What: The annual “Art is for Everyone” exhibition of Baltimore County Public Schools’ student artwork at the Baltimore Museum of Art features 249 pieces created by 281 students from 121 elementary, middle, and high schools. Both the exhibition and the closing reception are open to the public and free of charge. At the reception, students with artwork in the exhibition will receive certificates of participation.
When: Reception: Sunday, May 10, 2015, from 1 - 4 p.m. Exhibition: Now through Sunday, May 17, 2015
Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Where: Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218Background: The annual exhibition – held each year since 1988 – will include paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, and digital art.
During the reception, refreshments will be available in the museum’s sculpture garden. Families attending the reception can also participate in the museum’s free family workshop, “Make North African-inspired Jewelry.” The workshop is open to the public and will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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249 BCPS student artworks displayed at Baltimore Museum of Art: Reception on Sunday, May 10
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New episode of “BCPS News Show” to air : Teacher of Year, “Clean Green 15” among new show’s features
TOWSON, MD. – A new episode of “BCPS News Show" will air beginning Monday, May 11, on Comcast Cable Channel 73 and Verizon FiOS Channel 34 in Baltimore County. The episode will continue airing through Sunday, May 24, 2015. The show is hosted by Mary Beth Marsden, a local Emmy Award®-winning broadcaster.
The newest episode includes segments about:
- The ingredients that earned Pine Grove Elementary School its status as Baltimore County’s latest Blue Ribbon school.
- The participation of students at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts in the Memory Project, which for them involved creating one-of-a-kind portraits to send to an orphanage in Paraguay.
- The creation and staging of a new musical at Rodgers Forge Elementary School, written by the school’s nurse, that revolves around naming the school as a BCPS Lighthouse School.
- A school profile of Woodlawn Middle School, where the decision to be great from staff and students will help achieve the school’s goals.
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Outstanding career and technology education students to be recognized: Ceremony will include presentation of annual Marchione Scholarships
TOWSON, MD. – High school seniors nearing graduation are expected to know how to solve algebraic equations and write persuasive essays, but seniors who participate in Baltimore County Public Schools’ Career and Technology Education programs are also expected to graduate with industry-specific skills and often with industry-recognized certifications and several college credits.
One hundred and thirty-two students will be honored at the 41st annual CTE Student Recognition Ceremony, to be held on Thursday, May 14, from 7-9:30 p.m. at Chesapeake High School, 1801 Turkey Point Road, Essex 21221. This ceremony is hosted by the CTE Advisory Council (CTEAC) in conjunction with the Office of Career and Technology Education.
In addition to remarks from Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance and others, this year’s program will feature a keynote address by celebrity chef Robert Stewart, a graduate of the CTE culinary program at Eastern Technical High School. Stewart will share insights on the influence of CTE on his life and will work with current BCPS culinary students to prepare food for the reception that follows the ceremony. An annual highlight of the ceremony each year is the presentation of the Marchione Scholarship for Outstanding Performance in a CTE program to five students. This year, five additional students also will be recognized. Supported by donations from business and community partners, the Marchione Scholarship honors retired Superintendent Anthony Marchione, an advocate for CTE programs.
The reception and the student awards are sponsored by OneMain Financial.
“CTE programs give students opportunities to explore careers and develop pathways leading to exciting and productive futures,” said Sheldon K. Caplis, OneMain Financial’s director of community relations. “OneMain Financial is committed to supporting successful career readiness initiatives. This event celebrates and recognizes outstanding student achievement, and we are pleased to be the presenting sponsor.”
CTE provides students an opportunity to pursue a sequential technical and academic program of study leading to advancement in a career field. High school CTE programs give students the opportunity to transition smoothly into further education or postsecondary education and to earn college credit and/or industry credentials in a career field of interest. There are approximately 11,700 BCPS students enrolled in CTE courses.
