Category: School Notebook

Tots@10 event at THE AVENUE at White Marsh


The Baltimore County Public Schools Office of English Language Arts PreK-12 will share information and ideas with parents about strengthening students’ reading and writing skills at the shopping center’s Tots@10 event on Thursday, Aug. 5, beginning at 10 a.m. at THE AVENUE at White Marsh, 8125 Honeygo Blvd.

At the same event, The Education Foundation of BCPS will distribute free children’s books and will accept donations of school supplies for students from low-income families.

Throughout August, through its Back2BCPS campaign, the school system will be sharing information about school registration, immunizations, COVID-19 vaccinations, fall athletics, and new academic programs and initiatives.

“Local Leaders” Dispute Support of BCPS Masks


Baltimore County Public Schools released a statement this morning that requires universal masking for students, staff, and visitors in schools for the Fall of the 2021-22 school year.

BCPS sent out a twit, that “local leaders support universal masking in BCPS Schools and on school buses.”

Fifth County Councilman David Marks responded that he was not consulted about this decision and is upset he found out about the mandate on social media.

“Let me be very clear. This ‘local leader’ was never informed about another BCPS mask mandate. I found about it on Twitter,” Mark said.

“Over the past 16 months, the County Council and other units of government worked collaboratively to address public health concerns. Collaboration does not mean learning about an edict like this on social media.”

BCPS Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn said that operational decisions such as mask mandates are made by the Superintendent’s office but she was not expecting an announcement on a decision about masking until the special Board meeting for Aug. 3.

“The Board has neither discussed nor taken a position on universal masks. While individual Board members had opportunities to share input on masks, we have not discussed masking or other health and safety concerns around opening as a group. And there are many,” Henn said.

“We need to keep our schools open for safe, in-person instruction. But we also need to discuss what that means and what that looks like for all our learners. One size does not fit all”

BCPS to Require Masks for 21-22 School Year


Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) will require universal masking for students, staff, and visitors in schools for the Fall of the 2021-22 school year. The current federal order for masks to be worn on school buses will continue.

The Board of Education of Baltimore County will conduct a special meeting on Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. to update the Board and community on universal masking in Baltimore County Public Schools. More information about the special board meeting is forthcoming.

“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our students, families, and employees,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to impact our community. Universal masking is an important part of our multifaceted approach to mitigate the spread of COVID while keeping schools open for in-person learning.”

“I fully support Dr. Williams’ decision to protect Team BCPS students, staff, and visitors by adopting the latest mask recommendations from the CDC,” said Makeda Scott, chair of the Board of Education of Baltimore County. “As this crisis evolves, what matters most is that we continue to prioritize in-person learning by providing appropriate health and safety guidelines that respond to the latest conditions. I also join leaders across the county in encouraging all citizens aged 12 and over to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

“We want our children REVVed up (ready, excited, vigilant and vaccinated) for the new school year,” said Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Baltimore County Health Officer. “Requiring masks is an extra layer of protection for our students, teachers and their families.”

“Protecting the health and well-being of our children and educators is a top priority, especially as we approach the beginning of a new school year. With our youngest children not yet able to be vaccinated and with the growing spread of the Delta variant, it’s critically important we take steps to minimize the spread of Covid-19,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “I applaud the decision by BCPS to adopt the CDC’s latest recommendations, and I encourage every County resident who is eligible to receive a vaccine to do so as soon as possible.”

National experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have recently updated their mask guidelines due to surges in COVID infections and hospitalizations across the nation, as well as a plateau in vaccinations.

The BCPS COVID-19 webpage links to the BCPS data dashboard and related information. Updates are provided as available.

The Baltimore County COVID-19 Vaccine Hub provides access to vaccine appointments, as well as free testing and vaccine statistics and information.

New Rossville School Creates Boundary Study


The boundary process for the new Northeast Area Elementary School in Rossville and Red House Run Elementary School in Rosedale will begin in September 2021 and a recommendation will be made to the Board for consideration in March 2022.

Schools participating in this study include:
Elmwood Elementary School
Fullerton Elementary School
Joppa View Elementary School
McCormick Elementary School
Perry Hall Elementary School
Red House Run Elementary School
Shady Spring Elementary School
Vincent Farm Elementary School

This is similar to the boundary study that was created in the northeast in 2017 for the opening of Honeygo Elementary.

Perry Hall and Joppaview elementary schools were also part the Honeygo study as some of their students were later sent to Honeygo in 2018.

The first meeting of the Northeast Area Elementary Boundary Study Committee is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Middle River Middle School in the cafeteria. The general public is welcome to attend to observe the work of the committee.

For more information: http://bcpsbusinessservices.ss3.sharpschool.com/departments/facilities_management/strategic_planning/boundary_studies/northeast_area_elementary_boundary_study

BCPS Holding Job Fair for Qualified Educators


Baltimore County Public Schools is hosting a job fair seeking qualified educators to join its team. BCPS is hiring art, elementary, English, French, math, music, physical education, science, Spanish, special education and technical education teachers.

The school system is also seeking library media specialists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school nurses, social workers, speech language pathologists, teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, and teachers of the visually impaired. Applicants can apply online in advance of the job fair.

The event will be held on Tuesday, July 27, from 3 – 7 p.m. at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Road in Towson.

Henn Files for Re-Election on School Board


BCPS School Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn has filed for re-election. She serves in the 5th District that covers Perry Hall, Parkville, Towson and Kingsville. She is a resident of Perry Hall.

Henn made the official announcement on her social media page.

“Today I filed my candidacy to seek re-election to continue to represent the Fifth Council District on the Board of Education of Baltimore County,” Henn said. “I have cherished working with, and for, the students, families, educators, and staff of Baltimore County Public Schools. It has been the ultimate honor to serve the community that has been home to my family for four generations.”

Henn was appointed to the BCPS Board by Gov. Larry Hogan in 2016 and was one of the first elected members in the inaugural school board election in 2018. Henn and all school board candidates must run as a non-partisan candidates.

“The greatest gift we can offer our children is ourselves – our time and talents. I am thankful for all who serve the students of BCPS. Every adult on every child’s path to success matters. The past year has taught me how badly we need one another to lead students to meeting their college or career goals – as one team,” Henn added.

“I am excited to continue the work we’ve started. I will do my best to listen, learn and lead from the perspective of those who make a difference in our students’ lives.”

County Updates Long Term School Construction Plan


Baltimore County Public Schools and Baltimore County Government updated recommendations for the County’s Multi-Year Improvement Plan for All Schools (MYIPAS), developed by CannonDesign, a nationally recognized architecture and planning company.

Under the updated recommendations, every school in Baltimore County would receive equitable capital improvements within 15 years and could be completed without any additional revenue increases.

“I am proud of the way that our communities, families, and staff have come together to plan for every school to have a modern and equitable learning environment as called for in The Compass, our strategic plan,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “The thoughtful MYIPAS process has ensured that our way forward is guided by multiple stakeholder perspectives as well as independent, objective advice.”

“Every child and every educator deserves a modern, safe, and supportive learning environment. These recommendations from CannonDesign provide a comprehensive, equitable, and fully funded roadmap to accomplish just that,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “These data-driven recommendations will help guide our work with the Board of Education, BCPS, and our communities to ensure high quality schools in every ZIP code and to fulfill our County’s obligations to the Blueprint for Maryland’s future.”

In total, the recommendations call for $2.5 billion in school construction, including all remaining Schools for our Future projects. The CannonDesign proposal also outlines strategies to bring school capacity down to 100 percent through additions and redistricting – eliminating the need for makeshift spaces or trailers.

The recommendations also account for the County’s expansion of Pre-Kindergarten, career and technical education programs, and community schools in alignment in the newly passed Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Special education, alternative education, and select educational strategy projects were also given special consideration to address the unique instructional, social-emotional, and wellness needs of students.

About the Multi-Year Improvement Plan for All Schools

BCPS and Baltimore County jointly launched MYIPAS to develop a long-range plan for identifying and equitably prioritizing capital improvements to all schools.

CannonDesign, which has led over 1,300 education facility projects across the country, including over 200 education master plans, was selected to take a detailed look at current school facilities, with a focus on educational adequacy and equity, facility conditions, and capacity utilization.

The first phase of recommendations, which focused on recommendations for high schools,
was released in September 2020. The updated recommendations released today are focused on the county’s elementary and middle school buildings as well as specialty schools and centers.

As part of the MYIPAS process, community members were offered opportunities to provide input through public surveys, virtual community forums, focus groups, and a public comment period. In total, more than 25,000 stakeholders provided input during this process.

A final report will be issued in fall 2021.

Henn Gives Update on BCPS Mask Policy


BCPS Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn shared information about Baltimore County Public Schools’ plan to lessen their mask policy for students in the 2021-22 school year. Her statement is below

“Updates to BCPS’ Mitigation Plan and Guidance were shared with BCPS staff this afternoon. The full plan will be shared once published.

I have received many questions specifically about masking. The updated plan and guidance includes the following update on mask requirements:

“BCPS supports the right of all staff and students to choose to wear masks for personal safety.

In accordance with the Governor’s order, masks are not required as of July 1, 2021, in any school or office.

“In accordance with the February 1, 2021, CDC order, masks must be worn by all occupants on school buses unless the driver and attendant are alone.

Unvaccinated persons are encouraged to wear masks indoors and outdoors,” Henn said.

BCPS to Add 15 Minutes to School Day Next Fall


The school year for Baltimore County Public Schools ended today, but BCPS made an announcement for the 2021-22 school year.

Baltimore County Public Schools announced that 15 minutes will be added to the school year next fall. BCPS did not specify if the time would be added to the beginning of the day, the end of the day or a combination of both. Here is their first release.

“BCPS is pleased to announce the school day will be expanded by an extra fifteen minutes beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year. Within this expanded day, we will provide increased instructional time for our students, the statement said.

“Specifically, elementary students will have additional mathematics instruction while our secondary students will have additional college and career readiness skills embedded throughout their day. We look forward to an exciting new school year.”

BCPS to Remain Open for Juneteenth Holiday


Baltimore County Public Schools – both schools and offices – will be open and operating on normal schedules on Friday, June 18, the new federal and state holiday for Juneteenth.

“We applaud the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal and state holiday,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “However, in accordance with the 2020-2021 school calendar approved by the Board of Education of Baltimore County, BCPS schools and offices will be open on Friday, June 18, 2021. Closing the schools on Friday would compel us to extend the school year by a day to meet state requirements regarding minimum number of school days. We look forward to working with the Board and staff to fully celebrate Juneteenth in 2022 and beyond.”

BCPS is one of only three Maryland school systems where school is still in session for students. Our teachers and staff have been provided with curriculum-based resources to support classroom learning on Friday about Juneteenth and its historical significance. In addition, students and families are being encouraged to learn more about Juneteenth and to participate in additional learning activities and cultural celebrations throughout the community.

While the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, enslaved people in Texas received word of their freedom on June 19, 1865, from Union troops. The celebration of Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19, honors the remarkable struggle and perseverance of African Americans.