TOWSON, MD. - The Board of Education of Baltimore County will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2014.
The Building and Contracts Committee of the Board will meet at 4 p.m. The full Board will then 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 then move into closed session. The Board will resume its open session at about 7 p.m.
Stakeholder group representatives and members of the public who wish to address the Board are asked to sign up between 5:30 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. outside of the Board’s meeting room.
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 website (www.bcps.org).
The meeting(s) will be held in Building E, Room 114, on the Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles Street, Towson. The public is welcome to attend and observe all of the Board’s open sessions.
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Board of Education of Baltimore County to Meet on Tuesday, June 10, 2014
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BCPS News Tips: June 7 – 14, 2014: Activities, events and news from Baltimore County Public Schools
Saturday, June 7
Take in an O's game, help Baltimore County's schools
What: It's Baltimore County Night at Oriole Park at Camden Yard as the Birds take on the Oakland Athletics! A portion of each left field lower box seat or upper reserve seat ticket price will be donated to the Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools. When: 7:15 p.m., Saturday, June 7 Where: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St., Baltimore 21201Contact: Ticket Services Team, 1.888.848.BIRD (2473)Monday, June 9
General John Stricker Middle School students pitch in to clean up Bear Creek
What: Grade 6 science classes will spend their science periods cleaning up nearby Bear Creek as part of grant program from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and a partnership with the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation. The clean-up project also will be reported to the Clean Green 15 initiative, sponsored by Baltimore County government and BCPS. When: During class science periods throughout the school day, Monday, June 9 Where: General John Stricker Middle School, 7855 Trappe Rd., Dundalk 21222Contact: Michelle Russell or Kathleen Owens, 410.887.7038Elementary World Languages reception honors 10 schools chosen to pilot second language program
What: BCPS Superintendent S. Dallas Dance and members of the Board of Education of Baltimore County will host a reception to honor the 10 elementary schools chosen to participate in the school system's Elementary World Languages Program next school year. The event will include the presentation of banners to each of the 10 schools and a demonstration of instruction to be used in the program. When: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 9
Where: Cockeysville Middle School, 10401 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21030Contact: Mychael Dickerson, 410.887.5908Tuesday, June 10
BCPS kicks off summer reading program with book distribution at Logan Elementary School
What: To help students continue reading over the summer vacation, BCPS and Scholastic Books will begin to distribute five-book packs to 27,000 PreK – Grade 8 students at 48 Title I schools across the county. The campaign will start with a distribution event and parent information night at Logan Elementary School in Dundalk. The "My Books" program event will include a guest reader and short presentation.When: 6 – 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 10
Where: Logan Elementary School, 7601 Dunmanway, Dundalk 21222Contact: Michele Stansbury, 410.887.3487
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BCPS to celebrate 10 elementary schools chosen to pilot second language program : Reception today recognizes schools with banners, presentations
What: BCPS Superintendent S. Dallas Dance and members of the Board of Education of Baltimore County will host a reception to celebrate the 10 elementary schools chosen to participate in the school system’s Elementary World Languages Program next school year. The event will include the presentation of celebratory banners to each of the 10 schools and a demonstration of instruction to be used in the program.
When: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 9, 2014
Where: Cockeysville Middle School
10401 Greenside Drive
Cockeysville, MD 21030Background: First detailed by Dr. Dance during the 2013 State of the Schools address, the BCPS initiative to bring systemwide second-language proficiency to all students begins with the 10 elementary schools to be honored today. Partnering with Middlebury Interactive Languages, BCPS will provide a Spanish language pilot program to the schools this fall. The schools are Bear Creek, Hampton, Johnnycake, Padonia International, Pleasant Plains, Prettyboy, Reisterstown, Sussex, Vincent Farm and West Towson elementary schools. BCPS plans to expand the program to Grade 4 students in all elementary schools by 2015-2016.
