Crossroads Connections
March 2024 Newsletter
Important Upcoming Dates
- March 7th - Chew and Chat - Breakfast/Lunch Provided
- March 9th - Mind over Matters
- March 22nd - Spring Break starts at the end of the day
- April 2nd - Schools Reopen
- April 4th - Virtual Transition Meeting
- April 5th - Third Marking Period Ends
Crossroads Center Information
Let's Chat!
Join us for a quick 20-30 minute chat about Crossroads on March 7th, either in the morning or afternoon. We'd love to hear your thoughts and insights over breakfast or lunch (provided so be sure to RSVP).
Why join?
- Share your valuable perspective and help shape the future of Crossroads.
- Enjoy a delicious meal on us!
Perfect for:
- Parents dropping off or picking up children.
- Busy individuals with limited time.
Can't make it? No problem! Email rchisholm@bcps.org to schedule a brief phone interview (around 10 minutes).
Every voice matters. Be a part of the conversation!
Quarter 3 Transition Meeting
Is your child returning to their comprehensive school at the end of the quarter? Join us for a virtual meeting on April 4th at 6 PM to learn valuable tips and strategies for a smooth and successful return!
This informative session will cover:
- Easing anxieties and building connections
- Preparing routines and schedules
- Addressing academic and social concerns
- And much more!
Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity!
The link will be provided to those who RSVP the previous day by email.
We look forward to helping you make your child's return to school a positive experience!
RSVP below.
Crossroads Community Shared Decision-Making Team
Calling all community voices! Mark your calendars for the next Shared Decision-Making Team meeting on Wednesday, April 10th, in Dundalk. We'll dive deeper into what makes Crossroads a true Community School.
Want to shape the future? We're looking for families, students, and community members to join us! Be part of the exciting discussions about Crossroads' direction and share your unique perspective.
P.S. We kicked off our first team meeting on February 21st, where we explored the meaning of Crossroads being a Community School and shared our hopes and questions about this journey. We also reviewed our current progress in achieving this vision. This information will be updated on our website to keep all our stakeholders informed and involved.
February Character Trait is Perseverance
“Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance.” – Samuel Johnson
This month our students will be focusing on the character trait of perseverance. Students demonstrate the trait of perseverance by continuing to perform their responsibilities and pursue their goals with vigor and tenacity despite frustrations, mistakes, setbacks, and other obstacles that make their tasks difficult or seem impossible They resist temptations and pressures to give up or quit, choosing instead, to persist as long as they are able.
At the end of the month, a student from each grade level will be selected for consistently exhibiting perseverance and/or showing improvement.
Check out this online article for how to support your middle school child with perseverance.
Your Voice Matters - BCPS Climate Survey
Your voice is important to us! The survey is available at www.bcps.org from February 5 through
March 8, the survey takes five minutes or less, is anonymous, and is available in 20 languages for
students, parents/caregivers, and community members.
The survey can be taken from anywhere using a phone, tablet, or computer. You can also scan the
QR code below to take the survey or visit the school to take the survey at school. Students,
parents/caregivers, and staff will be given opportunities to take the survey at school.
If you are a BCPS parent/caregiver and employee, or if you have children in more than one school,
you are encouraged to take the survey more than once to reflect these experiences
Recognition for Outstanding Effort and Accomplishment in Lexia's Reading Program
Ka’mary Honesty Kaleb
Antwain Bailey Chayse
Dayvon Rashid Zionna
Black History Month
Baltimore County Public Library
Baltimore County Public Library joined us this month with Blind Date with a Book as well as a prize wheel.
CCBC Heart Health Visit
Baltimore County Public School Information and Resources
Mind Over Matters
Join BCPS on Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Carver Center for our Mental Health Matters Month Kick Off Event! Transportation will be provided from every high school. Join workshops and meet vendors focused on children's mental health and substance abuse prevention.
Participate in upcoming Community Conversations with Superintendent Rogers
BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers invites the Team BCPS community to discuss a variety of important school system-related topics at upcoming Community Conversations. During the events, Dr. Rogers will share information about key priorities for BCPS, hear from Team BCPS community members, and answer questions. The April 3 session will be livestreamed on the BCPS-TV YouTube channel.
Thursday, March 14, from 6-7 p.m.
Owings Mills High School
124 S. Tollgate Rd., Owings Mills 21117
Wednesday, April 3, from 6-7 p.m.
