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Dear Friends:

ABC2 story on Teach for America

This week, I urged the Dixon Administration to support the City School System’s ambitious plan to expand Teach For America’s program in Baltimore. The organization has raised all but $500,000 of the $3.8 million needed to double the number of Teach for America teachers in city classrooms over the next two years. This gap in funding presents an opportunity for city government to invest one-time surplus funds into the program. I was pleased yesterday when The Baltimore Sun endorsed my plan to fund Teach for America.

Baltimore Sun: City wants to expand 'Teach for America' program Baltimore Sun Editorial: Teach for Baltimore

Teach For America enables the school system to put the best and brightest into the toughest and most challenging classrooms. Outstanding recent college graduates commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. This year was Teach for America's largest Baltimore corps to date, with 170 of the nation's most promising future leaders teaching over 12,000 students in the Baltimore City Public School System.

A recent Urban Institute study is part of a growing body of evidence demonstrating that Teach for America is having a positive impact on student achievement. The study notes “Teach for America (TFA) teachers tend to have a positive effect on high school student test scores relative to non-TFA teachers, including those who are certified in-field. Such effects exceed the impact of additional years of experience and are particularly strong in math and science."

I have long been a supporter of Teach For America. During last year’s budget process, I worked with my City Council colleagues and Mayor Sheila Dixon to find grant funding for Teach for America. As a result of this effort, city government provided its first grant to the organization in the amount of $50,000 to support the recruitment, training, and development of effective teachers for the 2008-09 school year.

Despite a very successful multi-million dollar private fundraising effort this year, Teach for America needs an additional $500,000 to expand the number of Teach for America teachers in city schools from 170 to 300 by 2010, according to a Baltimore Sun report . If the funds are not obtained by the end of June, Teach for America will be forced to redeploy teachers away from Baltimore to other school systems.

Teach for America is an absolutely vital component to reforming public education in Baltimore. The simple truth is that you cannot support school reform without supporting Teach for America. It is time for city government to do its part to fill this gap in funding. Even in these difficult economic times; city government must continue to make smart, innovative investments to improve public education in Baltimore. And, I’m confident that Mayor Dixon understands how important this program is to our school system’s reform efforts.

Teach for America has a track record of success, which is why you see so much support coming from the private sector. Local corporations such as T. Rowe Price and Legg Mason have increased their contributions, despite the recent economic downturn. Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Andrés Alonso and Teach for America—Baltimore Executive Director Omari Todd have worked tirelessly to work raise private funds for the program. They’ve done their job, now it is time for city government to step in and fill the gap.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

City of Baltimore 2010 Census

The Census Bureau is verifying and updating more than 145 million addresses to prepare for the 2010 Census. New handheld computers equipped with GPS to increase geographic accuracy are being used because the ability to capture GPS coordinates for most of the nation’s housing units will greatly reduce the number of errors caused by paper maps in previous counts. Baltimore City began the operation in April. Address canvassing efforts should end by mid-July.

How to identify Census workers
Census workers can be identified by their official Census Bureau badge. During the address canvassing operation, census workers may ask to verify a housing structure’s address and whether additional living quarters are on the property.

Your information is confidential
2010 Census workers will never ask for bank or Social Security information. All census information collected, including addresses, are confidential and protected by law. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with the FBI, the IRS, CIA, Welfare, Immigration, or any other government agency. No court of law or law enforcement agency can find out respondents’ answers. All Census Bureau employees — including temporary employees — take an oath for life to keep census information confidential. Any violation of that oath is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and five years in prison. For more information about the Census, visit www.baltimorecity.gov.

Assistance with Water Bills for Seniors and Low Income Residents

Baltimore City Low Income Senior Citizen Water Discount Program

Homeowners and tenants whose lease holds them responsible for paying the water bill can apply each year for the discount if they meet the following criteria:
1. The applicant must be a City of Baltimore resident who receives a water/sewer bill directly from the City.
2. The principal resident must be age 65 or older.
3. The combined gross household income must be $25,000 or less.
4. The applicant must certify that he/she is the property owner-of-record with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, or provide a lease showing his/her responsibility for paying water/sewer charges at that property.

