Category: School Notebook

BCPS celebrates 25 Eastern Tech AP Capstone Diploma and AP Seminar and Research Certificate recipients


Eighteen 2019 graduates of Eastern Technical high schools have earned the Advanced Placement® (AP®) Capstone Diploma, and seven 2019 graduates of Eastern Tech earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™ during the 2018-19 school year.

AP Capstone™ is a College Board program designed to prepare students for college and career success through the development of critical thinking, academic research, collaboration, presentation, and time management skills. To receive the AP Capstone Diploma™, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.

The AP Capstone Diploma program allows students to develop critical thinking, research, and presentation skills, both individually and as a team. Students conduct academic research on topics of personal interest in two interdisciplinary courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.

The Eastern Technical High School graduates honored – and their research topics – are:

AP Capstone diploma recipients:

Chetan Adupa, Determining the Relationship Between Fuel Efficiency and Car Safety
Leo Cha, Impact of Overwatch on Reaction Time
Josef Chamera, The Future of Land Surveying
Timothy Chun, Data Privacy for Facial Recognition
James Comotto,Social Media and Politics
Ryan Cummings, Dietary Habits: A Closer Look into the Animal Within
Alyssa Foster, Subjective and Objective Health Literacy of High School-Aged Adolescents: Insurance, Medicine Safety, and Prescription Literacy
Francis Maglaqui, The Most Destructive, Yet Romanticized Path: Suicide
Paulo Manalo, Video Games and Exercise: To What Extent Pokemon Go Improves Physical Activity in High School Students
Andrew Naiman, Finding an Optimal or Suboptimal Combination of Hands in Rock-Paper-Scissors
Kiet Nguyen, Exploring the Role of Naag In Cancer Metabolism
Phuong Dinh Nguyen, To What Extent Do the Practices of High School Students Impact their Online Safety on Instagram
Amy Peshku, Applying Preventive Care Practices to the Opioid Crises and Addiction Treatment
Claire Reitenbach, The Epidemic of Teen Smoking: How the Shift Away from Traditional Cigarettes Increases the Use of Electronic Cigarette Smoking in the Pediatric Population
Hunter Sheils, The Centrifugal Method: A Possible Solution to the Growing Problem of Kidney Failure
Neyla Sherrod, Effective Measures Schools Could Take to Help Students Manage Stress Levels
David Suraj, Student Stress in American High Schools
Cayla Waterman, What is the Main Factor that Makes the United States Health Care System Less Effective in Comparison to Health Care Systems in High Ranking Countries?
Ryan Weeks, How Can Running Belts Be Altered to Allow People to Take Part in the Exercise of Running with a Lower Chance of Dehydrating Their Bodies?

Eastern Technical AP Seminar and Research Certificate recipients:

Jeily Bonilla, The Transparency of the Office of Food & Nutrition Services and School Lunches
Deepti Ghimire,Positive Psychology Interventions for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in First Responders
Chiamaka Ibe,Foreign Parents Versus American Parents: What Are the Emotional and Social Affects that Students Face When Feeling Pressure from Their Parents?
Samantha Maina, Stress and Mental Health Management Through Mobile Apps
Kelvin Nyaluki, Protecting Our Privacy Among Virtual Assistants
Fortune Ogungbe,The Impact of BCPS Laptops in Eastern Tech
Jocelyn Vanschoorisse,Is Exercise a Cure?
“The AP Capstone Diploma program provides an outstanding opportunity for our students to do in-depth research and writing about a subject of interest,” said Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “We are so proud of these students for their excellent achievements in this program. AP Capstone, as well as other initiatives in our school system – such as independent research projects, Career and Technology Education programs, AVID, and magnet programs — enable students to build college-level academic and collaboration skills.”
Over 1,500 schools participated in the AP Capstone program worldwide during the 2018-19 school year when approximately 7,800 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma and 4,100 earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

“Congratulations to the AP Capstone award winners, who conduct, present, and defend academic research on topics they are passionate about,” said Trevor Packer, College Board senior vice president of AP and Instruction. “Their ability to manage long-term projects, collaborate with teams, and deliver effective presentations will accelerate not only their academic careers, but their professional careers as well.”

Eastern Tech & Perry Hall Student Named Semifinalists in National Program


Mary E. Kumcheva of Eastern Tech High School and Erick Y. Kim of Perry Hall High School are among 20 BCPS high school students to have been named semifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program coordinated by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

“Congratulations to these outstanding BCPS students for their academic achievement and to the teachers, families, and administrators who taught, challenged, and supported them,” said Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “These students represent schools from across our district and represent the potential we see every day in all of our students, in all of our schools. Recognitions such as this inspire all members of the BCPS family to set and reach higher goals.”

