TOWSON, MD – The George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology’s Middle School Writing Competition, now in its 20th year, has just announced its 2017 winners. They are:Poetry Winners

First Place: Kayla Yup of Parkville Middle School for The Nation’s Needle Sponsoring Teacher: Ms. Kuczynski Second Place: Lily Mihok of Ridgely Middle School for The Goddess that Saved Olympus Sponsoring Teacher: Ms. Bartlett Third Place: Josephine Halushka of Ridgely Middle School for Judgment Day Sponsoring Teacher: Ms. Harget Honorable Mention: Halli Harwood of Parkville Middle School for Blue Sponsoring Teacher: Ms. Miller

Fiction Winners

First Place: Mica Miller of Ridgely Middle School for Quantum Disturbances Sponsoring Teacher: Mr. Reedy Second Place: Kaitlyn C. Mableton of Northwest Academy of Health Sciences for Of Religion and Office Politics   Sponsoring Teacher: Ms. Rennenampf Third Place: Aarushi Tyagi of Ridgely Middle School for The Intoxicating Scent of Kneecaps Sponsoring Teachers: Ms. Wilson and Mr. Robinson Honorable Mention: Jonathan Roa of Franklin Middle School for Checklist Sponsoring Teacher: Ms. Bourckel

The winning students, their family members, and sponsoring teachers will participate in an awards ceremony on Thursday, April 20, from 6 – 8 p.m. in Carver Center’s dining hall. Prizes will be awarded during that ceremony. The competition is sponsored by Carver Center’s senior Literary Arts students, and it draws entries in the categories of poetry and fiction. Each submission is adjudicated using a blind scoring system, and winners are selected based on voice, originality, diction, structure, and content.

TOWSON, MD. – Each month, Parent University offers an exciting variety of events and programs designed to help parents and caregivers better support the academic success of the students in their families. And in April, Parent University includes events aimed at introducing students to careers in manufacturing and engineering as well as helping parents support good reading habits in their children. All Parent University events and programs may be accessed from the Parent University home page at www.bcps.org/parentu/schedule/fullSchedule.pdf. “Parent University is an incredible, ongoing, and varied resource for any parent or caregiver in Baltimore County, and this month is especially valuable,” said Sue Hahn, a specialist who coordinates Parent University for BCPS. “In addition to some of the resources available to our parents every month from our partners, there are several special programs each month we want to highlight that may be of special interest.” Among the highlights of Parent University this month are:

• “The Teenage Brain Goes to Middle School”– Presented by Shannon Johnson, a BCPS Teacher of the Year nominee, this free workshop will discuss the transitions affecting adolescent children. When: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 3 Where: Pikesville branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 1301 Reisterstown Rd., Pikesville 21208
• The “Be What You Want to Be” series– This free workshop examines the career path for students (ages 10 and up) who are interested in manufacturing, engineering, and technology. Families are encouraged to attend. When: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 5 Where: Woodlawn branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 1811 Woodlawn Drive, Woodlawn 21207
• “Read for Life!”– Five 90-minute free workshops continue as a way to help parents explore literacy development for preschool-PreK children. Where and When: 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Tuesday, April 4 and 11 Pikesville branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 1301 Reisterstown Rd., Pikesville 21208-4195 AND 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27, and May 4, 11, 18, and Thursday, June 1 Owings Mills branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 10302 Grand Central Ave., Owings Mills 21117
• “Live, Love, Learn” -- Aimed especially at school social workers, the “Live, Love, Learn” event will provide information and strategies to assist families as they support their children. When: 6 – 8 p.m., Thursday, April 20 Where: Winfield Elementary School, 8300 Carlson Lane, Randallstown 21244

Most programs or events sponsored by Parent University are free or have a nominal cost. Please check the schedule for information about ticket prices or reservations should they be needed. Parent University (www.bcps.org/parentu/) offers in-person workshops throughout the community as well as online resources and videos to meet the unique needs of families with school-age children.

TOWSON, MD— Eleven teams representing Baltimore County Public Schools have qualified to participate in the VEX Robotics World Championship, sponsored by the Northrop Grumman Foundation, to be held April 19 – 25 in Louisville, Ky. The participating teams are Dulaney High School team 1727G; Eastern Technical High School teams 5839E and 5839A; Hereford High School team 929U; Hereford Middle School teams 929B, 929J, 9290B, and 9290D; Patapsco High School team 6274B; Ridgely Middle School team 952B; and Towson High School team 934Z. The teams secured spots at the world’s largest robotics competition through its success at the Maryland State Championships, where they won excellence, design, robot skills, or semifinalist awards, or won the event as a tournament champion or teamwork champion. “Participating in the VEX Robotics Competition in school has strengthened the students’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and given them the skills they need to succeed well beyond high school.” said Patapsco High School teacher Ryan Hoge. “We’re excited to attend the VEX Robotics World Championship to compete with teams from around the world.” According to Jason Morrella, president of the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation, “Qualifying for the VEX Robotics World Championship is the culmination of a full year’s worth of academic success and an opportunity to join the best robotics teams from around the world to celebrate and help us crown world champions from elementary school, middle school, high school, and college.” VEX Competitions are the fastest growing competitive robotics programs for elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges around the world, with nearly 18,000 teams from over 40 countries that participate in more than 1,300 competitions worldwide. The competition season culminates each spring, with the VEX Robotics World Championship. The VEX Robotics World Championship will feature approximately 1,400 of the top teams from around the world.

TOWSON, MD – Baltimore County Public Schools employees and their family members can register now to walk or run in the 5k race that will be part of the school system’s 5k Wellness Day. The 5k Wellness Day event will take place on Saturday, May 6, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Oregon Ridge State Park. Registration for the 5k is free, courtesy of the BCPS Employee Wellness Committee, and those who register at Eventbrite by April 22 are guaranteed to receive a t-shirt. Registration is required to participate, and employees can form teams of five or more people. The Employee Wellness Committee will award prizes to the "most spirited" teams. The 5k Wellness Day is sponsored by the BCPS Employee Wellness Committee, with the support of its partners First Financial Federal Credit Union, Brick Bodies, Cigna, and Kaiser Permanente. In addition to the 5k race, the event, which is free for BCPS employees and their families, will feature:

• 1 mile Family Fun Walk
• a group fitness class
• a nutrition class
• a financial wellness class
• health and wellness vendors
• health assessments
• a farmer's market
• food trucks
• a kid's zone
• and much more!

For more information on the event, please visit http://www.bcps.org/offices/sss/employee_wellness/5k_wellnessDay.html. This event will be held rain or shine.

What: The public is invited to the 2017 Baltimore County Public Schools Film Expo to see screenings of films by 26 student finalists, representing 15 schools. Most of the films are 2 – 5 minutes long. At the end of the evening, awards will be presented in five categories for the high school entries (Live Action Narratives, Documentary Films, Animation, Experimental Films, Animated GIFs), and middle school entries will be awarded as a single category. The 2017 BCPS Film Expo is funded by The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc., through a 21st Century Instructional Initiative Grant. When: Thursday, Apr. 6, from 5 – 8 p.m. Where: The Historic Senator Theatre 5904 York Rd., 21212Background: The purpose of this event is to provide a creative, collaborative, and inspirational platform for BCPS middle and high school students to showcase their creative work in film. The 26 works selected as finalists were evaluated by a diverse panel of judges composed of BCPS personnel, local filmmakers, and Hollywood professionals. More information, including submission requirements, guidelines, registration, tutorials, and resources, are available at www.bcpsfilmexpo.org, or by contacting the event organizer Jesse Dortzbach at jdortzbach@bcps.org or event coordinators Beth Dentes at bdentes@bcps.org and Brandon Nicklas at bnicklas@bcps.org.