Those who qualify receive a 30% discount on their water and sewer rates charged on each quarterly bill. Eligible senior citizens may apply at any of the Senior Community Centers listed on this brochure or may call 311 or 410-396-5398 to obtain an application.

See brochure for complete information
Senior Citizen Discount Application

Baltimore City Low Income Water Assistance Program

• You must be a Baltimore City resident, the utility account holder and receive your water bill directly from the City.
• You must reside at the property on the account.
• You must have received a delinquent, turn-off, or tax sale notice due to being in arrears.
• You must not have an existing payment plan with the Department of Finance.
• You must have verification documents for eligibility.

Once approved:

• You must pledge to make consistent payments on your unpaid and current balance.
• You will receive a credit of $125.00.

See brochure for complete information

City Council This Week

Monday, June 1

Hearing: Highways and Franchises Subcommittee, Sharon Green Middleton – Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0237 City Streets - Opening - 2 10-Foot Alleys
RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 16, 2009

10:05 AM
08-0238 City Streets - Closing - 2 10-Foot Alleys
RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 16, 2009

10:10 AM
08-0243 Release of Right of Ways - (1) a 12-Foot Right of Way and (2) a Varying in Width Right of Way Granted to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore Through the Property of Pompeian, Inc.

10:15 AM
09-0280 City Streets - Closing - A 15-Foot Alley

10:20 AM
09-0282 City Streets - Closing - Hawkins Point Road

10:25 AM
09-0296 City Streets - Closing - Oakhill Avenue

10:30 AM
09-0298 City Streets - Opening - Hunter Street

10:35 AM
09-0299 City Streets - Closing - Hunter Street

City Council Meeting
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
Draft agenda

Thursday, June 4

Hearing: Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, Helen Holton – Chair
11:45 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0331 Newly Constructed Dwellings - Property Tax Credit - Reauthorization

Hearing: Urban Affairs and Aging Committee, Agnes Welch - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0329 Urban Renewal - Carroll Camden - Amendment

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Edward Reisinger - Chair
5:30 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0330 Zoning - Video Lottery Facilities

Community Events

For a comprehensive listing of events in Baltimore, check the City Council's online events calendar.

May 29-31

Polish Festival
Patterson Park, Linwood and Eastern Avenues, Friday 5-10pm,Saturday and Sunday noon-10pm. The Polish community kicks off the festival season with local, regional and national entertainment by polka bands and more.

Friday, May 29

Summer Sounds at the Square
Belvedere Square, 6-9pm. Friday night outdoor concert. Featuring: The Crawdaddies, zydeco roots music.

WEAA Spring Benefit
Eubie Blake Jazz Institute & Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard St., 8pm-midnight. Featuring live bands playing jazz, blues, latin and reggae. www.weaa.org

Forum on Equal Protection Under the Law for Transgender Marylanders
The Cork Factory, 1601 Guilford Ave., 4th floor, 6pm-9:30pm. Sponsored by Equality Maryland, 301-633-2113.

Saturday, May 30

Maryland’s Place in Space
Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. 10am-4pm. Sponsored by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, a free, family-friendly expo with hands-on science activities, robot demonstrations and NASA astronaut projects. 301-286-5282

June 1-2

Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Public Hearings
on proposed route modifications proposed for implementation this August. June 1, 12pm-2pm and 4pm-6pm, State Center Office Complex Auditorium, 300 W. Preston St.; June 2, 6pm-8pm, Towson Library, 320 York Rd. 1-866-743-3682.

Tuesday, June 1

The Annie National Tour Presents The Easy Street Cabaret
Proceeds benefit Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), 8pm-11pm, Sonar, 407 E. Saratoga St. $15. 410-783-7888.

