TOWSON, MD. – Strike up the band, and cue the chorus! It’s time to celebrate once again! Baltimore County Public Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for the 12th consecutive year and 13th overall. BCPS is one of 4% of districts across the nation receiving the prestigious award in 2017. The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, BCPS answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instructional time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. “There are a lot of factors that make our music program so special,” said Dr. Brian K. Schneckenburger, BCPS supervisor of music and dance. “The most important contributing factor that I see is a pervasive, deep commitment to the program from all members of the community: school board members, the superintendent, the academics office, parents, teachers, and students. This commitment is one that celebrates the proud tradition of BCPS music ensembles as well as the importance of music in a child’s complete education.” Baltimore County students can choose among extensive offerings including courses in music and audio technology, world music, and Advanced Placement music theory. Students perform throughout the community in choral groups, jazz ensembles, steel bands, orchestras, wind ensembles, concert bands, and marching bands. In addition, partnerships with some of the area’s leading arts organizations, such as the Hippodrome Theater and Young Audiences Arts for Learning of Maryland, Gordon Center for the Performing Arts, and Baltimore Lyric Opera provide opportunities to see and interact with professional performers. A partnership with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra allows students to learn from and perform alongside professional musicians. Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University, a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. Another study from Harvard University suggests that early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood. Other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations, as well learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel. A 2015 study, “Striking a Chord” supported by the NAMM Foundation, also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.

TOWSON – In introducing his teacher, who later that evening would be named Baltimore County Public Schools 2017-18 Teacher of the Year, Troy Taylor described Rebecca Eig as ”E – encouraging, I – innovative, and G – genuine,” and said that she is one of the reasons he loves learning. BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance named Eig, a Grade 2 teacher at Owings Mills Elementary School, as Baltimore County Teacher of the Year. The awards ceremony was held yesterday evening at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson. “Rebecca Eig is exactly the kind of teacher every parent wants for his or her child," Dr. Dance said. “The depth of her caring for each student comes through in every interaction. She demonstrates tremendous respect for the abilities of her students and that respect leads her to challenge them, listen to them, and support them in accelerating their learning. She is an outstanding representative of the caliber of teachers you can find in every school across this county." As Baltimore County's latest Teacher of the Year, Eig will represent Team BCPS and compete for the honor of Maryland State Teacher of the Year. She will appear across multiple venues to champion the teaching profession as well as what it means to be an educator in BCPS. Eig, a Canton resident, has been teaching for seven years – all of them at Owings Mills Elementary. At the school, she has been a professional development school mentor, a reading committee member, and a community involvement committee member. Her background includes earning a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Towson University and a master’s in instructional technology from Towson University. One of Eig’s role models is her Grade 1 teacher, Mrs. Presler. Eig remembers how her teacher made her feel important in the classroom and in the community. Eig says that she tries to instill that same sense of belonging in her Grade 2 classroom. When new students arrive in her classroom, classmates greet them with a friendly “welcome to our family.” High-fives and positive reinforcement are frequent. (Click here to see a video about Eig.) In addition to Eig, four other finalists were honored during Wednesday’s ceremony. They are:

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

The Teacher of the Year receives a variety of awards and gifts from the school system, the Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, and Baltimore County's business community. The BCPS Teacher and Principal of the Year program thanks the Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools and NTA Life for their support. The Education Foundation of Baltimore County would like to thank its partners: Baltimore in a Box, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, BCPS Department of Innovative Learning, BCPS Office of Organizational Effectiveness, BCPS Office of Technology, Boscov’s at White Marsh Mall, Jean Blosser, Bread & Circuses Bistro, Capstone, Defined Learning, LLC, Hilary Corna, FastPark, Federal Realty, Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center, Heinemann, Hilton, iFly, Kobe, Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, author, From Rage to Hope, Lakeshore Learning Materials, Loyola University, Farrell Maddox, author, Building the Future, National Aquarium, Nelson Coleman Jewelers, Open Door, Red Brick Station, Santoni’s Marketplace and Catering, Shake Shack, Sheraton Baltimore North, Spa on The Avenue, Towson Tavern, Under Armour, and Workbench.

TOWSON – Cheryl Brooks, principal at Berkshire Elementary School, and Aubrey Brown, principal at Randallstown High School, were named the 2017-18 Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year at last night’s Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year Ceremony. “Cheryl and Aubrey are consummate leaders who have created school cultures that emphasize academic excellence and community pride,” said Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance. “Too often,” Dr. Dance said, “the work of our principals is unsung. We welcome this opportunity near the end of each school year to celebrate their invaluable contributions. Every day, year-round, our principals build relationships with families, invest in our staff, and create community partnerships that support students. Our principals along with their teachers are the heart and soul of every school. They model lifelong learning, they mentor, they lead, and they inspire us. Congratulations to Cheryl and Aubrey for being selected as outstanding representatives of our outstanding cadre of principals.” In addition to Brooks (a Dundalk resident) and Brown (a Pikesville resident), four other Principal of the Year finalists were honored during Wednesday’s ceremony. They are: Elementary

• Melissa DiDonato, Padonia International Elementary School
• Tracy Robinson, Glyndon Elementary School

Secondary

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

The Principal of the Year program, initiated by Dr. Dance, is in its fifth year. This is the second year that BCPS has honored both an elementary and a secondary principal of the year. The Principal of the Year receives a variety of awards and gifts from the school system, the Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, and Baltimore County's business community. The BCPS Teacher and Principal of the Year program thanks the Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools and NTA Life for their support. The Education Foundation of Baltimore County would like to thank its partners: Baltimore in a Box, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, BCPS Department of Innovative Learning, BCPS Office of Organizational Effectiveness, BCPS Office of Technology, Boscov’s at White Marsh Mall, Jean Blosser, Bread & Circuses Bistro, Capstone, Defined Learning, LLC, Hilary Corna, FastPark, Federal Realty, Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center, Heinemann, Hilton, iFly, Kobe, Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, author, From Rage to Hope, Lakeshore Learning Materials, Loyola University, Farrell Maddox, author, Building the Future, National Aquarium, Nelson Coleman Jewelers, Open Door, Red Brick Station, Santoni’s Marketplace and Catering, Shake Shack, Sheraton Baltimore North, Spa on The Avenue, Towson Tavern, Under Armour, and Workbench.

What: Lansdowne Elementary School Principal Stephen Price will be joined by BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz tobreak ground for a new, $35 million school to replace the existing structure. The new school, which is scheduled to open to students for the 2018 – 2019 school year, is designed to increase capacity at the school from 313 to 700. When: Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. Where: Lansdowne Elementary School 2301 Alma Road Lansdowne 21227

TOWSON, MD. – Baltimore County Public Schools has been named the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2017 National School Library Program of the Year (NSLPY) Award recipient. Sponsored by Follett, the NSLPY Award annually recognizes a single school or districtwide school library program that meets the needs of the changing school and library environment and is fully integrated into the school's curriculum. As the award winner, BCPS will receive an obelisk – the symbol of school library excellence – and $10,000 toward its school library program. “Over the past several years, the district has made significant strides in rebranding the role of the school librarian,” said Fran Glick, coordinator in BCPS’s office of digital learning. “The transformation of teaching and learning toward customized and personalized student learning is equally evident in our school libraries. Our school system’s philosophy regarding school libraries—and their place at the heart of student learning—is affirmed by a staffing model that ensures that all schools are staffed by a full-time certified school librarian. We are so grateful for the support of Superintendent Dance as our champion of the school library program.” “In Baltimore County Public Schools, the dynamic school library program is embedded in the culture of the district,” said Eileen Kern, awards committee chair. “While talking to administrators, teachers, parents, and community partners, the committee members consistently heard about the importance of the school librarian within the school and the district.” “Regardless of the physical structure of the library or the age of the school building, the libraries provide an inviting learning environment for students to explore, think, collaborate and create,” explains Kern. “Talk to the students in Baltimore County Public Schools and you will hear about the wonderful and exciting things happening in their libraries. Students in this district value the school library and school librarian.” “Baltimore County Public Schools is honored to be recognized for our work to leverage highly effective school librarians as part of our systemwide teaching and learning transformation,” said Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance. “Either through collaborating with other educators or working directly with students, our school librarians help students gain in-demand 21st-century skills including constructing meaning through research, problem solving, creativity, and communicating new knowledge. Our school library programs ensure equitable access to an effective, learner-centered digital learning environment.” "On behalf of AASL, I congratulate Baltimore County Public Schools, the 2017 recipient of the AASL’s prestigious National School Library Program of the Year Award," said AASL President Audrey Church. "From district level leadership to administrative support to strong building level school librarians, their emphasis is on providing effective school library programs that focus on student learning. Through access to quality resources, instruction in digital literacy, collaboration between librarians and classroom teachers, promotion of books and reading, and connection to community, Baltimore County school libraries are vibrant spaces where learning is transformed. I commend them for their excellent work." BCPS and other AASL award winners will be honored at the AASL Awards Ceremony & President’s Program during the 2017 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. The ceremony will be held from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 24. All are welcome to celebrate the accomplishments of their peers during this recognition event.

