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Thursday, February 2, 2023
Previous editions of the BCPS Staff Bulletin are archived and available for viewing on the BCPS website.
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The 2023 BCPS Stakeholder Climate Survey has launched! | Share your thoughts! The 2023 #TeamBCPS Stakeholder Climate Survey is open now through Friday, March 3. | This annual survey is an important way for us to listen to you, the BCPS community, learn your views, and be responsive to your feedback by taking action to improve our schools and school system. The survey is open to students in Grades 3 – 12 as well as all parents/caregivers, staff, and community members, and is available in multiple languages. | |
FEATURED VIDEO:
Couryn Branch: Carver Center student and award-winning poet
| Last year, Couryn Branch, a student at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, recited her award-winning poem "Too Black for your Name Generator" at the NAACP'S Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. Upon hearing Couryn, Coppin State University President Anthony L. Jenkins offered her a full scholarship. | |
• February Parent University workshops
In February, BCPS Parent University will offer the following workshops:
Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Stop the Bleed Training at Prettyboy Elementary School
Wednesday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (Virtual) Dinner & Discussion
Thursday, February 16 at 12:30 p.m.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (Virtual) Lunch & Learn
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• Schoology outage on February 4
BCPS has been informed by our vendor partner, Power School, that Schoology will undergo maintenance on Saturday, February 4, from 6 -10 a.m. Power School is reporting that customers will experience intermittent downtime during this window.
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• Education Foundation Exchangeree February shopping dates
The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., will host shopping days during February at the Exchangerees' Rosedale/Golden Ring and Windsor Mill locations, for all full-time BCPS educators and support staff (school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and pupil personnel workers).
The designated shopping dates for the Tools for School Campaign (academic school/classroom supplies and educational resources) are:
• Tuesday, February 7, from 3 - 6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Thursday, February 16, from 3 - 6 p.m., Windsor Mill
• Tuesday, February 21, from 3 - 6 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring
The designated dates for the Books for Bins shopping experience (new and gently used books for PreK through 12) are:
• Wednesday, February 8, from 3 - 5 p.m., Rosedale/Golden Ring
• Wednesday, February 22, from 3 - 5 p.m., Windsor Mill
More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.
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• February Social Emotional Learning calendar
The Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Team in the Office of School Climate has developed several social and emotional learning resources for administrators and school staff. The Self-Care for Adults Calendar for February provides administrators with suggested strategies to help with adult self-care as well as ideas to keep school staff connected.
Additional resources for school staff include Elementary and Secondary SEL calendars for February to foster staff and student connections toward engagement. Learn more in a BCPS News Hub post.
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• Middle school students encouraged to enter National Civics Bee
The Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce invites BCPS middle school students to enter the National Civics Bee. Students with an idea about using civics to solve a problem in their community should complete the online submission form, including parent/guardian contact information, and upload (preferred method) or mail their 500-word essay.
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• Towson University men's basketball special offer on February 8
The Towson University men's basketball team needs support from Team BCPS for the Tigers' next home game on Wednesday, February 8 at 7 p.m. At the game, 200 Towson mini-basketballs will be given out.
Special Offer: Unlimited $8 tickets for BCPS students, faculty, and families if you purchase tickets using this link.
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• Racial Justice Poetry Contest
Entries for the 2023 Racial Justice Poetry Contest are being accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1. Students in Grades 6–12 in Baltimore County public, parochial, and independent schools and homeschooled children in Baltimore County can apply. Poems must be original and no more than three pages long.
Contest details, prize information, and a submission form can be found on Schoology in the resource folder for teachers of secondary English language arts. Teachers from other content areas may contact Justin DePrima at Dumbarton Middle School or the BCPS English language arts office for access.
Learn more in a BCPS blog post.
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• Employee Assistance Program update
Following Janice Zimmerman’s retirement, Dr. Bernie McCann has been hired as BCPS’s new internal employee assistance specialist. Dr. McCann brings 20+ years of experience to this position, most recently for Montgomery County School’s EAP. His office is located in Greenwood, Bldg. E, Room 111. You may reach him at 443-809-5414 or bmccann@bcps.org.
