Weekly Update

Baltimore County Public Schools will observe American Education Week 2023 from Tuesday November 14, through Friday, November 17, with countywide and school-based activities. Resources for American Education Week can be found on Parent University.

This episode of "In The Know" features staff from the Special Education Department and provides an overview of the special education process and what families can expect when working with BCPS.

Check out this and past episodes from BCPS Parent University!

Special Education's Family and Community Engagement is excited to announce free virtual parent workshops! This month's topic is Understanding Your Child's IEP. The virtual workshop will take place on Wednesday, November 15. The workshops will be offered three times (10:00–11:00; 12:30–1:30; 2:00–3:00). Parents can register using the link: Understanding Your Child's IEP

The BCPS Department of Special Education is seeking feedback related to staffing of service's and supports for students receiving special education services within BCPS. This information will be used in the development of the Special Education Staffing Plan for next school year. Please take a moment to take this brief survey and provide your feedback before Friday, December 1, 2023.

The Resource Center supports families with children with disabilities, ages birth to 21. Its mission is to promote positive, effective partnerships within the school community. For more information or to join their newsletter list click here!

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Virtual and In-Person Support Groups, Classes, and Events.

For more information and to register click here!

• Friday, November 3 - First Marking Period Ends - All Schools Close 3 Hours Early
• Friday, November 3 - Magnet Application deadline for 2024-2025 School Year
• Monday, November 13 - Systemwide Professional Development Day - School Closed for Students
• Tuesday, November 14 - Report Cards Distributed
• Tuesday, November 14 - 17 - American Education Week
• Monday, November 20 - PreK Conference Day - No Preschool-3 or PreK Sessions
• Tuesday, November 21 - PreK Conference Day and Elementary Conference Day - Schools Closed for Elementary Students
• Thursday, November 22 - 24 Thanksgiving Holiday - Schools and Offices Closed
• Friday, December 22 - January 1, 2024 - Christmas Holiday/Winter Break begins at the End of the School Day; Asynchronous Learning at Home for all Students; Planning and Professional Development Day for Teachers and School staff, Schools and Offices Close 3 Hours Early

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

On October 30, 2023, Team BCPS staff and families received information regarding adjustments to the 2023-2024 school year calendar. We have received questions from members of the community regarding our plan for December 22, 2023, and May 17, 2024, and the following FAQs provide important information and context about BCPS’ use of virtual and asynchronous learning days for students.

We also want to share recent data on attendance rates for the day before winter break to provide helpful context on the decision to make Dec. 22, which was already scheduled to be an early release day, an asynchronous learning day. (School Year/Attendance rate/# of absent students/ December 21, 2021 = 64.3% = 39,670 students/December 22, 2022 =67.3% =36,651 students).

What does MSDE require for virtual learning?

MSDE permits local school systems to use a total of eight days (including 3 asynchronous days) as virtual school days for inclement weather, staff professional learning days, or high school graduation days to enable teachers to assist with or attend the graduation. As in years past, local school systems can determine when the virtual school days are utilized.

For the 2023-2024 school year, local school systems were required to submit a “Virtual Day Instruction Plan” with MSDE that describes how instruction will be provided. BCPS filed its Virtual Day Instruction Plan in July; the plan was presented to the Board of Education at the Board’s July 11, 2023, meeting. The plan and approval are posted on the BCPS website.

Are there any guidelines for asynchronous days? What if students are unable to access the materials?
Yes, MSDE provides specific guidelines regarding asynchronous days. Specific expectations include:

• No more than 8 virtual days; with a maximum of 3 asynchronous days.

• Attendance will be taken for all students and teachers during the virtual day, including asynchronous days.

• Virtual/asynchronous days will not negatively impact student grades. Opportunities to make up work missed outside of virtual learning must be provided.

Does asynchronous learning always take place on a virtual learning day?

No. Virtual learning can be synchronous or asynchronous. When instruction is provided asynchronously, the school system can accomplish two goals at once: our teachers can engage in professional development—consistent with state guidance and approval--while our students can still receive valuable instruction. Local school systems can designate no more than three virtual days as asynchronous days.

Is BCPS able to use virtual days for teacher professional development?

Yes. In July, BCPS received state approval to designate one half day per semester for teacher professional development for the 2023-2024 school year.

How are virtual learning days related to inclement weather days?

Local school systems may instruct students virtually on inclement weather days. Local school systems, in the person of the local superintendent, determine when a day will be designated as an inclement weather day.

Why are BCPS staff required to participate in planning and professional development?
Staff planning time and professional development opportunities play a critical role in our efforts to ensure that Team BCPS teachers provide high quality and rigorous instruction for students and reverse the trend of declining academic performance.

What Families Need to Know About Elementary Math Digital Resources

What Families Need to Know About Secondary Math Digital Resources

This holiday season, let's make the spirit of generosity shine brighter than ever in our community. We are accepting donations of new and unused items for families in need from Monday, November 13, through Wednesday, December 20. Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours—Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at select branches on Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m.

Acceptable Donations

Donations will be delivered to nonprofit organizations in time for the holiday season. If you have questions about the collection or the organization’s specific needs, you should call your local branch directly.

To view a variety of resources for youth, including those below, please visit BaltimoreCountyMD.gov/YouthServices

• Homeless Resource Guide
• Food Pantry Resource
• Academic Resource
• Resume Writing and Interview Preparation
• Youth Counseling Resources
• Scholarship Resources
• Hiring Event
• Jobs for Teens
• COVID-19 Online Resource Guide

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

BCPS Facebook:Spanish

Have you downloaded the new BCPS Focus app?

App offers easy access to grades, schedules, and more

Did you know that you can get answers to your questions about BCPS by participating in a wide range of Board of Education Advisory and Stakeholder Groups. The Stakeholder Groups include The Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education, the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee and the PTA Council. Brief descriptions of these groups and links for additional information such as contacts and upcoming meeting dates can be found on the BCPS page Advisory Groups - Baltimore County Public Schools (bcps.org), Some topics that will be presented include Behavior and Safety, Back to School - Schoology, Focus, and Other Tools, The Student Handbook, Special Education, Food & Nutrition, and FY2025 Capital and Operating Budget Hearings..

By becoming a PTA member and getting involved in your child's school, you will be a part of the solution, helping to make positive changes.

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. We offer these resources through in-person and virtual workshops hosted by community members and schools, our newsletter, and the Parentmobile. We also have a large collection of online resources. We hope you enjoy what we have to share.