TOWSON, MD. – From Friday, April 28, until Friday, May 26, Baltimore County Public Schools will prominently feature profiles of dozens of its graduating seniors on its website, www.bcps.org. A new profile will appear each day. “Our students truly are extraordinary young men and women, and these profiles showcase their diversity and strengths,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance. “Even before they have graduated from high school, they have demonstrated leadership skills and commitment to the community in addition to excelling in the classroom, on the playing fields, in competitions, and on stage. We are so proud to highlight them as representatives of our seniors, and we look forward to seeing what all of the Class of 2017 members will contribute to our world.” A link to the feature will be found among the rotating images on the homepage of the BCPS website and the student page of the website. After moving off of the homepage, the profiles will be available in an online archive. Each profile will include a photo, reflections on BCPS, future plans, and a testimonial from a teacher or school administrator. The last day of the profile project coincides with the last day of school for seniors.

What: On one Saturday, Randallstown High School will be the site of two free events. The Spring Craft Xplosion, hosted by the school’s PTSA, will feature more than 40 vendors and include activities for children. The Safe Teen Driving Fair, coordinated by SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) will offer impaired driving simulators, racing simulators, video game truck, bounce house basketball, drone demonstration, entertainment, food, music, and prizes. The Driving Fair is sponsored by Alliance Game Distributors, the Baltimore Ravens, Barnes and Noble, Giant Food, Maryland Public Television, Sam’s Club, Shoppers grocery store, Walmart, and Wegmans. When: Saturday, Apr. 29, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Where: Randallstown High School, 4000 Offutt Rd., 21133Contact: Aubrey Brown, 410.887.0748What: A Baltimore County springtime tradition resumes with the annual BCPS Elementary Choral and Recorder Festival concert, which this year features the All-County Recorder Ensemble and the All-County Elementary Chorus. Students are selected for both the all-county choral and recorder ensembles through their schools. The event is free and open to the public.When: Saturday, Apr. 29, concert begins at 2 p.m. Where: Perry Hall High School, 4601 Ebenezer Rd., 21236Contact: Office of Music and Dance, 443.809.4024What: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts presents “I Bet Your Life,” a play full of hilarious situations, clever dialogue, intriguing romance, and surprise twists. In the play, soap opera writer Matthew Stoddard has written a screenplay about a terminally ill man who hires a hit man to kill him and then finds out he was misdiagnosed. Matt’s agent and best friend Greg think the plot is not feasible so Matt contacts a gangster and arranges for an incognito hit man to join them for a dinner party out in the country. The action accelerates as they try to find out who it is before the deadline. Will Greg make it out alive? This show is best suitable for ages 13 and up. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students/senior citizens and can be purchased at Patapsco's online box office. For more information, call 410.887.7060 x269.When: Saturday, Apr. 29 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Where: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts, Black Box Theater, 8100 Wise Ave., 21222Contact: Craig Reed, 410.887.7060When: Saturday, Apr. 29, at 9 a.m. Where: Hereford High School, 17301 York Rd., 21120Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328When: Saturday, Apr. 29, at 9 a.m.Where: CCBC Catonsville, 800 S. Rolling Rd., 21228Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328What: Aubrey Brown, principal of Randallstown High School and BCPS 2017-18 Secondary Principal of the Year, will be the keynote speaker at the fourth annual Man UP! Symposium – “Making My Black Life Matter – Creating a Global Vision.” The event is free and open to young men from Grade 3 through college and their parents. It is sponsored by the Baltimore County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence (EMBODI); A. Colie Business Services, LLC; and Black Professional Men, Inc. Participants can register at the door. When: Saturday, Apr. 29, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Where: Woodlawn High School, 1801 Woodlawn Dr., 21207 What: In honor of the Rosedale branch’s grand opening, Rosedale Federal is granting Golden Ring Middle School in Rosedale $55,000 toward transforming a classroom into a technology lab meant to cultivate critical thinking skills. The new lab, MakerSpace, will be designed to enhance student engagement in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math, and provide students with collaborative, hands-on experience with the latest technologies, including 3-D printers, Apple iPads, and a green screen. Rosedale Federal has had an ongoing relationship with Golden Ring Middle School since the establishment of the Rosedale Federal Financial Scholars Program, which teaches students financial literacy through interactive digital software. At the branch grand opening, several Golden Ring Middle School students will showcase the use of the digital learning platform. The event will also feature prize giveaways, face painting, balloon twisting, a photo booth, light refreshments, and entertainment. When: Saturday, Apr. 29, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Rosedale Federal, Rosedale Branch, 8552 Philadelphia Rd., 21237 What: For the past 29 years, the Baltimore Museum of Art has hosted an annual countywide student exhibition, Art is for Everyone, presenting the artwork of BCPS students from PreK through Grade 12. The breadth of the county schools' art program is highlighted by a variety of two-and-three-dimensional artworks, including sculpture, photography, drawing, painting, and digital art. Students, parents, and teachers are invited to this reception celebrating the creativity of Baltimore County school students.When: Sunday, Apr. 30, from 1 – 4 p.m. Where: Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr., 21218Contact: Sherri Fisher, 443.809.4030What: The PTA Council of Baltimore County will present its annual awards. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.When: Sunday, Apr. 30, at 2 p.m. Where: Cockeysville Middle School, 10401 Greenside Dr., 21030 What: High schools across Baltimore County will celebrate National College Decision Day. All Team BCPS stakeholders (current, former, and future students, families, staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters of the school system) are encouraged to use social media and in-school and in-community events to celebrate and congratulate seniors who have been accepted to college or made career plans. All stakeholders also are encouraged, on this day, to wear gear representing the colleges they attended or support and to share messages about the importance of choosing the right college/university. Stakeholders are asked to use #BCPSgoestocollege on Twitter or Facebook as they post pictures and share reflections. Seniors are asked to use this same hashtag when sharing information about the colleges they will attend. When: Monday, May 1What: Baltimore County Public Schools encourages the parents of students receiving special education services to participate in the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. The Maryland State Department of Education mailed copies of the survey to parents whose children receive special education services. Parents may also take the online survey. The survey is being conducted by MSDE’s Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. All parents or guardians of children ages 3 to 21 who are receiving special education and related services through BCPS are invited to participate. The purpose of the survey is to determine how well schools are partnering with parents and promoting parent involvement. Parent feedback will be used to help improve special education and related services. The survey is anonymous, takes about 5 minutes to complete online, and must be completed in one sitting. Deadline: May 1, 2017What: All Baltimore County schools will participate in Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Each will conduct at least one mental health awareness activity or educational event. Participants may share pictures throughout the week by using the hashtags #CMHMbcps and #CMHMMaryland and follow @Awarebcps and @ChildrensMHM on Twitter for updates. When: Monday, May 1 – Sunday, May 7 Contact: Marilyn Healy, 443.809.6368, or Lisa Selby, 443.809.9759What: BCPS Parent University and the Office of Digital Safety and Innovation will host a special evening presentation of “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age.” The critically acclaimed documentary examines issues surrounding the amount and kind of screen time experienced by young people on their digital devices and helps parents both understand and address those issues. Screenings are free and open to all BCPS parents, students, and staff. When: Tuesday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m. Where: Three locations:

