A Time To Say Thanks
This Thanksgiving, the Fund for Educational Excellence extends our thanks to all the members of our community who are working to support one another. Many people have risen to the challenges we’re facing with inspiring determination, admirable flexibility, and genuine compassion. Here are just a few of them:
Principals: Thank you for your leadership, for working every day to ensure students continue learning, for helping staff navigate the new landscape in ways that best serve students and families, and for your kindness.
Parents: Thank you for your flexibility, for becoming a part-time teacher while being a full-time parent, for juggling the challenging requirements in these moments, and for supporting your children.
Teachers: Thank you for adapting your teaching into something entirely new, for making students smile, for giving them hope, and for showing love and patience in spite of immeasurable obstacles. Your tireless commitment to ensuring students have access to engaging and quality instruction, often going above and beyond what’s expected of your role, is recognized and greatly appreciated by the Baltimore community.
Students: Thank you for inspiring us with your ideas, impressing us with your determination, and for showing us new perspectives and mindsets that motivate us to continue pushing for progress.
Advocates: Thank you for the work you do to make the world a better place, to make sure all voices are heard, and to ensure all students have access to an excellent education.
Supporters: Thank you for helping us work towards our vision of an exceptional City Schools system where students of every race and socioeconomic background attend high performing schools and graduate with promising choices for their futures, for believing in the potential of all Baltimore students, and for committing to the positive changes we seek.
Thank You
Heart of the Schools Celebrates Principals
The hard work of City Schools principals continues – and so does Heart of the Schools’ acknowledgment of their commitment and enthusiasm. On Saturday, November 7, masked district leaders and community volunteers honored principals at the Heart of the Schools Drive Thru For You – a socially-distanced thank you event in the Poly/Western parking lot in North Baltimore.
The nearly 100 City Schools principals who rolled through the drive-through were met with cheers, signs, and a stream of gifts including a catered meal, athletic masks from Under Armour, wine from The Wine Collective and goodies from Heart of the Schools supporters like Kaiser Permanente and M&T Bank. The excitement was palpable, as school leaders and educators revelled at seeing each other beyond a screen and principals felt the community’s appreciation for their work.
To all who helped make this event possible – including Heart of the Schools sponsors and supporters, Baltimore City Public Schools, and the principals themselves, thank you! Take a look at some photos from the wonderful day.
To learn more about Heart of the Schools, the year-round program managed by the Fund that celebrates and thanks Baltimore City Public School principals, visit heartoftheschools.org.
Learn More About Us in Our Snapshot
Interested in a concise, simple summary of the Fund’s work and all of our programs? Check out our new “Snapshot” brochure and spread the word to those who may not be familiar with our work! https://ffee.org/snapshot/
Of Note:
Additional insights, updates and resources:
- Families without high-speed internet at home who are unable to afford the costs may qualify for free internet and/or a hotspot. Click here for details.
- Baltimore City schools will scale back its reopening plan due to rising coronavirus cases. Baltimore Sun.
- Our next School Choice Virtual Workshop is today! This on-demand session helps guide families and students in the City Schools choice process. Learn more and register here. We will be facilitating more School Choice Workshops virtually over the coming weeks. Be sure to follow our social media for upcoming announcements!
- The Black Principals Network seeks school leaders who are committed to advancing racial justice, pursuing liberation and deepening their leadership skills. Submit an interest form to join today.
- The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners is looking to recruit two candidates to join the vital work of uplifting Baltimore City’s children and leading Baltimore City Public Schools. Applications are due Wednesday, November 25th. Apply here.