School Notebook | EASTBALTCO.COM

BCPS to Answer Questions About School Year

Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) announced that the first semester of the 2020-21 School Year will be conducted by remote learning and BCPS releases information about their for virtual reopening last week.

With the start of the virtual reopening set for Tuesday, Sept. 8, BCPS will host two online Community Conversations during which Community Superintendents Christina Byers (central zone), Dr. Racquel Jones (west zone) and Dr. George Roberts (east zone) will answer questions about the upcoming school year. The live Community Conversations will be held on Monday, Aug. 24, from 3 – 4 p.m., and on Thursday, Aug. 27, from 6 – 7 p.m. The public will be able to view the Community Conversations on the BCPS website and on BCPS-TV.

In preparation for the online discussions, BCPS invites the community to submit questions online, now through 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21. Questions can be submitted in English as well as Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, Uzbek and Vietnamese.

The live Community Conversations will offer closed captions in English as well as Arabic, simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish, and Urdu.

In addition, the three community superintendents will participate in an interview in Spanish with local journalist Pedro Palomino. The interview will be available on Facebook and YouTube before the end of August.

BCPS Releases Info. for Virtual Reopening

Baltimore County Public Schools has updated its Reopening Plan for the 2020-21 school year, with virtual learning planned from Tuesday, Sept. 8 through the end of the first semester on Jan. 29, 2021.

The version of the plan released today includes additional information about attendance, special education, assessments, schedules, and athletics among other topics. Highlights are included below:

Attendance: Teachers will take daily attendance based on student log-in to the Schoology learning management system each Wednesday and Google Meet on other days of the week.

Special education: BCPS provides free appropriate public education to students with disabilities through supports and services that address each student’s unique needs as identified in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), while protecting the health and safety of students and staff.

SAT and PSAT: Through the end of the first marking period on Nov. 13 the following are cancelled: Saturday administrations of the SAT college entrance exam, the SAT Day initiative providing the SAT for free during the school day, and the PSAT.

Schedules: The plan provides sample teacher and student schedules for Preschool – Grade 12.

Athletics: Virtual sports conditioning and coaching will be allowed during the first semester. The Office of Athletics is considering how athletics may proceed during the second semester, with the possibility of shortened seasons for fall, winter, and spring athletics.

Preschool and Prekindergarten: Preschool and Prekindergarten materials will be mailed to students’ homes for each curricular unit. Teachers will contact students and families for direct instruction.

Use of facilities: Currently and while instruction is virtual, BCPS facilities are not open for use by outside organizations.

Face coverings: Face coverings and adherence to county and state health guidelines are required while on BCPS property for adults and children aged 2 and older.

As announced in July, teachers will provide live, virtual instruction on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, in addition to independent student work and small group instruction. Wednesdays are reserved for targeted student intervention and independent student work. School schedules will provide opportunities for movement and screen and lunch breaks.

Chromebook distribution for students in Grades Kindergarten through 12 will continue until a 1:1 student-to-device ratio is achieved. BCPS will continue to provide mobile hot spots for students without home Internet connectivity, including students who are experiencing homelessness.

BCPS will survey families from December 1-18 regarding interest in continuing virtual learning or opting into hybrid (in-person and virtual) instruction, if safe to do so for February through June 2021.

The BCPS Reopening Plan was developed by BCPS and community leaders based on community surveys, advisory groups, and advice from health and education experts. Aspects of this plan may be adjusted as conditions warrant.

Dundalk Catholic School Named Best by Daily Record

–photo courtesy of OLHSL School Facebook page-

Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School in Dundalk announced the school was selected as a Daily Record winner in the categories of Best Catholic School (Elementary/Middle) and Best Private School (Elementary School). The school is located on 8003 North Boundary Road.

“We were among other wonderful Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools who were also recognized! Congratulations to all of the winners!
Thank you for voting and continuing to support OLH/SLS! We love sharing the good of our school, a gem in the heart of Dundalk,Md,” said a statement from the school about the award.

According to the school’s website, Our Lady of Hope school opened in 1954 and currently has 247 students enrolled from Pre K 3 to 8th grade.

State Announces Recovery Plan for Schools

Baltimore County Public Schools announced last week that all classes will operate remotely until Jan. 29.

There is still uncertainty on how this school year will be conducted but Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon provided some clarity at Tuesday’s state of Maryland Board of Education meeting.
Salmon announced the Recovery Plan Stakeholder Committee’s guiding principles for reopening plan.

Some of those guidelines include requiring attendance in all classes and assigning grades to students.

All BCPS grades were pass/fail in the third and fourth quarters and there were reports that some online classes did not take attendance. Here is a full list of the state’s guidelines:

• Equity is the underlying basic principle.
• Ensure safe learning and working environments for students and staff.
• Consider family choice in student learning format.
• Ensure that all students receive instruction that meets state standards and has the
necessary supports for success including:
o Access to technology and connectivity.
o Socio-emotional wellness and health supports.
o Additional supports to meet needs of special populations.
• All school operating scenarios will ensure consistent implementation of instructional schedules that provide significantly more synchronous student-teacher interactions via a
reliable, safe, and secure virtual learning platform.
• Provide training, time, support, and flexibility necessary for staff to prepare for a successful school year.
• Provide proactive, clear communication to all families, staff, and stakeholders.
• Attendance will be required in all school operating scenarios.
• Grading will be required in all school operating scenarios

Overlea High Resource Officer Named SRO of the Year

Officer Danielle Moore, a member of the Baltimore County Police Department since 2012, has been named 2020 Floyd Ledbetter National SRO (School Resource Officer) of the Year by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO).

Officer Moore has served as a school resource officer at Overlea High School since 2018.