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

What: The public is invited to the Patapsco High and Center for the Arts Spring Vocal Concert. The school’s vocal ensembles will perform. Admission is only $5. Refreshments will be available for purchase in the lobby. All proceeds go toward support of the music students. When: Tuesday, May 2, at 7 p.m.Where: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., 21222Contact: Craig Reed, 410.887.7060 What: The students and families at Glenmar Elementary will engage in hands-on learning at a fun-filled night of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)! Some activities include Rescuing Rover, Angry Birds, Parachutes, Bottle Flipping, Brick Building, and 3-D Clay portraits! Also included will be gallery walks throughout the Glenmar Museum. When: Tuesday, May 2, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Where: Glenmar Elementary School, 9700 Community Dr., 21220Contact: Dr. Delores Tedeschi-Butler, dbutler2@bcps.org or 410.887.0127What: Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance will host his second Middle and High School Student Town Halls of the year. When: Tuesday, May 2, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Where: Overlea High School, 5401 Kenwood Ave., 21206Contact: Dept. of Communications and Community Outreach, 443.809.5908What: Senior students in the Patapsco Art magnet proudly present the annual Senior Art Show. This show is the culmination of four years of hard work and quality instruction at Patapsco. Student work demonstrates a variety of interests and techniques in painting, drawings, sculpture, and multi-media. Admission is free. When: Wednesday, May 3, at 5:30 p.m. Where: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., 21222Contact: Craig Reed, 410.887.7060 What: The Gifted and Talented Citizens Advisory Committee is a group of parents, students, and advocates who provide input on issues related to gifted and talented education in BCPS. The meeting is open to the public and registration is not required.When: Wednesday, May 3, at 7 p.m. Where: BCPS headquarters, Greenwood Campus, Bldg. E, 6901 N. Charles St., 21204 What: The Special Education Resource Center and the BCPS Office of Special Education offer free workshops for parents and caregivers with strategies to use in supporting all students including students with special needs. This workshop will focus on ADHD intervention strategies. Please register with Lisa Diffenderfer at ldiffenderfer@bcps.org.When: Wednesday, May 3, from 7 – 9 p.m. Where: White Oak School, 8401 Leefield Rd., 21234 What: Lansdowne Elementary School Principal Stephen Price will be joined by BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz to break ground for a new, $35 million school to replace the existing structure. The new school, which is scheduled to open to students for the 2018 – 2019 school year, is designed to increase capacity at the school from 313 to 700. When: Wednesday, May 3, at 9:00 a.m. Where: Lansdowne Elementary School, 2301 Alma Rd., 21227What: County Executive Kevin Kamenetz will honor the three 2017 state basketball champion teams from BCPS. This is the first time BCPS has had three state basketball champions in one year. These teams are New Town girls, Catonsville girls, and Perry Hall boys. When: Wednesday, May 3, at 1 p.m.Where: Towson Courthouse Gardens, Washington Avenue side, 21204What: The Annual Career and Technology Education student recognition ceremony will honor 125 outstanding seniors. Annual scholarships will also be announced.Where: Wednesday, May 3, from 7 – 9 p.m. Where: SECU Arena at Towson University, 8000 York Rd., 21252Contact: Office of Career and Technology Education, 443.809.8921What: Milbrook Elementary School will host its annual Barnes & Noble Book Fair. Student performances have been planned for this evening, and teachers will act as guest readers in the children's section of the store. There will also be a special drink and snack combination featured in the café. Students will be given time to shop with their families to support the school. This event encourages students to read with their families. When: Thursday, May 4, from 6 – 8 p.m. Where: Barnes & Noble, Festival at Woodholme, 1819 Reisterstown Rd., 21208Contact: Jeffery Tessier, 410.887.1225What: The public is invited to Patapsco High and Center for the Arts Spring Instrumental Concert. The school’s band and orchestra ensembles will perform. Admission is only $5. Refreshments will be available for purchase in the lobby. All proceeds go toward support of the music students. When: Thursday, May 4, at 7 p.m.Where: Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., 21222Contact: Craig Reed, 410.887.7060What: With support from the Education Foundation and the Office of Digital Learning, Edgemere Elementary School has updated and upgraded its television studio. The students’ first project in the studio has been to create the Past and Future Edgemere project. Students have been involved in creating oral histories, a pictorial timeline (both digital and print) of the history of Edgemere, and advertising pitches about predictions for the future of Edgemere. On this “museum night,” visitors will be able to walk these projects as they walk through a life-size timeline that will loop through the school’s first floor. Immediately following the museum night, a spring concert will feature instrumental music by Edgemere students. When: Museum: Thursday, May 4, from 4:15 – 5:45 p.m. Concert: Thursday, May 4, from 6 – 8 p.m. Where: Edgemere Elementary School, 7201 North Point Rd., 21219Contact: Jennifer Lynch, 410.887.7507What: It is time for The Baltimore County Public Library Reisterstown Area 2017 Battle of the Books Tournament! Cheer on students from Reisterstown, Chatsworth, Franklin, and Glyndon elementary schools as they compete to test their knowledge of Black-Eyed Susan Award nominated books. When: Thursday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m.Where: Reisterstown Elementary School, 223 Walgrove Rd., 21136Contact: Elyse Singer, 410.887.1133 or esinger@bcps.org, or Crystal Chong, 410.887.1165What: Catonsville High School is hosting an educational symposium called “Knowing the Facts” to examine drug use and addiction in the community. Students from Catonsville High and area middle schools are invited to attend with their parents. Refreshments will be served and information about community resources will be available. To register to attend, please contact Brittany Watkins at bwatkins4@bcps.org. When: Thursday, May 4, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. Where: Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave., 21228What: Chatsworth School Grade 5 students will participate in a class service project, Chatsworth Gives Back, in which they will make blankets for shelter animals and goodie bags for families. Additionally, the entire school will collect items to be donated to Ronald McDonald House and the Baltimore Humane Society. Monetary donations will be collected on the Chatsworth PTA Web site or can be sent to the school (to the attention of the PTA and Chatsworth Gives Back). The items being collected include: no-sew fleece throws, small water bottles, juice boxes, individual bags of chips, individual fruit snacks, granola bars, non-perishable food items, crayons, markers, activity pads, coloring books, small puzzles/crafts for kids, and small gift bags. When: Items will be collected from May 5 – 11, 2017. On May 11, the items will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House and the Baltimore Humane Society. Where: Chatsworth Elementary School, 222 New Ave., 21136Contact: Sara Hoffman, shoffman4@bcps.orgWhen: Saturday, May 6, at 9 a.m.Where: Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., 21222Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328When: Saturday, May 6, at 9 a.m.Where: New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., 21117Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328What: The BCPS Employee Wellness Committee, with the support of its partners at First Financial Federal Credit Union, Brick Bodies, Cigna, and Kaiser Permanente, will celebrate everything that the school system’s employee wellness program has to offer at BCPS 5k Wellness Day. The event is free for BCPS employees and their families. The event will include the option to participate in a 5k or a 1-Mile Family Fun Walk. Employees and their families also can participate in a group fitness class, a nutrition class, or a financial wellness class. All BCPS health and wellness vendors will be in attendance, and employees can take their health assessments onsite. The event also will feature a farmer’s market, food trucks, a kid’s zone, and much more! There is event information on the BCPS Employee Wellness Web page. This event will be held rain or shine. When: Saturday, May 6, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Where: Oregon Ridge State ParkContact: Jenny Ward, 443.809.9371What: UMBC’s education department and Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture have been helping Relay Elementary School students learn about environmental art and artists. The results of this effort will be presented in the “Natural Connections: Linking Art & Nature” exhibition. When: Through Thursday, May 11 Where: UMBC, Fine Arts Building, first floor Hall Gallery, 1000 Hilltop Cir., 21250 Contact: Lisa Dingle or Tricia Wilding, 410.887.1426What: Registration for the Summer Music Camp is now open and will continue through Friday, May 12. This day camp is designed for BCPS students currently in Grades 5 through 12 who are enrolled in their school’s music programs. At camp, students will participate in a band, chorus, guitar, or orchestra at the appropriate grade level. In addition to large group rehearsals, students will participate in enrichment classes and receive instruction to enhance their music performance skills. All of the musical ensembles will perform at a public concert in the outdoor amphitheater at Oregon Ridge Park on the evening on Thursday, June 29. All BCPS students currently enrolled in their school’s band, chorus, guitar, or orchestra are invited to participate. The fee for this unique summer musical experience is $200. Transportation to and from Perry Hall High School will be provided at no additional charge to students who do not reside in the host school community. For more information or a registration form, contact a BCPS music teacher in Grades 5 through 12, or visit the Office of Music and Dance Education’s Web page. Registration deadline: Friday, May 12Contact: Shane Jensen, 443.809.4024What: The book, Building the Future, takes readers on a 276-page journey showcasing the history of Baltimore County Public Schools in a way that has never been done before. Through a compilation of stories, photos, and testimonials, the full-color commemorative book describes the school system’s growth—and occasional growing pains—and how Baltimore County Public Schools ultimately rose from humble beginnings in 1732, to a school system renowned for both its stability and innovation. Proceeds from the book benefit The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools. For information about purchasing the book, please contact Deborah Phelps at dphelps@bcps.org or Bonnie Derda at bderda@bcps.org. Both can be reached at 443.809.8962.

TOWSON – Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance will receive this year’s Educational Leadership Award from Common Sense, the nation's leading nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering parents, educators, and advocates to help kids thrive in the digital age. Others to be honored at the 2017 Common Sense Awards are:

• Gina Rodriguez, Golden Globe Award-winning actor, the CW's Jane the Virgin: Media Role Model Award
• Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.): Public Policy Leadership Award
• Amy Poehler's Smart Girls, co-founded by Amy Poehler and Meredith Walker: Digital Media Leadership Award
• April McClain-Delaney, Common Sense Washington director and co-chair, Common Sense Washington Advisory Council: Common Sense Champion Award

The ceremony will be held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. The event will be hosted by Katty Kay, anchor, BBC News, and Claire Shipman, journalist/author; co-authors of the New York Times best-seller The Confidence Code. Corporate sponsors include 21st Century Fox, Activision, AT&T, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Charter Communications, Comcast NBCUniversal, Facebook, First Republic Bank, Hulu, Nickelodeon, Twitter, and Davis, Polk & Wardwell, LLP. The audience will include influential guests in education, government, public leadership, industry, and business.

