MRMS Newsletter

Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) is committed to advancing academic progress for all. This school year, BCPS continues implementing its English language arts curriculum, including a new curriculum for Multilingual Learners. Our schools are enhancing their communication with multilingual families by leveraging the Talking Points app.

Parents can use their Schoology accounts to check their children’s grades and receive updates from teachers. Please note the following key dates:

While students may bring personal phones to school, the phones should not be used during class time or used inappropriately at any time during the school day. Failure to follow these rules may result in disciplinary actions against your child. Please let your child know that smart phones and school time don’t mix! New this year, some BCPS middle and high schools will pilot a new program utilizing pouches to restrict cell phone use as a way to reduce distractions and disruptions in the classroom.

For additional information and resources, visit these sites:

• For Android phone users – Family Link and Digital Ground Rules https://safety.google/families/parental-supervision/
• For iOS phone users – Parental Controls
• Cellphones and Devices: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

MRMS - Cell Phone Procedures

1. MRMS Progressive Discipline for Misuse: To ensure adherence to this policy, our school staff will implement a progressive discipline approach for instances of cell phone misuse. This means that initial infractions will lead to warnings, but repeated violations will result in more significant consequences. Our aim is to address and correct behaviors in a supportive and fair manner.

2. Yondr Bags and Phone Storage Options: If a student reaches a specific point in the progressive discipline process, they will be required to either leave their cell phone at home or use a Yondr Bag during the school day. Yondr Bags are secure, tamper-evident pouches that will ensure phones are kept in the possession of students but will not allow them to be accessed until they are unlocked by a staff member at the end of the school day. This measure helps to enforce the policy while giving students an option for managing their phones responsibly.

We understand that cell phones are an important part of daily life and communication, and we appreciate your support in helping us implement this policy effectively.

Thank you for your cooperation, please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

BCPS provides free breakfast and lunch meals to all students at all schools. We no longer collect Free and Reduced-Price Meal applications.

Does your child need immunizations for the 2024-2025 school year? Check with your child’s physician or call 410-887-2705 for an appointment at a community health center. More information is available online. The Department of Health will also provide vaccinations for free at BCPSfest on Saturday, August 17. BCPS students must be fully immunized by September 16, 2024, to remain in school.

All BCPS middle schools and high schools offer interscholastic athletics for those eligible to play. Many schools provide Allied Sports options that bring students with and without disabilities together to play interscholastic soccer, bocce, and softball. Our Fall sports season starts September 9th which includes Allied Soccer, Badminton, and Cross Country. This year, BCPS is now allowing athletics registration to be done through the FOCUS portal. During the registration process, parents/guardians MUST provide an updated physical and proof of health insurance that covers your student athlete. Physicals must be updated within 14 months of the previous examination date. Any questions, please reach out to our Athletic Advisor, Mr. Reider at dreider2@bcps.org.

Thirty-two BCPS elementary, middle, and high schools offer magnet programs to provide educational options aligned with students’ interests, talents, and abilities. Families can learn more about the programs offered and application process for the 2025-2026 school year at the Magnet EXPO!, which will be held on Saturday, September 28, from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at CCBC Essex Wellness & Athletic Center in Rossville.

A technology support request form is available for BCPS students having issues with their devices. For help completing the form, please refer to the “Creating a Service Ticket” one-pager.

• Student Device Repair and Replacement – This school year, students and their parents/caregivers will be financially responsible for intentional damage to or loss of any Chromebook or other devices assigned to the student. As an instructional tool, there is no initial cost for BCPS students to receive a Chromebook or other devices, but students/families will be financially responsible when there is avoidable damage to the device.

The Office of Transportation is looking forward to welcoming students back for the new school year. Student transportation assignments will be available in Focus beginning Monday, August 19, 2024. Please remind your children to be at their assigned bus stops at least 10 minutes prior to their scheduled time, and to always follow the posted bus rules. BCPS also offers the BusWhere mobile app to keep you informed of your estimated bus arrival time. Bus changes and delays will continue to be published on the transportation status webpage. Also new this year are changes to transportation services for middle school students. New middle school transportation zones will go into effect with the new school year; learn about the changes here.

• Thursday, August 22, 2024 – Early Entry Day for Grades 6 and 9

Students will tour their new schools and meet teachers and administrators. If your child is entering Grade 6 or 9, expect to receive more information soon from your child's school.

• Monday, August 26, 2024 – First day of school for Grades 1-12
• Wednesday, August 28, 2024- Back to school night