Weekly Update

Many family members had the opportunity to visit their children’s schools during American Education Week. Even though the week is over, there are plenty of ways for parents and caregivers to continue to deepen their connections to their children’s schools.

Here are some ideas to consider:

• Joining or becoming more involved in your school’s parent/teacher/student organization.
• Exploring the websites of your children’s schools to learn more about their programs and activities.
• Checking your younger children’s backpacks for any flyers sent home.
• Using the FOCUS Parent Portal to check on your children’s grades, assignments, and progress.
• If you aren’t sure who to reach out to, see Parent University’s Who to Contact at Your Child’s School document. A school zone chart and contact list can be found online.
• Volunteering at your child’s school or another school.

It’s a wonderful time of the year with holiday breaks bringing families together. Here are some ideas to prevent boredom, encourage fun, and promote learning fun.

Visit area museums.

• Admission is free at The Baltimore Museum of Art and Walters Art Museum. Learn to make quilt squares at the Free Family Sunday at the Baltimore Museum of Art on Sunday, Dec. 4. Check in at 12:15 p.m. or 2:45 p.m. The Walters Art Museum offers free online art making videos for fun projects to complete at home.
• See the holiday train garden at the Fire Museum of Maryland. Take free photos with Santa on Saturday, Nov. 26. There is an admission fee.
• See Santa arrive at Martin State Airport on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 11 a.m. and visit the free Holiday Planes and Trains Garden at 2323 Eastern Blvd., beginning on Saturday, Nov. 26.
• Explore the Maryland Center for History and Culture. Admission is free for children under 18 and for active-duty military personnel and their families. On the First Thursday and Second Sunday of the month, the museum is free for everyone.

Take family day trips suggested by the Office of Social Studies and participate in suggested social studies learning activities.

Check out the wide range of free activities offered by Baltimore County Public Library, including story times, craft activities, gaming, performances, and more!

Town Hall on Middle School Safety

Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6 – 7 p.m.

George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Rd., Towson 21204, and The BCPS YouTube channel

The next BCPS “Community Conversation on Safe and Supportive Environments” will focus on middle school safety. Parents, staff, students, and community members will learn about the school system’s efforts to ensure student and staff safety. A psychologist from Maryland Safe Schools and school system leaders will share information on data trends locally and nationally, adolescent behaviors, and tips for building positive partnerships for student support.

The Sixth Annual BCPS Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College Fair will be held at New Town High School this year! High school students can register now to participate and to indicate if transportation is needed. Seniors are especially encouraged to register.

Drop-in support will be offered throughout the day for writing college application essays and completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Additional workshops offered will relate to the college selection process, college admissions, financial aid, and college life.

Please join us for the next Baltimore County SECAC meeting of the 22-23 school year!

December 5, 2022

Virtual 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Access the meeting via Google Meets:

https://meet.google.com/fak-czgt-dvf

If you would like to participate in the meeting by phone please email egalvez@bcps.org.

We hope to see you there!

December 7, 2022

Virtual 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Baltimore County Public Schools Citizens Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education (GTCAC) cordially invites you to participate in our upcoming video-conference meeting with Dr. Darryl Williams, BCPS Superintendent.

Agenda:
1) Status updates on GTCAC’s past recommendations;
2) Progress on BCPS Strategic Planning Initiatives;
3) 2022 NAEP long-term trend report and BCPS plans.

If you have not received the video-conference meeting link for this event, please sign up here: https://bcpsgtcac.wordpress.com/home/

December 9, 2022

Virtual 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Caregiver Stress Syndrome: Are you putting on your oxygen mask?

Presented by: Adrian L. Stackhouse, LCSW-C

Spanish Interpretation Provided

January 13, 2023

Virtual 12:00 - 1:30 PM

Increasing Compliance Through Directions and Reinforcement

Presented by Robin Taplette, BCPS Resource Teacher

Spanish Interpretation Provided

All are welcome!

For more information and to register contact: Ilene Berman, School Social Worker, BCPS iberman@bcps.org

* Google Meet Meeting Link will be sent by email on the day of the meeting.

* Program Team: Ilene Berman, School Social Worker - Edmondson Heights & Johnnycake Elementary Schools Danielle Phillips, C.A.R.E. Liaison - Johnnycake Elementary School Nakia Winchester, C.A.R.E. Liaison - Edmondson Heights Elementary

• Wednesday, November 23, 2022 - Schools and Office close 3 hours early
• Thursday, November 24, 2022 - Schools & Offices Closed
• Friday, November 25, 2022 - Schools and Offices Closed
• Monday, November 21, 2022 - Preschool-3 and Pre-K Conference Day and Elementary Conference Day – No Preschool-3 or Pre-K sessions and Schools Closed for Elementary Student

You can also view or print the entire BCPS Info Calendar here.

Subscribe to the Team BCPS E-Newsletter - The award-winning BCPS weekly e-newsletter, shared on Monday mornings, reaches nearly 40,000 subscribers including parents, staff, and community members.

Subscribe to the BCPS Partnership Spotlight Newsletter

Parent University is offered through the BCPS Office of Family and Community Engagement, which we affectionately call FACE! We provide tools and resources to BPCS families to support learning at home. In the past, before social-distancing, one of the ways we offered these resources was through in-person workshops hosted by community members and schools. We also have a large collection of online resources that are available as we navigate through this incredibly unique time in our lives. We hope you enjoy what we have to share.