TOWSON, MD – Baltimore County Public Schools encourages the parents of students receiving special education services to participate in the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. The Maryland State Department of Education mailed copies of the survey to parents whose children receive special education services. The special education survey also can be taken online. The survey deadline has been extended to Monday, May 8, 2017. The survey is being conducted by MSDE’s Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. All parents or guardians of children ages 3 to 21 who are receiving special education and related services through BCPS are invited to participate. The purpose of the survey is to determine how well schools are partnering with parents and promoting parent involvement. Parent feedback will be used to help improve special education and related services. The survey is anonymous, takes about 5 minutes to complete online, and must be completed in one sitting.

What: Parents and caregivers are invited to participate in free Parent Expo 2017 events to learn more about summer programs and activities. A project of the Baltimore County Public Schools Parent University and the Baltimore County Public Library, the six Expo events – taking place at library branches across the county – will share tips, information, and tools regarding academic resources, summer reading programs and recommendations, and everyday activities parents can use to support learning at home. Registration is not required for any expo event. When & Where: Thursday, May 11, 2017, 6 – 8 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – Woodlawn Branch 1811 Woodlawn Dr., 21207 Wednesday, May 17, 2017, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – Owings Mills Branch 10302 Grand Central Ave., 21117 Thursday, May 25, 2017, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – Essex Branch 1110 Eastern Blvd., 21221 Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 6 – 8 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – Catonsville Branch 1100 Frederick Rd., 21228 Wednesday, Jun. 7, 2017, 4 – 6 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – North Point Branch 1716 Merritt Blvd., 21222 Thursday, Jun. 8, 2017, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – Rosedale Branch 6105 Kenwood Ave., 21237

TOWSON – Last May, as a senior project for George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology’s literary arts prime, Viviana Prado-Núñez self-published a novel titled The Art of White Roses. This May, Prado-Núñez, now a freshman at Columbia University, is celebrating that her novel just won the fourth annual CODE’s Burt Award for Caribbean Literature. The award recognizes outstanding writing for young adults by Caribbean authors. For her first place finish, Prado-Núñez, who was born in Puerto Rico, will receive a $10,000 prize and 2,500 copies of her book will be donated to schools, libraries, and community organizations throughout the Caribbean. Prado-Núñez learned of her award during the NGC Bocas Lit Fest in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. When Prado-Núñez called Suzanne Supplee, Carver Center’s literary arts department chair, to tell her about the prize, Supplee says that “as excited as Viviana was about the $10,000, she was even more excited that her work was going to reach beyond Carver, beyond BCPS.”
Prado-Núñez wrote and published her book as her senior independent writing project at Carver Center. Supplee created this initiative five years ago, when she took over as department chair. “I felt that the students needed to have something of substance to show for their completion of the program – a single work to reflect who they are as writers,” Supplee said. “I wanted them to have the experience of creating and sustaining a work of length. So many writers want to complete a book, but they get involved in school, work, life, and never find the time.” Supplee’s Class of 2017 writers will present their senior projects at a coffee house and reception on Monday, May 15, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the school, 938 York Rd., 21204. Admission to the event is $5, and most of the 15 students will have copies of their self-published books – works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry – for sale at the event. After the event, the books will be available for sale on Amazon.com. The project begins with students writing proposals. “Novels are gangly, unruly beasts,” Supplee said. “If they want to write one, I will want to know that they have the commitment to get that done. Sometimes their proposals are flimsy or seem too much like work that has been done before. I try to steer students, guide them, to produce their best work.” As the students begin writing, some of them consult with mentors. “A lot of that decision – whether to have mentors – is driven by the students,” Supplee said. “Once I have secured the mentors, they go through BCPS volunteer training and primarily communicate with students online.” This year, six students have mentors. One student is working on a history of rock and roll in Baltimore. She sought as her mentor John Lewis, who was the arts and culture editor for Baltimore Magazine and who has written for Rolling Stone and other national publications. (Viviana’s mentor last year was Robbie Lavine, a writer whose daughter is a graduate of Carver Center’s literary arts prime.) Supplee, herself a published author who writes every day, is also available to the students throughout the year as they work on their projects. Supplee has published three young adult novels; the most recent of these is Somebody Everybody Listens To (2010). Beyond writing the work, Supplee says that the project offers a comprehensive lesson in self-publishing using Amazon’s CreateSpace. “They have to figure out spacing, fonts, acknowledgements, author’s notes, print runs…,” She said. “They have to write bios and arrange for cover art.” Some of the students create their own covers; some work with Carver Center’s visual arts students or reach out to family or friends for artwork. While there is a cost involved in printing their books, students aim to sell their books to make a profit. In addition, Supplee says, several years ago, a student donated half of her Ben Carson Scholarship to create a fund to support self-publishing expenses for literary arts prime students who need that support.

TOWSON, MD – The Board of Education will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at its Greenwood Campus, 6901 N. Charles Street, Building E, Towson, Maryland 21204. The Board’s regular open session will begin at approximately 5:00 p.m. The Board will then meet in closed session as permitted by law. The open session will reconvene at 6:30 p.m. The Building and Contracts Committee discussion will take place during the open session. 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 website (www.bcps.org).

TOWSON – The Board of Education of Baltimore County is seeking letters of interest and resume materials from qualified candidates interested in serving as the interim superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, the nation’s 25th largest school system. Information should be submitted to Debi Decker, senior executive assistant to the Board, at ddecker2@bcps.org by no later than 4:45 p.m. on Monday, May 8. Each letter of interest should include details about the candidate’s qualifications and vision.  The selected interim superintendent will be expected to begin his or her term in July 2017.  The Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Tuesday, May 9, 2017. “Under the leadership of the outgoing superintendent, Dr. S. Dallas Dance, Baltimore County Public Schools has continued to be a strong and stable school system,” said Board Chair Edward J. Gilliss. “We deeply appreciate Dr. Dance’s dedicated service and many contributions. The Board looks forward to identifying an interim leader for the school system who is interested in working with us to build on the advances of the past five years and to move the school system forward.” BCPS serves more than 112,000 students in 173 schools, centers, and programs with a staff of more than 18,000 employees, including more than 9,000 teachers. Its FY 2017 budget is $1.87 billion. Twenty-three BCPS schools are Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools, and 20 of those have earned National Blue Ribbon honors. Each year, approximately half of the county’s high schools are ranked among the best in the nation. The BCPS graduation rate has risen by 5.4 percentage points since 2012, reaching 89.2 percent for the Class of 2016. At the same time, the school system has been able to eliminate the graduation rate gap between black and white students. Guided by its Blueprint 2.0 strategic plan, BCPS has garnered national and even international attention for its recent initiatives to facilitate student-centered learning through S.T.A.T. (Students and Teachers Accessing Technology) and Passport (which begins Spanish language instruction in Grade 4). BCPS has received multiple Digital Innovation Learning Awards from Digital Promise and Ed Surge; was named a District of Distinction twice by District Administration Magazine; and earned the Digital Content and Curriculum Achievement Award from the Center for Digital Education. Microsoft designated BCPS as its first “Showcase” school system for innovative digital teaching and learning, and named BCPS as part of its Leading Countries of the World in Transforming Education program. BCPS was accepted into the League of Innovative Schools, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded BCPS an unusually large grant to advance equity and digital learning. Other recent honors for the school system include being named the 2017 National School Library Program of the Year and, for the 12th consecutive year, being named one the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education. Baltimore County itself wraps around Baltimore City and stretches north to the Pennsylvania line. The students of Baltimore County come from urban, rural, and suburban communities. The majority of students (60%) are students of color, and BCPS students’ families represent more than 100 different nations and speak 85 different languages. More than 45% of BCPS students are eligible for free and reduced price meals.

TOWSON, MD – Chances are, if you live in or near Baltimore County, that Baltimore County Public Schools has had some impact on your life. You attended a BCPS school or your children or grandchildren do now. You live near a school, and its quality raises your property value. You hire employees who are BCPS graduates or your customers are BCPS students, graduates, or staff. To celebrate the history and growth of the school system, the public is invited to a special event hosted by the Education Foundation of BCPS and the Baltimore County Historical Society. The event – “Every Page Tells Our Story” – will be held from 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel, 903 Dulaney Valley Rd., in Towson 21204. Admission to the event is $5 per person when purchased in advance online at Eventbrite. Tickets will be sold at the door, if still available, for $10 each. The event will feature a casual panel conversation between distinguished guests, followed by a reception and book signing. The guest panel will consist of BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance (2012 – present); former BCPS Superintendent Dr. Robert Dubel (1976 – 1992); and retired BCPS visual arts supervisor Farrell Maddox, author of Building the Future. Their conversation will be moderated by Sean McComb, 2014 National Teacher of the Year and staff development teacher at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts. The discussion will explore the school system’s growth from one-room schoolhouses to multi-million dollar complexes. “This collaboration between the Education Foundation and the Baltimore County Historical Society was inspired by Farrell Maddox’s personal passion project, which resulted in the commemorative book Building the Future,” said Deborah Phelps, Education Foundation executive director. “Through his efforts, he captured, through photos, artifacts, and interviews, the history of Baltimore County’s schools. I would like to personally invite each of you to come and enjoy this memorable experience that truly investigates the past, present, and future of our schools.” The 276-page book will be on sale at the event at a special price of $120 per copy. Proceeds from the book and the event will support 21st Century Instructional Initiative Grants for BCPS schools and scholarships for BCPS students. For additional information, please contact Laura Lemon, Education Foundation associate director at 443-809-9018 or llemon2@bcps.org.