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Superintendent Dance to host breakfast with community associations, PTA leaders
What: Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance will host an invitation-only breakfast with leaders of many of Baltimore County’s community associations and Parent-Teacher Associations to discuss school system issues and trends and to update leaders on progress made during the past school year.
When: 8 – 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2015Where: Valley Mansion
594 Cranbrook Road
Cockeysville 21030
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BCPS Supt. Dance to host second teacher town hall of the school year : Opportunity for interaction provide valuable feedback
What: BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance will host his second town hall for BCPS teachers for the 2014-15 school year. As with the first teacher town hall in December, the format is open to teachers from across Baltimore County and invites them to express viewpoints or ask questions on education and school-related topics of their choosing. The event will be live-streamed by BCPS-TV at www.bcps.org/video/liveStream.html. When: 5 – 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 13
Where: Chesapeake High School, 1801 Turkey Point Rd., Essex 21221 Background:
During the town hall meetings, participants will ask and discuss unscripted and unedited questions. The exchanges provide Dr. Dance with the opportunity to learn from educators about how best to address specific school concerns, needs, and issues. The media are welcome to attend any town hall events.
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Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Fair showcases student knowledge, creativity: 746 students from nearly all elementary schools represented at 12th annual extravaganza
What: Baltimore County Public Schools will host its 12th annual Elementary STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Fair featuring 746 entrants from nearly all Baltimore County elementary schools. The day-long exposition will showcase the best science displays from elementary students across the school district as well as a variety of presentations. The STEM Fair will present nearly 200 Grade 4 and Grade 5 projects, plus another 95 Grade 3 teams competing in the Safe Racer Challenge portion of the event. Two awards presentations will take place during the fair. When: Friday, May 8
- 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.: Two Safe Racer competitions
- 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Three Safe Racer competitions
- 10:45 – 11:15 a.m.: Grade 4 Open House
- 11:15 a.m.: Awards ceremony for Grade 4 participants
- 3:45 – 4:15 p.m.: Grade 5 Open House
- 4:15 p.m. : Awards ceremony for Grade 5 participants
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BCPS News Tips: May 9 – 16, 2015: Activities, events and news from Baltimore County Public Schools
Saturday, May 9
BCPS to host 12th annual countywide STEM Fair
What: Baltimore County Public Schools elementary students from across the school district will present their science projects during the 12th annual BCPS Elementary Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fair. When: 8 a.m., Saturday, May 9Where: Parkville High School, 2600 Putty Hill Rd., Parkville 21234Contact: Eric Cromwell, 410.887.2063Monday, May 11
Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce honors teachers at 29th annual Awards for Excellence
What: Baltimore County Public Schools teachers from across the county will be honored for their talents and commitment to students at the 29th annual Awards for Excellence in Education gala presented by the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce. Winners of the awards will represent elementary, middle and high school grade levels, the school system’s five geographic areas, special education and special academic areas. One winner will be named recipient of the Berenbach Educational Incentives Fund Award. When: 6 – 9 p.m., Monday, May 11 Where: Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Rd., Woodlawn 21244Contact: Lauren Taylor, 410.825.6200
Tuesday, May 12
CCBC hosts Diploma to Degree Student Recognition Dinner