TOWSON – In his 5th Annual State of the Schools address, Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance focused on the work the school system has done to improve its climate and culture. He began by tackling the uncomfortable subject of segregation by race and class and its impact on the education of Baltimore County Public Schools students. Dance said, “As an African-American father, a graduate of a segregated school, and an educator focused on highlighting and celebrating diversity, I am astutely aware of the impact and consequences of race and poverty on our children—all of our children—and on all of our schools.” But awareness and discussion are only the beginning, Dance warned. “We have to back our words up by creating opportunity and removing barriers,” he said. “Our students notice who is placed in Advanced Academics, who is chosen to lead, and who is prepped to compete in national award competitions. The choices that we make as adults must position all students for opportunity and greatness.” For BCPS, Dance said, this work has been ongoing for the past five years. Dance described the “true transformation” that is taking place throughout BCPS schools and offices and that is based on building stronger relationships between teachers and students and between schools and communities. He said that this transformation is designed to improve both the school system’s culture (how it operates) and climate (how students and stakeholders feel in the schools). A part of this transformation, according to Dance, is S.T.A.T. (Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow), which, he said, is often identified incorrectly as a technology initiative. Dance said that instead “It’s about the environment we create in each of our classrooms every day with the student at the center of the learning process. It’s about how we welcome and nurture students before they even start the school year. It’s how we give students more chances to tell us what matters, offer more flexibility and choice in every learning experience, make students feel known, and maintain high standards for behavior without pushing students out of school every time they do something that in some cases we’ve done ourselves.” Also essential to the work, Dance said, have been deep reflection and courageous conversations. “Staff from all over our school system,” Dance said, “from classroom teachers to school leaders and my executive staff, have begun racial equity leadership training with a focus on examining our own beliefs and addressing areas that may be holding students back because of the color of their skin, their language proficiency, their gender, or any other characteristics outside of their control.” The work of the school system is already yielding significant results, Dance noted, including closing the black-white graduation gap while continuing to raise the graduation rate and levels of academic rigor; students in Grades 1 through 8 exceeding growth expectations on the Measures of Academic Progress; and 90 percent of parents rating their children’s schools as effective. Dance spoke at Martin’s West before an audience of 1,250 community members, business leaders, students, and staff. Students were front and center throughout the program, serving as greeters, performers, and speakers as well as creators of artwork available in a silent auction. Dance’s remarks were punctuated with brief interviews with Jennifer Lynch, principal of Edgemere Elementary School, and Sam Mustipher, executive director – secondary, Zone 1. The event was live-streamed, and the complete archived video can be seen at www.bcps.org or on BCPS-TV, available on Comcast cable channel 73 or Verizon FiOS channel 34. The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools hosted the event in conjunction with more than 53 business sponsors, five in-kind donors, and 54 Friends of the Foundation and Team BCPS. Daly Computers was the event’s Achievement/Excellence sponsor.

TOWSON – Baltimore County Public Schools has been awarded the prestigious national Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal by the CoSN (Consortium for School Networking). The TLE Seal, awarded on April 4 to five school systems, is a mark of distinction for school systems that demonstrate a strong commitment to student data privacy and security by meeting a rigorous set of standards. BCPS was part of the second group of school systems to earn the national TLE Seal, raising the total to 12 districts nationwide. BCPS is the only TLE Seal recipient in the State of Maryland. The honor was presented at the CoSN 2017 Annual Conference in Chicago, IL.“BCPS is honored to be recognized for its efforts to protect student data privacy and security,” said Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance. “Several Seal practices emphasize communication and transparency with parents and educating students to be good digital citizens. In addition to classroom instruction, BCPS uses its Growing up Digital web pages (http://www.bcps.org/growing_up_digital/) to provide students and parents with information on data privacy and Digital Citizenship. We also hold ourselves and our vendors to rigorous standards of data privacy and security. Our work continues to evolve so that BCPS will remain a Trusted Learning Environment.”  BCPS and the other four school systems were chosen by CoSN for demonstrating effective practices in leadership, business operations, data security, professional development, and classroom procedures and instruction. All school systems awarded the TLE Seal must reapply for it every two years. “As classrooms embrace the benefits of technology in modern learning settings, protecting student data has become a serious priority for school systems, parents and communities. Through their commitment to building ‘trusted learning environments,’ these school systems are leading the way and setting examples for others to follow,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. Developed for all K-12 schools nationwide, the TLE Seal was formed through the collective input from 28 school system leaders, as well as CoSN and its lead partners: AASA, The School Superintendents Association; the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO); and ASCD. Their expertise and experiences pinpointed the steps schools should take – beyond regulatory compliance – to help ensure student data privacy and security. Learn more about the privacy designation at trustedlearning.org.

