City Schools CONNECT 10.18.22
October 18, 2022
Overview
- Latest News
- A message from Dr. Santelises
- Great news!
- Middle and High School Choice process
- Student Learning Plans
- Report card distribution
- ASCBC elections
- Bullying prevention month
- Military academy nominations
- Joint legislative town hall
- Free farm event for families
- 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.
Using Campus Portal, fifth and eighth grade families can complete and submit their Choice applications between December 1, 2022 and January 20, 2023.
There are numerous ways to learn more about your middle and high school choices. City Schools will host our annual School Choice Fair at the Baltimore Convention Center on Saturday, December 3. Many schools have at least one Open House day between November and January when you can visit, meet teachers and current students, and ask questions. Many schools also have shadow days, where you can partner with a current student and attend classes to get a real feel for the school. To view the open house and shadow dates, click the button below.
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 cohort 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 differently.
Please visit the School Choice website for more information.
Student Learning Plans
The Student Learning Plan serves as a tool to focus conversations between you and your school about your student. Using information about your student’s experiences, preferences and needs, they’ll work with you on identifying the supports and strategies, so your student meets their goals for the year. These plans, will provide more personalized learning and opportunities. They serve as a roadmap with checkpoints throughout the year. For example, during parent-teacher conferences, for you and the school to partner in your student’s learning.
Families, contact your school and visit our new Student Learning Plan Webpage to learn more.
Please note: Plans are available on Campus Portal.
Report card distribution
Quarter 1 report cards will be available via Campus Portal starting November 7 through November 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.
On Monday, October 17, students took the Bullying Prevention Pledge. This pledge is a commitment to creating a safe space for all. Look at some of our students at Park Heights Academy reciting the Bullying Prevention Pledge!
Another main activity will be Unity Day on Wednesday, October 19, where we ask everyone to wear orange to show support for Bullying Awareness.
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 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.
- 19: Family & Community Board forum - 6 p.m.
- 20: PCAB meeting - 6:30 p.m. (Watch HERE)
- 21: Professional Development day- schools closed for students
- 25: Public Board Meeting - 5 p.m. (Watch HERE)
- 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: Joint Legislative town hall - 6 p.m.
- 8: Election Day: schools closed
- 9: Professional Development day: schools closed for students
- 9: Public Board meeting - 5 p.m.
Future Ready! connects students with mentors for college and career planning
“Future Ready! got me ready to go out into the real world — to know what I need and where to find it.” - DeShawn Cornish, rising senior at Renaissance Academy.
Read Progress Report for more on this impactful mentorship program helping students build soft skills like planning and critical thinking
