Thursday, January 25, 2024

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

Thanking Facilities and Maintenance Teams for Snow Day Support

Last week, our amazing Team BCPS facilities and maintenance staff worked tirelessly to clear parking lots, sidewalks, and roads at our schools and offices following the winter storms! Please join us as we thank and celebrate these invaluable members of our team.

On social media, dozens expressed their gratitude. Comments included:

"They did an excellent job!! We are so grateful for you."

"Thank you for keeping our BCPS family safe! We appreciate ALL you do."

"You are all amazing and appreciated. Thank you."

FEATURED VIDEO:

Why I Teach: Ben Wolf, Deer Park Middle Magnet School

In a new BCPS-TV "Why I Teach" segment, Ben Wolf, social studies department chair at Deer Park Middle Magnet School, shares how his experiences as a student led him to pursue a career in education.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...

• New 2024 BCPS Climate Survey - Plan Now

The annual BCPS Climate Survey has been revised. The new 2024 BCPS Climate Survey has fewer questions for all stakeholders with a focus on school climate and engagement. We are asking for your help to get the word out and boost participation. The survey will be available from Monday, February 5, through Friday, March 8, 2024. The survey is for all stakeholders: students in Grades 3–12, parents/caregivers, community members, and all staff. It takes three minutes or less to complete and is anonymous. Information to promote the survey, including translated flyers, can be found online. Questions? Contact Dr. Christine Koth, Director.

• Care of staff devices and stickers on staff devices

As staff members receive new devices, please review our list of tips for taking care of the device issued by BCPS. The list includes the following reminders:

• Do not place stickers on devices. Devices are refreshed when staff members leave BCPS and issued to other staff members.

• Keep devices away from food and drink. More than 50% of the repairs requested by staff members involve spilling liquid on the BCPS-issued device.

• Report damage to a device immediately via a call to the Help Desk or ticket in BCPS Serve. All staff devices are covered by a warranty and accidental damage protection. The sooner the damage is reported, the more likely it is to be covered.

• National Mentoring Month - Mentoring updates

January is National Mentoring Month — what better time to recognize the efforts of school-based mentor coordinators and all adults who serve in a mentor capacity, working to support BCPS students in being their best selves. Data supports that students with mentors have improved educational outcomes — academic, social emotional, attendance and resilience. Mentoring truly matters. Thank you to our BCPS mentors!

Some exciting mentoring updates include the creation of a mentoring workgroup, which will be planning for our first School-Based Coordinator conference for the 23-24 school year. Stay tuned for more information!

Last Call - Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year Nominations due by January 29

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 are due no later than the end of the business day on Monday, January 29.

Input Needed: Black History Month is almost here!

Throughout Black History Month, BCPS will honor on social media one graduate from each BCPS high school. Principals and other Team BCPS staff members can submit nominations through Monday, January 29. Last year's honorees included a Harvard University professor, NFL players, a BCPS principal, a Saturday Night Live actor and comedian, and a CNN journalist. We are also looking to spotlight your Black History events, programs and projects! For more information, please contact Diana Spencer or Sam Lister.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day - January 27

January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Team BCPS honors and remembers the innocent millions who lost their lives and those who have survived.

Career and Technical Education program seeks partners and professionals

Across the county, schools at every level are looking for businesses and professionals to support their career and technical education programs. They are looking for career day speakers, competition judges, robotics volunteers, internship mentors, mock interviewers, and more. A list of what individual schools seek can be found online. To participate, please contact the person listed or contact Alicia Fales, career and technical education supervisor, 443-809-8921.

Things to know about the January 23 Board of Education meeting

1) The Board approved the Fiscal Year 2025 county Capital Budget request.

2) The Board held a work session on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget.

3) The Board received a report on academic achievement and the Maryland Star rating system.

A recording of the full meeting is available online.

Spread the word! We are seeking qualified professionals to join our team.

We are hosting a Special Education Hybrid Job Fair on Wednesday, February 21, from 4 - 6 p.m. Prospective special educators, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists are invited to join us in Greenwood Building E or attend virtually.

On Tuesday, March 12, all 176 BCPS schools will be represented at our Spring Job Fair from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Timonium Fairgrounds.

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

Black History Month Writing Contest - Entries due by Friday, February 9

In celebration of Black History Month, the Office of English Language Arts and the Office of Social Studies are co-sponsoring a writing contest for all students in Grades K-12. A winner will be selected in each of the following grade level bands: grades K-2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. Prizes for winners are generously provided by The Education Foundation of BCPS.

