- 5 Things to Know at City Schools
- Calendar Reminder
- Tomorrow: Attend the Safety & Wholeness Committee meeting
- Read through the Winter Break
- Calling All Families: Share Your Voice and Lead the Way with Family University!
- Come to the Student Board Forum
- Language Access
- Submit your School Choice Application
- Share your thoughts on the 2025-26 Calendar
- City Schools Grows in ELA!
- Share Your Feedback on City Schools Policies
- Credit Recovery Opportunities in Third Quarter
- Spreading Good News
- Upcoming Events
- Local News
December 17, 2024
What's Inside
📸 The Health Sciences program at Pimlico Elementary/Middle School in partnership with LifeBridge Health and Sinai Hospital. Congratulations to the students who were recently pinned at the White Coat Ceremony!
Calendar Reminder
Schools will be closed from Monday, December 23, through Wednesday, January 1, and reopen on Thursday, January 2.
The District Office will be closed December 23-27 and December 31-January 1, reopening on Thursday, January 2.
City Schools wishes you a happy and safe winter break!
Tomorrow: Attend the Safety & Wholeness Committee's Off-Site Meeting
The Safety & Wholeness Committee invites families to join its December meeting on Wednesday, December 18, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Western High School library. Families will have the opportunity to share live comments at the meeting. The meeting will also feature student performances, and the Food and Nutrition team will be on-site with taste tests of new menu options!
Reading through the holidays!
As we head into the winter break, we encourage families to keep the joy of reading alive! City Schools students can access the free online library, SORA, which offers thousands of free books, magazines, and more for all ages. It's a great way to relax, explore new stories, and keep reading during the break!
Check the flyer for login instructions, and if you need assistance with gaining access, please get in touch with your school.
Calling All Families: Share Your Voice and Lead the Way with Family University!
City Schools' Family University is seeking families to help design workshops on topics important to YOU!
What do you need to be a partner in your child’s educational journey? Join Family University and other City Schools families to develop a workshop series designed by families for families, to support your student's success. This is a stipend-eligible role. Interested? Sign up with this form!
Come to the Student Board Forum
Join the School Board for a deep conversation about what matters to you! Students can speak freely about their school experience, learn what the Board is doing to support students, and share their thoughts on the Board's current policies. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services will provide refreshments. To register for the event and secure transportation, visit https://bit.ly/studentboardforum2025
Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025
Location: Baltimore Design School
1500 Barclay Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Time: 5-6:30 p.m.
Improving Language Access for Multilingual Families
City Schools is committed to providing translation and interpretation services for all multilingual families. Through the Enhancing Language Access project, City Schools is partnering with its vendor, ACSI, to evaluate and strengthen language services, family engagement, and resources used across the district.
Learn more about this initiative and view the project timeline here.
School Choice Applications
Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Saturday for the Annual School Choice Fair! If you couldn’t attend, you can find all the information about the School Choice process on the City Schools Choice webpage.
Reminder: School Choice applications for traditional schools are due Friday, January 17, in the Student Enrollment Management System (SEMS).
Share your thoughts about the 2025-26 Calendar
City Schools is designing the 2025-26 school year calendar and wants your input on prioritizing time during the school year.
Your feedback is essential in shaping next year’s calendar. Share your thoughts by clicking the link below:
City Schools Grows in ELA!
City Schools students in grades 6 and 7 outpaced their peers across Maryland in English Language Arts (ELA) growth, based on the latest Student Growth Percentiles (SGP) data. Several schools saw remarkable progress, with students demonstrating growth well above statewide averages. Congratulations to our students and staff for their dedication to teaching and learning!
Share Your Feedback on City Schools Policies
Your voice matters! City Schools is seeking feedback on policies under revision, including the Community School Strategy, Student Use of Portable Electronic Devices, and Academic Eligibility for Athletics. Share your thoughts using the Policy Feedback Form. Thank you!
Credit Recovery Opportunity for High School Students
The next credit recovery session begins in the third quarter, with virtual and in-person options available after school and on Saturdays.
Registration for the afterschool program opens December 17 and must be completed with your home school counselor. Saturday program registration will occur in person at Dunbar High School on January 4 and January 11. For more information, contact your home school counselor and visit the City Schools page.
Setting the Record Straight - Grading and Promotion data
Read the latest "Setting the Record Straight" for clarity on grading and promotion data in City Schools. Click HERE.
City Schools Lead in Community School Model
Baltimore City Public Schools is setting a statewide example with its growing community school model, expanding from 50 schools in 2019 to 123 today. Supported by $420 million in Concentration of Poverty Grants, these schools provide essential services like health care, after-school programs, and food markets.
Governor Wes Moore recently visited Holabird Academy to see this innovative strategy in action, and the Maryland State Board of Education invited City Schools to present on their success. Read the full article to learn more!
Tuesday, December 17 - Policy Committee meeting - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18 - Safety & Wholeness Committee meeting - 4 p.m.
Thursday, December 19 - PCAB meeting - 6:30 p.m.
Monday, December 23-Wednesday, January 1 - Schools closed
Thursday, January 2 - Schools and offices reopen
Deadline extended for the Mayor's Black History Month Art Contest!
Attention City Schools students! The deadline for the Mayor's Black History Month Art Contest has been extended to Friday, December 20. Submit your painting, drawing, digital art, or mixed media to honor Black leaders, artists, and trailblazers.
Parents, encourage your young artists to participate! Artwork can be dropped off at City Hall now through Friday, December 20, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For questions, please email childrenandfamilysuccess@baltimorecity.gov.
Enter the WJZ Oratory Contest
Calling all high school students! Speak up about the issues that matter to you! Submit an essay for the WJZ Black History Oratory Competition. Essays are due by January 20, 2025. For more information, visit WJZ. The top three finalists will receive scholarship prize money, and the winners will be announced on TV during WJZ's Black History Oratory Competition Special!
City Schools Helpful Numbers
Main: 443-984-2000
Enrollment: 410-396-8600
Transportation: 410-396-7440
Complaints/ Concerns: 410-545-1870
Special Education Parent Response Unit: 443-984-1561
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Baltimore City Public Schools does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy/parenting status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally or constitutionally protected attributes or affiliations, as outlined in Board Policies JBA, JBB, JICK, ACA, ACB, and ACD. Full nondiscrimination notice: www.baltimorecityschools.org/notice-nondiscrimination