TOWSON, MD. - The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education of Baltimore County will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2013.
The Building and Contracts Committee of the Board will meet at approximately 5:00 p.m. The full Board will meet in open session at approximately 5:30 p.m. to discuss upcoming school board association events, school system and community meetings, and items of interest to Board members. The Board will then move immediately into closed session. The Board will resume its open session at approximately 7:00 p.m.
The school system is committed to accessible communication with its stakeholders. To that end, the Board of Education meetings are live-streamed and can be viewed on the BCPS Web site (www.bcps.org).
The meeting(s) will be held in the ESS Building, Room 114, on the Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles Street, in Towson. The public is welcome to attend all open sessions of the Board.
Board of Education of Baltimore County to Meet on Tuesday, February 5
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Public hearing scheduled on the proposed closing of Eastwood Center
What: The Board of Education of Baltimore County will hold a public hearing concerning the proposed closing of Eastwood Center as required by COMAR 13A.02.09. The Board is expected to vote on this proposal at its March 5, 2013, meeting. When: Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at 6:00 p.m.
Sign-up for those members of the public wishing to speak begins at 5:00 p.m. at Dundalk High School on the day of the hearing. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes. The Board will also accept written comments or data for the Board’s consideration through the close of business on February 12, 2013. Written testimony or data submitted to the Board should not exceed six (6) pages in length.
Where: Dundalk High School
1901 Delvale Avenue
Dundalk 21222
(From the Beltway, take exit 39 (Merritt Blvd.) toward Dundalk. From Merritt Blvd., turn right onto Holabird Avenue and proceed to Delvale Avenue. Turn left onto Delvale Avenue and proceed to the school entrance on the left.)
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Carver Center selected to host kick off to National Magnet School Awareness Month
What: Magnet Schools of America (MSA) will announce the start of National Magnet School Awareness Month during a special media briefing at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson. Among those scheduled to speak about the unique value of magnet schools are MSA Executive Director Scott Thomas, MSA Board members, and Carver Center Principal Karen Steele. In addition, Carver senior Brittany Burke will read her essay, “Magnetized,” during the event.
When: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 1 p.m. Where: George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
938 York Road
Towson, MD 21204Background:
National Magnet School Month is celebrated by MSA each year both to showcase the power and impact of more than 4,000 magnet and theme-based schools across the nation as well as to recognize the service and dedication of magnet school teachers, administrators, staff, students, and school communities. For more information about National Magnet Schools Month, please visit www.nationalmagnetschoolsmonth.org.
BCPS offers more than 70 different magnet programs at seven elementary, seven middle, and 15 high school locations. Magnet programs are theme-oriented programs with a specialized curriculum or an emphasis on instruction that is different from that generally offered in other BCPS schools. For more about Baltimore County's magnet programs, please visit http://www.bcps.org/offices/omp/.
Carver Center is an award-winning, innovative countywide magnet high school, which this year moved into a new, state-of-the-art building. It has been ranked among the nation's best high schools on several surveys and has been named by the College Board as having the best high school studio arts program in the world. It received the National School of Distinction in Arts Education Award by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2009. For more about Carver Center, please visit http://carverhs.bcps.org/.
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BCPS News Tips – The Week of February 2 – 9, 2013: Activities, Events, and News from Baltimore County Public Schools
Saturday, February 2
Baltimore County Public Schools' All-Honors Jazz Band and Chorus to play at Walters Art MuseumThe annual Baltimore County High School Honors Jazz Ensemble Concert will be held at the Walters Art Museum at 7:30 p.m. The performance will highlight high school students selected from an audition process to perform in a countywide honors ensemble. Under the direction of Melvin Miles, Jr., a faculty member of Morgan State University's Department of Fine Arts, the jazz band will play selections such as "Fascinating Rhythm," "Keep That Same Old Feeling," and "Take Five." Conducted by Alison Crockett, professor of jazz voice at George Washington University, the chorus will sing selections including "I've Got You Under My Skin," "My One and Only Love," and "You're My Everything." Admission to the concert is free, and tickets are not required. The museum is located at 600 N. Charles Street in Baltimore. The snow date is Saturday, February 9, 2013. Contact: Karl Stewart, Office of Music, 410.887.4024
Monday, February 4
Towson High School welcomes participants in the BCPS Chinese Cultural Exchange Program Towson High School will host a welcoming ceremony from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. for Chinese students participating in the BCPS Chinese Cultural Exchange Program. Students will enjoy the Towson Jazz Ensemble and Gifted and Talented Chamber Choir and a welcome from Principal Jane Barranger, the school's staff, and students. They will also hear a presentation from Towson students who travelled to China as part of the program in 2012. The Chinese Cultural Exchange program, which involves several Baltimore County high schools, fosters international understanding and cultural learning through student exchanges each year. The school is located at 69 Cedar Avenue in Towson.Contact: Peggy Johnson, Office of World Languages, 410.887.6756College Savings Plans meeting scheduled for Franklin Middle SchoolFranklin Middle School, 10 Cockeysmill Road in Reisterstown, will host a parent information meeting presented by the College Savings Plans of Maryland, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The College Savings Plans allow parents to save for college through a variety of affordable and flexible programs. For more information, go to www.collegesavingsmd.org or call 1.888.4MD.GRAD. Contact: Lauren Shipley, College Savings Plans of Maryland, 443.769.1035Tuesday, February 5
Board of Education of Baltimore County to meetThe Board of Education of Baltimore County will meet for a regularly scheduled open session at 7 p.m. at the ESS Building, Room 114, on the Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles Street, in Towson. Because the school system is committed to accessible communication with its stakeholders, Board of Education meetings are live-streamed and may be viewed on the BCPS Web site (www.bcps.org). The public is welcome to attend all open sessions of the Board.