What: Six BCPS seniors will be recognized as the latest cohort of graduates from the “Diploma to Degree” program, which allows students in high school to earn an associate degree from the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) while also earning a high school diploma.When: 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 12
Where: CCBC Catonsville, Center for the Arts Lounge, 800 S. Rolling Rd., Catonsville 21228Contact: Mychael Dickerson, 410.887.5908Wednesday, May 13
Dr. Dance to meet with community associations, PTAs
What: BCPS Superintendent Dr. Dallas Dance will meet with the Baltimore County Community Associations and PTA organization leaders to discuss school trends and issues. When: 8 – 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 13
Where: Valley Mansion, 594 Cranbrook Rd., Cockeysville 21030Contact: Mychael Dickerson, 410.887.5908Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools hosts Recognition and Awards Breakfast
What: The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools will host the Celebrating Excellence Recognition and Awards Breakfast to highlight community and business support of the foundation and of Baltimore County’s schools. When: 8 – 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 13
Where: 12006 Jenifer Rd., Cockeysville 21230Contact: Deborah Phelps, 410.887.8962Superintendent Dance to hold second Teacher Town Hall
What: BCPS Superintendent S. Dallas Dance will host the second of two Teacher Town Hall meetings planned for the 2014-15 school year. The event, which is open to all teachers, is designed to allow participants to speak with Dr. Dance and to express viewpoints on education and school-related topics of their choosing. When: 5 – 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 13
Where: Chesapeake High School, 1801 Turkey Point Rd., Essex 21221 Contact: Mychael Dickerson, 410.887.5908Seniors celebrate completion of AVID program in BCPS
What: During a special ceremony, hundreds of Baltimore County Public Schools high school seniors from nearly two dozen high schools will be honored for their successful completion of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. When: 7 – 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 13
Where: UMBC, Retriever Athletic Center, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Catonsville 21250Contact: Heather Wooldridge, 410.887.3971Thursday, May 14
Seniors to be recognized for achievement in Career and Technology Education
What: At the 41th Annual Career and Technology Education Student Recognition Reception, dozens of BCPS seniors will be honored for their excellence in completing Career and Technology Education programs. When: 7 p.m., Thursday, May 14 Where: Chesapeake High School, 1801 Turkey Point Rd., Essex 21221 Contact: Doug Handy, 410.887.8921
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Pomp, Circumstance . . . and Video! BCPS to live-stream high school graduation ceremonies: Thousands of seniors preparing for commencements starting May 26
TOWSON, MD. – For the first time, Baltimore County Public Schools will broadcast the graduation ceremonies of all 24 of its high schools as they happen.
That means that friends and family members – those who aren’t able to travel, are ill, or otherwise unable to attend the ceremonies – will be able to share in the once-in-a-lifetime experience along with each graduating senior.
“Graduation is a meaningful, special time not only for seniors but for family members and friends far and wide,” says BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance, who anticipates shaking hands with every graduate at this year’s commencements. “I’m delighted to be able to offer this opportunity for everyone who would like to attend these milestone ceremonies.”
Beginning with the first three graduation ceremonies on Tuesday, May 26, BCPS-TV will broadcast the proceedings live via the BCPS Web site at http://www.bcps.org/video/liveStream.html. A schedule of the ceremonies is attached to this release below.
Thousands of seniors are expected to graduate from Baltimore County Public Schools this year – nearly all of them crossing stages and collecting diplomas either at Towson University’s SECU Center or the Retriever Activity Center at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Three additional commencement ceremonies will take place at the home schools of seniors who will graduate from Battle Monument, Maiden Choice, and Ridge Ruxton schools, but those ceremonies will not be broadcast.
