Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Sean McComb was declared the winner at a Monday afternoon ceremony at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson.
Baltimore County Public Schools honored Patapsco High School English teacher Sean McComb was honored as the 2013-2014 teacher of the year Monday afternoon. "Sean McComb is a dynamic and creative educator who is an inspiration to both his students and his colleagues," Superintendent Dallas Dance said in a news release. "He used his teachers and education to rescue him from a difficult childhood, and now helps his own students to, in his words, 'achieve, awaken and ascend' We congratulate him and all of our 115 nominated teachers and finalists." McComb, a seven-year educator who also serves as an Advancement Via Individual Determination coordinator, was one of four teachers nominated for the award, according to the release. The win makes him…
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
The Baltimore County Public Schools calendar had initially listed the closing date as June 18.
Baltimore County Public Schools announced Tuesday that the last day of classes is June 14. The originial schedule for the school system called for an end date of June 18, according to a news release. But the system is ending the school year early because of the limited number of emergency days off. The last three days of school will be full days under the new schedule, the release states. Under the previous one, the last three days were slated to be half-days.
Monday, April 15, 2013
The Baltimore County executive praises county employees but asks employees to "stay the course" because the proposed budget contains no cost of living salary increases.
UPDATED (10:29 a.m.)—Baltimore County residents will not have to dig deeper for local taxes again this year under a budget proposed by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. Kamenetz is expected to introduce his third county budget to the Baltimore County Council at 10 a.m. The proposed $2.8 billion operating budget will contain no increases in property or income taxes for the budget year that begins July 1. The county has not raised property taxes in 25 years. The county income tax rate has not been raised in 21 years. But Kamenetz's spending plan is larger than the limit set in January by the County Council's Spending Affordability Committee. That committee in January set the limit for ongoing costs subject to spending guidelines at $1.675 …
Monday, April 1, 2013
The bill, introduced last month, has come under fire for being unconstitutional.
A bill restricting protests near schools in Baltimore County will not get a hearing or a vote later this month. Councilman Todd Huff said Monday that he will withdraw the bill that bars protests within 300 feet of a school and prohibits protests within one hour before or after school starts and ends. It would have also been illegal to block or prevent the use of public streets, sidewalks or other spaces while protesting. Violators would be subject to a fine of $1,000 or up to a 90-day jail sentence or possibly both. The bill has been criticized since it was introduced two weeks ago. Huff was not available for an interview following a Monday evening Baltimore County Council meeting but confirmed he would withdraw the bill. "I'm pulling the …
Friday, March 29, 2013
Arne Duncan will speak to interested parties at Loch Raven High School in April.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan's school safety town hall, which will emphasize gun control, has been scheduled. Baltimore County Superintendent Dallas Dance announced the visit earlier this month, noting that gun control is a topic Duncan is passionate about. "Today, looking into the eyes of parents who have lost children due to gun violence, I am more committed than ever, and the President is, too," Duncan wrote in a Jan. 16 post on the U.S. Department of Education blog. "Those parents’ unimaginable heartbreak and extraordinary strength must motivate us to act. Now is the time. Our children, families, educators, communities and our country deserve better. We can’t let them down." The event is scheduled for April 10, from 6 to 7:45 p…
Monday, March 25, 2013
Heavy, wet snow fell in the Baltimore area early Monday morning, causing school closings.
Schools are closed Monday in Baltimore County. Citing inclement weather, school officials announced that classes were closed, after initially declaring a two-hour delay on the Baltimore County Public Schools website early Monday morning. Harford County Public Schools are also closed Monday. Baltimore City Public Schools are on spring break. Stay with Patch for updates.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
In his inaugural State of Schools address, Superintendent Dallas Dance touted plans to produce "globally competitive" graduates.
To succeed in "tomorrow's world," Superintendent Dallas Dance says Baltimore County public school students need to have an edge. "Our goal is not just to help our students graduate on time, but to help them graduate ready to be globally competitive," Dance said during his inaugural State of Schools address at Valley Mansion in Cockeysville on Thursday. "Earning a BCPS diploma needs to have a greater meaning. Our diplomas need to be distinguished for their value." The superintendent revealed his intent to pursue initiatives to ensure that all students will be bilingual upon graduation and that all middle and high school students will be equipped with digital technology as part of meeting that goal. "Technology allows our students access …
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The school system was considering a move to the county-owned Jefferson Building, which is also in Towson.
The people have spoken, and the Baltimore County Board of Education will continue holding its meetings at the school system's Greenwood Campus, at 6901 Charles Street in Towson. Baltimore County Public Schools invited interested parties to share feedback on a proposal to hold school board meetings at the county-owned Jefferson Building, at 105 W. Chesapeake Avenue in Towson, through an online survey. "It seemed to be a fairly substantial majority which indicated that they prefer the arrangement here at Greenwood," said Lawrence Schmidt, board president, at a Tuesday night meeting. Officials said the move would have resulted in efficiencies as some Baltimore County Public Schools offices relocate to the building, saving the system $1.5 …
Arne Duncan is slated to visit Loch Raven High School on April 10.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan is making a third trip to Baltimore County—this time to discuss gun control. "This is a topic he's been very passionate about," said Dallas Dance, superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools. Duncan will hold a town hall meeting at Loch Raven High School on April 10. A precise time has not yet been set. The secretary previously visited Perry Hall High School on Aug. 22, 2012 to discuss education reform as part of a school system professional development event. Less than a week later, Perry Hall High joined the national conversation on gun violence in schools when student Robert Gladden, 15, opened fire in the school's cafeteria, leaving a special needs schoolmate seriously injured. Gladden pleaded…
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Baltimore County Board of Education recently approved a recommendation from Superintendent Dallas Dance to merge three Dundalk schools.
Though they say no definitive plans are in the works, Baltimore County Public Schools officials aren't ruling out the possibility of additional school consolidations—similar to a recent Dundalk merger. "[Superintendent Dallas Dance] has been saying for a while that he's looking for ways to make things run more efficiently for the students," said Charles Herndon, a school system spokesman. The Board of Education approved a merger of Norwood Elementary, Holabird Middle and Eastwood Elementary schools in Dundalk against strong opposition from parents. The consolidation will result in the closure of Eastwood, starting in the 2013-2014 school year. Critics of the proposal accused the school system of caving to the whim of County Executive Kevin…
Nancy Saks
12:45 pm on Friday, May 3, 2013
All school in the country have the same number of school days. The superintendent does not decide this and parents will not be able to change it. Teachers look forward to summer because their job is extremely stressful and they work many 10 - 12 hour days and on the weekends. They are exhausted by this time of year and need a break. more ›