BCPS engages students in selecting menu items -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, February 10, 2025

BCPS Food and Nutrition engages students in selecting new menu items

Most recent stop: Overlea High School

Students at Overlea High School chose new food items for cafeteria menus across the school system. “It was loud and exciting,” says Jaime Hetzler, BCPS director of Food and Nutrition, “… it was so much fun.”

On January 27, Hetzler and other Food and Nutrition staff along with Student Member of the Board Ugonma Chike-Kalu presented three items for consideration: sausage and cheese sandwiches on waffles, stuffed Buffalo chicken sandwiches, and meatballs.

Every Overlea High student had the opportunity to sample the three items, and Hetzler says that about 75% participated. “Each student was given a sample food item and a voting ticket,” Hetzler says, “and we moved around the cafeteria collecting ‘yes’ votes in green buckets and ‘no’ votes in red buckets. Meanwhile, Ugonma was on the mic hyping up participation, reminding students that their voices and their votes matter. The kids loved it!”

This is the second year that Food and Nutrition has fully engaged BCPS students in selecting new menu items, usually taking items to schools for taste-testing about three times a year.

A new blog post delves deeper into the process of selecting new menu items for BCPS Food and Nutrition Services, an office of 800 dedicated staff who serve more than 18 million meals each year.

Deadline for 2025 BCPS Black History Month Writing Contest is Tuesday, February 11

Open to students in Kindergarten through Grade 12

BCPS students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 are invited to enter a Black History Month Writing Contest sponsored by the BCPS Offices of English Language Arts and Social Studies.

The contest prompt is the following quotation from African American poet and writer Nikki Giovanni (1943-2024): “Whatever human beings are, we are storytellers. It is our stories that give a light to the future.” In response to that quote, each student is asked to describe how they have been inspired by the remarkable life of an African American activist, artist, athlete, author, musician, scientist, or other public figure. Students can submit personal essays, letters, speeches, scripts, or poems, and students in primary grades can also submit visual representations with written descriptions.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday, February 11. Winners will be notified by Friday, February 28. Prizes will be provided by The Education Foundation of BCPS, and winning entries will be posted on the BCPS blog. Contest details are available from English and social studies teachers.

Celebrate students' hard work at Black Excellence Program systemwide celebration

Images from the 2024 Black Excellence Program systemwide celebration

Please join us for the Black Excellence Program's systemwide celebration on Saturday, February 22, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Snow date: Saturday, March 1) at Loch Raven High School, cafeteria, 1212 Cowpens Ave., Baltimore 21286.

The BCPS Black Excellence program supports students over the course of several months as they learn about the people, places, and events throughout the Black experience. The program includes three components: a book study, a school-based competition, and an independent research project. During the systemwide celebration, students will display presentations they developed in response to the research prompt or the books they read. Community members, families, and other students will have the opportunity to ask students about their presentations.

Have you taken the annual Climate Survey?

We want to hear from you!

The annual BCPS Climate Survey is open through Friday, February 28. The survey focuses on school climate and engagement and all BCPS students in Grades 3–12, parents/caregivers, community members, and staff are encouraged to participate. The survey takes three minutes or less to complete and is anonymous.

Governor's Commission seeks South Asian Americans' perspectives on education

The Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs is conducting a survey to learn more about the South Asian American community's experiences and perspectives on education. Your valuable input will help us develop initiatives and strategies to better support students, families, and educators across Maryland and ensure that no one is left behind. After completing your responses, please remember to click "Submit" to have your responses submitted anonymously.

Recent staff and student honors

Cathryn Beichley of Martin Boulevard and Pot Spring elementary schools named School Psychologist of the Year

Cathryn Beichley, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, has been named 2025 School Psychologist of the Year by the Baltimore County School Psychologists’ Association.

A Baltimore County Public Schools employee since 2006, Beichley is currently assigned to Martin Boulevard and Pot Spring elementary schools. Both schools recommended her for this recent honor, citing her wealth of knowledge, collaborative approach, creativity, leadership, data-driven recommendations, and communication skills.

Work by Carver Center graduate on display at the Metropolitan Museum

Jada McAliley, a 2024 graduate of George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, has a work on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Her painting "Pillow Fight" is featured in the "Taking Up Space: Selections from the 2024 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards’ Scholarships and Gold Medal Awards" exhibition and will be on view through the end of February. McAliley is now in her first year at Maryland Institute College of Art. At Carver Center, her visual arts teacher was Sherry Insley.