TOWSON, MD. – Baltimore County Public Schools honored 125 Career and Technology Education program seniors during a May 3 celebration at Towson University’s SECU Arena. The students recognized at the 43rd Annual Career and Technology Education Ceremony were those who demonstrated excellence in their programs, which include Business Education, School to Career Transition, Family and Consumer Sciences, Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, Technology Education, and Technical Programs. These career preparation programs are sequences of related courses that prepare students with the rigorous academic and technical skills needed to enter the workforce and/or post-secondary education. Virtually all of the programs are aligned with courses of study at the Community College of Baltimore County, and some students graduate eligible for as many as 23 free credits at the college. Tiffany Klingenstein, a student in the Teacher Academy of Maryland at Eastern Technical High School, served as mistress of ceremonies for the evening. Highlights of the evening included a video interview with Stephanie Totty, a CTE alum (Eastern Technical High School, Class of 2009) who now works as a pastry supervisor for the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor, and reflections from five graduating seniors. These seniors are:

• Xenia Escobar, Career Research and Development, Lansdowne High School, who has received a full-tuition scholarship to a university and who plans to own an electrical engineering business;
• Isabella Maxey, Interactive Media Production, Eastern Technical High School, best in show winner at the 2016 BCPS Film Expo, who will study business communications at Stevenson University and whose ultimate goal is to lead her own cable news network;
• Jaidyn Nicely, Administrative Services, Sparrows Point High School, who has earned multiple Microsoft certifications and served as DECA president, and who plans to study accounting and economics at McDaniel College;
• Christopher Offoha, Criminal Justice Technology, Eastern Technical High School, who interned with the Baltimore County State’s Attorney Office and completed an independent research project on reforming plea bargaining, and whose plan is, after completing the Scholars Program at University of Maryland, College Park, to attend Harvard Law School and become a judge; and
• London Taylor, Administrative Services, Loch Raven High School, who will be attending Stevenson University in the fall, with ultimate plans to become a nurse practitioner and open a nursing home.

The evening concluded with the announcement of the Annual Anthony G. Marchione Scholarships (named in honor of a former BCPS superintendent). One student, Dylan Orr of Franklin High School, was named the overall winner. Orr, a Project Lead The Way: Biomedical Sciences student, received a total of $3,000 in scholarships (a $1,000 Northwest Area scholarship and a $2,000 overall scholarship) and was awarded a Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet for his academic and technical achievements, community and school service, and employment success. Four other students, one from each of the school system’s other geographic areas, received $1,000 scholarships and a Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet each. They are:

• Central Area: Mia de Leon, Business Management and Finance, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
• Southeast Area: Jaidyn Nicely, Administrative Services, Sparrows Point High School
• Southwest Area: Benjamin Corcoran, Interactive Media Production, Catonsville High School
• Northeast Area: Isabella Maxey, Interactive Media Production, Eastern Technical High School

In addition, runners-up were each awarded a Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet.

• Central Area: Elliott Donato, Carpentry Careers, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
• Southeast Area: Bernard Bernudez, Academy of Health Professions, Sollers Point Technical High School (He also is a Kenwood High School student.)
• Southwest Area: Kavya Kavanakudy, Information Technology: Computer Science, Western School of Technology
• Northeast Area: Christopher Offoha, Criminal Justice Technology, Eastern Technical High School
• Northwest Area: Miguel Paolo Arana, Interactive Media Production, Pikesville High School/

Kavanakudy also won a $1,500 Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, which was presented during the ceremony. More information about CTE programs in BCPS can be found online. 43rd Annual Baltimore County Public Schools Career and Technology Education Student Recognition Ceremony Student Honorees Central Area DULANEY HIGH SCHOOL Ashia Huffer, Career Research and Development Justin Voelker, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Matthew Levis, Project Lead The Way: Engineering Argenis Navarro, Business ManagementGEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER CENTER FOR ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY Elliott Donato, Carpentry Careers Lauren Curtis, Cosmetology Careers Mia de Leon, Business Management and Finance Henry Burtis, Information Technology: Computer Science Julia Hofsass, Culinary Arts and Restaurant ManagementHEREFORD HIGH SCHOOL Timothy P. Briggs, Business Management and Finance Matt Smith, Career Research and Development Jordan Thomas Hettleman, Information Technology: Computer Science Katherine Anderson, School Age Child Development and Care Services Eric Shipley, Agriculture Science: Animal, Plant, and MechanicalLOCH RAVEN HIGH SCHOOL London Taylor, Administrative Services Quion Dandridge, Career Research and DevelopmentPARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Kimberly Hoxter, Career Research and Development Sierra Ptak, School Age Child Development and Care Services Robert Galusha, Information Technology: Networking Liam Dietl, Interactive Media ProductionTOWSON HIGH SCHOOL Charles Bouloukos, Career Research and DevelopmentSoutheast Area CHESAPEAKE HIGH SCHOOL Ta'Nay Sands-Peace, Career Research and Development David W. Clark, JROTC- Marine Corps Breeze Howard, Criminal Justice Technology Jasmine Woodrum, Business Management and Finance Riley Frank, Project Lead The Way: Engineering Jordan Biggs, Interactive Media Production Raina Cornelius, Advanced Technology EducationDUNDALK HIGH SCHOOL Nadira Gondal, Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Armando Arbella, Business Management Alyssa Testerman, Teacher Academy of Maryland Michael Walker, Career Research and Development Thomas Wazlavek, Interactive Media Production: Communication and Broadcast Technology Jacob Nelson, JROTC- NavyPATAPSCO HIGH SCHOOL AND CENTER FOR THE ARTS Emiley M. Crabb, Career Research and Development David McLaughlin, Business Management and Finance Nashone D. Bethea, Criminal Justice Technology Kevin C. Bull, JROTC- Army Kyle M. Westerfield, Advanced Technology Education Stephanie L Wray, Child Care and Early Childhood EducationSOLLERS POINT TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL Fatima Sharp, Information Technology: Computer Science Nicholas Groth, Information Technology: Networking Bernard Bermudez, Academy of Health Professions Courtney Byard, Diesel Truck and Power Systems Technology Faith Baker, Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management Travis Williams, Construction Management Kyle Lindt, Automotive Service Technology Madison Boswell, Cosmetology Careers Johan Milele Tamze Kouanga, Engineering Technician Mackenzie Chalmers, Culinary Arts: Baking and PastrySPARROWS POINT HIGH SCHOOL Jaidyn Nicely, Administrative Services Eric Warthen, Career Research and DevelopmentSouthwest Area CATONSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Benjamin Corcoran, Interactive Media Production Kylie Sellers, Career Research and Development Aakilah Barrett, Child Care and Early Childhood Education Casy Doster, Advanced Technology EducationLANSDOWNE HIGH SCHOOL Noah Condon, Electrical Careers Cassidy Caldwell, Child Care and Early Childhood Education Xenia Escobar, Career Research and Development Haider Khan, Academy of Finance (AOF) Eyiram Ametepe, Project Lead The Way: Biomedical SciencesWESTERN SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY Brandon T. Mrnak, Academy of Health Professions Joshua Donovan Hood, Information Technology: Networking Sara Eu-meh Franks, Graphic/Print Communications Technology Makaria Martin, Business Management and Finance Kavya Kavanakudy, Information Technology: Computer Science Nicholas F. Calvert, Mechanical Construction/Plumbing Careers Cierra Janet Major, Cosmetology Careers Jaelise Pittman, Environmental Technology Emani Lyana Williams, Culinary Arts and Restaurant ManagementWOODLAWN HIGH SCHOOL Oluwakemi (Kemi) Adelakun, Project Lead The Way: Biomedical Sciences Kayla Daniels, Business Management and Finance Deandra Harvin, Child Care and Early Childhood Education T-Yona Dobbins, Project Lead The Way: EngineeringNortheast Area EASTERN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL Zachary Reise, Business Management and Finance Frank Comotto, Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management Isabella Maxey, Interactive Media Production Tiffany Klingenstein, Teacher Academy of Maryland Treasure Nwokeleme, Academy of Health Professions Christopher Offoha, Criminal Justice Technology Talia Amjad, Information Technology: Networking Dalton Grace, Construction Management Jean Rommel L. Marquez, Engineering CareersKENWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Ronja Green, Marketing Roland Peer, Mechanical Construction/Plumbing Careers Brianna Vieyra, Child Care and Early Childhood Education Brian Huber, Advanced Technology Education Justin Young, Nutrition and Food Science Associate George Hutson, Graphic/Print Communications Technology Taja Murry, JROTC- Air ForceOVERLEA HIGH SCHOOL Anna Reynolds, Graphic/Print Communications Technology Destiny Buck, Career Research and Development Andrew Mycka, JROTC- Marine Corps Ya'moree Archer, Advanced Technology Education Dayziah Gray, Academy of Finance (AOF) Alyssa Chacon, Child Care and Early Childhood EducationPERRY HALL HIGH SCHOOL Colin Layfield, Carpentry Careers Sarah Wetherington, Career Research and DevelopmentNorthwest Area FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL Brett Maul, Interactive Media Production Dylan Orr, Project Lead The Way: Biomedical Sciences Sarah Sikorski, Career Research and DevelopmentMILFORD MILL ACADEMY Kaosisochukwu Di-ibor, Academy of Health Professions Enysia Mance, Business Management and Finance Jewel Collins, Child Care and Early Childhood Education Brittany Whitt, Construction Management Malcolm Butler, Automotive Service Technology Jayquan Bridgeman, Computer Aided Technical Drafting Alan Cole, Career Research and Development Aaliyah Santana, Cosmetology Careers Desmond Oliver, Information Technology: Networking Mya Queensbury, Information Technology: Computer ScienceNEW TOWN HIGH SCHOOL Mikayla Yancey, Project Lead The Way: Biomedical Sciences Elijah Thornton, Career Research and Development J'dan Vaughn, Information Technology: Networking Ashley Lay, Nutrition and Food Science AssociateOWINGS MILLS HIGH SCHOOL Antonio W. Prater, Carpentry Careers PIKESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Tysheira Johnson, Career Research and Development Miguel Paolo Arana, Interactive Media Production Sramika Thapa, Project Lead The Way: EngineeringRANDALLSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL Kamryn Shaw, Career Research and Development Brittany Bailey, Academy of Finance (AOF) Robert Henderson, JROTC- Navy