Contact: Brenda Stiffler, Board of Education of Baltimore County, 410.887.4126Black Saga preliminary competitions underway for countywide contestThe second of three preliminary Black Saga competitions to determine teams for the countywide competition begins at 5 p.m. at New Town High School, 4931 New Town Boulevard, Owings Mills. One additional regional competitions – at 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, at Randallstown High School at 4000 Offutt Road in Randallstown – will round out the countywide preliminaries. The countywide Black Saga competition will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 23, at Randallstown High School. The competitions culminate weeks of work for teams of elementary and middle school students across Baltimore County who have engaged in school wide Black Saga competitions. Black Saga tests students' knowledge and awareness of African-American history and culture. More than 60 teams representing BCPS elementary and middle schools are competing this year.
Contact: Tim Rualo, Office of Social Studies, 410.887.8926 Padonia International Elementary School opens its doors for a Reading NightPadonia International Elementary School, 9834 Greenside Drive in Cockeysville, will host a Reading Night for students and their families from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the school. Participants will enjoy the pleasure of a good book and the value of constructive reading. The event will also feature a visit by the BCPS Parentmobile, a rolling, retrofitted school bus that travels to schools, community events, local businesses, and neighborhoods to help parents and community members access information relative to education.Contact: Melissa DiDonato, Padonia International Elementary School, 410.887.7646
Wednesday, February 6
BCPS athletes prepare for National Signing Day periodTalented football scholar-athletes from across Baltimore County and the nation will have the opportunity from February 6 through April 1 to decide which colleges they will attend as part of National Signing Day, acknowledged across the country as the period that top high school seniors and athletic prospects can sign a binding letter of intent to attend the college of their choice. Students from Milford Mill Academy and Catonsville High School are expected to be among the Baltimore County students who will participate in this process during this period. Contact: Michael Sye, Office of Athletics, 410.887.2328BCPS Student Choreography Showcase spotlights talents of county's dance studentsMore than 100 dance students from seven Baltimore County public schools will participate in the daylong annual BCPS Student Choreography Showcase at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Avenue, Dundalk. During the day, members of the ClancyWorks Dance Company will teach master classes in composition, improvisation, and partnering. Dance company members also adjudicate the technical rehearsals and provide feedback to support student choreographers in refining their works. The showcase day concludes with a 7 p.m. performance of 27 student-created dance pieces. Participating students will represent Deer Park Magnet Middle School, Dulaney High School, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Lansdowne High School, Milford Mill Academy, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, and Sudbrook Magnet Middle School. The evening concert is open to the public. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Contact: Sonia Synkowski, Office of Physical Education, Health, and Dance, 410.887.4014Thursday, February 7
Board of Education of Baltimore County hosts second Recognition Ceremony of the yearThe Board of Education of Baltimore County will hold its annual winter Recognition Ceremony beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium at Perry Hall High School, 4601 Ebenezer Road in Perry Hall. Students, teachers, parents, and community members are scheduled to be honored at the annual event, the second of three such recognition ceremonies hosted by the Board of Education each school year.
Contact: Charles Herndon, Office of Communications, 410.887.6111Parkville High School to host annual Science FairParkville High School will hold its annual science fair for all gifted and talented and Advanced Placement lab science classes at 3:30 p.m. at the school, 2600 Putty Hill Avenue, Parkville.Students from AP and GT biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and anatomy and physiology classes will present their findings after working to solve a scientific riddle. Their results will be displayed in the B-cafeteria and in the science lab classrooms. Contact: Lexa Newman or Rebecca Pfeifer, Parkville High School, 410.887.5257
Friday, February 8
Catonsville Elementary School to host "Hop for Hopkins"Catonsville Elementary School at 615 Frederick Road in Catonsville will host a "Hop for Hopkins" benefit for the Johns Hopkins Hospital's Children's Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the school gymnasium. "Detour Dave" Sandler from WBAL Radio and 98 Rock traffic reporter will be the deejay for the evening, playing favorite dance hits. There will be door prizes and raffles during the evening as well. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students. Contact: Ann Pietrowiak or Linda Miller, Catonsville Elementary School, 410.887.0800Glyndon Elementary School celebrates behavior success with Valentine's Day craftsAs part of Glyndon Elementary School's school wide behavior program, students "R.A.C.E." for success each day by being:Respectful,
Always responsible and safe,
Cooperative and prepared, and
Engaged and independent learners.
