City Schools CONNECT 10.25.22
October 25, 2022
Overview
- Latest News
- Great news!
- Middle and High School Choice process
- Updating contact information
- Report card distribution
- ASCBC elections
- Bullying Prevention Month
- Military academy nominations
- Special Education workshop
- Joint legislative town hall
- Free farm event for families
- NAEP results
- Reginald F. Lewis Foundation essay contest
- STEM scholarship opportunity for seniors
- Upcoming Events and Dates
- Progress Report
Middle and high school choice process
At City Schools, students can choose and apply for the middle or high school of their choice.
Choice Applications
Using Campus Portal, fifth and eighth grade families can complete and submit their Choice applications between December 1, 2022 and January 20, 2023.
Choice Fair
There are numerous ways to learn more about middle and high school choices. City Schools will host our annual School Choice Fair at the Baltimore Convention Center on Saturday, December 3.
Open house and shadow days
Along with the Choice Fair, many schools will also host Open House and shadow days for students to visit new schools, talk to current students and teachers, ask questions and get to know the school. To view the open house and shadow dates, click the button below.
Composite scores
Composite scores are needed for students applying to schools and programs with entrance criteria. Composite scores will be calculated using only grades for the 2023-24 school year participating in School Choice this year.
To calculate your student's final overall grade average used in the composite score calculation, we will look at students’ final grades for fourth grade for middle school applicants, and final grades for seventh grade for high school applicants. The first quarter grades for the current 2022-23 school year will also be used in the calculation.
Please note: Placement at Baltimore City College, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Western High School is calculated as follows:
Standardized test reading percentile* + standardized test math percentile* + (overall grade average x 6)
* test percentiles will be calculated as 100 for all students as assessments will not be used to calculate the composite score this year
Please visit the School Choice website for more information.
Updating your contact information
City Schools is asking that all families update all contact information in Campus Portal. If you've moved, have a new number, or changed your email address we need to know! We need your correct contact information to send emergency notifications, school updates, and more.
If you're not sure how to access Campus Portal, please contact your school and they can help or visit www.baltimorecityschools.org/campus-portal
Report card distribution
Quarter 1 report cards will be available via Campus Portal starting November 7 - 11.
To access student report cards, please sign in to Campus Portal.
ASCBC election information
Students: have your voice heard!
Be sure to vote in the ASCBC election! The Associated Student Congress of Baltimore City is Baltimore’s elected youth government. It represents Baltimore’s youth in decisions that affect their education and it picks the Student Commissioner, who sits on the School Board and makes decisions that affect every City Schools student.
This is your chance to pick which youth will represent your voice. All middle and high school students can run for office, and all middle and high school students should vote.
Save the dates:
October 26: Deadline to apply for ASCBC
November 3: Watch the candidates’ speeches online (web link to follow)
November 3: From 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. attend a Zoom Town Hall with the candidates to ask questions
November 7: Cast your vote! Elections will take place during the school day; your school will have information on how you can vote.
Bullying Prevention Month
October is Bullying Prevention Month. City Schools will have programs in our schools this month about various topics, including kindness, what bullying is, speaking up, reporting bullying, and more.
Families, please talk with your students about bullying prevention, who to speak to in school about bullying, and spreading acceptance and respect for others. Please help us in our efforts to make kindness go viral!
Military academy nominations
Each year, our country’s military academies offer students from each state an opportunity to grow and learn at some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning. Qualified candidates must seek and receive a nomination from the congressman or US senator of their state (or President, Vice-President, or Secretary of Defense) to be considered for admission.
Congressman Kweisi Mfume encourages interested students to learn more about the process on this helpful webpage. Maryland’s other congressman and senators also have similar webpages.
Don’t delay! Get started on the road to this wonderful opportunity today.
Joint legislative town hall
Come join the Baltimore City Delegation and the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners on November 2 at 200 East North Avenue first floor boardroom from 6 - 8 p.m. to share your ideas and recommendations for positions that the Board of School Commissioners should consider for the 2023 legislative session in Annapolis.
To attend the town hall, please RSVP to the school board office at 443-642-4095 or email schoolboard@bcps.k12.md.us by October 28.
Free farm event for families
Have you been to Great Kids Farm?! Join us on Wednesday, November 2 from 2 - 6 p.m. to meet the animals, see what's growing and explore the woods and stream! This event is open and free for all families of City Schools students and staff members. Click HERE to register.
Reginald F. Lewis Foundation essay contest
City Schools' students are encouraged to enter the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation essay contest for a chance to win up to $3,000 for the student and $1000 for their school. The deadline for submissions closes on November 1, and three winners, as well as seven honorable mentions, will be announced on November 20 in the AFRO. Click the button below for more information and to apply.
AFCEA STEM scholarship opportunity for seniors
High school seniors interested in pursuing a STEM education at a two or four-year college are encouraged to apply for the AFCEA CMD scholarship for up to $10,000. Fourteen scholarships will be awarded to students across Central Maryland, so start working on your student's application today!
The application submission deadline is January 16, 2023.
- 25: Public Board Meeting - 5 p.m. (Watch HERE)
- 26: Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy open house - 4 p.m.
- 26: Katherine Johnson Global Academy open house - 5 p.m.
- 27: Edmondson-Westside High School open house - 4:30 p.m.
- 30: Baltimore Polytechnic Institute open house - 1 p.m.
- 1: Teaching and Learning Committee meeting - 3:30 p.m. (Watch HERE)
- 2: Early release day
- 2: Free farm event for families - 2 p.m.
- 2: Paul Laurence Dunbar High School open house - 5:30 p.m.
- 2: Joint Legislative town hall - 6 p.m.
- 2: Creating Agreement Special Education workshop - 6 p.m.
- 4: Western High School open house - 5 p.m.
- 8: Election Day: schools closed
- 9: Professional Development day: schools closed for students
- 9: Public Board meeting - 5 p.m. (Watch HERE)
Green Street Academy STEM students develop innovative solution for food deserts
“It brought joy to me because I was actually helping other people in the community.” - Green Street Academy student Khalel Frasier.
Green Street Academy students recently built an award-winning, solar-powered mobile food pantry!