The 24 BCPS high schools will hold graduation ceremonies according to the following schedule. Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at the SECU Arena, 8000 York Road, Towson University, Towson 21252:
- Tuesday, May 26
- 10 a.m.: Randallstown High School
- 2:30 p.m.: Overlea High School
- 7 p.m.: Kenwood High School
- Wednesday, May 27
- 10 a.m.: Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
- 2:30 p.m.: Loch Raven High School
- 7 p.m.: Dulaney High School
- Thursday, May 28
- 10 a.m.: Eastern Technical High School
- 12:30 p.m.: Ridge Ruxton School, 6916 Charles Street, Towson 21204
- 2:30 p.m.: Pikesville High School
- 7 p.m.: Perry Hall High School
- Friday, May 29 – all events today to be held at the Retriever Activity Center, 1000 Hilltop Circle, UMBC, Catonsville 21250
- 10 a.m.: Woodlawn High School
- 2:30 p.m.: Lansdowne High School
- 7 p.m.: Catonsville High School
- Saturday, May 30
- 10 a.m.: Hereford High School
- 2:30 p.m.: Towson High School
- 7 p.m.: George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Sunday, May 31
- 10 a.m.: Parkville High School
- 2:30 p.m.: Dundalk High School
- 7 p.m.: Milford Mill Academy
- Monday, June 1
- 10 a.m.: Western School of Technology and Environmental Science
- 2:30 p.m.: Owings Mills High School
- 7 p.m.: Franklin High School
- Tuesday, June 2
- 10 a.m.: Sparrows Point High School
- 2:30 p.m.: New Town High School
- 7 p.m.: Chesapeake High School
- 7 p.m.: Battle Monument School, 7801 E. Collingham Drive, Dundalk 21222
- Thursday, June 4
- 1 p.m.: Maiden Choice School, 4901 Shelbourne Road, Arbutus 21227
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Music teachers join forces to support Kids Helping Hopkins through annual ensemble concert
What: Featuring a 40-plus piece concert band, the Baltimore County Public Schools’ Office of Music will sponsor a teachers’ concert to benefit the Kids Helping Hopkins organization. The Baltimore County Music Educators Wind Symphony will play a variety of compositions conducted by BCPS Music Supervisor Karl Stewart. Donations are encouraged at $5 for adults and $3 for students. All proceeds will benefit the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
When: 4 p.m., Sunday, May 17, 2015Where: Owings Mills High School
124 Tollgate Road
Owings Mills, MD 21117Background:
Now in its 20th year, Kids Helping Hopkins began as a group of Baltimore County educators and community leaders led by music teacher Anita Rozenel who sought to support children being treated at the Children’s Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital. By marshalling the creativity and compassion of the school system’s students, Kids Helping Hopkins serves not only to provide support to children at the Center -- many of them students in BCPS schools -- but also as a way for students to learn the value of doing good works to help ease hospital stays for ill classmates. While much of Kids Helping Hopkins involves students making cards, books, stuffed animals, toys, and other crafts for Hopkins patients, the organization also has been an important fundraiser for the work of the Children’s Center. Since 1994, more than $1.7 million has been raised by Kids Helping Hopkins.
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BCPS representation soars on U.S. News & World Report “Best High Schools” list : 16 schools on annual roster; four earn gold medals
TOWSON, MD. – Sixteen Baltimore County high schools earned spots on the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best High Schools” list this year, compared to just five schools in 2014. Four of them – up from two last year – earned top “gold medal” honors under the magazine’s system of ranking schools.
“Much hard work and team support goes into making our high schools among the best in the nation year in and year out; these rankings recognize that work,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance. “There is always more work to do, of course, and we are committed as a school system and county to ensuring excellence at all of our high schools. But today, we celebrate the success that resulted in this latest honor for our students and schools.”
A total of 67 (from among 248) high schools in Maryland made the list’s rankings of the nation’s top schools, including the following Baltimore County high schools:
- Catonsville High School (ranked 42nd in Maryland / 1,283rd nationally); Silver Medal
- Dulaney High School (16/435); Gold Medal
- Eastern Technical High School (14/381); Gold Medal
- George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology (24/601); Silver Medal
- Hereford High School (12/325); Gold Medal
- Loch Raven High School (39/1,125); Silver Medal
- Owings Mills High School (61/2,032); Silver Medal
- Perry Hall High School (59/2,011); Silver Medal
- Towson High School (18/446); Gold Medal
- Western School of Technology and Environmental Science (35/1,056); Silver Medal
- Chesapeake High School
- Dundalk High School
- New Town High School
- Parkville High School
- Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
- Sparrows Point High School
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BCPS students and educators to spend seven weeks in China
What: Families, teachers and friends will say farewell to 20 students and three educators headed to China as part of the school system’s China Cultural Exchange program. The group will return to Baltimore County on Friday, July 3.
When: Saturday, May 16, 2015, from 7:30 – 8 a.m.
The bus is scheduled to leave at 8 a.m. to take students to Dulles Airport.
