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Parkville Middle’s Runk Named BCPS Teacher of the Year

When Robert Runk started coaching his children in soccer, many parents asked if he was a teacher because of how well he communicated with the young players.

He was not. But the enjoyment he experienced from working with youth motivated him to get involved with public education – first as a substitute teacher, then as a paraeducator, and now, as a special education teacher focused in science and social studies. During his 17 years serving the Parkville Middle School community, he has also served as a student mentor. Runk has eagerly taken on so many roles, and now he has a new one to celebrate.

Runk is the 2020 Baltimore County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. He is the first educator from Parkville Middle to earn this honor since the recognition program began in 1988. BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams surprised Runk with the news during a virtual staff meeting Monday.

“Mr. Runk has made a significant difference in the lives of so many students at Parkville Middle,” Dr. Williams said. “It is clear he is respected by his peers, and his teaching and mentorship serve as a treasure for the community.”

Runk, in his sixth year as a special educator, leads the mentorship program at Parkville Middle, which started as a lunch bunch for young male students who needed support. Now, it includes students in Grades 6, 7, and 8, both male and female.

“I often find it the most fulfilling part of being an educator,” Runk wrote in his BCPS Teacher of the Year application. “Having a strong person that builds relationships and cares can make all the difference in the world to these students.

Runk has served as an access point for the Maryland Food Bank at Parkville Middle. He also serves as a martial arts coach for Parkville Parks and Recreation. Runk earned his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in education from Walden University.

He is a Sparrows Point High graduate and resides in Lutherville.

The BCPS Teacher of the Year is selected by a committee of administrators, teachers, students, and BCPS staff. Each BCPS school, program, and center can nominate one teacher for consideration. Runk will be the BCPS representative in the Maryland State Teacher of the Year program.

BCPS Mobile Meal Program Adds Three Sites in Dundalk/Middle River

Holabird East Apartments, Martin Boulevard Elementary School and Norwood Elementary School have been added to the list of distribution locations for the Baltimore County Public Schools’ Mobile Meal Program, effective Monday, May 4.

At all sites, students will receive a breakfast, lunch, and snack on Monday through Wednesday. On Thursday, students will receive two breakfasts, two lunches, and two snacks for Thursday and Friday. Meals are no longer distributed on Friday.

Meals will be distributed from the following 66 locations. While students are encouraged to be present when picking up meals, accommodations will be made for students who are unable to be present. Please note the specific distribution times for each location:

•Arbutus Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Baltimore Highlands Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Battle Grove Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Bear Creek Elementary School, from 11 – 11:50 a.m.

•Berkshire Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Carney Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Carriage Hill Apartments, 3456 Carriage Hill Cr., 21133, from 11 – 11:50 a.m.

•Chadwick Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Chesapeake High School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Church Lane Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Cove Village Apartments, Essex, in front of rental office, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Deep Creek Middle School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Deer Park Middle School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Drumcastle Apartments, 6306 Holly Ln., 21212, in front of leasing office, from 11 – 11:50 a.m.

•Dulaney High School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Dumbarton Middle School, from 12:10 – 1 p.m.

•Dundalk Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Dundalk High School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Dunfield Apartments, 55 Insley Way, 21236, in front of leasing office, from 11 – 11:50 a.m.

•Elmwood Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Featherbed Lane Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Garrison Forest Apartments, at the corner of Beaver Head and Tahoe Circle, from 12:10 – 1 p.m.

•General John Stricker Middle School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Glyndon Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Grange Elementary School, from 12:10 – 1 p.m.

•Halstead Academy, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Hawthorne Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Hereford High School, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

•Holabird East Apartments, 1705 Holaview Rd., 21222, from 12:10 – 1 p.m. (new location as of Monday, May 4)

•Johnnycake Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Kings Point Shopping Center in front of Kiddie Koach, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Lansdowne High School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Logan Elementary School, from 11 – 11:50 a.m.

•Martin Boulevard Elementary School, from 11 – 11:50 a.m. (new location as of Monday, May 4)

•Middle River Middle School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Milbrook Elementary School, from 11 – 11:50 a.m.

•New Town High School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Norwood Elementary School, from 11 – 11:50 a.m. (new location as of Monday, May 4)

•Oakleigh Elementary School, from 11 – 11:50 a.m.

•Owings Mills Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Padonia International Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Parkville High School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Patapsco High School, from 12:10 – 1 p.m.

•Pine Grove Elementary School, from 12:10 – 1 p.m.

•Pleasant Plains Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Riverview Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Rosedale Library, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Saddle Brooke Apartments, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Sandy Plains Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Scotts Branch Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Seneca Elementary School, from 11 – 11:50 a.m.

•Sollers Point Multipurpose Center, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Sparrows Point High School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, Eastern Ave., from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Stemmers Run Middle School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Sussex Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Wellwood International School, from 12:10 – 1 p.m.

