News from Baltimore County Public Schools, Maryland

Applications available for summer robotics camps hosted at Hereford High, Ridgely Middle schools

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:46:15 -0400

TOWSON, MD — Applications are available for students enrolled in Grades 5-8 for the 2013-2014 school year interested in participating in summer robotics camps hosted at Hereford High and Ridgely Middle schools. Over the course of five days, students participating in the camps will receive the opportunity to explore driving, lifting and sensor-guided robots; program robots to operate autonomously and with remote control; and compete in an end-of-camp tournament. Hereford High’s camp, sponsored by the Hereford Zone Robotics, begins on Monday, July 15, 2013, and concludes on Friday, July 19, 2013, while Ridgely Middle’s camp begins on Monday, August 12, 2013, and concludes on Friday, August 16, 2013. Both camps start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 12 noon on all five days. The costs for participation in the Hereford High and Ridgely Middle robotics camps are $250.00 and $160.00, respectively. The applications for the Hereford High and Ridgely Middle camps are available at http://putnam4herefordms.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/62659799/Hereford_robotCampREGbeginner.docx and http://www.ltrc.org/LTRC.ORG/Summer%20Camps/2013/RoboticsCamp2013.pdf, respectively. For more information on the HZR Summer Robotics Camp, contact Chris Putnam (cputnam@bcps.org). For more information on the RMS Robotics Camp, contact Greg Kallaur (gkallaur@bcps.org).

BCPS libraries to hold summer hours: School libraries lend books to students to encourage summer reading

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:41:54 -0400

TOWSON, MD — Thirteen Baltimore County Public Schools libraries will hold off-season hours to encourage reading over the summer months. On select days during the summer, students may visit their schools’ library to borrow books through Destiny, BCPS’s online catalog and circulation system; participate in special reading-related activities; and register for Baltimore County Public Library’s “Dig into Reading” Summer Reading Club. Additionally, students may use library computers to browse e-books and interactive digital content at http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/feebased/index.html. To access this online material, students should consult the password handouts that they received during the 2012-2013 school year or contact the Office of Library Information Services at 410-887-4035 for another copy. The school libraries with summer hours are: Chadwick Elementary School 1918 Winder Road, 21244 Lynn Hale, 410-887-6866 Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 9 through August 1, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Chase Elementary School 11701 Eastern Avenue, 21220 Allison Cook, 410-887-2903 July 2 and 23 and August 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. Chatsworth School 222 New Avenue, 21136 Nancy Braverman, 410-887-1103 July 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 23 from 12 noon to 4 p.m., August 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Colgate Elementary School 401 51st Street, 21224 Charlene Stine, 410-887-7139 Fridays from July 12 through August 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Glenmar Elementary School 9700 Community Drive, 21220 Jamie McCarron, 410-887-0354 Tuesdays and Wednesdays from June 25 through August 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays Halstead Academy 1111 Halstead Road, 21234 Diane Fontinell, 410-887-2964 July 8 through August 2, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Hawthorne Elementary School 125 Kingston Road, 21220 Melissa DeRuchie, 410-887-0138 Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from July 9 through August 1, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays Martin Boulevard Elementary School 210 Riverton Road, 21220 Karen Pavelka, 410-887-0158 June 25; July 2, 9, 23 and 30; and August 6 and 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. McCormick Elementary School 5101 Hazelwood Avenue, 21206 Nicole Marcellino, 410-887-0522 Wednesdays from June 26 through August 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oliver Beach Elementary School 12912 Cuninghill Cove Road, 21220 Barbara Cosgrove, 410-887-2876 July 2 and August 6, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Padonia International Elementary School 9834 Greenside Drive, 21030 Maureen Cecil, 410-887-7813 Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 9 through August 1, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Reisterstown Elementary School 223 Walgrove Road, 21136 Elyse Singer, 410-887-6925 Tuesdays, June 18 and July 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon; Tuesdays, July 16 and 23, from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Riverview Elementary School 3298 Kessler Road, 21227 MaryBeth Brennan, 410-887-1482 July 9, 16, 23 and 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information on a school’s summer library hours, contact the school’s library media specialist listed above. BCPS has offered summer access to its school libraries for eight years; however, some schools, such as Martin Boulevard Elementary, have offered this opportunity for as many as 10 years. For more information on summer reading at BCPS, visit the BCPS summer reading page at http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/summerread/summerread2013.html.

Bear Creek Elementary School closing at 12:15 p.m. today

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:35:08 -0400

TOWSON, MD. – Due to a water main break in the area, Bear Creek Elementary School, located at 1601 Melbourne Road, will close at 12:15 p.m. today, Friday, June 14, 2013. All afterschool and evening activities are cancelled.