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Woodlawn High students to receive donated gift cards for good grades
What: After a lot of hard work and perseverance, 55 sophomores at Woodlawn High School will be rewarded for their commitment to doing well in school. PressBox (a sports media company), in partnership with radio station 92Q, will present $80 gift cards to the students, who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA or raised their GPA a full letter grade from the semester before. This presentation is part of PressBox’s Shoes for Grades program, which is geared toward increasing high school competency and attendance through positive reinforcement of the message that hard work opens doors and creates the opportunity for a better future.
When: 9 a.m., Thursday, June 11, 2014Where: Woodlawn High School
1801 Woodlawn Drive
Baltimore, MD 21207
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Parent University to host free “Change Your Language, Change Their Lives” event: Space still available, register now
What: Baltimore County Public School’s Parent University will host “Change Your Language, Change Their Lives,” an event centering on the relationship between communication and child development. Speaking at the event will be Frank Kros, child advocate, president of the Upside Down Organization and executive vice president of The Children’s Guild. During his presentation, Kros will discuss four “Languages of the Brain,” which adults may use with children to boost cognitive learning, promote innate motivation and stimulate creative thinking. Parents – as well as counselors, mentors, teachers and other youth supports – may register for the free event at http://parentu101.eventbrite.com. When: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.Where: Cockeysville Public Library Branch
9833 Greenside Drive
Cockeysville, MD 21030Background:
Launched by the Office of Family and Community Engagement in April, Parent University is a BCPS initiative geared toward educating and empowering parents through in-person workshops and online resources and videos. To learn more about Parent University, visit www.bcps.org/ParentU. A schedule of past and upcoming workshops is available at http://www.bcps.org/parentu/schedule/.
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BCPS to hold free College Application Boot Camp: Class of 2015 students urged to register now
What: Baltimore County Public Schools will hold a free, two-day College Application Boot Camp for students in the Class of 2015. During the two days, a representative from Tufts University will discuss the admissions process, while BCPS English teachers and school counselors will lend assistance with writing college essays and understanding financial aid, respectively. Auxiliary informational sessions will review Naviance, an online resource geared toward promoting college- and career-readiness, and the college search. Students interested in participating in the boot camp should RSVP with their school counselors by Friday, June 13, 2014. When: Thursday, June 26, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for students and Friday, June 27, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for students and parentsWhere: Loch Raven High School
1212 Cowpens Avenue
Towson, MD 21286Background:
Offered annually to rising seniors by the school system’s Office of School Counseling, the boot camp provides students with an opportunity to jump-start the college application process. This year’s boot camp will be the second for the school system. Last year, more than 300 students and approximately 170 of their parents attended the boot camp to learn about the Common Application, essay preparation, NCAA eligibility, selective admissions, applications to military academies, state scholarships and other financial aid.
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BCPS Superintendent Dance named to national school administrators’ post
TOWSON, MD. – Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent S. Dallas Dance has been nominated to serve on the executive committee of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) for a three-year term.
Selected by colleagues for the post, Dr. Dance said that his nomination to the committee reflected on the work of the Baltimore County school system. “To be asked to serve on the Executive Committee is truly an honor for me,” he said, “but more importantly, it gives (BCPS) a national presence in influencing educational policy and advocating for best practices in teaching and learning.
“My participation on this leadership committee is truly a tribute to the great work of Team BCPS.”
The association is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders worldwide. Founded in 1865, AASA advocates for the highest quality public education and develops and supports school system leaders, who include among its members chief executive offices, professors, senior-level school administrators and aspiring educational leaders.
AASA policy is set by the organization’s 135-member Governing Board, whose members are drawn from seven U.S. geographic regions. Board members elect members of the 21-person Executive Committee. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.
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BCPS Class of 2014 graduates earn nearly $150 million in scholarship awards: More than 7,000 students receive diplomas this school year
TOWSON, MD. – More than 7,000 students strong, the Class of 2014 for Baltimore County Public Schools was awarded in excess of $147 million in merit, athletic, academic and other scholarships this academic year.
