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"Investing Where Baltimore Lives" |
June 15, 2007 |
Dear Friends:
Like many Baltimore residents, I have been profoundly affected by the incidents of violent crime this year, particularly with the number of our City's young people who have been victims. My heart is heavy, and I would like nothing better than to come up with an easy answer to stop the killing. There is an old African proverb, "To know nothing is bad...to learn nothing is worse." And so I feel very strongly that if we are to succeed in stemming this violence, we as City leaders need the valuable input of those who are directly charged with public safety: the men and women of the Baltimore City Police Department.
On Monday, June 18, I will meet with a number of rank and file police officers to discuss their experiences and ideas on how the City can better assist them in their efforts to protect Baltimore. The meeting is intended to open an honest and fair dialogue with police officers who, until now, have not had a venue available to them to speak directly to us. Baltimore’s officers deserve a forum to share their ideas and experiences with City leadership. Similarly, City leadership deserves the opportunity to hear these honest accounts, and interact with those brave men and women who keep our City safe.
At the conclusion of this meeting, a formal list of recommendations will be compiled and presented to the Mayor and Police Commissioner to aid in the success of the City’s crime reduction strategy.
I look forward to this interaction, and I am anxious to hear from those on the front lines of our fight against crime and violence. Together, we will regain the sanctity of our neighborhoods for all Baltimoreans.
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council
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Each week in the President's SchoolSpot,
Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake highlights the outstanding accomplishments of Baltimore City Schools students and staff. |
City Elementary and Middle School Students Post Dramatic Gains on State Achievement Tests
Baltimore City Public Schools elementary and middle students continue to advance on annual state achievement tests at almost every grade level in reading and mathematics. Students in grades 3-8 made impressive gains in math on this year's Maryland School Assessment (MSA), and grades 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 made gains in reading. Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 achieved double-digit mathematics gains in the percentage of students achieving proficient or advanced on the state tests. Reading scores of 4th and 6th graders were also strong, with increases of more than eight percentage points in the number of students achieving proficient or advanced.
The MSAs are a requirement of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The tests are given to students in grades 3-8. Students score as basic (not meeting state standards), proficient (meeting state standards), or advanced (exceeding standards). Data released by the Maryland State Department of Education yesterday represents the "comprehensive" scores of all children who were tested.
High school students are assessed by the High School Assessments. Those scores will be available later this summer. For a complete list of MSA results, log on to www.marylandpublicschools.org
Baltimore City Art Teacher Recognized
Roland Park Elementary/Middle School teacher Clare Grizzard has won the 2007 MetLife Foundation Ambassadors In Education Award. The Award recognizes educators who connect schools to the community through creative partnerships and communication. Grizzard, who heads the Fine Arts department, was nominated by parents, school staff and members of local business and non-profits groups. She is credited with developing partnerships with the Baltimore Opera, The Baltimore Symphony, The BMA, the Walters Art Museum and Young Audiences. Her award includes a crystal apple and a $5,000 grant to continue the school-community partnership efforts.
In previous years, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. were combined for one award. Peter French of Midtown Academy was the previous award recipient from BCPSS. This year is the first that an Ambassador In Education winner was chosen separately from both school systems.
MetLife Foundation and the National Civic League started the Ambassadors In Education Award program in 2003 after The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher revealed a divide between many educators and their communities. |
Have an exciting news item on achievements
in Baltimore City Public Schools?
Let us know so that we can feature them in the President's SchoolSpot.
Call Council President Rawlings-Blake's office at 410-396-4804 or send an e-mail to Marva Williams at mwilliams@baltimorecitycouncil.com.
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City Council This Week
Monday, June 18, 2007
Hearing: Public Safety Subcommittee, Robert Curran - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0290R Inter-Agency Violent Crime Reduction Strategy
This hearing will be televised on TV 25.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
06-0211R Promoting Financial Literacy in Baltimore City Public Schools
Rescheduled from June 5
2:30 PM
07-0279R In Support of State Legislation - House Bill 540 - Education - Laptop Computer Distribution Program
3:00 PM
07-0291R Informational Hearing - High School Assessments
Hearing: Housing, Health and Human Services Subcommittee, Ken Harris - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0665 Eviction Chattels
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Edward Reisinger - Chair
1:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0605 Planned Unit Development - Amendment 3 - York Road and Belvedere Avenue (Belvedere Square)
Worksession: Committee of the Whole, Council President Rawlings-Blake - Chair and Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO-0034 City School Contracts
Hearing: Public Safety Subcommittee, Robert Curran - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0624 Public Nuisance Premises - Extending Applicability
This hearing will be televised on TV25.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, James Kraft - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0632 Building, Fire, and Related Codes - 2007 Edition
07-0620 Metropolitan District of Baltimore County - Extension 152
07-0621 Metropolitan District of Baltimore County - Extension 155
07-0622 Metropolitan District of Baltimore County - Extension 156
Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, James Kraft - Chair
3:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0697 Indoor Smoking Ban - Conforming Effective Date
Community Events
Friday, June 15
Summer Sounds at the Square
Belvedere Square
6-9 pm
Free outdoor concerts every Friday
Featuring: The Voodudes, R&B
Details at www.belvederesquare.com
Saturday, June 16
Theatre at the Cloisters
The Cloisters, 10440 Falls Road
6:30-8pm
Wednesdays in June and July 2007, evening performances take place that varies from musical groups, theatre, puppet shows, magic acts and more. For more information, call 410-752-8632.
