Thursday, October 5, 2023

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

Volunteers needed for BCPS HBCU College Fair on October 14

Spread the word! Volunteers are needed for the 7th Annual BCPS HBCU College Fair! All are welcome to volunteer, and we are especially seeking those who are graduates of HBCUs and/or members of an organization that is part of the National Pan Hellenic Council.

Seniors are encouraged to attend on October 14 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at New Town High School. Other high school students and families are also welcome. At the fair, students can meet college admissions representatives from HBCUs and participate in workshops related to the college selection process, college admissions, financial aid, and college life.

Registration through StriveScan is open to all BCPS high school students and their families. Participants are also strongly encouraged to complete the Common Black College Application prior to the event. Those who register who need assistance in traveling to the event are asked to complete a transportation request survey.

More information is available in a BCPS news release.

FEATURED VIDEO:

In the Know: Special Education Services

Allison Myers, executive director for the Department of Special Education, joins BCPS Parent University for a new In the Know video about Special Education Services!

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• New savings marketplace for employees

The Employee Wellness Program is pleased to announce a new savings platform for all staff members. Working Advantage is your one-stop shop for exclusive deals and convenient savings on popular brands. Enrollment is free and easy. Visit this link and begin saving on electronics, appliances, theme parks, hotels, movie tickets, gift cards, apparel, cars, groceries, and much more! More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post

• Use of school facilities guidelines

When multiple use of facilities applications are submitted, resulting in a scheduling conflict, the applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria and priority:

1) BCPS programs or activities.

2) BCPS parent-teacher association (PTA) and parent-teacher (student) associations (PT(S)A) business meetings, parent-teacher organizational education programs and other PTA, PT(S)A, or PTO-sponsored activities or events.

3) Activities or events sponsored by the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks (BCRP) and its affiliated community recreation councils consistent with the terms incorporated in the Joint Use Agreement.

4) Continuing education programs sponsored by the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) and the sites identified in the Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between CCBC and BCPS.

5) Board-approved childcare programs.

6) Activities or events sponsored by federal, state, and local governmental entities.

7) Activities or events sponsored by other community groups.

Further guidelines can be found in Superintendent's Rule 1300. Questions? Contact Liz Becker(443-809-0430), Director, Office of Facilities Operations and Logistics.

• Become a Paraeducator - Pathway for Additional Adult Assistants

The Office of Workforce Development is pleased to offer a Career Pathway to Additional Adult Assistants working within Special Education who are interested in becoming Paraeducators. Participants will be compensated for their attendance at all training sessions, will receive ParaPro practice materials, and will have their ParaPro assessment fees paid.

Please note that capacity for the Fall session is limited to 25 participants. This program will be repeated in Spring 2024. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Office Professionals Induction Program

The Department of Employee Training and Development still has limited space available for those interested in joining our Office Professionals Induction Program (OPIP). In collaboration across several departments, the Department of Employee Training and Development has launched the Office Professionals Induction Program, a set of professional development courses and opportunities for collaboration with mentors for first- through third-year Office Professionals throughout the school year. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Assessment Skills Center for Assistant Principals and Principals

BCPS leaders,

Information about the 2023-2024 Assessment Skills Center for Assistant Principals and Principals has posted in Frontline. Click on the link for dates and details about the interview.

Please let us know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Chenee Dwarte, Heather Lageman, and Niamh McQuillan

Office of Leadership Development

• Coming soon: BCPS Retiree Self-Service Portal

Beginning Monday, October 9, 2023, BCPS is pleased to announce the launch of the self-service Retiree Portal! The Retiree Portal makes it convenient for retirees to:

• View BCPS benefits and rates;

• View and verify demographic information; and

• Submit a ticket for corrections.

Once a retiree submits a ticket, a Customer Service Center (CSC) representative will make the updates, and retirees should expect to see updates within 24 hours.