Eastern Technical High School
1100 Mace Ave., Essex 21221
Wednesday, April 10, from 6-7 p.m.
Loch Raven Technical Academy
8101 Lasalle Rd., Towson 21286
Interpreting services available for Curriculum Nights and Community Conversations
Spanish interpretation will be provided at all sessions. Interpreting services for other languages are also available upon request at no cost to participants. Please contact 443-809-1250 as early as possible to request.
BCPS Job Fair - March 12th
Baltimore County Public Schools is hiring! Join us on Tuesday, March 12, to explore exciting opportunities with #TeamBCPS. All 176 BCPS schools, centers, and programs will be represented.
Apply online at www.bcps.org/careers.
Parent University Event Snapshot
Check out the attachment for various events scheduled in March
BCPS Summer Camps
Time to think about summer.
BCPS March Calendar
Check out all the BCPS events for March.
Community Events and Resources
*Information below is not sponsored by Baltimore County Public Schools*
Utility Assistance
Energy Assistance is a year-round program. You can apply at any time during the year, but you can only receive benefits once each year and must reapply each fiscal year (July- June).
If you are having trouble affording your utility or heating bill, you do not need a turn-off notice to qualify for assistance. The Office of Home Energy Programs strongly encourages you to apply for assistance before you receive a turn-off notice so that funds can be applied to your account as soon as possible. All OHEP program eligibility is income-based and you do not need a turn-off notice to qualify for assistance.
For more information: https://dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/
Resources Calendar Highlights
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Virtual and In-Person Support Groups, Classes, and Events.
For more information and to register click here!
Talkspace - For BCPS High School Students - More information on the program, including registration and parental/legal guardian consent, is available online.
Baltimore County Public Library Tax Resources
Looking for resources to help you prepare your individual tax return? Browse what’s available through our catalog.
Maryland tax forms and federal income tax forms can be downloaded and printed using branch computers. Our staff can assist customers in finding Maryland and IRS tax forms and instructions but cannot provide tax advice. Printed tax forms are no longer available at our branches.
Free Tax Preparation
CASH Campaign of Maryland offers free tax preparation at the Randallstown Branch for those who qualify. If you or your household made $60,000 or less in 2022, you may qualify for free tax preparation. You can schedule online with CASH Campaign or by calling 410-234-8008. Note that there may be heavy call volume.
Find information about free tax preparation in Maryland or call 1-800-492-0618. Free assistance for Maryland income taxes is also available through the Comptroller of Maryland’s Taxpayer Service office by calling 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937).
Federal Taxes
Explore filing options online or by mail, for federal taxes. To get printed federal forms, instructions and publications mailed to you, call 1-800-829-FORM (3676). Learn more about IRS tax forms, instructions or publications.
Maryland Taxes
Use Maryland's free iFile service to file your state tax return online. To get printed Maryland forms and instructions mailed to you, call 410-260-7951, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; TTY through Maryland Relay, dial 7-1-1.
Baltimore County Government - Park Finder Web Tool
This new tool provides users with comprehensive information on 362 parks and recreation centers throughout the County.
Locate Health Social Needs by Zipcode
Need access to free or low-cost services to support your family, such as help with medical care, food, utilities, transportation and more? Check out the MedStar Health Social Needs resource page. Enter your zipcode and be directed to resources within your neighborhood.
Community Food Pantries
The Baltimore County Department of Social Services offers programs and services designed to help residents in financial need who meet income-eligibility requirements, as well as resources to provide food assistance for Baltimore County families, including:
- Senior Food Assistance—Seniors experiencing food access needs may call 410-887-2594 or email aginginfo@baltimorecountymd.gov.
- Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) Food and Nutrition Services—Learn more about the food assistance programs offered through BCPS.
- SNAP Emergency Allotments—The Maryland Department of Human Services has been approved to issue SNAP emergency allotments to all current SNAP households. Learn more about SNAP to see if you qualify for monthly benefits to help purchase food.
- Pet Food Assistance—Learn how to receive pet food assistance from the Baltimore Humane Society or make donations to their Bmore Kind Pet Food Bank.
Baltimore County publishes monthly a list of food pantries, along with addresses, schedules, and in some cases, contact information. For a complete list of food pantries, click here.
Additional Assistance Resources - https://studentsupportnetwork.org/information-center/need-support/
Youth Resources
To view a variety of resources for youth, including those below, please visit BaltimoreCountyMD.gov/YouthServices