As the final graduates received their diplomas on June 5 to conclude the graduation season for BCPS seniors, district tallies for the class portray an accomplished and celebrated class. Additional graduates will be added to the 7,075 total once candidates for summer school graduation complete their work in the upcoming months.
“Team BCPS is so proud of all our graduates this year. Together, they have made a lasting and positive contribution to our schools, our communities and our county,” said BCPS Superintendent S. Dallas Dance, who attended 26 graduation ceremonies since May 27 and personally congratulated each graduate. “These are talented and promising young people, and their accomplishments were certainly recognized through their earning almost $150 million in scholarships. We are excited to see what they will achieve in the future.”
In a self-reported survey of seniors conducted through each school’s guidance office, 46.2 percent of all graduates – 3,266 – said they were accepted to attend a four-year college, while another 35.9 percent – 2,539 – said they were accepted to continue their studies at a two-year college. Smaller numbers of graduates say they plan to pursue careers in the military, in the work world or in trade schools or apprenticeships.
According to the survey, 2,232 students reported receiving at least one scholarship, meaning that the average scholarship amount awarded to a BCPS graduate was about $65,936.
Reflecting upon their graduations from BCPS, students expressed both confidence and hope. Graduate Shiza Tanveer said that she learned to go out of her comfort zone during her career at Catonsville High School. “I feel prepared for four-year college now and I have an idea of what to expect,” said Tanveer, who starts classes at New York University later this year and plans to study biology and chemistry.
Mercedes Myrick, who graduated from Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, attributed her friends and teachers for her success. “Over the past four years, my high school has become my home,” she said. “I look at my administrators, teachers and custodial engineers as though they were my parents and my peers as if they were a part of my family. If it was not for the amazing support group that I have been blessed to have, I would not be as successful as I am today.”
And Calvin Li, who plans to study finance or civil engineering at Georgetown University after graduating from Owings Mill High School, said that, while he will miss his teachers and classmates – “all the amazing people I met during high school” – he is convinced graduation is only a transition.
“I am certain that, at one point later in life, I will remember the people in high school and wish I could live it all again,” Li said. “I will miss everyone, but it is not a ‘goodbye.’ It is simply a ‘See you later.’”
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Quick! Don’t be last to cast your vote!: Sparrows Point High teacher could represent the Orioles at All-Star Game
TOWSON, MD. – Can’t wait to vote for your favorite gubernatorial candidate in the primary election later this month? In the meantime, cast a vote or two – or 10! – for Thomas Arentz, a 16-year English and Latin teacher at Sparrows Point High School, to represent the Baltimore Orioles.
Arentz is one of three teachers vying for the opportunity to represent the Orioles at the 2014 All-Star Game. The teacher who receives the most votes will travel to Target Field in Minnesota for the game on Tuesday, July 15.
In the past, Arentz sponsored Future Educators of America and Student Council at Sparrows Point High, coached his sons’ baseball and soccer teams and taught Sunday school and vacation bible school. Currently, he teaches evening classes at the Community College of Baltimore County, studies educational leadership at Towson University and serves as the council president for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. In the future, Arentz hopes to become a school administrator.
There is no limit to the number of votes submitted per person, and voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 29. To vote for Arentz, visit http://mlb.mlb.com/allstar-teachers/vote.jsp?team=bal.
Sponsored by Major League Baseball (MLB), PEOPLE Magazine and Target, the All-Star Teachers Contest recognizes educators who have left a lasting impact on their students, schools and communities. To enter the contest, K-12 teachers submitted four essays describing their accomplishments in and outside the classroom. From the applicants, a panel of judges selected 90 finalists, and each of the 30 MLB teams received three finalists as potential team representatives. By casting votes for the educators, the public can contribute to the judges’ selection of the 30 winners who will represent their favorite teams and attend the All-Star Game. PEOPLE Magazine will feature one of the 30 winning teachers in its publication or on its website at a later date.
Contest winners will be notified by Friday, July 4, and a list of winners will be available at www.allstarteachers.com by Friday, July 11.
For more information on the contest, visit http://mlb.mlb.com/allstar-teachers/.
