Directly Supporting Students and Families
Amidst all of the impactful work happening throughout Baltimore and Maryland to improve education, one fact remains clear: programs that directly support students and communities are crucial. Here are a couple programs managed by the Fund that do that, directly providing students and communities and caregivers with resources and guidance that help them reach their goals.
Under Armour’s Student Athlete Leadership Council
The Under Armour Student Athlete Leadership Council convenes each month – three leaders from every City Schools high school in Baltimore – creating an opportunity for student voice, enhancing leadership and uniting Baltimore City athletics. Since 2018, the Student Athlete Coalition has supported over 120 outstanding Baltimore City Public School student-athletes through more than 2,100 hours of programming.
The programming, led by the Travis Manion Foundation, delivers inspiring mentorship to student-athletes with advice from former professional and collegiate athletes, military veterans, and professionals in a variety of industries. Recent sessions have explored building teams through communication, acting on values, developing leadership skills, and using preparation as a foundation for success.
January’s virtual session featured Alston For Athletes, an organization dedicated to the mental health of student-athletes. The compelling session included tips for navigating remote learning and adjusting to not being able to play the sports they love during the pandemic.
February’s virtual session, which took place this week, focused on the themes of Courage and Perspective.
To learn more about the Under Armour Student Athlete Coalition, the multi-faceted program that includes this Leadership Council, click here.
Chicago Parent Program (ChiPP)
ChiPP is an early-childhood development program for parents of pre-school aged children. The 12-session program – developed by researchers from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing after research conducted in Chicago – guides parents in effective strategies to reduce behavioral challenges, solve common parenting problems, and foster their children’s learning. In its seven years in the city, ChiPP has worked with more than 500 parents.
Virtual spring sessions are now kicking off in five school communities: Commodore John Rodgers School, Dorothy I. Height Elementary School, Lakeland Elementary/Middle School, Liberty Elementary School, and Curtis Bay Elementary School.
ChiPP recently introduced the 3rd edition of its program, based on feedback from Chicago Parent Program group leaders across the country, with new videos, a new narrator, new content, and new overall look. Two of our groups will be implementing these new updates during their spring sessions. For more information on the 3rd edition check out this video.
To learn more about the Chicago Parent Program, visit https://ffee.org/accelerate-solutions/chipp/.
Heart of the Schools Princi-PALentines
City Schools principals do incredible work on behalf of their students, families and communities. To help say thanks, the Heart of the School program invited school communities, families and educators to send some love to their favorite Baltimore City Public School Principal on Valentine’s Day!
The response, in just two short weeks, was fantastic! Dozens and dozens of heartfelt “Princi-PALentine” messages of gratitude and support for principals poured in – all thanking them for their commitment to students, their impact on the community, and what they do every day to ensure students know they are loved. We shared those messages on Valentine’s Day with all school leaders.
Take a look at some of the Princi-PALentines:
Of Note:
Additional insights, updates and resources:
- In honor of Black History Month, check out this list of great resources from The Center For Racial Justice In Education that celebrate the histories, stories, and voices of Black leaders. Click here.
- Teachers: Coach Baltimore City School seniors in writing this summer in the Bloomberg Arts Internship Program. Applications for the paid, part time Writing Coach positions are due March 19th. Details.
- Feedback needed: Baltimore City Public Schools is seeking family feedback on student learning experience. Click here for the survey.
- “Kirwan veto override: Lawmakers take a stand for schools” – Baltimore Sun