Students who have excelled in their "R.A.C.E." objectives will meet in the school cafeteria throughout the day to create Valentine's Day crafts and cards using a variety of materials. Primary grades will make their crafts at 9 a.m., while students in Grades 3, 4, 5, and prekindergarten will participate at 2 p.m. The school is located at 445 Glyndon Drive in Reisterstown. Contact: Sherri Bell, Glyndon Elementary School, 410.887.1130Former Maryland Teacher of the Year, a BCPS educator, to be honored at national gala
Joshua Parker, 2012 Maryland Teacher of the Year and 2011-2012 Baltimore County Teacher of the Year, will be honored at the National Education Association Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Parker, now a Title I Gap Reduction Specialist for BCPS, will be recognized as one of 38 recipients of the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the nation's most prestigious honors for public school educators. Known as "the Academy Awards of public education," the gala attracts more than 850 of the nation's leaders in public education, philanthropy, and business.
Contact: Charles Herndon, Office of Communications, 410.887.6111
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Patapsco High principal receives national honor for technology leadership: Ryan Imbriale to be honored among peers at NASSP Conference
TOWSON, MD. – Principal Ryan J. Imbriale of Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts in Dundalk has been named a 2013 NASSP Digital Principal by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Imbriale, a Cockeysville resident, has led an aggressive plan to outfit the 50-year-old Patapsco High building with a robust wireless infrastructure, equip classrooms with the latest technology, implement an open policy for mobile devices, create a sustained plan for the use of social media for communication and learning, and provide high-quality professional development for the entire staff. He helped pilot a fully blended learning curriculum in science as part of a collaborative effort between the school, the district, and a local community college. He also worked with Patapsco alumni to start a student app club.
As the NASSP describes it, “In the last four years, Patapsco has gone from barely registering to ahead of the curve in technology.” The school was recognized last year by both “US News & World Report” and the “Washington Post” as one of the top high schools in the United States and by the College Board as one of the nation’s top arts integration schools.
Imbriale, whom the NASSP describes as “a technology guru of sorts,” was recognized last fall as an Emerging Leader by PDK International, a worldwide association of education professionals. In 2010, “Tech & Learning” magazine included him in its “100@30” list of new leaders, and, in 2008, the National School Boards Association named him one of its “20 to Watch,” identifying him as an educator who will help shape the future of education.
“Ryan is among the vanguard in maximizing the opportunities new technologies provide for student learning and professional learning communities,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “His leadership ensures that technology is not episodic in a student’s education, but woven throughout the school program. We are proud to recognize him.”
About Imbriale’s accomplishments, Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dallas Dance said, “Ryan’s bold leadership of Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts continues to transform that school and to serve as a model for other principals in Baltimore County and across the nation. His use of technology and communication to empower and engage his entire school community reflects the direction of this school system as a whole.”
NASSP launched the Digital Principal Award program in 2011 as part of its recognition of the annual Digital Learning Day, this year to be held on February 6. Imbriale is one of three 2013 honorees in a class that includes Dwight Carter of Lincoln High School in Gahanna, Ohio, and Carrie Jackson of Timberview Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. More than 70 principals were nominated by their colleagues. A panel of experts in technology leadership then reviewed the portfolios submitted by applicants and identified the three honorees.
The Digital Principals will formally receive their awards and serve as panelists during the NASSP conference—Ignite 2013—to be held February 28-March 2, 2013, in National Harbor, MD. They will also be featured in the October 2013 issue of "Principal Leadership" magazine. More information about the award is available at www.nassp.org/digitalprincipal.
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Board of Education to recognize honorees at Thursday, February 7, ceremony
What: Members of the Board of Education of Baltimore County will recognize more than 200 students, educators, and community members who have achieved success and contributed to the goals and mission of Baltimore County Public Schools. Honorees include those who have won local, state, or national awards and others who have significantly benefited their schools and the school system. When: Thursday, February 7, 2013, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
(Snow date: Wednesday, February 13, 2013, beginning at 7:00 p.m.)Where: Perry Hall High School
4601 Ebenezer Road, Perry Hall
Background: One of the highlights of the school system calendar, this winter ceremony is the second of three such events hosted by the Board of Education each school year. The names and school affiliations of the ceremony’s recipients are available upon request.