Baltimore County’s public schools will be closed for spring break from the end of the school day on Friday, April 7, through Monday, April 17. Schools will reopen for students on Tuesday, April 18. What: The BCPS Office of Health Services, in partnership with Parent University, is offering a training called Youth Mental Health First Aid for any interested employee, parent, or community member. This is a research-based training program for anyone with little or no youth mental health background. This training will provide information and skills to identify and respond to children and adolescents with symptoms that may indicate a mental health concern. Non-BCPS employees can register by contacting Karen Heinrich at 443.809.6397.When: Thursday, Apr. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Where: The Mental Health Association of Maryland, 1301 York Rd., Suite 505, 21093. What: Wendy Boyden, building chief at Essex Elementary School, has been named one of 10 finalists in Cintas Corporation’s national Janitor of the Year contest (#JOTY). To cast your vote for Boyden, please visitwww.cintas.com/JOTY. The finalist who receives the most votes will receive a $5,000 cash prize along with $5,000 in Cintas and Rubbermaid products and services for his or her school. The Janitor of the Year Contest is open to janitors of educational facilities of all levels—elementary through college. This year, the contest received more than 1,200 nominations. In its fourth year, the award shines a spotlight on those who work behind the scenes and often go unnoticed. Deadline: Friday, Apr. 14 What: Kristy Gorman, school nurse at Essex Elementary School, is Maryland’s finalist in the America’s Greatest School Nurse contest, sponsored by Pfizer. Votes to support her can be cast at http://www.americasgreatestschoolnurse.com/.As a state finalist, Gorman has won a $500 prize. If she wins the national honor, her prize will be the “Ultimate Summer Vacation" – an all-expenses-paid 8 day/7 night trip to any destination in the continental United States for her and three guests. Deadline: Sunday, Apr. 16 What: The BCPS Scholarship Loan Program is designed for BCPS students interested in professional teaching careers in special education, Spanish, and secondary mathematics and science. These students can apply for a loan scholarship worth $4,000 per year for up to four years. Renewal awards are automatic, pending transcript verification of grade point average (in good academic standing) and full-time status. The award may be used for tuition, fees, books, or educational supplies. To apply, students must have a minimum 2.8 GPA and submit an application consisting of student information, a personal resume, letters of recommendation, and an essay. Once accepted into the program, recipients must sign a promissory note agreeing to teach full-time in a Baltimore County public school, one year for each year of the award; enroll full-time in an approved teacher education program at a Maryland institution; maintain Maryland residency; and begin employment within six months of college graduation. Failure to maintain eligibility for the award based on GPA, full-time status, or residency requirement will require that the recipient repay the scholarship. For more program details, students may access the Scholarship Loan Program brochure and flyer from their school counselor or online at http://www.bcps.org/students/pdf/Scholarship_Loan_trifold.pdfand http://www.bcps.org/students/pdf/ScholarshipLoanFlyer.pdf. Applications are available now in schools or online at www.bcps.org/students/pdf/scholarshipApplication.pdf. Application deadline: Wednesday, Apr. 19What: Baltimore County Public Schools employees and their family members can register now to walk or run in the 5k race that will be part of the school system’s 5k Wellness Day. The 5k Wellness Day event will take place on Saturday, May 6, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Oregon Ridge State Park. Registration for the 5k is free, courtesy of the BCPS Employee Wellness Committee, and those who register at Eventbrite by April 22 are guaranteed to receive a t-shirt. Registration is required to participate, and employees can form teams of five or more people. The Employee Wellness Committee will award prizes to the "most spirited" teams. The 5k Wellness Day is sponsored by the BCPS Employee Wellness Committee, with the support of its partners First Financial Federal Credit Union, Brick Bodies, Cigna, and Kaiser Permanente. In addition to the 5k race, the event, which is free for BCPS employees and their families, will feature a Family Fun Walk; classes in fitness, nutrition, and financial wellness; health and wellness vendors; health assessments; a farmer's market; food trucks; a kid's zone and much more! For more information on the event, please visithttp://www.bcps.org/offices/sss/employee_wellness/5k_wellnessDay.html. This event will be held rain or shine.What: Baltimore County Public Schools encourages the parents of students receiving special education services to participate in the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. The Maryland State Department of Education mailed copies of the survey to parents whose children receive special education services. The survey also can be taken online athttps://www.mdparentsurvey.com/. The survey is being conducted by MSDE’s Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. All parents or guardians of children ages 3 to 21 who are receiving special education and related services through BCPS are invited to participate. The purpose of the survey is to determine how well schools are partnering with parents and promoting parent involvement. Parent feedback will be used to help improve special education and related services. The survey is anonymous, takes about 5 minutes to complete online, and must be completed in one sitting. Deadline: May 1, 2017What: Registration for the Summer Music Camp is now open and will continue through Friday, May 12. This day camp is designed for BCPS students currently in Grades 5 through 12 who are enrolled in their school’s music programs. At camp, students will participate in a band, chorus, guitar, or orchestra at the appropriate grade level. In addition to large group rehearsals, students will participate in enrichment classes and receive instruction to enhance their music performance skills. All of the musical ensembles will perform at a public concert in the outdoor amphitheater at Oregon Ridge Park on the evening on Thursday, June 29. All BCPS students currently enrolled in their school’s band, chorus, guitar, or orchestra are invited to participate. The fee for this unique summer musical experience is $200. Transportation to and from Perry Hall High School will be provided at no additional charge to students who do not reside in the host school community. For more information or a registration form, contact a BCPS music teacher in Grades 5 through 12, or visit the Office of Music and Dance Education’s Web page at http://www.bcps.org/offices/elem_music/default.html. Registration deadline: Friday, May 12Contact: Shane Jensen, 443.809.4024What: The book, Building the Future, takes readers on a 276-page journey showcasing the history of Baltimore County Public Schools in a way that has never been done before. Through a compilation of stories, photos, and testimonials, the full-color commemorative book describes the school system’s growth—and occasional growing pains—and how Baltimore County Public Schools ultimately rose from humble beginnings in 1732, to a school system renowned for both its stability and innovation. Proceeds from the book benefit The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools. For information about purchasing the book, please contact Deborah Phelps at dphelps@bcps.org
or Bonnie Derda at bderda@bcps.org. Both can be reached at 443.809.8962.What: The Art for a Cause club at Golden Ring Middle School is hosting an art show fundraiser for Autism Awareness Month.When: Wednesday, Apr. 19, from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Where: Golden Ring Middle School, 6700 Kenwood Ave., auditorium, 21237Contact: Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, 410.887.0130What: Thirty-six BCPS students from seven high schools will perform alongside members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for the annual Side by Side Concert. These students were selected via an intensive audition process and have been rehearsing with the BSO musicians. Vincent Igusa of Towson High School was selected as the Young Soloist this year, and he will perform the Concerto for Bassoon K191 by W.A. Mozart during the concert. Tickets are required for this event. Anyone interested in attending this concert should contact Shane Jensen at 443.809.4024 or sjensen@bcps.org, no later than Friday, Apr. 7.When: Thursday, Apr. 20, at 4:45 p.m.Where: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St, Baltimore, MD 21201Contact: The Office of Music and Dance, 443.809.4024What: Twenty students on four teams from Chatsworth School are reading the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan chapter books for Grades 4-6 and will compete in a Jeopardy-style tournament so see which three teams will continue on to the Final Battle vs. teams representing other northwest area elementary schools on May 4.When: Thursday, Apr. 20, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Where: Chatsworth School, 222 New Ave., 21136Contact: Andrea Derrien or Nancy Braverman (nbraverman@bcps.org), 410.887.1103What: BCPS Parent University is hosting a free community family night including light supper, student entertainment, resource tables, door prizes, and short break out sessions/activities for all ages. Breakout sessions topics will include mindfulness, coping skills, technology and social emotional learning, social stories to deal with stress/loss, yoga, and pets on wheels. The event is open to all BCPS families. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is sponsored by Parent University, BCPS school social workers, the Special Education Resource Center, and the BCPS Education Foundation. When: Thursday, Apr. 20, from 6 – 8 p.m. Where: Winfield Elementary School, 8300 Carlson Ln., 21244Contact: Lisa Diffenderfer, ldiffenderder@bcps.org or 410.887.5443What: Those interested in joining Team BCPS as bus drivers, bus attendants, cafeteria workers, and grounds workers are invited to attend a Support Staff Recruitment Event. Those who plan to attend must apply online on or before Apr. 17. For more details about the event and how to apply, please click here.When: Thursday, Apr. 20, from 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Liberty Workforce Development Center, 3637 Offutt Rd., 21133Contact: BCPS Office of Staff, 443.809.7872When: Saturday, Apr. 22, at 9 a.m.Where: Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., 21222Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328When: Saturday, Apr. 22, at 9 a.m.Where: CCBC Essex , 7201 Rossville Blvd. 21237Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328What: Parents and children are invited to celebrate Autism Awareness Month by participating in Honestly Autism Day. Speakers will share knowledge, and participants can enjoy a resource fair, breakout sessions, a teen panel, and more. The event is sponsored by BCPS, the Partnership Project, Autism Society of Baltimore – Chesapeake, and the Department of Special Education at Towson University. When: Saturday, Apr. 22, at 10 a.m.Where: Radisson North Baltimore Hotel, 2004 Greenspring Dr., 21093

TOWSON – After walking the red carpet of the historic Senator Theatre, 38 young Baltimore County Public Schools student-filmmakers settled into their seats for the 2017 BCPS Film Expo to watch and listen as the audience laughed, gasped, and shed a few tears over their work. The finalist films, all of them less than 10 minutes long, were selected from 75 entries received from middle and high schools throughout the county. In subject matter, they ranged from an animated story about ghosts competing for the most online video views to documentaries about a Baltimore-based nationally-renowned artist, teens living with depression, and the unexpected death of a beloved high school student. Live action narrative film topics included the challenges of growing up, the meaning of home, and an unexpected reward for a monotonous life. The April 6 event concluded with an awards presentation to: Best in Show– Vinny Sacchetti, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, for his live action narrative film "For Sale"Live Action Narrative 1st Place – Vinny Sacchetti, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, "For Sale" 2nd Place – Kate Mlinek, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, "Where I Used to Live" 3rd Place – Indy Baskar, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, "Grow Up" Honorable Mention -- Sienna Fink, Eastern Tech, "Noir et Rouge"Documentary 1st Place – Reigna Wren, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, “Poncho” 2nd Place – Kyle Umstead and Teriah Campbell, Lansdowne High School, “Our Sunshine” 3rd Place – Chris Harding, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, “Ellicott City Strong” Honorable Mention – Zachary Gambrill, Eastern Technical High School, “Resurface” Experimental 1st Place – Uriel Artiaga, Parkville High, "Moments" 2nd Place – Matthan Teves, Eastern Tech, "Juice" 3rd Place – Sullivan Burget, Hereford High, "Harbinger" Honorable Mention – Emily McCown, Lansdowne High, "In the Sheets"Animations 1st Place – Gage Mellon, Lansdowne High School 2nd Place – Zachary Westra, Hereford High School 3rd Place – Will Kraft, Hereford High School Honorable Mention – Sohei Matsui, Towson High School Animated GIFs 1st Place – Arianna Stearns, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology 2nd Place – Brittany Holt, Woodlawn High School 3rd Place – Phoebe Kurniam, Hereford High School Honorable Mention – Seamus Carton, Hereford High School Honorable Mention – Zakiyyah Green, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology Honorable Mention – Haley Mabe, Hereford High School Honorable Mention – Emily Scholer, Hereford High School Middle School 1st place – Jane Nwachukwu, Parkville, “Griffin's Gold 2nd Place –  Laniaya Norris, Morris Hedges, Marcus Ballard, Ireti Aladeseyi, Blake Bolger, Haylei Vest, Sophie Harrington, and Alyssa Kelly, "Dream Day" 3rd Place –  Katelyn Burke, Parkville Middle, "Party Sleeper" Honorable Mention – Zef'rah Ochoa, Rylee Wolfe, Madison Blubaugh, Parkville Middle, What Once was Lost, Now is Found" Poster Design 1st Place -- Karl Reimer, Hereford High School The award-winning films will soon be available for viewing at www.bcpsfilmexpo.org and will be shown at this year’s Maryland Film Festival. As part of their prize packages, students received passes to the Maryland Film Festival and gifts from the film expo’s sponsors. The Film Expo was coordinated by a committee of BCPS teachers and sponsored by The Education Foundation of BCPS, the BCPS Office of Visual Arts, First Financial Federal Credit Union, The Senator Theatre, EmbroidMe Catonsville, Service Photo, Full Circle, Ltd., Plaza Art, the Maryland Film Festival, Artist & Craftsman Supply, Baltimore Magazine, and TechLab Photo. Judges for the competition included local and Hollywood-based film professionals, and local artists and educators.

TOWSON – Joseph Jira, principal of Hereford High School, thought he was attending the Maryland Association of Student Councils conference to make a presentation and support the student delegation from his school. He was surprised to learn that he was also there to be presented with the prestigious MASC Wayne Perry Principal of the Year Award for 2016 - 2017. Jira was nominated by Jordyn Wilson, president of the Hereford High student council and president of Baltimore County Student Councils. In her nomination, Wilson wrote: "Mr. Jira is in charge of a unique school in that we greatly value traditions while also calling for change… He is a huge proponent and supporter of all students at Hereford High and is personally invested in all of our success. He has always maintained a close relationship with the student council, discussing his ideas with us and helping us reach our goals as well. We have worked together to create spirit days for the whole school during rough times, a campaign for increased awareness of mental health issues and suicide prevention, and school wide celebrations of our hard work and success. Mr. Jira quickly transformed us into a Maryland and National Blue Ribbon school and challenges us to improve every day. Everyone in the school loves seeing his smiling face in the hallway each day. You always know where he is by his booming voice that echoes down the hallway and if you pass by him, no matter how late to class you are, you know he is going to stop you and ask all about how you are doing or congratulate you on your most recent accomplishment." In a support letter for the nomination, Grade 10 student Emma Wallner wrote: "Principal Jira emulates the importance of the Maryland Association of Student Councils’ mission, involves himself passionately in the Hereford High School student body, displays an immeasurably important leadership role, and contributes to the open and positive climate, not just within the walls of Hereford High School, but in our entire community… Principal Jira has created an entrepreneurial environment in which students are encouraged to start new clubs and share new ideas every day."

“The last five years serving as Superintendent of Team BCPS have been the best years of my professional life. As I stated in my latest State of the Schools message, I have led this organization from my heart believing that we could move mountains, and while not literally, we have begun tackling some large complex issues, which will take us time, effort, energy, and commitment to realize its full impact. However, I believe our county and region will be better because of our strategic efforts to provide an equitable educational experience for all of our children. While there is more work to be done; Team BCPS is certainly on the right track under the leadership of a phenomenal group of chiefs, top-notch school leaders, dedicated and caring teachers, and thousands of committed support staff all throughout our organization. I truly believe BCPS is in a better place today than when I first arrived. To that end, I now transition to another chapter of my career where I will specifically use my passion for equity and access to a quality education to ensure it is provided to all students through school, district, and community leadership. Team BCPS is much bigger than any one individual. Therefore, the work continues, and the pride we have cultivated around our culture will deepen. I want to thank each and every person who has worked and supported us as we’ve strengthened incredible learning environments for each child in every school. I know the best days for Team BCPS are ahead, and I will always be one of its biggest cheerleaders. My last day with Team BCPS will be June 30, 2017. I have received several offers, but I have not firmly decided. I look forward to sharing in the upcoming weeks what I will be doing post-BCPS.”

