Category: School Notebook

Ribbon Cutting to be held for Rossville school


BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski will join members of the Board of Education of Baltimore County and the Baltimore County Council on Tuesday, June 22 at 10 a.m. in the officially breaking ground for a new 735-seat northeastern elementary school on 7649 Gum Spring Road in Rossville.

The school is designed to meet the educational needs of one of Baltimore County’s fastest-growing areas.

The $53.1 million project, which will provide more than 108,000 square feet of learning space along Ridge Road in the Rossville community of Baltimore County, is scheduled to open to students for the 2022-2023 school year.

Overlea/Sollers HS Grad Named Young Woman of the Year


Michelle Sobambo, a 2021 graduate of Overlea High School, has been named Baltimore County’s Young Woman of the Year. She will be honored by Baltimore County government and its Commission for Women during the 39th Annual Woman of the Year Awards Ceremony, which will be a virtual event, held on Wednesday, June 16, at 6 p.m.

“Michelle Sobambo is a hardworking and dedicated student committed to her educational future,” said Dr. Monica Sample, principal of Overlea High. “Michelle is a natural leader and role model to others. Michelle selflessly and willingly serves her community and is always looking to contribute to the global society in a positive way.”

“Through her outstanding academic performance, student leadership, and community service, Michelle Sobambo brings honor to her family, her schools, and all of Baltimore County Public Schools,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “Her example challenges all students to pursue their areas of interest and find ways to contribute and lead.”

At Overlea High, Sobambo was a member of the National Honor Society, National Science Honors Society, African Students Association, World Language Club, Girls Who Code, varsity soccer team, varsity softball team, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), and the Allied Bowling Team. In addition, she attended Sollers Point Technical High School as a member of the selective Academy of Health Professionals program, with a specialty in anatomy and physiology. At Sollers, she earned nursing assistant certification and was a member of the National Technical Honors Society. She expects to become certified as a pharmacy technician by August.

As president of the Overlea High Student Government Association, Sobambo coordinated the schoolwide One Love outreach campaign (to educate students about relationship abuse), the Angel Tree program (for helping the less fortunate during the holiday season), a project to assist animals living in animal shelters, and the Let’s Read book donation and guest reader program. Under her leadership, Overlea’s Student Government Association won the highest BCPS honor awarded for overall student council effectiveness, the Superintendent’s Cup.

Beyond Overlea High, Sobambo was a member of the Baltimore County Student Councils’ Board of Selected Students and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council; has attended county and statewide leadership training; teaches Sunday school at House of Praise Baltimore; and volunteers at the Rosedale branch of Baltimore County Public Library.

BCPS Summer Lunch Program Starts June 28


Baltimore County Public Schools will offer free breakfast and lunch meals through the Summer Food Service Program from Monday, June 28, through Friday, August 20. The final day for hybrid in-school and curbside meal distribution for the 2020-2021 school year will be Tuesday, June 22.

During the Summer Food Service Program, meals will be provided at the following sites and times in eastern Baltimore County:
Battle Grove Elementary, 7828 Saint Patricia Lane, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Berkshire Elementary, 7431 Poplar Avenue, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Carney Elementary, 3131 East Joppa Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Colgate Elementary, 7735 Gough Street, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Cove Village Apartments, 2 Driftwood Court, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Deep Creek Middle, 1000 S. Marlyn Avenue, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Deer Park Middle, 9830 Winands Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Dulaney High, 255 East Padonia Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Dundalk Elementary, 2717 Playfield Street, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Dundalk High, 1901 Delvale Avenue, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Elmwood Elementary, 531 Dale Avenue, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Fontana Village Apartments, 1 Orion Court, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Golden Ring Middle, 6700 Kenwood Avenue, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Grange Elementary, 2000 Church Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Hawthorne Elementary, 125 Kingston Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Hereford High, 17301 York Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Hopkins Point Apts (formerly Whispering Woods Apts), 37 Alberge Lane, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Logan Elementary, 7601 Dunmanway, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Mars Estates Elementary, 1500 Homberg Avenue, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Martin Blvd Elementary, 210 Riverton Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Middle River Middle, 800 Middle River Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Parkville High, 2600 Putty Hill Avenue, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Perry Hall Middle, 4300 Ebenezer Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Pine Grove Middle, 9200 Old Harford Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Sandy Plains Elementary, 8330 Kavanagh Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Seneca Elementary, 545 Carrollwood Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center, 323 Sollers Point Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Sparrows Point Middle, 7400 North Point Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Stemmers Run Middle, 201 Stemmers Run Road, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Sussex Elementary, 515 South Woodward Drive, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
West Inverness Rec Center, 8301 Lynch Road, 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.

