Baltimore County Public Schools

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May 25, 2022 Community Update: Please read today’s message regarding the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas

Dear Team BCPS:

Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with the Robb Elementary School families, staff, and community members whose lives have forever been changed by yesterday’s senseless act of violence in Uvalde, Texas. As our nation grieves and grapples with how to make impactful change so that all children are safe, we remain committed to partnering with our elected officials, parents, staff, and members of the BCPS community to address this critical issue.

Full Message /Spanish

April 7, 2022 Community Update: Staying Safe and Healthy Over Spring Break

Team BCPS:

As spring break approaches, we want to encourage you to continue to be vigilant and take steps to protect yourselves and your loved ones from COVID-19. This includes getting the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot. Information about where to get COVID vaccines and boosters is available on the Baltimore County COVID-19 website. Vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease and helps slow the spread of COVID.

Full Message /Spanish

April 5, 2022 Community Update: April 5, 2022, Community Update: A Message from Superintendent Williams on School Safety

We want to provide you with an update about our ongoing work to address student safety and school climate. BCPS is committed to supporting students while holding them accountable for their actions. Disruptive behaviors that impact our ability to provide safe and supportive learning environments are not acceptable.

Full Message /Spanish/

March 22, 2022 Community Update: CIAN Diagnostics Testing

Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) has been informed that due to low student and staff participation across the system, CIAN Diagnostics, the external testing vendor, cannot support continued COVID-19 testing in schools and offices.

Full Message /Spanish

March 8, 2022 Community Update: Adjustments to BCPS’ COVID-19 Plan

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Students:

As COVID-19 metrics continue to improve across the state and county, Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) will adjust its COVID-19 mitigation strategies and requirements. These decisions will be made in collaboration with county health officials and health experts from Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland who conduct frequent and thorough reviews of health metrics and COVID-19 transmission rates in Baltimore County. The following changes will go into effect immediately.

Full Message /Spanish

February 28, 2022 Community Update: Masking Optional in BCPS Effective March 1

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,

On Friday, February 25, 2022, we announced that masks/face coverings will be optional in Baltimore County public school buildings, facilities and offices beginning Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Masks/face coverings will also be optional on school buses and in health suites in alignment with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Please note that masks will be required:

 Full Message /Spanish

February 24, 2022 Community Update: BCPS’ Inclement Weather Plan

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,

According to weather forecasts, some parts of the state may experience inclement weather overnight and into Friday morning. As we continue to monitor the forecast, we want to provide you with an update on where we are with inclement weather days and potential changes to the school year calendar. BCPS has used all five of the inclement weather days allotted for this school year. If BCPS schools are closed for one more inclement weather day, the school year will be extended from Thursday, June 16 to Friday, June 17.

Full Message / Spanish

February 23, 2022 Community Update: Update on Mask Requirements in BCPS

February 9, 2022 Community Update: Important Update on Feb. 8 Shooting at Catonsville High School

Good Afternoon Catonsville High School Community,

I am writing to provide you with an important update. Yesterday was an incredibly difficult day for our school community. Students and staff returned to our building this morning and have shown such incredible care and compassion for one another. I am so very proud of our team here at CHS and I am especially proud of our students. Teachers spoke with students in each class and our CHS counselors, working with counseling support from BCPS central office and the Baltimore County Police Department, provided a safe space for students to express their concerns and get support. Superintendent Darryl Williams and County Executive Johnny Olszewski spent the morning at our school speaking with students and staff and offering their support. Counseling staff will continue to be available to our staff and students the rest of the week.

Full Message

February 8, 2022 Community Update: Serious Incident at Catonsville High School

Dear Catonsville High School Parents, Staff, Students and Community Members:

Baltimore County Police are investigating the serious incident that occurred outside of our school building today. Following dismissal this afternoon at approximately 2:57 p.m., school administration was notified by our School Resource Officer that a student had been shot outside of the building in the rear parking lot. We immediately went into lockdown while the police searched and cleared the building out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of students and staff who were at the school participating in afterschool activities and athletic practices.

Full Message

February 7, 2022 Community Update: Update on Spectators at BCPS Athletic Events

Dear Team BCPS:

Effective today, February 7, 2022, spectators will be welcomed back to BCPS facilities at 50 percent of facility capacity for athletic events and other extracurricular activities. This decision was made after conversations with our county health partners and review of current health metrics and COVID-19 transmission rates in Baltimore County.

Full Message / Spanish

January 31, 2022 Community Update: Statewide School Mask Policy Still in Effect

Dear Team BCPS:

This afternoon, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced that the County’s indoor public mask requirement will be lifted effective tomorrow, February 1, 2022. Please note that masks/face coverings will still be required in all BCPS school buildings and offices as required by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Full Message

January 18, 2022 Community Update: Updated Isolation and Quarantine Procedures for BCPS Staff and Students

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,

Effective Tuesday, January 18, 2022, BCPS will follow new isolation and quarantine procedures. These changes are in alignment with updated state and county guidance.