TOWSON – The new epicenter of poetry has been located, and it is Baltimore County Public Schools. The first Team BCPS Haiku Contest was announced at the beginning of March, and students and teachers immediately began submitting entries. Every day more arrived and, by the contest’s deadline, more than 1,650 entries had been received from 100 BCPS schools. With great difficulty and after a lengthy debate, a panel of judges selected just three winners. The judges were impressed across the board with students’ vocabulary, word choice, imagery, and humor. The contest winners – each of whom will receive four tickets to the Baltimore Orioles game of their choice and a BCPS prize pack – are: Elementary School Winner

What Spring Means to Me Galosh, huge rain drops Ambiguous spring weather Hide and seek the sun Chloe Phillips New Town Elementary School, Grade 3 Teacher: Julia Berlin

Middle School Winner

Spring Ahead Time to awaken Stems of strength and buds of hope Plants and students bothMacie Hakim Sudbrook Magnet Middle School, Grade 8 English Teacher: Katie Hamill

High School Winner

a blank wall stands tall against a hill of daisies ripe for graffitiJoshua Christopher Torrence George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Grade 9 English Teacher: Rebecca Mlinek

“We are thrilled to showcase the incredible talent of our student writers in BCPS,” said Megan Shay, director of PreK-12 English Language Arts. “Celebrating writing is an important condition for creating a culture of literacy, and we are grateful to the Department of Communications and Community Outreach for providing our student poets with an opportunity to shine!” The contest attracted entries from students at every grade level, as well as students in the English for Speakers of Other Languages program and students receiving special education services. (Two ineligible entries were received from non-BCPS students: one from a student in Canada (the friend of a BCPS student) and another from a parochial school student in Baltimore County.) Many entries were accompanied with notes – from teachers sharing how much their classes enjoyed the project and from parents expressing their surprise that their children were such good poets. “A haiku is fun to write because it really highlights the essential words,” said Suzie Rising, music teacher at Joppa View Elementary School. “It gives children a chance to write poetry that really captures images.” Rising was so inspired by the contest that she had her students write haiku and then set them to music and perform them. (See the Haiku and Music from Joppa View ES Video.) Other teachers also found ways to integrate the contest into lessons. Sarah Deacon at Perry Hall Middle School coordinates the school’s anime club. Deacon wrote, “Learning about haiku combined perfectly with our goal of learning about Asian culture and our current brush painting/calligraphy activities.” Because the contest theme was Springtime in BCPS, and because many haiku are written about nature, Tom Melito, a resource teacher/naturalist in the Office of Outdoor Science, encouraged schools working to maintain or earn Green School certification to participate in the contest. Most of the entries received did focus on nature and the changing of seasons, but topics also included PARCC testing, transitioning from elementary to middle and middle to high school, and favorite foods such as Doritos and nachos. The haiku were judged by several staff members from the Office of English Language Arts, the Department of Academics, and the Department of Communications and Community Outreach, as well as by Joseph Reisberg, a Carver Center student and a National Student Poet. The baseball tickets for the winners were generously donated by the Baltimore Orioles.

TOWSON, MD. – The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced that Baltimore County Public Schools students from Dulaney High School and George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology are among the first group of 1,000 high school seniors who have won corporate-sponsored scholarships. Most of these scholarships range from $500 to $10,000 per year and are renewable for up to four years. Some offer one-time awards of $2,500 to $5,000. The honored students are:

• Veronica R. Chen of Lutherville, who attends Carver Center and plans to pursue a career in architecture. Chen received a scholarship from Leidos, Inc., a company that provides science and technology solutions in the fields of national security, health, and engineering.
• Julia L. Clark of Cockeysville, who attends Dulaney High and is interested in studying biology. Clark received a scholarship from Northrop Grumman, a global corporation primarily involved in the development of defense and electronic systems.

The National Merit Scholarship Program was established in 1955 to honor scholastically talented American youth. It is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, about 7,500 National Merit Scholar Finalists will have won National Merit Scholarship Awards worth more than $32 million. In addition to this scholarship announcement, the National Merit® $2,500 Scholarships will be announced on May 10 and the college-sponsored Merit Scholarships will be announced on June 7 and July 17. More than 1.6 million juniors in some 22,000 high schools entered the 2017 National Merit Scholarship competition when they took the 2015 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). Last fall, some 16,000 Semifinalists were designated on a state representational basis. From the Semifinalist group, some 15,000 met Finalist requirements.

What: Baltimore County Public Schools’ Parent University presents “Learning, Laughing, Listening!”, a free community family night designed to offer resources and information to strengthen families. The event will feature a light supper, resource tables, door prizes, student entertainment, and short breakout sessions and activities for all ages, including sessions on yoga, coping skills, mindfulness, technology, and social/emotional learning. The event is sponsored by Parent University, BCPS school social workers, the Special Education Resource Center, and the Education Foundation of BCPS. When: Thursday, April 20, 2017, from 6 - 8 p.m.Where: Winfield Elementary School 8300 Carlson Lane Baltimore, Maryland 21244Background: Participants should register by contacting Lisa Diffenderfer at ldiffenderfer@bcps.org or by calling the Resource Center at 410-887-5443. The event is open to all BCPS families, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

TOWSON, MD. – The school year for Baltimore County’s public school students will end on Tuesday, June 13 – three days earlier than originally scheduled. (The 2016 – 2017 school year had been scheduled to end on Friday, June 16.) The schedule for the final days of school will be as follows:

• Friday, June 9 – All schools will provide a full day of classes. It will be the last day of classes for Preschool-3 and PreK students.
• Monday, June 12– Elementary and middle schools will close three hours early for students. High schools will provide a full day of classes.
• Tuesday, June 13– Final day of classes for all students. Elementary and middle schools will close three hours early for students. High schools will provide a full day of classes.

Baltimore County Public Schools officials traditionally decide whether or not to alter the calendar in late April. The adjustment to the 2016 – 2017 school calendar, announced at the April 18 meeting of the Baltimore County Board of Education, allows BCPS to shorten the school year due to planned but unused emergency closing time. For the 2017 – 2018 school year, the first day of classes for students will be Tuesday, September 5. Students entering Grades 6 and 9 are encouraged to attend a special orientation on Wednesday, August 30, at their schools. They will receive more information about this event from their schools.