BCPS News Tips – June 15 – 22, 2013: Activities, events and news from Baltimore County Public Schools

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:18:50 -0400

Saturday, June 15

Baltimore County STEM Alliance, MSDE host second annual STEM TREK

What: Partnering with the Maryland State Department of Education, the Baltimore County STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Alliance will hold its second annual STEM TREK: Preparing Our Students To Boldly Go Into STEM Careers conference. During the conference, BCPS educators and STEM professionals will discuss how to promote student interest in STEM career options. When: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, June 15 Where: Towson University, 8000 York Rd., Towson Contact: Darcy Thatcher, 410.887.4671

Monday, June 17

BCPS art teachers paint en plein air at Hampton Mansion

What: BCPS art teachers of all grade levels will hone their skills in landscape painting through a two-day workshop at the Hampton Mansion. Coordinated by the BCPS Office of Visual Arts, the workshop will provide participants with knowledge of history and traditions of landscape painting for application in classroom instruction. When: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday, June 17, and Tuesday, June 18 Where: Hampton Mansion, 535 Hampton Ln., Towson Contact: Mary Boegner, 410.887.4030

Wednesday, June 19

The 27th Annual Summer Instrument Music Camp begins

What: The 27th Annual BCPS Summer Instrumental Music Camp begins. A week-long day camp for students in Grades 5-12 who are enrolled in their schools’ instrumental music programs, the experience provides opportunities to receive instruction on instrumental performance skills and techniques, participate in music enrichment classes and rehearse in band and orchestra ensembles. At the conclusion of the camp, students will perform in musical ensembles for a public evening concert in the outdoor amphitheater at Oregon Ridge Park. When: 9 a.m. – 1:50 p.m., Wednesday, June 19 – Thursday, June 27 Where: Cockeysville Middle School, 10401 Greenside Dr., Cockeysville Contact: Stephen Miles, 410.887.4024

Friday, June 21

Late registration for summer high school ends

What: While registration for summer high school at students’ home schools will close on Tuesday, June 18, in-person late registration will remain open for an additional three days. Summer school centers for this year are Dulaney High (central area), Perry Hall High (northeast area), New Town High (northwest area), Sparrows Point High (southeast area) and Catonsville High (southwest area) schools. Summer high school courses will begin on Monday, July 8. When: 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Friday, June 21 Where: ESS Building, 6901 Charles St., Towson Contact: Judy Bisasky, Mike Kulansky, Cindy Massey, 410.887.2270 Coming up!

Monday, June 24

BCPS launches inaugural College Application Boot Camp

What: Sponsored by the BCPS Office of School Counseling, the inaugural College Application Boot Camp is designed to prepare rising seniors for the admissions process. Representatives from highly-selective colleges, English teachers, college counselors and a national trainer will be in attendance to offer information regarding the admissions process, college essays, college financing and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). When: 9 a.m. – 12 noon on both Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, June 25; 12 noon – 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26 Where: Loch Raven High School, 1212 Cowpens Ave., Baltimore Contact: Timothy Hayden, 410.887.0291

Monday, July 8

The Summer Visual Arts Enrichment Program 2013 begins

What: The Summer Visual Arts Enrichment Program 2013, an annual offering from the BCPS Office of Visual Arts, begins. The program provides students in Grades 3-12 with an opportunity to develop and refine personal art skills through five-hour studio sessions and art-related field trips. At the conclusion of the program, students will exhibit works completed over the two-week period during an open house / reception. When: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday, July 8 – Friday, July 19 Where: Perry Hall High School, 4601 Ebenezer Rd., Baltimore Contact: Mary Boegner, 410.887.4030

Principal named for new Mays Chapel school: Board of Education approves longtime BCPS employee Steve Coco

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:28:03 -0400

TOWSON, MD. – Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent S. Dallas Dance has selected longtime BCPS employee Stephen J. Coco to serve as principal of the new elementary school in Mays Chapel. “I’m confident that Steve is the best person to bring our vision for Mays Chapel to reality,” Dance said. “He’s served on a team that successfully opened a new elementary school and is prepared to work with community and parent stakeholders to establish a framework for making the school great.” The Board of Education approved Coco as principal last month. A 17-year BCPS educator, he is currently the principal of Cedarmere Elementary School in Reisterstown. Previously, he held assistant principal positions at Hernwood and Bedford elementary schools, served as a Grade 4 classroom teacher and worked as a mentor helping to support teachers with curriculum improvement. He will assume the new role July 1, 2013. “I couldn’t be more excited to have this tremendous opportunity,” Coco said. “Nothing is more important to a strong community than its children, and I look forward to working closely with parents, students and the surrounding community to build partnerships that will create a world-class learning environment for our students.” The 700-seat elementary school in Mays Chapel is slated to open for the 2014-2015 school year in order to help alleviate overcrowding at schools along the York Road corridor. Construction on the school was initially approved in March 2012; a groundbreaking ceremony was held this April. Coco will have an office at West Towson Elementary School during the Mays Chapel construction.

