Category: School Notebook

Eastern Tech, Perry Hall & Sparrows HS Rank in Top 50


Nearly a quarter of the region’s 50 best public high schools are in Baltimore County, according to 2021 annual rankings compiled by Niche, based on data from the U.S. Department of Education and test scores, college data, and ratings collected from Niche users.

For the regional rankings, schools from Baltimore City, and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, and Howard counties were reviewed, and Eastern Tech, Perry Hall and Sparrows Point are among 12 BCPS high schools to appear in the top 50 overall:

School, ranking
Eastern Technical High School, 6th
Hereford High School, 8th
Dulaney High School, 9th
George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology, 10th
Towson High School, 12th
Western School of Technology, 13th
Catonsville High School, 27th
Pikesville High School, 29th
Perry Hall High School, 31st
Franklin High School, 34th
Loch Raven High School, 41st
Sparrows Point High School, 44th

In addition, Niche compared schools in the same region for best teachers, best college prep, most diversity, and best athletics. BCPS claimed more than a quarter of the top 50 schools on the list for best teachers and 29 percent of the 42 ranked schools on the college prep list. BCPS schools claimed 40 percent of the top 50 slots on the list for most diversity and more than a quarter of those on the top 50 list for best athletics.

Best Teachers
School, ranking
Hereford High School, 2nd
Dulaney High School, 5th
Eastern Technical High School, 8th
Carver Center, 13th
Towson High School, 17th
Catonsville High School, 19th
Perry Hall High School, 22nd
Pikesville High School, 28th
Western School of Technology, 30th
Loch Raven High School, 40th
Sparrows Point, 45th
Franklin High School, 46th
Chesapeake High School, 50th

Best College Prep
School, ranking
Dulaney High School, 7th
Towson High School, 9th
Eastern Technical High School, 10th
Carver Center, 13th
Hereford High School, 14th
Western School of Technology, 17th
Pikesville High School, 23rd
Catonsville High School, 25th
Perry Hall High School, 32nd
Franklin High School, 33rd
Loch Raven High School, 37th
Parkville High School, 41st

Most Diverse
School, ranking

Parkville High School, 5th
Ridge Ruxton School, 7th
Lansdowne High School, 10th
Dundalk High School, 12th
Kenwood High School 20th
Perry Hall High School 22nd
Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, 23rd
Eastern Technical High School, 24th
Carver Center, 26th
Owings Mills High School, 27th
Catonsville High School, 29th
Western School of Technology, 30th
Battle Monument School, 31st
Franklin High School, 34th
Dulaney High School, 37th
Pikesville High School, 39th
Chesapeake High School, 41st
Loch Raven High School, 46th
Maiden Choice School, 47th
Crossroads Center, 49th

Kenwood High Featured in Pandemic Book


These Strange Times: Young Writers Reflect on the Pandemic,” a new anthology released by Maryland-based Salt Water Media, includes writing by nine 2020 graduates of Kenwood High School and one Kenwood High senior.

The book, which is available free in Kindle and iPad e-pub versions, features poetry and prose by students about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following Kenwood graduates and student are the only BCPS students whose work appears in the book: Class of 2020 – Brianna Allen, Myasiah Bilola, Raven Brooks, Alexia Crook, Halle Kerr, Miciah Patterson, Taylor Soutar, Luvia Thomas, and Breanna Wickham; Class of 2021 – Desiree Jones.

“At a time when our seniors could have easily given up last spring, they threw their frustrations into writing, and I’m immensely proud of their grit and perseverance to overcome in these tough times,” said Angela Glenn, Kenwood High English teacher and newspaper and literary magazine advisor.

Glenn noted that this is the second published book that Kenwood students have been a part of this past year. Three students – 2020 graduate Luvia Thomas and current juniors Linda Neewary and Kaylee Norton — were published in the Young Writers USA Mission Contamination series anthology.

The anthology features student-written mini-sagas about a virus outbreak. Glenn said that it was “creepily ironic” that the students received printed copies of the books about one week before schools closed

BCPS Addresses Inappropriate Audio During Meeting


The Board of Education of Baltimore County and Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams released the following statement regarding Inappropriate Audio that could be heard on it Tuesday, Oct. 13 virtual online meeting. There were media reports of possibly pornographic moaning during the meeting.