“Officer Moore has quickly made an impression on Overlea High School’s scholars, families, and staff,” said Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “She serves the school community in a way that affirms each student’s potential and promotes a healthy school climate. We are so thankful for her service and so proud of her for earning this national honor.”

According to Overlea High Principal Monica Sample, Officer Moore is the school’s “biggest cheerleader” and someone who “demonstrates commitment, loyalty, empathy, discipline, and diplomacy” and interacts with students “in a positive and restorative manner.”

“Many female scholars,” Sample wrote, “consistently approach Officer Moore for guidance, support, and mentorship with social-emotional issues. She is viewed by many as an honorary mother who represents confidence, optimism, and hope.”

Three of the many ways that Officer Moore contributes to the school culture are by serving as co-coordinator of the female mentoring I.T. Girls of Overlea High School, as a member of the Overlea student support team, and as a member of the Restorative Practices team. According to Sample, Officer Moore has “conducted over 100 restorative conferences,” thereby preventing numerous altercations in the school and community.

“SRO Moore is non-judgmental in her role and gives each scholar endless opportunities and support despite their disciplinary histories,” Sample wrote. “She inspires and gives hope to our scholars that each day is a new day and that our scholars are all capable of being model citizens who will make a great impact on society.”

Mo Canady, executive director of NASRO, said of Officer Moore, “It is apparent that she demonstrates the SRO Triad Concept in serving as a coach and mentor, educator, and law enforcement officer while seeking opportunities to serve her school community. It is our privilege to bestow this honor to one who exemplifies the title of school resource officer so well.”

Officer Moore will receive her award during the Aug. 5 opening ceremonies of the virtual 30th Annual NASRO School Safety Conference.

Eastern Tech Honored by Future Business Leaders

The Eastern Technical High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and students from Dulaney, Eastern Tech and New Town high schools earned honors during the 2020 FBLA National Leadership Online Experience.

In past years, a cadre of students from BCPS has traveled to an in-person FBLA National Leadership Conference, involving as many as 20,000 attendees. This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference, scheduled to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, was replaced with an online experience.

“Our students were challenged with creating videos and taking online tests to demonstrate their skills in the areas of business, computer science, and computer networking,” said Dr. Kara Lynch, BCPS supervisor of business, computer science, and homeland security education. “Our students have been preparing all year long by participating in regional and state level events. Some of our chapters have also prepared yearlong service projects. Congratulations to all of the BCPS FBLA members who competed.”

Eastern Tech Awards
Eastern Technical High School was named an FBLA Outstanding Chapter, based on its membership, community service, and education
Recognized for completing the Chapter Challenge, tasks related to recruitment, retention, membership involvement and FBLA Awareness.

Andrei Mapilisan, Eastern Technical High School earned Business Achievement Awards for creating a portfolio of real-world accomplishments

Eastern Tech students Andrei Mapilisan,Neha Mupparapu and Kamalmeet Singh earned Community Service Awards.

BCPS Board Approves Remote Classes Plan

The Baltimore County Public School Board of Education approved the school systems’ Reopening Plan for the Fall of 2020. Eastbaltco.com reported on the plan earlier today.
The school year would still start on Tuesday, Sept. 8 but the year will start virtually for everyone for the first two quarters until Friday, Jan. 29.

According to the plan, the amount of online class time for this remote learning will increase compared to the remote learning in the spring as schools will follow a bell schedule.
Students would receive two to 3.5 hours of class time each day and would have up to three hours for independent work.

“This decision was made based on the health and safety of students and staff,” said a statement from BCPS.

If better safety measures are in place for COVID-19 in January, a hybrid learning environment would start in the second semester where a student would receive in-person instruction at the school for a few days a week on a rotating basis.

Parents and students would still have the option of full-time remote learning in the second semester after Jan. 29.

BCPS Plan Calls for Remote Learning Until Jan. 29

Baltimore County Public School released their Reopening Plan for Fall 2020. The proposal is expected to be voted by the Board of Education tonight.
Under the plan, the start of the school year would still start on Tuesday, Sept. 8 but the year will start virtually for everyone for the first two quarters until Friday, Jan. 29.

According to the draft, the amount of online class time for this remote learning will increase compared to the remote learning in the spring as schools will follow a bell schedule. Students would receive two to 3.5 hours of class time each day and would have up to three hours for independent work.

Parents and students would still have the option of full-time remote learning in the second semester. The draft of the plan is pictured below

BCPS Could Make School Decision on Tuesday

The Board of Education of Baltimore County will meet virtually on Tuesday, July 21 at 5 p.m. There is speculation that the meeting will result in an announcement about the upcoming school year.

Many neighboring school districts have announced that their students will learn online until January. BCPS has not announced an official decision yet.

The board will then meet in closed session as permitted by law.
The school system is committed to accessible communication with its stakeholders.

Accordingly, all Board of Education meetings are live-streamed and can be viewed on the BCPS website, or on BCPS-TV (Comcast Xfinity channel 73, Verizon FiOS channel 34).

Archdiocese Releases Statement for Catholic Schools

The Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools made an announcement about their plan for the 2020-21 school year.

The Planning Ahead Task Force for Catholic Schools has been working diligently to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure the safe return of our faculty and staff on Aug. 24 and our students on Aug. 31st for instruction five days per week.

The Task Force is receiving technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to inform our plans to SAFELY return to in-person instruction for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

Although most school facilities will be able to accommodate all students for five day, in-person instruction while safely social distancing; some schools, due to their size, will incorporate a “blend” of in-person and remote learning that maximizes in-person instruction.

Families who do not feel comfortable returning their child(ren) to in-person instruction will be able to have their child(ren) participate remotely from home. Detailed reopening procedures will be finalized and shared by July 24.