MDGS Program recognizes six BCPS schools as Maryland Green Schools: BCPS now claims 51 Maryland Green Schools

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:10:21 -0400

TOWSON, MD. – The Maryland Green Schools (MDGS) Program, part of the Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education, recognized six schools from Baltimore County Public Schools as Maryland Green Schools, bringing the system’s total count to 51 Maryland Green Schools. The schools that achieved this distinction for the first time in 2013 are Arbutus Middle, Catonsville Elementary, Elmwood Elementary, Halstead Academy, Sparrows Point High and West Towson Elementary schools. The schools that recertified for this distinction in 2013 are Cromwell Valley Elementary Magnet, Glyndon Elementary, Hereford High, Pinewood Elementary, Stoneleigh Elementary, Timonium Elementary, Westowne Elementary and Windsor Mill Middle schools. To apply for Maryland Green School recognition, a school must complete an application consisting of a school profile; an overview of the school’s top five environmental accomplishments; documentation of the inclusion of the environment in celebration, learning and professional development; reflections on Best Management Practices with regard to maintaining health in a variety of environments; and descriptions of community-based environmental partnerships. Schools that receive Maryland Green School status must recertify every four years. Listed with years of certification and, if applicable, years of recertification, BCPS’ Maryland Green Schools are: Arbutus Middle School: 2013 Berkshire Elementary School: 2006, 2010 Catonsville Elementary School: 2013 Cromwell Valley Elementary School: 1999, 2009, 2013 Dulaney High School: 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012 Dundalk Elementary School: 2008, 2012 Dundalk High School: 2006, 2010 Dundalk Middle School: 2006, 2010 Eastwood Elementary Magnet School: 2009 Elmwood Elementary School: 2013 Fort Garrison Elementary School: 2012 Franklin Elementary School: 2011 Franklin Middle School: 2008, 2012 Glyndon Elementary School: 2005, 2009, 2013 Halstead Academy: 2013 Hereford High School: 2003, 2006, 2009, 2013 Hereford Middle School: 2002, 2006, 2009 Hillcrest Elementary School: 2006, 2010 Holabird Middle School: 2012 Jacksonville Elementary School: 2008, 2012 Joppa View Elementary School: 2010 Kingsville Elementary School: 2011 Loch Raven Technical Academy: 2002, 2010 Logan Elementary School: 2010 Lutherville Laboratory: 2004, 2008, 2012 McCormick Elementary School: 2010 Norwood Elementary School: 2008, 2012 Parkville Middle School and Center of Technology: 2010 Perry Hall High School: 2011 Perry Hall Middle School: 2012 Pikesville Middle School: 2012 Pine Grove Middle School: 2006, 2010 Pinewood Elementary School: 2009, 2013 Pot Spring Elementary School: 2008, 2012 Prettyboy Elementary School: 2007, 2011 Reisterstown Elementary School: 2011 Ridgely Middle School: 2011 Rosedale Center: 2008 Seventh District Elementary School: 2009 Sparks Elementary School: 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012 Sparrows Point High School: 2013 Stoneleigh Elementary School: 2009, 2013 Sudbrook Magnet Middle School: 2012 Sussex Elementary School: 2009 Timonium Elementary School: 2009, 2013 Towson High School: 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012 West Towson Elementary School: 2013 Westchester Elementary School: 2010 Western School of Technology and Environmental Science: 1999, 2004, 2008, 2012 Westowne Elementary School: 2009, 2013 Windsor Mill Middle School: 2009, 2013 Open to all Maryland schools preK-12, public and private, the MDGS Program collaborates with the Maryland State Department of Education to promote environmental literacy among students through classroom lessons and outdoor activities. Since 1977, MDGS has named 454 schools as Maryland Green Schools.

Fullerton Elementary School closing at 12:30 p.m. today

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:09:00 -0400

TOWSON, MD. – Due to a water main break in the area, Fullerton Elementary School, located at 4400 Fullerton Ave., will close at 12:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, June 12, 2013. All afterschool and evening activities are cancelled.

Baltimore County Public Schools presents its new five-year strategic plan, “Blueprint 2.0”: Plan approved by the school board yesterday evening

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:09:18 -0400

TOWSON, MD. –The Board of Education of Baltimore County approved a new five-year strategic plan for Baltimore County Public Schools at last night’s meeting. “Our plan, ‘Blueprint 2.0,’ was developed in collaboration with community stakeholders and will provide direction for the school system through 2018,” said Superintendent S. Dallas Dance. “The ambitious plan rests upon a theory of action that calls for us to prepare globally-competitive graduates by creating equitable digital learning environments and providing all students with the opportunity to become proficient in a second or third language.” The plan features four focus areas: academics, safety and security, communication and organizational effectiveness. In each area, strategies, key actions, progress indicators and performance metrics are specified. Among the 93 key actions are the following: Academics

Evaluate and modify magnet and career and technology education programs to ensure more equitable access for all students.
Provide virtual learning opportunities for all courses required for high school graduation.
Develop and implement a plan to expand prekindergarten programs.

