A Note from the Fund
For those of us who work with and for schools, the murder of students and teachers in a school building is especially painful. While our hearts break for the families and friends of those who were lost and we worry even more today than yesterday about the well-being of those who are in schools every day, our resolve to continue working to make schools a place where all children can grow, learn, and thrive is steadfast.
Join Us June 21 for the Maryland Education Candidates Forum
The Fund for Educational Excellence is partnering with Baltimoreans for Educational Equity (BEE) to host a Gubernatorial forum on public education Tuesday, June 21st at 5:30 p.m. As education voters, we must demand that the next governor share our commitment to support our students as we fight for a more equitable school system in the wake of the pandemic. Our next Governor must be willing to listen and take decisive action to change the system for our community.
Leading up to the forum, BEE sent a questionnaire to all fourteen candidates running for Governor in 2022. Eight candidates responded. Visit educationcandidates.com, to read the candidate’s responses. Each week via social media, we are calling for candidates to respond to follow up questions through the Question of the Week campaign (#QOTW). You can get involved by retweeting, sharing, and asking candidates to respond. Be sure to follow @BEEQUITY on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more details.
We need a champion who commits and provides the support that our schools and communities need. This is our time to set the agenda with the next leader of Maryland. We hope you’ll join us for this forum. Registrants may tune in virtually or in-person. In-person seating is limited so RSVP today!
Share Some Love for School Staff Update
Earlier this spring, the Heart of the Schools, the Fund for Educational Excellence’s year-round program supporting City Schools principals through grants and events, reached out to several schools to identify additional supports to help the broader school community. What we heard loud and clear from school staff, following a challenging two years, was their desire to hear positive messages from colleagues, students, parents and communities. Since launching the Share Some Love campaigns this past month, 41 schools have signed up and received over 5,500 positive notes — and the number keeps growing!
There’s still time to share some love with your school’s staff. Visit heartoftheschools.org/sharesomelove to write a heartfelt message to a school staff member. All notes will be shared with the person you select before the end of the school year.
The Heart of the Schools recently visited Forest Park High School to partake in the unveiling of their “Park of Appreciation.” With over 500 Share Some Love notes, every Forest Park High School faculty member was recognized with heartfelt messages from students, colleagues, parents and community members. Check out the WBAL segment, below:
‘Thank you isn’t enough’: Teachers, staff recognized in love notes through display
May Heart of the School Fund Grant Funding Update
The Heart of the Schools, the principal-centered program managed by the Fund for Educational Excellence, is thrilled to announce the distribution of over $100,000 in grants to 58 principals for the May Heart of the School Fund deadline. Through our discussions with schools, staff also told us how much they would appreciate flexible funding to come together and celebrate each other. Thus, the Heart of the Schools decided to dedicate the May Heart of the School Fund grant round to recognize and support teachers.
The grants, each ranging from $1,500 to $2,500, will allow schools to commemorate staff for their hard work and dedication to their students. Projects include end of the year celebrations, teacher room makeovers, wellness days and team building retreats. Read the full announcement in the Daily Record and Citybiz.
The Heart of the School Fund grants are distributed six times throughout the year to Baltimore City Public School principals to support projects that enhance their students’ learning, their staff’s growth and their schools. Since 2016, the Heart of the Schools has provided grants for over 175 principal-identified projects that might not otherwise have been funded.
Of Note:
Additional insights, updates and resources:
- Tomorrow, June 1, join MSDE and Community WELL for a Transforming Public Education for Maryland Immigrants — Listening Session with Superintendent Choudhury. Register, here.
- Saturday, June 4, City Schools 8th graders and their families are invited to College Bound’s Success Seminar at Johns Hopkins University from 8 am – 1 pm. Make sure you’re ready to make the most of your high school career as you prepare for college and beyond! Register, here.
- Looking for engaging programs for your kids during the summer? From pre-k to high school students – there’s something for everyone! Learn more about City Schools’ free summer learning programs, here.
- The Baltimore City Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) has launched a website that’s a one stop shop to locate services and resources for families with young children. Check it out, here.