BCPS Students Honored at Career & Tech Event


In heartfelt videos, six Baltimore County Public Schools graduating seniors shared their appreciation recently for teachers, internships, and courses that gave them a head start on careers in their fields of interest.

These videos are the centerpiece of the 47th Annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student Recognition Ceremony, which was held online this year and is available for viewing. During the ceremony, more than 130 seniors from across the county were recognized by their teachers as exemplary students. Each of these students will receive a $100 Anthony G. Marchione Award for Excellence.

The student perspective videos featured Christine Anyalewechi, Eastern Technical High School; Lucas LaBuff, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology; Ari Montoya, Perry Hall High School; Josue Portillo, Dundalk High School; Hannah Pullifrone, Parkville High School; and Danielle Szikman, Franklin High School.

The ceremony began with remarks from Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams acknowledging the unique challenges the Class of 2021 has faced and its success in persevering. “The pandemic has allowed our students to develop an even broader set of life skills, including problem solving and adapting to challenges,” Supt. Williams said. “These skills and knowledge across the subject areas are foundational to CTE success.”

Other speakers included Douglas Handy, director of CTE & Fine Arts; Dr. Michael Grubbs, CTE coordinator; Ken Guttman, chair of the CTE Advisory Council (CTEAC) and a graduate of Loch Raven High School; and Emilie Cherry, director of high school collaboration for CCBC.

The ceremony was hosted by CTEAC in conjunction with the Office of Career and Technical Education and in partnership with The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools.

CTE provides students an opportunity to pursue a sequential technical and academic program of study leading to advancement in a career field. High school CTE programs give students the opportunity to transition smoothly into postsecondary education and to earn college credit and/or industry credentials in a career field of interest.

Eastern Baltimore County Students honored in the ceremony were:

Chesapeake High
Oluwajuwon “Juwon” Mobolaji, Advanced Technology Education
Josiah Berkeridge, Apprenticeship Maryland (JATC24)
Kayla Thompson, Business Management and Finance
Chinedu Chukwu, College-Career Research and Development, Chick-fil-A
Chelsea Gilbow, Criminal Justice Technology
Jaden Matthews, Information Technology: Computer Science & Interactive Media Production
Cameron Rishel, JROTC – Marine Corps
Cameron Graves, Project Lead The Way: Engineering, Berry Global


Dundalk High
Chahat Kumari, Business Management and Finance
Heaven Trembly, College-Career Research and Development, Boulevard Diner
Alexcia Sellers, Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, CCBC Dundalk Cohort
Josue Portillo, Interactive Media Production, Dundalk High School
Kayla Kaczorowski, JROTC- Navy, IHOP Diner

Eastern Technical High
Christina Anyalewechi, Academy of Health Professions
Thomas Pelle, Building and Construction Technology, Blake Canfield and Sons
Dorrian Jackson, Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management
Scott C. Sessa, Jr., Engineering Careers
Nathan Dow, Information Technology: Networking, Baltimore County Public Schools
Rosemarie Crame, Interactive Media Production
Mikaela Barbagallo, Teacher Academy of Maryland, Seven Oaks Elementary School

Kenwood High
Nicholas Vergara, Advanced Technology Education
Olayemisi Harleston, Child Care Services, So’Unique Kids Daycare
Janine Lee, College-Career Research and Development, USA Beauty Supply
Madison Keller, Graphic/Print Communications Technology
DeAndre McKenzie, Information Technology: Computer Science
Brooke E. Hartman, JROTC- Air Force
Devont’e Wilson, Mechanical Construction/Plumbing Careers