• Maryland Cultural Proficiency Conference

The Maryland Cultural Proficiency Conference will take place on October 17-18 at Morgan State University. For those who plan to attend, please see the instructions below:

For School Equity Liaisons: The Department of Equity and Cultural Proficiency will sponsor the registration of one equity liaison per school. The equity liaison must have (1) been identified as the equity liaison or co-equity liaison by their principal in the Staff Access Management app and (2) must have the consent of their principal to attend the conference. If both of those qualifications are met, then the Equity Liaison can use this form to register.

For all other attendees: Please use this link to register.

Questions? Contact Ericka Alexander, program assistant

• New educator fall seminar

As part of the BCPS New Teacher Induction program, the Office of Teacher Development will host a seminar for non-tenured teachers. The seminar will be held on Tuesday, October 24, at the Loyola Graduate Center, 2034 Greenspring Dr., Timonium 21093, from 8:30-11 a.m. for elementary educators and 12-2:30 p.m. for secondary educators.

Interested participants must register for the workshop beginning Friday, September 29. Registration will remain open until Friday, October 20. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Purple Star Schools Program

Along with 37 other states, Maryland has joined the nationwide initiative in establishing a Purple Star Schools Program. The aim of the Purple Star Schools Program is to recognize and support the unique needs of students whose parents or guardians serve in our country’s armed forces. Providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for this group of students aligns with Maryland’s commitment to providing an excellent and equitable education for all students.

Please see this memo regarding this important initiative, as well as the application information sheet.

• MSEA Convention

The annual MSEA Convention will be held on Friday, October 20, in Ocean City. Schools are closed for students. Teachers and 10-month ESPBC employees are released from work for the day so they can participate in the convention or professional development. If a 12-month office professional is planning to attend the convention as a participant or delegate, they may do so by informing their supervisor.

Questions? Contact Joelle Bielski, 443-809-2097.

• Exchangeree shopping dates - October



The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., will host shopping days in October at the Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore centers in Rosedale/Golden Ring and Windsor Mill. Shopping, from 3-6 p.m. on the days listed below, will be open to all full-time BCPS educators and support staff (school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and pupil personnel workers).

Rosedale/Golden Ring

• Tuesday, October 17

Windsor Mill

• Thursday, October 26

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

• Upcoming Parent University events

This year, BCPS Parent University is presenting a variety of virtual programs. More information is available on the Parent University schedule.

Upcoming programming includes:

• "The Power of Play: Fun Activities for Parents and Children"

Friday, October 20, at 12:30 p.m.

• "Can you say 'Mama?": How Young Children Develop Language"

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

• Taking care of staff devices



Taking care of BCPS-issued devices and other hardware, such as port replicators, monitors, interactive display panels, printers, etc., is the responsibility of all BCPS employees. DoIT tracks devices that come in for repair and sorts them according to damage type so parts can be ordered and repairs completed.

While BCPS staff devices have accidental damage coverage, some things are not covered. That typically results in a total loss of $1,000 to BCPS. Staff members may be held responsible for intentional damage and/or damage caused by negligence to BCPS-issued hardware.

More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Budget Conversations begin next week

Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough) will host five “Community Conversations” regarding the development of the BCPS Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget.

Next week, the first event will take place on Thursday, October 12, in the Sparrows Point High School cafeteria from 6 - 7 p.m. More information is available in a BCPS community message.

In addition to the budget forums, Team BCPS staff, parents, students, and community members are encouraged to complete the FY 25 Budget Priorities Stakeholder Survey. The survey is available in multiple languages and will close on Friday, October 13.

National School Lunch Week - October 9 - 13

October 9 - 13 is National School Lunch Week! This school year, BCPS is proud to provide all enrolled students of BCPS with breakfast and lunch, free of charge. We are grateful for the everyday work of the BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition in providing fresh and nutritious meals to our students.

2024 Open Enrollment - October 16 - November 10

Open enrollment is the annual period in which eligible employees can make changes to their current medical, dental, vision, and flexible spending account (FSA) elections.

This year, open enrollment will be open from 9 a.m. on Monday, October 16, through 4 p.m. on Friday, November 10. All elections made during open enrollment will be effective January 1, 2024.