•Westchester Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Westland Gardens Apartments, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Westowne Elementary School, from 11 – 11:50 a.m.

•Whispering Woods Complex, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Winfield Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Woodbridge Elementary, from 12:10 – 1 p.m.

•Woodlawn Middle School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Woodmoor Elementary School, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•Woodmoor Shopping Center, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

COVID-19 Testing Site Now Open at Dundalk Health Center

The Baltimore County Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 testing site at the Dundalk Health Center (7700 Dunmanway Baltimore, Maryland 21222) to help meet the need for expanded testing.

The new clinic offers 50 slots per day and is the County’s second walk-up clinic, as well as the first County-operated testing site in Eastern Baltimore County.

“Additional testing capacity is critical to keeping County residents safe as we continue responding to this pandemic, and is a necessary condition for opening back up,” County Executive Johnny Olszewski said.

“This new site gives us even more capacity to perform tests in communities across Baltimore County.”

“Alongside social distancing and contact tracing, test sites are a very important tool in our arsenal against this pandemic,” said County Health Officer Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch. “We want to ensure that all of our neighborhoods have access to available testing.”

This is the fourth testing site in Baltimore County. As with all other County testing locations, patients must first get authorization from a healthcare provider to be tested. Once authorization is obtained, the person to be tested must schedule an appointment using the state-designated Chesapeake Regional Information System (CRISP) and will be able to select one of the following test locations:

Walk-up
Dundalk Health Center
7700 Dunmanway, Dundalk, Maryland 21222
Mondays by appointment only

Liberty Family Resource Center
3525 Resource Drive, Randallstown, Maryland 21133
Mondays by appointment only

Drive-through
Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium
2200 York Road, Timonium, Maryland 21093
Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only

Maryland Vehicle Emissions Program (VEIP)
11510 Cronridge Drive, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117
Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment only

People arriving at any of the test sites without an order from a healthcare provider and a pre-scheduled appointment will not be tested.

Tested individuals will receive post-test instructions at the clinic and most test results will be available within two days.

Persons coming for testing are asked to adhere to recommendations and safety guidelines, including wearing face coverings, observing social distancing and following post-test instructions received at the sites.

More Information
For questions and additional information, call the Baltimore County COVID-19 hotline seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 410-887-3816.

Eastern Tech Students Nominated for Unsung Hero Award

McCormick & Company presents their annual McCormick Unsung Heroes where they honor high school athletes who have been models of sportsmanship and team. The 2020 McCormick Unsung Heroes Awards will take place in a virtual format on May 11. Every school in the region has a male and female athlete nominated for the award and Eastbaltco.com will profile each athlete from eastern Baltimore County over the next week.

Eastern Tech
Cheerleader Paris Morton and Wrestler Matt Haines are the two nominees for Eastern Tech High School in Essex.

Paris Morton

Morton was nominated for the award by her Cheer Coach Stacey Regino.

According to Regino, Morton was nominated for her leadership, academic success, mentoring of peers, ability to create choreography and stunts for her performances. In addition, Region credited Mortin for her interaction that included humility, kindness and empathy.

Morton was also nominated for her activism in the community.

Matt Haines

Haines was nominated by his wrestling coach Kevin Cross.

Haines was nominated for his leadership, work ethic, determination and ability to consistently improve and make others better. Cross also nominated Haines for his mentorship of other wrestlers in the program.

In addition to his wrestling career at Eastern Tech, Haines also played tennis and badminton at the school.

Family Founds Dog After Saturday White Marsh Fatal Crash

A dog that fled the vehicle involved in a fatal crash in White Marsh on Saturday afternoon has been located.

Around 1:37 p.m. a Dodge Ram traveling northbound on Campbell Boulevard near Town Center Court collided with the driver side of a Suzuki Grand Vitara stopped in the southbound left turn lane, causing minor damage to the Suzuki. The Dodge crossed back over both northbound lanes and left the roadway, striking a tree head-on and catching fire.

Baltimore County Police, Fire, and EMS personnel responded to the scene. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver’s dog, seen fleeing from the Dodge following the crash, could not be located during a search of the area by police yesterday. Family members took painstaking efforts to search the area again today and were able to locate the dog.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team is continuing their work to positively identify the decedent.

Millers Island Man Dies in Sparrows Point Motorcycle Crash

Baltimore County Police are continuing their investigation into a fatal motorcycle crash on Bethlehem Boulevard Saturday afternoon.

Just after 4 p.m. a 2016 BMW motorcycle traveling eastbound on Bethlehem Boulevard near North Point Boulevard crossed into the oncoming traffic lane while navigating a curve in the roadway. The motorcycle struck the driver-side rear corner of a Chevrolet Silverado traveling westbound, then struck the front of a Ford F350 truck that was also traveling westbound behind the Silverado.

The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased at the scene by medics, identified as Paul Taylor Craven (69) of the 9000 block of Millers Island Boulevard.

According to mutiple reports on social media, Craven was a member of Curve Stompers Masks and he was delivering COVID-19 masks during the accident. Curve Stompers Masks released a statement about Craven’s death on their Facebook page.

“We had a tragedy in the family. We won’t be filling anymore orders after the ones we have finished and ready for pickup.
We are very sorry for those who waited so long. I hope you can find another way to get a mask. We will contact those who are still ready for pickup,” said the statement on the page.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team said it working to determine all the factors involved in this fatal crash. Both driver of the Chevrolet and the Ford remained at the scene.

Kenwood & Mars Estates Principals Nominated as Finalist

BCPS announces six finalists for 2020 Principals of the Year. Two of the six are school leaders from eastern Baltimore County.

“We are so fortunate to have these dedicated school leaders providing dynamic leadership in the communities they serve,” BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams said of all of the nominees. “Our students and staff have continuously turned to them for guidance, especially during these unexpected recent challenges.”

Kelly O’Connell is one of the three principals in the Elementary nominees. She is her fourth year as principal at Mars Estates Elementary and her 18th year with BCPS. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in human resources school leadership from Towson University. Jane Martin of Pot Spring Elementary and Brian Williams of Baltimore Highlands are the other two elementary nominees.

Kenwood principal Brian Powell is in his fourth year as the principal at the Essex school and his 12th year working for BCPS. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education from Salisbury University.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve our terrific Kenwood community! I’m grateful to be considered in this category considering all of the outstanding principals in BCPS. I consider this as great recognition for our entire Kenwood school community, our staff, and our students,” Powell told East Baltco News on Friday evening.

“Congratulations to my elementary colleague, Kelly O’Connell for her nomination and excellent support of our community as well!”

Kalisha Miller of Pikesville Middle and Rochelle Archelus of Woodlawn Middle are the other two Secondary nominees.

In 2019, Charlene Behnke of Honeygo Elementary School was named the Elementary School winner Monica Sample of Overlea High School was named the best principal for Secondary Schools.

The Principal of the Year selection process started this year with an opportunity for community members to nominate school leaders. BCPS received 3,905 nominations, which were taken into consideration by the Principal of the Year selection committee led by the Office of Organizational Effectiveness.

BCPS will name the 2020-21 BCPS Principals of the Year later this month.

Chesapeake High Students Nominated for Unsung Hero Award

Chesapeake
Girls soccer player and track athlete Eustacia Narcis and football and lacrosse player Lance Haley are the two nominees from Chesapeake High School in Essex.

Eustacia Narcis

Narcis was a four year Varsity Soccer Player at the school and she also partipicated in three years of indoor and outdoor track. In addition to sports, Eustacia was involved in NJROTC at the school. She was accepted by McDaniel College and Towson University.

Narcis was nominated by Chesapeake Athletic Director Shuan Downey, who described her as a good model for her teammates.

“I nominated Eustacia based on her leadership, determination and love for Chesapeake High School and soccer. She is a true leader on and off the field. She is a true student athlete and helped make her teammates and fellow classmates better.

Narcis recommends other students to play high school sports because it taught her leadership and responsibility. According to Narcis, she was more aware and open minded about the people around her. She said she has grown from freshmen year to my senior year.

“I am more confident with my choices and more sociable I came out of my shell, I guess. I demonstrated self-confidence, self-respect, and a boost of self-esteem; which I shown not just on the soccer field but in my classes too,” Narcis explained.

She added that sports in high school gave her access to multiple of opportunities and an opening to help reach and encourage others.

“I also have made lifelong friendships with my teammates. I am going to miss it when I go to college, but I will always have such great memories and friends,” Narcis said. “I owe it all to the game I love SOCCER!”

Lance Haley

Haley was a four year varsity football and lacrosse player at Chesapeake. He plans to attend Albright University for football and maybe walking on to the lacrosse team. His football coach Darryl Hunter said that Haley played on both the offensive and defensive lines. Those are not glory positions but Hunter said that Haley played selflessly to help his teammates excel.

“Lance is one of the best linemen Chesapeake High School has ever had. Lance is a true Iron man, he played both side of the ball as a left tackle and defensive end. He never wanted to come of the field,” Hunter said. “He protected the our quarterback at all times, selflessly leading the offensive line always taking on the other teams best player and always giving 100 percent. On defense, Lance was a nightmare for the opposing team. He would take on a double team every down but always made a difference.”

Haley’s lacrosse coach Tony DaChino explained that Haley showed those same characteristics on the lacrosse field too and he will be missed by coaches and teammates.

“Lance was our crease defender and vital to the success of our team. He used his athletic ability to help and always being there on the slide. He was a wall and built a fortress in front of the goalie,” DaChino said.

Haley said that playing high school sports have taught him to become a great time manager at school, work, meetings and his social life. He was also named football captain which taught him leadership and how to earn trust.

“I’ve always heard the saying ‘it takes a village’, I would like to thank my teachers, family members, teammates, friends and coaches for making up my village at Chesapeake. Participating in high school sports has taught me just that,” Haley said.

“I hope to continue to learn things in life through my continuation in education to eventually pass down my knowledge to others so they can understand the importance in education and athletics.”

County Announces Grant Funding For Small Businesses

To support Baltimore County’s small businesses, County Executive John Olszewski announced the County has allocated $10 million in new grant funding for the Baltimore County COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Program.

“Small businesses are a critical link of our county’s economy, and we must do all that we can to support them in meeting their basic needs during this crisis,” said County Executive Olszewski. “As we move toward economic recovery, these grants will provide a critical bridge to Baltimore County small businesses who have not received other forms of assistance.”

The Department of Economic and Workforce Development (DEWD) will administer the Baltimore County COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Program, which will award grants of up to $15,000 each to more than 650 Baltimore County-based small businesses on a first-come, first-served basis.

The County has set a goal to award at least 25 percent of grant funding to women and minority-owned businesses.

The County will fund these small business relief grants through the Economic Development Revolving Financing Fund, and intends to pursue emergency disaster reimbursement from the federal government.

Grant applications will be posted on the DEWD website and will be accepted beginning May 11, 2020. To qualify for this grant program, small businesses must retain at least half of the workforce they had prior to January 31, 2020, which must have included at least two non-owner employees prior to Maryland’s Stay-at-Home Order. They must also:
•have at least two employees who are not owners or part-owners,
•have no more than 25 employees per Baltimore County establishment,
•demonstrate that they have lost at least 40 percent of their revenues since the Stay-at-Home Order began,
•have been in operation for at least one year as of January 1, 2020, and commenced operations by December 31, 2018 or earlier, and
•certify that they have not received other forms of federal or state COVID-19 assistance or relief at the time of application, and
•be in good standing and not in default with the State of Maryland and Baltimore County.

Grant funds may only be used for payroll, operating expenses, business lease or rent, and inventory acquisition vital to the business, with at least 30 percent of the funds used to support payroll for non-owners. Funds may not be used for capital improvements or personal expenses, and if a business fails to reopen, all grant funds must be returned to the County within 14 days.

For more information, please visit baltimorecountybusiness.com or email COVIDbizrelief@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Mount Carmel Students Nominated for Unsung Hero Award

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The first school to be profiled are the athletes at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Essex. Girls soccer player Demetra Conner and Boys Soccer player Connor Naunton are the two nominees from the school.

Demetra Conner

Conner was recommended by her school for her work on and off the field. In the classroom, she has a GPA of 3.9 and has taken a college math course. She was described as a leader as she volunteered to come to school during the summer to mentor the freshmen during orientation.

Conner is an active member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society and is the President of the National Art Honor Society at Mount Carmel.

She is listed as a leader on the field too as she was voted team captain of the soccer team. Teammates said she is the type of player to give up the ball and let someone else score without second guessing herself or worrying about her own stats. Her coach also credited Connor as a team player who is willing to change positions to help the team.

Connor also plays indoor soccer and softball during the spring.

She applied to nine colleges and got accepted to all. According to Mount Carmel, Connor plans to major in either Psychology or Nursing.

Connor Naunton

Naunton soccer career came along way over his four years. His former coach Mark Concordia said that Naunton started his career as a freshman on the bench, but worked hard his four years.

“He was third off the bench. Connor was not the biggest, strongest, or fastest, but would step into any role and bring composure to the field.” Concordia said about Naunton as he coached him in his first three years “Connor’s soccer IQ helped him to overcome what he lacked athletically”.

Naunton had to make an adjustment in his senior as Jon Schneehagen took over as soccer coach from Concordia.

“Connor took me in; I have never worked with a young person with such humility and awareness. He knew that I was stepping into a difficult position,” Schneehagen said of Naunton.

He also had to make an adjustment on the field as the midfielder and forward was asked to play goalie.

“Without flinching, he recognized his team’s success required him to try his hand as goalie,” said a statement from the team. “From that moment on, he made it his task to be the best goalie possible, seeking advice and training from his brother, who played collegiately at McDaniel.”

Naunton is known for his contribution to the soccer team, but he has also been involved with his school and athletic department. During basketball season, he manages the clock at the scorers table. He was also a four-year starter on the baseball team.

According to the school, Naunton was a Student Government Class Representative, a member of the Spanish National Honor Society (Historian as Junior / Vice President as Senior) and a member of the National Art Honor Society. Naunton applied and was accepted to four colleges.