCPS
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Summer shopping dates for BCPS educators at the Exchangerees | |
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The Education Foundation is reopening the Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore centers to support summer and extended year learning programs. The Exchangerees are collaborative educator resource centers where BCPS teachers shop at no cost to themselves for school supplies and classroom resources.
The Exchangerees will be open for shopping on:
- Thursdays, July 18, August 1, and August 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Exchangeree at 2034 (F) Lord Baltimore Dr., Windsor Mil 21244
- Tuesdays, July 9, July 23, and August 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Exchangeree at 6929 Golden Ring Rd., Baltimore 21237
Both locations are sponsored in partnership with Merritt Companies, staged with 21st Century classroom furniture by American Design Associates and Douron. Exchangeree shelves and bins are stocked with supplies and resources donated by generous community and business partners.
A new Mission Moment blog post includes details for educators interested in shopping at the Exchangerees as well as the many ways everyone can support the foundation through its Tools for Schools supply drive and by becoming foundation volunteers.
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Schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4. | |
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Upcoming Board meeting
All are welcome to attend
Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204
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