BCPS and NBC News Education Nation want to know: What’s your School Year’s Resolution?

TOWSON, MD. – Even without a ball dropping in Times Square, the annual opening of schools is the other “New Year” for families and communities — and what’s a “New Year” without resolutions?

NBC News Education Nation invites parents, teachers, students, volunteers and school partners to make resolutions for the 2015-2016 school year by pledging how they plan to support the students in their lives. “School Year’s Resolutions” can be submitted on the NBC News Parent Toolkit website, a free online resource that helps parents navigate their children’s development in the classroom and beyond.

As part of its “Back to School Involves You, Too!” campaign, Baltimore County Public Schools encourages Team BCPS members to submit their resolutions through a written response, or by uploading an image or short video on the Parent Toolkit website atwww.ParentToolkit.com/Resolution. Resolutions can also be shared with BCPS via Twitter (@BaltCoPS), Instagram (teambcps), or Facebook (Baltimore County Public Schools).

“Whether it’s packing a healthy lunch, reading every night, or finally mastering fractions, the campaign encourages parents, family members, teachers, and other caregivers to pledge support for the students in their lives and help make this school year a success,” said Soraya Gage, VP, Education, NBC News. Participants who submit resolutions on the Parent Toolkit website by September 8 will also be entered in a weekly drawing to win a $250 gift card for back-to-school supplies.* “The NBC News Parent Toolkit is a one-stop resource featuring tips on how to get involved and support a child’s education and development. Both the website and mobile app feature grade-by-grade benchmarks, health and wellness tips, and advice on emotional and social engagement.”

Education Nation is NBC News’ year-round initiative to engage the country in a solutions-focused conversation about the state of education in America. In 2013, Education Nation launched the Parent Toolkit (www.parenttoolkit.com), which is sponsored by Pearson, as a way to help parents support their child’s academic growth and overall development.

This year’s Back to School Involves You, Too! campaign, supported by the Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, began on Aug. 1, and continues through September. Campaign components include a school supply drive, Parentmobile visits throughout the community, the 4th Annual Back to School Festival, a Savers campaign to support The Education Foundation, a Back to School at Boscov’s event, an attendance public service announcement contest, Baltimore County Day with the Orioles, and a BCPS Parent University workshop for grandparents.

For details about the BCPS Back to School Involves You, Too! campaign, please visit www.bcps.org/teamBCPS/btsiyt/.

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Open only to legal residents of the 50 US or DC who are 18 or older.  Begins August 3, 2015 at 12:00pm ET and ends September 8, 2015 at 12:00pm ET.  Limit one entry per person.  For Official Rules, including odds and prize descriptions, visit ParentToolkit.com Sponsor: NBCUniversal Media, LLC.