Thursday, January 11, 2024

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

Superintendent presents $2.58 billion operating budget proposal for FY 2025

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough) presented a $2.58 billion operating budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 on January 8 at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology and during the January 9 Board of Education meeting. The budget reflects the work of the school system to fast forward student achievement. More information is available in a BCPS news release.

A recording of Dr. Rogers' January 8 presentation is available online.

Highlights from the proposed FY 2025 operating budget include:

• Reduced class sizes in Grades 3-5.

• Expansion of full-day PreKindergarten programs.

• Compensation enhancements for all staff.

• Special education Individualized Education Program (IEP) chairpersons in elementary schools.

• An elementary math lead teachers pilot.

• Additional special education, ESOL, staff development, and special area teachers.

• New English Language Learner (ELL) and secondary English language arts curriculum.

• Expansion of community schools.

• Virtual academy teachers.

• Student safety assistants and additional athletic trainers.

FEATURED VIDEO:

Summit Park and Red House Run elementary school students and staff settle into new replacement buildings

Last week, BCPS welcomed students and staff to two new, state-of-the-art school buildings. The new Summit Park and Red House Run elementary school buildings are officially open!

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• Maryland State Board of Education to host virtual town halls on state superintendent search

The Maryland State Board of Education will host a series of virtual town halls to obtain feedback from families, educators, administrators, and community members on the state superintendent of schools selection process.

The town halls will be conducted by executive search firm Hazard, Young and Attea via Zoom on the following dates:

• Tuesday, January 16, at 9 a.m.

• Wednesday, January 17, at 1 p.m.

• Thursday, January 18, at 6 p.m.

This outreach will help to inform the state board on the leadership qualities and attributes that Marylanders identify as critical for the role of state superintendent.

For those unable to attend the town halls, a survey is available to share thoughts on the next state superintendent, whose term will begin July 1 and continue through June 30, 2028. The state board will continue to seek public input throughout the search process and will provide regular updates through the Maryland State Department of Education State Board website.

• Introducing "Inspiring Wellness" awards

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.

The team is looking for stories that uplift and motivate others to achieve their wellness goals. If an employee’s submission is selected, they will receive a special gift compliments of the Employee Wellness Program. Employees should submit their story to empwellness@bcps.org and are asked to include a picture along with their name and where they work.

The deadline for story submissions is the 25th of each month. Monthly award winners will be announced the following month.

*Stories may be edited for length and clarity.

• Team Coaching Training

BCPS is continuing its partnership with Team Coaching International and is providing team coaching training this spring for interested participants. This method builds your skills as a coach to help teams in BCPS improve their performance.

The training will be offered as a hybrid model with asynchronous online work, synchronous online collaboration, and in-person training. The training will be paid in full through the Maryland Leads grant. An information session will be held on Tuesday, January 23, from 4:30 - 5 p.m.

If you are interested in learning more about team coaching, please complete this form to receive an invitation to the session. You may also contact Niamh McQuillan with any questions.

• Faculty, staff, and retirees invited to submit artwork for BCPS Makes Art! Exhibition

The BCPS Makes Art! exhibition gives employees of the school system an opportunity and space to display their unique art skills. The art submission form for BCPS Makes Art! is open through Friday, January 12, for all BCPS faculty and staff, including retirees. Further details are provided in the art submission form.

This year, the BCPS Makes Art! exhibition and reception will be held at the Towson University StarTUp (307 Washington Avenue, Towson 21204). All artwork submitted will be included in the BCPS Makes Art! virtual exhibition. Only selected artwork will be displayed at the Towson University StarTUp. Space is limited, and there will be a random selection process. The art office will notify staff members of selected artworks.

Questions? Contact Camille Gibson, supervisor, Office of Visual Arts.

• Volunteers sought for interactive financial literacy programs

Volunteers are needed to assist with interactive financial literacy programs offered to BCPS students through a partnership with Junior Achievement Maryland. Those interested can sign up online. Volunteers are needed for several dates in January, including January 16-18, 23-24, 26, and 29-31. Volunteers are typically needed from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., but exact times vary.

• Junior Achievement 18 Under 18 Nominations

Junior Achievement Maryland and Baltimore Magazine are seeking nominations for the second annual JA 18 Under 18 awards program! They are looking for young people who are reshaping the world through their entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and service to their communities. More information is available on the Junior Achievement website. Nominations close Monday, January 15. Individuals nominated must be born on or after April 30, 2005.

