New online haiku book celebrates student writing inspired by student artwork | | |
|
|
The judges’ favorite entries to this year’s Team BCPS Haiku Contest have been compiled into a new online book. Print copies of the book are being distributed to all Baltimore County Public Schools’ school libraries.
For the 2023 haiku contest, for the first time, rather than challenging BCPS students to write haiku related to a word or concept, students were asked to write in response to a student artwork selected from among 10 pieces. Nearly 2,200 entries were received from 111 schools, centers, and programs – including the Virtual Learning Program.
Contest judges included award-winning student writers and BCPS staff members from the Office of English Language Arts and Department of Communications and Community Outreach.
| |
|
BCPS community members are invited to upcoming community events to learn about and meet Dr. Myriam Yarbrough, the new superintendent. During the events, Dr. Yarbrough will share key priorities for the upcoming school year, hear from members of the Team BCPS community, and answer questions.
The community events will be held:
| |
|
Wednesday, July 5, from 6-7 p.m.*
Catonsville High School - media center
421 Bloomsbury Ave., 21228
Thursday, July 6, from 6-7 p.m.
Perry Hall High School - cafeteria
4601 Ebenezer Rd., 21236
Monday, July 10, from 6-7 p.m.*
Kenwood High School - multi-purpose room
501 Stemmers Run Rd., 21221
| |
|
Thursday, July 13, from 6-7 p.m.*
Towson High School - media center
69 Cedar Ave., 21286
Tuesday, July 18, from 6-7 p.m.*
Randallstown High School - cafeteria
4000 Offutt Rd., 21133
Videos from past community meetings at Dundalk High School, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, and New Town High School are available online.
| |
*Spanish interpretation will be provided | |
|
And just like that ... the Summer Stories begin!
First up, a Western Tech student competes at international conference for future healthcare professionals
| |
Aarti Srinivas, a rising Grade 12 student at Western School of Technology, has submitted the first Summer Stories post of 2023. She writes about qualifying to compete at the Heathcare Occupations Students of America International Leadership Conference and her experiences at the conference in Dallas. | | |
|
We want to know what BCPS students, teachers, and staff are doing this summer. To submit a blog post or suggest a story idea, please write to communications@bcps.org. | |
Vote now for a BCPS music teacher to win a $10,000 Manilow Music Teacher Award | |
|
The Barry Manilow Music Project is awarding a Manilow Music Teacher Award at each city on this year's Barry Manilow Tour, including Baltimore.
Four BCPS teachers are among the nine teachers nominated in the Baltimore area. The winner will receive a $10,000 prize – $5,000 for the teacher and an additional $5,000 for classroom instruments – and will be invited to a Barry Manilow concert and presented their award in a special backstage meet and greet.
Please vote online by Friday, July 21, for a BCPS teacher to win this award. The nominees are:
- Carrie Marsh, Mays Chapel Elementary School
- Howard Miskimon, Dumbarton Middle School
- Sadie Spencer, New Town High School
- Lisa Tierney, Rodgers Forge Elementary School
| |
|
BCPS summer programs SUPPORT continued learning
Parents and students are encouraged to explore the many academic programs and resources available this summer to support continued growth. Offerings include programs for English learners and students with disabilities, math enrichment programs, and more.
| |
|
County health department offers back-to-school immunization clinics
Does your child need immunizations for next school year? Check with your pediatrician or call 410-887-2705 for an appointment at a Baltimore County community health center. Summertime is an excellent time to avoid the back-to-school rush. More information is available online.
| |
|
County library's Summer Reading Challenge offers incentives and activities
BCPS students of all ages can register for Baltimore County Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge. Students who read for 10 hours can pick up completion prizes and enter in prize drawings!
In keeping with the "All Together Now" theme, library branches will offer fun and engaging programs so that youth can connect with others through science, art, culture, music, and dance.
| |
|
Now serving free breakfast and lunch meals
The annual Summer Food Service Program, for all youth up to age 18, will continue through Friday, August 18. Meals are served Monday through Friday, but meal sites will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. All meals must be consumed on site.
Breakfast and lunch are served at selected schools. Several public library branches serve lunch only. Check online for the sites closest to you and the times when meals will be served.
| |
for parents
from BCPS Parent University
| |
|
Be "In the Know" about vaccinations and sports physicals.
It's never too early to start preparing for next school year.
| |
for your viewing pleasure | |
|
"Koi Fish Macchia" by Isabel Ordu, Grade 6, Deer Park Middle Magnet School. This work earned Grade 6 Best in Show honors in the 2023 Middle School Juried Exhibition.
Artist statement:
"I created a macchia which is a type of glassblowing technique when you make your design into a bowl-like shape based on work by Dale Chihuly. My motif was based off of a Koi Fish. I showed my motif by making the background of my Macchia Bowl consist of things related to the ocean; blues, star fish, and seaweed. After that, I made sure to draw the Koi Fish in a swimming motion to further represent themselves. During the melting process, my motif did change. When it melted, the edges of my plate curled up. After that, my design shrank and changed to what you see now. I then combined my Macchia and background together to allow it to hang on the wall or window."
| |
|
mission moment
from The Education Foundation of BCPS
| |
Grant received by The Education Foundation will support expanded access to books highlighting diverse identities | |
The Education Foundation of BCPS has been selected by the Little Free Library organization to participate in the first Read in Color cohort. Through this initiative, the foundation will distribute 10 Little Free Libraries and thousands of diverse books that provide perspectives on racism and social justice, celebrate Black, indigenous, and people of color, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized voices, and incorporate experiences from all identities for all readers. | |
(Photo from the Little Free Library website) | |
A Word from Dr. Yarbrough | |
|
Dear Reader:
This past Saturday was my first official day as superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, and I am thrilled, excited, and humbled at the opportunity.
My career in education began 26 years ago as a chemistry teacher at Woodlawn High School, and I returned to BCPS three years ago to work in central administration, ultimately as deputy superintendent.
To ready myself for the challenges ahead as superintendent, I have established a 39-member transition team to assist me in assessing the school system and developing strategic plans for its future.
In addition, I am holding a series of events to further introduce myself to the community and primarily to hear directly from community members about their priorities and dreams for BCPS. These meetings will continue through mid-July. If you can, please join us.
At these meetings, I speak a bit about my core values and leadership philosophy, which begins with keeping students at the center of every conversation, decision, and policy development. As the mother of two boys and two girls, I know that even children from the same household, with the same lineage and resources, are very different from each other. That is always on my mind. Even though our students are in the same school system, they are all individuals with different needs, and we need to adjust to meet their needs.
The most important thing we can do as parents, community members, and educators is to support the success of youth. To me that means accelerating academic achievement and nurturing good citizens who are socially and emotionally well.
The important work in front of us is going to take all of us to make the difference that we want to see in our schools. This is a “we” situation. We need parents, we need communities, and we need to come together with county government and other partners to make sure that we are effectively taking care of our students.
I look forward to doing this work with you.
Sincerely,
Myriam Yarbrough, Ed.D.
Superintendent
(The weekly message from the superintendent will resume at the end of the summer.)
| |
Save the date – Saturday, August 19! | |
|
BCPSfest 2023
Saturday, August 19, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Rd., 21204
Please save the date for the biggest and best back-to-school festival in Baltimore County. This systemwide event is free and will feature family-friendly, fun learning activities, a Storytime tent, student entertainers, face-painting, school mascots, and community resources. Please join us to celebrate the start of the new school year and the exciting learning opportunities BCPS offers.
| | | | |
