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At the Schools

Updated: Jan 6






Parent University Lunch & Learn Workshop: “Who You Gonna Call? Not Ghostbusters”


Friday, January 10, at 12:30 p.m.

This virtual session, presented by Baltimore County Public Schools' Center for Family Success, will explore how to find needed answers, contacts, and clarity. Participants will learn how to resolve their questions with the right person in a productive way. Registration required.


Hibernation Week at charter school draws local science experts




At Watershed Public Charter School, the week before winter break was Hibernation Week. Special guests included representatives of Arts for Learning Maryland, Irvine Nature Center, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. During the week, students made hibernation hovels, learned about things to see in the night sky, and dressed like animals that hibernate.


Randallstown High School held its Third Annual Career and Technical Education Fair.


More than 40 businesses, including trade programs, military branches, Baltimore County Police Dept., and Baltimore County Fire Dept., participated.


Students had the opportunity to learn more about many career opportunities.







Baltimore County library's Winter Reading Challenge offers free basketball game tickets

Students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 can win prizes for participating in Baltimore County Public Library's Winter Reading Challenge.


The challenge runs through Friday, January 31, and details are available online and at all county public library branches. Students who read for at least 400 minutes will receive special pompom beanies while supplies last. All students who complete the 400 minutes will receive a complimentary ticket to a Towson University basketball game as well as discounted tickets for friends and family.


Feedback wanted on BCPS' and Title I Family Engagement Plan


Baltimore county schools is looking for family and community members to participate in the annual review of its BCPS and Title I District Level Family Engagement Plan and the Board of Education Family Engagement Policy 1270. Review and send  feedback by clicking on either of the blue links in this paragraph.






Friends of Education Award Nomination Period Open Through Feb. 19, 2025


Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Friends of Education Award. The award was established by the Howard County Board of Education to recognize and show appreciation for truly exemplary support for our students and schools and to increase awareness of the importance of community involvement to the achievement of the school system’s Equity Framework.

The award recognizes individuals, businesses, non-profit groups, organizations, or associations who have made significant innovative or unique volunteer contributions.

Any Howard County resident or non-profit group, organization, association, or business located in or serving Howard County who has not been a recipient within the last 10 years may be nominated for the award.

The 2025 nomination deadline is Feb 19. Nominees and recipients will be notified by March 5, and awards are scheduled to be presented during the Board of Education meeting on April 10.

Nomination applications are available online or by contacting the Board of Education at 410-313-1584. More information is available online.


Bright Minds Breakfast with the Superintendent, Jan. 28, 2025


The Bright Minds Foundation will host its Breakfast with the Superintendent networking and fundraising event on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at The Meeting House (5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia). Superintendent Bill Barnes will share his vision for the school system and how he is leading the system to become great for every student. HCPSS, Bright Minds, and several HCPSS partners also will host resource tables to highlight some of the important groups working to support Howard County students and our community.


Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online or by check; details are available online. Proceeds from this event will support Bright Minds programs focused on improving education outcomes for Howard County students.

Questions may be emailed to Bright Minds Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Van Kirk at jennifer@brightmindsfoundation.org.


Summer Programs (2025) Registration to Open Feb 3, 2025


Synergy online enrollment requests will be open Monday, February 3 at 12 p.m. through Tuesday, February 17 at 12 p.m. for the following Summer programs:

  • BSAP Summer Institute (Entering Grades K-9)

  • Gifted and Talented Summer Institutes for Talent Development (Entering Grades 1-8)

  • Innovative Pathways High School (Entering Grade 9 and Current Grades 9-12) – original credit courses only

NOTE: Invitations for eligible HCPSS students for Academic Intervention and Extended School Year Special Education programs will come directly from the school or special education team in the spring.

Enrollment Requests

Enrollment requests for registration-based programs can be made by a parent, guardian, school counselor or achievement liaison. Please carefully review the program descriptions, dates, times and locations before submitting an enrollment request.

Parents/guardians will be notified via email of enrollment status (enrolled or waitlisted) before the start of the next registration window. Registration in February and March is highly recommended, as program availability may be limited during the later registration dates.

Course Placement Process

  • Enrollment requests do not guarantee placement in summer programs.

  • Enrollment requests are NOT first-come, first-served.

  • Families will receive an email when a student is enrolled in a course or added to the applicable course waitlist.

  • For Innovative Pathways High School, enrollment priority will be given to students by their current grade level. Remaining students will be randomly selected and enrolled in their selected course (or alternate course) until that course has been filled.

Please contact the individual program offices with additional questions.






AACPS conducting 10th International Parent and Community Leadership Academy


The Anne Arundel County Public Schools Office of School and Family Partnerships is seeking candidates for its 10th International Parent and Community Leadership Academy (IPCLA), which begins on February 18, 2025.


The seven-week academy is aimed at improving communication between the school system and international families as well as diversifying the pool of leaders in schools and the community who can better support the academic achievement of international students and English Learners. Meetings will be held during the day at various Anne Arundel County Public Schools locations from February 18, 2025, through April 2, 2025. Transportation can be provided if needed.


Candidates must be born outside of the United States and speak a language other than English at home.

Participants will identify and discuss challenges facing international students and their families, gain a better understanding of AACPS programs and initiatives, and explore ways they can become leaders in their communities. Participants will receive a certificate and will be recognized by the Board of Education at the end of the IPCLA.

More information, including an application form (available in multiple languages), can be obtained at www.aacps.org/IPCLA or by contacting Frances Cruz at 410-353-4169 or fcruz-serrano@aacps.org.