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BCPS accepted into prestigious national League of Innovative Schools
TOWSON, MD. – Baltimore County Public Schools has been accepted into the League of Innovative Schools, a national Digital Promise initiative that connects member school districts and schools with top universities and entrepreneurs to accelerate the pace of change in public education.
“We are thrilled that we were nominated to be a part of the league and that our application was one of only four to be approved for new membership,” said BCPS Superintendent Dallas Dance. “Being accepted into the League of Innovative Schools offers this school district unprecedented access to the newest ideas and best practices in education and offers us the opportunity to be a part of shaping change, both locally and nationally. In accepting BCPS as a member of the League, Digital Promise has recognized our commitment to what I call ‘reasonable impatience’ with incremental change and lingering achievement gaps.”
Digital Promise is a bipartisan independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress and based in Washington, D.C. Authorized by the Higher Education Opportunity Act, signed into law in 2008 by President George W. Bush, Digital Promise was formally launched by President Barack Obama in September 2011. Since then, Digital Promise has raised more than $2.2 million, with a 4-to-1 match of private to public dollars. Supporters include the U.S. Department of Education, Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and many Fortune 100 companies and private sector and philanthropic donors.
One of Digital Promise's hallmark initiatives is the League of Innovative Schools, whose 32 members in 21 states represent about 2.7 million students. Examples of the League's projects can be found at http://bit.ly/UJRJ1p and http://bit.ly/VAB8wc.
According to Digital Promise, the goal of the League of Innovative Schools is to “build a hotbed of innovation where we can demonstrate promising ideas, evaluate them rigorously and rapidly, and replicate what works – accelerating the pace of change in public education.”
Members must be nominated for the League and go through an application process. Applicants are judged on a record of results-based technology and innovation initiatives, dedication to closing the achievement gap, and a commitment of time and staff to League activities, among other things.
The other new members of the League are Fulton County Schools, Ga., Reynoldsburg City School District, Ohio, and Sunnyside Unified School District #12, Ariz.
For more information, please visit http://www.digitalpromise.org/
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BCPS students earn nearly half of all Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in Maryland: 168 of state’s 410 honorees hail from BCPS high, middle schools
TOWSON, MD. – Baltimore County Public Schools students led all Maryland school systems in earning the lion’s share of the national 2013 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, among the most prestigious high school arts recognition programs in the nation.
In all, 162 BCPS students from eight high schools and two middle schools earned either Gold Key, Silver Key, or Honorable Mention awards in the program. Statewide, 410 students in total were recognized in the competition. In every category, BCPS schools outpaced other schools and districts across the state.
County students also took home about 46 percent of the total number of awards – 368 of the 803 presented statewide. The performance of county students this year far surpasses that of last year when 122 BCPS students won awards.
“The achievements of our students in this long-running national competition once again show that fine arts are flourishing in Baltimore County Public Schools,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance. “These awards are a vivid demonstration of our commitment to nurture the talents of all of our students and to recognize the value of student creativity in the educational process.”
Students from Catonsville High, Dulaney High, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Hereford High, Owings Mills High, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, Perry Hall High, and Towson High schools were represented with award winners, as well as students from Hereford and Perry Hall middle schools.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, began in 1923 to honor talented secondary school writers and artists in the nation. This year, more than 200,000 works from 90,000 middle and high school students were reviewed as part of the awards process.
Of those works reviewed by professionals in visual and literary arts, students earned Honorable Mention, Silver Keys, or Gold Keys in regional adjudication. Works designated as Gold Keys are currently receiving a national-level review; the national awards will be released to student artists and writers on Friday, March 15.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have recognized some of America's most celebrated artists and writers while they were teenagers, including Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, Robert Redford, Truman Capote, Cy Twombly, Robert Indiana, Kay WalkingStick, Joyce Carol Oates, Philip Pearlstein, and John Baldessari.
Students from across Maryland won 160 Gold Keys for both art and writing. Of those Gold Key awards, 68 went to students in Baltimore County schools.
One student, Savannah Brockmeyer of Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, was named an American Visions Nominee by the Alliance for her photo entry “Manny As Frida.” As one of five American Visions Nominees for the northeast region, Brockmeyer’s work will judged by a panel of jurors who will select one of the five artists to receive national recognition with the American Visions & Voices Medal.
For more information about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, please visit the following Web site: http://www.artandwriting.org/alliance/partners-regionalprogram/.
A list of all students who received Gold Key, Silver Key, or Honorable Mention awards from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program accompanies this release below.2013 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for Baltimore County Public Schools Students
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New episode of “High School Sports Scene” airs on BCPS-TV: Features the latest news on track, basketball, and wrestling
TOWSON, MD. – Stories and interviews about Baltimore County Public Schools athletes, teams, and coaches fill the latest episode of “High School Sports Scene,” which is on the air through Monday, February 18. The current episode is hosted by Colin Parts, a senior at Towson High School.