Where: Baltimore County Public Schools Headquarters
Building E
Parking lot
6901 Charles Street
Towson, Maryland 21204Background: Baltimore County Public Schools has had a China Cultural Exchange program with Tie Yi (First Railway) School in Xi’an, China, since 2007. The partnership involves students from each school district living with families in the community and attending school in the host country for a six to eight week period. Numerous past BCPS participants in the program are now in college studying Chinese language, Asian studies, international business and diplomacy.
The BCPS students leaving for China on May 16 are:
Dulaney High School
Matilde Cascella
Christopher Caudill
Julia Clark
Alborz Eskandarian
Anna Feerick
Mollie Feerick Eastern Tech High School
Joshua Cregger
Matthew Cregger
Jessica Van Laer Kenwood High School
Faruk Ogungbade Loch Raven High School
Rachael Beck
Koby Bonta Owings Mills High School
DeAngela Dukes Perry Hall High School
Joshua Miller Pikesville High School
Rachel Fisher Towson High School
Anna Henderson
Madelyn Kaplin
Kira Lauring
Rosemary Wonnell
Hannah Zimet
The educators who will accompany the BCPS students are Owings Mills High School teachers Kevin Condon and Pamela Flynn and Loch Raven High School teacher Jessica Galeano.
While in China, BCPS students will reside with the families of Chinese students who stayed with their families earlier this spring. Two days each week, the students will take field trips. When the students are in school, they will take English classes with Chinese students. They will also take special classes in Chinese language, art, cooking, music and physical education.
Mandarin Chinese is one of the world languages offered at six BCPS middle schools and 13 high schools: Arbutus, Hereford, Perry Hall, Ridgely, Windsor Mill and Woodlawn middle schools and Catonsville, Dulaney, Eastern Technical, Hereford, Kenwood, Loch Raven, Owings Mills, Patapsco, Perry Hall, Pikesville, Randallstown, Towson and Woodlawn high schools.
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Commemoration of the life of Dr. Walter Amprey set for Woodlawn High School
What: The life of Dr. Walter G. Amprey will be celebrated during a special commemoration at Woodlawn High School hosted by Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance. Dr. Amprey, who passed away in 2014, served as assistant principal and principal at Woodlawn High School before becoming an administrator in Baltimore County schools and superintendent of Baltimore City Schools from 1991-1997. He was named Maryland Superintendent of the Year in 1994. During the ceremony, a commemorative memorial will be unveiled that pays tribute to Dr. Amprey’s dedication to and passion for public education.
When: 2 – 3 p.m., Sunday, May 17, 2015
Where: Woodlawn High School auditorium
1801 Woodlawn Drive
Woodlawn 21207
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BCPS News Tips: May 16 – 23, 2015: Activities, events and news from Baltimore County Public Schools
Saturday, May 16
Bon voyage! BCPS students and educators journey to China for seven-week stay
What: Families, teachers and friends will say farewell to 20 students and three educators headed to China as part of the school system’s China Cultural Exchange program. The group will return to Baltimore County on Friday, July 3. Baltimore County Public Schools has had a China Cultural Exchange program with Tie Yi (First Railway) School in Xi’an, China, since 2007. The partnership involves students from each school district living with families in the community and attending school in the host country for a six to eight week period. When: 7:30 – 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 16
Where: Baltimore County Public Schools headquarters, Building E parking lot, 6901 Charles St., Towson 21204Contact: Judy Opfer, 410-887.6756Sunday, May 17
Commemoration of the life of Dr. Walter Amprey set for Woodlawn High School
What: The life of Dr. Walter G. Amprey will be celebrated during a special commemoration at Woodlawn High School hosted by Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance. Dr. Amprey, who passed away in 2014, served as assistant principal and principal at Woodlawn High School before becoming an administrator in Baltimore County schools and superintendent of Baltimore City Schools from 1991-1997. He was named Maryland Superintendent of the Year in 1994. During the ceremony, a commemorative memorial will be unveiled that pays tribute to Dr. Amprey’s dedication to and passion for public education. When: 2 – 3 p.m., Sunday, May 17
