KBI Monthly news, updates & joy

Winter 2021

This month's big 5: KIPP Alumni Networking Reopening for In-Person Learning Advocating for KIPPsters College and Career Week KIPP Moment of Joy Don't miss anything! March 3, 2020 Investing in Walbrook Junction The Chicago TREND Corporation has negotiated a contract to acquire the Walbrook Junction Shopping Center. TREND is launching a crowdfunding campaign to allow Black entrepreneurs and community residents with as little as $1,000 to co-own the asset. Click below for more information. Please note: KIPP Baltimore's sharing of this communication does not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about the Walbrook Junction project and investment here! Development & External Affairs Virtual Meet and Greet - Wednesday, March 10 at 12 noon Bring your lunch and meet with KIPP Baltimore's Development Team to learn about ways that you can join the KIPP Team & Family as a supporter, volunteer, or advocate. This "drop-in" session will be an informal opportunity to ask questions and connect! CLICK HERE to join our lunchtime Meet & Greet on 3/10/21 at noon! "Don't be discouraged by your incapacity to dispel darkness from the world. Light your little candle and step forward." -Amma Dear KIPP Team & Family, Last month, the Maryland Senate has joined the House of Representatives to override Governor Hogan's veto of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future! This is the law passed last year that will put into place the changes to education funding in Maryland and other recommendations proposed by the Kirwan Commission to enable Maryland to offer a world class public education to all of its students.   Thank you to all who raised their voices in support of this important law for the benefit of students across our city and state, including those right here at KIPP Baltimore! You can continue to support education excellence and equity by connecting with elected officials to advocate for financial investment in public schools across Maryland. For example, your support of the Digital Connectivity Act (see below) will increase access to broadband internet - critical not only for the current virtual learning environment, but for ensuring that KIPPsters will be able to engage in academic extensions and supports whenever they're at home. This also helps our high school alumni stay in touch with our KIPP Through College team as they navigate post-secondary decision-making.

Finally, KIPP Baltimore students and staff honored the contributions of Black Americans throughout Black History Month, including our 1st and 2nd graders' annual "Blacks in Wax" event, which proceeded virtually. We will continue to embrace every opportunity to celebrate Black accomplishment and Black joy.

1 | KIPP Baltimore Alumni Association

Congratulations to the first-ever KIPP Baltimore Alumni Association!

After learning from KIPP alumni across the country about the ways they wanted to engage in their respective local school regions, the KIPP Foundation launched an application last fall for alumni to lead local alumni associations! The National KIPP Alumni Network announced on February 10th the first nine alumni associations across the country: We are proud to announce that our alumni were awarded support to develop a local Alumni Association for KIPP Baltimore alumni! The program provides professional development and grants to facilitate the start and continued growth of alumni-led associations.   Meet our alumni leaders in charge: Gregory, Teisha, Kendra, Isaiah, and Nhiaya!

2 | KIPP Baltimore Will Reopen for In-Person Learning

This spring, KIPP Baltimore is proud to announce that we will host in-person learning opportunities for many of our students! Aligned to Baltimore City Schools' reopening calendar, our staff is preparing our building with health and safety best practices in mind; engaged in professional development for returning teachers; and instituting health-monitoring procedures with all staff and families.

Small groups of Kindergarten and 1st Graders will return to in-person learning on March 1st; Small groups of students in grades 2-5 will come back into the building for in-person learning on March 15th; Participation is optional: families may elect to participate in in-person learning or continue with virtual learning; Options for Grades 6-8 will be communicated in early March. We're so excited to see our KIPPsters back at school!

3 | You can advocate for Baltimore KIPPsters!

Do you have ten minutes today to advocate for KIPPsters?

You can support education excellence and equity by connecting with elected officials to advocate for financial investment in public schools and support for broadband access across Maryland. Click HERE to signal your support for the Digital Connectivity Act of 2021

4 | College & Career Week 2021 - We need YOU!

One of KIPP Baltimore's favorite traditions - our annual College and Career Week - is going virtual! CCW provides our students with direct access to professional leaders from around the Baltimore region, who share their path to success and open a window into what "real life" as a [insert YOUR profession here!] is like. We want our KIPPsters to see and know as many of their options as possible so that they can start imagining - and pursuing -their own professional success. This year - during the week of April 19-23, 2021 - we will create opportunities for students in all grades (K-8); students in grades 3-8 will connect with a panel of professionals during a webinar-style, during-the-school-day special event, and our youngest learners will enjoy job-related read-alouds and Q&As with special guests. Our VIP guests will share their stories, and our KIPPsters will have a chance to ask questions and seek "career advice" directly from the experts.

Nicole Baker from WJZ-13 with a group of students during 2019's College & Career Week! College & Career Week Interest Form

Would you, your friends, and/or colleagues be interested in connecting directly with KIPPsters around career opportunities? If so, please complete the interest form above, and a member of our External Affairs team will be in contact with you as soon as possible. Would your organization be interest in investing in our students' exposure to college and career? Please email Jasmine to discuss corporate sponsorship opportunities.

5 | This Month's Moment of Joy KIPP Harmony Academy Leader Wins KIPP 12 Award

M.s Adamson, you've always been talented; you've always been hardworking. What makes you special is that you lead with love. -Kipp Ujima Village Principal Alex Reese

There is no KIPP Harmony without Natalia Walter Adamson. The ways we've changed as a school over the years are a testament to Natalia and her ability and commitment to learn and grow from her staff to ultimately do what is right by our students. -Caitlin Thomas, 4th Grade AP & Upper Academy Leader

Congratulations to Natalia Walter Adamson, Founding Principal of KIPP Harmony Academy, for twelve years of leadership! Principal Adamson led the opening of KIPP Harmony Academy in 2009 after several years of success as an instructional leader for Teach For America in New York City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. She began her career as a Baltimore City Schools first grade teacher.

To learn more about our schools, our unique KIPP Through College program, or to discuss ways you can provide financial or in-kind support to KIPP Baltimore, please contact Eryn Lessard, Director of Development & External Affairs

Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. 2000 Edgewood Street Baltimore, MD 21216 • p: 443-457-3140 | f: 410-826-5513 • www.kippbaltimore.org

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