Produced twice a month during the school year by BCPS-TV (The Education Channel), "High School Sports Scene" airs every day at 10:30 p.m. In addition, on Monday through Thursday, it can be seen at 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and, on Saturday and Sunday, also at 11:00 a.m. BCPS-TV can be found on Comcast Cable Channel 73 and Verizon FiOS Channel 34 in Baltimore County. Additionally, the program is available on YouTube at High School Sports Scene February 5, 2013.
The latest 24-minute episode includes stories about:
- Milford Mill v. Hereford girls basketball
- Western Tech v. Dundalk wrestling
- Richard Reed of Franklin High School being named District 6 Athletic Director of the Year
- County indoor track championship results
- Outstanding Female Student Athlete: Tranaka Adams, Chesapeake High School Basketball
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19 BCPS students named National Merit finalists: Honored students now eligible to compete for millions in National Merit scholarships
TOWSON, MD— Nineteen Baltimore County Public Schools students from six high schools have been named finalists in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program coordinated by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
As finalists, these students are now eligible to compete for 8,300 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $32 million. Scholarship awards will be announced in April, May, and July.
The honored students are:
Catonsville High School
Adam T. Antoszewski
Victoria L. Monsaint-QueeneyDulaney High School
Kushal Byatnal
Minwei Cao
Helen Gao
Fan K. Jia
Casey G. Lim
Amanda Olsen
Lisa Ann Tang
Gabrielle T. WelshFranklin High School
Keenan E. Albee
Erin M. SmithHereford High School
Maggie R. Cason
Christine K. Dreyer
Connor A. O’Rourke
Perry Hall High School
Emily R. Behnke
Vincent J. CiatteiTowson High School
Andrew N. Bortvin
Colin A. Parts
“These 19 students are outstanding scholars and outstanding representatives of the intellectual potential found throughout our school system,” said BCPS Superintendent Dallas Dance. “In honoring their dedication to learning, we hope to inspire every member of Team BCPS to continue pursuing excellence.”
Approximately 1.5 million juniors from 22,000 high schools applied for the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program by participating in the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NSMQT®). The highest scoring entrants in each state created the national pool of 16,000 semifinalists, which represents less than 1 percent of high school seniors in the nation. Last September, 23 BCPS students were named semifinalists. Advancement to the finalist level was based on students’ academic records, recommendations, and SAT scores.
Through its longstanding partnership with the College Board, which administers the PSAT/NSMQT, Baltimore County Public Schools provides funding so that all Grade 10 and Grade 11 students can take the PSAT/NSMQT at no charge to them or their families. The test provides practice for the SAT and provides BCPS educators with important assessments of student strengths and challenges.
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Carver Center student named finalist in National Geographic U.S. Student Photography Contest
TOWSON, MD. – Emily Dahuron of Towson, a senior at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, is one of 24 students from across the nation named a finalist in the 2013 National Geographic U.S. Student Photography Contest.
Nearly 2,500 photographs were submitted to the contest, now in its second year. According to the National Geographic Society’s Web site, students were asked to enter only original photographs, taken by them, that convey their personal understanding of exploration and adventure.
Dahuron’s photo, titled “Karo Tribe Revisited,” was taken in Baltimore of one of her friends. The photo was inspired by members of the Karo tribe in Ethiopia painting themselves to resemble Guinea fowl.
More information about the contest and all of the images by finalists can be found at http://ngstudentexpeditions.com/student-photo-contest/.
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Inaugural BCPS Anti-Bullying Day to be held : Schools and students across the county to participate
What: In an effort to spread awareness of bullying and promote an atmosphere of respect throughout the system, Baltimore County Public Schools will launch the first countywide Anti-Bullying Day on Friday, March 1, 2013. The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board, comprised of BCPS high school students, has worked since November 2012 with Dr. Dance and other BCPS staff in the organization of this event. Activities planned for BCPS schools include distribution of #TeamNoBullying wristbands for middle and high students and Kindness Cards for elementary students as well as an anti-bullying pledge that students will be asked to sign. A special message from Dr. Dance will be shown during the inaugural Anti-Bullying Day. A countdown clock to the March 1, 2013, date can be found on the main page of the BCPS website at www.bcps.org.Where: All BCPS schoolsWhen: Friday, March 1, 2013, throughout the dayBackground: For additional information about the day and to view student-created anti-bullying videos, please visit http://www.bcps.org/news/2013/0201b/.
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BCPS News Tips – The Week of February 9 – 16, 2013: Activities, Events, and News from Baltimore County Public Schools
Saturday, February 9
Riderwood Elementary School to present “Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest”
Students in Grades 4 and 5 at Riderwood Elementary School, 1711 Landrake Road in Towson, will present the play, “Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 9, at the school. This production includes a cast of characters such as Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck, Ladies in Waiting, and even dancing deer. Both the script and musical arrangement were written by Riderwood vocal music teacher Mike Allman.