All employees who are benefit eligible must access Employee Self-Service (ESS) to make changes to medical, dental, vision, and FSA elections (health and dependent care). If an employee does not elect to make changes to their benefits, employees must still access ESS and indicate that no changes should be made. Paper enrollments will not be accepted for these benefits.

If employees do not have access to a computer to access ESS, staff in the Office of Benefits and the Customer Service Center will be available to assist employees with the process. Staff from the Office of Benefits and the CSC will visit several schools and bus lots to assist employees during open enrollment. The flyer of the dates and times is listed in the News Hub.

October is National Principals Month!

Dear Team BCPS,

Please join me in wishing our incredible Team BCPS principals a very happy National Principals Month! Every October, school systems across the country take an opportunity to highlight the transformative power of school principals. Our principals set the vision for their school community and their passion, dedication and expertise has a deep impact on the very heart of education. We have the very best principals right here in Team BCPS and we thank them for the many ways they are making a difference for 111,000+ students and families.

Sincerely,

Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough)

Superintendent

Mind Over Matters Campaign - Bully Prevention and Out of the Darkness

Bullying Prevention Week is Monday, October 16, 2023, through Friday, October 20, 2023. During that week, we are encouraging students and staff to participate and wear a designated color for each day of the week. The color represents character traits that all people can demonstrate. Please share photos on social media using #BCPSCares. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

Additionally, we are partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and participating in the Out of the Darkness Walk. Baltimore Walk (Inner Harbor - 401 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21202) on Saturday, October 28, 2023. We encourage BCPS staff, students, and community members to participate. You can create your own team or are welcome to join Team BCPS. The start time of the walk is 9:30 a.m.

Presenting the Mobile ESOL Welcome Center

With more than 100 languages represented by BCPS students and almost 12,000 students receiving ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) services, it is important for BCPS to find equitable and innovative ways to serve and engage with its diverse communities.

So, the BCPS ESOL team has a new set of wheels — and they are ready to go 'round and 'round the county! Learn more in a new BCPS blog article by Chesapeake High School Senior and BCPS Communications Apprentice Habiba Lam. This article is also available en español.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Across the county, BCPS schools and offices are proudly celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by recognizing the contributions, culture, and history of Hispanic/Latino communities!

This week on X (formerly Twitter), we have seen amazing activities and displays at Kenwood High School, Mars Estates Elementary, Woodbridge Elementary, and beyond! Don't forget to use #BCPSHerencia on social media.

How is your school/office recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month? Please send details to communications@bcps.org.

Fundamentals of Teacher Leadership - Winter 2023

Do you have aspirations of becoming a teacher leader? Perhaps a staff development teacher, department chair, consulting teacher, or resource teacher? Are you interested in adding skills to your leadership toolbox? Maybe you're unsure of your next step and you want to explore your options. Then this is the course for you!

Course Dates: December 11, 2023 – February 23, 2024

Course Registration Window: October 9 – November 30, 2023

Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT



Katie Furano, Grade 1 Team Leader, Seventh District Elementary School

Submitted by Tracy Burk, Grade 1 Teacher, Seventh District Elementary School

"Katie's ongoing support as a new first grade teacher last year and as my teammate this year has helped me to gain so much confidence. She welcomed me on the first day and continues to make me and others on our team feel valued.

The amount of time and energy she puts into the preparation of lessons to help our students succeed is inspiring. She tailors her teaching style to meet the needs of each student. Even in the most challenging situations, I can count on Katie Furano's support and ongoing commitment to our team and our students."

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

Hispanic Heritage Month - through Sunday, October 15

National Principals Month - October

National Bullying Prevention Month - October

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month - October

National School Lunch Week - Monday, October 9 - Friday, October 13

America's Safe Schools Week - Sunday, October 15 - Saturday, October 21

National School Bus Safety Week - Monday, October 16 - Friday, October 20

Color for Character Week - Monday, October 16 - Friday, October 20

BCPS Transportation Appreciation Day - Wednesday, October 18

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org