Sandy Plains Roundup
May 8-15, 2015
Administratiors' Address
Please consider taking a few minutes to read the articles contained in this issue of the Roundup. Vindication for Fidgeters reminds us of a best practice that we know makes perfect sense not only for our students with ADHD but also for most students in our classroom.
As we continue our progress toward a 21st century learning environment, Using Classroom Tablets in Powerful Ways may provide some insights into the use of our current laptops and the new devices arriving next year.
Grade One Pattern Building
Active Engagement=
Best Behavior Management =
Optimum Learning !
Blended Learning: Grade 4 students use Wixie to demonstrate their skill at writing a Classmates use a rubric to score the presentations.
Essential Events
May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6: School Nurse Day
May 11: PreK-K Conference Day; no school for PreK and K students
May 25: Memorial Day; schools and offices closed
May 18: Restorative Practice Professional Developments
May 18-22: Book Fair
May 18: Faculty Meeting, Grouping
May 27: Chuck E. Cheese Night
June 6: PTA Board Meeting 4:30
June 9: Attendance Breakfast, 9:00-9:30
June 10: Volunteer Breakfast, 9:00-10:00
June 16: Last day of school for PreK
June 17: Half day
June 18: Last day of school for elementary students, half day
June 26: Summer school teachers on duty
June 29: Summer school begins
Restorative Practice Professional Learning: Monday, May 18, 2015
First Grade Animal Study
Dr. Dance's Message Regarding the End of the Year Calendar and the 2015-2016 Calendar
As we get close to the end of the school year, we are always asked if there are any changes regarding the last day of school. At the Board of Education meeting on May 5, I announced the following adjustments to the 2014-2015 school calendar:
- The last day for preschool-3 and pre-K students is Tuesday, June 16, 2015. June 16 is a full day for all other students.
- The last day for elementary and middle school students and staff is Thursday, June 18, 2015. Wednesday, June 17, and Thursday, June 18, will be a half-day for elementary and middle school students, and full days for elementary and middle school staff.
- The last day for high school students and staff is Friday, June 19, 2015. All days during the week of June 15 through 19 will be full days for high school students and staff.
At this same board meeting, the revised school calendar for 2015-2016 was approved. The revised calendar can be found at http://www.bcps.org/calendars/next_year_calendar.html. Please note that the first day of school for next school year will be Monday, August 24.
Have a great week!
Take care,
Dr. Dance
Using Classroom Tablets in Powerful Ways
BCPS Bytes
adsf741. DEPARTMENT CHAIR APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SPRING INTERVIEWS Interested tenured teachers who have completed the department chair training and who have earned a certificate should submit an application packet for the role of department chair to their respective personnel officer by Friday, May 29, 2015. Teachers who are reapplying for a content area pool must resubmit an application packet as well. Interviews for content area pools will be held in mid-July.
The application packet must include the following: Cover letter Resume Department chairperson profile sheet Copy of the certificate issued at the end of the fourth session of Leadership Development for Prospective Department Chairs Copy with signatures of the recommended Learning to Lead Framework Two reference forms: one by the current principal, and the other reference form by either the assistant principal or the department chair. The profile sheet and reference forms can be accessed and printed from the Web site at https://www.bcps.org/offices/dpd/leaders.html, and are listed under the header Prospective Department Chair Training Program. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Kimberly McMenamin, Supervisor 6493
743. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMER 2015 COURSE REGISTRATION Registration for the summer 2015 continuing professional development session is now available. Courses are offered in the following areas: athletics, health education, language arts, mathematics, safe schools, special education, technology, and visual arts. Upon successful completion of any of these courses, participants will be issued MSDE/BCPS credits. Interested participants must register online by using the BCPS Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration and selecting the PDC Inservice Catalog – CPD Courses catalog. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Lynette Woodley, Coordinator 6491
744. YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS KID: LESSONS ABOUT TEACHING, SUPPORTING, AND INCLUDING THEM ALL The Office of Special Education will be offering a full-day professional development for paraeducators and a full-day professional development for special area teachers to support the provision of the continuum of services in every school. Dr. Paula Kluth, national consultant and author, returns to BCPS to provide guidance to schools on fostering inclusive school cultures that support all students and practical strategies for ensuring that every student participates actively in the schoolwide community. The sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Loyola Graduate Center, on the dates below. Participants will be allotted time for lunch on their own. Thursday, June 4, 2015, Paraeducators only Friday, June 5, 2015, Special Area Teachers only Interested participants should register for the appropriate professional development session by Friday, May 29, 2015, using the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled You're Going to Love this Kid: Lessons about Teaching, Supporting, and Including Them All. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Dana Demby, Coordinator 3660