What: Baltimore County Public Schools employees and their family members can register now to walk or run in a 5k race that will be part of the school system’s 5k Wellness Day. The 5k Wellness Day event will take place on Saturday, May 6, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Oregon Ridge State Park. Registration for the 5k is free, courtesy of the BCPS Employee Wellness Committee, and those who register at Eventbrite by April 22 are guaranteed to receive a t-shirt. Registration is required to participate, and employees can form teams of five or more people. The Employee Wellness Committee will award prizes to the "most spirited" teams. The 5k Wellness Day is sponsored by the BCPS Employee Wellness Committee, with the support of its partners First Financial Federal Credit Union, Brick Bodies, Cigna, and Kaiser Permanente. In addition to the 5k race, the event, which is free for BCPS employees and their families, will feature a Family Fun Walk; classes in fitness, nutrition, and financial wellness; health and wellness vendors; health assessments; a farmer's market; food trucks; a kid's zone and much more! For more information on the event, please visithttp://www.bcps.org/offices/sss/employee_wellness/5k_wellnessDay.html. This event will be held rain or shine.When: Saturday, Apr. 22, at 9 a.m.Where: Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., 21222Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328When: Saturday, Apr. 22, at 9 a.m.Where: CCBC Essex,7201 Rossville Blvd., 21237Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328What: Parents and children are invited to celebrate Autism Awareness Month by participating in Honestly Autism Day. Speakers will share knowledge, and participants can enjoy a resource fair, breakout sessions, a teen panel, and more. The event is sponsored by BCPS, the Partnership Project, Autism Society of Baltimore – Chesapeake, and the Department of Special Education at Towson University. When: Saturday, Apr. 22, at 10 a.m.Where: Radisson North Baltimore Hotel, 2004 Greenspring Dr., 21093 What: BCPS students entering Grades 7 – 10 next school year can earn valuable community service hours and get first-time job experience as a Summer Reading Club associate at their local branch of the Baltimore County Public Library. When: through Sunday, Apr. 23Where: Any branch of Baltimore County Public LibraryWhat: UMBC’s education department and Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture have been helping with Relay Elementary School students learn about environmental art and artists. The results of this effort will be presented in the “Natural Connections: Linking Art & Nature” exhibition. When: Opening reception: Monday, Apr. 24, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Exhibition: Monday, Apr. 24 – Thursday, May 11 Where: UMBC, Fine Arts Building, first floor Hall Gallery, 1000 Hilltop Cir., 21250 Contact: Lisa Dingle or Tricia Wilding, 410.887.1426What: The Northeast Area Education Advisory Council meets to provide information about initiatives affecting schools. Public comment and suggestions are welcomed. Registration is not required.When: Monday, Apr. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Where: Perry Hall High School, 4601 Ebenezer Rd., 21236What: The Special Education Resource Center offers free workshops for parents and caregivers to share strategies to use in supporting all students including those with special needs. This workshop will focus on behavior management at home. To register, please contact Lisa Diffenderfer at ldiffenderfer@bcps.org or 410-887-5443. The event is sponsored by the Special Education Resource Center at White Oak School and the BCPS Office of Special Education.When: Monday, Apr. 24, from 7 – 9 p.m. Where: White Oak School, 8401 Leefield Rd., 21234 What: Visitors board the Parentmobile to learn about BCPS' curriculum, at-home learning resources, the BCPS website, community resources, and resources to support families of students with special needs or limited English proficiency. Parents and guardians are invited to visit. No registration is required. When: Monday, Apr. 24, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Where: Riverview Elementary School, 3298 Kessler Rd., 21227 Contact: Mary Maddox, 410.887.1428What: The Southeast Area Education Advisory Council meets to provide information about initiatives affecting schools. Public comments are welcome. This meeting will focus on grading and reporting in BCPS. No registration is required.When: Monday, Apr. 24, at 7 p.m. Where: Deep Creek Middle School, 1000 Marlyn Ave., 21221 What: Visitors board the Parentmobile to learn about BCPS' curriculum, at-home learning resources, the BCPS website, community resources, and resources to support families of students with special needs or limited English proficiency. Parents and guardians are invited to visit. No registration is required. When: Tuesday, Apr. 25, from 5 – 7 p.m. Where: Pinewood Elementary School, 200 Rickswood Rd., 21093 Contact: Tricia Reuter, 410.887.7663What: Parents and caregivers are invited to participate in a free workshop to learn more about how to identify and respond to children and adolescents with symptoms that may indicate a mental health concern. The training is sponsored by BCPS Parent University, the BCPS Office of Health Services, and Baltimore County Family Navigator Services. To attend, please register with Karen Heinrich at kheinrich@bcps.org. When: Tuesdays, Apr. 25, and May 2, from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. Where: Cockeysville PAL Center, 9836 Greenside Dr., 21030 What: Pinewood Elementary will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. An afternoon schoolwide assembly will feature presentations by Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan, Senator Bobby Zirkin, and a representative from the County Executive’s office. There will be an introduction of past administrators, including the first principal and vice principal from 1967. Student winners of a schoolwide poetry contest will share their poems about Pinewood. Students and staff will pack a time capsule, filling it with contributions from every class. The assembly will conclude outside, with a dedication of The Pinewood Elementary 50th Anniversary Memorial Garden. An Open House will welcome all to share in the celebrations: Pinewood staff, students, parents, community members, alumni, friends, and “PJ” the Penguin, the school’s mascot. Music and a slide show in the school lobby will entertain visitors. Students will provide entertainment in the cafeteria. A 50-year school timeline will be posted in the hallways to commemorate and celebrate some past staff and students, and list world events through the course of Pinewood Elementary’s history. A “Through the Years Museum,” focusing on the sixties, will be on display featuring memorable artifacts from that era, and there will be a “Where Are They Now” gallery of former students. The BCPS Parentmobile also will be on campus. During the week leading up to the 50th Celebration Day, students and staff will be encouraged to dress in sixties fashions or the Pinewood anniversary T-shirt. Students also will have the opportunity to participate in a trivia contest relating to the timeline, with sixties-related prizes. When: Tuesday, Apr. 25 Schoolwide assembly: 2 – 3 p.m. Open house: 5 – 7 p.m. Contact: Tricia Reuter, 410.887.7663What: This free workshop will support parents in helping their children become responsible and ethical digital citizens with healthy online relationships. Included will be information about the kinds of online communities available to children. The workshop is sponsored by BCPS Parent University and Logan Elementary School.When: Tuesday, Apr. 25, at 6:30 p.m. Where: Logan Elementary School, 7601 Dunmanway, 21222 Contact: Stephen Bender, 410.887.7052What: McCormick Elementary School, in partnership with the Maryland Science Center, is hosting a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) Fair and Family Engineering Night. The free event will feature a student STEM fair, schoolwide art collaborations, door prizes, and activities such as a rocket launch, beat amplification, and fun with electricity. Families were asked to RSVP by Apr. 18.When: Tuesday, Apr. 25, from 6 – 8 p.m. Dinner served at 5:30 p.m. Where: McCormick Elementary School, 5101 Hazelwood Ave., 21206Contact: Ligeri Kourtesis, 410.887.0500What: A workshop on “Gender Identity: Supporting Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Students” is being hosted by the Dumbarton Middle School PTSA. The parent education night is free and registration is not required. When: Tuesday, Apr. 25, at 7 p.m. Where: Woodbrook Baptist Church, 25 Stevenson La., 21212 Contact: Susan Harris, 410.887.3176What: Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999. But that was only the beginning of the story. After her death, many of Rachel’s friends shared stories with her parents about the profound impact her simple acts of kindness had on their lives. One example involved Rachel helping prevent another student from taking his own life. Rachel’s parents quickly recognized the positive transformational impact Rachel had on others and in an effort to keep Rachel’s spirit and acts of kindness alive, her parents started a non-profit organization called Rachel's Challenge. Overlea High School invites the community for a presentation and discussion about Rachel’s Challenge. When: Tuesday, Apr. 25, at 6 p.m.Where: Overlea High School auditorium, 5401 Kenwood Ave., 21237Contact: Monica Sample, 410.887.5241What: The Special Education Resource Center offers free workshops for parents and caregivers to share strategies to use in supporting all students including those with special needs. This workshop is titled “What Will Happen to My Child When I’m Gone?” To register, please contact Lisa Diffenderfer at ldiffenderfer@bcps.org or 410-887-5443. The event is sponsored by the Special Education Resource Center at White Oak School and the BCPS Office of Special Education.When: Wednesday, Apr. 26, from 7 – 9 p.m. Where: White Oak School, 8401 Leefield Rd., 21234 What: Grade 3 students at Pot Spring Elementary School will be hosting a Living Wax Museum entitled… A Red Carpet Event!Grade 3 students will be dressed as historical figures and “frozen” in front of backdrops they designed. “Pretend” buttons will be in front of each student and when the guests (their parents and Grade 2 students) press the buttons, the students will unfreeze and perform speeches about their historical figures. When: Wednesday, Apr. 26, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Where: Pot Spring Elementary School, 2410 Springlake Dr., 21093Contact: Jane Martin, 410.887.7648What:WINGS (Women Instructing and Nurturing Girls in STEAM) and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students from Southwest Academy will tour Boston colleges, universities, and museums that focus on STEAM. They will