Thursday, February 1, 2024

Previous editions of the BCPS Staff Bulletin are archived and available for viewing on the BCPS website.

Celebrating Black History Month!

During Black History Month, BCPS will continue to celebrate the contributions African Americans have made, and are making, to American history and culture.

Across the county, individual schools will welcome guest speakers, share information during morning announcements, host door decorating contests, assign written reports and research projects, offer special assemblies, and more. More information is available in a BCPS news release.

Throughout Black History Month, BCPS will honor on social media one graduate from each BCPS high school. Principals and other Team BCPS staff members can submit nominations. Last year's honorees included a Harvard University professor, NFL players, a BCPS principal, a Saturday Night Live actor and comedian, and a CNN journalist. We are also looking to spotlight your Black History events, programs and projects! For more information, please contact Diana Spencer or Sam Lister.

Today, the series began with Milford Mill Academy grad Theodore Colbert III, who is executive vice president of The Boeing Company.

FEATURED VIDEO:

Outstanding Women Young Leaders

The Outstanding Women Young Leaders program, in partnership with the Presidential Scholars Office at Towson University, is empowering Baltimore County's next generation of leaders.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Direct deposit pay stubs

As of March 15, 2024, direct deposit pay stubs will no longer be printed and mailed to employees. BCPS strives to create efficiencies through budgetary savings in postal fees, paper, and printing costs; and to protect employee salary and withholding information. Pay stubs are available through the Employee Self Service (ESS) application through the Microsoft 365 portal. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• "Taste the Rainbow" Nutrition Challenge

February is American Heart Month, and the Employee Wellness Program will kick off the new year with a colorful challenge. Learn more and join the challenge today on the Employee Wellness Hub.

• Inspiring Wellness Awards - "The Sun is Still Shining" January 2024

"When Covid hit, the gym was closed so I increased my walking/running routine. Yes, some things slacked off, but I continued to eat healthy and moved every day. Then, I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. MRIs, biopsies, chemotherapy every three weeks (for a total of four rounds), followed by 21 consecutive days of radiation became the norm. My outings consisted of visits to the cancer center and CVS. I had no strength for the gym. The physical and mental toll was intense. My entire world was turned upside down." Continue reading online.

The Employee Wellness Program invites employees to share their wellness success stories. Each month, the wellness team will choose one inspiring story to highlight, encouraging others to make the necessary changes to achieve lasting health and happiness. To submit your story, please email empwellness@bcps.org.

• New 2024 BCPS Climate Survey - Plan Now

The annual BCPS Climate Survey has been revised. The new 2024 BCPS Climate Survey has fewer questions for all stakeholders with a focus on school climate and engagement. We are asking for your help to get the word out and boost participation. The survey will be available from Monday, February 5, through Friday, March 8. The survey is for all stakeholders: students in Grades 3–12, parents/caregivers, community members, and all staff. It takes three minutes or less to complete and is anonymous. Information to promote the survey, including translated flyers, can be found online. Questions? Contact Dr. Christine Koth.

• Care of staff devices and stickers on staff devices

As staff members receive new devices, please review our list of tips for taking care of the device issued by BCPS. The list includes the following reminders:

• Do not place stickers on devices. Devices are refreshed when staff members leave BCPS and issued to other staff members.

• Keep devices away from food and drink. More than 50 percent of the repairs requested by staff members involve spilling liquid on the BCPS-issued device.

• Report damage to a device immediately via a call to the Help Desk or ticket in BCPS Serve. All staff devices are covered by a warranty and accidental damage protection. The sooner the damage is reported, the more likely it is to be covered.

County Executive Olszewski announces $1 million in scholarships to boost teacher diversity in Baltimore County

In a new effort to enhance the teacher pipeline and promote greater diversity within the teaching profession across Baltimore County’s public schools, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and BCPS today announced the award of a $1 million grant to support the creation of a new Diverse Teacher Recruitment Scholarship: Growing Our Own for BCPS program.

“Every child deserves to grow up with role models and mentors who look like them,” said Baltimore County Executive Olszewski. “Diversity is our strength in Baltimore County, and the new recruitment scholarship will support students from across the county and make our school system stronger and more vibrant.”

National School Counseling Week: February 5 - 9

Please join us in recognizing National School Counseling Week! We are grateful for everything our dedicated Team BCPS school counselors do to support our students and school communities.

A new blog post highlights five school counselors and the work they do to support student success. The featured school counselors are Milan Amos, Catonsville High School; Emily Dewlin, Dundalk High School; Donna Murphy, Eastern Technical High School; Erin Ruocco, West Towson Elementary School; and Amy Selby, Deep Creek Middle School .

Education Support Professional of the Year Nominations

Education Support Professionals provide invaluable skills and contributions that support the students and staff of BCPS. The Education Support Professionals of Baltimore County (ESPBC) Paraeducator and/or Office Professional of the Year Awards recognize the contributions made by education support professionals to their schools, communities, and their profession.

The job titles eligible for this recognition include, but are not limited to, health assistant, interpreter, office professional, paraeducator, or computer technician.

The nomination deadline is March 8. Please visit the ESPBC website for specific information.

Summer employment application information

The BCPS school-based summer program employee interest form is anticipated to be open in mid-February. To be considered for a school-based summer program, all current 10-month school-based employees will need to complete and submit the Summer Program Interest Form that will be housed this year using the All-Apps portal in Microsoft. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

BCPS-TV Producer Renata Seergae receives Bronze Anthem Award

Earlier this week, BCPS-TV Producer Renata Seergae was announced as a Bronze Anthem Award Winner in Film, Video, Television or Show for "Let's Talk About It,' a special program highlighting mental health, hosted by 2022-2023 Student Member of the Board Roah Hassan. The third annual Anthem Awards received more than 2,000 entries from more than 30 countries.