“The Board of Education of Baltimore County and Superintendent are very concerned about the incident that occurred near the end of the Board of Education meeting Tuesday night when inappropriate audio was heard by those in attendance at this virtual meeting. The Board officers, Kathleen Causey and Julie Henn, have consulted with the Superintendent, Board counsel, and have contacted the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education to investigate.

The information available at this time indicates that numerous individuals, in addition to board members, were online at the time. We do not know if someone hacked the meeting; however, that will be part of any investigation.

Recordings of Board meetings constitute the official record. As advised by Board counsel, the Board directed that the inappropriate portion be deleted from the publicly available recording, but has directed the Superintendent and his staff to preserve the original recorded version for further inspection as part of any investigation.

We regret that this incident occurred and are looking at what steps can be taken in the future so nothing like this occurs again.”

Berkshire Student Earns 1st place in Virtual Gallery


Isabella Heinerichs, a Grade 3 student at Berkshire Elementary School in Dundalk, earned the first place – elementary level award for her entry, “Tree of Life,” in the 2020 Fall Virtual Student Artwork Exhibition, presented by the First Lady’s Art Gallery.

For her honor, Heinerichs was awarded a governor’s citation, a medal, and an art supply gift certificate.

Heinerichs’ work and “Shoes” by Kelsey Anders, a Grade 8 student at Ridgely Middle School, are the two artworks representing Baltimore County Public Schools in the exhibition, which features two pieces of student artwork from each Maryland jurisdiction.

Each year, the Maryland State Department of Education works with its partners and with Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan to host bi-annual statewide student artwork competitions and exhibitions. Most years, the art is displayed in the House of Delegates building in Annapolis.

SAT Exam to be Held at 10 BCPS High Schools


The College Board’s SAT exam will be offered at 10 Baltimore County Public Schools high schools as National Administration Test Sites on Saturday, Dec. 5.

BCPS is opening facilities at the following schools for the weekend SAT:

Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave., 21228
Eastern Technical High School, 1100 Mace Ave., 21221
Hereford High School, 17301 York Rd., 21120
Kenwood High School, 501 Stemmers Run Rd., 21221
Loch Raven High School, 1212 Cowpens Ave., 21286
Milford Mill Academy, 3800 Washington Ave., 21244
New Town High School, 4931 New Town Blvd., 21117
Parkville High School, 2600 Putty Hill Ave., 21234
Perry Hall High School, 4601 Ebenezer Rd., 21236
Randallstown High School, 4000 Offutt Rd., 21133

Students interested in taking the test at one of these sites must register by Thursday, Nov. 5, on the College Board website. Early registration is recommended as these sites will be open for all area students, not just BCPS students. Information on fees and fee waivers also can be found on the College Board website. Fee waivers are available to certain Grade 11 and 12 students from low-income families.

Information about precautions being taken to protect students during testing related to COVID-19 can be found on the College Board website.

Eastside Counselors Named Best for Elementary, Middle & High Schools


The Baltimore County Association for Counseling and Development has named its 2020 school counselors and school counseling advocate of the year.

The association has presented the following honors:

Chapel Hill Elementary School’s Silvana Alsamadi – Elementary School Counselor of the Year
Sparrows Point Middle School’s Robin Taylor-Chadwick – Middle School Counselor of the Year
Perry Hall High School’s Stephanie Campbell – High School Counselor of the Year

Silvana Alsamadi
Alsamadi, school counselor at Chapel Hill Elementary School, provides individual counseling, special issues group counseling, classroom guidance lessons, and mediation of peer issues. She collaborates with teachers, staff, and parents, participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, and completes classroom observations. She contributes to her professional community by publishing articles – on topics such as screening tests for emotional problems and the need for gay-straight alliances in rural high schools – and facilitating presentations on topics related to welcoming Muslim students and parents.

In nominating Alsamadi, Chapel Hill Elementary Principal Nancy Hill wrote: “I find Mrs. Alsamadi’s most important and valuable quality the way she forms trusting relationships with students and parents, teachers and staff, and the administration. She leads with her heart, and her kindness, empathy, and true love of students shine through with every word she speaks and every action she takes to help our students (and staff).“

Robin Taylor-Chadwick
Taylor-Chadwick, school counseling department chair at Sparrows Point Middle School, is a leader on the school’s equity team, provided fundamental support in developing the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), led the implementation of restorative circles, and created an advisory program, specialized small groups, and successful mentoring programs. She guides students through the high school magnet school application process, organizes the school’s annual career day, and facilitates a program that helps families in need during the holidays.

