June Newsletter

Read below for news on:

• A Message from the Fund for Educational Excellence
• Supporting Baltimore through COVID-19
• COVID-19 Food Security Fund Awards Grants to Organizations
• Blog Series: Educator and Student Perspectives on COVID-19
• Of Note; News and Updates

A Message from the Fund for Educational Excellence

The Fund will continue to act, to learn and to challenge ourselves to do better and be better in the fight for racial justice and equity. Read our June 3rd statement here: https://bit.ly/2XtvGTf

To our Black colleagues, partners, friends and fellow Americans—we see you, we hear you, we stand with you. Black Lives Matter.

Supporting Baltimore through COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic has spread throughout Baltimore, communities, organizations, Baltimore City Public Schools, companies and leaders have been working together to provide new resources, funding and programs. As a community, it is crucial that the lessons we learn through this period result in lasting change with programs and policies that ensure all students, no matter their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status, have access to an excellent education and a fulfilling life.

The Fund for Educational Excellence is supporting Baltimore’s students, educators, families and organizations with technology access, food stability and programs and resources that keep children learning. Take a look at what we’ve been up to:

Baltimore City Public Schools Emergency Support Fund: The Fund for Educational Excellence is managing the Baltimore City Public Schools Emergency Support Fund, which is seeking donations to provide food to students and their families and support families’ immense need for the technology and internet access. Find details and donate at https://ffee.org/donate/

COVID-19 Food Stability Fund: The Fund worked with 11 local companies to create and manage the COVID-19 Food Stability Fund, which supports organizations delivering food to Baltimore children, families and seniors in need. To date, this fund has raised $1.3 million thanks to the generous support of The Baltimore Ravens and The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation, Bank of America, Bloomberg Philanthropies, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), Comcast, BGE/Exelon/Constellation, Legg Mason, M&T Bank, T. Rowe Price, Under Armour and Wells Fargo.

Technology Access: In Baltimore City, nearly one in three students lack access to the technology they need to learn remotely. The urgency to keep students learning required quick action by Baltimore City Public Schools. The Fund is supporting the district in finding and purchasing laptops to deliver to students.

Many families in Baltimore do not have internet access. The Fund is working with the district and partners to develop a comprehensive internet strategy that includes hot spots, Comcast Internet Essentials, and a mesh network pilot.

Programs and Resources: The Baltimore Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (GLR), the literacy-focused program managed by the Fund, has partnered with several local bookstores to distribute books to families at Liberty Elementary School and Henderson-Hopkins School. Each school received 111 bags of books appropriate for children from birth to age 13. These books will provide a jump-start for summer reading as school has wrapped up for the year.

As part of the Fund’s next research report, our Analysis and Engagement team has connected with 237 high school students to understand their experiences with public transit commuting to and from school. We are starting analysis and look forward to sharing results.

COVID-19 Food Stability Fund Awards $650K+ in Grants to Local Organizations

The COVID-19 Food Stability Fund has awarded $659,000 in grants to 50 Baltimore organizations providing food to Baltimore City children, families and seniors.

Ranging from $2,500 to $15,000, the grants will allow the organizations to expand programs that secure and deliver meals, groceries, and prepared foods to Baltimore families and seniors in neighborhoods with a deficit of food options.

Find additional details and the list of recipient organizations here.

Baltimore City Principals, Teachers and Students Reflect on COVID-19

Our series of blog posts by principals exploring how they are leading schools in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has been expanded to include insights from teachers and students. Find their articles with ideas, perspectives and lessons learned, below.

Teacher Perspectives:

• LaQuisha Hall, Carver-Vocational Technical High School. Read her post.
• Sidney Thomas Holabird Academy. Read her post.
• Wyatt Oroke, City Springs Elementary/Middle School. Read his post.
• Kayir Butts, Waverly Elementary/Middle School. Read his post.

Principal Perspectives:

• Dr. Katrina Foster, Hampden Elementary/Middle School. Read her post.
• Joe Manko, Liberty Elementary School. Read his post.
• David Guzman, Mary E. Rodman Elementary School. Read his post.
• Zaharah Valentine, Baltimore Design School. Read her post.

Student Perspectives:

• Dyelle Washington, Renaissance Academy. Read her post.
• Stephanie Estep, Benjamin Franklin High School. Read her post.
• Madison Hall, Bard High School Early College. Read her post.
• Kyia Williamson, Benjamin Franklin High School. Read her post.

Of Note:

Additional insights, updates and resources.

• Tonight, June 18 at 5:45pm, join ACLU of Maryland, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., Baltimore Algebra Project, Baltimore Teachers Union, and Arts Every Day in the virtual town hall, Baltimore City – Our Children’s Education Matters! Learn more and register here.  
• Share the Love: the 2020 Heart of the School Awards may be postponed, but thanking our principals is as important now as ever. Help do that by submitting a message or story of appreciation and thanks to be shared with our school leaders and the public. Share some love for principals here.
• ICYMI: The Fund for Educational Excellence recently launched its new website with thorough information about our work and our perspectives. Check it out: ffee.org 
• Spread the word: Philanthropy Tank is seeking applications from Baltimore students interested in spearheading a community development project of their own. If selected, students will be granted $15K. Deadline: 7/2. Apply here.