December 19, 2023, Staff and Community Update: Highlights from the Superintendent’s Press Conference
WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE
Dr. Myriam Rogers (Yarbrough) held a media availability today, December 19, to share important system updates. Dr. Rogers announced the launch of a new partnership with Talkspace, shared highlights of BCPS’ 2023 Maryland School Report Card results, and provided updates on prekindergarten expansion and the Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget process. Dr. Rogers also answered questions from the media.
Talkspace Launch
- BCPS is pleased to announce a new partnership with Talkspace , a leading online behavioral health care company, to provide free, unlimited telehealth therapy for all BCPS high school students ages 13 and above. More than 32,000 BCPS students now have access to high-quality, messaging therapy and evidenced-based mental health resources.
- This districtwide program offers support at a critical time, given that teenagers across the country are facing rapidly rising rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide, according to the CDC.
- Eligible students interested in therapy can sign up, take a brief assessment specific for teens, and get matched with a dedicated, licensed therapist. Once matched, therapy sessions take place on Talkspace’s secure and encrypted platform, accessible from the teens’ smartphones, tablets or computers. Students can communicate with their therapists at any time with an unlimited number of private messages at no cost.
- To be eligible for this program, students must be enrolled in a BCPS high school and be over the age of 13 at the time of signup. Eligible teens can sign up for unlimited messaging therapy and gain access to Talkspace Go, a comprehensive teen mental health self-guided program.
- More information on the program, including registration and parental/legal guardian consent, is available online. High school students can use the keyword bcps to register.
Resources
WATCH VIDEO: BCPS Parent Webinar (vimeo.com)
BCPS-FAQs-Parents-and-Guardians
BCPS-FAQs-Parents-and-Guardians SPANISH
BCPS-FAQs-Students
BCPS postcard
BCPS postcard SPANISH
2023 Maryland Report Cards
- Last week, the Maryland State Department released new accountability information for BCPS and all other school systems in the state.
- According to the state’s data, three Baltimore County public schools – Eastern Technical High School, West Towson Elementary School, and Pinewood Elementary School – are among the four highest rated schools in Maryland, and more than 65 percent of BCPS schools retained the same MSDE Star Rating while the state saw an overall decline in ratings.
- The 2022-2023 report cards serve as a baseline for future report cards and returned to the full assessment method outlined in the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan
- While we are encouraged by the results which highlight the success of many Team BCPS schools, we know that there is much more work to be done to ensure that every school in our system is meeting the needs of students and successfully preparing them to thrive in college, careers, or the military.
- BCPS uses multiple and frequent measures of students’ progress, and we have a comprehensive strategy for student success that is centered on increasing achievement for all students and providing a variety of pathways. The MD report card data provides an important, but limited snapshot of our system, and BCPS remains focused on its critical work to transform student learning.
Prekindergarten Expansion
- At the November press conference, Dr. Rogers shared that beginning in January 2024, BCPS will open two, full-day prekindergarten classes at Dogwood Elementary School. We are pleased to share that Lyons Mill Elementary School will also open 1 full-day prekindergarten class in January.
- School staff will be working with parents/guardians to enroll during the weeks following Winter Break so that students are ready to begin attending on January 22, 2024. This is an exciting opportunity for the Lyons Mill school community to have access to full-day pre-K.
- We are thankful for the support of our county executive, the Baltimore County Director of Recreation and Parks, and other county partners who are working with us to expand access to our youngest learners.
Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget Process
- The Team BCPS community is invited to join the superintendent at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 8 at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology as she presents her proposed Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget.
- As Dr. Rogers has engaged with our staff, families and stakeholders over the last several months in conversations about the budget, it is clear that there are many priority areas for our system.
- Members of the Team BCPS community have shared that they want to see strategic investments in safety and security, teacher recruitment and retention, expanded programs and opportunities for students and much more. Their input and insights helped shape the request that Dr. Rogers will submit to the Board in just a few short weeks.
- If you can’t join us in person, be sure to tune in online.