“This school year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Taylor-Chadwick’s leadership brought our teachers and staff together by keeping our students at the center of our decisions and leading with the heart first….,” wrote Sparrows Point Middle Principal Jennifer Gounaris. “During these unprecedented times, she supported school, community, and family partnerships by integrating academics, social emotional learning, family support, health, and safety throughout the school closure. This has included facilitating difficult conversations about making assumptions as to why a student may not be logging on for classes or submitting work and how that can lead to unhealthy judgments about a student and his or her family. As a woman of color in a majority white school, Ms. Taylor-Chadwick’s passion and conviction demonstrate true courage. Her authenticity, coupled with the relationships she has built, create conditions in which this message can be heard, and true change can occur. As a result, our most marginalized students feel that they belong, have adults who care about them, and have diverse opportunities in our building.“

Stephanie Campbell
Campbell, a school counselor at Loch Raven and Perry Hall high schools, was nominated by Kelly A. O’Brien Guerra, a parent of 2019 and 2020 Loch Raven High graduates and a Baltimore City Schools educator. Guerra describes Campbell as “without a doubt … the best counselor that I have ever met or worked with.”

In her nomination, Guerra wrote, “On March 15, 2020, due to COVID-19, the world stopped, and with it so did many students’ aspirations for the future. As the parent of a 2020 graduate from Loch Raven High school, … I can attest that Ms. Campbell went above and beyond her duty as a counselor by constantly reaching out to her students, not only regarding their college applications, but also to check on their mental and emotional health…. This year has been an extremely emotional year for the students and parents in the Class of 2020. However, thanks to Ms. Campbell, countless students now feel much more secure in such an insecure time.”

Guerra credits Campbell for offering extraordinary support in helping both her daughter and stepdaughter with their college choices and acceptances and for working diligently to educate underclassmen and their parents. Guerra wrote: “She understood as a mother does: that children’s’ futures are at stake.”

Nieves, the 2020 School Counseling Advocate of the Year, is the executive director of the BCPS Department of Social-Emotional Support.

Faith and Blue Weekend Starts at Dundalk School


The Faith and Blue weekend kicked off with police officers from Dundalk’s Precinct 12 visiting Our Lady of Hope St. Luke’s School in Dundalk on Friday.

Chief Melissa Hyatt along with many other Officers from the precinct were present to greet students and assist with morning drop off at the school. The school released a statement on their social media page.

“We had many other guests including our Superintendents Dr. Hargens and Mrs. Ball. It was a beautiful celebration of faith, safety, and support. We were so proud of our Students greeting the officers with thank you’s and elbow bumps as they entered the building. McGruff the Crime Dog even stopped by to say hello,” said the statement.

“Our student council members presented the Officers with cards from our school family and snacks for their precinct. Deli-ish was kind enough to provide breakfast as well this morning. This was a true community effort. We are #DundalkStrong and love being apart of this community.”

Here is a full list of Faith and Blue weekend throughout eastern Baltimore County.

Updated Schedule for BCPS Meal Distribution


Nine locations have been added to the list of distribution sites: 2420 Bibury Lane, 9902 Cervidae Lane (Deer Park Apartments), 7414 Bixworth Court (Activity Center), 7710 Windsor Mill Road (Jesus House), Hillen Road and Linden Avenue, Loalan Avenue and Rabon Avenue, Middleborough Road and Sassafras Road (Fire Hall parking lot), S. Marlyn Avenue and Damsel Road, and Sandalwood Road and Moline Circle.

Six locations have been removed from the list: Baltimore Avenue and 5th Avenue, Fairbrook Road and Scarborough Circle, Salem United Methodist Church (Windsor Mill Road and Rolling Road), 8200 Diamond Point Rd (at guardrail), Hartland Road and Bridge Crossing Road, and YMCA (Back River Neck Road).

Times for meal distribution have been updated for 5th Avenue and Bero Road, Hithergreen Drive and Hallam Ct., Opposite 1809 Coburg Court, Brice Run Apartments, Randallstown Elementary, and Berkshire Elementary.

Through its fall meal distribution program, BCPS is providing school meals, at no cost to students, to all children ages 2-18, through Wednesday, Dec. 23. Students with disabilities can receive no-cost meals regardless of age.

The meals, supported with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are being distributed at more than 300 community locations by the BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services in cooperation with the Office of Transportation. The large number of distribution sites is designed to provide increased access to meals during virtual learning.