We're saving a seat for you! Join us for student performances throughout February

BCPS Student Choreography Showcase

Thursday, February 13, at 4:15-5:30 p.m.

Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., Dundalk 21222

Schools participating in the Thursday showcase are Nottingham Middle School, Loch Raven Technical Academy, and Catonsville, Franklin, Lansdowne, and New Town high schools. The performance is free, and no tickets are required. The performance will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

“Celebration: Uplifting & Honoring the Culture & History of Black Dance”

Thursday, February 13, at 7 p.m.

Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills 21117

The BCPS All-County High School Honors Dance Ensemble will perform in a showcase featuring local artists. The high school ensemble includes students from George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Lansdowne High School, Milford Mill Academy, New Town High School, Overlea High School, Owings Mills High School, Parkville High School, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, and Pikesville High School. Tickets can be purchased online.

All-County Vocal and Instrumental Jazz Concert

Thursday, February 13, at 7:30 p.m.

New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., Owings Mills 21117

The concert will be open and free to the public. No tickets needed.

Spread the word, we're hiring! Interested applicants are invited to join us at an upcoming recruitment event or apply online today.

Coming soon: 2025 BCPS Job Fairs

Join our team!

BCPS is hosting a series of three job fairs to connect interested professionals to job opportunities in the three geographic zones of the county. Job candidates are asked to bring resumes and be prepared for possible interviews. BCPS employee benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave. To view the full list of schools participating in each fair and/or to begin a job application, candidates can visit the BCPS careers webpage.

At the job fairs, BCPS seeks candidates for the following positions: teachers; related services (occupational therapists/physical therapists/speech language pathologists); nurses; school counselors; school psychologists; social workers; additional adult support positions; building service workers; bus drivers and attendants; food service workers; senior HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) mechanics; senior building automation systems technicians; and grounds workers.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

Upcoming events! Two for parents, one for high school seniors

Parent University Lunch & Learn Workshop: “Giving the Gift of Bilingualism”

Friday, February 14, at 12:30 p.m.

This virtual workshop, presented by the Center for Family Success, will delve into the cognitive, social, and economic advantages of being bilingual and how you can support your children in learning another language. Registration required.

Parent University Dine & Learn workshop: "How to Save for Higher Education with the Maryland College Investment Plan"

Wednesday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m.

A representative from the Maryland State Treasurer's Office - Maryland 529 Program will give a presentation on the Maryland College Investment Plan. Registration is required. Contact Karen Wise (kwise3@bcps.org) with any questions.

BCPS Student Career Expo

Wednesday, February 19, from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

CCBC Dundalk, 7200 Sollers Point Rd., Dundalk 21222

High school students who are interested in learning more about vocational careers and apprenticeship programs available in the Baltimore County area are encouraged to attend the BCPS Student Career Expo. Students are encouraged to register as early as possible. Bus transportation will be provided from high schools. The expo is sponsored by BCPS and its Offices of Career and Technical Education and School Counseling as well as the Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development and CCBC.

for your viewing pleasure

"Her Gaze" by Melanie Dorsey, Grade 12, Pikesville High School. This artwork was featured in the 2024-25 Winter Art Exhibition at THE AVENUE at White Marsh.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Designer Bag BINGO is a fashionable success!

On January 30, The Education Foundation of BCPS Inc. held its 2nd Annual Designer Bag BINGO fundraising event at Tall Cedars of Lebanon North America. Four hundred and fifty guests participated in the sold-out event that raised more than $25,000 for the foundation.

A new Mission Moment blog post celebrates the event and recognizes the invaluable sponsors, in-kind donors, bingo callers, volunteers, committee members, and support staff.

A word from Dr. Rogers

February 10, 2025

Dear Reader:

This Friday is Valentine's Day, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for Team BCPS. Every day, staff, students, volunteers, families, and community partners impress me with their joint dedication to academic progress.

Please help us celebrate our shared commitment to excellence by sharing positive news with our Department of Communications and Community Outreach. News about awards won, innovative classroom lessons, community partnerships, and more can be submitted to communications@bcps.org.

The story ideas you share with us become social media posts, blog posts, newsletter stories, news releases, and more. When we celebrate our achievements, we attract more supporters and inspire even higher achievements.

Regards,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent