What: Baltimore County Public Schools high school students who developed the name for the school system’s new instructional digital conversion will hold a video news conference to announce the name and unveil the logo.
When: 2 p.m., Friday, January 10, 2014 Where: BCPS-TV studios
938 York Road
Towson 21204Background: Superintendent Dallas Dance announced at last spring’s State of the Schools event that
Baltimore County Public Schools would undergo a multi-year instructional digital conversion – a fundamental shift in teaching and learning leading to the distribution of digital learning devices to every student and standards to ensure that each classroom has a 21st century technology environment.
The first 10 schools to be converted – Lighthouse schools – have just been announced. They are: Chase, Church Lane, Edmondson Heights, Fort Garrison, Halstead, Hawthorne, Joppa View, Lansdowne, and Rodgers Forge elementary schools as well as the new school being built in the Mays Chapel area.
The Lighthouse Schools Kickoff Celebration will take place at noon on January 21, 2014, at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology.
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Students to announce name, unveil logo for BCPS instructional digital conversion
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Final committee meeting set to review, select boundary recommendation for new school
What: The final meeting of the committee charged with recommending an attendance boundary line for the new elementary school under construction in Mays Chapel will take place on Monday, January 6, 2014. At the meeting, the committee is expected to review the results of a public survey, select a scenario to be recommended to the Board of Education of Baltimore County, and critique the process used to select a boundary line scenario. When: 6 – 7:30 p.m., Monday, January 6, 2014
(Snow date: 6 – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2014)
Where: Cockeysville Middle School cafeteria
10401 Greenside Drive
Cockeysville, MD 21030
(Snow date location: Dulaney High School cafeteria, 255 Padonia Road, Timonium 21093)Background: Last fall, a committee of parents, community members, school officials and representatives of affected schools reviewed a variety of boundary options aimed at providing enrollment relief for other north-central elementary schools through the opening of the new elementary school at Mays Chapel and resulting adjustments to boundary lines of other schools. The process for drawing boundary lines for new schools is contained in Board of Education Policy and Rule 1280 and specifies examples of criteria for determining new boundary lines. The new elementary school under construction in Mays Chapel is scheduled to open to students in August 2014.
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Maryland’s College Savings Plans to host parent information meetings at 8 BCPS schools: Meetings to educate parents about saving for children’s education
What: The College Savings Plans of Maryland program has scheduled “Parent Information Night” meetings through March at eight of Baltimore County’s middle schools. The meetings are open to all Baltimore County parents who are considering a college education for their children.
When & Where: All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. on the dates and at the locations listed below.
Tuesday, January
- Franklin Middle School, 10 Cockeysmill Road, Reisterstown 21136
- Sparrows Point Middle School, 7400 North Point Road, Edgemere 21219
- Loch Raven Technical Academy, 8101 LaSalle Road, Towson 21286
- Middle River Middle School, 800 Middle River Road, Middle River 21220
- Catonsville Middle School, 2301 Edmondson Avenue, Catonsville 21228
- Pine Grove Middle School, 9200 Old Harford Road, Parkville 21234
- Windsor Mill Middle School, 8300 Windsor Mill Road, Randallstown 21244
- Hereford Middle School, 712 Corbett Road, Monkton 21111
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Berkshire Elementary School closed today
TOWSON, MD. – Due to no power, Berkshire Elementary School will be closed today, Tuesday, January 7, 2014. All other Baltimore County Public Schools are operating on a two-hour delay.
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Are you on the Team? : Show it during the January 15 launch of new campaign
TOWSON, MD. – With the Ravens retired for the season and the Orioles little more than a distant, warm-weather dream, now is the time to focus on another local team with an impressive legacy and undeniable promise for greater success.
For more than a year, Baltimore County Public Schools teachers, staff, students, parents and supporters have been working to build Team BCPS – a coalition committed to providing high-quality education for every child.
On January 15, the school system will launch “We Are Team BCPS,” a new campaign to celebrate and expand this coalition.
To kick off the campaign, current, former and future students, teachers, staff, volunteers, partners and supporters of the school system are encouraged to wear blue – “BCPS blue” – to show their pride in being part of the Team.
“Our campaign is designed to build pride and encourage engagement by drawing attention to the high quality and enduring influence of a Baltimore County Public Schools education,” said Dr. Dance. “We want to start by showcasing the depth and breadth of our school system’s impact on the lives of those in Baltimore County and beyond.”
The “We Are Team BCPS” campaign will continue to unfold throughout the year and will include a variety of components and activities, including signs, public service announcements and a new “Get Involved” Web page.
The community is invited to participate in the campaign launch in several ways:
Team BCPS Day – January 15
To mark the occasion, the school system welcomes photographs and videos of Team members displaying their "BCPS blue" pride. Submissions can be sent to BCPS via Twitter (@BaltCoPS, #BCPSblue) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BaltCoPS). "We think folks might be surprised to discover how many of their colleagues are graduates of our schools, parents of BCPS students, or community volunteers," said Dance.
The best images and videos received on January 15 will be featured on the BCPS website (www.bcps.org) and Facebook page. BCPS will highlight the best images in the following categories:
- Youngest (age included)
- Oldest (age included)
- Farthest away from Baltimore County (location included)
- Most creative
- Most spirited
- Most representative of Team BCPS ideals
- Best external stakeholder/community submission
- Largest assembly (count included)
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Board of Education of Baltimore County to Meet on Tuesday, January 14
TOWSON, MD. - The Board of Education of Baltimore County will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. The Building and Contracts Committee of the Board will meet at 5 p.m. The full Board will convene an open session at approximately 5:15 p.m. to discuss upcoming school board association events, school system and community meetings and items of interest to Board members. The Board will move then into closed session. The Board will resume its open session at approximately 7 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.
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BCPS News Tips: January 11 – 18, 2014: Activities, events and news from Baltimore County Public Schools
Monday, January 13
Dumbarton Middle School rings in the new year with winter concerts
What: Dumbarton Middle School will host the second of three winter musical concerts with Grade 7 musicians and singers performing a selection of music for band, orchestra, and chorus. The concerts by Grade 6 students will follow on Wednesday, January 15.When: Both concerts will be at 7 p.m.Where: Dumbarton Middle School, 300 Dumbarton Rd., Towson 21212Contact: Susan Harris, 410.887.3176Tuesday, January 14
Milbrook Elementary School hosts Winter Concert
What: Milbrook Elementary School will host its annual Winter Concert beginning with Grade 1 and Grade 2 chorus performances, followed by musical selections starring the Grade 5 band, orchestra and chorus.When: 6 p.m. for Grade 1 chorus performance, 6:30 p.m. for Grade 2 chorus performance, and 7 p.m. for Grade 5 singers and musicians, all on Tuesday, January 14Where: Milbrook Elementary School, 4300 Crest Heights Rd., Pikesville 21215 Contact: Donald Setzer, 410.887.1225 Wednesday, January 15
It’s “Team BCPS Day” in Baltimore County
What: Calling all members of Team BCPS – current, former and future students, educators, staff, parents and supporters of the school system! Today marks the kickoff of the “We Are Team BCPS” campaign to build pride and encourage engagement in the school system and its work. The school system encourages all Team BCPS members to wear “BCPS blue” today to show pride and support for the school system and to send photographs and videos of Team members displaying their “BCPS blue” pride. Submissions can be sent to BCPS via Twitter (@BaltCoPS, #BCPSblue) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BaltCoPS). The best images and videos received on January 15 will be featured on the BCPS website (www.bcps.org). (Please note that on this day every shade of blue is BCPS blue!) When: All day, Wednesday, January 15Where: Everywhere Team BCPS members areContact: Diana Spencer, 410.887.4273Sparrows Point Middle School to host College Savings Plans parent information night
What: Sparrows Point Middle School will host a parent information meeting presented by the College Savings Plans of Maryland, which allow parents to save for college through a variety of affordable and flexible programs. When: 7 p.m., Wednesday, January 15 Where: Sparrows Point Middle School, 7400 North Point Rd., Edgemere 21219Contact: Francesca Nelson, 443.769.1034 or www.collegesavingsmd.orgFriday, January 17
Pikesville Middle School to host STEM Challenge
What: As part of the Gateway to Technology program at Pikesville Middle School, students throughout the school will participate in a special STEM Challenge activity, the second since 2012. Working in teams, students will collaborate to create machines designed to kick a ping-pong ball into a cup. In the past, students have collaborated on challenges to create a spaghetti tower or paper table. When: 8 – 10 a.m., Friday, January 17
Where: Pikesville Middle School, 7701 Seven Mile La., Pikesville 21208Contact: Shannon Marsh or Amanda Doran, 410.887.1207
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Volunteer orientation now available online: Mandatory session now more easily accessible
TOWSON, MD. – The brief orientation that individuals must complete to become Baltimore County Public Schools volunteers is now available online at http://bit.ly/1hC7J1w.
Each year, more than 20,000 parents and family and community members volunteer their knowledge, skills and time to BCPS. They contribute to students’ academic progress in a number of ways, from assisting in cafeterias and libraries to accompanying students on field trips and organizing special events and projects.
To ensure the safety of BCPS students, parents and others interesting in volunteering in county schools must complete an annual application process and participate in a brief orientation. This orientation covers topics such as volunteer expectations and guidelines, school safety and security and important information regarding BCPS policies and procedures.
While most schools hold in-person orientations near the beginning of each school year, the new online training makes the sessions available year-round and at a potential volunteer’s convenience. At the end of the online orientation, certificates can be printed to document completion.
This online school volunteer training was developed through a partnership between the BCPS Office of Family and Community Engagement and SafeSchools.com.
For more information about the BCPS volunteer program, please www.bcps.org/community/volunteer_info.
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BCPS students want their learning S.T.A.T.: Systemwide instructional digital conversion gets new name
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BCPS and Baltimore County have gone blue! Will you? : Join in the January 15 launch of new campaign
TOWSON, MD. – This week, both the administration building of Baltimore County Public Schools and the dome of the Historic County Courthouse will be bathed in blue lights to signal the launch on Wednesday of “We Are Team BCPS,” a campaign designed to celebrate and expand the coalition of teachers, staff, students, parents and supporters committed to providing high-quality education for every child. The blue lighting will remain through Wednesday night.
To kick off the campaign, current, former and future students, teachers, staff, volunteers, partners and supporters of the school system are encouraged to wear blue on January 15 to show their pride in being part of the Team.
The “We Are Team BCPS” campaign will continue to unfold throughout the year and will include a variety of components and activities, including signs, public service announcements and a new Team BCPS Web page focused on how Team members can be involved.
The community is invited to participate in the campaign launch in several ways:
Team BCPS Day – January 15
To mark the occasion, the school system welcomes photographs and videos of Team members displaying their "BCPS blue" pride. Submissions can be sent to BCPS via Twitter (@BaltCoPS, #BCPSblue) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BaltCoPS).
The best images and videos received on January 15 will be featured on the BCPS website (www.bcps.org) and Facebook page. BCPS will highlight the best images in the following categories:
- Youngest (age included)
- Oldest (age included)
- Farthest away from Baltimore County (location included)
- Most creative
- Most spirited
- Most representative of Team BCPS ideals
- Best external stakeholder/community submission
- Largest assembly (count included)
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Education Leaders Back Effort To Increase School Construction Funding:
ANNAPOLIS, MD – School District Leaders in Baltimore, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties released the following joint statement in support of the efforts of their county executives and legislative delegations to increase school construction funding in their respective jurisdictions:
“All children deserve modern, safe and efficient school buildings in which to learn. Unfortunately, too many of our students attend school in cramped, outdated buildings and portable classrooms that don’t support a 21st century education. Today, the chief executives of Maryland’s three largest counties are launching an unprecedented joint effort to work with the Maryland General Assembly and the Governor to give our students school facilities befitting a state with a national reputation for educational excellence.
“Together, our counties educate nearly half of the students in the state and half of the students impacted by poverty. An investment in the children of these three school districts is an investment in the future of Maryland.
“Increasing the state investment in school construction will allow our communities the ability to leverage state and local dollars to immediately begin addressing pressing needs in each of our districts. We look forward to working with our respective delegations, Governor O’Malley, Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker Mike Busch to make this plan a reality this year.”
This statement was issued by:
- Lawrence Schmidt, President, Baltimore County Board of Education
- S. Dallas Dance, Superintendent, Baltimore County Public Schools
- Phil Kauffman, President, Montgomery County Board of Education
- Joshua P. Starr, Superintendent, Montgomery County Public Schools
- Segun Eubanks, Chair, Prince George’s County Board of Education
- Kevin Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer, Prince George’s County Public Schools
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Rising enrollment, student achievement among priorities in BCPS budget proposal : $1.38 billion request calls for 89.5 new positions
TOWSON, MD. – Addressing both a growing enrollment and the importance of a 21st century learning environment in every classroom, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Dallas Dance presented an operating budget proposal Tuesday that makes increasing academic rigor, reducing achievement gaps, and investing in technology the funding priorities for fiscal year 2015.
Delivering his second budget to the Board of Education, Dance presented a $1.38 billion budget recommendation that represents an increase of $72.4 million (5.5 percent) over the FY 2014 adopted budget. The budget proposal incorporates more than $10.7 million in savings realized mainly through staff attrition and program efficiencies.
“Baltimore County’s schools have been served well for much of the past decade by our funding authorities,” Dance said, “but as we plan for more than 5,000 new students projected for the next decade, and as we resolve to provide for them a truly 21st century learning environment, the time has come to be bold. The time has come to invest in our children once again.”
Much of the budget increase comes from the continued anticipated growth in student enrollment. Dance noted that the school system – the nation’s 26th largest and third largest in Maryland – has grown 4.6 percent since 2008. Since the 2002-2003 school year, the number of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals has risen by nearly 60 percent and the number of homeless students has risen by more than 222 percent.
To accommodate the district’s growth, the budget proposal requests 89.5 new school-based positions to address enrollment growth, 15 additional staff to support homeless and special education transportation, and four more school counselors. The budget also requests staffing for the new Mays Chapel Elementary School, set to open in August, and start-up costs for a new planned elementary school in the county’s northwest area.
Also, because of the funding requirements of the third year of state pension costs, BCPS is asking for funding that exceeds the state Maintenance of Effort for the first time since the FY 2010 budget.
While Dr. Dance discussed many of the system’s advances in recent years, he told Board members that student achievement has been gained only in increments and that achievement gaps persist. To target student achievement, the budget calls for $6.8 million in additional funding, much of which will pay for a $1 million expansion of pre-kindergarten programs and for $1 million in accelerated mathematics programming for students.
“While this is a creative and forward-looking budget request, it is one that I believe is focused on our core values,” Dance said. “As we move forward under Blueprint 2.0, we do so knowing that our resources will be devoted to instruction and the pursuit of excellence for every child in every classroom. Our budget reflects that charge.”
Much of the budget’s recommended increase stems from $22 million in increases to employee health and retirement benefits and $14.1 million for salary increments – with other items more than $42.3 million in built-in costs. The system will devote $24.2 million to salary adjustments for prospective bargaining unit adjustments.
Also under the category of planning for the future, the budget request allocates $4 million for completion of wireless capabilities in all classrooms. The budget also calls for $3.2 million in additional school safety and security improvements and $2.1 million to begin implementing the system’s instructional digital conversion.
This year, nearly 85 percent of the requested budget will go for salaries, wages, and benefits -- $1.17 billion of the total $1.38 billion recommendation.
Following Tuesday’s presentation to the Board, the proposed FY 2015 budget for BCPS will be the topic of a Board public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, at 7 p.m. at West Towson Elementary School, 6914 Charles Street, Towson 21204. The snow date will be Wednesday, January 22, also at 7 p.m. at West Towson.
The Board is expected to take action on the budget proposal at its February 11 meeting date; it will go before the county executive for his review by March 1.
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BCPS Teacher of the Year Sean McComb named National Teacher of the Year finalist: Patapsco High School educator 1 of 4 in running for honor
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Public hearing scheduled for BCPS operating budget
What: The Baltimore County Board of Education will hold a public hearing to seek the community’s input concerning the proposed fiscal year 2015 operating budget. The Board is expected to approve the operating budget request on February 11, 2014.
When: Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at 7 p.m. Sign-up for those members of the public wishing to speak begins at 6 p.m. at West Towson Elementary School on the day of the hearing. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes and is welcome to bring a written copy of any remarks or to provide any remarks to the Board by email at board@bcps.org.Where: West Towson Elementary School, 6914 N. Charles Street, in Towson.
(From the Beltway (I-695), take exit 25 (Charles Street) south approximately one mile to the school entrance on the right.)
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BCPS News Tips: January 18 – 25, 2014: Activities, events and news from Baltimore County Public Schools
Tuesday, January 21
Perry Hall High School to host “unconference” called “EdCamp 3p”
What: Sponsored by the faculties of Patapsco, Perry Hall, and Pikesville high schools, Perry Hall High School will sponsor an “unconference” called “EdCamp 3p,” in which participants propose the conference’s topics based on their own interests. Being held for the second year, the event is billed as a way for educators to engage in meaningful conversation and idea-sharing on issues facing public education in the school house. For more information, visit http://www.edcampbmore.org/what-is-an-unconference.html. When: 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 21Where: Perry Hall High School, 4601 Ebenezer Rd., Perry Hall 21236Contact: Sean McComb at 410.887.7060, Maggie Toolin at 410.887.5108, or Alison Becker at 410.887.1217BCPS celebrates groundbreaking Lighthouse Schools at pilot program kickoff
What: The BCPS Lighthouse Schools kickoff formally launches the first 10 elementary schools to take part in S.T.A.T. (Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow), the school system’s move toward 1:1 systemwide digital learning. The celebration will include remarks from Superintendent Dallas Dance, BCPS Digital Learning Executive Director Ryan Imbriale, and Hall Davidson of Discovery Education.
When: 12 noon, Tuesday, January 21Where: George Washington Carver Center for Art and Technology, 938 York Rd., Towson 21204Contact: Mychael Dickerson, 410.887.5908Board of Education to host public hearing on FY 2015 BCPS operating budget
What: The Board of Education of Baltimore County will hold a public hearing to seek the community’s input concerning the proposed fiscal year 2015 operating budget for the school system. The Board is expected to approve the budget request on February 11, 2014.
When: 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 21. Sign-up for those who wish to speak begins at 6 p.m. at the school. Where: West Towson Elementary School, 6914 N. Charles St., Towson 21204Contact: Debi Decker, 410.887.4126Loch Raven Technical Academy to host College Savings Plans parent information night
What: Loch Raven Technical Academy will host a parent information meeting presented by the College Savings Plans of Maryland, which allow parents to save for college through a variety of affordable and flexible programs. When: 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 21 Where: Loch Raven Technical Academy, 8101 LaSalle Rd., Towson 21286Contact: Francesca Nelson, 443.769.1034 or www.collegesavingsmd.orgThursday, January 23
Chatsworth School hosts Winter Concert
What: Chatsworth School will host its annual Winter Concert, which will include performances from the Chatsworth Chorus, Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. When: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursday, January 23 (Snow date: Thursday, January 30)Where: Chatsworth School, 222 New Ave., Reisterstown 21136Contact: Janice Orsburn or Shari Schucht, 410.887.1103International Thespian Society at Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts to perform one-act performance
What: The International Thespian Society at Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts will select and perform a one-act play to be presented at the Maryland Thespian Festival this month. Admission is free.When: 7 p.m., Thursday, January 23Where: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., Dundalk 21222Contact: Liberty Grayek, 410.887.7060, ext. 256
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2013-2014 All-County Honors Dance Ensemble named for BCPS: 29 students selected from six schools
TOWSON, MD. – Twenty-nine dancers from six high schools have been selected as members of the All-County Honors Dance Ensemble for the 2013-2014 school year. These students were chosen through a highly competitive process that culminated in auditions held on January 10.
Now in its eighth year, the ensemble has grown in size and in caliber based on the development of the individual dance programs at the school level. The ensemble is administered by the Office of Music and Dance Education and is directed by Stephanie Powell, a George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology faculty member.
The ensemble members for this school year are:
- Ajia Adams, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
- Kevin Addison, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Anthony Bailey, Milford Mill Academy
- Alyssa Baker, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Madison Bonaparte, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
- Ginny Bush, Dulaney High School
- Rachel Byers, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Grace Collins, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Aaliyah Costley, Lansdowne High School
- Ryan Dunston, Lansdowne High School
- Ashley Gross, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Sarah Grumbine, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
- Olivia Herbkersman, Hereford High School
- Chelsey Hill, Milford Mill Academy
- Khyrah Hill, Lansdowne High School
- Tiffany Jacobs, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Morgan James, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Amarachi Korie, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Grace Landefeld, Dulaney High School
- Erika Malkus, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Kayla Pitt, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
- Jalen Rose, Milford Mill Academy
- Rachel Sacchetti, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
- Raven Sampson, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Clare Savage, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Kelly Strucko, Hereford High School
- Taylor Wenzl, Dulaney High School
- Michael West, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Antonio Wright, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
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Baltimore County Public Schools to kick off Lighthouse Schools pilot program: 10 elementary schools to launch 1:1 digital learning conversion
What: Baltimore County Public Schools will celebrate the launch of its Lighthouse Schools pilot program, part of S.T.A.T. (Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow), the school system’s 1:1 conversion to digital learning. The event will recognize the 10 elementary schools that will pilot the move to digital instruction. Speakers will include Board of Education President Lawrence Schmidt, Superintendent Dallas Dance, and Orrester Shaw, special assistant for education and health and human services for County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. The keynote speaker will be Hall Davidson of Discovery Education.
When: 12 noon, Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Where: George Washington Carver Center for Art and Technology
938 York Road
Towson 21204Background: Superintendent Dallas Dance announced at last spring’s State of the Schools event that
Baltimore County Public Schools would undergo a multi-year instructional digital conversion – a fundamental shift in teaching and learning leading to the distribution of digital learning devices to every student and standards to ensure that each classroom has a 21st century technology environment.
The first 10 Lighthouse Schools to be converted are Chase, Church Lane, Edmondson Heights, Fort Garrison, Halstead, Hawthorne, Joppa View, Lansdowne, Mays Chapel, and Rodgers Forge elementary schools.
Hall Davidson of Discovery Education has worked everywhere from think tanks in Turkey to classrooms in Tennessee and has collaborated with leaders including teachers, superintendents, and consortiums from around the world. A former bilingual math and language arts teacher, he has been part of an Emmy-winning team creating math programs. For 30 years, he was an educational innovator in broadcasting and technology.
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“We Are Team BCPS” Day produces plethora of award-winning photos, videos : More than 200 images – and counting – received
TOWSON, MD. – BCPS students, educators, alumni, parents, and supporters painted the county – and sometimes themselves – blue on Wednesday to show their enthusiasm and commitment for Baltimore County’s public schools and students and to encourage even greater community engagement.
They dressed in blue. They wore blue masks or face paint. They baked blue cakes. They illuminated buildings in blue light. They cheered and sang and danced and celebrated their support for Team BCPS, all for the school system’s first “We Are Team BCPS” Day event.
And they took pictures to commemorate the day. Lots of pictures.