Where: Woodlawn High School, 1801 Woodlawn Dr., Woodlawn 21207Contact: Mychael Dickerson, 410.887.5908Music teachers join forces to support Kids Helping Hopkins through annual ensemble concert
What: Featuring a 40-plus piece concert band, the Baltimore County Public Schools’ Office of Music will sponsor a teachers’ concert to benefit the Kids Helping Hopkins organization. The Baltimore Music Educators Wind Symphony will play a variety of compositions conducted by BCPS Music Supervisor Karl Stewart. Donations are encouraged at $5 for adults and $3 for students. All proceeds will benefit the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. When: 4 p.m., Sunday, May 17Where: Owings Mills High School, 124 Tollgate Rd., Owings Mills 21117Contact: Karl Stewart, 410.887.4024Monday, May 18
Symposium to showcase yearlong independent research by BCPS high school students
What: The third annualBCPS Student Independent Research Symposiumwill showcase the results of independent research conducted by 13 students at seven Baltimore County Public Schools high schools. At this public event, students will share their research projects either by presentation or poster session. Light refreshments will be served. When: 6 – 8 p.m., Monday, May 18 Where: Randallstown High School, 4000 Offutt Rd., Randallstown 21133Contact: Kelly Ray, 410.887.4035
Tuesday, May 19
Honor roll + attending classes = opportunities to win a car at Eastern Technical High
What: For the 24th year, Eastern Technical High School will host its annual car giveaway for students who have achieved honor roll and/or perfect attendance. The pre-owned car donated by Al Packer White Marsh will go to a senior whose name will be drawn by Sen. Kathy Klausmeier.When: 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, May 19Where: Eastern Technical High School, 1100 Mace Ave., EssexContact: Gayle Clark or Tom Evans, 410.887.0190BCPS Teacher of the Year Orly Mondell to be recognized by State Board of Education
What: Orly Mondell, the 2015-16 Baltimore County Public Schools' Teacher of the Year, will join teachers of the year from all 25 Maryland school systems to be recognized by the Maryland State Board of Education.When: 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 19Where: Maryland State Department of Education, 200 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore 21201Contact: Dr. Darla Strouse, 410.767.0369
“Chatsworth’s Got Talent!” to help raise support for Kids Helping Hopkins
What: Chatsworth School will host the “Chatsworth’s Got Talent!”talent show to raise donations to support the Kids Helping Hopkins program. Students will perform a variety of acts, including singing, dancing, comedy, and musical theater performances. When: 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 19 Where: Chatsworth School, 222 New Ave., Reisterstown 21236Contact: Monique Gertner, 410.887.1103
Parents of new Lyons Mill Elementary School students invited to first of two information events
What: Parents of students who will attend Lyons Mill Elementary School are invited to the first of two Lyons Mill Elementary Parent Information & Networking Evenings to learn more about the new school and its programs. The meeting will give parents an opportunity to meet the school’s team, learn about its academic program, sign up for the PTA, and more. When & Where: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, at New Town Elementary School, 4924 New Town Blvd., Owings Mills 21117 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, at Woodholme Elementary School, 300 Mount Wilson La., Pikesville 21208 Contact: Maralee Clark, 410.887.1719
Thursday, May 21
“Avenue Q” to be presented as spring Black Box Musical at Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts
What: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts will present its spring musical, “Avenue Q.” Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors. When: 7 p.m., nightly from Thursday, May 21, through Saturday, May 23; 2 p.m. on both Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24Where: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., Dundalk 21222Contact: Liberty Grayek or Craig Reed, 410.887.7060
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Next school year to begin on August 24
TOWSON, MD. – The first day for the Baltimore County Public Schools’ 2015-2016 school year has been moved to Monday, August 24, from Wednesday, August 26.