Thursday, June 3

First Thursday Lunchtime Concert Series
Hopkins Plaza, noon-2pm. Featuring the Crawdaddies.

First Thursday Concerts in the Park
West Mt. Vernon Park, 5:30 pm. Featuring Good Old War and Company of Thieves.

Starting and Financing A Small Business Workshop
Enoch Pratt Library/Canton branch, 1030 S. Ellwood Avenue, 6p-7:30pm. Hosted by the Small Business Administration (SBA). tonia.mccoy@sba.gov. 410-962-4392 ext. 316.

Upcoming/Ongoing

Charles Village Festival, June 6-7, Wyman Park Dell, Charles and 29th Streets, Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday 11am-6pm. Live music, Garden Walk, kids games, food, vendors. www.charlesvillagefestival.com

Baltimore Convoy of Hope, June 6, 10am, Clifton Park. Churches and religious organizations come together for community outreach, distribution of free groceries, free health and dental screenings, free haircuts, children activities, community resources and prayer. www.convoybaltimore.org

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings’ Foreclosure Prevention Workshop, June 6, 9am-3pm, Morgan State University, Clarence M. Mitchell Engineering Bldg., 5200 Perring Parkway. Must register. 410-685-9199. www.house.gov/cummings

“Royal Heritage-Greatness Runs Through Your Veins" African Princess Party, June 6, 10am-2pm, Greater Baltimore Urban League, 512 Orchard St., 2nd floor, girls 6-16 years old will make crafts and headwraps, learn African dance steps and learn principles of self-worth and leadership. royalheritagellc@gmail.com or call 1-888-783-8656 ext. 106.

St. Nicholas Greek Festival, June 11, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 520 S. Ponca St., 7-11 pm. www.greekfolkfestival.com

Artists, craftsmen and food vendors are needed for Arts in the Park Festival hosted by the Garwyn Oaks Northwest Housing Resource Center, June 20, 12pm-5pm, Hanlon Park, Gwynns Falls Parkway and Longwood Street. RSVP by June 10. ArtsII@aol.com or 410.947.0084.

Enoch Pratt’s Light Street Branch Goes Wireless and additional computers have been installed. Other Wi-Fi Pratt branches are Central, Northwood, Orleans, Roland Park, Southeast Anchor and Waverly.

Professional, business attire clothing donations are needed for The Bon Secours Outreach Center, which provides job readiness training. Clients need clothes and shoes for job interviews. tonia.mccoy@sba.gov 410-962-4392 ext. 316.

Get a free Orioles ticket for your birthday. Any fan can get a free ticket to a game during the month of his or her birthday--unless the Orioles are playing the Yankees or Red Sox. Register online at www.orioles.com/birthdays and receive a voucher for a free birthday ticket.

MD HOPE (Home Owners Preserving Equity) State Hotline 1-877-462-7555. For assessment and possible referral to a housing counseling agency or a volunteer attorney for assistance in your foreclosure matter. www.mdhope.org

Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore’s Foreclosure Prevention Program offers emergency bridge loans to victims of predatory or exotic lending, or homeowners hit with emergencies such as illness or unemployment. Eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners can receive up to $5,000 in deferred loans. 410-327-1200.

Community Greening Resource Network (CGRN), sponsored by Parks and People Foundation, is accepting new members. The CGRN is an annual membership program to support community gardens throughout Baltimore City. It provides community-based groups access to material resources (tool, seeds, plants, mulch, and compost) training opportunities (green space planning, organization, and fundraising), and networking opportunities for sharing skills and experience among community greeners. Sarah Krones 410-448-5663.

New Conversations/Conversaciones Nuevas, Enoch Pratt’s Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., Tuesdays at 11am. Practice casual conversation for beginning English and Spanish speakers, 410-396-1580.

Conserve energy, save money and protect the environment with BGE’s PeakRewards program. If you have central air conditioning or an electric heat pump, you could save up to 15% year round in energy costs. www.bgesmartenergy.com/peakrewards