Spread the word! We are seeking qualified professionals to join our team. More information about upcoming recruitment events is available in a BCPS news release.

Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - January 15

Team BCPS honors the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., whose courage, leadership, and service continues to inspire and guide us every day.

Learning materials and resources are available on our Policy 6304 Schoology page.

What a blue-tiful day! Thank you for participating in Team BCPS Day 2024

The Team BCPS Day excitement began shortly after midnight as Rossville Elementary Principal Kevin Jennings shared a #BCPSBlue selfie in his Olaf pajamas and Stemmers Run Middle School Spanish teacher Alexa Sciuto posted a photo of herself in her classroom.

After a good night's sleep, we received photos from the Sandy Plains Elementary library, a proud BCPS graduate and current BCPS principal, a punny pup paw-ticipant, a great group shot at the Chatsworth School, and much more!

And of course, to give credit where credit is blue, our partners at First Financial Federal Credit Union put together an amazing video!

See a roundup of images from the day on Flickr, and stay tuned for information about this year's award winners. We're blued to our seats!

Black History Month is on the horizon — and we need your input!

How will your school/office recognize Black History Month? The Department of Communications and Community Outreach seeks information regarding upcoming activities and celebrations. Share your plans with us at communications@bcps.org.

Additionally, throughout Black History Month, we will honor graduates from around the county on social media. Team BCPS staff members are invited to complete our nomination form now through Monday, January 29. Last year's list of honorees included a Harvard University professor, NFL players, a BCPS principal, a Saturday Night Live actress and comedian, a CNN journalist, and much more! Please note that we plan to recognize no more than one graduate from each BCPS high school.

Reminder - Virtual Instruction Days

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is providing local school systems with the option to repurpose inclement weather days as virtual school days.

MSDE has approved the BCPS

Virtual Inclement Weather Day Plan for the 2023-2024 school year.

When inclement weather is forecasted, BCPS leadership will monitor the weather forecast and families will be notified if BCPS will transition to virtual learning that day. Students will be reminded to bring devices, chargers, and other instructional materials home. Staff will also be asked to prepare lessons and materials.

Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year nominations open January 16

All BCPS stakeholders and community members are invited to nominate outstanding administrators for BCPS Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year for 2024-25. Finalists for each level (elementary, middle, and high) will participate in the BCPS Principal of the Year and BCPS Assistant Principal of the Year competitions.

The BCPS Principal of the Year and BCPS Assistant Principal of the Year will represent Baltimore County in statewide competitions.

Nominations open Tuesday, January 16, and are due no later than the end of the business on Monday, January 29.

Maryland School Board Recognition Month

January has been named Maryland School Board Recognition Month! This month serves as a salute to the work of Maryland's 24 local school boards. A proclamation from Governor Wes Moore is available online.

Board of Education completes equity workshop

The Board of Education of Baltimore County recently completed a workshop titled "Leading for Educational Equity Through School Board Governances." The Board is committed to working with system leadership to ensure educational equity for all Team BCPS students.

Lunch & Learn with BCPS Parent University! BCPS parents and caregivers are invited to join us for these free virtual events. Explore the Parent University Schedule and register today.

Faculty and staff who may be interested in transferring to the new northeast area middle school next school year are invited to join Principal Bryan Thanner at upcoming sessions around the county.

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

Prospective Staff Development Teacher Information Session

The Office of Teacher Leadership is offering a virtual information session on Thursday, February 15, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. for prospective staff development teachers (SDT). This 90-minute session will share information about the roles and responsibilities of the SDT and the SDT application process. It is highly recommended that tenured teachers attend this information session prior to applying for the SDT pool. No stipend is offered for attending this session. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR EDUCATORS

National Board Certification for Teachers: Grant Opportunity

National Board Certification is an excellent opportunity for teachers to experience relevant and impactful professional development designed to target individual growth and student achievement. Through this comprehensive experience, teachers will enhance their lesson planning and reflection on practice. Additionally, BCPS National Board candidates and current certified teachers have access to a multi-tiered and differentiated support system from the Department of Employee Training and Development and its amazing group of professional learning facilitators and National Board coaches throughout the year and process!

