Dear Friends:

We all watched in amazement last week as the student attack on a teacher at Reginald F. Lewis High School was broadcast on national television and replayed endlessly. Depending on your perspective, perhaps you were amazed at the audacity of a student who would dare lay a hand on a teacher. Or maybe you were amazed that the media is just now shining light on an issue that has plagued our classrooms for some time.

School System CEO Dr. Andrés Alonso told the City Council that if we’re going to address the issue of school violence, then we first have to own it. I agree wholeheartedly. We have to admit that this is not our first incident of student-teacher violence, and may not even be the last. We also must acknowledge that violence in our schools not only puts students and teachers in danger, but also demoralizes students who want nothing more than to get the best education possible. In owning this issue, we must ALL accept the responsibility to resolve it. School administrators, teachers, elected officials, and certainly, parents and caregivers—all of us must recognize that throughout Baltimore City, too many young people are taught that the best way to solve problems is through violence. Violence is not a behavior one is born with. It comes from somewhere, and your children’s peers may influence their future as much as any other lessons they learn along the way.

We’ve spent all week focusing on this one incident at Reginald F. Lewis, but I’d like to share with you another side of our schools. This week I had the opportunity to speak at the 17th Annual Reginald F. Lewis High School Recognition Ceremony. We were gathered together that evening to celebrate some good news about our students. This ceremony was a fitting tribute to Reginald F. Lewis—a man who aspired to excellence in everything he did; a man who understood that one’s surroundings and circumstances do not condemn anyone to a certain future. I feel certain that Reginald Lewis would be proud of all of the outstanding students and teachers who were honored at this event that bears his name. His commitment to excellence is the legacy they continue–not the one broadcast on national television. Make no mistake: we cannot pretend to forget the disturbing news of the past week. But I believe very strongly that how you deal with adversity is the true measure of character. So we choose to honor the news of the future, and we implore the media to take notice, because the good news of the Baltimore City School System is worth noticing. It is worth honoring. And it’s worth broadcasting.

That’s why each week in this newsletter, I am proud to highlight the good news of the City School System in the "President’s School Spot." And as word has spread throughout the City, great stories from our schools have flooded our inbox. Kids who win national competitions. Teachers who are honored among the top in their field. Students who, in spite of all the distractions, understand that the level of expectation doesn’t change for them. They can achieve … and they do. Baltimore is full of stories like this. I think we all agree that once in a while, it would be nice if inspiring news like this got more attention.

I encourage all of our students to wear their accomplishments proudly. Make it known throughout our City that it is not unusual—regardless of what the media portrays—for students to care about and work hard for their education. And for the families, teachers, guidance counselors in the Baltimore City Public Schools System: I encourage you to do everything you can to reinforce these values. As so many experts took pains to remind us over the past week, behavior among young people is learned. Well, I submit that our students’ outstanding work ethic and achievements that we celebrated this week—these were also learned—from countless committed individuals who work in our schools each day.

Volunteer to Support Our Schools Baltimore City schools are seeking 500 volunteers to support our schools and students. Volunteers will be matched with schools to help out in ways that match your schedule and the school’s needs –from being a positive presence around the school at dismissal, to helping out within the school, or to tutor or mentor students.

Today I want to tell all my fellow citizens of Baltimore, I believe that it’s time for us to start broadcasting that story. It’s time we start recognizing it. And it’s time we start valuing and applauding it. And let’s not end there. Let’s commit to making every Baltimore City school an institution of excellence—not just one that passes. Let’s commit as neighbors to take an interest in every child in the community. Let’s be our brother’s keeper. Let’s form that village to raise every Baltimore child. We are not condemned to any certain future. We control it, but only if we commit to work together to make it so.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

City Council This Week

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Hearing: Executive Appointments Committee, Robert Curran - Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA08-0079 James S. Clack Chief - Baltimore City Fire Department

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Ed Reisinger - Chair
1:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0017 Planned Unit Development - Amendment 2 - Harbor Point

Hearing: Public Safety and Health Committee, Bernard C. "Jack" Young – Chair
08-0031R Informational Hearing - Board of Liquor Licenses Commissioners for Baltimore City
This hearing will be broadcast on TV25.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0035R Maryland Can Do Better for Children! - In Support of Advocates for Children and
Youth

Friday, April 18

WEAA 88.9FM Benefit Gala
Celebrating 31 Years featuring Jazz Legends Roy Ayers and Lonnie Liston Smith, 443-825-2075.

Annual Used Book Sale
The Village Learning Place, 2521 St. Paul Street, 410-235-2210

Saturday, April 19

Mayor Dixon's City-Wide Spring Cleanup
It’s Your Neighborhood-Make A Difference
In participating communities, DPW provides supplies and trucks to pick-up trash and debris from the identified clean-up locations. Contact Department of Public Works Bureau of Solid Waste at 410-396-1209 or email Ebony Alexander Ebony.Alexander@baltimorecity.gov.

Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Presents The 8th Annual 5K Victims’ Fund Run & Walk
Patterson Park/Virginia Baker Recreation Center, 2601 E. Baltimore Street. Registration: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Race starts at 9:00 a.m. Register online at www.charmcityrun.com

Eat Right! Get Moving Summit! To Prevent Childhood Obesity
Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center, 1100 E. Fayette St., 12pm-5pm

Waverly/Pen Lucy Youth and Community Resource Fair
Mullen Park 4000 Old York Road, 12pm-3pm, Free. 443-925-5598.

Enoch Pratt Library CityLit Festival
Main Library, 400 Cathedral St., 10am-5pm. Workshops, book signings and more. www.citylitproject.com. Free.

Sunday, April 20

Maryland SPCA’s March for Animals
Druid Hill Park, 2600 Madison Ave., 10am-2pm, www.mdspca.org Free.

Tuesday, April 22

Baltimore International Academy Open House
Maryland School for the Blind, 3515 Taylor Avenue, 7 pm
Baltimore International Academy, a public charter school, is now accepting applications for students interested in full immersion education in one of four tracks: French, Chinese, Russian or Spanish. More information at (410)426-3650 or baltimoreinternationalacademy@yahoo.com.