City Schools CONNECT Feb 7, 2023
February 7, 2023
Overview
- Latest News
- Good news!
- Family and Community Board Forum
- School Counselor week
- Winter graduation ceremony
- Join the Community Schools Steering Committee
- FAFSA Fest
- Community Budget Forums
- Kirwan corner
- Enrollment, Choice, and Transfer hours
- February's Under Armour Student-Athletes
- Progress Report - That’s a WIN! Student athletes revel in championships and accomplishments
- City news and more
Ravens Black History Month essay contest
2023 Mayor's Black History Month art contest
The Lyric's Dream Big contest
- Upcoming Events and Dates
📸 Courtesy of James McHenry Elementary/Middle School
Family and Community Board Forum
Please join the Board of School Commissioners for an in-person conversation between the Board and students, families, communities, and staff! Share your thoughts, questions and concerns, and learn how the Board supports City Schools' students, staff, and families.
The Family and Community Board Forum will be held at Edmondson-Westside High School (501 N. Athol Street) on Wednesday, February 8 at 5:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!
Join the Community Schools Steering Committee
Families: We are accepting applications through February 10 for the Community Schools Steering Committee (CSSC)! The CSSC is a group of stakeholders, experts, and community members that promotes, oversees, and evaluates how the Community School Strategy is implemented in City Schools.
Community schools provide services and support that fit each neighborhood’s needs through strategic partnerships with community resources that promote student achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well-being of students, families, and the community.
To learn more about our Community Schools, read this Progress Report!
FAFSA Fest
High school students: Join the Office of College and Career Readiness for FAFSA Fest. Learn how to earn cash for college, where to find financial aid support, get individualized assistance with FAFSA completion and more.
On Thursday, February 23, Counselors and Postsecondary Advisors will support seniors in-school for FAFSA completion. Seniors- reach out to your school's counselor to schedule an appointment.
On Friday, February 24, families and seniors can get individual support with filling out the FAFSA. Sign up for live individual support by clicking HERE, or reach out to your school’s counselor or postsecondary advisor for assistance.
Community Budget Forums
Earlier this year, every school hosted Priority Engagement Sessions to hear from you about your school's priorities as your principal began working on next year's budget. If you have feedback to share about your school's Priority Engagement Session, please do so using this form.
Over the next few weeks, your school will host Community Budget Forums, where you can learn about the school's 2023-24 budget, including how your principal used the feedback from the Priority Engagement Sessions.
Most schools have listed the dates and times of their Community Budget Forums here. Please contact your school leader if you don't see your school listed.
Kirwan Corner
What is Kirwan and what does it mean for City Schools?
The Kirwan Blueprint for Maryland's Future, is a comprehensive overhaul of education funding in Maryland designed to close equity gaps and improve the overall quality of education for all children. The goal is to begin to correct historical underfunding of educational resources, with particular attention to the needs of students from low-income families, English learners, and students with disabilities, and with funding for students who live in areas of concentrated poverty.
To learn more about Kirwan, City Schools hosted 2 public virtual town hall meetings. Click below to watch the town halls.
Part 1- all about early childhood education and college and career readiness.
Part 2- all about high-quality and diverse teachers and leaders and more resources for students.
Enrollment, Choice and Transfer and Multilingual Enrollment and Support Center February hours
The offices of Enrollment, Choice and Transfers (ECT) and the Multilingual Enrollment and Support Center (MESC) have adjusted hours for February. Please see below.
ECT:
Monday to Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday and Friday 12:30 - 4:00 p.m.
MESC:
Monday to Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Baltimore Raven's Black History Month contest
Students are encouraged to enter the Raven's Black History Month essay contest by submitting an essay between 250 - 500 words describing an event that happened in the Black community, either recent or historical, that has had a powerful impact on their lives. The impact can be positive, negative, educational, eye-opening, or anything that sparks emotion and understanding.
The Lyric's Dream Big contest
Students: What are your big dreams for a better world?
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s memory, the Lyric is asking students this question as part of their Dream Big contest. Students in grades five through twelve are eligible to enter the contest with a 300-word essay; a one-page poem, a 60-second edited video, or a visual artwork. Finalists will have the opportunity to share their work on the Lyric’s historic stage and receive a size-able prize package.
The deadline for contest submissions is March 31.
- 8: Family and Community Board Forum - 6 p.m.
- 13: SECAC meeting - 5 p.m.
- 14: Public Board meeting - 5 p.m. (Join HERE)
- 16: Work session for operator renewal - 6:30 p.m. (Join HERE)
- 16: PCAB meeting - 6:30 p.m.
- 17: Professional Development Day- schools closed for students
- 20: Presidents Day: Schools and offices closed
- 21: Operations Committee meeting - 10:30 a.m.
- 21: Policy Committee meeting - 4 p.m.
- 23: Special Public Board meeting - 6 p.m.