TOWSON, MD – Morgan Robb, a Grade 5 student at Fort Garrison Elementary School, won second place in the 2017 Arbor Day “Trees are Terrific and Energy Wise” poster contest. The contest is sponsored by the Maryland Forest Service, in partnership with the Maryland Forest Conservancy District Boards. To become a statewide winner, Robb’s poster first was selected as the Baltimore County winner by the Baltimore County Forestry Board. The county forestry board chose Robb’s design from among 31 entries from nine Baltimore County schools. Statewide winners were then chosen from among the individual county first place winners. The poster by Robb, whose art teacher is Grace Hulse, is on display at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in Annapolis. It also can be seen, along with other winning statewide and first place county posters, on the Department of Natural Resources website.

What: Community leaders and area residents are invited to participate in a meeting to discuss plans to replace or substantially renovate the existing Dundalk Elementary School building. This is part of a review process that Baltimore County Public Schools is engaging in with the Maryland Historical Trust. This review is required of all projects in Maryland that are undertaken, assisted, or permitted by a federal or state agency in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations. When: Wednesday, May 24, at 6 p.m. Where: Dundalk Elementary School 2717 Playfield St. Dundalk 21222Background: The Dundalk Elementary School project entails the use of state funds from the Public School Construction Program. The current preferred alternative is to build a new school on the northeast end of the existing school site and demolish the existing Dundalk Elementary School. Dundalk Elementary School was originally built in 1925, with additions constructed in 1929 and again in 1946. The entire building is a contributing resource to the Dundalk Historic District, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 4, 1983. The Dundalk Historic District is significant as an expression of early 20th century community planning and for its architecture. The purpose of the project is to provide a sustainable, state of the art building that creates a 21st century learning environment. BCPS staff members believe that the current building layout and mechanical systems prevent the teachers from effectively delivering a 21st century elementary school curriculum. It is also believed the operation of the existing building is inefficient and cannot be renovated in a cost effective manner to create an energy efficient facility. The existing building layout and building systems have deficiencies that impact the building in numerous areas. Also, Dundalk Elementary School is operating at 125% capacity requiring the need for five relocatable classrooms positioned around the perimeter of the existing building. Additionally, the media center, cafeteria, gymnasium, and other educational spaces are too small to meet new curriculum requirements. The project is needed to address these issues and to ensure that Dundalk Elementary School continues to serve the students of the Dundalk area for years to come. The purpose of the Section 106 consultation process is to identify historic properties that could be affected by the proposed project; assess adverse effects on those properties; and develop ways to resolve those effects through appropriate avoidance, minimization, and/or mitigation measures.

