Category: School Notebook

Two Local Students Elected to County Student Council


At the April 20 Baltimore County Student Councils General Assembly meeting, students elected the current BCSC president, first vice president, and community outreach director to serve again during the 2021-2022 school year.

Students also elected officers for the newly established Baltimore County Junior Councils, which were created to enhance and nurture the influence and leadership of middle school students.

The elected officers are:

Baltimore County Student Councils

President: Samantha Warfel, Hereford High School

Samantha has served as president of BCSC since June 2020. Prior to that, she served as vice president from 2019-2020. Under her leadership, BCSC has hosted a P.I.V.O.T. (Positive Informational Virtual Organizational Tips) event, bi-monthly General Assemblies, monthly Instagram Live lunch chats, and its inaugural Black History Month Summit. It also has implemented implicit bias training and launched Baltimore County Junior Councils. Samantha also serves as communications director and chair of the Women’s Leadership Forum for the Maryland Association of Student Councils and was named BCSC Distinguished Student Leader of the Year for 2020 by MASC. In addition, she is chief of staff for the State Student Member of the Board Advisory Council. At Hereford High, Samantha is a member of the National English Honor Society and National Honor Society.

First Vice President: Claire Cabral, Hereford High School

Claire has served as vice president of BCSC since June 2020 and assisted in the creation of Baltimore County Junior Councils. She also serves as school safety liaison for the Maryland Association of Student Councils and Baltimore County student representative for the Maryland Center for School Safety. At Hereford High, Claire is an honor roll student, freshman Student Council advisory board member, and a member of the Key Club and Model United Nations.

Community Outreach Director: Carter Bohart, Eastern Technical High School

Carter has been involved with BCSC since 2016 and has served as community outreach director since 2018. He is the Division 2 liaison to the Maryland Association of Student Councils. At Eastern Tech, he serves as vice president of the National Spanish Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honors Society. He is an executive board member of Eastern Tech’s student government, an advisory board member to the National Honor Society, and member of the National English Honor Society.

Baltimore County Junior Councils

Chair and BCSC Second Vice President: Anisa Kalil, Dumbarton Middle School

Anisa is an honor roll student who currently serves as a member of BCSC Diversity and Equity Affairs Committee, BCSC Board of Selected Students, Students Against Violence Everywhere, and Dumbarton Middle’s Student Government Association. She also is a member of her school’s tennis team and plays the violin in the school orchestra and Honor Orchestra. She holds a second-degree black belt and is a junior instructor in Tae Kwon Do.

Vice Chair: Adalyn Murveit, Perry Hall Middle School

Adalyn is an honor roll student and earned high honors in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth talent search. At her school, she is involved with the strategic game and environmental clubs, student council, and the Spanish Honor Society. She has been taking piano lessons for five years and is part of a band. She also volunteers at the National History Society of Maryland and around her school.

Eastern Tech HS Named Top 10 School in Maryland


Eastern Technical High School and Western School of Technology and Environmental Science rank among the top 10 high schools in Maryland according to the 2021 Best High Schools list compiled by U.S. News & World Report.

Five BCPS high schools ranked among the top 50 in Maryland. They are Eastern Tech, Western Tech, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Hereford High, and Towson High.

The U.S. News rankings include data on nearly 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Rankings are based on college readiness (30%), math and reading proficiency (20%), math and reading performance (20%), underserved student performance (10%), college curriculum breadth (10%), and graduation rate (10%). Factored into the rankings were participation and achievement in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, state math and reading assessment scores, and four-year graduation rates.

“We appreciate this recognition of the quality of our high schools,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams, “but we care even more about the experiences our students and families have in our schools. There are so many ways to measure the quality of a school. Paramount for us is that all our students graduate from all our high schools ready for success in college, careers, and life.”

The BCPS high schools that received rankings on the U.S. News & World report are:
• Eastern Technical High – ranked #3 in Maryland, #132 nationally, #1 in Baltimore metro area
• Western Tech – ranked #7 in Maryland, #332 nationally, #3 in Baltimore metro area
• Carver Center – ranked #16 in Maryland, #721 nationally, #9 in Baltimore metro area
• Hereford High – ranked #26 in Maryland
• Towson High – ranked #50 in Maryland
• Dulaney High – ranked #58 in Maryland
• Pikesville High – ranked #95 in Maryland
• Franklin High – ranked #109 in Maryland
• Catonsville High – ranked #124 in Maryland
• Loch Raven High – ranked #143 in Maryland
• Perry Hall High – ranked #152 in Maryland
• Sparrows Point High – ranked #162 in Maryland
• Chesapeake High – ranked #167 in Maryland

BCPS to Expand In-Person Learning to 4 Days


As early as May 10, Baltimore County Public Schools will offer identified students the opportunity for four in-person learning days per week, an increase from two in-person learning days. Families may continue to choose five days of virtual learning.