Please share the linked flyer with teachers and students! We encourage participation from all schools and can happily accept up to three (3) entries from each school per grade level band. No entries will be accepted directly from individual students or parents/guardians. Teachers, Reading Specialists, or DCs should review all entries to determine which to submit. The submission includes the cover sheet and student writing.

Use the following link to upload submissions: Black History Month Writing Contest 2024. All entries may be submitted by Friday, February 9, 11:59 p.m. Questions? Contact Dr. Jennifer Craft, Director.

FOR EDUCATORS

February 9 Systemwide Professional Learning for Teachers

Friday, February 9, 2024, is designated for Systemwide Professional Learning Activities. Staff in the Division of Curriculum and Instruction have been working collaboratively with content area teachers to plan high-quality professional learning for all teachers.

An overview of the theme, outcomes, and format is available online. Teachers will be required to register for Professional Study Day in the Registration System.

Registration will be available beginning Friday, January 26, 2024, and course descriptions will include all necessary information regarding location and accessing materials. More information is available in a BCPS News Hub post.

FOR INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS

Professional Learning for Instructional Assistants

Instructional Assistants may register for professional learning through the Registration System. Instructional Assistants are encouraged to register for sessions that relate to the content that they support. Questions about specific sessions should be directed to the content office leadership.

FOR EDUCATORS

Prospective Staff Development Teacher Information Session

The Maryland State Department of Education’s (MSDE) Office of Assessments invites Maryland educators to work with testing professionals from our vendors, MSDE staff, and colleagues from across the state to support the development of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP).

All MCAP assessment items are written, reviewed, and accepted by committees of Maryland educators. Committees are comprised of educators from different regions of Maryland, with the intent of representing all Maryland students (e.g., special education, English Learners, etc.).

MCAP assessment development activities include Item Writing, Content Review Committees, Rangefinding, and Stimuli or Passage Review. Additional details regarding the MCAP development opportunities, current activity schedule, compensation, etc. can be found on the recruitment website. All applicants are considered, but selection is not guaranteed. Assessment development staff will select both participants and alternates to ensure each committee’s needs are met. Participants can learn more and express their interest online.

Upcoming community meetings

All are welcome to attend

Joint meeting of the Southwest and Northwest area education advisory councils

Monday, February 12, at 7 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “Equity”

Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meeting

Monday, February 26, at 7 p.m.

Chesapeake High School library, 1801 Turkey Point Rd., Baltimore 21221

Topic: “Artificial Intelligence”

Joint meeting of the Central and Northwest area education advisory councils

Monday, March 11, at 6 p.m.

Meeting details

Topic: “New Superintendent, New Organizational Structure – Where are we now?”

TEAM BCPS SHOUTOUT



Bonnie Harting, Additional Adult Assistant & Lunchroom Attendant, Watershed Public Charter School

Submitted by Laura Guelcher, Academic Director, Watershed Public Charter School

"Ms. Bonnie Harting (pictured left in green) is perhaps the greatest environmental activist at Watershed. She has worked tirelessly to increase our composting program through her advocacy work as a lunch assistant.

"Ms. Bonnie models, educates, and supports students in sorting their lunches into compostables and non-compostables while saving reusable packages to fuel the many art projects happening throughout the school. She promotes our Trash Free Lunches with enthusiasm and helps the school decrease its solid waste production. Because of Ms. Bonnie's efforts, Watershed is minimizing waste and maximizing environmental stewardship. Thank you, Ms. Bonnie!"

Tyshawn McGee, school counselor and chair of the family engagement committee, Hebbville Elementary School

Tyshawn McGee was presented with The Minority Recognition Award in Education from the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) at the MSEA's 2024 Racial and Social Justice Summit and 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, held on January 13. More information is available in a BCPS news release.

“Tyshawn understands that his role has a direct impact on student achievement,” said Hebbville Principal Jordan Filderman. “He builds individual relationships with all students and ensures that they have at least one person in the school building who they can trust. He deeply believes that all students can achieve at high levels, and he breaks down social and emotional barriers that may exist so that the focus can be learning.”

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

Holocaust Remembrance Day - Saturday, January 27

Black History Month - February

Career and Technical Education Month - February

National School Counseling Week - Monday, February 5 - Friday, February 9

National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day - Thursday, February 15

Presidents' Day - Monday, February 19

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Engage. Empower. Excel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dept. of Communications/Community Outreach

443.809.5908 | communications@bcps.org