Category: School Notebook

Watershed Public Charter School Honored


Watershed Public Charter School has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Teach For
America Baltimore’s Courtney Cass Catalyst Fund.

The grant fund was created by Teach For America Baltimore to honor the legacy of its former executive
director, Courtney Cass, and support Teach For America Baltimore alumni as they create innovations to
support students’ academic success.

Watershed Assistant Principal Rachel Mejibovsky, a Teach For America Baltimore alum, developed and
submitted the grant application on behalf of the school. The funds will be used to purchase the socialemotional curriculum Move This World and to cover the cost of training, parental resources, and related
materials for the next three school years as Watershed expands from an elementary school to an
elementary-middle school. The social-emotional curriculum is expected to impact nearly 400 students
enrolled in Kindergarten through Grade 8.

In writing to Mejibovsky about the grant award, Normandi Amprey, Teach For America Baltimore’s
executive director, described Mejibovsky’s proposal as “catalyzing” and “poised to make an impact in
Baltimore.”

“Winning this grant award will help Watershed continue to strengthen our curriculum and enhance
student progress,” said Watershed Principal Lori Widney. “Social-emotional learning is incredibly
important to student growth. Watershed is excited to use this program to connect students, teachers,
and families with actionable steps to manage emotions and peer conflict. This grant will help us add to
our project-based, environmental, arts-integrated curriculum and enhance our ability to teach the whole
child. Ms. Mejibovsky’s previous experience with Teach For America has been a wonderful community
partnership that continues to support the education of Baltimore County students.”

In her application, Mejibovsky noted that, as Baltimore County’s only public charter school, Watershed
currently serves 287 students from 20 different ZIP codes, and that therefore the school has a singular
opportunity to reach the larger community.

A native of Iowa, Mejibovsky began her teaching career as a 2011 Teach For America corps member at
REACH! Partnership School in Baltimore City. She has worked in both public and private schools in the
Baltimore area, serving as a K-8 teacher, coach, and assistant principal. Her experience with curriculum
writing and cross-disciplinary instruction brought her to Watershed Public Charter School in 2021. She
holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Central College and a master’s degree in
educational studies and administration from Johns Hopkins University

Police Give Update on Towson High Threats


As families prepare for the work/school week, the Baltimore County Police Department would like to provide a brief update to the community on school safety and the recent threats at Towson High School. There will be an increased police presence in and around Towson High School this week.

As the investigation into this matter remains ongoing, the Baltimore County Police Department would ask families to speak with their children about school safety and any concerns they may have. Please assure student(s) that many people are working to keep their school safe. School Resource Officers are available during the school day should students have concerns they would like to discuss.

Meanwhile, parents can stay connected throughout the day by signing up for emergency notifications and following the Baltimore County Police Department on social media.

The Baltimore County Police Department looks forward to continuing this conversation with the community in person later this week.

Police Report Assault Case at Loch Raven High School


Detectives with the Baltimore County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit responded to Loch Raven High School on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at approximately 3 p.m.to investigate a reported assault.

Preliminarily, this appears to be an isolated incident involving individuals known to one another. As this remains an ongoing investigation, BCoPD is working closely with our partners within Baltimore County Public Schools to ensure student safety.

A School Resource Officer is available should students have information they would like to share.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call SVU detectives at 410-887-2223.

BCPS Schools Host “Given Tuesday”


“Giving Tuesday” is here, and when it comes to supporting causes close to the
heart, the Education Foundation of Baltimore County wants you to consider one very special
recipient – our own students, teachers, and schools.

“By selecting and investing in The Education Foundation of BCPS,” says Deborah Phelps,
executive director of the foundation, “you can select one of our innovative grants, scholarships,
programs, or campaigns that provides a variety of opportunities, experiences, supplies, and
resources to benefit the educational readiness of tomorrow’s leaders, the more than 111,000
students who attend Baltimore County Public Schools.”

Giving Tuesday began in 2012 as a “global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world,” according to the
charitable organization founded to realize its vision. Beginning the first Tuesday after
Thanksgiving and going until December 3, the movement seeks to join “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” as a charitable alternative tradition of the season.

