Dear KIPP Baltimore supporters,

 

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well. Since I last wrote to you, we learned that our schools will remain physically closed through the end of this school year. We also learned that Governor Hogan vetoed the Blueprint for Education bill -- the bill that would have provided the significant policy changes and funding increases recommended by the Kirwan Commission to ensure that all Maryland children have access to a world class public education. Now, more than ever, with schools unable to open and too many students struggling to connect to and to access virtual learning, education funding must be a top priority. As we are building plans for how we will safely open and operate our schools next year, we will continue the work of fighting to sustain our schools and work over the long term. We hope that you will join us in imploring the legislature to override that veto in the next legislative session.

 

Now that it has been confirmed that schools will not physically re-open this school year, we are making plans for a strong close to our school year, including virtual celebrations of our 8th graders as they promote to high school, our 5th graders as they promote to middle school, and our Kindergartners as they promote to the 1st grade. While we would have hoped for a different close to our school year, the safety and health of our teachers, students and families is our foremost priority. And, we are using our learnings from this time when we must all stay at home to offer strong virtual summer programming to our alumni and to build strong blended programming for the coming school year.

 

Because of you, KIPP Baltimore is doing today what we have always done -- boldly meeting these challenging times head-on. Our focus on our mission remains unwavering in these uncertain times.

 

• Our 30 minute May E-Gathering is scheduled for Thursday, May 28th at 10:30 am. Hear perspectives from Nancy Poole, High School Placement and Support Counselor, Theresa Bruce, 8th grade Social Studies teacher, and a few members of our eighth grade senior class. Click here to RSVP.

• During the week of May 4th, we felt particularly fortunate to virtually celebrate our outstanding educators during Teacher Appreciation Week. Their contributions are the backbone of our work. They put in countless hours and lead with heart, always keeping KIPPsters as the priority. We applaud their service. 

• In order to stay connected with our 9th and 10th graders, we launched our first virtual Zoom connector meeting. This meeting focused on wellness and stress management strategies. Students learned how to relieve stress and practice some yoga! 

• "Professor Poe" from the  Baltimore Ravens paid a surprise virtual visit to students in Ms. White and Ms. Decator's classroom! Thanks "Professor Poe" for stopping by!  Check out a few pictures from the visit below.

• We are excited to announce that KIPP Through College's Countdown to College program is going virtual! While the program's format is changing, the Pride of 2021, current high school juniors, will still have the opportunity to get a head start on their college application process and reconnect with their KIPP peers. More information to come.