Read below for news on:
- Baltimore Beyond Graduation Virtual Round-Table
- Fund programs shift to virtual
- The Fund welcomes Patrick Locklin
- Of Note; News and Updates
Next Thursday, 8/27: Baltimore Beyond Graduation Round-Table
It’s one week away! The Baltimore Beyond Graduation Virtual Round-Table – a free question and answer session with recent Baltimore City Public School graduates – will give current students a look at the many options and paths available to them after graduation. Join the conversation at 1pm on Thursday, August 27 on Zoom. Spread the word to students you know! You must register in order to join!
Held in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools’ Navigator Center, Baltimore Beyond Graduation connects current students with recent City Schools’ graduates, providing first-hand perspective and experience-based advice to students about their future options. Students will hear from and ask questions of panelists who have each taken a unique post-high school path, including four year college, two year college and vocational school.
To learn more about Bmore Ready, the Fund’s college and career-readiness program organizing this event, visit bmoreready.org. From guidance on college applications and financial aid to advice on the transition to life after high school, Bmore Ready offers robust support to students approaching graduation.
A Virtual Fall at the Fund for Educational Excellence
With Baltimore City Public Schools beginning the school year virtually, the Fund’s wide-ranging programs and services are being delivered flexibly while prioritizing continuity of service in order to support students, families, educators and organizations. The idea is simple: no matter the challenges faced by a society, a community, a family or a student, a quality education must be accessible to all.
Here is a look at how our programs are now – in this virtual context – working to do just that:
- Grade Level Reading: The Baltimore Campaign for Grade Level Reading (GLR) – the Fund program supporting early childhood literacy – is working with Baltimore City Public Schools to create literacy tip sheets that align with student curriculum. The sheets help parents and care providers as they support student learning and reading at home. The tip sheets add to GLR’s existing series of literacy resources for families, found here.
- School Choice Workshops: Our series of workshops supporting students and families through the school choice process of selecting their Middle or High School will shift to a virtual experience this year. Workshop attendees will gain understanding of the process, review the factors that impact choice options such as composite scores, and prepare to pursue their preferred options. Dates and registration will be announced later this fall.
- Baltimore City Transportation Report: Over the spring and summer, we completed more than 250 virtual interviews with current high school students for our upcoming research report exploring the impact of transportation on education in Baltimore. Interviewees shared experiences with and perspectives on getting to and from school, and how it impacts their learning. The report will be released in early 2021. To explore our past research, click here.
- Technology and COVID-19 Support: The Fund continues to support City Schools in securing the technology necessary to keep kids learning remotely – focusing on purchasing laptops, and building a comprehensive internet access strategy. We have raised $3.3 million in contributions for two COVID-19 related funds: City Schools’ Emergency School Closure Family Support Fund and the COVID-19 Food Stability Fund – a partnership with local corporations. To learn more or support the Emergency School Closure fund, click here.
- Baltimore Student Athlete Coalition: Under Armour’s Baltimore Student Athlete Coalition, managed by the Fund, is working to ensure that students will return to a first class athletic experience at school. The next round of high school gym renovations is set to begin soon. Updates include state-of-the-art flooring and equipment. In addition, the program’s Student Athlete Leadership Council, a mentorship cohort for student athletes from every Baltimore high school, is continuing with a virtual experience.
- Heart of the Schools: While our annual May awards event was canceled, the Heart of the Schools team has been planning a series of celebratory moments to honor the 2020 honorees, as well as some ideas to uplift all principals. In addition, the Heart of the School Fund – a grant program supporting principals and schools – is ongoing; the next application deadline for principals to submit projects is September 1. Learn more about Heart of the Schools at heartoftheschools.org.
Welcome, Patrick Locklin
The Fund for Educational Excellence happily welcomes Patrick Locklin as our new Director of Finance. Patrick manages our organization’s day-to-day finances, including financial reporting, budget development, and general accounting services. A licensed CPA in Maryland, Patrick has six years of experience in nonprofit financial management with a focus on building systems, policies, and procedures to ensure the integrity of financial information while improving the efficiency and ease of use for users.
Of Note:
Insights, updates and resources.
- New board members: the Fund is thrilled to welcome Dora Daniel, Neill Thupari & Russell Moore to our board. They each bring invaluable skills and perspectives, and a passion for Baltimore, learning and helping our students reach their potential. Read more in the Daily Record: https://bit.ly/2FbitrC
- Grant opportunity: the Baltimore Community Foundation is seeking proposals from community-based organizations that support public school students, staff, and families in Baltimore City and Baltimore County in the upcoming school year. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/31MSYVm
- Devices available: Beginning Monday, August 24, families may pick up devices and hotspots at their children’s schools – masks required. Learn more about City Schools’ device distribution at https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/devices-hotspots
- Re-opening Schools: check out this insightful article featuring perspective from five experts, including Dr. Sonja Santelises, on reopening schools and accelerating student learning: https://bit.ly/3azhFbT