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Team BCPS accepting new members for 2014-2015 school year: Parents encouraged to register children in early childhood programs
TOWSON, MD. – Team BCPS is accepting new preschool-3, prekindergarten and kindergarten students for the 2014-2015 school year.
Throughout the summer, elementary schools will host registration days for early childhood programs. Although all BCPS schools will remain open during regular business hours, Baltimore County Public Schools encourages parents to contact their local elementary schools for scheduled registration dates and times.
To determine which elementary schools serve their home addresses, parents should visit http://www.bcps.org/apps/Boundaries/ or call the Boundary Information Line at 410-887-4215.
Next school year, BCPS will house preschool-3, prekindergarten and kindergarten programs in 27, 70 and 107 schools, respectively.
For more information on BCPS early childhood programs, including age of entry cut-off dates, visit http://www.bcps.org/offices/early_childhood/default.html.
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BCPS News Tips: June 14 – 21, 2014: Activities, events and news from Baltimore County Public Schools
Monday, June 16
Special mural to be unveiled at Stoneleigh Elementary School
What: Stoneleigh Elementary School students will be the first to see a new Green School-themed mural created by award-winning artist Jay Wolf Schlossberg-Cohen with assistance and inspiration from the students themselves. Students worked with the artist to create six panels representing each grade level and aligned with units that students studied relating to environmental education. Schlossberg-Cohen, who specializes in community-based public art, began the project in March. The panels will be unveiled to each grade level throughout the morning on Monday. When: 8:55 – 10:55 a.m., Monday, June 16
Where: Stoneleigh Elementary School, 800 Pemberton Rd., Towson 21212Contact: Christine Warner, 410.887.3600Students get grand farewell for the summer at Battle Monument School
What: Staff at Battle Monument School resume a decades-old tradition of wishing their students well by giving them a boisterous and, often, emotional parade in their honor to end the school year. As students board the buses, the school's staff parade around the bus loop several times blowing horns, playing music, dancing and applauding and cheering students before they depart for summer vacation. When: 12:15 p.m., Monday, June 16Where: Battle Monument School, 7801 E. Collingham Dr., Dundalk 21222Contact: Jerry Easterly, 410.887.7000Summer break is here! BCPS marks final day of the school year for students
What: Summer break begins for BCPS students following the completion of today's school day, which will end for students three hours earlier than normal dismissal times. Students will return to the classroom for the 2014-15 school year on Wednesday, August 27. When: Schools will dismiss three hours early today, Monday, June 16 Where: All BCPS schoolsContact: Mychael Dickerson, 410.887.5908Wednesday, June 18
The 28th Annual Summer Instrumental Music Camp begins
What: The 28th Annual BCPS Summer Instrumental Music Camp begins. A week-long day camp for students in Grades 5-12 who are enrolled in their schools' instrumental music programs, the experience provides opportunities to receive instruction on instrumental performance skills and techniques, participate in music enrichment classes and rehearse in band and orchestra ensembles. At the conclusion of the camp on the evening of Thursday, June 26, students will perform in musical ensembles for a public evening concert in the outdoor amphitheater at Oregon Ridge Park.When: 9 a.m. – 2:50 p.m., Wednesday, June 18 – Thursday, June 26
Where: Cockeysville Middle School, 10401 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21030Contact: Shane Jensen, sjensen@bcps.orgThursday, June 19
BCPS honors its volunteers with Volunteer of the Year breakfast
What: BCPS will honor 80 of its most exemplary volunteers in the system's schools and classrooms with a special breakfast and program to announce the first-ever BCPS Volunteer of the Year. When: 9 – 11 a.m., Thursday, June 19
Where: Martins Valley Mansion, 594 Cranbrook Rd., Cockeysville 21030Contact: Diana Spencer, 410.887.4243Coming up!
