Sandy Plains Roundup
March 27, 2015 and April 2, 2015
Administrators' Address
Awesome Achievements
Marybeth Tracey has been selected to represent Sandy Plains Elementary School as our Teacher of the Year!
Kait Verkest has been selected by the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce to receive the 11th annual Teacher of the Year Award!
Congratulations Marybeth and Kait. Thank you for your deliberate excellence and commitment to our students!
Check out this amazing student reflection! Thanks Mr. Dukes for providing these meaningful experiences for our students.
Grade 4 Students Plant Trees on the Sandy Plains Campus to Help the Environment
Ms. Wallace's students share their tree planting experiences with students from Ms. Jacob's class.
Essential Events
April 1: Third marking period ends
April 2 -12: Spring Break
April 13: School Reopens
April 13: Book Clubs
April 13: PTA Meeting
April 15: Skateland Night
April 17: PTA sponsored Ice Cream Social
April 20: Restorative Practices
April 21: STEM Fair Night, 4:15-5:00
April 21: Family Science Night, 5:00-7:00
April 22: McDonald's Night
April 23: Sweet Frog Night
PROVIDING STUDENT FEEDBACK
Feedback is an essential part of how students understand their progress towards mastery. Using the features within BCPS One, teachers are able to provide personalized feedback for individual students. In particular, teachers can type comments next to a score or grade in the gradebook to provide written feedback on student work. Feedback in the gradebook can also be enhanced with audio and video recordings. Teachers can use tools such as Vocaroo or Screencast-o-matic to provide verbal and visual support to the student. Here is a quick video example. Written, audio, and video feedback will become a permanent resource the student can refer to at anytime.
Resources on how to use Screencast-o-matic, Vocaroo, and other audio/video tools can be found on the Office of Digital Learning resource wiki.
BCPS Bytes
687. ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS ENVISION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR GRADE 3–5 TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS
Staff in the Office of Mathematics PreK-12 has planned professional development sessions for teachers and administrators on the effective implementation of the new elementary mathematics instructional resource titled enVision Math 2.0 from Pearson Learning. This resource is being recommended for systemwide implementation for Grades 3–5 mathematics starting in the 2015–2016 school year. At these sessions, participants will have an opportunity to review the components of the instructional resource.
Sessions will occur by grade level at various times to accommodate schedules (see schedule below). Participants need only attend one session. Teachers will be paid a stipend to attend sessions that occur during after school hours. All sessions will be held at the Loyola Graduate Center in Timonium. Special educators, mathematics resource teachers, and S.T.A.T. teachers are welcome to attend.
Grade 3
Tuesday, May 26, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m., 1 to 3:30 p.m., or 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 28, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 4, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Grade 4
Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m., 1 to 3:30 p.m., or 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 4, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Grade 5
Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m., 1 to 3:30 p.m., or 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 11, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Administrators
Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015 from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Interested participants must register for one session by using the Workshop-Registration Catalog in the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The sessions are titled, Elementary Mathematics Common Core Professional Development for (grade appropriate) Teachers: enVision Resources PD and Elementary Mathematics Professional Development for Administrators: enVision Resources PD for Administrators. Registration instructions are available from the login screen.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Natalie Crist, Mathematics Specialist 3486
674. SPRING BREAK ENERGY CONSERVATION CHECKLIST In an effort to control energy costs and ensure that adequate funds continue to be available for other system needs, schools are encouraged to implement the attached energy conservation measures over the spring break. Principals and office heads should share these energy conservation measures with administrative staff, faculty, custodial staff, recreation and parks workers, and other building users. Consistent monitoring of the implementation of these measures will help reduce energy waste. Principals and office heads should provide guidance to all building users to understand that funds saved in energy costs are funds gained for repairs. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Chris Roberts, Special Assistant 6300
As stated in the Friday, March 27, 2015, BPCS Weekly Bulletin, all computer monitors should be turned OFF. CPU (the computer) should be left ON to insure updates are received.
Other electrical items (CD players, TV’s, etc.) should be UNPLUGGED. If you have a printer in your room, please make sure it is turned OFF but do not unplug. Unplugging might cause the IP address to change which would prevent computers from printing over the network.
