June 2023

Area professionals inspire students at inaugural Career Day at Northwest Academy of Health Sciences

A new BCPS-TV video showcases the inaugural Career Day at Northwest Academy of Health Sciences, during which guest speakers introduced students to career opportunities in fields as diverse as architecture, politics/government, videography, banking, border patrol, dog training, and historical research.

BCPS stakeholders, partners, and community members are invited to upcoming community events to learn about and meet Dr. Myriam Yarbrough, the incoming superintendent. During the events, Dr. Yarbrough will share information about key priorities for the upcoming school year, hear from attendees and answer questions. Dr. Yarbrough will begin her tenure as BCPS superintendent on July 1.

Wednesday, July 5, 6-7 p.m.*

Catonsville High School - Cafeteria

421 Bloomsbury Ave., 21228

Thursday, July 6, 6 -7 p.m.

Perry Hall High School - Cafeteria

4601 Ebenezer Rd., 21236

Monday, July 10, 6-7 p.m.*

Kenwood High School - Cafeteria

501 Stemmers Run Rd., 21221

Thursday, July 13, 6-7 p.m.*

Loch Raven High School - Cafeteria

1212 Cowpens Ave., 21286

Tuesday, July 18, 6-7 p.m.*

Randallstown High School - Cafeteria

4000 Offutt Rd., 21133

*Spanish interpretation will be provided

Incoming Superintendent Dr. Myriam Yarbrough at her first community event, held at New Town High School.

BCPS partnership with CCBC enables high school students to earn high school and college credits by taking sign language courses

The BCPS Office of World Languages has announced a partnership with the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Communication Arts Department to support BCPS high school students in studying American Sign Language (ASL).

Through this partnership, high school students will be able to enroll in ASL Level 1 and 2 courses at CCBC and to earn both high school and college credits for the courses. Students will have the option to continue learning after high school in CCBC's ASL and Interpreter Preparation Program.

"We are enthusiastic about this collaboration and the career possibilities it will offer our BCPS students to increase their cultural understanding and communication skills," said Jennifer Hernandez, BCPS director of World Languages and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

Through the BCPS/CCBC Tuition Free Program, all high school students can take an unlimited number of CCBC courses during their high school careers. The program covers the costs of tuition, fees, and books. Students are only responsible for the cost of supplies (if needed). This opportunity is open to all BCPS high school students, regardless of their grade point averages. (Students, however, must take CCBC’s placement exams to test into credit-bearing courses.)

County library offers BCPS students Summer Reading Challenge and free lunches

BCPS students of all ages are participating in 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 this year's "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.

In addition, the library system is offering free lunches through the school system's annual Summer Food Service Program. Through the program, free summer meals are offered to all youth up to age 18, through Friday, August 18 (Monday through Friday, will the exception of Tuesday, July 4).

Breakfast and lunch is served at selected schools. Several public library branches serve lunch only.

The Education Foundation of BCPS and county government celebrate partnership yielding a cleaner, greener community

A new Mission Moment blog post describes The Education Foundation's partnership with the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability on the Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge.

This school year, the Team BCPS Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge is entering its 10th year. An impressive 422 clean-ups were conducted this school year, with 6,040 volunteer sessions. The volunteers filled 2,091 bags with trash that would have wound up in area streams or the Chesapeake Bay. The challenge continues to grow with 829 more volunteer sessions than last year and a 16 percent increase in trash collected. In addition to litter, the volunteers collected many tons of bulk trash items from parks, streambanks, schoolyards, and other locations across Baltimore County. The estimated weight total for this year was 14,748 pounds. Clean-ups were conducted by school children, organized by their teachers, and led by various civic and advocacy groups.

The blog post describes the awards ceremony, program impact, and also names schools and advocates receiving honors.

Join with Giant Food to reduce food insecurity for BCPS students

Giant Food is partnering with BCPS to help support children facing food insecurity. Through July 27, everyone who shops at Giant Food will be invited to "Round Up at the Register," and donate the rounded-up amount to the program fund. Customers can also donate online through Giant Delivers and Giant Pickup. Giant Food will also include the option to include customers' FLEX points that are converted into grocery dollars.

Donated funds will be provided directly to the BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services to address food insecurity in school communities.

You're invited! Consider participating as a vendor at BCPSfest 2023

Annual systemwide back-to-school festival to celebrate learning, resources

Please consider participating as a vendor in Baltimore County Public Schools' annual systemwide back to school festival -- BCPSfest 2023. The event is an excellent opportunity to connect to students and families and showcase community resources. The event will be held on Saturday, August 19, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Road, Towson 21204. (Saturday, Aug. 26, is the tentative rain date.) Please register online by June 30 -- or earlier if you can.

There is no fee for participation. All BCPS vendors are asked to offer interactive activities for booth visitors and to bring small giveaways for those who visit their booths. Tents, tables, and chairs will be provided. All vendors will need to be completely set up by 10:30 a.m. and must not begin to pack up or leave before 1 p.m.

Any questions? Please contact Diana Spencer at dspencer4@bcps.org.

Superintendent Dr. Darryl Williams' end of school year and tenure reflections video

PTA Council of Baltimore County

Dear Reader:

The PTA Council of Baltimore County appreciates having been included in this school year’s BCPS Partnership Spotlight Newsletter! We’re glad we were able to share information on key partnerships and the Council’s good work.

On June 12, PTA Council held its final event of the year – our annual New Officer Training, Awards and Scholarship Event, and General Meeting. PTA Council voted a number of years ago to award scholarships to deserving BCPS seniors. In addition to standard scholarships, we award special scholarships honoring past PTA Council leaders – the Georgie Clevenger Memorial Scholarship for a student planning to study nursing, and the Marilyn Ryan Memorial Scholarship for outstanding service. Georgie was the Council’s Secretary for many years, and Marilyn served in a number of key roles including Directory Editor and Bylaws and Procedures Committee Chair.

This year, PTA Council was overwhelmed with outstanding scholarship applications. We were impressed by the academic, extracurricular, athletic, and work achievements of so many BCPS seniors. The large applicant pool made our Scholarship Committee’s deliberations quite difficult – we honestly wish we could have recognized everyone!

We’re pleased to announce the following scholarship recipients:

O’Neal Johnson III – George Washington Carver Center graduate – Pikesville Middle School PTA member
Jaselle Minge – Catonsville High School graduate – Catonsville High School PTSA member
Alyssa Reddy – Eastern Technical High School graduate – Eastern Technical High School PTSA member – recipient of Georgie Clevenger Memorial Scholarship
Kennedy Roberts – Towson High School graduate – Towson High School PTSA member
Thomas Roberts – Sparrows Point High School graduate – Sparrows Point High School PTSA member
Faith Rowland – Towson High School graduate – Towson High School PTSA member – recipient of Marilyn Ryan Memorial Scholarship
Jaiden Weinreich – Sparrows Point High School graduate – Berkshire Elementary School PTA member