More than 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools applied for the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program by participating in the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NSMQT®). The highest scoring entrants in each state create the national pool of 16,000 semifinalists, which represents less than 1 percent of high school seniors in the nation. Most semifinalists advance to the finalist level (based on their academic records, recommendations and SAT scores) and compete for 7,600 National Merit Scholarships.

Through its longstanding partnership with the College Board, which administers the PSAT/NSMQT, BCPS provides funding so that all students in Grade 9 can take the PSAT 8/9, all students in Grades 10 and 11 can take the PSAT/NSMQT, and all Grade 11 students can take the SAT – all at no charge to the students or their families. The PSAT test provides practice for the SAT and provides BCPS educators with important assessments of student strengths and challenges

Stemmers Run Middle authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School


In a letter to Principal Bryan Thanner, IB’s Director General Siva Kumari wrote, “As an IB World School offering the MYP, you are part of a global community of schools committed to developing knowledgeable, caring young people who will be ready to negotiate their futures successfully and make contributions resulting in a more harmonious and peaceful world. We commend your school’s educators, administrators, students and families for their active roles in choosing to offer the MYP. The positive results of this choice will become evident in your community as classes of MYP students graduate and undertake activities that enhance social, cultural and economic environments locally, nationally and, perhaps, internationally.”

Thanner explains that MYP enriches instruction for every Stemmers Run student. “We still implement the Baltimore County Public Schools curriculum,” Thanner said. “MYP is a layer we put on top, bringing in global perspectives and real-world relevance to every subject area. MYP is inclusive of every student in the school, at every level. It is how we teach. We have already seen it improve engagement and rigor.”

Two other aspects of MYP are particularly noteworthy, according to Thanner. “IB requires that we explicitly teach skills, like collaboration, that students will need for success,” he said. “It also requires a strong character education program that culminates with every Grade 8 student planning and implementing a community service project.” The projects range widely, based on students’ interests – from marker and toothbrush recycling to food drives and volunteering at animal shelters.

“Seeing what middle school students are able to do through service gives them a lot of perspective and helps them realize their ability to make change,” Thanner said.

The process to become authorized by the IB started three years ago and involved the entire Stemmers Run Middle community. “It began,” Thanner said, “with completing a candidate school application that was more than 75 pages long. In it, we needed to demonstrate that our school had the ability to implement the program. After being accepted as a candidate school, we then needed to implement the program and train staff for the next two years. The training requirements were significant. During the second year, the IB sent a team of representatives to Stemmers Run to determine if the school should be authorized. They spent two days in the school, meeting with every department, parent groups, and central office administrators.”

The IB is a highly rigorous academic program focused on critical and independent thinking and logical inquiry. It is offered in almost 5,000 schools globally in more than 150 countries. The MYP is described by the IB as “a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world.” It prepares students for the Diploma Programme (DP), which is offered in Baltimore County Public Schools at Kenwood High (an IB World School for the DP), for which Stemmers Run Middle is a feeder school.

“The Diploma Programme is an advanced program,” Thanner explained, “only open to students who qualify for it. It is our hope that the MYP at Stemmers Run will help all students learn more about IB and encourage more students who qualify to pursue the Diploma Programme.”

International studies programs, based on the IB framework, are also offered at Wellwood International and Woodmoor elementary schools, Middle River and Windsor Mill middle schools, and New Town High School.

New BCPS Superintendent Details Vision for School System

Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams established a clear vision for Baltimore County Public Schools on Friday, Aug. 23 at the Administrative and Supervisory meeting, held at Loch Raven High School.

During his back-to-school speech to about 700 Team BCPS school and system leaders, Dr. Williams focused on increasing student achievement and closing gaps based on race, ethnicity, and participation in services from special education, English for speakers of other languages, and free and reduced-price meals.

Emphasizing collective action from schools and offices, Dr. Williams urged that “Students have to be at the center of everything we do.” He asked school and office leaders to examine current practices and consider, “Will this lead us to greater student achievement?”

As he reviewed data from 2018, he stressed that while one data point does not tell the entire story, differences in achievement have been persistent across assessments.

