Monday, October 16, 2023

Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget: BCPS launches "Budget 101" website as "Community Conversations" continue

BCPS is pleased to announce the launch of its new “Budget 101” website. The website provides an overview of the BCPS operating budget—where our funding comes from, how it is spent, and how we ensure we are meeting the needs of every BCPS student.

The Team BCPS community is encouraged to visit the new website and to join us at upcoming Community Conversations on the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget.

Spanish interpretation will be provided at each meeting. Interpreting services for other languages are also available upon request at no cost to participants. Please call 443-809-1250 as early as possible to request. 

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.

Baltimore Sun names BCPS Superintendent

Dr. Myriam Rogers among 25 metro area

“Women to Watch”

Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough) has been named one of 25 “Women to Watch” for 2023 in the Baltimore metropolitan area by The Baltimore Sun. Each honoree was profiled in a special Baltimore Sun supplement published Sunday, Oct. 15.

“I am honored and humbled by this recognition,” Dr. Rogers said. “I believe it is as much a reflection of all the work that our outstanding and talented staff and students do in Baltimore County Public Schools. It’s that commitment to continuous improvement, strategic collaboration and coordination that will help BCPS become one of the state’s and nation’s premier public school systems. Thank you to The Baltimore Sun for recognizing not only our school system’s leadership, but also the boundless potential of our more than 111,000 students and 20,000 staff who are at the center of all that we do.”

More information is available in a BCPS news release.

The Department of Special Education is focused on improving outcomes

Unveiling the Strategic Map

The Department of Special Education is excited to share its Strategic Map, a comprehensive roadmap that reflects its dedication to providing exceptional educational opportunities for students receiving special education services. The Department of Special Education's vision is for all students receiving special education services to be embraced by their school communities and achieve their goals in school and life.

Why a Strategic Map?

The development and implementation of this strategic map are guided by our dedication to getting results. The Department of Special Education recognizes that all students and their families/caregivers should feel accepted and embraced; have a range of comprehensive supports and resources for growth and achievement; meet and/or exceed educational outcomes; are fully funded to enable all students to receive services in their least restrictive environment; and all educators received comprehensive training to effectively support students.

The Key Prioritized Strategies of the Map:

• Our People: We support our people and teams to do their best work for students, families, and partners.

•Our Services: We partner and share resources to support and promote a system-wide approach to learning that puts students first.

•Our Culture: We collectively create and embed a culture of trust, inclusion, belonging, and service.

Partner with the Department of Special Education!

We encourage you to engage with us, provide feedback, and actively participate in our efforts to improve outcomes for students in special education.

This week, as part of the Mind Over Matters Campaign, students and staff are encouraged to wear a specific color to represent character traits that all people should demonstrate. Share photos using #BCPSCares.

Each year on the Wednesday of National School Bus Safety Week, we recognize BCPS Transportation Appreciation Day! On Wednesday, October 18, please join us in celebrating and thanking our hardworking transportation team members who safely transport tens of thousands of students to and from school every day.

Please review our tips to help keep students safe.

In recognition of America’s Safe Schools Week, BCPS reiterates its commitment to providing safe and supportive learning environments for all students. The district continues to take proactive measures that help build positive school climates and ensure student and staff safety. This critical work requires collaboration across the system and partnership with all Team BCPS students, parents/guardians and staff.

Eliza Raider,

Grade 5 student, Stoneleigh Elementary School

In June 2022, Eliza Raider, then a Grade 3 student, dreamed of playing gaga ball, her favorite summer camp game, year-round.

So, after "a lot of redoing things" and "a lot of not giving up," Eliza took action and led the charge in bringing a gaga pit to her community.

A new blog post details more of her story.

Schools with magnet programs to host showcase events throughout October

Throughout October, schools with magnet programs host showcase events for students and families interested in applying to the programs for the 2024-2025 school year. In addition, online videos highlight magnet programs at each school.