BCPS and local leaders celebrate Summit Park Elementary ribbon cutting

Today, Team BCPS leaders, members of the Board of Education, and state and county officials gathered for the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new replacement building for Summit Park Elementary School. The new building opened to students in January. The $63 million project features more than double the capacity (684 seats) and square footage (100,441 square feet) of the former school building. Photos from the event are available in a BCPS Flickr album.

Spread the word! We are seeking qualified professionals to join our team.

We are hosting a Special Education Hybrid Job Fair on Wednesday, February 21, from 4 - 6 p.m. Prospective special educators, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists are invited to join us in Greenwood Building E or attend virtually.

On Tuesday, March 12, all 176 BCPS schools will be represented at our Spring Job Fair from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Timonium Fairgrounds.

Share your partnership highlights with us!

Schools and offices are invited to send brief highlights and photos of their partnerships with businesses and community organizations to communications@bcps.org. This information might be featured in the monthly BCPS Partnership Spotlight Newsletter.

FOR EDUCATORS

Department Chair Application Process 2024

For teachers interested in a department chair position, applications are being accepted online. All department chair postings will be posted when a vacancy has been confirmed. Unlike past department chair processes, there will not be a department chair candidate pool for each content area. Department chair vacancies will be posted by content and school for all schools with a vacancy. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR ESPBC-REPRESENTED STAFF

ESPBC Professional Development Day Rescheduled to February 8

The ESPBC/BCPS Professional Development Day initially scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Loyola University Maryland, Graduate Center in Timonium, Maryland.

All participants need to register, even if they initially registered for the January 16 event. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR EDUCATORS

Black History Month Writing Contest - Entries due by Friday, February 9

In celebration of Black History Month, the Office of English Language Arts and the Office of Social Studies are co-sponsoring a writing contest for all students in Grades K-12. A winner will be selected in each of the following grade level bands: Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12. Prizes for winners are generously provided by The Education Foundation of BCPS.

Please share the linked flyer with teachers and students! We encourage participation from all schools and can happily accept up to three entries from each school per grade level band. No entries will be accepted directly from individual students or parents/guardians. Teachers, reading specialists, or department chairs should review all entries to determine which to submit. The submission includes the cover sheet and student writing.

Use the following link to upload submissions: Black History Month Writing Contest 2024. All entries may be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 9. Questions? Contact Dr. Jennifer Craft.

Upcoming community meetings

All are welcome to attend

Joint meeting of the Southwest and Northwest area education advisory councils

Monday, February 12, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “Equity”

Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, February 26, at 7 p.m.

Chesapeake High School library, 1801 Turkey Point Rd., Baltimore 21221

Topic: “Artificial Intelligence”

Joint meeting of the Central and Northwest area education advisory councils

Monday, March 11, at 6 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “New Superintendent, New Organizational Structure – Where are we now?”

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT



Melody Payton, Administrative Secretary III, Office of Technology Operations

Submitted by Jodi Obenstine, Director, Office of Technology Operations

"Melody Payton is a true asset to Baltimore County Public Schools and to the Office of Technology Operations in DoIT (The Department of Information Technology). She is responsible for so many things that keep the office running and performs each task with the highest level of proficiency and customer service. She manages the Youth Employment Program for the office, the onboarding of all new employees to the office, development of standard operating procedures, and holds a leadership role in strategic planning for the office among many other duties.

"Melody has the courage to speak up when change is needed, or a process needs to be reexamined,and adds a non-technical lens to the communication and process to ensure the students and staff within BCPS are well-served and the focus remains on BCPS strategic initiatives. Melody continues to develop herself professionally by attending sessions to polish her job skills and develop additional leadership skills. There are too many tasks to mention for which Melody is responsible, but our whole team depends on her and looks to her for assistance. She is flexible, dependable, and a valued member of the Office of Technology Operations Community."

Brian Neal, Social Emotional Learning Teacher, Hebbville Elementary School

Submitted by Jordan Filderman, Principal, Hebbville Elementary School

"Mr. Neal has retired after 27 years at Hebbville Elementary! Starting his career as a classroom teacher and later transitioning into the role of behavior interventionist, now known as a social emotional learning teacher, Mr. Neal has been an integral part of our school family and community. He has been a mentor, a source of laughter and encouragement, and has built relationships with countless students and families during his time here.

"Former and retired Hebbville staff and administrators joined our current staff and all students to celebrate Mr. Neal. He is a hallmark of Hebbville and has made a positive impact on our entire school community for generations of students. We will miss him tremendously around the building, but we are excited for him as he moves into this new chapter in his life. Enjoy retirement, Mr. Neal! You'll always be a legend here at Hebbville Elementary School."

Check out Hebbville's Walk the Halls Finale video.

You may submit a shoutout for a variety of reasons. For example, you may want to offer a pat on the back to a colleague for helping out, recognize a staff member or student achievement, or welcome a new employee. When your shoutout appears in The Staff Bulletin, your name and school/location will be included.

UPCOMING RECOGNITIONS

Black History Month - February

Career and Technical Education Month - February

National School Counseling Week - Monday, February 5 - Friday, February 9

National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day - Thursday, February 15

Presidents' Day - Monday, February 19

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org