This change was requested by Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance and approved by the Board of Education of Baltimore County at its meeting on May 5. Opening a few days earlier allows additional instructional hours, particularly at the high school level. In past years, including the current year, the school system has asked for a waiver from the Maryland State Department of Education because of a shortage in instructional time due to inclement weather closings.
The complete calendar for the 2015-2016 school year is available at http://www.bcps.org/calendars/next_year_calendar.html.
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Parents of Lyons Mill Elementary School students invited to information sessions
What: Parents of students who will attend Lyons Mill Elementary School are invited to the first of two Lyons Mill Elementary Parent Information & Networking Evenings to learn more about the new school and its programs. The meeting will give parents an opportunity to meet school staff, learn about its academic program, sign up for the PTA, preview the digital learning environment, and more.When & Where: Tuesday, May 19, at 6 p.m.
New Town Elementary School
4924 New Town Boulevard
Owings Mills 21117
Wednesday, May 27, at 6 p.m.
Woodholme Elementary School
300 Mount Wilson Lane
Pikesville 21208 Background: The new 700-seat Lyons Mill Elementary School will open its doors for the 2015-2016 school year, offering a learning community focused on literacy, math, engineering and science.
As a Lighthouse School, Lyons Mill Elementary will help pilot the school system’s evolution into a 1:1 digital learning environment where every student – kindergarten through Grade 5 – and every teacher will have their own HP EliteBook Revolve 810 computer. This evolution, known as S.T.A.T. (Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow), is a fundamental shift toward student-centered, personalized learning designed to prepare globally competitive graduates. Using a redesigned curriculum, S.T.A.T. places emphasis on developing critical thinking and analytical skills.
As a Passport School, Lyons Mill Elementary will offer an innovative Spanish language program to Grade 4 students. They will use their digital learning devices to participate in a self-paced Middlebury Interactive Languages program four days a week, and on the fifth day, they will practice conversation and vocabulary with a Spanish teacher. After the Grade 4 students participate in the Spanish language program during the 2015-2016 school year, they will be qualified to take an advanced Spanish class in Grade 5. The whole school will participate in extension activities throughout the school year, including learning about other cultures.
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Board of Education of Baltimore County to meet on Tuesday, May 19, 2015
TOWSON, MD. -- The Board of Education of Baltimore County will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at its Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles Street, Building E, Towson, Maryland 21204.
The Board meeting will begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. The Board will then convene in closed session as permitted by law. The open session will reconvene at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend all open sessions.
The school system is committed to accessible communication with its stakeholders. Additionally, all Board of Education meetings are live-streamed and can be viewed on the BCPS Web site (www.bcps.org).
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Public hearing scheduled for BCPS capital budget
TOWSON, MD. -- The Board of Education of Baltimore County will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, to seek the community’s input concerning the proposed fiscal year 2017 capital budget. The Board is expected to approve the proposed capital budget request on September 1, 2015.
Sign-up for those members of the public wishing to speak at the May 20 public hearing begins at 6 p.m. at the Greenwood Campus, 6901 Charles Street, Building E, Towson, Maryland 21204.
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 boe@bcps.org.
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BCPS school, teacher win national award for service-learning project to clean local waterway: Southwest Academy students, teacher Joshua Foor-Hogue surprised with honor
TOWSON, MD. – Cleaning Dead Run stream near their school seemed like a great project for Southwest Academy science teacher Joshua Foor-Hogue and four of his Grade 8 students to undertake.
First, it was a great way for students to learn about the importance of caring for the local environment. And second, it seemed a good fit for a national contest, the Belk Service Learning Challenge, that recognizes middle school students for identifying a pressing issue in their community and then designing an action plan to find a solution.
It was a good fit. Today, Foor-Hogue, his students, and the school were surprised during a special assembly that celebrated the project as the grand prize winner of the Belk Challenge. The award, one of three grand prizes nationally, comes with $2,000 scholarships for each student team member and another $2,000 prize for Mr. Foor-Hogue.
