Sandy Plains Round Up
May 22-29, 2015
Administrators' Address
Thank you to all of our veterans who serve and have served our country!
Essential Events
May 27: Chuck E. Cheese Night
May 28: Field Day
June 6: PTA Board Meeting 4:30
June 8: PTA Meeting
June 9: Volunteer Breakfast
June 10: Attendance Breakfast, 9:00-10:00
June 12: Grade 5 Dance
June 16: Last day of school for PreK
June 17: Half day
June 17: Grade 5 Farewell
June 18: Last day of school for elementary students, half day
June 26: Summer school teachers on duty
June 29: Summer school begins
President Obama to nominate BCPS Superintendent Dance to federal commission
TOWSON, MD. – President Barack Obama will nominate Baltimore County Public SchoolsSuperintendent S. Dallas Dance to the President’s Advisory Commission on EducationalExcellence for African Americans, according to The White House.
In announcing this and other nominations on Thursday, President Obama said, “I am grateful that these impressive individuals have chosen to dedicate their talents to serving the American people at this important time for our country. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead."
The Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans, established in July 2012, is charged with identifying and disseminating best practices to increase the number of African American teachers and administrators; investing in early care and education programs; strengthening community support for education; and boosting college enrollment and graduation rates for African Americans.
Dr. Dance credited Team BCPS for bringing national attention to Baltimore County Public Schools. “The work of our dedicated educators in Baltimore County has earned our school system a well-deserved reputation for addressing many of the educational needs of African American students," Dr. Dance said. “There is still much work to do, however, and I am excited to be representing our county and our school system as we move forward on a national level with ensuring educational excellence for all students."
The commission is chaired by Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president of University of Maryland Baltimore County, and includes among its members Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd, president of Alabama State University; Dr. James P. Comer, Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale University Child Study Center; Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks, executive director and chief executive officer of the National Black Justice Coalition; and Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund.
This is Dr. Dance’s second White House recognition in less than a year. Last November, the President named Dance as one of 10 national “Connected Educator Champions of Change."
BCPS Bytes
772. PREKINDERGARTEN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL LEARNING MATERIALS (DLM) EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPRESS Staff in the Office of Early Childhood Programs is offering half-day professional learning sessions for all general education and special education prekindergarten teachers to prepare them for the implementation of the DLM Early Childhood Express this fall. Participants will become familiar with the components of the new program in order to develop lessons that meet the needs of diverse learners. Training sessions will be conducted at the Loyola Graduate Center in Timonium as follows: Date Time Tuesday, June 2, 2015 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2015 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Interested teachers must register for the half-day offering of their choice by Tuesday, May 26, 2015, using the Workshops-Registration Catalog on the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Prekindergarten – Implementing the DLM Early Childhood Express. 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
773. 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
775. EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF DREAMBOX IN ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS: INITIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT–YEAR 1 A 90-minute session will be offered to introduce all Grades 1-3 mathematics teachers, as well as kindergarten and Grades 4-5 mathematics teachers at Lighthouse schools to the DreamBox Learning Program. The session will prepare teachers to utilize the DreamBox Learning Program to provide personalized mathematics learning. The session will focus on goals of the program and how to get students started and monitor student usage in DreamBox. Implementation models will be discussed. This workshop will be offered as face-to-face sessions and online so teachers may select the format that best meets their learning preference. Teachers will receive a stipend for attendance. One of the online sessions will be recorded and posted on the Office of Mathematics’ Intranet Web page for those teachers who are unable to attend the workshop.
Format Date Time Location Face-to-Face Monday, August 10, 2015 Tuesday, August 11, 2015 Wednesday, August 12, 2015 8:30 to 10 a.m. 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. 2:30 to 4 p.m. Loyola Graduate Center, Timonium Online Tuesday, July 7, 2015 5 to 6:30 p.m. Live Webinar Wednesday, July 22, 2015 2 to 3:30 p.m. Live Webinar Thursday, August 13, 2015 9 to 10:30 a.m. Live Webinar Participants must register for one offering listed above by using the Workshops–Summer Professional Development Catalog on the Online Registration System at http://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshops are located under the Mathematics, PreK- 12 heading and titled Effective Implementation of DreamBox in Elementary Mathematics–Initial PD – Year 1. Please select the Webinar or Face-to-Face offering of your choice. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Natalie Crist, Specialist 3486 x282
776. EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF DREAMBOX IN ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS: SUSTAINED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT–YEAR 2 A 60-minute session will be offered to further develop learning for mathematics teachers who have implemented the DreamBox Learning Program in Lighthouse schools or Title I schools during the 2014–2015 school year. The session will prepare teachers to utilize DreamBox student data to make instructional decisions. Best practices related to first-year implementation will be shared. This workshop will be offered online during the summer of 2015. Teachers will receive a stipend for attendance. One of the online sessions will be recorded and posted to the Office of Mathematics’ Intranet Web page for those teachers who are unable to attend this workshop. Format Date Time Location Online Wednesday, July 22, 2015 4 to 5 p.m. Live Webinar Thursday, August 13, 2015 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Live Webinar Face-to-Face Tuesday, September 15, 2015 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. TENTATIVE Participants must register for one offering listed above by using the Workshops–Summer Professional Development Catalog on the Online Registration System at http://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is located under the Mathematics, PreK-12 heading and titled Effective Implementation of DreamBox in Elementary Mathematics–Sustained PD – Year 2. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Natalie Crist, Specialist 3486 x282