659. 2015 TRANSFER FAIR - PRIORITY AND VOLUNTARY TRANSFERS
In the past, BCPS' Department of Human Resources and TABCO/ESPBC have held two collaborative events, the Voluntary Transfer Fair and the Priority Transfer Fair. Both events provided current BCPS teachers, paraeducators, and office professionals an opportunity to meet school administrators/personnel to discuss potential transfer opportunities. This year, the fairs will be combined into one. The 2015 Transfer Fair is for employees who have been identified as potential priority transfers and employees seeking a voluntary transfer. All schools will be represented at the fair regardless of vacancy status. In order to facilitate a smooth fair, the following items will be provided for all schools: one table and table covering, table tents with school names, chairs, interview schedule forms, and pens/pencils. School representatives need to bring name tags. During the fair, the participants meet school teams, distribute resumes, and schedule future interviews at the school. Principals are encouraged to bring a list of potential vacancies to be displayed at their table. An informational flyer is attached.
The Guidelines for Selecting Priority Transfer Teachers can be located at https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/personnel/staffingRequests/GuidelinesforSelectingPriorityTransf erTeachers.pdf.
The fair will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the North Baltimore Plaza Hotel, 2004 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, MD 21093.
Priority Transfer Teachers (PTT) – Elementary and Secondary: 4 to 5 p.m.
Voluntary Transfers – Elementary and Secondary: 5 to 6 p.m.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Angelia Nicholas, Personnel Officer 4151
661. SUMMER INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CAMP
Registration for the Summer Instrumental Music Camp is now open and will continue through Saturday, May 2, 2015. This activity is a day camp for Baltimore County Public Schools’ students who are currently in Grades 5–12, and enrolled in their school’s instrumental music programs. At camp, students will play in a band or orchestra at the appropriate grade level. In addition to large group rehearsals, students will participate in enrichment classes and receive instruction to enhance their instrumental performance skills. All of the musical ensembles will perform at a public concert in the outdoor Amphitheater at Oregon Ridge Park, the summer home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, on the evening of Wednesday, July 1, 2015.
All Baltimore County Public Schools’ students currently enrolled in their school band or orchestra are invited to participate. No audition is required. The fee for this unique summer musical experience is $200. Transportation to and from Perry Hall High School will be provided at no additional charge to students who do not reside in the host school community. The attached registration form is available from instrumental teachers in Grades 5-12, or by visiting the Office of Music and Dance Education's Web page at http://www.bcps.org/offices/elem_music/default.html.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Shane Jensen, Music Specialist 4024
662. NATURE FOR TEACHERS WORKSHOP
The next Nature for Teachers workshop is titled School Vegetable Gardening and will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park (Ag Center) in Hunt Valley. Participants will learn the benefits and practice of school vegetable and herb gardening, and the value of engaging youth in gardening. Participants will also discover how school gardens can be tied into the BCPS curriculum to reinforce core subjects through hands-on activities. The workshop will provide attendees with some basic information and resources on how to plan and care for edible gardens, supporting the current BCPS Edible Garden Protocol. Additional topics will include food safety considerations, as well as forming and leading the school garden team.
All teachers are invited to join this informally-guided outdoor experience with experts in the field to learn more about the natural world that surrounds them. The Nature for Teachers workshop experiences vary from year to year, but always provide the opportunity to visit interesting environmentally-related areas of Baltimore County and Baltimore City. Teachers will learn in an atmosphere of no pressure, no prep, and no grades!
Interested teachers must register for the workshop by using the Workshops-Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Nature for Teachers – School Vegetable Gardening. Registration instructions are available from the login screen.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Tom Melito, Naturalist 410-949-4973
663. DEVELOPING STANDARDS-BASED INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP) GOALS
The Office of Special Education will be offering professional learning developed by the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services to support local school systems in their work to develop high-quality, standards-based IEPs. The modules provide information and activities to help teachers refine their understanding and implementation of a process to create IEPs and provide specialized instruction. Participants are expected to attend all three sessions based on their teaching assignment, and stipends will be provided.