Wednesday, June 25
Parent University to host free "Change Your Language, Change Their Lives" event
What: Baltimore County Public Schools' Parent University will host "Change Your Language, Change Their Lives," an event centered on the relationship between communication and child development. Speaking at the event will be Frank Kros, child advocate, president of the Upside Down Organization and executive vice president of The Children's Guild. During his presentation, Kros will discuss four "Languages of the Brain," which adults may use with children to boost cognitive learning, promote innate motivation and stimulate creative thinking. Parents – as well as counselors, mentors, teachers and other youth supports – may register for the free event at http://parentu101.eventbrite.com. When: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 25 Where: Cockeysville Public Library, 9833 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21030Contact: Sue Hahn, 410.887.0365Thursday, June 26
BCPS hosts 2nd annual two-day College Application Boot Camp
What: Baltimore County Public Schools will hold a free, two-day College Application Boot Camp for students in the Class of 2015. During the two days, a representative from Tufts University will discuss the admissions process, while BCPS English teachers and school counselors will lend assistance with writing college essays and understanding financial aid, respectively. Auxiliary informational sessions will review Naviance, an online resource geared toward promoting college- and career-readiness, and the college search. When: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, for students, and 9 a.m. – 12 noon on Friday, June 27, for students and parents
Where: Loch Raven High School, 1212 Cowpens Ave., Towson 21286Contact: Timothy Hayden, 410.887.0291
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The BCPS Summer Food Service Program seeks participants, sites: Program provides nutritious meals to children from low-income families
TOWSON, MD. – Baltimore County Public Schools is seeking sponsors of enrichment and recreational organizations to participate in its Summer Food Service Program, which provides nutritious meals to children ages 18 and under from low-income families.
Local camps, churches and other civic and community organizations are eligible to participate in the program. Organizations do not have to be affiliated with Baltimore County or its public school system to apply to the program.
To apply for participation in the program, call Terri Hull, field representative, at 410-887-7855 during weekday business hours.
The BCPS Summer Food Service Program is part of a national initiative to maintain high levels of health and wellness between school years for students from low-income families. Last summer, the BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services served cold breakfasts and lunches to approximately 4,400 children daily. The United States Department of Agriculture funded and delivered the meals to the approved Baltimore County sites free of charge.
For more information on the program, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program-sfsp.
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BCPS students to perform free concert at The Avenue at White Marsh
What: The high school band from the Baltimore County Public Schools Summer Instrumental Music Camp will perform a free concert at The Avenue at White Marsh.When: Monday, June 23, 2014, from 11 a.m. to 12 noonWhere: The Avenue at White Marsh
8125 Honeygo Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21236Background:
More than 300 students are enrolled in the annual BCPS Summer Instrumental Music Camp, being held this year at Cockeysville Middle School from June 18-26, 2014. Day camp participants are BCPS students, Grades 5-12, from across the county who are enrolled in their schools’ music programs.
During the camp, students play in a band or orchestra at the appropriate grade level. In addition to large group rehearsals, students participate in enrichment classes and receive instruction to enhance instrumental performance skills.
At the conclusion of the camp, all of the musical ensembles will perform in a public concert in the outdoor amphitheater at Oregon Ridge Park, the summer home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. This concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26,
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BCPS, BCPL to join forces for Summer Food Service Program: Children invited to have free lunches at library branches
TOWSON, MD. – What best complements a good meal? A good read, of course!
Longtime partners Baltimore County Public Schools and Baltimore County Public Library are joining forces for the school system’s Summer Food Service Program. From Monday, June 23 to Tuesday, August 8, BCPS will provide nutritious meals to children ages 18 and under at four BCPL branches.
The four participating library branches and their meal service times are:
- Arbutus, 855 Sulphur Spring Road, Arbutus, MD 21227, 12 to 1 p.m.
- Lansdowne, 500 Third Avenue, Lansdowne, MD 21227, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Randallstown, 8604 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133, 12 to 12:30 p.m.
- White Marsh, 8133 Sandpiper Circle, Nottingham, MD 21236, 1 to 1:30 p.m.