Safety and Security

Implement the student-developed Anti-Bullying Program systemwide.
Implement a summer Safe Schools Academy to support administrators in developing effective safety and security plans.
Execute a systematic, equitable facilities modernization plan that provides for updates to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Communication

Assist schools and offices in increasing community engagement through the strategic use of social and electronic media.
Increase opportunities for in-person communications – such as roundtables, advisory groups and town halls – including outreach to area residents without children in BCPS schools.
Implement a Parent University to support parents in guiding the education of their children.

Organizational Effectiveness

Build a pipeline of highly effective district leaders through staffing procedures and leadership development programs.
Develop and implement vendor evaluations to assess the quality and effectiveness of engineering and construction projects.
Establish BCPS technology standards for school buildings, classrooms, media centers, offices and staff technology proficiency.

“’Blueprint 2.0‘ builds on the legacy of the school system’s previous foundational document, the ‘Blueprint for Progress,’” said Superintendent Dance. “Our new strategic plan will guide us into the future and will keep us accountable and on track to meet our goals.” To view the complete plan, please visit www.bcps.org.

New members appointed to Baltimore County Board of Education

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:19:55 -0400

TOWSON, MD. – Governor Martin O’Malley has appointed three new members and reappointed one existing member to the Board of Education for Baltimore County Public Schools. Marisol A. Johnson, Edward J. Gilliss and Jonathan P. Galla are new appointees who will serve on the board beginning this summer. Johnson and Gilliss will serve five-year terms replacing outgoing members Cornelia Bright Gordon and Valerie Roddy, respectively. Galla, the board’s student representative, will serve a one-year term. Johnson will serve the board as a member at large. She is the owner and CEO of The Johnson Insurance and Financial Service Agency and an active member in the Parent Teacher Association at Summit Park Elementary School. She’s also an advisory board member for the Youth Dreamers of Baltimore, a board member for the Druid Heights Community Center and a member of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce. Gilliss will represent Council district five on the board. He is an attorney practicing civil litigation, administrative law and wills and estate administration as a partner with the Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid firm in Towson. He is the vice chairman of the board for the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center and recently served as chairman of the Baltimore County Planning Board and county attorney for Baltimore County. Galla is a junior at Hereford High School and a member of the National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta (the mathematics honors society) and the Tri-M Honors Society (the music honors society). He plays the violin for a variety of orchestras, including the BCPS All-Honors Orchestra and Side-by-Side with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He is vice president of the Hereford High School Gay-Straight Alliance and treasurer of the school’s Student Council. David Uhlfelder was reappointed to the board for a second five-year term. A member at large, he is a certified public accountant and President of the David Uhlfelder, P.A. accounting and management consulting firm. For more information on the Baltimore County Board of Education, go to http://www.bcps.org/board/.

Hereford High team qualifies for National Electric Vehicle Grand Prix: Team placed third at regional competition

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:42:28 -0400

TOWSON, MD. – A student team from Hereford High School has qualified to compete in the Electric Vehicle Grand Prix national championship, which will be held October 4-6 in Irvine, Calif. By placing in the top three positions of the Washington, D.C., Electric Vehicle Grand Prix, Hereford High qualified to represent the Mid-Atlantic region at the national event. The Hereford High team was the only team from Baltimore County Public Schools competing in the June 8 regional event, which was organized by Global EEE and sponsored by Pepco. For the competition, held at National Harbor, the team constructed a battery-powered vehicle and drove against 10 teams from nine other high schools throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The object of the Grand Prix was to travel the greatest distance in one hour on a closed loop track. Hereford’s team held the first place position for the first 50 minutes but lost ground after experiencing a battery voltage drop. However, the team had established a large enough lap lead to still finish in third place. The team is comprised of captains McKenzie Clark and Chris Patton, drivers Joshua Perry and Nick Pindale and technician Maddie Westwater. Michael Dodd-O, Hereford High’s technology education department chair, advises the team. Fellow students Christian Botts, Jerry Wyatt, Ana Phillips, Scott Issett and Steven Issett provide additional competition support. Generous donations from competition sponsors will cover the costs of students’ flights and hotel stays as well as vehicle shipment across the country to the national event. The national electric vehicle competition (“the electrathon”) will be held during The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, in which 20 international college teams will showcase solar-powered houses they have designed and built. High school participants will be able to interact with and interview the university teams competing in this innovative engineering challenge.