visit MIT Edgerton STEM Center, Harvard University, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Berklee College of Music, and Yale University. At the MIT Edgerton STEM center, the girls will meet with Tiera Guinn, a 22-year-old MIT student with a 5.0 grade point average who is also an engineer with NASA. When: Wednesday, Apr. 26 – Friday, Apr. 28 Contacts: Karen Barnes, Valerie Hawkins (vhawkins@bcps.org), or Claudia Johnson (cjohnson2@bcps.org), 410.887.0825 What: The BCPS Office of Special Education is hosting a free workshop for parents whose children have IEPs and will receive a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion. The workshop will explain the process required to develop the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students with disabilities ages 14 and older. Please register for this event with Lisa Diffenderfer at ldiffendefer@bcps.org or 410.887.5443.When: Wednesday, Apr. 26, from 7 – 9 p.m. Where: BCPS headquarters, Greenwood Campus, Bldg. E, Rm.114, 6901 N. Charles St., 21204 What: Six schools in the southwest area of BCPS invite the public to a free workshop and guest speaker event entitled, “Powerful Families Involved in Nurturing Dreams” workshop. The six involved schools are Edmondson Heights, Featherbed Lane, Johnnycake, Winfield, and Woodmoor elementary schools, and Woodlawn Middle School. The guest speakers will be Cinnamon Brown Mack of Victorious Attitudes for Everyday Life, Inc. and Baltimore City Fire Chief Niles R. Ford, Ph.D. In her talk, Mack will discuss strategies to help children become engaged in school and especially in mathematics.When: Wednesday, Apr. 26, with dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m.Where: Edmondson Heights Elementary School, 1600 Langford Rd., 21207What:Grade 5 students from Chatsworth School will spend a day in Philadelphia and learn more about how the nation’s founders created the government’s structure. Students will visit Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Carpenter’s Hall, Franklin Court, and the Betsy Ross House. When: Thursday, Apr. 27 Contacts: Andrea Derrien or Alisha Isable, 410.887.1103What: Catonsville Elementary School Grade 4 students and 10 – 15 volunteers from the Maryland Department of the Environment, including the secretary of the department, will participate in a campus clean-up and will plant flowers. When: Thursday, Apr. 27, from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. (Rain date: May 4) Where: Catonsville Elementary School, 106 Bloomsbury Ave, 21228Contact: Linda Miller or Michelle Antlitz, 443.809.0800What: Baltimore County Student Councils is hosting a 5K/Walk to raise funds to support Finish Sarcoma, an organization that supports sarcoma (cancer) patients and their families, sarcoma research funding, and promotingsarcoma awareness. Dogs are welcome at the event. Registration is free for children under 6; $15 for students ages 6 – 17; and $25 for adults. (Online registration)When: Thursday, Apr. 27. On-site registration: 6 p.m. 5K/Walk start: 6:30 p.m. Where: Meadowood Regional Park, 10650 Falls Rd, 21093What: Parents of children in Preschool or Prekindergarten are invited to participate in a series of five workshops to learn how to support children who are learning to read. The workshops, taught by current or retired BCPS teachers, include hands-on learning activities. Parents are encouraged to bring their young children with them. The Read For Life series is sponsored by BCPS Parent University, TABCO, Baltimore County Public Library, and the Baltimore County PTA Council. To attend, please register with Rai Cary at rcary@bcps.org or 443.809.4496.When: Thursdays, Apr. 27, and May 4, 11, & 18, and June 1, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Where: Owings Mills branch of Baltimore County Public Library, County Campus, Metro Centre, 10302 Grand Central Ave., 21117 What: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts presents “I Bet Your Life,” a play full of hilarious situations, clever dialogue, intriguing romance, and surprise twists. In the play, soap opera writer Matthew Stoddard has written a screenplay about a terminally ill man who hires a hit man to kill him and then finds out he was misdiagnosed. Matt’s agent and best friend Greg thinks the plot is not feasible so Matt contacts a gangster and arranges for an incognito hit man to join them for a dinner party out in the country. The action accelerates as they try to find out who it is before the deadline. Will Greg make it out alive? This show is best suitable for ages 13 and up. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students/senior citizens and can be purchased at phscfa.booktix.com. For more information, call 410.887.7060 x269.When: Thursday – Saturday, Apr. 27, 28, and 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Apr. 29, at 2 p.m. Where: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts, Black Box Theater, 8100 Wise Ave., 21222Contact: Craig Reed, 410.887.7060 What: The Dance Magnet at Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts is proud to present its spring dance concert. This concert will feature master works for each class, as well as work choreographed by Patapsco students. Different shows will be presented each night as student works will be performed one night only. Tickets, being sold at the door, are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. When: Thursday, Apr. 27, and Friday, Apr. 28, at 7 p.m.Where: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., 21222Contact: Craig Reed, 410.887.7060 What: On one Saturday, Randallstown High School will be the site of two free events. The Spring Craft Xplosion, hosted by the school’s PTSA, will feature more than 40 vendors and include activities for children. The Safe Teen Driving Fair, coordinated by SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) will offer driving simulators, games, entertainment, food, music, and prizes. When: Saturday, Apr. 29, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Where: Randallstown High School, 4000 Offutt Rd., 21133Contact: Aubrey Brown, 410.887.0748What: A Baltimore County springtime tradition resumes with the annual BCPS Elementary Choral and Recorder Festival concert, which this year features the All-County Recorder Ensemble and the All-County Elementary Chorus. Students are selected for both the all-county choral and recorder ensembles through their schools. The event is free and open to the public.When: Saturday, Apr. 29, concert begins at 2 p.m.
Where: Perry Hall High School, 4601 Ebenezer Rd., 21236Contact: Office of Music and Dance, 443.809.4024What: Baltimore County Public Schools encourages the parents of students receiving special education services to participate in the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. The Maryland State Department of Education mailed copies of the survey to parents whose children receive special education services. The survey also can be taken online athttps://www.mdparentsurvey.com/. The survey is being conducted by MSDE’s Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. All parents or guardians of children ages 3 to 21 who are receiving special education and related services through BCPS are invited to participate. The purpose of the survey is to determine how well schools are partnering with parents and promoting parent involvement. Parent feedback will be used to help improve special education and related services. The survey is anonymous, takes about 5 minutes to complete online, and must be completed in one sitting. Deadline: May 1, 2017What: Registration for the Summer Music Camp is now open and will continue through Friday, May 12. This day camp is designed for BCPS students currently in Grades 5 through 12 who are enrolled in their school’s music programs. At camp, students will participate in a band, chorus, guitar, or orchestra at the appropriate grade level. In addition to large group rehearsals, students will participate in enrichment classes and receive instruction to enhance their music performance skills. All of the musical ensembles will perform at a public concert in the outdoor amphitheater at Oregon Ridge Park on the evening on Thursday, June 29. All BCPS students currently enrolled in their school’s band, chorus, guitar, or orchestra are invited to participate. The fee for this unique summer musical experience is $200. Transportation to and from Perry Hall High School will be provided at no additional charge to students who do not reside in the host school community. For more information or a registration form, contact a BCPS music teacher in Grades 5 through 12, or visit the Office of Music and Dance Education’s Web page at http://www.bcps.org/offices/elem_music/default.html. Registration deadline: Friday, May 12Contact: Shane Jensen, 443.809.4024What: The book, Building the Futuretakes readers on a 276-page journey showcasing the history of Baltimore County Public Schools in a way that has never been done before. Through a compilation of stories, photos, and testimonials, the full-color commemorative book describes the school system’s growth—and occasional growing pains—and how Baltimore County Public Schools ultimately rose from humble beginnings in 1732, to a school system renowned for both its stability and innovation. Proceeds from the book benefit The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools. For information about purchasing the book, please contact Deborah Phelps at dphelps@bcps.org
or Bonnie Derda at bderda@bcps.org. Both can be reached at 443.809.8962.What: For the past 29 years, the Baltimore Museum of Art has hosted an annual countywide student exhibition, Art is for Everyone, presenting the artwork of BCPS students from PreK through Grade 12. The breadth of the county schools' art program is highlighted by a variety of two-and-three-dimensional artworks, including sculpture, photography, drawing, painting, and digital art. Students, parents, and teachers are invited to this reception celebrating the creativity of Baltimore County school students.When: Sunday, Apr. 30, from 1 – 4 p.m. Where: Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr., 21218Contact: Sherri Fisher, 443.809.4030What: The PTA Council of Baltimore County will present its annual awards. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.When: Thursday, Apr. 30, at 2 p.m. Where: Cockeysville Middle School, 10401 Greenside Dr., 21030 What: BCPS Parent University and the Office of Digital Safety and Innovation will host a special evening presentation of “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age.” The critically acclaimed documentary examines issues surrounding the amount and kind of screen time experienced by young people on their digital devices and helps parents both understand and address those issues. Screenings are free and open to all BCPS parents, students, and staff.When: Tuesday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. Where: Three locations:

• Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave., 21228
• Dundalk/Sollers Point Technical high schools, 1901 Delvale Ave., 21222
• Towson High School, 69 Cedar Ave., 21286

What: Padonia International Elementary School Principal Melissa DiDonato will be joined by BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz for a ceremonial ground-breaking tocelebrate the start of construction for a new eight-classroom addition and other school renovations. In addition to the new classrooms, the project also calls for improvements to the school’s gymnasium and cafeteria, additional parking and student drop-off areas, and other upgrades. When: Monday, April 24, 2017, at 10 a.m. Where: Padonia International Elementary School 9834 Greenside Drive Cockeysville 21030

TOWSON, MD. – Just in time for Earth Day, the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) has named three Baltimore County public schools as 2017 Maryland Green Schools and has recertified seven other BCPS schools as Maryland Green Schools. Schools are selected as Maryland Green Schools after demonstrating a continuous effort to integrate sustainable environmental practices, environmental education curriculum, professional development, and community engagement into the culture of the school. Being named Maryland Green Schools signifies that these schools have made a commitment to developing stewards of the earth and reducing environmental impact. Maryland Green Schools apply for recertification every four years by demonstrating that they are continuing to integrate and reinforce the environmental practices and education. The new BCPS Maryland Green Schools for 2017 are:

• Battle Monument School
• Lyons Mill Elementary School
• Randallstown Elementary School

The BCPS schools receiving their first recertifications are:

• Sparrows Point High School
• West Towson Elementary School

Those receiving their second recertifications are:

• Cromwell Valley Elementary School
• Pinewood Elementary School
• Stoneleigh Elementary School
• Timonium Elementary School
• Windsor Mill Middle School

The Maryland Green Schools Program is a nationally recognized program begun in 1999. Today there are over 582 Green Schools certified in Maryland, including more than 25% of all Maryland schools. “The Maryland Green Schools program provides a framework for creating sustainable environmental structures at school, home and in the community. The Maryland Green Schools program has encouraged children to become stewards of Maryland’s environmental resources,” says Laura Johnson Collard, MAEOE executive director. “Students are involved in projects that save energy and reduce waste. We encourage teachers to use the outdoors as an extension of the classroom.” The BCPS newly named and newly recertified schools will participate in the Maryland Green Schools Youth Summit on Thursday, May 18, at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. The event is also open to schools that are interested in knowing more about the program. More information is available at the MAEOE website.

What: Baltimore County Public Schools will announce its 2017 – 2018 Teacher of the Year and Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year during a celebration of educational excellence. When: Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. Where: George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology 938 York Road, 21204 Background: The finalists are: Teacher of the Year

• Rebecca M. Eig, a Grade 2 teacher at Owings Mills Elementary School
• David J. Kreller, coordinator of the school-to-career transition program at Pikesville High School
• Megan N. Stewart, a Grade 3 teacher at Mays Chapel Elementary School
• Shannon M. Strazzire, an Advanced Placement language teacher at Perry Hall High School
• Rebecca A. Talbott, an English and career and technology education teacher at Eastern Technical High School

Elementary Principal of the Year

• Cheryl Brooks, Berkshire Elementary School
• Melissa DiDonato, Padonia International Elementary School
• Tracy Robinson, Glyndon Elementary School

Secondary Principal of the Year

• Aubrey Brown, Randallstown High School
• Kyria Joseph, Milford Mill Academy
• Michael Weglein, Sollers Point Technical High School

The ceremony will feature student performances and remarks from 2016 – 2017 Baltimore County Teacher of the Year Corey Carter (Northwest Academy of Health Sciences), Elementary Principal of the Year Missy Fanshaw (Rodgers Forge Elementary School), and Secondary Principal of the Year Sandra Reid (Pikesville High School).

What: Parents, students, and staff are invited to attend a free showing of the critically-acclaimed documentary “Screenagers – Growing Up in the Digital Age” at one of three locations around the county. The film examines the amount of time young people spend on their digital devices and what they are doing on the devices. The film also looks at topics including social media, video games, academics, and internet addiction. The screenings are hosted by Baltimore County Public Schools’ Parent University and the Office of Digital Safety and Innovation. More information about the film can be found at https://www.screenagersmovie.com/. When: Tuesday, May 2, 2017, starting at 6:30 p.m.Where: The movie will be shown at three locations:

• Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville 21228
• Dundalk/Sollers Point Technical High Schools, 1901 Delvale Ave., Dundalk 21222
• Towson High School, 69 Cedar Ave., Towson 21286