745. MEETING THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WITH DUAL EXCEPTIONALITIES: A COLLABORATIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Instruction for students with dual exceptionalities must address both strengths and needs. Staff in the Offices of Advanced Academics, Special Education, and Student Services and College and Career Readiness will host a professional development opportunity designed for Advanced Academics facilitators, school staff with special education and/or Student Support Team (SST) responsibilities, and administrators. A team of two staff members from each school is invited to attend. Dr. Susan Baum, a pioneer and expert in the field of dual exceptionalities will address instructional strategies and indicators to ensure student success in the classroom. In addition, author and advocate, Mr. John Elder Robison, will share his personal story of living with Asperger's Syndrome, yet overcoming adversity to start his own business and advocate for others. See the attached flyer for more details. This full-day professional development will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, (for elementary school staff) and Wednesday, June 10, 2015, (for middle and high school staff). The workshop will be held at the Radisson Hotel North Baltimore in Timonium, Maryland from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and participants will be provided time for lunch on their own. Space is limited to two participants from each school. Participants should register (for one day only) no later Monday, June 1, 2015, using the Workshops-Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The session is titled Meeting the Needs of Students with Dual Exceptionalities: A Collaborative Professional Development. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Wendy Ingalls, Resource Teacher 4330 x227
746. RENEWAL OF MARYLAND CERTIFICATES COMAR 13A.12.01.11 (2) states: Renewal requirements shall be received at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) within 90 days of the expiration date listed under “Period of Validity” on the certificate in order for the certificate to be considered continuous. Past practice has allowed an individual to submit credits for course work earned after the expiration date of the certificate but within the 90-day grace period. For example, if a certificate expired on June 30, the courses could be completed over the summer and submitted within the 90-day period from the expiration date. MSDE indicates that this practice conflicts with the regulation and must be discontinued. Effective January 1, 2015, courses used to renew a certificate must be completed prior to the expiration date of the certificate. Courses completed prior to the expiration date can be submitted to the Office of Certification within the 90-day period after the expiration date so that the certificate can be considered continuous. Failure to complete and submit documentation to renew a certificate prior to the expiration date may result in the following: 1. Issuance of a substandard conditional certificate 2. Loss of tenure 3. Salary step frozen 4. Placement on a conditional year-to-year contract 5. Transfer to another school 6. Termination Employees are not to submit course work directly to MSDE. All course work must be sent to the Office of Certification. Employees are to e-mail the Office of Certification or call to schedule an appointment if unsure of their renewal needs. COMAR states that it is the individual’s responsibility to know and meet the renewal requirements prior to the certificate’s expiration date. Information regarding renewal requirements is on the Office of Certification’s Web site at www.bcps.org/offices/personnel/certification. In addition, general reminder letters are sent out one year prior to the expiration date of a certificate. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Kenneth M. Kuyawa, Personnel Officer 4147
748. REMINDER FOR RAPTOR All school offices have a Raptor system. All visitors, including employees, are to be entered into the Raptor system when entering the building. In case of an emergency, this serves as accountability of who is in your building. As a reminder, Raptor is to be used during the summer, as well. Please make sure the school and office are secure at all times. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Christine Smith, Administrator 4360
749. SUPERINTENDENT'S RULE 4103, SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND/OR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR TOWARD A STUDENT BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS At the April 21, 2015, meeting, Superintendent's Rule 4103, Suspected Child Abuse, Neglect, and/or Inappropriate Behavior Toward a Student by an Employee of the Baltimore County Public Schools was presented to the Board of Education. The rule was revised to: (1) update for current practices, and (2) comply with the board’s editing conventions. The rule is now posted on the BCPS Web site at http://www.bcps.org/system/policies_rules/rules/4000Series/RULE4103.pdf. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Alpheus Arrington, Executive Director 5923
751. NEW TEACHER ORIENTATION 2015 New Teacher Orientation (NTO) will be held August 11–13, 2015. Teachers and other professionals newly hired for the 2015–2016 school year, as well as those hired for the 2014– 2015 school year who did not attend last year's NTO, are invited to attend. Staff newly hired for the 2015–2016 school year will receive registration information from Human Resources at contract signing. Staff hired for the 2014–2015 school year who did not attend NTO 2014 will receive registration information via e-mail in May 2015. On August 11 and 12, NTO participants will attend content, curriculum implementation, culturally responsive practice, classroom management, professional conduct, and teacher evaluation sessions at Perry Hall High School from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On August 13, new teachers and other professionals will report to their assigned schools/locations to participate in a full day of professional development activities. Suggested site-based professional development activities might include, but are not limited to, lesson planning, setting up a positive classroom environment, establishing classroom management procedures, reviewing school policies and procedures, using data for classroom instruction, planning to implement best teaching practices, and case management. Participants are asked to contact their principal/office head prior to August 13 to confirm their attendance.