In recognizing the impact of this process and the necessity of retaining quality educators, National Board-Certified teachers will receive an increase in salary of $10,000. Teachers staying or moving to a building meeting the state’s definition of a “low performing school” will receive an additional $7,000 raise. The salary increase, as per The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, is an annual increase and is contingent upon teachers maintaining their certificate every five years and teaching for 60 percent of their working time (50 percent for “teacher leaders,” as outlined in the MOU).

Staff members interested in earning a National Board Certification are also invited to visit the National Board Certification Support Schoology Group by using access code: V7S7-Q7ZZ-M4DS9. Once in the group, members will have access to a host of resources, including eligibility requirements, information session presentations and materials, and the candidate support plan for SY 23-24.

Questions? Contact Jordan Birnbaum, 443-809-5034

FOR EDUCATORS

Professional learning support for teachers planning to take the ESOL/Special Education Praxis - Spring 2024

BCPS is pleased to share information about new professional learning/support for teachers who plan to take the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)/Special Education PRAXIS in 2024.

This professional learning opportunity is designed for BCPS professionally certified teachers who are interested in taking the ESOL or Special Education PRAXIS in spring 2024 to add an ESOL or Special Education endorsement to their certificate. It will be a four-week asynchronous study course from February 3 through March 1. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR PRINCIPALS

Professional learning support for teachers planning to take the ESOL/Special Education Praxis - Spring 2024

As we approach the end of the second marking period, principals are asked to remind service-learning coordinators to refer to the Infused Student Service-Learning Hours Timeline to support classroom teachers with review of generated infused hours in FOCUS. Infused hours will be generated in FOCUS for courses that have infused lessons and are ending this quarter. This and other supporting documents can be found in the “Infused Hours Support” folder in the Resources tab of the Service-Learning Coordinator Schoology group.

Principals should confirm that Service-Learning coordinators have access to FOCUS via Staff Access Management and are members of the Service-Learning Coordinator Schoology group (XD28-9MDJ-RVNGK). Questions? Contact Stacey Wade, 443-809-4496.

Upcoming community meetings

All are welcome to attend

Virtual Public Hearing for BCPS Operating Budget

Tuesday, January 16, at 6:30 p.m.

Public comment online registration form

More information is available in a BCPS news release

Central Area Education Advisory Committee meeting

Wednesday, January 17, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “Facilities Planning, MYIPAS (Multi-Year Improvement Plan for All Schools), and other issues regarding repairing and updating our schools”

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT



Dave West, Building Operations Supervisor, Perry Hall High School

Submitted by Cheri Kong, Administrative Secretary/Fiscal Assistant, Perry Hall High School

"Dave had been with BCPS for several years prior to coming to Perry Hall High School this past July. Since joining the team at PHHS, he has worked nonstop to improve our building, including helping everyone and anyone with any request that comes his way. He comes in on the weekends when there are events happening, and we are so grateful to his family for lending him to us on so many occasions.

"He truly goes above and beyond helping out wherever needed; from hanging things on the wall, to helping with carrying things from cars, to answering the door buzzer, and much more; he’s always willing to pitch in and help out. Not to mention his everyday work that he does exceptionally well along with his team. The school is always looking clean, and he is continually on top of repairs and keeping things maintained and running.

"Dave, we just want to say thank you a million times for everything you do for our Gator family! We’d be lost without you!"

Jackie Freeburger, Music Teacher and AVID Site Coordinator, Ridgely Middle School

AVID CEO Educator of the Week

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) CEO Thuan Nguyen recently featured Ridgely Middle School's Jackie Freeburger on Instagram as the AVID CEO Educator of the Week!

"Jackie is an outstanding example of what AVID is all about and her impact has been felt by many.

"Jackie has been an AVID leader since 2019, and she has had a tremendous effect on her school and community with her passion, creativity, and generosity. She has inspired countless students to pursue their academic and personal goals, tirelessly supported them with AVID strategies and skills, created systems that inspire excellence and collaboration among her colleagues, and has even shared her resources and expertise with other AVID schools in the district.

"She is always willing to go the extra mile, whether it's hosting a Trunk-or-Treat event, 3-D printing hundreds of AVID mascots (yes, hundreds!), or teaching music at the elementary school. Under her leadership, the culture on campus, in the district, and in the surrounding community has been invigorated."

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

Maryland School Board Recognition Month - January

National Mentoring Month - January

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 15

Holocaust Remembrance Day - Saturday, January 27

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org

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