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40,000+ Speak Up in BCPS Survey: Parents Commend Blueprint 2.0 Progress
TOWSON, MD. – What’s the sound of 40,542 voices? For Baltimore County Public Schools, it’s the sound of a strong affirmation of community input and support -- the results of the 2014 BCPS Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey.
The annual survey had drawn about 500 responses in recent years, but this year, overall participation soared 800 percent, which included students in Grades 4-12, parents/guardians, community members, school-based staff and administrators and central office staff.
“I’m thrilled to hear from so many stakeholders representing all facets of Team BCPS,” said Superintendent S. Dallas Dance. “Every response we received adds to an ongoing conversation about what’s best to ensure equitable access to high-quality learning and to prepare globally competitive graduates. Schools thrive on this level of investment from the community.”
The 2014 survey was built around the four goal areas of Blueprint 2.0, BCPS’ five-year strategic plan: academics, safety and security, communication and organizational effectiveness. In each area, the survey report released today highlights strengths and growth opportunities identified by survey respondents.
Stakeholders completed the survey online from February 5 through March 7, 2014, using computers or mobile devices. Principals played a critical role in increasing participation by promoting the importance of the survey to their school communities as well as providing opportunities to complete the survey in their buildings.
In addition to the summary of findings, the report provides an appendix with results by stakeholder group for every survey item. To access the report, please visit the We Are Team BCPS section of the BCPS home page (www.bcps.org).
Holabird Middle School Principal Julie Dellone expressed excitement about using survey findings to enhance instructional delivery. She added, “The survey will ensure community input into our school progress planning. Our teachers, students, parents and community are crucial members of Team BCPS.”
Trés McMichael is a rising senior at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology and the newly-elected president of the Baltimore County Student Councils. "As a student you often feel that you do not get a voice in your education or that your opinion does not truly matter,” he said. “The survey gave me a chance to honestly reflect on my education and to give suggestions on how I think it could be improved in the future.”
Feedback on Blueprint 2.0 Goal One -- academics -- reflects BCPS’ shift toward personalizing instruction for every student with redesigned, digital curriculum to prepare students for postsecondary success. Among the findings:
- Most parents/guardians agreed that their child’s school set high academic standards (88 percent), prepared their child for the next academic year (89 percent) and prepared students for college and career (81 percent).
- Additional strengths included a strong student belief in the importance of education and overall stakeholder satisfaction with academic expectations and future preparation.
- While elementary students were enthusiastic throughout the survey, they expressed a desire for more academic rigor.
- Their high school peers said they would prefer more real-life relevance in their school work.
- Staff and administrators at the school level saw room to increase peer collaboration during the school day as well as supports to meet student needs.
- Mirroring satisfaction across stakeholder groups, 88 percent of parents reported that their child’s school is safe and secure. Awareness of how to handle emergencies was generally high, but parents said they need more information about procedures at their child’s school.
- According to secondary students and school-based staff, additional areas for improvement were perceptions of fairness and respect.
- Nearly nine of 10 parents (88 percent) agreed that they felt welcome at school, knew how to get school information and understood school communications.
- Another strength was student satisfaction with feedback from their teachers.
- Recommendations emerged from the survey as well: School leaders should listen more to secondary students, advise students in Grades 4 through 8 about colleges and careers and give school-based staff opportunities to plan across grades and subjects.
- Among parents, 91 percent rated their child’s school as effective. Parent satisfaction with BCPS was 80 percent.
- Students, staff and administrators echoed these strong ratings of school and BCPS performance, with employees characterizing their work environments as positive, professional and collaborative.
- Despite strong school ratings, school pride registered low among secondary students.
- Parents and community members indicated they would like to be more involved when solving school-based challenges.
- Staff members asked for better access to instructional technology and relevant training.
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BCPS Now goes live in Windows Store: Free mobile app provides school system coverage on the go
TOWSON, MD. – Baltimore County Public Schools' mobile app, BCPS Now, is available in the Windows Store.