Session A
Dates: April 16, 23, and 30, 2015
Times: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Scholars K-8 School
Audience: Elementary special educators
Session B
Dates: April 16, May 13, and 20, 2015
Times: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Mars Estates Elementary School Library
Audience: Elementary special educators
Session C
Dates: April 23, May 6, and 27, 2015
Times: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Locations: Reisterstown Library (April 23, 2015)
Cockeysville Library (May 6 and
Session D
Dates: May 6, 13, and 20, 2015
Times: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Cockeysville PAL Center (located next door to Padonia Elementary)
Audience: Behavior learning support teachers, all levels
Session E
Dates: May 5, 12, and 19, 2015
Times: 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Location: Cockeysville PAL Center
Audience: High school special educators
Session F
Dates: April 22, May 6, and 20, 2015
Locations: White Oak School-Oak Room (April 22 and May 6, 2015)
White Marsh Public Library (May 20, 2015)
Times: 3:45–5:45 p.m.
Audience: Middle school special educators
Session G
Dates: May 12, 19, and 26, 2015
Times: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Battle Monument
Audience: CALS and FALS regional programs and public separate day schools special educators
Interested participants must register for the session they wish to attend by Monday, April 13, 2015, using the Workshop Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Developing Standards Based Individualized Education Program (IEP) Goals. Registration instructions are available from the login screen.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Connee Hart, Supervisor 3660 x312
665. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR SUPPORT PERSONNEL – SPRING 2015
The Office of Organizational Development and the Professional Development for Support Personnel Committee will offer a professional development activity for all Baltimore County Public Schools’ support personnel. Support personnel are employees (with the exception of paraeducators) who are represented by Educational Support Professionals of Baltimore County (ESPBC).
The theme for this spring’s professional development is It’s All About You! Two identical sessions of this full-day professional development will be held on Thursday, April 23 and Monday, April 27, 2015. The location for both dates is Oregon Ridge Park. Systemwide updates will be presented including the following topics: curriculum updates, BCPS One, Parent University, and technology. Presentations on professional and personal goal setting, the BCPS evaluation process, and health, stress, and relationships will be among the topics provided.
A light breakfast and a box lunch will be provided to attendees. Administrators are asked to support this initiative and to encourage support personnel to attend.
Interested participants must register by Friday, April 17, 2015, for the offering using the Workshops – Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Professional Development for Support Personnel Conference-Style Registration – Spring 2015. Registration instructions are available from the login screen.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Linda C. Meyer, Specialist 6492
668. BULLYING PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND INVESTIGATION: WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
A PowerPoint presentation has been developed for use with parent groups. The objectives included define bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation; differentiate bullying from conflict; and review strategies for working with young people who have been bullied, bullied others, or witnessed bullying. The PowerPoint can be found at https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/sss/safe_drug-free_schools/presentations.html. To access key points to cover during the presentation, review the notes pages by clicking "View" at the top of the screen and selecting "Notes Page."
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
April Lewis, Manager 6487
679. ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES
BCPS, in partnership with Casenex, offers online professional development courses to current
employees. Upon successful completion of any of these courses, participants will be issued three
MSDE or graduate credits. In addition to graduate-level courses in behavior management,
ESOL, multicultural education, special education, instructional technology, and content-focused
courses, participants can complete the six courses needed for an Administrator I certificate.
Interested participants must register online at
http://www.casenex.com/casenet/jsp/registrationPages/classregBCPS.jsp. Registration ends
Wednesday, April 15, 2015. Online classes will begin Wednesday, April 22, 2015.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Lynette Woodley, Coordinator 6491
680. EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS AND PARAEDUCATORS WORKING COLLABORATIVELY–SPRING 2015
Staff in the offices of Special Education–Birth to Five, Title I, and Early Childhood Programs will offer two professional learning opportunities for all teachers and paraeducators working with three- and four-year-old students. Participants will be provided with an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the paraeducator and examples of how paraeducators and teachers work together to meet students' needs. Additionally, an opportunity for small group discussions will occur. The sessions will be held on Friday, April 24, 2015, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Oregon Ridge Park (Lodge), located at 13401 Beaver Dam Road in Hunt Valley. Teachers and paraeducators working in the same classroom are encouraged to register for the same session.
Interested participants must register for one session by Thursday, April 16, 2015, using the Workshops-Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Early Childhood Teachers and Paraeducators Working Collaboratively – Spring 2015. Registration instructions are available from the login screen.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Debra Mariner, Resource Teacher 4313
681. ELEMENTARY ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS - UNIT PREVIEW WEBINARS–UNIT 6
Staff in the Office of English Language Arts PreK-12 will be conducting a Webinar to preview Unit 6 in advance of the start of the unit. This will allow all teachers to participate in professional learning to develop a deeper understanding of the unit by unpacking the target standards, performance-based assessments, and anchor texts. Teachers will be able to participate synchronously, and each Webinar will also be recorded for future viewing at any time.
