April 22, 2020

Dear KIPP Baltimore supporters,

Last week, with your partnership, KIPP Baltimore took our classrooms and community online.  While nothing will replace our in-person time together, we are grateful that the technology exists so that we can maintain our connection with our students virtually and to reinforce our commitment to Team & Family. 

Below, I have included some images and insights from our first full week of virtual learning.  I would also like to invite you to join me and members of the Pride of 2020 for a 20 minute e-gathering next Thursday, April 30 at 10:30 am. This brief session will include real-time updates on our response to the COVID-19 crisis, as well as reflections from our KIPP Through College Team and our KIPPsters.  Please follow this link to RSVP.  

I hope you and your families are safe and well.  Your ongoing commitment plays an important role in the lives of our 2,600 students in kindergarten through college and careers.  Thank you for continuing to support our community during this difficult time.

Take good care of yourself and each other,
 
Marsha Reeves
Executive Director
KIPP Baltimore


Our Ongoing COVID-19 Response 

  • In response to our technology survey, we distributed more than 300 Chromebooks to families to support our virtual learning program.  We are so grateful to our operations teammates who worked tirelessly to ensure that all students who needed a device received one.
  • We set up a new landing page for all virtual learning materials as well as a technology hotline so families can have their questions answered in real-time.
  • All 1,518 students received a phone call check-in from the KIPP team.  These calls are designed to help understand how individual students and families are doing during this crisis, but also to identify broader trends amongst our community.  We will continue this practice weekly.
  • (Virtual) school is in session! Last week students engaged in 2.5 hours of daily learning and teachers hosted 230 small group virtual gatherings with students. 
  • In celebration of our virtual learning launch, we hosted an Instagram Dance Party with DJ Eldridge (member of the Pride of 2012). Students and families loved letting loose after a great first week.








Support for our Alumni

  • Our team continues to be in touch with our alumni to help them navigate the challenges of the moment, whether that be choosing a high school, understanding a financial aid award letter for college, or adjusting to online university learning.
  • We are continuing to distribute emergency relief micro-grants for KIPPsters who have unmet needs during this time.  To date, we have served students with more than $8,000 in financial support, thanks to the KIPP Foundation.
  • We hope you'll join us for our first e-gathering next Thursday, April 30 featuring members of the Pride of 2020.  Please RSVP here.
How you can help

If you haven't yet supported KIPP Baltimore this fiscal year, please consider making your gift now.  You can make a gift online here , or send a gift to our offices at 2000 Edgewood Street, Baltimore MD, 21216. If you have already supported KIPP this year, thank you.  We are deeply grateful for your generosity.  We also ask that you please consider making an additional gift before the end of our fiscal year on June 30, 2020 to help us better support our KIPPsters as we weather this storm together.
Additionally, if you know of any resources or community supports that you believe would benefit the broader KIPP Team & Family, please share them directly with me. 

Moments of Joy

We miss our KIPPsters! Please click the photo below to see our "welcome back" video.