Applications for magnet programs for the 2024-2025 school year are due by Friday, November 3, at 1 p.m. More information, including the Magnet Program brochure and application instructions, is available on the BCPS magnet programs website.

BCPS students invited to College, Trades, and Scholarship Expo

Baltimore County Launches

New Volunteer Center Online Portal

Baltimore County today announced the newly reimagined Baltimore County Volunteer Center, a new online portal that will connect individuals of all ages with opportunities to become more active and engaged residents.

By partnering with area nonprofits and government agencies, this one-stop center will promote and highlight ongoing volunteer needs and help organizations increase their capacity while harnessing the skills and talents of community members.

For more details about the Baltimore County Volunteer Center, please visit baltimorecountymd.gov/volunteers, contact 410-887-2715, or email volunteers@baltimorecountymd.gov.

A Message from Baltimore County Public Schools

on the Violence in Israel and Gaza: Supporting Conversations with Your Child

Team BCPS’ heartfelt thoughts are with students, families, and staff members impacted by the violent and tragic events in Israel and Gaza. The impact of violent and traumatic events can be confusing, overwhelming, and frightening, resulting in feelings of fear or worry. Our full community message, which includes links to a variety of resources, is available online.

Looking for more ideas and information? Please sign up for the Parent University newsletter! It is designed specifically for parents and caregivers and offers ideas, information, resources, and opportunities.

"'Jiao Zi'– Chinese for dumplings" by Jenna Dang, Grade 12, Dulaney High School. Work featured in the 2023 Art is for Everyone! Exhibition.

To see more artwork by BCPS students, teachers, and other members of the BCPS community, please visit the Office of Visual Arts gallery webpage.

mission moment

from The Education Foundation of BCPS

One-Time Exclusive

Exchangeree-Style Shopping Experience

The Education Foundation of BCPS, Inc., will host a one-time Exchangeree-style exclusive warehouse shopping experience on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the BCPS Logistics Warehouse at 9611 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 301, Baltimore, MD 21220.

This is an amazing opportunity for BCPS educators to collect Camelot Learning teaching resources and materials.

There will be 23 pallets of math manipulatives, stress balls, playing cards, cinch backpacks, and so much more available! Everything must go! No registration necessary! No limits on materials! First come, first served!

To participate you must:

• present your BCPS ID upon arrival for entry into the warehouse

• wear closed-toed shoes for entry into the warehouse

• bring your own bags/boxes for shopping in the warehouse.

A new Mission Moment blog post provides more information.

A word from Dr. Rogers (Yarbrough)

October 16, 2023

Dear Reader:

Just like households across Baltimore County, BCPS relies upon an annual budget to detail the resources we have and how best to use those resources. The annual BCPS budget is big, detailed, and in many ways a budget that belongs to everyone in our county who contributes to and benefits from our school system.

That’s why we debuted a new Budget 101 website last week. As we begin to develop the fiscal year 2025 operating budget, this new website provides a clear, comprehensive, and engaging overview of where BCPS funding comes from, how it is spent, and how we are meeting the needs of every student. I encourage you to visit the site often.

It is important that everyone in Team BCPS has the opportunity to understand our budget and how it is developed. In addition to visiting the website, I also encourage you and your neighbors to join us at our Community Conversations on the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget. The first of our five forums, at Sparrows Point High School, generated some good discussions, and I look forward to hearing from plenty of you at future meetings.

In partnership,

Myriam Rogers, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Upcoming community advisory group & boundary study meetings

All are welcome to attend

Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, October 16, at 7 p.m.

Norwood Elementary School library, 1700 Delvale Ave., Baltimore 21222

Topic: "Pre-Budget Operating and Capital/Facilities and Enrollment"

Central Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Wednesday, October 18, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: "FY 2025 Capital and Operating Budget Hearing"

Northwest Elementary School Boundary Study

Wednesday, October 25, from 6 - 8 p.m.

Pikesville Middle School cafeteria, 7701 Seven Mile Ln., Pikesville, MD 21208

Study webpage