Full Message / Spanish

January 14, 2022 Community Update: Update on BCPS Athletics and Extracurricular Activities

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students:

High school athletics resumed on January 12, 2022. BCPS will resume extracurricular activities on January 24, 2022. The district will expand the weekly screening testing program to include middle school athletics and all secondary students participating in extracurricular activities. Students participating in middle school athletics will be required to show proof of vaccination or participate in weekly testing by January 24, 2022.

Full Message

January 14, 2022 Community Update:

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students

Effective Tuesday, January 18, 2022, BCPS will follow new isolation and quarantine procedures. These changes are in alignment with updated state and county guidance.

Full Message / Spanish

January 8, 2022 Community Update: Important Update on BCPS’ COVID-19 Response

Dear Team BCPS,

We are sending this joint letter to provide important updates about Baltimore County Public Schools’ (BCPS) COVID-19 response and efforts to ensure student and staff safety. We also want to share information about the distribution of COVID-19 rapid test kits and KN95 masks for all students and staff. The health and safety of staff and students remains our top priority and BCPS is using all strategies and resources available to ensure that schools can stay open safely and we minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our school communities.

Full Message / Spanish

December 30, 2021 Community Update:

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Students:

I hope you have had a safe and restful winter break. I am writing to provide an update on our plans for students and staff as winter break comes to an end. In my December 20 message, I shared information on the steps we are taking as a system to keep our students and staff safe while keeping our buildings open for teaching and learning. We continue to meet weekly with the Baltimore County Department of Health to evaluate COVID-19 metrics and review our health and safety strategies.

Full Message / Spanish

December 21, 2021 Community Update: Important Information Regarding BCPS Activities and Rising COVID-19 Cases

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students:

The sharp increase in positive cases and rapid spread of COVID-19 across the county, state, and country is deeply concerning, and I know many of you are worried about what it means for our school system and our efforts to keep our school buildings open and provide in-person learning for our students five days a week. I want to be clear—the health and safety of the Baltimore County Public Schools’ (BCPS) community remains our top priority. The decisions we make as a school system, while navigating the complexities of this ongoing pandemic, are guided by our commitment to ensure the health and wellness of our students and staff. We also know that for most of our students, their academic and social-emotional needs are best met when they are in person.

Full Message / Spanish

December 6, 2021 Community Update: Upcoming Virtual Town Hall Meetings on School Safety

Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) will host three virtual town hall events for the community to provide information on the district’s efforts to ensure student and staff safety, build positive school climates, and address Zone-specific safety questions and concerns. The meetings are scheduled as follows:

 East Zone: Monday, December 13, 2021, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

 Central Zone: Wednesday, December 15, 2021, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

 West Zone: Thursday, December 16, 2021, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Full Message

December 3, 2021 Community Update: A Message
From Superintendent Williams On School Safety

Dear Team BCPS,

I have heard from members of our community who are concerned about challenging student behavior and its impact on school environments. I want to provide an update on our ongoing efforts to address student safety and also solicit your help with this critical work. Our schools continue to take proactive measures that foster safe, secure, and supportive environments for all students and staff throughout Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). The ongoing trauma experienced by families as a result of this global pandemic continues to manifest itself in an uptick of disruptive behaviors. We are not alone, school systems across the nation are facing similar challenges. The associate director of the Center for Childhood Resilience notes that the return to full-time in person learning has resulted in “a prolonged adjustment period” because of the increased interaction and structure.

Full Message

November 23, 2021 Community Update: Board of Education Approves 3 Early Release Days for Schools and Offices

Dear Parents and Guardians:

 This evening, the Board of Education approved a plan to close all BCPS schools and offices three hours early on December 23, 2021, March 18, 2022, and May 20, 2022. BCPS is making this adjustment to the calendar as part of its ongoing commitment to provide staff with opportunities to take care of their social, emotional and mental health and wellness. The ongoing pandemic and national worker shortage have taken a tremendous toll on BCPS employees and school system staff across the nation. Staff continue to work tirelessly in support of BCPS students and families and it is our hope that these early release days will provide strategic opportunities to recharge and refocus.

Full Message

November 23, 2021 Community Update: The Gift of Thanksgiving

As the holidays approach, many members of the BCPS community will have the opportunity to connect with family and friends. We know that the holiday season can be stressful and we want to encourage you to use this time to embrace social and emotional wellness practices.

Full Message

November 13, 2021 Community Update: BCPS Bus Service

Dear Parents and Guardians:

We have learned that some Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) bus drivers and bus attendants may organize a “call out” that will impact school bus service next week. We want to make you aware of the possibility of disruption to transportation services for BCPS students so you are prepared to provide a different form of transportation for your child if there are any interruptions or delays. BCPS is working to hire additional drivers who will help fill in the gaps and cover several routes.

Full Message

Community Update: November 12, 2021

Dear BCPS Community:

BCPS staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure the safety of students and provide high-quality instruction, meals and support. In recognition of their tremendous efforts, and with support of the Board of Education, we will close all schools and offices on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Schools and offices will now be closed from Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26. Schools and offices will reopen Monday, November 29.

Full Message