All participants must register for this offering by using the Workshops-Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Elementary English Language Arts Unit Preview Webinars – Unit 6. Registration instructions are available from the login screen.
Due to system limitations, participants will only be able to register for one of the grade level Webinars; however, all are invited to attend any of the grade level Webinars offered. The Webinar links will be made available on the Elementary English Language Arts Intranet site.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Pam Wolff, Coordinator 4039
682. ELEMENTARY ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS – BOOK STUDY: THE NEXT STEP IN GUIDED READING BY JAN RICHARDSON
Staff in the Office of English Language Arts PreK-12 will conduct a three-part online Webinar book study for elementary teachers. Participants will learn how to implement effective small group, guided reading instruction in order to support the reading development of all students in kindergarten through Grade 5. Participants will receive a copy of the text The Next Step in Guided Reading by Jan Richardson. The text will be sent through interoffice mail after the participant registers online. In order to receive the book and allow ample time to read the required material before the first Webinar, participants must register by Monday, April 20, 2015. Teachers who participate in all three Webinar sessions will receive a stipend for 4.5 hours upon completion of the entire book study. The online Webinars are scheduled on Tuesdays, April 28, May 5, and May 12, 2015, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Interested participants must register for this offering by Monday, April 20, 2015, using the Workshops-Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Elementary English Language Arts–Book Study: The Next Step in Guided Reading by Jan Richardson. Registration instructions are available from the login screen.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Nancy Reed, Supervisor 4039
684. INSPIRING PASSIONATE REASONING IN GT/ADVANCED HUMANITIES AND SCIENCE CLASSES
Staff in the Office of Advanced Academics will offer a workshop for secondary advanced academics facilitators and teachers of GT/advanced English language arts (ELA), social studies, and science titled Inspiring Passionate Reasoning in GT/Advanced Humanities and Science Classes. The workshop will help teachers tap into students’ emotions in order to challenge and inspire them to apply reasoning in the areas of GT/advanced ELA, social studies, and science. Participants will explore Paul’s Wheel of Reasoning, Analogical Reasoning, Backchannels, and Sociodrama as tools to engage students in passionate reasoning. Two identical sessions will be offered on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and again from 3 to 4:30 p.m., at Greenwood, Building E, in Room 114.
Interested participants must register for one of the offerings by Friday, April 24, 2015, using the Workshops-Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Inspiring Passionate Reasoning in GT/Advanced Humanities and Science Classes. Registration instructions are available from the login screen.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Robin Hawley-Brillante, Resource Teacher 4330
686. CARDIO DRUMMING FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
Staff in the Office of Physical Education and Health will offer a one-day professional development for physical education teachers to participate in cardio drumming. The workshop will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Oakleigh Elementary School in the gymnasium. This professional learning session will include instruction, review, and practice of basic cardio drumming steps, as well as providing physical education teachers an opportunity to create routines and a library of resources. Registration is limited to 15 participants.
Interested participants must register for the offering by Friday, May 1, 2015, using the Workshops Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The professional development is titled Cardio Drumming for Physical Education Teachers. Registration instructions are available from the login screen.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Linda Webbert, Resource Teacher 4014
688. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) HIGHLIGHTS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH
April is alcohol awareness month sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. BCPS supports the concept of making all employees aware of the harmful effects and legal consequences of using alcohol and other drugs as part of its Drug Free Workplace policy. The EAP provides confidential services, supports, and education for employees and their family members who may have a problem with alcohol or other drugs. For further information, employees may contact either the internal EAP at 410-887-5414 or BCPS' external EAP through Cigna at 1-888-431-4334. Information and helfpul resources can be found on the EAP Web sites at: www.bcps.org/offices/personnel_services/EAP or www.cignabehavioral.com.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Janice Zimmerman, EAP Counselor 5414
689. BCPS ONE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
BCPS One will undergo routine site maintenance on Friday, April 10, 2015, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 1 to 5 p.m. During this time, the BCPS One site will be unavailable.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):
Jeanne Imbriale, Director 5769 x200