Dr. Williams announced that one central office change in response to the data is the creation of the new Division of Student Support and Achievement, which consists of community superintendents and executive directors who supervise schools by level and zone. The new division will lead Instructional Core Team meetings, where the needs of students, teachers, and school leaders will determine how central office coordinates and differentiates support to schools based on data.

Similarly, cabinet, Academic Team, and Business Services meetings will adjust to support the focus on raising the bar and closing gaps.

Slated for spring 2020, another systemwide support will be a streamlined School Progress Plan (school improvement plan) process that will align student needs with professional learning for staff. Until then, schools will identify one or two initiatives that target an area where students are not mastering standards.

Central office will support schools in three major areas: studying and knowing the curriculum; infusing authentic literacy across disciplines including more reading and writing; and ensuring effective teaching based on formative assessments that explain what students know and can do.

Dr. Williams continues to examine data and gather feedback through his 100-day entry plan, upcoming Community Conversations with the public, and initial discussions about the 2020-2021 operational budget.

BCPS expects to welcome about 115,000 students to its schools on Sept. 3.

Community invited to BCPSfest at White Marsh Mall

Join Baltimore County Public Schools at a free outdoor festival to celebrate the upcoming 2019-2020 school year at the White Marsh Boscovs on Saturday, August 24, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Some of the feature entertainment for BCPS includes:

  • Southwest Academy Marching Tigers
  • Performers from Stages Music Arts in Cockeysville 
  • Dancers from Shady Spring Elementary 
  • Eastern Tech Varsity Cheer 
  • Perry Hall High singers 
  • Trainer from Planet Fitness 

Come see the BCPS exciting Mobile Innovation Lab. Get up close and personal with an antique fire engine. Learn more about supporting student success. Test your dancing skills. Let the experts give you dental advice and a free toothbrush.

Find a great book to read on the county library’s Bookmobile. Take home a free book from the First Financial Federal Credit Union. Discover BCPS and community programs and services. Be entertained by talented BCPS students. Meet a princess or king from Medieval Times. Try your hand at robotics or launching a straw rocket. Practice your jump roping skills and take home a jump rope.

Meet Buster the Bus. Explore job opportunities with BCPS. This event is sponsored by The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools and coordinated by the BCPS Department of Communications and Community Outreach.

Here is the growing list of BCPSfest vendors and entertainers.

From the community

  • AAA Mid-Atlantic
  • Adventure Dental, Vision, and Ortho
  • Baltimore County Public Library Bookmobile
  • Boy Scouts of America Sea Scout Ship and Maritime Explorer Club
  • Chick-fil-A
  • Colgate-Palmolive Dental Van –dental screening, free toothbrushes
  • Community College of Baltimore County (Essex) –information about early college and other programs
  • The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools – information about support for teachers
  • Fire Museum of Maryland –bringing antique 1949 Mack fire engine
  • First Financial Federal Credit Union –book giveaway and reading nook
  • Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum
  • Gunpowder Valley Conservancy
  • iFly
  • Maryland 529 –information about saving for college
  • Maryland Association of School Health Nurses – health information, spin to win
  • Medieval Times –bringing a princess or king
  • Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education
  • Patient First –medical information, giveaways
  • RSVP – Retired Senior Volunteer Program –volunteer opps for seniors and schools
  • State Highway Administration
  • Kona Ice

From BCPS

  • Career and Technical Education – robotics
  • College and Career Readiness –goal-setting, picture booth
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages
  • English Language Arts 
  • Food and Nutrition Services –answering questions about school meals
  • Health and Physical Education – jumping rope/ jump rope giveaway
  • Home and Hospital
  • Magnet Programs –information about application process, options
  • Mathematics –math games
  • Mobile Innovation Lab –LEGO construction, circuitry, computer programming
  • Music and Dance Education– Wheel of Dance, interactive music activity
  • Parentmobile –mobile resource center
  • School Counseling 
  • Science – launching straw rockets
  • Social Studies 
  • Staffing and Recruitment/Human Resources – job opportunities with BCPS
  • Transportation –bringing a school bus and Buster the Bus
  • Visual Arts –printmaking bookmarks

Henn Shares Proposed FY2021 State Capital Budget Request

Fifth district BCPS Board Member Julie Henn shared the proposed FY2021 state capital budget request includes the following projects in her district:

NE Area Elementary @ Ridge Road ($17,320,000)
NE Area Middle ($43,213,000)
Perry Hall High Chiller Replacement ($1,680,000)
Towson High Replacement (Planning Approval)

“The recommendation will be presented to the Board on Tuesday, August 6 and will be discussed at the work session on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, and is scheduled for Board action on Tuesday, September 10, 2019,” Henn said in a social media post.