What: Perry Hall Elementary School students and their families are invited to the school’s Spring Fling. There will be games for the kids, food to purchase, lots of vendors, and a fun time for the whole family. When: Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Where: Perry Hall Elementary School, 9021 Belair Rd., 21236Contact: Donna Bergin, 410.887.5105When: Saturday, May 6, at 9 a.m.Where: Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, 8100 Wise Ave., 21222Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328When: Saturday, May 6, at 9 a.m.Where: New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., 21117Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328What: The BCPS Employee Wellness Committee, with the support of its partners at First Financial Federal Credit Union, Brick Bodies, Cigna, and Kaiser Permanente, will celebrate everything that the school system’s employee wellness program has to offer at BCPS 5k Wellness Day. The event is free for BCPS employees and their families. The event will include the option to participate in a 5k or a 1-Mile Family Fun Walk. Employees and their families also can participate in a group fitness class, a nutrition class, or a financial wellness class. All BCPS health and wellness vendors will be in attendance, and employees can take their health assessments onsite. The event also will feature a farmer’s market, food trucks, a kid’s zone, and much more! This event will be held rain or shine. When: Saturday, May 6, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Where: Oregon Ridge State ParkContact: Jenny Ward, 443.809.9371When & Where: Saturday, May 6 Boys: 12:30 p.m. at Hereford High School, 17301 York Rd., 21120 Girls: 3 p.m. at Dulaney High School, 255 Padonia Rd., 21093 Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328When: Saturday, May 6, at 2:30 p.m.Where: Hereford High School, 17301 York Rd., 21120Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328What: To celebrate the history and growth of the school system, the public is invited to a special event hosted by the Education Foundation of BCPS and the Baltimore County Historical Society. The event – “Every Page Tells Our Story" – will feature a casual panel conversation between distinguished guests, followed by a reception and book signing. The guest panel will consist of BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance (2012 – present); former BCPS Superintendent Dr. Robert Dubel (1976 – 1992); and retired BCPS visual arts supervisor Farrell Maddox, author of Building the Future. Their conversation will be moderated by Sean McComb, 2014 National Teacher of the Year and staff development teacher at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts. The discussion will explore the school system’s growth from one-room schoolhouses to multi-million dollar complexes. The 276-page Building the Future book will be on sale at the event at a special price of $120 per copy. Proceeds from the book and the event will support 21st Century Instructional Initiative Grants for BCPS schools and scholarships for BCPS students. Admission to the event is $5 per person when purchased in advance online at Eventbrite. Tickets will be sold at the door, if still available, for $10 each.When: Sunday, May 7, from 2 – 4 p.m. Where: Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel, 903 Dulaney Valley Rd., 21204Contact: Laura Lemon, 443.809.9018 or llemon2@bcps.orgWhat: Every year, the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce hosts its Awards for Excellence in Education event to honor teachers across the county. When: Monday, May 8Where: Martin’s West Contact: Lauren Taylor, Chamber of Commerce 410-825-0047When: Monday, May 8, at 3:45 p.m.Where: Dulaney High School, 255 Padonia Rd., 21093Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328What: Visitors board the Parentmobile to learn about BCPS' curriculum, at-home learning resources, the BCPS website, community resources, and resources to support families of students with special needs or limited English proficiency. Parents and guardians are invited to visit. No registration is required. When: Monday, May 8, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Where: Campfield Early Learning Center, 6834 Alter St., 21207Contact: Mari Morris, 410.887.1227What: The Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee makes recommendations and assists BCPS on issues concerning children and special education services. This meeting, which is free and open to the public, will focus on students’ social/emotional learning. When: Monday, May 8, from 7 – 9 p.m. Where: BCPS headquarters, Greenwood Campus, Bldg. E, 6901 N. Charles St., 21204 What: Baltimore County Public Schools encourages parents of students receiving special education services to participate in the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. The Maryland State Department of Education mailed copies of the survey to parents whose children receive special education services. The special education survey also can be taken online. The survey is being conducted by MSDE’s Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. All parents or guardians of children ages 3 to 21 who are receiving special education and related services through BCPS are invited to participate. The purpose of the survey is to determine how well schools are partnering with parents and promoting parent involvement. Parent feedback will be used to help improve special education and related services. The survey is anonymous, takes about 5 minutes to complete online, and must be completed in one sitting. Deadline: Monday, May 8When: Tuesday, May 9, at 4 p.m.Where: Community College of Baltimore County – Catonsville, 800 S Rolling Rd., 21228 Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328What: Visitors board the Parentmobile to learn about BCPS' curriculum, at-home learning resources, the BCPS website, community resources, and resources to support families of students with special needs or limited English proficiency. Parents and guardians are invited to visit. No registration is required. When: Tuesday, May 9, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Where: Campfield Early Learning Center, 6834 Alter St., 21207Contact: Mari Morris, 410.887.1227What: Students 10 years and older and their parents are invited to participate in the next session of the Be What You Want to Be Series. This free hands-on information session will share information about environmental, agricultural, and natural resource careers. Participating will help students make informed choices about high school programs of study for further education and prepare for a rewarding career. This series is sponsored by the BCPS Office of Career & Technology Education and BCPS Parent University. Please register with Jacquetta Higgins at jhiggins2@bcps.org or 443.809.8921When: Tuesday, May 9, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Where: Hereford branch of Baltimore County Public Library, 16940 York Rd., 21111 What: BCPS Parent University will have an information and resource table at Essex Elementary School’s Mental Health Fair. When: Tuesday, May 9, at 6 – 7 p.m. Where: Essex Elementary School, 100 Mace Ave., 21221 Contact: Amy Grabner, 410.887.0117What: UMBC’s education department and Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture have been helping with Relay Elementary School students learn about environmental art and artists. The results of this effort will be presented in the “Natural Connections: Linking Art & Nature” exhibition. When: Through Thursday, May 11 Where: UMBC, Fine Arts Building, first floor Hall Gallery, 1000 Hilltop Cir., 21250 Contact: Lisa Dingle or Tricia Wilding, 410.887.1426What: The Fifth-Grade Farewell Committee is hosting its first Community Service Day. The event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House and the Baltimore Humane Society. The community of Chatsworth will collect items, such as, nonperishable goods, activity books and crafts for kids, to make goodie bags for the kids and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, as well as, make no sew fleece blankets for the animals at the Baltimore Humane Society. All items are being collected at Chatsworth School, as well as, monetary donations which can be made online at www.chatswortfamily.com. When: May 11, 2017, 1-3 P.M. Collections starting March 27thWhere: Chatsworth School, 222 New Avenue, Reisterstown, MD 21136Contact: Sara Hoffman, saraptachats@gmail.comWhat: Visitors board the Parentmobile to learn about BCPS' curriculum, at-home learning resources, the BCPS website, community resources, and resources to support families of students with special needs or limited English proficiency. Parents and guardians are invited to visit. No registration is required. When: Thursday, May 11, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Where: Woodlawn branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, 1811 Woodlawn Dr., 21207What: The community is invited to “Explore our Past Using Today’s Tools to Build a Captivating Future” at Edgemere Elementary School! Students in Grades 3, 4, and 5 have been working all year to research and interview important people from the Sparrows Point area to learn about its history. At this event, students will share what they have learned. When: Thursday, May 11, from 6 – 8 p.m. Where: Edgemere Elementary School, 7201 North Point Rd., 21219Contact: Jennifer Lynch or Sandy Bixby, 410.887.7507What: Parents and caregivers are invited to participate in free Parent Expo 2017 events to learn more about summer programs and activities. A project of BCPS Parent University and the Baltimore County Public Library, this is the first of six Expo events – taking place at library branches across the county. At the events, BCPS, library, and community resource staff will share tips, information, and tools regarding academic resources, summer reading programs and recommendations, and everyday activities parents can use to support learning at home. Registration is not required for any expo event. When: Thursday, May 11, from 6 – 8 p.m. Where: Baltimore County Public Library – Woodlawn Branch, 1811 Woodlawn Dr., 21207 What: Kenwood High School is hosting an art show that represents the best of the northeast area. Artworks will come from Chase, Essex, Glenmar, Orems, and Victory Villa elementary schools; Middle River and Stemmers Run middle schools; and Kenwood High School. The show will feature art stations for children, and Chick-fil-A dinners will be sold.When: Thursday, May 11, from 5 – 7 p.m. Where: Kenwood High School, 501 Stemmers Run Rd., gymnasium, 21221Contact: Ginger Cain, gcain@bcps.orgWhat: Award-winning author Jerdine Nolen will visit Chatsworth School. Nolen has written familiar books such as Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm, Plantzilla, Big Jabe, Raising Dragons, In My Momma’s Kitchen, and the Black-Eyed Susan nominated chapter book Eliza’s Freedom Road (an Underground Railroad Diary) among many others. She will speak to students about the writing process and her personal experiences as an author.When: Friday, May 12, from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Where: Chatsworth School, 222 New Avenue, Reisterstown, 21136 Contact: Nancy Braverman, nbraverman@bcps.org or 410-887-1103What: Muffins Morning at Chatsworth School is a celebration breakfast for the special women in students' lives. Each Chatsworth student will invite his or her mother, grandmother, aunt, or other special female relative/friend to attend this free event hosted by the Chatsworth PTA. Although a special woman in the student's life is encouraged to attend, any special friend or family member may accompany the student. When: Friday, May 12, 8:15 – 9 a.m. Where: Chatsworth School, 222 New Ave., 21136 Contact: Amber McGinnis, 410.499.3129What: On the 2nd Annual Glenmar Derby Day, Glenmar Elementary School students and staff will celebrate the 2017 Preakness Stakes. Students are encouraged to wear fancy hats. In the afternoon, kindergarten students will show and race their handmade ponies in the intermediate field cheered on by students and staff from every grade level. When: Friday, May 12 (rain date: May 19), pony racing at approximately 2:30 p.m.Where: Glenmar Elementary School, 9700 Community Dr., 21220Contact: Delores Tedeschi-Butler, 410.887.0127What: Registration for the Summer Music Camp will continue through Friday, May 12. This day camp is designed for BCPS students currently in Grades 5 through 12 who are enrolled in their school’s music programs. At camp, students will participate in a band, chorus, guitar, or orchestra ensemble at the appropriate grade level. In addition to large group rehearsals, students will participate in enrichment classes and receive instruction to enhance their music performance skills. All of the musical ensembles will perform at a public concert in the outdoor amphitheater at Oregon Ridge Park on the evening on Thursday, June 29. All BCPS students currently enrolled in their school’s band, chorus, guitar, or orchestra are invited to participate. The fee for this unique summer musical experience is $200. Transportation to and from Perry Hall High School will be provided at no additional charge to students who do not reside in the host school community. For more information or a registration form, contact a BCPS music teacher in Grades 5 through 12, or visit the Office of Music and Dance Education’s Web page at http://www.bcps.org/offices/elem_music/default.html. Registration deadline: Friday, May 12Contact: Shane Jensen, 443.809.4024When: Friday, May 12, and Saturday, May 13, at 9 a.m. Where: New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., 21117Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328What: Students and teachers participating in the BCPS Chinese Cultural Exchange Program will leave for China. Twenty-one students in Grades 9 – 11 are going representing Eastern Technical, Hereford, New Town, Patapsco, Perry Hall, and Towson high schools. The three chaperones are from Chadwick Elementary School and Patapsco and Woodlawn high schools. The group will arrive in Xi’an on Sunday, May 14. During their extended stay in Xi’an, all participants will live in host families and attend Xi’an Tie Yi High School. The group will receive instruction in Chinese Art, Music, Cooking, Tai Chi, and Chinese language. They will go on field trips throughout Xi’an and the surrounding areas, including visits to the Terracotta Warriors and Mount Hua. Before returning to Baltimore County on Thursday, June 29, they will tour Beijing and the surrounding area for four day. The group’s experiences will be captured on a public travel blog. When: Saturday, May 13, from 7 – 7:30 a.m. Where: BCPS headquarters, Greenwood Campus, Bldg. E parking lot, 6901 N. Charles St., 21204Contact: Debbie Wilson-Matusky, 443.809.9579When: Saturday, May 13, at 9 a.m.Where: Dulaney High School, 255 Padonia Rd., 21093Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328When: Saturday, May 13, at 9 a.m.Where: Dulaney High School, 255 Padonia Rd., 21093Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328When: Saturday, May 13, at 9 a.m.Where: New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., 21117Contact: Office of Athletics, 443.809.2328What: As a senior independent writing project, students in the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology writing prime, create “works of length” and generally have these works – fiction, nonfiction, or poetry manuscripts – self-published. The Class of 2017 writers will present their senior projects at a coffee house and reception. Admission to the event is $5, and most of the 15 students will have copies of their self-published books available for sale at the event. After the event, the books will be available for sale on Amazon.com. When: Monday, May 15, from 7 – 9 p.m. Where: George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Rd., 21204Contact: Karen Steele or Suzanne Supplee, 410.887.2775What: All are invited to the first annual Pikesville High School Greenwood Mansion show. The artwork, mostly self-portraits, will be on display through the month of May. The opening reception will feature light refreshments and the opportunity to meet the student artists. Artwork can be seen throughout the month during regular business hours. When: Wednesday, May 17, from 4 – 6 p.m. Where: BCPS headquarters, Greenwood Campus, 6901 N. Charles St., 21204Contact: Sandra Reid, 410.887.1217What: Parents and caregivers are invited to participate in free Parent Expo 2017 events to learn more about summer programs and activities. A project of BCPS Parent University and the Baltimore County Public Library, Expo events are taking place at library branches across the county. At the events, BCPS, library, and community resource staff will share tips, information, and tools regarding academic resources, summer reading programs and recommendations, and everyday activities parents can use to support learning at home. Registration is not required for any expo event.When & Where: Wednesday, May 17, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – Owings Mills Branch 10302 Grand Central Ave., 21117 Thursday, May 25, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – Essex Branch 1110 Eastern Blvd., 21221 Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 6 – 8 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – Catonsville Branch 1100 Frederick Rd., 21228 Wednesday, Jun. 7, from 4 – 6 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – North Point Branch 1716 Merritt Blvd., 21222 Thursday, Jun. 8, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Baltimore County Public Library – Rosedale Branch 6105 Kenwood Ave., 21237 What: The fifth annual Student Independent Research Symposium will showcase the results of independent research conducted by 24 students at five BCPS high schools. At this public event, students will share their research projects in oral/multimedia presentations or poster sessions. Research projects explore aspects of beauty standards, juvenile sex offender rehabilitation, gender discrimination, integration of migrants, Jewish immigration and assimilation, advancing battery technology, male teenagers’ perceptions of homosexuality, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, Projection Mapping, Birth Control Pills, hate, Competition and Competitiveness and the lack of diversity in Major League Baseball. Students, parents, and staff interested in supporting these students and learning more about the Independent Research Seminar course are invited. High school administrators, counselors, school-to-career transition teachers, and library media specialists are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served. When: Thursday, May 18, from 6 – 8 p.m. Where: Pikesville High School, school library, 7621 Labyrinth Rd., 21208

