- 5 Things to Know at City Schools
- Tonight at 6 p.m. let's talk about artificial intelligence (AI)
- Nominate the 2025 Teacher of the Year!
- Come to the Safety and Wholeness Listening Session
- Watch the Winter Graduation
- Save the date for pre-K and kindergarten registration
- Apply for YouthWorks
- Read an update about City Schools health curriculum
- Spreading Good News
- Upcoming Events
- Local News
February 4, 2025
What's Inside
5 Things to Know at City Schools
Tonight at 6 p.m. let's talk about AI
City Schools invites students, families, staff, and the community to a discussion about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Let’s discuss how AI is used in our school district.
Public Information Session
(Staff are also welcome to attend)
Date: Tuesday, February 4
Time: 6 p.m.
Zoom link: https://bcps-k12-md-us.zoom.us/j/83597985781
Nominate the 2025 Teacher of the Year!
Do you know an exceptional teacher who inspires excellence and community in the classroom? Nominate them for the 2025 Teacher of the Year award! Students, families, or staff can nominate now through February 14. Click here to nominate your extraordinary teacher!
Come to the Safety and Wholeness listening session
Your voice matters! The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners' Safety and Wholeness Committee invites you to a community listening session on Wednesday, February 12, at Forest Park High School (3701 Eldorado Ave, Baltimore, MD 21207) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Speak directly with the committee about your ideas on improving school safety and student well-being. Learn how the committee is actively addressing safety concerns and find ways you can get involved in this important work.
Light refreshments will be served.
Watch the Winter Graduation
Our winter graduation is Saturday, February 22, at 11 a.m. Join us in celebrating our mid-year graduates!
Watch the live stream on City Schools TV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cityschoolstv.
Congratulations to these outstanding students!
Save the date! Pre-K and kindergarten registration opens soon
Mark your calendars! Pre-K and kindergarten registration opens Monday, March 3. Visit the pre-K and Kindergarten registration page for details and enrollment information.
Apply for YouthWorks
YouthWorks 2025 applications are now open! The summer will be here before we know it, and it's a great time to start preparing for summer jobs. For more information including important dates, worksites, and more, visit the YouthWorks website.
The deadline to apply is April 4, 2025.
Read an update about City Schools health curriculum
City Schools is committed to supporting every student’s growth and well-being, starting in kindergarten. Our health education follows the Maryland State Health Education Framework and state regulations. As part of our curriculum management plan, we’re conducting an internal review to ensure we meet these standards.
We also recognize the importance of honoring every individual’s dignity and celebrating our community’s diversity. With this in mind, we recently reviewed our work in this area and identified opportunities to refine and enhance our lessons to better serve our students. To read more, visit the Health Curriculum Opt-Out page.
City Schools celebrates Black History Month
Baltimore City Public Schools celebrates Black History Month! Many of our schools are named after trailblazers whose legacies in education, civil rights, the arts, and more continue to inspire.
Learn more about these historical figures who we honor every day at City Schools: https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/article/2009090
Congratulations to the January 2025 Scholar Superstars!
Kerron Tucker
Liberty Elementary School
Grade - 5
Jakai Benskin
City Neighbors High School
Grade - 12
Congratulations to the Quarter 2 Icon Award Winners!
Tenth grader Gabriel Carr makes a positive impact on his school community every day with his attitude and willingness to help others. Whether holding doors, carrying packages for teachers, or mediating peer conflicts, Gabriel’s “can-do” spirit is cherished at ConneXions.
Kaiden Hill, Class of 2025 President at Carver Vocational-Technical High School, is dedicated to supporting struggling classmates and helping them succeed. She manages Peer Forward’s social media to connect students with scholarships. She is an apprentice at “Requity,” leads as captain of the majorette squad, and competes on the track/field and volleyball teams.
Twelfth grader Terence Hooks is a dedicated student with self-discipline, excellent student conduct, and a heart of gold. Committed to the success of his school community, he arrives every morning at 6 a.m. to set up signs and cones for buses and assist with anything needed to improve the school.
Seventh grader Abrielle McCoy, one of the top runners in the Baltimore City Cross Country league, made an extraordinary choice at the championship meet. While neck and neck for first place, she noticed two younger runners who were lost and in tears. Abby gave up her chance at the title to help them, sacrificing a medal to ensure their safety. This is just one example of her selflessness and willingness to help others.
Ninth grader Antwan Young, a generous and considerate student at Baltimore City College, is always ready to help his peers. With an emotionally intelligent focus on inclusivity, he ensures his classmates feel welcomed and valued. Antwan’s care and compassion helps build a positive school climate that serves as an example for others.
City Schools is on the rise!
City Schools saw increases in student proficiency across every grade in math during the 2023-24 school year.
Read more: https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/article/1950535
City Schools increase Maryland Report Card star ratings!
Growing faster than the state: Eighteen percent of City Schools campuses gained at least one star compared to a year ago, better than the state’s 16 percent rise according to the Maryland Report Card. Read more: https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/article/1903714

Tuesday, February 4 - Artificial Intelligence Public Information Session - 6 p.m.
Thursday, February 6 - Board Committee Chair meeting - 5 p.m.
Monday, February 10 - SECAC meeting - 6 p.m.
Tuesday, February 11 - Public Board meeting - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 12 - Safety and Wholeness Committee listening session - 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 13 - Staff Professional Development Day - schools closed for students
Friday, February 14 - Wellness Day, schools closed for students and staff
Monday, February 17 - Presidents' Day - schools and offices closed
Apply for the Bernard Harris Scholarship Program
High School Seniors- The Council of the Great City Schools is accepting applications for the 2025 CGCS-Bernard Harris Scholarship Program!
Eligible applicants must be accepted for full-time enrollment at a four-year college or university, and pursuing a degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics).
Deadline: March 31 – Apply today! For more information, click HERE.
Enter the "If I Were Mayor" essay contest
Calling all students in grade 4! Enter the "If I Were Mayor..." Essay Contest! Share your ideas to tackle community challenges in the Maryland Municipal League’s annual essay contest.
Essays must be 275 words or less and submitted digitally by your teacher. (submission guidelines)
Deadline: March 7, 2025
For questions, ask your English Language Arts teacher. Don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard!
Enter the Dream Big contest
Students! Enter the Lyric's Dream Big contest! Students in grades five through twelve can enter the contest with a 300-word essay, a one-page poem, a 60-second edited video, or a piece of visual artwork. Finalists will share their work on the Lyric’s historic stage and receive a sizeable prize package. The deadline to apply is February 14! Learn more: https://dreambigcontest.org/
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
To unsubscribe from the CONNECT newsletter, please click HERE.
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