No sign-up or registration is required, and students or their parents or caregivers can pick up the meals. In general, the meals are distributed on Monday and Wednesday. On Monday, BCPS distributes two breakfast and two lunch meals. On Wednesday, BCPS distributes meals (breakfast and lunch) for three days. The nutritious meals include cold food items, fruit, vegetables, milk, and breakfast items.
The distribution schedule will be adjusted as needed to align with the school system’s schedule.

Meals are distributed in two ways:

Curbside pickup at the main entrance of every middle and high school, from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Here is a list in easten Baltimore County:
Chesapeake High
Cockeysville Middle
Deep Creek Middle
Dundalk High
Dundalk Middle
Eastern Tech High
General John Stricker Middle
Golden Ring Middle
Holabird Middle
Kenwood High
Middle River Middle
Overlea High
Parkville High
Parkville Middle
Patapsco High & Center for Arts
Perry Hall High
Perry Hall Middle
Pine Grove Middle
Sparrows Point Middle/High
Stemmers Run Middle

By bus from 270 locations across the county. Times vary according to location. Here is a list of locations in eastern Baltimore County:

1701 Chesaco Ave – Chesaco Shopping Center
11:00-11:20
66th Street and E. Biddle Street
11:00-11:20
7810 Philadelphia Road (former bank)
11:30-11:50
Barstow Road and St. Regis Road
11:55-12:30
Blue Grass Road and Hamiltowne Circle
12:00-12:30
Burnfield Road and Avery Road(adjacent to Red House Run fields)
11:30-11:50
Carney Elementary
11:00-11:50
Chesaco Avenue and Patapsco Avenue
11:00-11:20
Chesaco United Methodist Church – Chesaco Road and Elmhurst Road
12:00-12:30
Corner of Baker Lane, Holiday Manor Road and Wescott Way
12:00-12:30
Country Farm Road and Red Lion Road
11:30-11:50
Cowenton Ridge Park
11:00-11:20
David Avenue @ Parkville Nazerene Daycare
12:00-12:30
Delegge Road and Kenwood Park (just before Getty Drive)
11:00-11:20
Dunfield Road and Eastmet Drive
11:30-11:50
Eagle Walk Road and Brushfield Court
12:00-12:30
Eagle Walk Road and Leatherwood Place
11:55-12:30
Eastern Family Resource Center
11:00-11:20
Elmwood Elementary
12:00-12:30
Fontana Lane (@ Golden Ring Park)
11:40-12:30
Fullerton Elementary
11:30-11:50
Gavigan’s Furniture – 1750 E Joppa Road
11:00-11:20
Gilley Terrace and Stellabrooke Lane
11:00-11:45
Green Needle Drive and Redberry Way
12:00-12:30
Hazelwood Inn
12:00-12:30
Hoerner Road and Putty Hill Road (@ park)
12:00-12:30
King Road and Stapleford Road (@ park)
11:00-11:20
Kings Court Shopping Center
12:00-12:30
Kings Ridge Road and Nunley Road
11:30-11:50
Kingsville Elementary
11:00-11:30
Kintore Drive and Dunfield Road (by the open field)
12:00-12:30
Kintore Drive and Upton Road (by the open field)
12:00-12:30
Leiden Road and Arnhen Road
11:30-11:50
Life Source International Church (Salvation Road)
11:30-11:50
Marquette Road and Barstow Road
11:00-11:45
Marquette Road and St. Regis Road
11:00-11:20
McCormick Elementary
12:00-12:30
North Plaza Shopping Center – Waltham Woods Road
11:00-11:20
Northwind Road and Maidbrook Road
11:30-11:50
Oakleigh Elementary
11:00-12:30
Oakleigh Road and Dalhousie Court
12:00-12:30
Oakleigh Road and Redwood Avenue
11:00-11:20
Old Harford Road @ Putty Hill Shopping Center
11:00-11:20
Pataspco Avenue and Poplar Avenue
11:30-11:50
Putty Hill Plaza (Belair Road)
12:00-12:30
Ravenwood Road and Nottingwood Road
11:00-11:20
Red House Run Elementary
11:30-11:50
Ridge Road and Square Ridge Road
11:30-11:50
School Road and Hiss Avenue
11:00-11:20
Shady Spring Elementary
12:00-12:30
Shakerwood Road and Jarwood Road
12:00-12:30
Villa Cresta Elementary
11:00-11:20
Wendell Avenue and Lambros Road
11:30-11:50
Whitby Road and Rubens Road
12:00-12:30
White Marsh Road, Opposite Cool Meadow Court