Marley Middle School's Anna Ory named Maryland Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year



Marley Middle School Assistant Principal Anna Ory, who has built a reputation for fostering innovation and creativity and helped to redesign the school’s student support structure, has been named Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP).


The award, given in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, makes Ory eligible for the National Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year Award, which will be announced in April.


"I am deeply honored and humbled to have my work with the Marley Middle School community recognized by MASSP,” said Ory, who is in her 17th year with Anne Arundel County Public Schools and fifth as an assistant principal at Marley Middle School. “This award reflects the extraordinary educators I am privileged to work alongside every day, whose passion and dedication inspire me continually. I am also profoundly grateful to our families for entrusting us with their students, allowing us to support their growth and success both personally and academically. It is a privilege to represent such a remarkable and supportive community.”


The award is given annually by MASSP to recognize the work of outstanding instructional leaders in leading teaching, learning and student achievement, and fostering cultures that promote success for all stakeholders.

“Every great school has a phenomenal assistant principal working tirelessly behind the scenes,” said NASSP Chief Executive Officer Ronn Nozoe. “Their remarkable work not only impacts their local communities but offers inspiring models for educators nationwide. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and sharing their innovative approaches that are making a real difference in students' lives.”


Former Marley Middle School Principal Kim Winterbottom, a previous NASSP National Finalist for Principal of the Year, and current Principal John Noon applauded Ory’s proactive and positive approach across all aspects of school leadership, from student safety and well-being to the building of instructional capacity among teaching staff. Ory regularly leads Equity Learning Walks for staff and town-hall style meetings to gain input from students.

Wrote one former student in Ory’s application packet: “We may not have realized just how essential her actions and work were at the time but looking back, I realize that Ms. Ory would truly go above and beyond to make sure everyone felt comfortable so that everyday could be a good day at Marley Middle School.”





Fort Hill High School Inducts New National Honor Society Members


Fifty-six Junior and Senior students from Fort Hill High School were inducted into membership of the National Honor Society (NHS) on Thursday, November 14, 2024, in front of parents, staff, students, and guests. Honored guests were Superintendent of Allegany County Public Schools Jeffrey Blank, Fort Hill High School Principal Candy Canan, and Guidance Counselor Abigail Twigg.


Conducting the ceremony were the five student elected NHS officers: President Charlotte Crawford, Vice-President Nash Cassell, Secretary Kamryn Rice, Treasurer Cailin Robertson, and Public Relations Officer Lily Riley. The Induction took place in the Auditorium of Fort Hill High School. The new members joined 50 current senior NHS members who were inducted last year and have remained members in good standing.


New members meeting high standards according to the pillars of NHS of scholarship, service, leadership, and character were selected by a committee of faculty members following an extensive paperwork and verification process. Seniors inducted were: Kain Andrick, Nicholas Brown, Morgen Delawder, Joshua Eft, Marissa Hamilton, Brenly Hershberger, Layce Ralston and Sarah Tavoc.


Juniors inducted were: Emily Bell, Ella Bennett, Cole Blank, Jacob Bone, Jordan Bonner, Miley Boyer, Clarice Chiza, Hannah Cole, Kaiden Cole, Richard Comire, Molly Dixon, Jamecia Dumas, Nakiah Dunn, Braileigh Fisher, Addison Franz, Morgan Giffin, Richard Ginevan, Liam Hamilton, Cameron Hook, Noah House, Cameron Hughes, Isaac Jones, Chase Lamb, Kiera Lindsay, Alexis Litten, Karter Marshall, Alexis McKee, Korbin McKenzie, Kyler Miller, Alice Nelson, Nhan Nguyen, Camryn O’Rourke, Amelia Pannone, Victoria Pawliskie, Morgan Pomeroy, Gabriella Robertson, Jordin Russ, Briley Shoemaker, Lyla Silber, Aubriauna Spangler, Sam Spencer, Aubrey Stafford, Makinlie Thomas, Elizabeth Torres, Kalli Trub, Jacob Twigg, Brynnan Wigger, Chloe Williams.


Current NHS members are: Autumn Abell, Zainab Ahmed, Peyton Blocher, Jovie Breitfeller, Vivian Broussard, Selena Cage, Nash Cassell, Lana Cassidy, Kayla Ciccarelli, Abigail Cline, Charlotte Crawford, Ava Davis, Paetyn Davis, Skyler Donaldson, Natalie Everett, Alexandre Fairgrieve, Shayla Fleegle, Lindsay Fleming, Jaiden Fradiska, Hunter Goldsmith, Adam Grabenstein, Cassidy Hiser, Austin Jacobs, Brianna Jones, Aiden Ketterman, Kaylee Kisamore, Addison Mallow, Rory Martz, Madeleine Mattocks, Jaidyn Mellott, Marlia Morris, Kamryn Rice, Kearstyn Rice, Lily Riley, Phoebe Rily, Cailin Roberston, Jaylynn Robertson, Ciara Ross, Mino Rowe, Brenna Scarlett, Alexia Shilling, Dana Smith, Lydia Spano, Addyson Stuby, Alyssa Tressler, Gweneth Vottoriano, Nicholas Willison, Gunner Wilson, Madison Wolk, and Talia Young.







Faith Based Leaders Virtual Calendar Input Meeting


Baltimore City Public School is inviting faith-based leaders to join them for a virtual meeting to provide feedback on the 2025-2026 school year calendar set for Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Click this link to join: bit.ly/3ZE4qAB




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