Former student member of the Board serves as substitute teacher -- This Week in BCPS

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Coming back to give back:

Former student member of the Board works as a substitute teacher during his winter break

Christian Thomas and a Grade 4 music class at Holabird Middle

What did Christian Thomas, former student member of the Board and 2022 graduate of Eastern Technical High School, do during his winter break from Yale University? He spent several days working as a substitute teacher for BCPS, assigned to Carney, Deep Creek, Elmwood, Logan, and Sussex elementary schools, Holabird Middle School, and Kenwood and Perry Hall high schools.

Thomas said that leading classrooms, even for a limited time, reminded him of how thankful he is “for all the educators in my life, in BCPS, and everywhere who take the time to connect with their students.”

More about his experiences as a substitute teacher and as a first year student at Yale can be found in a new blog post.

On Team BCPS Day, everyone was "blue"-tiful!

On Team BCPS Day, January 12, blue was everywhere. Across the county, BCPS students, staff, and supporters wore blue and posted photos on social media in celebration of the school system's unity and progress. A Flickr album showcases nearly 100 images captured on the day.

From Chatsworth School

Maryland State Senators Charles Sydnor III, Ben Brooks Sr., Shelly Hettleman, and Chris West

Supt. Williams at Chamber of Commerce meeting with Mike Grubbs, MiVida Parham, and Alicia Fales from Career and Technical Education

Church Lane Elementary School siblings

Teacher AlexandraStein and library media specialist Elizabeth Gleitsmann twinning in tutus at West Towson Elementary School

Grade 1 students in Erica Lunn's class at Baltimore Highlands Elementary School

It's your turn:

Speak up about the FY 2024 proposed operating budget

Parents and other community members are invited to participate in a public hearing on the $2.59 billion operating budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024 that Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams presented to the Board of Education of Baltimore County on January 10.

The proposed budget represents BCPS’ continued focus on raising the bar, closing achievement and opportunity gaps, and preparing all students for the future.

Highlights from the proposed FY 2024 operating budget include:

Additional investments in English for Speakers of Other Languages programs.
Expansion of full-day PreKindergarten programs.
Compensation enhancements for all staff.
Expansion of community schools.
Additional investments in Career and Technical Education programs.
Removing all testing costs to students for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
Increased investments in technology and infrastructure.

Maja Durkovic, Grade 12 student, Eastern Technical High School

A fully engaged statewide student leader

A journey that began at Perry Hall Middle School where a teacher convinced Maja Durkovic to get involved in student council has led her to statewide leadership positions and opportunities to connect with student leaders across the nation.

Maja, now a senior at Eastern Technical High School, is president of the Maryland Association of Student Councils, a student page for the Maryland General Assembly’s 2023 legislative session, a member of the Maryland Youth Advisory Council, and a participant in the 61st annual United States Senate Youth Program. And that is not a complete list!

Jenny Pagliarini, a social studies teacher at Eastern Tech, says that what distinguishes Maja's leadership is the motivation behind her actions. "Maja engages because she absolutely loves contributing to the betterment of a group."

A new blog post explores more of Maja's story.

To support parents and students, BCPS has created a new transportation status webpage. This page lists BCPS school buses with substitutions or delays. Please note that changes/delays are accurate at the time of posting and are subject to change. Parents are encouraged to check Focus regularly for the most up-to-date bus stop, time, and trip name for their children's transportation.

Any questions? Please contact the Office of Transportation at 443-809-4321 or Transportation_ContactUs@bcps.org.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

"Graduation Starts with Attendance"

Wednesday, January 18, at 6:30 p.m.

The workshop will provide parents with information about the importance of school attendance and resources to support children’s school attendance. Register online.

"Lunch & Learn: Social Media and Your Health"

Thursday, January 19, at 12:30 p.m.

A representative from Priority Partners (a Medicaid insurance plan) will present information on how to manage time and protect mental health when using social media. Register online.

"Graduation Starts with Attendance" (repeat session)

Thursday, January 26, at 12:30 p.m.

Looking for more ideas and information? Please sign up for the Parent University newsletter! It is designed specifically for parents and caregivers and offers ideas, information, resources, and opportunities.

for your viewing pleasure

"Favorite Escape," by Jessica Powell, visual arts educator, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, from the 2022 Teacher as Artist Exhibition

To see more artwork by BCPS students, teachers, and other members of the BCPS community, please visit the Office of Visual Arts gallery webpage.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

Scholarship opportunities from The Education Foundation of BCPS

The Education Foundation works with generous philanthropic donors to provide encouragement to BCPS students to further their education and become lifelong learners. Scholarships are provided through The Education Foundation Scholarship Program and The Education Foundation Private Philanthropic Scholarship Program. Since 2004, the Education Foundation has awarded 450 scholarships to BCPS students totaling $625,745.

A new Mission Moment blog post introduces the many scholarship opportunities The Education Foundation offers BCPS graduating seniors.

A Word from Dr. Williams, Superintendent

January 17, 2023

Dear Team BCPS,

During his winter break from Yale University, former student member of the Board Christian Thomas (Eastern Tech, Class of '22) spent several days as a substitute teacher for BCPS.

We greatly appreciate his willingness to come back and give back. We also hope his story will inspire others to consider substitute teaching for BCPS.

Substitute teachers help ensure that learning continues when teachers are out, and substitute teachers help enrich the lives of area children.

If you have any interest, I encourage you to learn more by visiting the Kelly Education website. Kelly Education is our partner in recruiting, hiring, and supporting substitute teachers (and nurses).

Sincerely,

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

VISIT THE BCPS WEBSITE