11:00-11:30
White Marsh Swim Club (Beaconsfield Drive)
12:00-12:30
Willow Oak Road and Joan Avenue
11:30-11:50
1460 Hadwick Drive (Rental Office) – Kingsmill Apartments
11:00-11:40
51st Street opposite Eastdale Road
11:50-12:30
Ballard Avenue and Midego Drive
11:00-11:40
Battle Grove Elementary
11:00-12:30
Battle Grove Park
11:40-12:30
Bear Creek Elementary
11:40-12:30
Beech Drive and Wilson Point Park (boat launch lot)
11:00-11:30
Berkshire Elementary
11:00-12:30
Bridgewood Drive and Westham Way
11:00-11:30
Charlesmont Elementary
11:50-12:30
Charlesmont Road and Wallford Drive
11:00-11:40
Chesapeake Terrace Elementary
11:40-12:30
Cove Village Apartments
11:00-12:30
Deep Creek Elementary
11:40-12:30
Dundalk Elementary
11:40-12:30
Dundalk First Baptist Church (St. Helena Avenue)
11:00-11:30
Essex Elementary
11:40-12:30
Fleming Community Center (Main Street)
11:00-12:30
Fuselage Avenue and Glider Drive
11:00-11:30
German Hill Road and East Branch Road
11:00-11:30
Grange Elementary
11:40-12:30
Gray Manor Park
11:40-12:30
Hadwick Drive and Ashbridge Drive – Kingsmill Apartments
11:45-12:30
Harewood Road and Harewood Park Drive
11:00-11:30
Hawthorne Elementary
11:00-12:30
Holabird East Apartments (Holabird Road)
11:00-11:30
Loalan Avenue and Rabon Avenue
11:00-11:30
Logan Elementary
11:40-12:30
Logan Village Shopping Center
11:00-11:30
Maple Crest Drive and Compass Road
11:45-12:30
Mars Estates Elementary
11:40-12:30
Martin Boulevard Elementary
11:40-12:30
Middleborough Road and Sassafras Road (Fire Hall parking lot)
11:00-11:30
Middlesex Elementary
11:00-11:30
New Battle Grove Road and North Point Road
11:00-11:30
North Point Road and Millers Island Boulevard
11:00-11:30
Norwood Elementary
11:00-11:40
Oak Grove Apartments – Cedar Drive @ basketball court
11:00-11:30
Oliver Beach Elementary
11:40-12:30
Orems Elementary
11:40-12:30
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church (Bird River Road)
12:00-12:30
Portside Apartments (Cameron Drive)
11:00-11:30
S. Marlyn Avenue and Damsel Road
11:40-12:30
Sandalwood Road and Moline Circle
11:00-11:30
Sandy Plains Elementary
11:00-11:30
Seneca Elementary
11:00-12:30
Sollers Point Multipurpose Center
11:00-12:30
St. Peter’s Evangelical Church (Eastern Avenue)
11:40-12:30
Stansbury Road and Stansbury Lake Drive
11:00-11:30
Stembridge Recreation and Parks Center
11:00-11:30
Sussex Elementary
11:40-12:30
Sussex Road, Opposite Tampa Road (at Fire Department)
11:00-11:30
Terrace Road and Riverside Road
11:00-11:30
Virginia Avenue and Helena Avenue
11:00-11:30
West Inverness Recreation Center
11:40-12:30
Whispering Woods Apartments
11:00-12:30
Williams Court and Greenleigh Avenue
11:00-11:20
Williams Estates – Bengies Road @ playground opposite of Raspberry Court
11:40-12:30
Wilson Avenue and 46th Street
11:50-12:30
Windlass Glen Road
11:30 – 11:50 a.m.

BCPS Releases High School Construction Recommendations


Baltimore County and Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) have released the recommendations from the first phase of the Multi-Year Improvement Plan for All Schools (MYIPAS).

MYIPAS is a 10-year capital planning process that will identify and prioritize needed improvements to Baltimore County’s school infrastructure.

The first phase focused on high schools. The second phase, focusing on all remaining schools, centers, and programs, is scheduled to be complete in May 2021. A final report is expected by fall 2021.

“We view the development of this plan as an important step forward on the path toward ensuring that all of our school buildings offer the type of physical environment most conducive for teaching and learning,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams.

Part of the construction recommendations has three groups based on priority.