Similar to the Apple and Google Play versions of the free app, the new Windows version provides users with up-to-date coverage on school system announcements, events and news. The Windows version also is tailored to the Windows Phone 8.1 user interface, allowing for enhanced usability.
To download the Windows version of the app, visit http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/bcps-now/05157b27-5ee6-4f97-b2df-b21d7ad306a5.
In April 2013, BCPS became the first Maryland public school system to offer a mobile app. Six months later, the school system unveiled an upgraded version of the app, which notified users of changes in BCPS's operating status.
For more information on the BCPS mobile app, visit http://www.bcps.org/news/mobileapp.htm. App users may send their feedback on BCPS Now to webteam@bcps.org.
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BCPS grad, Dundalk High volunteer named first ever Team BCPS Volunteer of the Year: Four others chosen as finalists
TOWSON, MD. – Some of the hardest working volunteers in Baltimore County Public Schools took a morning off to be feted by the school system, and one among them – Deja Lewter – was named the first Team BCPS Volunteer of the Year.
The awards breakfast, held today at Valley Mansion in Cockeysville, honored 80 volunteers nominated by their schools for their impact on students’ academic progress and well-being, their ability to rally additional resources to support the school, their contributions to school spirit and the special skills/knowledge they bring to the school community.
Lewter is a graduate of Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts and part-time college student who was nominated by Dundalk High School for her volunteer work there. During the 2013-2014 school year, she contributed more than 800 hours to making a difference in the musical life of Dundalk High students. In addition to serving as a volunteer vocal coach, she co-directed and choreographed the school’s first musical in more than 20 years, single-handedly organized 40 years worth of music into a user-friendly music library, helped the school receive an excellent rating at the High Notes Music Festival, and helped the school’s music department meet its countywide assessment goals for the first time in many years.
“Baltimore County Public Schools is so fortunate to have the amazing number and quality of volunteers it has,” said BCPS Superintendent S. Dallas Dance. “In total, the 80 nominated volunteers gave our school system more than 25,000 hours of service in the last school year. That is about as many hours as 18 full-time employees would work. Because they are in our classrooms, cafeterias, offices, and hallways, our teachers and administrators have more time for planning, instruction and community engagement.
“I am proud of and thankful to all of our volunteers. Deja Lewter and the other four finalists exemplify the outstanding and generous support of our community.”
The other four finalists are:
- Frances Culotta, a Hereford Middle School volunteer
- Stephen Lee, a Randallstown Elementary School volunteer
- Carol Van Besien, a Milbrook Elementary School volunteer
- Theodore Zilokowski, a General John Stricker Middle School volunteer
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BCPS News Tips: June 21 – 28, 2014: Activities, events and news from Baltimore County Public Schools
Monday, June 23
BCPS students to perform free concert at The Avenue at White Marsh
What: The high school band from the Baltimore County Public Schools Summer Instrumental Music Camp will perform a free concert. More than 300 students enrolled in Grades 5-12 across Baltimore County registered for the camp. When: 11 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday, June 23
Where: The Avenue at White Marsh, 8125 Honeygo Blvd., White Marsh 21236 Contact: Angela Tanner, 410.887.4024 Wednesday, June 25
BCPS hosts annual two-day Safe Schools Conference
What: The 19th annual Safe Schools Conference will be held over two days for school administrators to learn about a variety of subjects related to keeping schools and students safe. The first day of the conference is for elementary school administrators, while secondary school administrators will attend the conference's second day.When: 7:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 26
Where: North Baltimore Plaza Hotel,2004 Greenspring Dr., Timonium 21093Contact: Dale Rauenzahn, 410.887.4360Parent University to host free "Change Your Language, Change Their Lives" event
What: Baltimore County Public Schools' Parent University will host "Change Your Language, Change Their Lives," an event centered on the relationship between communication and child development. Speaking at the event will be Frank Kros, child advocate, president of the Upside Down Organization and executive vice president of The Children's Guild. During his presentation, Kros will discuss four "Languages of the Brain," which adults may use with children to boost cognitive learning, promote innate motivation and stimulate creative thinking. Parents – as well as counselors, mentors, teachers and other youth supports – may register for the free event at http://parentu101.eventbrite.com. When: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 25 Where: Cockeysville Public Library,9833 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21030Contact: Sue Hahn, 410.887.0365Thursday, June 26