Contact: Jennifer Meyer-Niquette or Mike Allman, Riderwood Elementary School, 410.887.3568
Monday, February 11
White Oak School hosts STEM night for parents and students
A Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) night for parents and students will be held at White Oak School on Monday, February 11, with a snow date of Monday, February 25. The evening will include a demonstration of math lessons using the Promethean board, educational websites parents can access at home, a cooking class, and an engineering contest featuring the “Marshmallow Challenge.” A fossil display by fossil hunter Tom Farrell will also be featured. Please call the school for specific times and additional details. The school is located at 8401 Leefield Road.
Contact: Cheryl Bishop or Nancy Barnes, White Oak School, 410.887.5378
Tuesday, February 12
Author to visit Red House Run Elementary School
Red House Run Elementary School will host a visit from author Wendy Cohen on Tuesday, February 12, during the school’s annual Reading Night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cohen, the author and illustrator of “Life on Yoga Mountain,”will read her book aloud and guide the audience to gently explore movement through yoga. As a follow-up activity, the children and their families will create Peace Flags and thematic poems that connect to the book. Additionally, students will have an opportunity to purchase books and have books autographed by the author. For more information, please visit: http://wendycohen.us/children.html. The school is located at 1717 Weyburn Road in Rosedale.
Contact: Mary Ellen Castle or Drue Whitney, Red House Run Elementary School, 410.887.0506
Glenmar Elementary School to host an “Exploring Space/Whittle Night”
Glenmar Elementary School, 9700 Community Drive in Middle River, will host an “Exploring Space/Whittle Night” on Tuesday, February 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors will be invited to view how the school’s Whittle exercise equipment is used.
Contact: Jackie Warfield or Mike Parker, Glenmar Elementary School, 410.887.0127
Wednesday, February 13
The art starts for Catonsville High School’s clay bowl donators
For seven years, members of the National Art Honor Society at Catonsville High School have created and donated about 50 ceramic bowls to the Empty Bowls charity event. On both Wednesday, February 13, and Thursday, February 14, students and staff will attend workshops to teach and guide them through the process of making a functional clay bowl. In addition to our high school students and staff, restaurants and local artists donate bowls each year. Contact the school for specific times and additional details. The school is located at 421 Bloomsbury Avenue, Catonsville. And for more information about the Empty Bowls event, please visit: http://emptybowlsbaltimore.org/
Contact: Windy Spiridigliozzi, Catonsville High School, 410.887.0808Parkville Knight Players to stage "A Midsummer Night's Jersey" for the public
The Parkville High School Knight Players, under the co-direction of Steve Devorah and Lisa Moose, will present this year’s dramatic production, "A Midsummer Night's Jersey." Written by Ken Ludwig specifically for high school actors, the performances will begin on Wednesday, February 13, and follow on Thursday, February 14, and Saturday, February 16. The play blends Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with reality TV’s “Jersey Shore.” Tickets are available at the door of the school, which is located at 2600 Putty Hill Avenue in Parkville.
Contacts: Lexa Newman, Lisa Moose, or Steve Devorah, Parkville High School, 410.887.5257
Thursday, February 14
Musical afternoon scheduled for Ridge Ruxton School
Musician "Uncle Pete" will return for a repeat visit to Ridge Ruxton School beginning at 1 p.m. in the school's auditorium at 6916 Charles Street in Towson. He will engage students and staff with an interactive musical program that is a highlight of the school year.
Contact: Laura Dennis or Ed Bennett, Ridge Ruxton School, 410.887.3594
Friday, February 15
Reading is Fun with a reading event at Ridge Ruxton School
A special guest to Ridge Ruxton School, Quila Downs, a volunteer from the Baltimore County Department of Aging, will present a donation to the Ridge Ruxton School Library on Friday, February 15. Downs also will read a book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to several classes. The event will begin at 1 p.m. at Ridge Ruxton School, which is located at 6916 North Charles Street, Towson.
Contact: Erica Chaney or Ed Bennett, Ridge Ruxton School, 410.887.3594
National Aquarium in Baltimore swims into Wellwood International School for visit
The National Aquarium in Baltimore will spend the day at Wellwood International School, 2901 Smith Avenue in Pikesville, with a special program for students attending a school-wide morning assembly. Following the assembly, all students will have the opportunity to experience a hands-on interactive exploration with exhibits from the aquarium. Please contact the school for specific times and additional information.
Contact: Tricia Rueter, Wellwood International School, 410.887.1212
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Baltimore County Public Schools’ graduation rate surpasses Md. increases : County school system dropout rate sees significant decrease
TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools saw a 2.02 percentage increase in the number of students graduating from county schools, a jump that outpaced state increases and is the largest in three years.