For employees or household members seeking counseling, work/family, financial or legal assistance, our partner Cigna offers 24/7 telephone access at 888-431-4334 or via myCigna.com (Employer ID – baltimore). This no-cost benefit is open to all employees regardless of their health insurance coverage.
| Televisión BCPS Episode 2 | In this edition, 2022-23 BCPS Teacher of the Year Alicia Amaral Freeman joins Senior Bilingual Communications Officer Gevene de Harden to discuss English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). | |
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Customer Service Center grand opening
On February 1, our new Employee and Retiree Customer Service Center began providing services! Learn more in a BCPS news release.
Location
Greenwood Campus, Building B 6901 N. Charles Street
Towson 21204
Hours of Operation
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Contact
443-809-1000
cschelp@bcps.org
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Last chance! Nominate an outstanding administrator before 6 p.m. on Monday, February 6
Team BCPS staff, parents, and community members are invited to nominate principals and assistant principals for Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year for 2023-24.
In April, a Principal of the Year and an Assistant Principal of the Year recognized for each level (elementary, middle, and high).
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Black History Month is here!
Throughout February, Team BCPS will celebrate and recognize Black History Month in its schools and offices and on social media! More information is available in a BCPS news release.
Entries for the Black History Month writing contest are due Friday, February 10.
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National School Counseling Week
Please join us in celebrating Team BCPS school counselors during National School Counseling Week (February 6 - 10)! This year, the American School Counselor Association's theme for the week is "Helping Students Dream Big." Thank you, school counselors, for everything you do to support our students and school communities!
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Safe Schools Anonymous Reporting System learning experience
Two virtual learning experiences about the Safe Schools Maryland Anonymous Reporting System are being offered on Tuesday, February 7, and Thursday, February 23. The workshops can serve as a refresher for people who have previously participated, as well as an opportunity for new individuals to become familiar with the system. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.
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February BCPS recruitment events
Spread the word! We are seeking qualified professionals to join Team BCPS in a variety of positions. Learn more about upcoming recruitment events in a BCPS news release.
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2023-24 SMOB candidates announced
Three BCPS juniors have been selected as candidates for 2023-2024 Student Member of the Board of Education. Middle and high school students will vote on Thursday, March 23.
Congratulations to Nicholas Dimitriades (Towson High School), Kayla Drummond (Parkville High School), and Nathan Harris (Carver Center). More information is available in a BCPS news release.
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Woodmoor Elementary teacher Alexander Blue earns Honored National Teaching Award
Alexander Blue, Grade 4 teacher at Woodmoor Elementary School, earned a $5,000 Honored National Teaching Award and is profiled on the Honored website. He was nominated for the recognition by the Black Male Educators Talk organization. (Photo credit: Tony Powell for Honored)
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DATES TO REMEMBER
February 20 (M) - Presidents' Day - Schools and offices closed
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TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT
Malik Sollas, Community School Facilitator, Berkshire Elementary School
Submitted by Cheryl Brooks, Principal, Berkshire Elementary School
"Mr. Sollas is strong advocate for our students and community members. He is a great role model for students. He goes above and beyond to support families, students, community members and staff. He also goes the extra mile to ensure that families have access to the necessary resources to make ends meet in their homes.
He mentors students daily, supports the Black Excellence Club, leads the Amazon Mentoring Club biweekly, oversees the Girl Scouts and Bucket Drumming afterschool clubs. He provides professional development to staff members on equity, celebrating diversity, engaging families, and student-centered coaching. He has also established our Parent Resource Pantry & Resource Room for families. We are fortunate to have him in the role as Community School Facilitator at Berkshire."
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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. | |
Submit News to the Staff Bulletin
Please use the form below to submit news to the BCPS Staff Bulletin. If you have trouble using the form, please contact communications@bcps.org.
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BCPS News Hub
BCPS news is posted each day to the BCPS News Hub.
Be sure to click "Latest news" at the top left and then “See all” at the top right to view all items. For ease of access, bookmark this site for daily reference. The link to the BCPS News Hub can also be found on the BCPS Staff webpage.
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BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Raising the bar, Closing Gaps, Preparing for our future
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach
443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org
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