BCPS hosts 2nd annual two-day College Application Boot Camp
What: Baltimore County Public Schools will hold a free, two-day College Application Boot Camp for students in the Class of 2015. During the two days, a representative from Tufts University will discuss the admissions process, while BCPS English teachers and school counselors will lend assistance with writing college essays and understanding financial aid, respectively. Auxiliary informational sessions will review Naviance, an online resource geared toward promoting college- and career-readiness, and the college search. When: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, for students, and 9 a.m. – 12 noon on Friday, June 27, for students and parents
Where: Loch Raven High School, 1212 Cowpens Ave., Towson 21286Contact: Timothy Hayden, 410.887.0291Lighthouse Schools Summer Institute kicks off two-day orientation
What: More than 300 teachers and staff from the 10 BCPS "Lighthouse" elementary schools will work through two days of learning about how the school system's 1:1 digital learning pilot program will work at their schools. When: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, and Friday, June 27
Where: Cockeysville Middle School, 10401 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21030 Contact: Ryan Imbriale, 410.887.3033
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BCPS still accepting applications for Summer Visual Arts Enrichment Program: Program offers instruction, studio sessions, and field trips
TOWSON, MD— Baltimore County Public Schools’ Summer Visual Arts Enrichment Program is still accepting applications for its 2014 session, to be hosted at Perry Hall High School. Interested students are urged to apply as quickly as possible.
From Monday, July 7, 2014, through Friday, July 18, 2014, the program will provide students in Grades 3-12 an opportunity to develop and refine personal art skills via five-hour studio sessions and an art-related field trip. Each program day will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. On the evening of Thursday, July 17, 2014, the program will hold an open house/reception, where students will exhibit works completed over the two-week period for viewing by families and teachers.
The program offers three courses: An Exploration of Artists and Their Materials for students entering Grades 3-5, An Exploration of New Art Forms and Materials for students entering Grades 6-8, and A Portfolio Development Course for students entering Grades 9-12. Cost of participation in the program is $375.00, which includes all art materials, transportation, and consultant fees.
Links to a camp brochure and application can be found at http://www.bcps.org/offices/visual_arts/summer_art_EP.html. For more information on the summer program, contact Mary Boegner, Office of Visual Arts administrative secretary, at 410-887-4030 or mboegner2@bcps.org.
Tentative plans are that bus transportation will be available from Catonsville and Cromwell elementary schools; Sudbrook Magnet, Holabird, Golden Ring, and Cockeysville middle schools; and Woodlawn, Parkville, and Hereford high schools. Transportation plans may change based on program enrollment.
The BCPS Summer Visual Arts Enrichment Program is an opportunity offered annually to students with an interest in art, as well as those seeking entrance into gifted and talented or college art programs, acceptance into a magnet art program, and/or preparation for Advanced Placement (AP) art programs.
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BCPS to hold annual two-day Safe Schools Conference: Conference has focused on keeping students, schools safe for 19 years
What: The 19th annual BCPS Safe Schools Conference will provide administrators an opportunity to learn about a variety of subject areas related to keeping students and schools safe. The conference’s first day is designed for elementary school principals, assistant principals, and others, while the second day will cover topics of interest to secondary school administrators.
When: 7:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 26, 2014
Where: North Baltimore Plaza Hotel
2004 Greenspring Drive
Timonium, MD 21093Background: Workshops at the annual conference will include sessions on child abuse prevention, understanding social media, dealing with challenging behaviors, mentoring for success, and the importance of fostering civility in the school house, among other topics. Conference participants will hear from a variety of BCPS and law enforcement speakers, and the keynote speaker for the event will be Frank Kros, president of the Upside Down Organization, who will speak on “The New IQ: Understanding and Teaching Executive Function Skills.”
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