147th Annual Outdoors Summer Concerts Series
Village of Cross Keys, 5100 Falls Rd.
7 pm
Featuring Blue Sky 5! Enjoy beautiful summer evenings with the rich sounds of music throughout the summer.
410-396-7900
The Carrie Murray Nature Center’s Friendly Bug Club
1901 Ridgetop Road
Noon-1:30pm
Join us as we discuss Desert Insects! Learn how many insects are able to adapt to the harsh desert environment. Come and meet the many inhabitants from the Arizona desert in our Insect Zoo. Admission is $5/one year membership; members/$2; non-members/$3. Recommended for ages 6-13. 410-396-0808
2007 League of Dreams Baseball Program
Rockdale Park, 3326 N. Rolling Road
Randallstown, MD
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
This program provides instruction in all aspects of baseball based on the individual ability level of the players. Teams receive uniforms, and games are played every Saturday. Recommended for ages 5-18. All ability levels are welcome. Registration is $20 and ongoing. 410-719-1641
2007 Indoor Summer Soccer Leagues
William J. Myers Soccer Pavilion, 4300 West Bay Ave.
4-5 pm
Boys and girls, men and women, are eligible to register for these indoor soccer leagues. The emphasis of these leagues is FUN! We want all to play in a pressure-free atmosphere with no one screaming at them. All those who register will be placed on a team in their respective age group. All players will play equal amounts of time. All players will receive a team T-shirt, play eight games and receive a certificate. 410-396-5782
June 16-17
Baltimore Pride Festival
Mt. Vernon and Druid Hill Park
410-837-5445
Saturday: Pride Parade 4pm; Block Party 6pm
Sunday: Festival in Druid Hill Park, Live acts, vendors
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Pride Festival in Baltimore. Celebrate 30 years diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Maryland and throughout the mid-Atlantic.
Details at www.baltimorepride.org
Sunday, June 17
Artists Market on the Waterfront
Inner Harbor, West Shore Park
11 am-6 pm
Artists in all media and craftspeople sell their work each Sunday in June from 11 am until 6 pm at the Inner Harbor's new West Shore Park. The market will be set up on the grass in the park between the Visitor Center and the Maryland Science Center. Details at 1-877-BALTIMORE.
Wednesday, June 20
Ride around the Reservoir
Druid Hill Park / Jones Falls Trail
Noon-1:00 pm AND 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
The Ride will take place each Wednesday from June through September.
Featuring a guided historic bike tour of the park at 6:30 pm.
Sponsored by Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks.
Info: 410.396.0730 or annee.draddy@baltimorecity.gov
Ongoing
A Timeless Collective Album Cover Retrospective
June 1 through July 7
The Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center
847 N. Howard St.
All original album covers on display in this tribute to the art of album covers from all genres of music from the 1930's to the present. Free.
Details at www.eubieblake.org
Upcoming
Artscape is calling for volunteers.
Artscape takes place on July 20, 21 and 22, in the Mt. Royal neighborhood. Volunteers are needed at various times during the festival and in a wide variety of areas, including the Artist Market, Family Art Park, Fashion at Artscape, Hospitality and many others. All volunteers receive one free parking pass, one free t-shirt, refreshments, and access to indoor restrooms and air conditioning!
Email BOPAvolunteer@promotionandarts.com for a volunteer application or more information.
Details at www.artscape.org
Baltimore Paetec Jazz Festival
Pier 6 Concert Pavillion
August 9 - Boney James and Jonathan Butler
August 10 - Earth, Wind and Fire
August 11- B.B. King, Etta James and Al Green
Details at www.paetecjazz.com
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