Release Date: 11/12/2008 Contact: Todd Porter, 410-887-4292, ext. 341
Diana L. Spencer, 410-887-4243

November episode of "BCPS News" on the air

One story explores how teachers are involving more families in practicing reading strategies at home

TOWSON, MD. (November 12, 2008) – A new episode of the award-winning “BCPS News” show, which highlights Baltimore County Public Schools’ achievements and progress, is on the air throughout the month of November.

Produced monthly during the school year by The Education Channel of Baltimore County Public Schools, “BCPS News” airs daily at 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. on Comcast Cable Channel 73 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35 in Baltimore County.

The episode for November includes stories about:

  • How teachers use “Family Story Time” at Sandy Plains Elementary School to involve more families in practicing reading strategies at home.

  • More than 1,200 Baltimore County middle school students participating in “FMA Live!” and learning more about Newton's laws of motion through this award-winning, hip-hop science education program sponsored by NASA and Honeywell.

  • The work done by Cockeysville Middle School students to create tiles for a ceramic mural, as part of the Middle School Program of the Baltimore-based National Museum of Ceramic Art and Glass.

  • How one teacher, Justin Pugh at Pine Grove Elementary School, uses music that he writes and performs as one of his many instructional tools.

  • The participation of 17 county schools in Pinwheels for Peace, an international celebration that encourages students to express – through writing and art – their ideas about peace.

  • Pumpkin carving by students in the Fundamentals of Art classes at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts and their donations of their carved pumpkins to the annual Dundalk Renaissance Corporation’s Family Festival.

Every year, The Education Channel selects a new team of students to work on the program as reporters and anchors. Through this internship, students gain experience in public speaking, interviewing, writing, and editing, and learn more about career options in broadcasting.

The “BCPS News” student reporters for the 2008-2009 school year are: Alexandria Benford, Rebecca Bormel, Molly Massa, Elise Myers, Matthew Rossiter, Michelle Sauers, and Erica Windwer – all from George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology.

Airing immediately after “BCPS News” is “BCPS-On the Move!,” a program which follows Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston, Baltimore County Board of Education members and other leaders as they mark the progress of the school system. The latest episode of “BCPS – On the Move!” includes stories on the ribbon-cutting at Vincent Farm Elementary School, the Kids Helping Hopkins kick-off, annual conference of the Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics (which was held at Eastern Technical High School), and the annual Essex-Middle River-White Marsh Chamber of Commerce Principals’ Breakfast.

Since 1983, The Education Channel has produced original taped programming, interactive instructional programming, interactive DVDs, commercial satellite downlinks, and live telecasts to serve the instructional and informational needs of the students, educators, and citizens of Baltimore County. The Education Channel also provides opportunities for BCPS students, staff, and stakeholders to learn about and gain experience in television and video production.

Other original programming airing on The Education Channel includes “High School Sports Scene,” “Math Homework Helpers,” “SAT Review,” “Student Art Break,” “Student Production Showcase,” “Up Beat,” and “The Chalkboard.” The Education Channel also records and airs public meetings of the Baltimore County Board of Education, systemwide music events, and other special activities.

A viewing schedule for The Education Channel is available at www.bcps.org/apps/edchannel_schedule/.

Visit the BCPS News Archive to explore more BCPS news!