Those wishing to support BCPS through the Education Foundation may do so by visiting its
website and making a donation to one of the initiatives or programs of the foundation,
including 21st Century Instructional Initiative Grants, student scholarships, or – through the
Exchangeree: Gizmos & Gadgets Galore – the Tools for Schools, Books for Bins, and Share the
Warmth campaigns.

Other ways to contribute include through the United Way of Central Maryland, while shopping
online at Amazon, and following the foundation’s social media links, among others.
“We so appreciate the generous support of the many donors who provide assistance, and in
this season of giving, we extend our gratitude to each of you,” Phelps says. “Together we can –
and do – make a lasting impact.”

Police Still Investigating Threat at Towson High School


An increased police presence remains at Towson High School as the Baltimore County Police Department continues its investigation into an online threat made Thursday, Nov. 17.

It appears the threat was generated outside the United States. Academic institutions across the country have faced a surge of threats similar to the one sent last week.

The Baltimore County Police Department continues to work closely with Baltimore County Public Schools to monitor this situation and to ensure that all students and staff remain safe.

BCPS Board to Hold November Meeting


The Board of Education will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at its Greenwood Campus, 6901 N. Charles Street, Building E, Towson, Maryland 21204.

The Board’s regular open session will begin in person at approximately 5 p.m. The Board will then meet in closed session as permitted by law. The open session will reconvene at 6:30 p.m.

A special order of business will be held to recognize the outgoing Board members.
Public comment and attendance will take place in person at the meeting, with limited capacity.

Registration for stakeholder and general public comment will continue to be through the online registration form, and only those preregistered stakeholder groups and selected general public comment speakers will be allowed access to the building.

In addition, members of the public who want to attend only to view the Board meeting in person will register online in advance and be randomly selected (based on capacity).

For more information, visit the Board’s website, and click on “Participation
by the Public.”

The school system is committed to accessible communication with its stakeholders.

Accordingly, the scheduled Board of Education meeting will be streamed on the BCPS Web site and BoardDocs and broadcast on BCPS-TV (Comcast Xfinity channel 73, Verizon FiOS channel 34).

Community Meeting for New Towson Schools


BCPS will host a community stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. to review the recommended mitigation option for the Towson High School renovation and replacement school project, including recommendations based on stakeholder input from a 30-day comment and survey period as well as the requirements of the Maryland Historic Trust (MHT) Section 106 process.

The meeting will be held at West Towson Elementary School cafeteria/gymnasium
6914 N. Charles Street in Towson.

Credit Union Commits $50,000 to BCPS


At a reception honoring recipients of its 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 “Putting Students First Grant” program, First Financial Federal Credit Union announced a $50,000 commitment to Baltimore County Public Schools over the next five years.
Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the credit union will award 10 $1,000 grants each year through the 2027-2028 school year.

Putting Students First Grants of up to $500 each were first offered in the 2021-2022 school year through
a partnership between First Financial and The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools.

The Putting Students First Grant program, available to BCPS educators and school administrators, supports student services and curriculum enhancements.

The grants are reviewed, judged, and selected by a joint committee of Education Foundation and First Financial employees.

Recipient schools for 2022
include: Battle Grove Elementary School, Cedarmere Elementary School, Charlesmont Elementary School, Cromwell Valley Elementary Regional Magnet School, Featherbed Lane Elementary School,
Glyndon Elementary School, Loch Raven Technical Academy, Perry Hall Elementary School, Riverview Elementary School, and Western School of Technology and Environmental Science.

“First Financial’s commitment to extend and enhance the Putting Students First Grants brings extra sparks of excitement and motivation to the educators in BCPS,” said Deborah S. Phelps, executive
director of The Education Foundation.

“This opportunity will allow educators to create and design additional innovative, research-based programs. It will provide them supplies and resources to implement the programs contributing to the overall learning environment for our students and allow educators to continuously embrace the total child. The foundation extends its utmost gratitude to First Financial Federal Credit Union for being our ‘Education Champion’ for Team BCPS.”