All new teachers and other professionals will be paid a stipend by the Office of Organizational Development of at least $183.69 for each full day of attendance at New Teacher Orientation. Eligible teachers and other professionals should register for New Teacher Orientation 2015 by using the Workshops – Registration Catalog on the BCPS Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The event is titled New Teacher Orientation – 2015. Participants should register for the section that is appropriate for their assignment. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Debbie Piper, Coordinator 0363
755. ELEMENTARY S.T.A.T. SUMMER INSTITUTE To help prepare for the rollout of devices and the creation of learner-centered environments, the Office of Organizational Development and the Department of Innovative Learning are holding a summer institute for all elementary school administrators, S.T.A.T. teachers, and designated teacher leader corps members. This two-day institute will be held on Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26, 2015. Interested participants must register by Friday, May 29, 2015, using the Workshops – Summer Professional Development catalog on the Online Registration System at http://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The institute is titled Elementary Summer S.T.A.T. Institute. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Registrants will receive an e-mail the week of June 1 with information on how to select sessions through the S.T.A.T. Institute app.
Staff attending from Zone 1 and 2 elementary schools should register for the session at New Town High School. Staff attending from Zone 3 and 4 elementary schools should register for the session at Cockeysville Middle School. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): David Robb, Supervisor 6692
757. TITLE I EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Office of Title I will be offering a full-day professional development opportunity for elementary school teachers for the Title I Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) summer program. The sessions will be held on Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Dundalk High School. All Title I ELO lead teachers and ELO classroom teachers must attend one of the full-day professional development sessions. An additional make-up session will be held on Monday, June 29, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Cockeysville Middle School. Capacity for the make-up session is limited to only those participants with prior commitments scheduled for June 22 and June 23, 2015.
Participants are encouraged to attend and must register for the meeting by Friday, June 5, 2015, using the Workshop-Summer Professional Development – Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Title I Extended Learning Opportunities: Elementary Teacher Professional Development. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Michele Stansbury, Supervisor 3487
758. THELMA T. DALEY COUNSELORS' SUMMER ACADEMY This annual summer academy is a voluntary professional development opportunity for school counselors and other student support personnel. The three-day event will take place at George Washington Carver Center on Monday, June 22, through Wednesday, June 24, 2015. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. each day and sessions are scheduled 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will be paid stipends for the first two days only. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on all three days. The purpose of this academy is to provide counselors with training on current trends and issues that will enable staff to help parents/guardians, teachers, and students serve as advocates for educational issues. Interested participants must register for the workshops by Monday, June 8, 2015, using the Workshop – Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Thelma T. Daley Counselors' Summer Academy-2015. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Timothy P. Hayden, Coordinator 0291
760. JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY Johns Hopkins University will offer a professional learning opportunity on Open Earth Systems: An Earth Science Course for Maryland Teacher Professional Development beginning on Monday, July 6, 2015, and ending on Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Attached is an informational flyer with registration contact information. For a complete list of upcoming professional learning opportunities, visit the Office of Organizational Development’s Web site at http://www.bcps.org/offices/dpd/UpcomingProfessional-Learning-Opportunities.html. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Lynette Woodley, Coordinator 6491
761. SCHOOL AND OFFICE PERSONNEL DIRECTORY - OFFICE PROFILES During phase I, school information was added to the new online School and Office Personnel Directory. During phase II, office staff will enter their information by Monday, June 15, 2015. Department/office heads should designate an individual to complete the Online Directory Office Profile by following the directions on BCPS’ Intranet at https://intranet.bcps.org/apps/directory/help/ReviewOfficeListing.aspx. As a reminder, all staff members should visit https://intranet.bcps.org/apps/PersonalAcctManager to update their information with the correct phone numbers. To utilize the online directory, visit https://intranet.bcps.org/apps/directory. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Michele Wagner, Supervisor 4266 x268