For the graduating class of 2012, the four-year cohort graduation rate in BCPS schools was 83.83 percent, compared with 81.81 percent for the class of 2011 and 81.38 in 2010.
In addition, the county school system’s dropout rate continues to decrease. Data released Monday shows Baltimore County’s dropout rate went from 13.25 percent for the class of 2011 to 11.04 percent for last summer’s graduating class.
”We are pleased with our progress,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance, “but we must accelerate its pace. In Baltimore County Public Schools, we understand the impact early childhood education has on ensuring graduation at the end of Grade 12. Our goal is that all of the instructional changes and enhancements we are making now will lead to increased student engagement and success throughout their tenure in our schools.”
The data was released as part of a state announcement of progress on both graduation and dropout rates. Maryland’s four-year cohort graduation rate stands at 83.57 for the class of 2012 compared with 82.82 percent in 2011. The statewide four-year cohort dropout rate fell from 11.22 percent in 2011 to 10.28 last year.
Among BCPS initiatives designed to improve its graduation rate and prevent dropouts are programs such as Maryland’s Tomorrow and AdvancePath Academies, which offer personalized classes for at-risk students using online instruction.
The graduation data for Baltimore County Public Schools is available at the Maryland Report Card Web site at http://www.mdreportcard.org/Graduation.aspx?K=03XXXX.
Baltimore County Public Schools, the nation’s 26th largest school district, educates more than 107,000 students each year. The school system has earned a national reputation for academic rigor and student achievement for all and attracts recognition for its emphasis on college-readiness, use of innovative technology, and the excellence of its high schools and fine arts instruction.
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New episode of “BCPS News”airs on BCPS-TV: A profile of an Intel Science Talent Search semifinalist and plans for a system-wide Anti-Bullying Day are among features
TOWSON, MD. – A new episode of “BCPS News,” which spotlights Baltimore County Public Schools’ achievements and progress, is on the air through Sunday, February 24. The show is hosted by Mary Beth Marsden, a local Emmy Award®-winning broadcaster.
Produced twice a month during the school year by BCPS-TV (The Education Channel), “BCPS News” airs daily at 5:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., and 10:00 p.m. on Comcast Cable Channel 73 and Verizon FiOS Channel 34 in Baltimore County. Additionally, the program is available on the Web at www.bcps.org/news/ed_channel and at http://www.youtube.com/user/BaltCoPS.
The latest 15-minute episode includes stories about:
- Plans for the inaugural BCPS Anti-Bullying Day, coordinated by the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board.
- The Functional Academic Learning Support (FALS) program at Cockeysville Middle School.
- Black History Month activities, from the perspective of Lakecia Hines, assistant principal of Golden Ring Middle School, and Tim Rualo, coordinator of elementary social studies.
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BCPS Secondary STEM fair to be held : Event consists of Middle School Challenge and high school Physics Olympics
What: The BCPS Secondary STEM Fair is comprised of a high school event called the Physics Olympics and a Middle School Challenge. In the Physics Olympics, 32 teams of students from 22 BCPS high schools will compete in six different events. Trophies and awards will be presented to the top three teams. In the Middle School Challenge, about 90 students from 18 BCPS middle schools will compete in three events, and medals will be awarded to teams that master the challenges. When: Saturday, February 23, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.Where: Middle School Challenge
Cockeysville Middle School
10401 Greenside Drive
Cockeysville 21030Physics Olympics
Dulaney High School
255 Padonia Road
Timonium 21093Background:
Schools participating in the Physics Olympics are:
Catonsville High School
Chesapeake High School
Dulaney High School (2 teams)
Dundalk High School
Eastern Technical High School (2 teams)
Franklin High School
George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Hereford High School (2 teams)
Lansdowne High School
Loch Raven High School (2 teams)
Milford Mill Academy
New Town High School
Overlea High School
Owings Mills High School (2 teams)
Parkville High School
Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
Perry Hall High School (2 teams)
Pikesville High School (2 teams)
Randallstown High School
Towson High School (2 teams)
Sparrows Point High School (2 teams)
Western School of Technology (2 teams)
Schools participating in the Middle School Challenge are:
Arbutus Middle School
Cockeysville Middle School
Deep Creek Middle School
Deer Park Middle Magnet School
Dundalk Middle School
Franklin Middle School
General John Stricker Middle School
Golden Ring Middle School
Holabird Middle School
Lansdowne Middle School
Loch Raven Technical Academy
Middle River Middle School
Parkville Middle School
Perry Hall Middle School
Pine Grove Middle School
Ridgley Middle School
Stemmers Run Middle School
Sudbrook Middle School
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Grade 5 students from seven elementary schools to participate in Ballroom Dance Program
What: In culmination of their participation in the Grade 5 Ballroom Program, students from seven Baltimore County Public Schools elementary schools – Charlesmont, Chase, Jacksonville, Norwood, Oliver Beach, Sandy Plains, and Shady Spring – will perform cha-cha, merengue, swing, and tango dances for parents and members of the community. The performances will showcase the students’ successes in learning the steps of the four dance styles through the five-day program.