TOWSON, MD. – This month’s slate of Baltimore County Public Schools Parent University events includes free activities designed to support children’s summer learning as well as information about careers in agriculture and the natural environment. Among the highlights of Parent University this month are:

• Parent Expo 2017: Build a Better Summer– Parents are invited to share tips and explore resources to support learning at home, transitioning to middle school, and other issues of concern to parents. These expos are sponsored by Parent University and the Baltimore County Public Library.

Thursday, May 11,from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.   Woodlawn branch of the Baltimore County Public Library 1811 Woodlawn Dr., Woodlawn 21207Wednesday, May 31, from 6 – 8 p.m. Catonsville branch of the Baltimore County Public Library 1100 Frederick Rd., Catonsville 21228Wednesday, May 17, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Owings Mills branch of Baltimore County Public Library 10302 Grand Central Ave., Owings Mills 21117Thursday, May 25, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Essex branch of the Baltimore County Public Library 1110 Eastern Blvd., Essex 21221

• Books That Move – Presented by Parent University and Padonia International Elementary School, this workshop provides a journey through a variety of familiar books with ideas about dances and other physical activities related to the books to use when reading to children.

Thursday, June 1, from 6 – 7 p.m. Padonia International Elementary School 9834 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville 21230

• The “Be What You Want to Be” series– Students ages 10 and up and their parents are invited to this workshop to learn more about the career path for environmental, agricultural, or natural resources jobs. This series is held in partnership with the BCPS Office of Career and Technology Education.

Tuesday, May 9, from 4:30– 5:30 p.m. Hereford branch of the Baltimore County Public Library 16940 York Rd., Parkton 21111

• Read for Life!– These 90-minute workshops help parents support their preschool-PreK children in learning to read and use language.

Thursday, May 11 and 18, and Thursday, June 1, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Owings Mills branch of the Baltimore County Public Library 10302 Grand Central Ave., Owings Mills 21117

• Youth Career Fair– Aimed at young people ages 16 – 24, this fair, sponsored by the Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development, offers information and resources about starting or advancing a career path.

Wednesday, May 17, from 4 – 7 p.m. Eastpoint Mall 7839 Eastpoint Mall, Dundalk 21224

A complete list of upcoming Parent University events and programs is available online. Parent University offers in-person workshops throughout the community as well as online resources and videos to meet the unique needs of families with school-age children.

What: The fifth annual Student Independent Research Symposium will showcase the results of independent research conducted by 24 students at five BCPS high schools. At this public event, students will share their research projects in oral/multimedia presentations or poster sessions. Students, parents, and staff interested in supporting these students and learning more about the Independent Research Seminar course are invited. High school administrators, counselors, school-to-career transition teachers, and library media specialists are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served. When: Thursday, May 18, from 6 – 8 p.m.Where: Pikesville High School School Library 7621 Labyrinth Road Baltimore, MD 21208Background: Twenty-four students from Parkville, Patapsco, Pikesville, Randallstown, and Western School of Technology and Environmental Science high schools were selected to participate in the BCPS Independent Research Seminar elective course, based on applications, interviews, and their commitment to following an advanced research process to conduct in-depth original research. Student researchers have worked collaboratively and independently under the guidance of their library media specialists, faculty advisors, and expert mentors to generate a research question, conduct a literature review, engage in discipline-specific research, and synthesize their findings to create a presentation for an audience. Research topics address a variety of subjects and are based on the students' own areas of interest; several students conducted bilingual research in both English and French. The student researchers and their faculty teams used a course research framework.2017 Independent Research Seminar students and their research topics:Habiba Abbasi– Grade 10, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science Les normes de beauté: Standards of Beauty in FranceFavour Agu– Grade 12, Randallstown High School How does the media influence Western views of Africa?Brian Anderson– Grade 10, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science Effects of Music on the BrainAnna Bacharach– Grade 12, Pikesville High School The Myth of the American Dream, as Shown Through LiteratureKristina Briscoe– Grade 12, Parkville High School Juvenile Sex Offender RehabilitationMackenzie Brooks– Grade 12, Patapsco High School *Co-presenting with Hailey Ludwig. Gender Discrimination in STEM FieldsAnnalea Cascio– Grade 12, Parkville High School *Presenting two research projects. Effects of Domestication on Asian Elephants and Queer Representation in the MediaMyshko Chumak– Grade 12, Pikesville High School Crossing Invisible Borders: Improving Migrants' Ability to Integrate into Their Host SocietiesJordan Davis– Grade 12, Randallstown High School Why Do Students Who Love to Learn Hate School?Alexandra Efron– Grade 12, Pikesville High School How Do Stories Told in the American Comic Book Industry Reflect Jewish Themes, Values, and the Long-Term Struggles of Jewish Immigration and Assimilation?Benjamin M. Glaser– Grade 12, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science Powering the Future: Advancing Battery TechnologyLoida Gutierrez– Grade 10, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science How Do Residents’ Descriptions of Life in the Banlieues (French suburbs) Compare to Media Portrayals?Kevin Hendricks– Grade 11, Randallstown High School Cultural Influences on Teenage Male Perceptions of HomosexualityAllen Khodab– Grade 12, Pikesville High School How Will Growing Concern over the Effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Affect the Future of the Sport of Football?Hailey Ludwig– Grade 11, Patapsco High School *Co-presenting with Mackenzie Brooks. Gender Discrimination in STEM FieldsMunisa Makhmudova– Grade 12, Pikesville High School Projection Mapping: Where Will It Take Us Next?Kaiana Mullen– Grade 12, Pikesville High School Building Awareness of Teenage Females about the Risks vs. Benefits of Birth Control PillsDedelolia Olungwe– Grade 11, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science The French Paradox: Considering that the French Cuisine Leads to a Diet High in Saturated Fats, Why Are French People Less Likely to Get Heart Disease than Americans?Kayla Saint Fort– Grade 11, Randallstown High School Why Do People Hate? A Historical and Psychological Analysis of Racism in AmericaMonali Saraf– Grade 12, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science Impact of the Berlin Conference of 1884 on Perceptions of AfricaAidan Shipperley– Grade 11, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science Effects of Competition and Competitiveness in Teenage Sports and Recreational ActivitiesAmani Stevens– Grade 11, Randallstown High School Lack of Diversity in America’s Pastime: The Disappearance of African Americans in Major League BaseballRita Tsafack-Tonleu– Grade 11, Western School of Technology and Environmental Science The Difference Between Sex and GenderRilynn White– Grade 10, Randallstown High School What Makes a Mean Girl? Environmental and Psychological Factors Contributing to Social Aggression in Female Teens