784. PROFESSIONAL STUDY DAY 2015 On Wednesday, August 19, 2015, Professional Study Day workshops will provide high-quality learning opportunities for staff to learn about PARCC, CCSS, and the digital conversion. These professional development sessions will be differentiated to meet the needs of all staff members. Elementary teachers, with the exception of special area teachers, will attend school-based workshops on language arts and mathematics. Elementary teachers should register for their school's workshop section in the Online Registration System. The workshops will be titled ELEM Professional Study Day – 2015. Secondary teachers, special area K–12 teachers, student support services staff, and special education (related services) staff will attend countywide training by content or office area on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. The workshop titles in the Online Registration System are preceded by a content area code. Participants must register for the offerings, using the Professional Study Day–August catalog on the online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. See the attached flyer for directions to register for the appropriate Professional Study Day workshop according to assignment. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Lynette Woodley, Coordinator 6489
785. 2015-2016 GRADUAL ENTRY SCHEDULE FOR EC 3, PREKINDERGARTEN/ EC 4, AND KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS Below is the suggested schedule for school year 2015-2016 beginning days of school for EC 3, prekindergarten/EC 4, and kindergarten programs. In order for teachers to meet and orient students and parents to the classroom, days for gradual entry have been incorporated.
The schedule has been revised in order for kindergarten teachers to begin to administer the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). The KRA implementation plan is attached. Administration of the KRA is contingent upon teachers taking the KRA digital updates training, submitting their certificates of completion, and completing and submitting the KRA NonDisclosure forms to the test coordinator. School administrators should determine the organization and structure for gradual entry and may advance the schedule; however, the first full session must occur by the date indicated. Transportation should begin on the day of the first full session. Administrators should inform BCPS’ Office of Transportation of the date when regular bus service will be in effect for EC 3, prekindergarten/EC 4, and kindergarten students. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Pam Wolff, Coordinator 4039
789. WRITING STANDARDS-BASED IEPS FOR BEHAVIOR TEACHERS The Office of Special Education is offering a three-day professional development opportunity for special educators on creating IEP's for behavior teachers. This series of modules was developed by the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Service, and Baltimore County Public Schools to support teachers in their work to develop high-quality, standards-based IEPs which include the development of appropriate behavioral goals. The modules provide information and activities to help teachers and others refine their understanding and implementation of a process to create IEPs that help all students achieve rigorous, grade-level expectations based on the standards. All sessions will be held at Woodlawn High School, 1801 Woodlawn Drive, on the following dates and times: Tuesday, June 9, 2015 3:30–5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2015 3:30–5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2015 3:30–5:30 p.m. Administrators should share this information with all behavioral learning support teachers. Participants must attend all three sessions. Stipends will be paid.
Interested participants must register for the workshop by Friday, June 5, 2015, using the Online Registration System at https://www.bcps.org/apps/registration. The workshop is titled Writing Standards-Based IEPs for Behavior Teachers. Registration instructions are available from the login screen. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Connee Hart, Supervisor 3660
794. USERNAME AND PASSWORD SECURITY The Department of Information Technology is increasing security to prevent passwords from beings saved on devices and in applications. Below are tips to keep your username and password secured: Always sign out/log out of any computer that is not your own. Never click the “Remember Password” or “Store Password” option, if prompted. Lock your computer when not in use. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL and then press ENTER to lock the computer, or press the Windows icon on your keyboard and the letter L, which will instantly lock your computer. Change your password every 90 days. Failure to follow these precautions could result in unauthorized individuals gaining access to personal information in applications such as Outlook e-mail, gradebook, employee self-service, etc. Please refer to the Board of Education Policy and Superintendent’s Rule 4104, Technology Acceptable Use Policy (TAUP) for Employees and Approved Non-Employees, for more information. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): Jodi Obenstine, Director 3858 x427
795. ONLINE CHEMICAL TRAINING REQUIREMENT FOR ALL STAFF All Baltimore County Public Schools employees are required to complete an online course regarding chemical safety titled “Hazard Communication: Right to Understand (GHS)” by Friday, June 19, 2015. The course will fulfill an OSHA requirement to educate the U.S. workforce regarding a new globally harmonized system (GHS) for classification and labeling of chemicals. Baltimore County Public Schools is required to provide this training annually. Login instructions and the link to the training are available on the Office of Risk Management Intranet site at https://intranet.bcps.org/offices/risk_management/pdf/Hazard-CommunicationsRight-to-Understand-GHS.pdf. The course takes approximately thirty minutes to complete and is followed by a short quiz. Failure to complete the training by the deadline of June 19, 2015, may result in disciplinary action. Principals and office heads are asked to provide computer access to all employees, including temporary employees, in order to complete the training. Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s): David Glassman, Supervisor 6310 Michael Howie, Risk Specialist 2408