by Fronda Cohen, Baltimore County Office of Communications

We are all clinging to the last weeks of summer vacation, but it’s time to get down to business and check off the back to school list. Help is on the way from Baltimore County.

Games, Music and Free School Supplies

Fun! Festivals! Friends and family! Start the school year off on a fun and productive foot by enjoying entertainment and gearing up with school supplies at Back to School events hosted by Baltimore County Public Schools and Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore. 

Baltimore County Public Schools Back To School Festival

Join Baltimore County Public Schools at a free outdoor festival to celebrate the upcoming 2017-2018 school year. Visit the Mobile Innovation Lab, climb up on a working fire engine and see an antique fire engine. Learn more about supporting student success on the BCPS Parentmobile. See how good you are with hula hoops and jump ropes. Enjoy the psychedelic funk of special musical guest The Groove Machine – a band comprised of seven Grade 10 students at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. This event is sponsored by The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools. Backpacks filled with school supplies, donated by Patient First, will be awarded as door prizes every 15 minutes.

Saturday, August 26, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Boscov’s at White Marsh Mall, lower parking lot
8200 Perry Hall Boulevard, 21236

Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore 6th Annual Back To School Event

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and BCPS Interim Superintendent Verletta White co-host  the popular resource fair and backpack giveaway, sponsored by the Kevin Liles For A Better Baltimore Foundation, Inc. “Protecting and Serving Our Communities” is the theme of the day, with educational games, free backpacks and free school supplies for Baltimore County school children of all ages. Children must be present to receive giveaways and supplies are limited, so plan to arrive early.

Immunizations a Must

No shot. No record. No school! Be sure your child’s shots are up-to-date before school starts. Check Maryland State vaccine requirements for students enrolled in school or preschool. Immunizations save lives and prevent serious complications from infections. Getting immunized protects you and those around you, and are required for all Baltimore County students. If your child needs shots, several clinics are scheduled across the County.

Clinics

August 22        Essex Health Center and Hannah More Health Center

August 25        Dundalk Health Center and Liberty Family Resource Center

September 9     Eastern Family Resource Center and Woodlawn Health Center

September 23   Eastern Family Resource Center and Woodlawn Health Center

Walk-ins August 28-September 28

Walk-ins for school immunizations will be accepted at all seven Baltimore County health centers from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, August 28 to September 28, 2017.

• Baltimore Highlands-Lansdowne
• Dundalk Health Center
• Eastern Family Resource Center
• Essex Health Center
• Hannah More Health Center
• Liberty Family Resource Center
• Woodlawn Health Center

Do it early. If your child has not received the required immunizations by September 25, he or she will be excluded from school.

Get ready - first day back to school is Tuesday, September 5, 2017.  

New Mobile Adoption Center to Debut this Fall

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz invites animal lovers to suggest possible names for the County’s new mobile adoption center that will visit communities, beginning this fall, to offer convenient opportunities for people to adopt pets from Baltimore County Animal Services.

“We are very proud of our success in increasing the rates of adoptions and live releases from our animal shelter and this new mobile unit is another tool that will help us find good homes for our adoptable pets,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. “We are excited to see what clever ideas people come up with.”

The County launched the naming contest today on Facebook and will review submissions received over the next week, posting the three best suggestions so the public can vote for their favorite one. Online suggestions must be posted as a comment on the original Facebook post, or people may email them to animalservices@baltimorecountymd.gov or stop by Baltimore County Animal Services in Baldwin.

by Jeanette Garcia Polasky, Communications Specialist, Baltimore County Department of Public Works

Do you keep unwanted but reusable items around the house because you can’t find a way to reuse or recycle them, and sending them to the landfill is wasteful? Do you ever think to yourself, “But I might need that someday,” when considering what to do with something you haven’t used in years? Have you ever tried to downsize your household inventory, only to find yourself traipsing down memory lane, too sentimental to get rid of even the most commonplace items, like that waffle maker you received as a wedding gift and used only twice?