For all students on Wednesdays, teachers will continue to provide virtual learning in addition to the opportunity to meet with small groups of students, provide tutoring, conduct individual student check-ins, plan for instruction, and engage in professional learning.

Through consultation with health experts and while continuing to implement mitigation strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the extent possible, students in the following groups may begin four days of in-person learning on the dates indicated. Schools will provide specific information to families about making the choice, and the deadlines for making the choice are Wednesday, Apr. 21, for elementary students and Friday, Apr. 23, for secondary students.

Four days of in-person learning may begin on May 10 for these students:
• All students in elementary schools, Preschool – Grade 5.
• All students in public separate day schools (Battle Monument, Maiden Choice, Ridge Ruxton, and White Oak schools).
• In Grades 6 – 12, students receiving special education services primarily outside of general education in cluster and regional programs, including Functional Academic Learning Support (FALS), Communication and Learning Support (CALS), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Hearing Impaired, and Visually Impaired).

Four days of in-person learning may begin on May 17 for these students:
• Any student in Grades 6 – 12 with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.

BCPS has identified May 10 and May 17 as start dates for system planning purposes; however, we have learned that the nature of this pandemic is evolving, which could impact the scheduled timeline as more updated information is provided.

During weeks with previously-scheduled closures for students, there will be three in-person days for students. May 13 is a systemwide professional development day and May 31 is Memorial Day.

The expansion is aligned with recent CDC guidelines adopted by the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland State Department of Education. Schools will continue to maintain the CDC’s recommended mitigation strategies, including the consistent and correct use of face coverings; social distancing to the extent possible; frequent hand washing and covering of coughs and sneezes; cleaning and disinfecting; and contact tracing.

BCPS phased in two days of hybrid in-person learning for all students from the week of Mar. 1 to the week of Apr. 6.

Patapsco Student Honored in Young Writers contest


Allie (Talis) Hill, a junior literary arts student at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, won a top prize in the Young Writers “Through Their Eyes” writing contest.

From thousands of entries received from across the nation, Hill’s poem “Growth” was one of only five selected to be honored. In addition to being published, Hill has won $100 and a trophy.

“Allie is an amazingly talented and prolific author with an incredible gift for conveying emotion in her writing,” said Trisha A. Dunn, Patapsco High’s magnet coordinator.

“Allie Hill joined Patapsco’s Literary Arts magnet last year as a sophomore,” said literary arts teacher Julie Cutlip, “She is quite a prolific storyteller — for a 20,000-word story, she limits herself to 40,000 words. Allie was insistent that she was ‘not a poet.’ Despite ‘having no talent’ for poetry, somehow, she managed to not only be recognized in the Young Writers’ Through Their Eyes writing contest but to actually win! Allie is currently a junior and writing amazing poetry every day in her poetry class. Today might just be the day she accepts that she is a poet.”

Since 1991, Young Writers has coordinated contests and offered online resources to encourage students to write.

BCPS Announces In-Person Graduation Schedule


Baltimore County Public Schools will try to hold in-person graduation ceremonies this year. BCPS released a schedule of all the graduation ceremonies for all the high schools in Baltimore County. Most will be held at the SECU Arena at Towson University.

It appears that some of the larger schools such as Perry Hall, Kenwood, Parkville, Patapsco and Dundalk will have two separate ceremonies. Smaller schools such as Sparrows Point, Eastern Tech and Chesapeake will have only one ceremony. It was clear on how many people will be able to attend from each family.

The schedule stated times and dates are subjected to change based on health metrics. Families can expect to receive more detailed information about graduation from their school.

Marks Gives Update on New Northeast Elementary School

Elementary School to Built at Gum Spring Road and Rossville Boulevard


-by Councilman David Marks R-5-

[Baltimore County Board of Education Vice Chair] Julie Henn and I are happy to share the news that construction will start this month on the first of two new schools in northeastern Baltimore County.

The school is located in Councilwoman Cathy Bevins’ district, but it will serve neighborhoods in both the Fifth and Sixth Districts. Councilwoman Bevins has partnered with me for several years on this project, and I thank her for her strong support, as well as County Executive [John] Olszewski and our partners in the state legislature.

The 102,000-square foot school will serve 750 students from an area to be determined after a redistricting process. Funding is in place for a new middle school expected to open in 2024, and land is now identified for a new high school. Overcrowding is worse at the elementary school level as magnet programs and private schools have tended to absorb many older students.

Eastern Tech Student Earns $40,000 Scholarship


Munachiso Nkeonye-Mbaekwe, a senior at Eastern Technical High School, thought she was invited to appear on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on March 31 to talk about college admissions during the pandemic. So she and the 24 other featured students were surprised to learn the real reason for their participation in the live segment: that they were among the 27 students selected to receive $40,000 College Board Opportunity Scholarships.

Nkeonye-Mbaekwe and the other students were selected from a pool of students who completed The College Board’s six college planning steps: building a college list, practicing for the SAT, exploring scholarships, strengthening their college list, completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and applying to colleges. As part of the program, drawings for $500 scholarships are held for the completion of each of the six steps.

Nkeonye-Mbaekwe is enrolled in Eastern Tech’s Academy of Health Professions/Allied Health Magnet Program.

“Our Academy of Health Professions/Allied Health curriculum is one of the most challenging magnet programs that we offer,” said school counselor Donna Murphy. “Through her participation in this program, Munachiso has gained a wealth of knowledge about the medical field, exploring the body and distinguishing between diseases and disorders that affect various body systems. She is OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] 10-hour HealthCare-certified as well as American Heart Association HealthCare Provider BLS/CPR [Basic Life Support/ Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation] and First Aid-certified.”

Active in her school, community, and church, and a caregiver in her family, Nkeonye-Mbaekwe is a member of the African Student Association, Latin Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Step Squad, and a mentor for Grade 9 students.

“Munachiso actively pursues opportunities to engage in service and learning in the community,” Murphy added. During summer 2019, Nkeonye-Mbaekwe earned an internship with the REAP (Research & Engineering Apprenticeship) Program at Morgan State University.

The College Board Opportunity Scholarships program is open to students in the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories, regardless of citizenship status. U.S. citizens and residents attending Department of Defense Education Activity schools abroad may also participate.

This program is open to students regardless of their family income. At least half of all scholarships (more than $2 million) will be designated for students whose families earn less than $60,000 a year. Whenever students who meet these requirements complete a step, they earn an extra entry in monthly drawings for scholarships.

OLH/SL Spring Carnival Returns to Dundalk


After being forced to shutdown in 2020 because of COVID-19, Our Lady of Hope & St. Luke Parishes announced the return of their annual spring carnival to the Dundalk area.

The event will return to its usual spot at the Our Lady of Hope fields on Lynch Road near Wise Avenue. It will be held for two weekends (six days) from Friday, April 3 to Sunday, May 2 and again on Friday, May 7 to Sunday, May 9, but face masks and social distancing are required.

We are excited to welcome you back to our annual spring carnival featuring rides & amusements from Shaw & Sons and a variety of dining offerings from local food trucks,” said a statement on the OLH/SL Spring Carnival Facebook page

“This year’s event will look a little different as we have adjusted our format to ensure public health & safety guidelines are met. Masks are required and social distancing is encouraged wherever possible.”

Eastern Tech Student Elected to BCPS School Board


Students from across Baltimore County elected Eastern Technical High School junior Christian Thomas to be the next student member of the Board of Education of Baltimore County.

He will replace Dundalk High’s Josh Muhumuza, who is this year’s student board member.

A total of 2,914 middle and high school students from across the county cast online ballots on Wednesday, March 17. Thomas received 56.9 percent of the votes compared to 43.1 percent for the other candidate, Logan Dubel of Franklin High School. This is the first year, due to a change in Maryland law, that BCPS students have directly selected the next student member of the Board without approval from the governor.

Prior to voting, students were able to learn more about both candidates by viewing their resumes, written and video Q&A sessions, videotaped speeches, Instagram Live sessions, and campaigning via social media.

Thomas is president of the Eastern Tech Class of 2022, vice-president/co-founder of the Eastern Tech Red Cross Club, vice-chair/co-founder of Eastern Tech Democrats, an executive officer of Eastern Tech’s student government association, treasurer of the National Honor Society, and member of the school’s theatre club and Future Business Leaders of America.

In addition to the National Honor Society, Thomas is a member of the National English Honor Society and National Latin Honor Society. He represents Eastern Tech on the Baltimore County Student Councils Board of Selected Students. Outside of school, Thomas serves as co-chair/founder of The Domino Effect Initiative (a nonprofit that provides mentors and other supports for students in need), and special events secretary for the Red Cross North Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region Youth Advisory Board Executive Committee.

Thomas’s tenure on the Board of Education will begin on July 1, 2021.

Funding Approved for New Northeast Elementary School


Julie Henn, Vice Chair of the BCPS Board of Education, announced that the Board has approved the funding for the New Northeast Elementary at Ridge Road at its meeting on Tuesday night. The school will be built in the Rossville area and is expected to open in August 2022.

“This evening, Board approval will be requested for $48.3 million in construction contracts for the new Northeast Elementary School at Ridge Road.
Construction is expected to start this summer with an anticipated opening in August, 2022,” Henn said in a statement.

This school is expected to take away some of the students from the overcrowded Joppaview and Perry Hall elementary schools.

A new middle school was also set to be build on King Avenue and Henn expects that funding for that school to be approved shortly.

“It is the next priority in the capital improvement program after the elementary school and construction is imminent. All projects were delayed pending state funding,” Henn explained about the northeast middle school.

Councilman David Marks said the county now has the green light to build many of its proposed schools as state funding has been approved by the Maryland General Assembly.

“With the activation of the Built to Learn Act, money should advance over the next few years for high school projects,” Marks said.