“State-funded project requests require verification of county matching funds before final state approval (May/June 2020).”

Local Officials Plan Strategy for Middle School Funding

Parents of Perry Hall Middle School have complained about the overcrowding of their middle school and were excited when Baltimore County announced plans to build a new middle school in Nottingham Park on King Avenue and to expand Pine Grove Middle School in Carney.

Those plans got delayed when Baltimore County announced a budget shortfall. There was a bill introduced in the General Assembly that would have given Baltimore County an additional $400 million in school construction but that bill never received a vote in the Maryland Senate.

Councilman David Marks and Baltimore County Board of Education Member Julie Henn held a town hall meeting on Tuesday to discuss the next steps in securing the funding for the new northeast area middle school.

They were joined by Delegates Joe Boteler, Harry Bhandari, and Kathy Szeliga. Marks was impressed with the dozens of residents that came out on a hot and stormy night.

“Despite anger at the delays to the proposed Nottingham Middle School – frustration that I share as a parent – people are engaged and ready to work,” Marks said.

Henn advised Perry Hall residents to attend BCPS school board meetings and to email school board members so they can prioritize the building of the new northeast middle school.

“The Board will receive the Superintendent’s proposed FY2021 State Capital Request in August. The Northeast Area Middle School must remain high on the Board’s list of priorities,” Henn said. “Show up! Be heard! Follow this page for updates and join our email list for more opportunities to help us advocate for our new northeast middle school. “

Marks added that this year’s school construction bill will be submitted early and should be SB 1. Szeliga said that the bill should receive an early bill hearing around mid to late January and advised parents to go down to Annapolis to testify on the bill.

After the new middle school is built, Henn explained that it will remove 300 students away from Perry Hall Middle. One parent said that is minimal and would still like to see a boundary study conducted and feels it is the only way to alleviate overcrowding.

Marks said some of the problems of today are from the past decisions to expand Perry Hall middle and high schools instead of rezoning but said the community needs to focus on the future.

“We came up with a plan to testify throughout the budget process. The handout is (below). Email me at dmarks@baltimorecountymd.gov to be added to the distribution list.

Essex Precinct school resource officer named an SRO of the Year

 During the annual Baltimore County Public Schools Safe Schools Conference, the school system announced that Officer Carlos Allen, the school resource officer (SRO) for the Essex Precinct, was named the elementary-level School Resource Officer of the Year.

While each BCPS middle and high school has a full-time SRO, at the elementary level, one officer from each precinct provides support to the elementary schools in that area. Officer Allen serves 16 BCPS elementary schools – more than any other SRO serves.

According to school leaders, in his first year in the role, Officer Allen has excelled at becoming an integral member of all the school communities he serves. In addition to monitoring the schools, mentoring students, and assisting when issues or crimes occur, he has handled child abuse cases, made home visits to deliver important documents to families, and participated in school activities. For example, at Sandalwood Elementary, he spoke during the school’s Career Day. At Mars Estates Elementary, he was a guest reader on Read Across America Day. And he participated in the holiday Shop with a Cop initiative with students from Deep Creek Elementary.

In recommending Officer Allen for the honor, Seneca Elementary Principal Jason Feiler wrote, “When entering the building, he always greets students with a smile and works to reinforce the positive role of police in the community. He establishes positive relationships with school staff and is always accessible to discuss situations or address concerns in the school building. When interacting with parents, Officer Allen is supportive and helps parents to better understand the role of the school and SRO in addressing issues.”

Sandalwood Elementary Assistant Principal Colleen Fitzmaurice wrote, “Officer Allen has an opportunity to meet with and interact with many of our families during arrival and dismissal. To help alleviate parent anxiety with the changes made to our response plan toward an intruder in the building and the addition of police presence within elementary schools, Officer Allen held a parent meet and greet at the beginning of the year.” She also noted that, “When he visits our school, he is often walking through the classrooms checking in on our students and providing encouragement. He knows students and calls them by name, often explaining his job to the younger students in our building who look up in awe at him, or using humor and conferencing to deescalate students.”

Officer Allen’s supervisor, Corporal German, wrote that all 16 principals Officer Allen serves “said they can see the positive influence that he has had on the students as a mentor and positive role model.” Corporal German describes Officer Allen as someone with “tenacity, compassion, and a sense of duty.”