Group 1 is considered the highest priority and is called Legacy Project which includes a $150 million demolition/reconstruction 1700-seat capacity school at Lansdowne High School.

The Group 2 recommendations is called Critical Additions which includes for four projects:
• Additional 650 seats to Dundalk High School
• Additional 500 seats and renovation for a new kitchen and cafeteria area at Towson High School
• Additional 200 seats and renovation at Loch Raven High School, which would relieve some overcrowding at Parkville High School
• Additional 250 seats to Patapsco High Center for the Arts

The Group 3 Recommendations is Relief Schools and/or Additions for a new high school in the northeast area of Baltimore County area and a new middle school/high school in the Sparrows Point/Edgemere area.

There are two options for both areas depending on funding. The first option calls for Perry Hall High School to add 225 seats with an addition to the cafeteria area; additional 200 seats to Overlea High School; and an additional 75 seats to Kenwood High School. Those three additions are projected to cost $50 million.

The second option for the northeast area is for Baltimore County to acquire land and to build a 1,200 seat new high school, along with the Perry Hall High renovation plan. Total cost is projected at $200 million.

Fifth District Councilman David Marks said he favors new school buildings.

“For more than two decades, I have worked to build new schools in Baltimore County. We have had some success with the construction of Honeygo Elementary School and county funding for two new schools,” Marks said in a statement.

“While these recommendations are preliminary, I do not support warehousing students by building additions at already-crowded schools. This plan needs input, scrutiny and changes.”

In Sparrows Point, both the high school and middle school share one building.
The first plan is to add 325 seats to the high school for around $50 million. The second proposal is build a new 750-seat middle school at a new location at $200 million and renovate the high school/middle school campus into a larger Sparrows Point High school.

Of course, the plans will be determined by the amount of funding. It appeared that Baltimore County and other jurisdictions throughout the state were going to be beneficiaries of the Learn to Build Act. The $400 million school construction bill was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and was expected to be signed into law by Gov. Larry Hogan. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit and Hogan vetoed all spending bills. The Maryland General Assembly could override Hogan’s veto.

A portion of that bill would provide funding for three northeast Baltimore County school projects; a new elementary school in the Rossville area, a new middle school at Nottingham Park on King Avenue and to expand Pine Grove Middle School in Carney.

If the veto is overridden and Baltimore County commits local matching funds, large renovation projects for all assessed adequacy, equity, and condition priorities could take place at all schools within 15 years.

If the Learn to Build Act does not provide local funding, there are two scenarios.

The first scenario would prioritize renovations for reduced scope at all schools within 15 years. The other scenario is not recommended by Baltimore County but would provide single large renovations every two – three years, but with many schools waiting decades for improvements.

“Every student in Baltimore County, regardless of their zip code, deserves access to a safe, modern school facility that meets the needs of their community,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski.

“With aging infrastructure and a growing population, we have significant needs at the high school level, and these initial recommendations will serve as a critical resource as we work to ensure equitable allocation of resources throughout the County.”

The initial recommendations were developed by consultants from CannonDesign, a national architecture and planning company that has led over 1,300 education facility projects across the country, including over 200 education master plans.

BCPS Reverses Timeline For Staff Return


Baltimore County Public Schools has revised its timeline for a phased-in resumption of in-person learning. The revised timeline calls for staff to return to the school system’s four public separate day schools on Monday, Nov. 2, with students at those schools having the option to begin in-person learning on Monday, Nov. 16.

The schools to be impacted – Battle Monument, Maiden Choice, Ridge Ruxton, and White Oak – serve students with disabilities who receive special education and related services. According to the school system, the return of these students and staff will be closely monitored, and further adjustments will be made as necessary.

The timeline no longer calls for all staff to return to school buildings in October and no longer calls for identified preschool, PreKindergarten, and Kindergarten students to resume in-person learning in November.

“Making plans in this ever-changing landscape is challenging and requires flexibility,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “Through it all, our priority continues to be the health and safety of our students and staff while maximizing learning and wellbeing. We are focused on providing rigorous and engaging instruction for all students and finding ways to provide in-person learning to those students who will benefit most.”

BCPS is seeking feedback from families and staff regarding the revised timeline. Families of students at the four schools slated to physically reopen in November will be surveyed from October 2 – 9 to indicate whether they want their children to return to the school building or continue online instruction. In addition, all BCPS stakeholders may send feedback to reopening@bcps.org for review by the BCPS Reopening Design Team and COVID-19 task force.