January 2023

BCPS Partner Highlight: Mock Interviews

At high schools around the county, every senior participates in a mock interview during which they are interviewed by an area professional, receive advice on job seeking, and connect with potential employers and mentors. A BCPS-TV video highlights a mock interview day at Woodlawn High School.

Area professionals interested in serving as interviewers or visiting a school to speak about their careers are asked to contact Alicia Fales, BCPS supervisor of School to Career Transition, at afales@bcps.org or 443-809-8925.

BCPS Education Foundation welcomes partners of every age group

Volunteers are part of the lifeblood of The Education Foundation's collaborative resource centers for educators -- the Exchangerees. Many of the foundation's partners -- who collect and donate school and classroom supplies and books -- are area businesses and organizations. But younger groups also make a difference -- a recent blog post about Exchangeree supporters highlights the Towson University swimming and diving team and Girl Scout Troop 172 as well as area schools, Compass Realty Group, JC Law, Repair the World Baltimore, and The Baseball Warehouse.

The Towson University swimming and diving program, the Towson Athletics department, and the UMBC swimming and diving program, more than 1,000 books were collected and delivered to the Exchangeree in Windsor Mill for distribution to BCPS classrooms.

As a service project, the cadettes of Girl Scout Troop 172 spent an evening unpacking, sorting, bundling, stocking, and arranging a large donation that had been made to the Exchangeree.

Texas Instruments STEM Squad visits Battle Grove Elementary School

The Texas Instruments (TI) STEM Squad of teachers and TI professionals recently visited students in Grades 4 and 5 at Battle Grove Elementary School. Students learned about coding as they programmed their Rovers to move through a maze.

Message from Dr. Williams

Dear BCPS Partners,

This year, for the first time ever, BCPS parents, staff, and community members are invited to nominate school leaders to be honored as Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year.

We know that across the county, principals and assistant principals demonstrate amazing leadership every day. They set the tone and establish the standards for teaching and learning in their buildings. They manage facilities, staff, and budgets, and nurture vital relationships with students, families, and communities. Additionally, we know that principals are instrumental in fostering and facilitating strong partnerships with families, businesses and outside agencies.

We hope our Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year awards will bring more attention to all of those who lead our schools.

Sincerely,

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Baltimore County Public Schools

Photo: Dr. Williams with Dr. Mike Grubbs, MiVida Parham, and Alicia Fales of the BCPS Office of Career and Technical Education at a Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce meeting (January 12, 2023, on Team BCPS Day)

Community celebrates school system on Team BCPS Day

On Team BCPS Day, the second Thursday of January each year, BCPS students, staff, and supporters wear blue and post photos on social media in celebration of the school system's unity and progress.

Participants this year, on January 12, included Maryland State Senators Charles Sydnor III, Ben Brooks Sr., Shelly Hettleman, and Chris West. A Flickr album showcases nearly 100 images captured on the day.

BCPS Education Foundation recognizes Oak Contracting, LLC, for its partnership

In December 2022, the Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., honored Oak Contracting, LLC, and its CEO Doug Eder for enduring support. Eder is past president of the Education Foundation's board of directors. Under his leadership, Oak has supported all of the foundation's major fundraising events; established a private philanthropic scholarship with the BCPS Office of Allied Sports; adopted multiple schools during the holidays; and provided staff volunteers for various foundation initiatives.

“The foundation has been a shining part of my career, and there is nothing that gives me more pleasure than knowing I have helped a child improve their potential.”

- Doug Eder, Oak Contracting, LLC; past president, The Education Foundation Board of Directors

Mentors from Johnson Controls, KCI Technologies, and Whiting-Turner, met with

P-TECH students at Dundalk High School

Grade 9 participants in the P-TECH program at Dundalk High School met with mentors from industry partners Johnson Controls, KCI Technologies, and Whiting-Turner.

P-TECH, Pathways in Technology, is an early college program that offers students the chance to earn a 2-year degree while still in high school. P-TECH students also participate in paid internships with industry partners and are eligible for first-in-line job opportunities.

BCPS-TV was there for the first in-person mentor event since January 2020.

PTA Council of Baltimore County

Key PTA values include collaborating with individuals and organizations to broaden and enhance the PTA’s ability to serve students and families and being committed to students’ educational success through strong community engagement.

With this in mind, PTA Council is thrilled to highlight a community-PTSA partnership which links the past to the present. Randallstown High School (RHS) alumni from the Classes of 1973, 1974, and 1975 have come together to make a substantial donation to the RHS PTSA to fund 8 scholarships for graduating seniors. We’re inspired by this commitment to community. Rams Nation is strong!

Leslie Weber

BCPTA Council President