Founded to serve the financial needs of educators, First Financial is well known for its commitment to enhancing education in the community it serves.
“Seeing the impact this partnership has had within the educational community made it easy for us to decide to continue this initiative,” said First Financial President and CEO Eric Church.

“Recognizing how critical quality education is to our future, we’re proud
to deepen our support of the grant program and extend this partnership for another five years.”

To learn more about First Financial and membership eligibility, visit the credit union’s website or call
Member Services at 410-321-6060, option 5.

BCPS Needs Volunteers for Robotics Tournament


Baltimore County Public Schools seeks volunteers to serve in key roles during upcoming robotics tournaments.

The Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation and VEX have partnered to provide free, online training, testing, and certification for those interested in serving as volunteers.
“This will be our first full year of hands-on robotics events since the onset of the pandemic,” said Dr. Michael E. Grubbs, BCPS coordinator of career and technical education. “In addition to judges and referees, we need volunteers for other key roles, too.

Experience and/or a technical background are helpful but not required. Most of all, good volunteers listen, collaborate, and give their time to students who are eager to show their knowledge and demonstrate their creative robot designs on the playing field and during the interview process.”

Those interested in volunteering at any of the following events are asked to contact the event organizers.
BCPS CTE VEX IQ Fall Slapshot State Qualifier Skills Event (VEX IQ, Grades 4-8)
Parkville Middle School, 8711 Avondale Rd., Parkville 21234
Referees and scorekeepers needed
Saturday, November 5, 2022, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Contact: Robin Bowden, rbowden@bcps.org
Dulaney Royal Rumble State Qualifier Tournament (VEX VRC, Grades 8-12)
Dulaney High School, 255 Padonia Rd., Timonium 21093

Perry Hall High Student Elected to School Board


Middle and high school students from across Baltimore County have selected Perry Hall High School junior Roah Hassan to serve as the student member of the Board of Education of Baltimore County (SMOB) for the 2022-2023 school year. Hassan’s one-year term begins July 1, 2022.

A record number of 13,169 students cast online ballots on Thursday, March 17. The number of votes cast this year is 61.55 percent more than in 2020 when the previous record of 8,152 votes were cast. Hassan received 54.98 percent of the votes compared to 45.02 percent for the other candidate, Masah Farh, a junior at Towson High School. This is the third year that all BCPS middle and high school students could select the student member of the board and the second year, due to a change in Maryland law, that the student selection no longer needs approval from the governor.

Prior to voting, students were able to learn more about both candidates by viewing their resumes, video Q&A sessions, videotaped speeches, and campaigning via social media. The candidates also hosted virtual visits with schools that requested them.

In her speech, Hassan said, “Being the SMOB means never losing faith in the power of the students. It is to have hope, unfaltering empathy, and compassion as we make necessary decisions. Until our systems reflect every single student in BCPS, there will always be work to be done, work that I am prepared to fight for. As your student member of the board, I will work to close the opportunity gap and guarantee equitable funding across the county. I will work to redistribute 21st century resources within BCPS. I will work to rewrite a curriculum that evolves with us and addresses social inequities from the root. I will ensure that student mental health is at the forefront of our conversations and that students of color and LGBTQ+ students feel safe in their schools. We deserve educational justice and a fight that ensures your voice is equally as powerful as mine on the BCPS Board of Education.”

Hassan is president of the Perry Hall Class of 2023 Senate. At her school, she is also vice president of Girls Up, events coordinator of the Muslim Student Association, historian of the Rotary Interact Club, and secretary of Mock Trial. Hassan tutors and mentors Perry Hall AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) sophomores. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Social Studies Honor Society. At the county level, she is the co-legislative affairs coordinator for Baltimore County Student Councils. At the state level, she is vice chair of the Maryland High School Democrats’ Women’s Caucus, co-founder/co-executive director of Mic Up, Maryland!, and legislative coordinator of the Maryland Center for School Safety Student Focus Group.

Hassan will replace Christian Thomas, a senior at Eastern Technical High School, who will graduate in June.