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August 2021
2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR SUCCESS
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The first day of school is right around the corner and Baltimore City students and families are filled with excitement—and some uncertainty and concern. Students will be back in classrooms daily, in-person with their teachers and peers, for the first time in 1-1/2 years.
We’re also hearing from Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools), other city agencies and the many community partners we’ve worked closely with to support students and families throughout the pandemic about all the pieces that are in place to make the 2021-22 school year safe, and position our 78,000 students for success.
In this newsletter we share where to find key resources and support, and what some students and parents are looking forward to, starting on Monday, August 30.
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Nyheim’s Diploma Mission
After years of struggling with “a lack of motivation,” Nyheim Wheeler, 16 and a student at Renaissance Academy, is all in on school.
“He’s really changed” says Renaissance science instructor Nicole Matthews. As evidence of that change, Renaissance staff chose Nyheim to host an in-person dialogue held by Mayor Brandon Scott at Renaissance with youth this spring as part of the first Mayor’s Youth Summit. Nyheim’s Summit participation has since led to a steady presence at City Hall as informal advisor to the Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success on all things youth engagement.
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“I never really put my all into school,” Nyheim says. “I was going through a lot and I wasn’t there mentally. I started going towards the end of the year because I found out what I wanted to become”—a serial entrepreneur.
Once he graduates high school, Nyheim plans to cut hair, cut grass, wash cars and try his hand at investing. But for now, he’s focused on school: He says all of his options are tied directly to him graduating. And he’s studying those who are already succeeding at the jobs he wants to do, and surrounding himself with adults who can guide him. This summer, Nyheim researched barber schools and getting a barber’s license, and found a barber to be his mentor.
“I’m trying to make sure my grades are excellent this year by staying focused and reminding myself what’s on the line,” he says.
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Mayor’s Annual Backpack Giveaway
Still need school supplies for the 2021-22 school year? The culminating AFRAM event this Thursday, August 26, also includes the Mayor’s Annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway. Parents—get your backpack ticket at the AFRAM check-in table when you arrive, then turn it in to get backpacks for your children (filled with school supplies) at the Backpack table starting at 3pm—while supplies last. Students must be present to receive backpacks.
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Thursday, August 26
AFRAM Festival 3-10pm
Backpack Giveaway 3pm—while supplies last
Middle Branch Park
3301 Waterview Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21230
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Head Start Centers Open September 7
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A week after the big kids go back to school, many of Baltimore’s littlest students will start school for the very first time. On Tuesday, September 7, 3- and 4-year-olds will attend Head Start centers in-person across the city, and begin to build their foundation for K-12 academic success. Baltimore City Head Start offers free early childhood development for income-eligible families and still has openings for the 2021-22 school year. Learn more and apply here. |
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Geoff Brown is a longtime Baltimore City teacher and father of two brand new City Schools students: 3-year-old twins, Cora and Malcolm, who will be starting pre-k. Brown, a teacher at Benjamin Franklin High School, is ready to get back into classrooms after the challenges of virtual teaching and learning. But his biggest excitement rests closer to home.
“I’m most excited for [my children],” he says. “Even if they’re masked up, at least they will get to be in the presence of other children.”
As for Cora and Malcolm, they’re looking forward to just learning—especially about “colors” and “birds.”
It’ll be a transition, for sure, Brown says—from home and a summer of sandcastles and museums to a daily school-based routine. But he’s ready. “We’ll make it work!” he says.
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Keeping Schools and Students Healthy
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City Schools is taking these key steps to keep students and schools healthy this school year:
- Partnering with the Baltimore City Health Department to make sure families have access to COVID-19 vaccines at school and community vaccine sites citywide
- Using specialized air filters and purifiers to help minimize infectious transmissions in school buildings
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- Cleaning and disinfecting school buildings with products designed to combat COVID-19
- Requiring indoor face coverings
- Maximizing physical distancing
- Providing on-site COVID-19 testing for students with COVID-like symptoms
- Encouraging handwashing routines
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Visit City Schools back-to-school safety webpage for more about school-based safety protocols.
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New Year, New & Beautiful Schools
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When students start school this year, many will enter new or renovated buildings. City Schools has upgraded seven school buildings during the pandemic, and through a partnership with KABOOM!, one school has a brand new playground. Visit City Schools’ Facebook page for ribbon-cutting celebrations with Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the school communities, and to see up-close the learning environments all of our students deserve. |
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While school buildings have been getting upgrades, one group of young artists has been adding to Baltimore’s rich collection of community murals. Art@Work is a five-week mural artist apprenticeship program through the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts for youth ages 14-21 who are hired through YouthWorks to create neighborhood beautification projects. This summer’s project—Together Govans—converted a bare brick wall at 4300 York Rd. into a brilliant display of love, strength and perseverance. Visit @govansguardians and @yorkroadcommunity on Instagram for photos chronicling the effort.
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Your Pratt Library Card—Don’t Start School Without It!
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The Enoch Pratt Free Library has a webpage packed with resources to make the return to school smooth and successful for students and families. All students need is a library card and they can access everything from free online tutors and a 24-hour writing lab to hot spots and Chromebooks. Check out the page here, with targeted resources for elementary, middle and high school students.
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For middle and high school students: The central branch’s Early Teen Center for Learning and Leadership offers reading materials, art supplies and a wide range of technology. More info here.
HERE'S TO A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR!
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@bmorechildren | #loveoverfear
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Copyright © 2021 City of Baltimore All Rights Reserved. |
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