When and
Where: Friday, February 15, 2013
9:05 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Charlesmont Elementary School
7800 W. Collingham Drive
Dundalk, MD 21222
10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Chase Elementary School
11701 Eastern Avenue
Middle River, MD 21220
2:50 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.
Jacksonville Elementary School
3400 Hillendale Heights Road
Phoenix, MD 21131
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Norwood Elementary School
1700 Delvale Avenue
Dundalk, MD 21222
8:55 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Oliver Beach Elementary School
12912 Cuninghill Cove Road
Middle River, MD 21220
Please check with the school for specific time.
Sandy Plains Elementary School
8330 Kavanagh Road
Dundalk, MD 21222
Please check with the school for specific time.
Shady Spring Elementary School
8868 Goldenwood Road
Rosedale, MD 21237Background:
Centered on the basics of cha-cha, merengue, swing, and tango dance styles, the Grade 5 Ballroom Program aligns with the Rhythms and Dance unit of the physical education curriculum to introduce students to formal ballroom dancing etiquette and techniques – namely the escort position, eye contact, and step coordination – during the first four days of instruction. On the fifth day, the program presents students with an opportunity to spotlight their learned skills during a grade-wide performance.
Seven years after its inception, the program, which has increased in popularity from 27 schools last school year to 40 schools this school year, will reach nearly 4,000 Grade 5 students over the course of the 2012-2013 school year.
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Lansdowne High School accepting applications for preschool program : Program provides students with a firsthand experience in child development
TOWSON, MD— Lansdowne High School’s Health & Human Services Academy is currently accepting applications from parents of potty-trained children under the age of four for the spring session of its preschool program.
Beginning on Monday, February 25, 2013, the program will extend until Thursday, May 9, 2013. The program will operate according to the Baltimore County Public Schools calendar – weekdays from 8:40 a.m. to 12 noon.
To register children for the program, parents must supply the required personal and medical information, as well as the $25 cost for participation. Upon acceptance into the program, children must receive transportation from their parents.
Material taught during the spring session will incorporate skills related to art, language, mathematics, music, science, and social studies and will be based on seasonally-thematic units with highlights on topics such as community service and outdoor safety.
For more information regarding the preschool program and/or registration, contact Wendy Happel, family and consumer science teacher, at whappel@bcps.org.
The pre-school opportunity is a facet of the Child Care Completer for Grade 10, 11, and 12 students enrolled in Lansdowne High’s Health & Human Services Academy. The Academy offers students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of child development through a variety of projects, such as compilation of idea files and lesson plans, related to preschool education. Additionally, through the Academy, students may obtain their 90-hour daycare certificate, fulfill six articulated credits with the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), and/or acquire additional community service credits toward their graduation requirement.
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Board of Education of Baltimore County to Meet on Tuesday, February 19
TOWSON, MD— The Board of Education of Baltimore County will hold a work session on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. Board work sessions are held for receiving reports, conducting in-depth reviews of school program(s), and developing and discussing Board policy.
The Board will meet in open session at approximately 4:30 p.m. to discuss items of interest to Board members. The Board will then move immediately to a closed session. The Board will reconvene to begin its work session at approximately 6:30 p.m. Representatives of stakeholder groups and members of the public have the opportunity to speak at Board work sessions. Stakeholder group representatives and members of the public who wish to address the Board are asked to sign up between 5:00 p.m. and 6:25 p.m. outside of the Board's meeting room.
The meeting(s) will be held in the ESS Building, Room 114, on the Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles Street, in Towson. The public is welcome to attend and observe all of the Board's open sessions.
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“Cultural Coalescence” fest at Western School of Technology to celebrate diverse cultures
What: A signature event for the Western School of Technology school community, the two-day, sixth annual “Cultural Coalescence” festival is an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the international cultures and traditions that make up the school’s diverse student body. The event centers around student-created exhibits and demonstrations, including dancing, native clothing, and depictions of customs and traditions. In addition, the school’s Culinary Arts students will prepare and serve foods from a dozen nations to guests and students.
When: Thursday, February 21, and Friday, February 22, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. both daysWhere: Western School of Technology and Environmental Science
100 Kenwood Avenue
Catonsville, MD 21228Background:
The festival grew out of the recognition that many Western Tech students come from families that are first- or second-generation immigrants or have deep connections to their family origins. In its first year, the festival involved 40 participants representing 14 countries; this year, more than 150 students will represent 50+ cultures and nations, including eight countries from South America represented by Spanish IV students.
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