Celebrating National School Psychology Week -- This Week in BCPS

Monday, November 6, 2023

Meet three school psychologists who help students and schools grow

Celebrating National School Psychology Week, November 6 - 10

Dr. Colleen Bachman, Maiden Choice School and Chapel Hill Elementary School

LaDena Eames, Randallstown High School

Dr. MaryEllen Hanover, Chesapeake Terrace Elementary School and Deep Creek Magnet Middle School

The theme of National School Psychology Week 2023 (November 6 – 10) is “Let’s Grow Together.” In honor of the theme and to celebrate a few of the amazing school psychologists who serve BCPS, the blog conducted short interviews with three of them.

In the post, school psychologists Dr. Colleen Bachman, LaDena Eames, and Dr. MaryEllen Hanover share what led them to this career and a few of the ways they help their students and school communities grow.

New Mobile ESOL Welcome Center takes services into the community

The BCPS Mobile ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Welcome Center provides English language proficiency assessment and enrollment services to new BCPS multilingual learners. To bring its service closer to students and families across the county, the Mobile ESOL Welcome Center will be stationed at schools across the county every Tuesday.

First Tuesday of every month – Halstead Academy, 1111 Halstead Rd., Baltimore 21234
Second Tuesday of every month – Cockeysville Middle School, 10401 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21030
Third Tuesday of every month – Holabird STEM Middle School, 1701 Delvale Ave., Dundalk 21222
Fourth Tuesday of every month – Reisterstown Elementary School, 223 Walgrove Rd., Reisterstown 21136

Newly arrived families can make appointments to be seen at the Mobile ESOL Welcome Center by calling 443-809-6752.

Maiden Choice and Ridge Ruxton students raced to the finish line at second annual fall Accessible Track Meet

Thirty students from Maiden Choice School and Ridge Ruxton School were ready to run on October 28 at Catonsville High School. Cheered on by family, friends, and the Ridge Ruxton spirit squad, the Maiden Choice and Ridge Ruxton students participated in the second annual fall Accessible Track Meet.

The track and field event, now held each spring and fall, is the outgrowth of a running club that began six years ago, launched by Cat Kier, an occupational therapist at Maiden Choice.

Photos from the October 28 event can be found on Flickr. A November 2022 blog post describes how the track meet began and the many ways it benefits students.

Want to learn more about Native American heritage? Baltimore County Public Library has books to recommend

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, Baltimore County Public Library has produced a Virtual Book Display to bring attention to indigenous poets, authors, and playwrights. Books for the display were selected by the library's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Here is a sampling of those books.

Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget "Community Conversations" continue

Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough) is hosting “Community Conversations” regarding the development of the BCPS Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget. Please join us to share your ideas on budget priorities and the investments you believe the system should make to ensure it provides the greatest public education for every student.

A recording of the October 17 conversation at Pikesville High School is available online.

Thursday, November 9,

from 6-7 p.m.

Parkville High School—Cafeteria

2600 Putty Hill Ave., Baltimore 21234

Tuesday, November 14,

from 6-7 p.m.

Western School of Technology and Environmental Science—Cafeteria

100 W. Kenwood Ave.,

Catonsville 21228

Spanish interpretation will be provided at each meeting. Interpreting services for other languages are also available upon request at no cost to participants. Please call 443-809-1250 as early as possible to request.

In addition to the budget forums, BCPS recently launched its new "Budget 101" website. The website provides an overview of the BCPS operating budget—where our funding comes from, how it is spent, and how we ensure we are meeting the needs of every BCPS student.

Stakeholders invited to take survey about special education staffing

The Department of Special Education is conducting a brief survey about the staffing of services and supports for BCPS students receiving special education services. This information will be used in developing the Special Education Staffing Plan for next school year. Please take a moment to offer your feedback. The survey closes Friday, December 1.

for parents

from BCPS Parent University

Calendar notes!

(The first marking period ended on Friday, November 3.)

Monday, November 13 – Systemwide Professional Development Day. Schools closed for students.

Tuesday, November 14 - Friday, November 17 – American Education Week. Please Look out for the calendar, flyers, newsletters, or other communications to see if your child's school is hosting special activities.

Tuesday, November 14 – Report cards distributed. Instructions on how to access report card and the "BCPS Grading and Reporting Procedures Manual" are available online. An Understood.org article offers helpful tips on productive ways to talk to children about their grades.

Learn more about childhood anxiety and the difference parents can make

The newest episode of Parent University's "In the Know" podcast includes tips for families and caregivers on understanding the IEP – Individualized Education Program – process. The episode was recorded by staff from the Office of Special Education.

“Cold/Flu & Germs”

Tuesday, November 7, at 12:30 p.m.

During this virtual workshop, presented by Priority Partners, participants will learn about viral infections; differentiating between seasonal allergies, common cold, influenza, and Covid-19; and preventing the spread of all viral infections. Online registration is required.

“When Worry Gets Too Big: Strategies to Move Through Anxious Moments Towards Confidence”

Friday, November 10, at 12:30 p.m.

In this virtual workshop, presented by Mariposa Education, participants will explore the science linking stress and anxiety to behavior and develop a new understanding of how to help children navigate anxiety. Online registration is required.

“Start Your Own Childcare Business”

Monday, November 13, at 12:30 p.m.

During this virtual workshop presented by the Abilities Network, participants will receive an overview of how to start a childcare business. Abilities Network offers free training, technical support, and business coaching as well as community mentorship. Online registration is required.

“Can You Say 'Mama'?: How Young Children Develop Language”

Friday, November 17, at 12:30 p.m.

The Center for Family Success is partnering with Parent University to offer monthly virtual Lunch & Learn sessions on parent hacks, early learning, and health-related topics. Online registration is required.

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

"Festival" by Genira Nelson-Lewis, visual arts teacher, Johnnycake Elementary School. Work featured in the annual BCPS 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

An exclusive Exchangeree-style shopping experience

Giving "out of the box"

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.

A word from Dr. Rogers (Yarbrough)

November 6, 2023

Dear Reader:

In its 2023 Trends Report, the American Psychological Association writes that children's mental health is "in crisis."

For those of us who are close to youth, this is no surprise. Adolescence, in and of itself, is stressful. Add to that to the major disruption and period of isolation caused the COVID pandemic, as well as concerns about mass shootings, racial and civil rights, climate change, and more, and it is understandable that many youth feel overwhelmed.

BCPS is deeply concerned about student wellbeing, and we have an amazing team of professionals, including school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors who are dedicated to improving students' mental health.

During this National School Psychology Week, I am happy to bring attention to the amazing work being done every day by our school psychologists to help our students and school communities grow in positive and healthy ways.

In partnership,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent