Category: School Notebook

BCPS 2022 All-County Honors Dance Ensemble Gala Concert


The Baltimore County Public Schools’ 2022 All-County Honors Dance Ensemble Gala Concert will take place Tuesday, June 14, 2022, from 7 – 8 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

The performance, which had been scheduled for May 17, will feature the Middle School and High School All-County Honors Dance Ensembles as well as additional performances by dance students from Milford Mill Academy, Owings Mills High School, and Patapsco High
School and Center for the Arts.

Tickets are free; reservations are strongly recommended. On-site parking is free.

Outstanding high school and middle school students were named to the All-County Honors Dance Ensemble following auditions on Jan. 31. The groups have been rehearsing together since February.

The gala concert is their culminating event. The members of the 2021-2022 All-County Honors Dance Ensemble are

High School Ensemble
Camila Abrego, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Toimar Allen, Milford Mill Academy
Olivia Anderson, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Isabel Armstrong, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Annelese Atkinson, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Melaya Barker, Milford Mill Academy
Simone Brown, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Cassidy Chason, Hereford High School
Melody Cole, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Staciah Coleman, Milford Mill Academy
Madison Cosden, Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts
Jada Daniels, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Jalen Johnson, Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts
Shayla Johnson, Owings Mills High School
Sharon Kasibante, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Ja’Zara Lane, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Tanauria Randolph, Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts
Ray-Nyizah Waller Jones, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Armani Woods, Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts
Jase Woolcock, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology

Middle School Ensemble
London Bailey, Pikesville Middle School
Elon Bryant, Franklin Middle School
Morgan Clinton, Deer Park Middle Magnet School
Madison Cooper, Middle River Middle School
Angel Dean-Noreiga, Sudbrook Magnet Middle School
Shabraya Dennis, Sudbrook Magnet Middle School
Camryn Hankins, Sudbrook Magnet Middle School
Abigail Hemphill, Deep Creek Middle School
Justus Holiday, Franklin Middle School
Arianna Hunt, Middle River Middle School
Timara Keyes, Sudbrook Magnet Middle School
Taylor Kidwell, Pikesville Middle School
Joshua Nichols, Loch Raven Technical Academy
Makayla Ortiz, Middle River Middle School
Shoshana Paley, Sudbrook Magnet Middle School
Masio Pearson, Franklin Middle School
Cydney Polk, Pikesville Middle School
Madisyn Rice-Evans, Franklin Middle School
Jada Sellers, Franklin Middle School
Taylor Tapp, Pikesville Middle School
Azziah Warrington, Deer Park Middle Magnet School
Londyn Wright, Windsor Mill Middle School

BCPS Students Receive Career and Technical Education Honors


The 48th Annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student Recognition Ceremony was
held online this year and is available for viewing. During the ceremony, 147 seniors from across the
county were recognized as exemplary students. Each of these students will receive the Anthony G.
Marchione Award for Excellence.

For the ceremony, more than 30 seniors submitted video testimonials about their CTE experiences, and
excerpts from these videos are featured throughout the program. The ceremony begins with remarks
from BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams; Ken Guttman, chair of the CTE Advisory Council
(CTEAC) and a graduate of Loch Raven High School; Sherri Fisher, director of CTE & Fine Arts; Dr. Michael
Grubbs, CTE coordinator; and Emilie Cherry, director of high school collaboration for CCBC.
Only one student could be selected from each CTE program at each high school. East Baltimore County students honored in the
ceremony are listed below along with the names of the businesses/organizations where they worked or
interned:

Chesapeake High School
Advanced Technology Education – Kevin Dominguez
Business Management and Finance – Leslie Mbiakop Alienou, First Financial Federal Credit Union of
Maryland
College-Career Research and Development – Samantha High, Pizza Hut
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness – Kevin Mokwe Kazongo
Information Technology: Computer Science – Izabella Jorge
Interactive Media Production – Nathan Gover
JROTC-Marine Corps – Thomas Maddalone
Project Lead The Way: Engineering – Malaysia Campbell

Dundalk High School
Business Management and Finance – Miguel Duran Sanchez
College-Career Research and Development – Jaylin Stevens, Oak Crest Senior Living
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness – Andrew Thomas
Interactive Media Production – Xander Kaczorowski
JROTC-Navy – Kenneth Wayne Bosley, Jr
Project Lead The Way: Engineering – Muhammad Saeed
P-TECH – Jhamilet Romero, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Eastern Technical High School
Academy of Health Professions – Jessica Clare Urban, CNA/PCT Program, Essex Community College
Apprenticeship Maryland Program – Clare Oshman, HUMANIM
Building and Construction Technology – Asley Nicole Gerbes
Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management – Angelique Rodriguez
Engineering Careers – Mia Nicole Snyder, EN Engineering
Information Technology: Networking – Raphael Aureus
Interactive Media Production – Edward Bauer
Teacher Academy of Maryland – Ngoc Cayas, Eastern Tech High School

Kenwood High School
Advanced Technology Education – Luke Talmadge
Mechanical Contracting/Plumbing Careers – Logan White
Child Care Services – Abigail Weimer, Hawthorne Elementary School
College-Career Research and Development – Erika Ferguson, Bowley’s on the Bay
Food and Beverage Management/ProStart – Dorian Johnson
Graphic/Print Communications Technology – Mason Snow, Advantage Book Binding
JROTC-Air Force – Connor James Krieger

Overlea High School
Academy of Health Professions – Raylon Anyakwo
Advanced Technology Education – Jimetochukwu Solomon
College-Career Research and Development – Shannon Byrd, Popeyes
Information Technology: Computer Science – Blessing Abumere

Parkville High School
Child Care Services – Shane Alleyne, Hot Spots
College-Career Research and Development – Faith Asaolu, Safeway
Information Technology: Computer Science – Ethan Shipley-Tang
Information Technology: Networking – Dirichi Nwanegwo
Interactive Media Production – Ian Faltz
JROTC-Marine Corps – Kaden Taylor
Project Lead The Way: Engineering – Isreal Gbadebo
Teacher Academy of Maryland – Madison Beard, Shady Springs Elementary School

Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts
Advanced Technology Education – Owen Dellinger
Business Management and Finance – Faith Everetts
Child Care Services – Kaliyah Fountain, Sandy Plains Elementary School
College-Career Research and Development – Ezekiel Molina-Quinones, Patapsco High School & Center
for the Arts
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness – Haleigh Waugh
JROTC-Army – Zachery Shell, Patapsco High School & Center for the Arts

Perry Hall High School
Advanced Technology Education – Benjamin Mangels
Business Management and Finance – Nasaun Harrison
Carpentry Careers – Kaden J. Potts, Madison Mechanical
College-Career Research and Development – Zachary Cogburn, Ravage Deli
Food and Beverage Management/ProStart – Emma Tolentino, Olive Garden, White Marsh
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness – Lacey Oxendine, Towson University Police
Information Technology: Computer Science – Ryan Whitfield
Project Lead The Way: Biomedical Sciences – Ava Wehr

Sollers Point Technical High School
Academy of Health Professions – Erika Ramos, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Automotive Service Technology – Christian Davis, Jerry’s Toyota
Building and Construction Technology – Vance Schield, NSA
Cosmetology Careers – Rebecca Baxter, Great Clips
Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management – Olivia Nelson, Sollers Point Tech/Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts: Baking and Pastry – Tabitha Bryan
Diesel Truck and Power Systems Technology – Jarrett Malinowski, JC Auto Truck and Trailer Repair
Information Technology: Computer Science – Steele Simancek, NSA
Information Technology: Networking – Nicholas Balzano, NSA
Project Lead The Way: Biomedical Sciences – Isabella Hernandez

Sparrows Point High School
Business Management and Finance – Noah Reagle
Construction Design and Management – Karl Arnesen
Food and Beverage Management/ProStart – Shelby Adelman
Information Technology: Computer Science – Joel Robinson, National Security Agency

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.

COVID Outbreak Reported at Perry Hall Middle School


Perry Hall Middle School reports that the school now has a wide outbreak of COVID-19. According to the Maryland Department of Health, a school considered with an outbreak has “5 percent of unrelated students/staff diagnosed with COVID within 14 days.”

The school reports that 97 people associated with the Perry Hall Middle have developed a case of COVID-19 within the past week.

Perry Hall Middle is the largest middle school in Baltimore County with just under 2,000 students.

“We continue to report these cases to Baltimore County Public Schools’ Office of Health Services and to the Baltimore County Department of Health,” Perry Hall Middle School Lisa Perry wrote in a letter to parents on Thursday evening

Perry added that the Office of Health Services strongly encourages all students and staff to wear a mask at the school, at least until Friday, May 20.   The school will provide masks for students, but there is no official mask mandate at this time.

“Staff and students are encouraged to continue to follow healthy practices that minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases by staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or tissue, washing your hands regularly, and maintaining distance between yourself and others,” Perry said in the letter.

“If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine or been boosted within the past four months, please consider becoming vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are available through the Baltimore County Department of Health as well as through many community pharmacies. “

Construction of New Middle School Officially Underway

-photo courtesy of Councilman David Marks-

Baltimore County and BCPS officials held an official ground breaking for the new northeast Middle School on King Avenue in Rosedale on Thursday morning May 12.

The event was attended by Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams, members of the County Council, members of the school board and state elected officials.

“This morning, I was thrilled to join the groundbreaking for a new Northeast Middle School. Set to open in 2024, this new school will provide a world class learning environment for over 1,400 students across northeast Baltimore County,” Olszewski said.
“As County Executive, I will continue doing everything I can to provide world class schools for all of our students across Baltimore County.”

 

The $103 million project, which will provide nearly 205,500 square feet of learning space along King Avenue.

The new middle school  will be a replacement for Golden Ring Middle School and will help alleviate some of the overcrowding at Perry Hall Middle School.

Both Councilman David Marks and Councilwoman Cathy Bevins attended the ground breaking.

Marks said this will be the first middle school in eastern Baltimore County in nearly 50 years. He added that the northeast area is in the process of having two schools and one addition being built.

“Working with our partners on the Board of Education, in state and county government, we’ve supported three new schools in northeastern Baltimore County since 2018,” Marks said.

“The new Rossville Elementary School will open this summer, an expansion and renovation is advancing at Pine Grove Middle School, and planning is underway to look at our long-neglected high schools.”

Bevins added the new school will be “tremendous addition” for the greater community.

This was a collaborative effort between our local and state governments. I would like to thank County Executive Johnny Olszewski, my colleagues on the County Council, our partners in Annapolis, Superintendent Darryl Williams, School Board Chair Julie Henn, and many more for all of their hard work in making this a reality,” Bevins said in a statement.

CCBC to Bring Back Indoor Mask Mandate


The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) is bringing back its indoor mask mandate starting tomorrow as there has been a rise in COVID-19 cases the past few weeks.

“Effective May 11, 2022, face coverings are required in all classrooms and indoor gatherings of 10 or more people,” said a statement from CCBC.

There has been no official statement from any other school system at reinstalling mask mandates at this time.

CCBC has three main campuses in Dundalk, Essex and Catonsville with satellite campus throughout the region.

BCPS to Break Ground on New Middle School


Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) will break ground on a much anticipated middle school in the northeast Baltimore County on Thursday morning.

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 delegation in officially breaking ground for a new 1,410-seat northeastern middle school designed to meet the educational needs of one of Baltimore County’s fastest-growing areas.

The $103 million project, which will provide nearly 205,500 square feet of learning space along King Avenue in the Rossville community of Baltimore County, is scheduled to open to students for the 2024-2025 school year.

This school will be a replacement for Golden Ring Middle School and will help alleviate some of the overcrowding at Perry Hall Middle School.

The plans for a new middle school started back in 2017 but there were delays with budget cuts and COVID.

BCPS to Hold Job Recruitment Events


Baltimore County Public Schools announced they are hiring for multiple positions throughout the county in May 2022. Here is a list of their recruitment events.

Cafeteria Worker Recruitment Session
Wednesday, May 11, at 2 p.m.
BCPS is hosting an in-person recruitment session to include an information session, interview, and pre-employment scheduling. Interested applicants should apply online and will be invited to the next session
and any thereafter if they cannot attend the first.
Liberty Family Resource Center, 3525 Resource Dr., Randallstown 21133

Bus Driver & Attendant Recruitment Event
Monday, May 16. Sessions will begin promptly at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m.
BCPS is actively seeking school bus drivers and bus attendants! Interested applicants are invited to a
recruitment session to learn about the position and its benefits. Please apply online before the
event. Please be sure to bring the following documents:
• Complete driving record (from MVA Kiosk) – for bus drivers only
• Driver’s license or state ID
Cockeysville Bus Lot, 105 Wight Ave., Cockeysville 21030

Building Service Worker and Grounds Worker Recruitment Event
Wednesday, May 18, from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
BCPS is hosting an in-person recruitment session to include an information session, interview, and pre-employment scheduling. Interested applicants, should apply online and will be invited to the next
session and any thereafter if they cannot attend the first.
Eastpoint Workforce Development Center,7930 Eastern Ave., Baltimore 21224

Cafeteria Worker Recruitment Session
Tuesday, May 24, at 2 p.m.
BCPS is hosting an in-person recruitment session to include an information session, interview, and pre-employment scheduling. Interested applicants, should apply online and will be invited to the next
session and any thereafter if they cannot attend the first.
Hunt Valley Workforce Development Center, 11101 McCormick Rd., Suite 102, Hunt Valley 21031 ·

Bus Driver & Attendant Recruitment Event
Friday, May 27. Sessions will begin promptly at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m.
BCPS is actively seeking school bus drivers and bus attendants! Interested applicants are invited to a
recruitment session to learn about the position and its benefits. Please apply online before the
event. Please be sure to bring the following documents:
• Complete driving record (from MVA Kiosk) – for bus drivers only
• Driver’s license or state ID
Cockeysville Bus Lot, 105 Wight Ave., Cockeysville 21030

Villa Cresta Paraeducator Named Best by BCPS


Pam Brocato, paraeducator for students who are deaf and hard of hearing at Villa Cresta Elementary School, has been selected as the 2022-2023 Paraeducator of the Year by the Education Support Professionals of Baltimore County.

“Congratulations to Pam Brocato for receiving this honor,” said Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “In schools across the county, paraeducators like Ms. Brocato provide invaluable academic support to our students, teachers, and staff. I appreciate this opportunity to bring attention to their work.”

“Ms. Brocato continually goes above and beyond to meet the needs of all students in our Deaf and Hard of Hearing program,” said Villa Cresta Principal Jenny Rohrbaugh. “Her daily focus is on meeting the unique needs of the students in our program while also supporting fellow educators in our building.  Ms. Brocato is a model employee with exemplary attendance, a positive influence on both students and staff, and her work ethic continually exceeds expectations.”

In nominating Brocato for the honor, Emily Palmerino, classroom teacher, and Jamie Vilcarino, records secretary, wrote: “Ms. Brocato always puts the needs of her students first! Working to adapt material, motivating her students, and sharing information with other staff and families to ensure everyone is working together to meet students’ needs is always a priority for Pam.”

Brocato has worked in her current position at Villa Cresta Elementary since 1999. She is pursuing certification as a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing.

 

St. Joes Teacher Named Best by Archdiocese


-photo courtesy of St. Joseph School Fullerton-

Kristin Urbanski, of St. Joseph School Fullerton was named The 2022 Archdiocesan Elementary School Teacher of the Year on Tuesday

Urbanski received surprised visitors on this morning as representatives from the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools stopped by her classroom to announce the news in front of her students.

There were balloons and horns to celebrate the announcement.

Urbanski is a graduate of St. Joseph School Fullerton and she made the school proud.

“We’re honored to have Ms. Urbanski here in the classroom,” said a statement from the school.

“Her grace, good nature, and kindness are a treasure to us and to her students. Congratulations on this well-deserved award!”

 

Eastern Tech Named Top 6 School in Maryland

Perry Hall & Chesapeake high schools ranked in the top 160


Eastern Technical High School ranked 53rd among the top 75 magnet schools in the nation and  number 3 in Maryland according to the 2022 Best High Schools list compiled by U.S. News & World Report.

Eastern Tech and Western School of Technology and Environmental were also named the two best public high schools in the Baltimore region.

Six Baltimore County Public Schools’ high schools ranked among the top 40 in Maryland. They are Eastern Tech, Dulaney High School George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Hereford High School, Towson High School, and Western Tech.

“We are always pleased to celebrate the achievements and quality of our high schools,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “However, our focus remains on equity and the academic progress of all students across the county. Paramount for us is that students graduate from all BCPS 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 – #3 in Maryland, #53 nationally in magnet rankings
  • Western Tech – #6 in Maryland, #73 nationally in magnet rankings
  • Carver Center – #13 in Maryland, #105 nationally in magnet rankings
  • Hereford High – #20 in Maryland
  • Towson High – #27 in Maryland, #135 nationally in magnet rankings
  • Dulaney High – #39 in Maryland
  • Franklin High – #87 in Maryland
  • Catonsville High – #104 in Maryland
  • Pikesville High – #107 in Maryland
  • Perry Hall High — #126 in Maryland
  • Loch Raven High – #130 in Maryland
  • Sparrows Point High – #145 in Maryland
  • Chesapeake High – #160 in Maryland
  • Randallstown High – #164 in Maryland

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 percent), math and reading proficiency (20 percent), math and reading performance (20 percent), underserved student performance (10 percent), college curriculum breadth (10 percent), and graduation rate (10 percent). Factored into the rankings were participation and achievement in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.