Eastern Tech finishes second at National Engineering Design Competition

 Eastern Technical High School’s team finished second overall at the MESA USA National Engineering Design Competition, held June 19 – 21 at the University of Arizona in Tuscon.

The MESA (Math, Engineering & Science Achievement) team from Eastern Tech is comprised of Grade 12 student Aneisa Jangbahadur, 2019 graduate AJ Saquilayan, and Grade 12 student Christopher Tang. A fourth team member, 2019 graduate Hana Harwood, missed the event because of commitments as an incoming Naval Academy Midshipman. The team sponsor is Angela Waldrop, an Eastern Tech engineering teacher.

The competition required the students to use provided technology to develop a device that would help solve a challenge in the community, either for a specific group of people or the community in general.  The device produced by the Eastern Tech students is intended to aid people with vision challenges.  Taken from the students’ printed description, “The proposed device is a pod attached to the bottom of the mobility aid that would allow the user to obtain a better sense of their surroundings through audio and vibrating output. It would help the client to detect his or her proximity from obstacles and should eliminate the fear that exploring unfamiliar environments induces.”

During the national competition, the Eastern Tech students participated in a technical interview, a pitch presentation and a poster symposium for the device, competing against high school teams from at least eight other states. 

To represent Maryland MESA in Tucson, the team initially presented their NEDC device at the Regional MESA BCPS Day in March. Placing first in the NEDC competition at the Regionals meant that the Eastern Tech team represented MESA BCPS in the NEDC Challenge at Maryland MESA Day in May. Their first-place finish at Maryland MESA Day qualified them to compete in the USA NEDC.

BCPS school libraries to offer summer hours, activities

One of the best things about summer? More time to read! And some Baltimore County Public Schools’ libraries are offering special summer hours during which students can check out great books. The libraries will also offer opportunities for students to write stories, use computers, and engage in makerspace and other fun learning activities.

Here are summer hours at the 11 BCPS school libraries in eastern Baltimore. (Please contact the schools for more information.)

Battle Grove Elementary, 7828 St. Patricia Ln., 21222

Library Media Specialist: Kelly Greer

Tuesday, July 9, from 2 – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 30, from 2 – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, August 13, from 2 – 4 p.m.               

Carney Elementary, 3131 East Joppa Rd., 21234                  

Library Media Specialist: Nicole Byrne            

Tuesday, July 9, from 10 a.m. – noon.
Wednesday, July 24 from 10 a.m. – noon.
Thursday, August 8, from noon – 2 p.m.


Chase Elementary, 11701 Eastern Ave., 21220

Library Media Specialist: Sarah Lancaster        

Monday, July 8, from 4 – 6 p.m.
Monday, July 22, from 4 – 6 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 5, from 4 – 6 p.m.                     

Glenmar Elementary, 9700 Community Dr., 21220

Library Media Specialist: Maria Polikandriotis 

Monday, Aug. 19, from 9 – 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 12 – 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 9 – 11 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 22, from 12 – 2 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 23, from 9 – 11 a.m.

Hawthorne Elementary, 125 Kingston Rd., 21220                 

Library Media Specialist: Melissa DeRuchie      

Wednesday, July 10, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 24, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.      

Middleborough Elementary, 313 West Rd., 21221                

Library Media Specialist: Laura Ferrante         

Thursday, July 11, from 10 a.m. – noon
Thursday, July 25, from 10 a.m. – noon
Thursday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. – noon

Perry Hall Elementary, 9021 Belair Rd., 21236

Library Media Specialist: Anne Martinelli        

Friday, July 12, from 9 – 11 a.m.
Wednesday, July 24, from 9 – 11 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 16, from 9 – 11 a.m. 

Sandy Plains Elementary, 8330 Kavanagh Rd., 21222

Library Media Specialist: Alison Gray              

Wednesday, July 10, contact the school for exact times
Wednesday, July 31, contact the school for exact times         

Seneca Elementary, 545 Carrollwood Rd., 21220

Library Media Specialist: Shelle Schnell          

Tuesday, July 2, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 9, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 16, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 23, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 30, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Sussex Elementary, 515 S. Woodward Dr., 21221

Library Media Specialist: Regina McDonald      

Wednesday, July 10, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 
Wednesday, July 17, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  
Wednesday, July 31, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Vincent Farm Elementary, 6019 Ebenezer Rd., 21162

Library Media Specialist: Susan Wells              

Tuesday, July 2, from 10 a.m. – noon.
Tuesday, July 30, from 10 a.m. – noon.
Wednesday, Aug. 14, from noon – 2 p.m.