BCPS Partnership Spotlight Newsletter, November 2023

November 2023

Apprenticeship program continues to grow in BCPS

Through the BCPS Youth Apprenticeship Program, students in all BCPS high schools have the opportunity for paid on-the-job learning with a one-to-one mentor in their fields of interest.

In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week (November 13-17), a new video features student apprentices at BCPS-TV, Maryland Auto Insurance, and Timber Industries.

Now in its fourth official year, 170 BCPS students are participating in the program.

Want to learn more?

Business leaders interested in learning more are asked to contact Alicia Fales at afales@bcps.org or 443-809-8925. Prospective employers are also invited to a monthly webinar, hosted by BCPS and the Maryland Department of Labor. The next webinar will be held on Wednesday, December 13, at 8:30 a.m. Details about how to participate can be found online.

Ravens running back hosts a Thanksgiving dinner for Scotts Branch Elementary School students and their families

Ravens running back Gus 'The Bus' Edwards hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for 75 Scotts Branch Elementary School students and their families on November 20. To the student's delight, Edwards was accompanied by fellow Ravens Justice Hill and Jameel McClain.

More photos from the event can be found on Flickr.

7th annual BCPS Green Schools Summit empowers educators to cultivate environmental stewardship

Educators from across Baltimore County gathered at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology for the 7th annual BCPS Green Schools Summit earlier this school year. At the summit, educators learned more about the Green Schools certification process and various sustainability initiatives, met with local vendors, and participated in sessions on the Maryland Environmental Literacy Framework.

A new season of "The CTE Show" premieres

Continues to showcase BCPS career and technical education programs

"The CTE Show" soars into another great season with an episode focused on aviation technology programs currently offered at Hereford and Kenwood high schools and soon to be available at Lansdowne High School. The episode, hosted and written by student Abigail Evans, also explores the critical role the Community College of Baltimore County plays in the program. "The CTE Show" is produced regularly throughout the school year by BCPS-TV.

Career and technical education programs seek partners and professionals

Across the county, schools at every level are looking for businesses and professionals to support their career and technical education programs. They are looking for career day speakers, competition judges, robotics volunteers, internship mentors, mock interviewers, and more.

A list of what individual schools seek can be found online. To participate, please contact the person listed or contact Alicia Fales, career and technical education supervisor, at afales@bcps.org or 443-809-8921.

Schools welcome parents, caregivers, community members for American Education Week events

Principal Kortney Griffin hosts creative events -- like Spirit Week activities and a special luncheon -- to bring parents and caregivers into Powhatan Elementary School for American Education Week.

Student ambassadors welcomed families to American Education Week at Norwood Elementary School.

A community circle of parents and family members met at Mars Estates Elementary School.

Grade 5 students at Kingsville Elementary School made presentations to showcase their knowledge.

Teacher Academy of Maryland students at Woodlawn High School hosted Kindergarten students and helped them make paper animals.

Sandalwood Elementary School hosted a parent workshop.

PreSchool, Grade 1, and Grade 5 families visited Joppa View Elementary School during the first day of American Education Week.

Local news anchor Jason Newton speaks to Hebbville Elementary School students about his career

Hebbville Elementary School welcomed WBAL-TV news anchor and Baltimore native Jason Newton on November 8 for a presentation for students in Grades 3-5. Newton told the students about his career path and about important lessons he learned along the way, like trying new things, having no fear, and the importance of quality friendships. His presentation ended with a Q&A session with the students. A new blog post includes more details about the event.

90 BCPS high school students practice networking, develop leadership skills at Junior Achievement event

Ninety students from Kenwood and Woodlawn high schools and Milford Mill Academy participated in the Junior Achievement's Leading Ladies event on November 1 at the Stanley Black and Decker Innovation Center. Participants experienced corporate networking with area business leaders, learned how to use artificial intelligence in workforce development, and studied how to use social media to support entrepreneurship.

Donation of Camelot Learning resources leads to unique "shopping" experience for BCPS educators

Back in August, the Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., was offered 23 pallets worth of Camelot Learning resources and teaching tools from the former owner of Open Door Before and After Care, a now-closed early childhood learning company. Board Member Carin Lazarus, CEO of Media Star Promotions, answered the call to action and sent two box trucks to the Eastern Shore to recover the items and deliver them to the warehouse.

The foundation decided to invite BCPS educators right into the warehouse to shop directly out of the boxes that were still on the pallets.

During a one-day event on October 28, nearly 100 BCPS educators collected more than $200,000 worth of Camelot Learning teaching resources and materials for their classrooms and their students.

A new Mission Moment blog post tells more of the story.

Community School Highlights

Lansdowne Middle School

More than 70 Lansdowne Middle School students, parents, and community partners attended the school's 2nd Annual Mentor Night on November 1.

At the event, school staff conversed with families about upcoming events, partnership opportunities, and plans for this school year. Representatives of the BCPS Office of Equity, and Lynn McCamie, a school partner from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, spoke to families and provided insight on the benefits of mentoring.

Sandalwood Elementary School

Recognizing that some students were missing school because they were embarrassed by their hair and that hair care can require substantial time and funds, Sandalwood Elementary School's community school facilitator organized a group of volunteer braiders. More than 20 volunteers assisted in braiding the hair of more than 30 students.

Woodlawn Middle School

Woodlawn Middle School hosted its annual Grade 8 Family Night on October 11. Students and families were provided on-site magnet program application support and access to community resources, including The BE Org, National Alliance on Mental Illness, CASH Campaign of Maryland, All By The Grace, LLC, and Green and Healthy Homes Initiative. Representatives of BCPS magnet high school programs and career and technical education programs were on hand to share pertinent information with students and their families. In addition, the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Mobile Welcome Center supported students and families with interpreters during the evening. More than 120 people attended the event.

A message from Dr. Rogers (Yarbrough)

Dear Reader:

In this season of giving thanks, on behalf of Team BCPS, I would like to share my great appreciation for the school system's many community and business partners and volunteers. I am so proud of our partners and supporters for their commitment to educational excellence for all.

If you are not already a partner or if you are a partner and have been considering expanding your involvement, I encourage you to explore the many options available to you.

By supporting our students, teachers, and schools, you nurture future workers, citizens, customers, parents, and innovators. Moreover, you reinforce to the students in our classrooms today that this is a community that values its youth.

In partnership,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent

PTA Council of Baltimore County

Dear Reader:

The Reflections arts competition is one of National PTA’s signature programs. Every year, 300,000+ students in PreK through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. The 2023-24 theme is “I am Hopeful Because.”

This program, begun over 50 years ago, helps students explore their thoughts, feelings, and ideas, develop artistic literacy, and increase their confidence. Students submit entries in grade-appropriate divisions (Primary, Intermediate, Middle School, High School, and Special Artist) in the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.

November, a time of thanks, is the perfect time to thank PTA Council’s Reflections Committee Chair Hope Metzler for helping local PTA/PTSA units run their programs. Hope has been working with 14 units taking part in the 2023-24 program. These units are busy right now collecting submissions from students and judging them. Winners are sent to PTA Council for county-level judging in mid-December. After that, PTA Council sends its winning submissions to Free State PTA for state-level judging. After that, it’s on to Nationals!

If you’re interested in having the PTA/PTSA at your school take part in this amazing program next year, contact Hope at reflections@bcptacouncil.org.

Leslie Weber

President