If so, we have a thing or two in common. At home in a crawlspace, I've been storing a lot of items I no longer use, such as:

• The old desktop computer I used to write countless college papers;
• A collapsible rowing machine, a fitness ball and a set of small weights from numerous attempts to get into shape;
• Four huge boxes of clothing (because, you never know, they may come back in style, and I just might fit back into those jeans someday);
• A bag of cheap stuffed animals I’ve won at carnivals (because I’m such a grown-up);
• Plus two home entertainment systems, cell phones, crutches, linens, a coffee table and two rugs – all items I've replaced with newer versions.

But all of that changes this weekend. I am emptying the crawlspace and will begin donating, selling or recycling everything in it.

Sounds like a tedious task, right? Once I’ve finished clearing out the space and sorting everything in it, who will want my old electronics, clothes, housewares and equipment? It seems I’ll have to do a lot of homework to find someone willing to accept my materials.

Actually, it won’t be difficult at all thanks to the Baltimore County 2017 Reuse Directory. The Reuse Directory lists organizations throughout greater Baltimore that accept various items and materials for reuse. Many of these are nonprofit organizations that provide donated resources to people in need, but the directory also lists businesses that buy specific items and even some companies that recycle materials the County doesn’t accept at its materials recovery facility. Some of the organizations listed will even pick up your unwanted stuff!

Why should you make your unwanted items available for reuse instead of throwing them away? As noted in the directory, reuse:

• Lowers disposal costs.
• Conserves space in the landfill.
• Helps other people and organizations.
• Saves money, energy and natural resources.
• Reduces air and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The 2017 Reuse Directory (PDF) includes links to the participating organizations’ websites. You can search the directory on your computer or in your mobile web browser. Printed copies of the directory are available at a Baltimore County library or senior center near you.

Whether you are looking to make some extra room in your house or you're replacing old items with new ones, consult the Baltimore County Reuse Directory to find organizations that will give or sell your unwanted items to someone who can use them!

Three Locations to Feature Giveaways, Information and Activities for Students

School children from around Baltimore County are invited to celebrate the beginning of the new school year at back-to-school events at three locations the afternoon of Tuesday, August 29. The events are co-hosted by the Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore Foundation, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Baltimore County Public Schools Interim Superintendent, Verletta White.

The events are scheduled on Tuesday, August 29 from 3p.m. to 7 p.m. at these locations:

Banneker Community Center

27 Main Avenue

Catonsville, MD 21228

 

Randallstown Community Center 3505 Resource Drive

Randallstown, MD 21133

 

Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center

323 Sollers Point Road

Dundalk, MD 21222

Events will feature:

• free backpacks with school supplies (Children must be present to receive giveaways, which are available while supplies last.)
• health information
• Police officers, fire personnel, fire engines, police cars, K-9 dogs, McGruff the crime dog, CPR demonstrations
• resources from non-profit and community organizations

“For six years we have been able to help students in Baltimore County, thanks to the commitment of Kevin Liles and his foundation,” County Executive Kamenetz said. “Our back-to-school events give students and families an opportunity to get engaged in the community and start the school year off on a positive note.”

“Growing up in Baltimore has given me a special connection to our communities and a desire to help grow and support our children and families here. I am humbled to know that my achievements serve as a platform that inspires kids to accomplish their goals and take advantage of educational opportunities,” said Kevin Liles, CEO and Founder of 300 Entertainment and of KWL Enterprises. 

“The start of a brand new school year is an exciting time for students, parents, educators, and the entire Team BCPS community,” said Interim Superintendent White. “Partnering with County Executive Kamenetz and the Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore Foundation allows us to help our students arrive at school next week equipped with the items they will need to help launch a successful and productive school year.”

About Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore Foundation:

The mission of the Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore Foundation is to improve the quality of life for youth in the Greater Baltimore area. The foundation provides young people with exposure to social, educational, economic, cultural and civic opportunities that they may not otherwise experience.