Norwood and West Towson elementaries held school-wide rallies and took pictures. Office personnel arranged themselves into the shapes of the Team BCPS logo or donned BCPS blue masks and “No. 1” foam fingers. The chiefs of Baltimore County’s police, fire and health departments came together with Superintendent Dallas Dance to show their true blue support of schools. And school partners like famed surgeon Dr. Ben Carson and his wife, Candy, sent in blue-bedecked snapshots of their support.
“Everywhere I went, I saw students, teachers, staff and parents who were enthusiastic about their schools and dressed proudly in blue,” said Dr. Dance. “The message of the day for me came through loud and clear -- that all of us have a role to play in making Baltimore County schools the best in the nation, and that we are excited about that work. We are all Team BCPS.”
While Wednesday’s show of support marked the kickoff to the “We Are Team BCPS” campaign, the initiative will continue, including invitations for members of Team BCPS to share their stories about how BCPS has impacted their lives and for alumni to share their accomplishments and biographies. For more information about the campaign, visit http://www.bcps.org/teambcps/.
On Wednesday, more than 200 images and videos poured into the campaign demonstrating the community’s “BCPS Blue” spirit. Many of the images appeared on the BCPS website, Facebook page, and Twitter feeds, and the day’s best images are highlighted below in the following categories:
- Best Office Spirit– The BCPS Office of Budget and Reporting
- Largest Assembly– (tie) Norwood Elementary School and West Towson Elementary School
- Best School Video– Windsor Mill Middle School (Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxvbE0s0WNE.)
- Best Educational Photo (for creating a color scale) – Winand Elementary School
- Overwhelmingly Adorable Photo– Halstead Academy
- Most Creative Photo– BCPS Office of Project Management and Web Services
- Longevity Award– Gary Brager, BCPS Department of Research, Accountability and Assessment
- Most “True to the Blue”– Scott Olson, psychology and government teacher, Towson High School
- Best Use of Extremities– Woodbridge Elementary School
- Best Superpower (teaching)– Padonia International School
- Oldest Team BCPS Member– Bertha McManus, almost age 91, Halethorpe Elementary School
- The “Where’s Dr. Dance Now?” Award– BCPS Office of Human Resources
- Most Inspirational Message– Golden Ring Middle School, which depicted students “climb(ing) the steps to success with Team BCPS”
- Best Collaboration Between Schools Award– Dundalk and Kenwood high school basketball teams
- Sharing the Spirit Award – Corporate– GWWO Inc./Architects
- Sharing the Spirit Award – Nonprofit– Ben and Candy Carson/Carson Scholars Fund
- Sharing the Spirit Award – Government– (tie) Baltimore County Executive’s Office and Baltimore County Police, Fire, and Health departments
- Sharing the Spirit Award – Higher Education – Community College of Baltimore County
- Continuing the Legacy Award– Nicole Fields, a teacher at Norwood Elementary School
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New episode of “BCPS News” to air on BCPS-TV: “We Are Team BCPS” campaign, proposed operating budget among show features
TOWSON, MD. – A new episode of “BCPS News” will air on Comcast Cable Channel 73 and Verizon FiOS Channel 34 in Baltimore County beginning Monday, January 20, to Sunday, February 2. Hosted by Mary Beth Marsden, a local Emmy Award®-winning broadcaster, the program highlights progress and achievement in Baltimore County Public Schools.
In addition to a feature on how BCPS transportation handles winter weather with guest Jim Mitcherling of the BCPS Office of Transportation, the 15-minute episode includes stories about:
- The unveiling of a new student-created name for the BCPS instructional digital conversion – S.T.A.T., which stands for Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow.
- The kickoff on January 15 of the “We Are Team BCPS” campaign, designed to demonstrate and create support and engagement among students, alumni, parents, teachers, and the community for BCPS.
- A disability awareness presentation by members of the Maryland Ravens wheelchair basketball team to students at Seventh District Elementary School.
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Mikulski To Announce Federal Funding For School Safety Included In Consolidated Appropriations Act
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