“They are amazing,” Foor-Hogue said of his students. “I just wish I had more opportunity for my other students to show off how amazing they are.”
Foor-Hogue was stunned when he walked into a raucous gymnasium full of Grade 8 students. A six-year teacher at Southwest Academy, Foor-Hogue has followed in the footsteps of his grandmother, who taught at the school, and his father, who was a student there.
“I constantly preach and preach to my students that they’ll be doing this (work) in the real world, and now they finally get to experience what’s on the opposite end of hard work, which is success and being credited for their work,” he added. “I’m really excited for them. I hope they’ll take on more challenges.”
His team of four Grade 8 students – Omena Avoagye, Umar Siddique, Camryn Mason, and Hoteb Kamarika – were shocked by the award as well. Southwest Principal Karen Barnes had told her students there would be a special assembly at the end of the school day, but she didn’t let the secret slip. She even invited team parents and Foor-Hogue’s fiancée on the pretext that the assembly was for end-of-the-school-year recognition.
“I didn’t expect anything at all from this (project),” said Omena, who earlier had wiped away tears as she talked with a battery of television reporters. “It was a total shock. They said I’d won, and I was so excited.”
Added Hoteb, “My hard work won. I just got $2,000 towards my college education, and that is very great for my family.”
Sponsored by Belk, Discovery Education, and the International Society for Technology in Education, the Challenge is designed to support educators and encourage problem-solving skills and increased interest in academics through service-learning initiatives.
The Dead Run project, which Foor-Hogue hopes to expand throughout the school and community beyond, examined pollutant levels in the stream, its impact on the surrounding environment and life in the Chesapeake Bay. Based on their research, the team created an innovative action plan to revitalize the creek by removing all trash and pollutants, preventing runoff, and balancing the water’s pH and oxygen levels.
In addition to accolades from Principal Barnes and other dignitaries during the special assembly, BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance expressed his admiration for the Southwest team. “The work that these students and Mr. Foor-Hogue has undertaken is the definition of excellence, and Team BCPS is proud today to join with our partners at Belk, Discovery, and ISTE to celebrate these talented learners,” he said.
“Through the example they have set, I hope other schools, teachers, and students across Baltimore County will see how unlimited their teaching and learning can be, and how much each of us can do to positively impact our schools, communities, and the world around us.”
Barnes said her entire school would benefit from the award and what it represented. “There is special, inspired teaching that goes on every day at Southwest Academy, and we see the results of that teaching each day as well. Our students are talented, intellectually curious, and avid learners who are accomplishing amazing things,” she said. “We could not be more proud of them today.”
The Belk Service Learning Challenge was open to middle school students living in one of 16 states where the Charlotte-based retailer has stores, including Maryland. In addition to the cash awards, the sponsor also provides a free service-learning curriculum, lesson plans, and multimedia tools to middle school classrooms through an interactive online site.
“We hope that these students will continue to give back and maintain a sense of commitment to service and their communities,” said Jessica Graham, Belk’s vice president of communications and community relations.
Added Lori McFarling, chief marketing officer senior vice president with Discovery Education, “Education is much more than what is taught within the walls of a classroom. Some of the best learning opportunities for students are those that encourage them to connect classroom concepts to aspects of their everyday lives.”
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3 BCPS students named National Merit® Scholarship winners
TOWSON, MD. – The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced that three Baltimore County Public Schools students are among the 2,500 high school seniors who have won single payment $2,500 scholarships sponsored by the corporation.
The honored students are:
- Shuting Sarah Cai, Towson High School, who wants to pursue a career in bioengineering
- Adolfo S. Carvalho, Dulaney High School, who plans to become an astrophysicist
- Kalliopi A. Somis, Hereford High School, who is interested in a research science career
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Middlesex Elementary School closing at 12:30 p.m. today
TOWSON, MD. – Due to a power outage, Middlesex Elementary School, 142 Bennett Road in Essex, will close at 12:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, May 19.
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