December 9, 2020 -

Our tech support help desk is now open from Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. through 4:15 p.m. The phone number is 443-809-4672.

We hear your questions about report cards, but due to the ransomware attack, we cannot provide report cards and transcripts at this time. Staff are working hard on a solution. For now, parents can log into Schoology through your child’s account to view grades.

For Our Staff:

We are aware that scammers are trying to benefit from the ransomware attack by claiming that they have your personal data and demanding money. If you are contacted, keep any evidence, whether it’s a phone number, email address, text message, a piece of mail, or a social media screenshot. If it’s a phone call, hang up immediately. In all cases, report the incident to 911.

Staff are asked to check your email for instructions about resetting your passwords for Google and Office365 by Friday, December 18.

December 8, 2020 - 

As pleased as we are with the progress that we’ve made so far in our recovery from the ransomware attack, especially in terms of resuming instruction, it’s important for everyone to understand that we have a long way to go.

It was a catastrophic attack because it impacted all systems, and our long-term solutions will take some time. We have only gotten this far because our staff are so dedicated. We are on the right road, but there are still questions that we can’t answer due to the investigation and because we are still working through issues. We ask for your patience as we move forward.

Each high school will offer the PSAT for 11th grade students on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. This is not required. This is an option that allows students to qualify for college scholarships based on their PSAT score.

For high schools, January 26 will be an asynchronous or independent learning day. Mid-terms and final exams should be scheduled to accommodate PSAT Day.
If your 11th grader would like to take the PSAT, please complete the PSAT Participation and Transportation Form by next Wednesday, December 16. The form is also available on the BCPS home page under “For students and families.”

December 7, 2020 -

Our students and teachers are actively reengaged in learning. Our student attendance is returning to levels from before the cyber-attack.

We do have announcements from today’s joint press conference with county officials:

Please note that the ransomware investigation is ongoing, but at this point, we have no evidence of data theft or exfiltration.

We have several partners supporting us in the investigation of the attack and recovery from it. We are working with local and federal law enforcement, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, the State Department of Information Technology, our insurance provider and its investigators, and again the County Executive and his team have provided support from the very beginning of the attack.

As always, we can’t thank you enough for your patience and flexibility, and we can’t thank our staff enough, as they continue to problem-solve and move us forward.

In addition, here are just a few accomplishments from around the school system.
All core instructional resources are available for teachers and students for English language arts, math, science, social studies, health, PE, and fine arts. We are still working on supplemental resources. Teachers are sharing resources and lesson plans with colleagues from across the county. Students are using their voices in positive ways. Meal distribution continued on Monday and Wednesday. And our principals and IT staff worked together to check student and staff devices.

This has only been possible because of teamwork. Thank you to everyone who worked through the holiday and weekend to make this progress, as well as long hours this week, especially our technology and curriculum staff. We are continuing to work through some issues and we will continue to make progress.

Have a great weekend!

We are hearing from schools that our second day of instruction has gone well. Our staff are working hard on providing access to more instructional tools as well as training.
SAT: Nine BCPS high schools will offer the SAT this Saturday, December 5. Those high schools are: Catonsville, Eastern Tech, Kenwood, Loch Raven, Milford Mill Academy, New Town, Parkville, Perry Hall, and Randallstown.

Sports: Due to the increasing COVID-19 infection rates across Baltimore county, the winter athletic season, previously scheduled to start on Monday, December 7, is postponed until further notice. Online registration for winter athletics will remain open through schools. Virtual athletics will continue. Additional information will be provided to students and families as conditions permit. We are continuing to monitor health metrics along with our county medical partners and will share any plans to offer in-person opportunities when the health metrics allow us to do so.