Overlea High
Nasir Perry, Advanced Technology Education
Kaleb Minassie, Business Management and Finance, Kohl’s
Aaliyah Moore, College-Career Research and Development, Wing Stop
Lori Asia Braxton, ProStart/Nutrition and Food Science Associate, Overlea High School

Parkville High
Hannah Pullifrone, Child Care Services, Active Minds Learning Camp
Taylor Malatesta, College-Career Research and Development, Casa Mia’s White Marsh
Gianna Delorso, Interactive Media Production
Zachary T. Packer, JROTC- Marine Corps, The Y in Central Maryland
Ja’Quelah Johnson, Project Lead The Way: Engineering
Simran Singh, Teacher Academy of Maryland, Carney Elementary School

Patapsco High
Austin Tress, Business Management and Finance
Kara Ewing, Child Care Services
Blake Johnson, College-Career Research and Development, Texas Roadhouse
Kaitlyn Somerville, JROTC- Army

Perry Hall High
Georgiana Banach, Business Management and Finance
Kyle Jay Horner, Carpentry Careers
Joshua Horner, Information Technology: Computer Science, Avid Technology Professionals
Ari Montoya, Project Lead The Way: Biomedical Sciences, Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company

Sollers Point Technical High
Imran Naseem, Academy of Health Professions, CVS
Sulyvan Esparza-Ramirez, Automotive Service Technology, Heritage Honda
Jacob Kommalan, Building and Construction Technology
Rylee Wissinger, Cosmetology Careers
Dakota Finiff, Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, Weis Supermarket
Sandra Keyes, Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry, Joanna’s Cafe
Nicholas Dernoga, Information Technology: Computer Science
Sylvil Blake, Information Technology: Networking, Pappas Smokehouse and Saloon
Kaitlyn Ross, Project Lead The Way: Biomedical Sciences

Sparrows Point High
Amanda Frazier, Business Management and Finance
Trent Harcum, College-Career Research and Development, McDonalds
Keith Starr, Construction Design and Management
Nicholas Buxenstein, Information Technology: Computer Science

BCPS Middle & High Schools Return to Four Days


BCPS Superintendent Darryl L. Williams sent out a letter to BCPS Parents and Students announcing that all BCPS students can return to school four days a week.

Elementary school students returned to school in-person four days a week on May 10. Now Middle and High School students can return for four days starting next Monday.

“As shown on our COVID Data Dashboard, Baltimore County is now in the “orange zone” for COVID-19 transmission, which allows us to reduce social distancing for all students to three feet,” Williams explained.

“Beginning Monday, May 24, 2021, all students will have the opportunity to return for four days of in-person learning. Each middle and high school will let families know how to choose this option.”

Read more information about BCPS mitigation updates based on improved metrics in Baltimore County.

The dashboard is available at www.bcps.org/covid19 and the mitigation updates are at www.bcps.org.

Parkville MS Student Honored at MD History Day


Vedansh Sawhney of Parkville Middle School and Lila Kassouf of Dumbarton Middle School earned honors in the 2021 Maryland History Day competition.

Sawhney, a student of teacher Molly Ricciardi, won second place in the junior individual website category for research on Nazi propaganda. As a second-place winner, Sawhney qualifies to compete in the National History Day competition.

Sawhney and Kassouf were among more than 300 middle and high school students who submitted extensive historical research projects online for the 2021 Maryland History Day competition. The competition, usually held in person, is the culmination of a year-long program from Maryland Humanities (an area nonprofit organization). Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, Maryland Humanities once again administered the contest in a digital format this year, with project evaluation across five categories taking place over several weeks.

“We are so proud of our students Vedansh Sawhney and Lila Kassouf for their achievements in the Maryland History Day competition and so proud of their teachers Molly Ricciardi and Kathleen Barry for preparing them to succeed,” said Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams.

Maryland History Day, coordinated by Maryland Humanities since 1999, is open to public, private, parochial, and homeschool students in Grades 6 through 12. Working solo or in small groups, students create original documentary films, exhibits, performances, research papers, or websites exploring a historical topic of their choice on an annual theme, which this year is “Communication in History: The Key to Understanding.” Maryland History Day sparks critical thinking and helps develop skills in research and analysis, writing, and public speaking.

Competitors at Maryland History Day have already won first or second place in their category at school and/or district levels. Students from 11 counties and Baltimore City received special awards, designated for outstanding Maryland History Day projects that cover specific subjects.

Sawhney will be among students from six Maryland counties and Baltimore City to represent Maryland in the National History Day competition, where they will compete among 3,000 participants from across the nation and beyond. National History Day, held in June, will also be virtual in 2021. The competition involves students from all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and international schools in China, Korea, and South Asia.

Maryland History Day is an affiliate of National History Day, a nonprofit education organization that promotes an appreciation for historical research among middle and high school students through multiple annual programs, including the National History Day Contest

BCPS to Provide 2021-22 Virtual Information


Baltimore County Public Schools is committed to providing full-time, in-school instruction, five days a week, for all students during the 2021-2022 school year, pending the latest health and safety guidelines.

However, for those families for whom full-time, in-person learning is not an option, BCPS will offer a Virtual Learning Program for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. The BCPS Virtual Learning Program will provide full-time virtual instruction from BCPS staff, including live (synchronous) instruction and anytime (asynchronous) learning.

Students enrolling in the BCPS Virtual Learning Program will also remain enrolled in their BCPS school. As a BCPS student, they may participate in meals, sports, extracurricular activities, and other opportunities.
Families interested in the Virtual Learning Program are invited to attend a Family Information Session to learn more about the program’s benefits and limitations (such as which classes will be available). No registration is required for the online information sessions, and links for the sessions are provided in this release.

Sessions will be offered:

Wednesday, May 19, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. — Virtual Learning Program Family Information Session in English

Thursday, May 20, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Virtual Learning Program Family Information Session in Spanish

Thursday, May 20, from 6 – 7 p.m. – Virtual Learning Program Family Information Session – multilingual (The meeting code for this session is BCPSmulti, and participants must use a BCPS student email address to log in. Translators will be available to assist with Arabic, Chinese, Nepali, and Urdu. Other languages available by request to adregier@bcps.org.)

In addition to the information sessions, families can send questions to VLP@bcps.org at any time.

Registration for the Virtual Learning Program will take place from Wednesday, May 19, through Friday, May 28. Families who register for the Virtual Learning Program will be asked to commit for the full school year.

BCPS Teacher Honored for Stock Market Game


Gerri Otto, a social studies resource teacher for Baltimore County Public Schools, was honored with the Elementary School Teacher Award during the eighth annual Maryland Financial Education and Capability Awards ceremony, held virtually on May 5.

The awards program is presented by the CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Campaign of Maryland, Maryland Council on Economic Education, and Maryland State Department of Education.

Otto, who is a resident of eastern Baltimore County. was recognized for bringing the Stock Market Game to many BCPS schools and for co-writing K-3 curriculum for personal finance to be implemented countywide. Seventeen elementary, middle, and high schools are participating in the Stock Market Game this school year. The personal finance curriculum was used during the 2020-2021 school year for Grade 3. BCPS intends to pilot the curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 2 during the 2021-2022 school year. Topics covered by the curriculum include economic wants and needs, goods and services, savings and spending, resources, decision making, markets, income, jobs, opportunity cost, spending plans, and charitable donations.

For her honor, Otto receives a $1,000 financial award made possible by the Maryland Society of Accounting and Tax Professionals and the Woodside Foundation. CSX was the title sponsor of the virtual event with SECU as the presenting sponsor.

Because no ceremony was held last year (due to COVID-19), the 2020 winners who were announced last year also were honored during this year’s virtual event. Among them was 2020 Elementary School Teacher Award winner Florence Falatko of Cromwell Valley Elementary Magnet School.

“As an organization focused on supporting the education community, the Maryland Council on Economic Education is proud to celebrate the educators who are being recognized this year for their excellence and innovation in teaching critical personal finance skills,” said Julie Weaver, executive director of the Maryland Council on Economic Education. “This has been a year like no other, and the economic impact of the pandemic has shown us the importance of financial preparedness for families and communities. We applaud these teachers for impacting not only their students, but in many cases their students’ families as well.”

Selected BCPS High Schools to Offer COVID Vaccines


Baltimore County Public Schools and the Baltimore County Department of Health will offer COVID-19 vaccine clinics for BCPS high school students aged 16 and above, their family members, and interested school staff. Vaccines will be offered as early as Monday, May 10, at high schools with school-based wellness centers, and as early as Wednesday, May 19, at other selected BCPS high schools.

Online registration will be required, and the vaccine offered will be the two-dose Pfizer BioNTech. There is no charge for the COVID-19 vaccine. Schools will provide their registration link, and families and staff can reach out to the school nurse with any questions.

“We are so pleased that, through our ongoing partnership with the Baltimore County Department of Health, we are able to offer convenient access to vaccines for our older students, their families, and school staff,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “Getting the vaccine is a free and easy way to help protect your own health and the health of the community.”

Clinic schedule for BCPS high schools with school-based wellness centers
Please note that each clinic location will only serve students, their families, and staff affiliated with the school unless otherwise noted. These vaccine clinics will be open from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Chesapeake High/ first doses: May 10, 13 / second doses: June 1, 3
Dundalk High/ first doses: May 11, 12, 14 / second doses: June 1, 2, 4
Kenwood High/ first doses: May 10, 12, 13 / second doses: June 2, 4
Owings Mills High/ first doses: May 17, 19, 20 / second doses: June 7, 9, 10
Parkville High (also serving students from Loch Raven High for first doses on May 19 & second doses on June 9)/ first doses: May 18, 19, 21 / second doses: June 8, 9, 11
Lansdowne High/ first doses: May 24, 26, 28 / second doses: June 14, 16, 17
Woodlawn High/ first doses: May 25, 26, 28 / second doses: June 15, 16, 18

Clinic schedule for other selected BCPS high schools
Please note that each clinic location will only serve students and their families affiliated with the school unless otherwise noted. (For example, the Towson High School location will also serve Loch Raven High School.) Students who attend Catonsville Alternative School, Eastern Technical High School, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Rosedale Center, and Western School of Technology will receive links to sign up for vaccines at their home/zone school.
School (other schools served)/first and second vaccine dates/clinic hours
Catonsville High/ May 26 & June 16/ from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Dulaney High/ May 26 & June 16/ from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Franklin High/ May 19 & June 9/ from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Hereford High/ May 19 & June 9/ from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Milford Mill Academy (also serving students from Randallstown High) /May 26 & June 16/ from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
New Town (also serving students from Randallstown High)/ May 26 & June 16/ from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Overlea High/ May 26 & June 16/ from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Patapsco High/ May 19 & June 9/ from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Perry Hall High/ May 26 & June 16/ from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Pikesville High/ May 19 & June 9/ from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sparrows Point High/ May 19 & June 9/ from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Towson High (also serving students from Loch Raven High)/ May 19 & June 9/ from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

BCPS to go Back to Five Days in 2021-22


Baltimore County Councilman Wade Kach (R-3) announced that Baltimore County Public Schools will return to a five-day in-person schedule with the opportunity for virtual learning for the fall of 2021.

“I am so pleased to share that we have received word that Baltimore County Public Schools will provide full-time, in-person instruction, five days a week, for all students for the 2021-2022 school year,” Kach said.

“A full time virtual option will be offered, but those interested must sign up at www.bcps.org by May 7th. Those who are not interested in a fully virtual program do not need to do anything.

BCPS started off all virtual from September until the end of February this year. Some students started returning for two days a week in-person and some will return to a four-day schedule starting next week.