April 8, 2020

Dear KIPP Baltimore supporters,

As the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, I hope that you and your family are safe and well.  Since I last wrote, there have been many adjustments made to our operations and support for our 2,600 KIPPsters in kindergarten through college and careers.   If you or your company find yourself in a position to share resources or supports for our broader KIPP Baltimore Team & Family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.  We are grateful for your ongoing partnership which has allowed us to adapt quickly to the needs of our community during this challenging time.

And as always, I will continue to share moments of joy from across our community.  I hope you enjoy the images of some members of our Towson University kindergarten homeroom who are demonstrating their tiger pride even while at home!

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


Our Ongoing COVID-19 Response 

KIPP Baltimore's Vision for Distance Learning: We will adopt a hybrid distance learning approach (a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning) to ensure targeted, data-driven instruction that is accessible for all students. All staff, students and families will be able to access and engage in learning in a way that works for their family schedule and household needs and ensures continuous rigorous learning.
  • Following Governor Hogan and Superintendent Salmon's announcement of an extended closure through at least April 24, we worked diligently with our partners at Baltimore City Schools and the KIPP Foundation to devise a plan that best meets the needs of our students, families, and staff.  This plan includes leveraging online tools and assessments and enabling self-paced learning, virtual classroom gatherings, and weekly advisory calls to each of our 1,500 students.
  • We surveyed both staff and families to understand their technology capabilities and needs.  Starting this week, we plan to provide nearly 300 students with devices from our internal fleet of Chromebooks.  We have also supported nearly two dozen families in obtaining high-speed internet.
  • As students had enough work to carry them through April 10, this week, we did a "soft launch" of our distance learning plan.  Zoom and Google Classroom are our primary tools, and this week, all students engaged in at least one virtual session with their teacher to ensure that their technology worked and to reconnect.
  • Starting next week, students will engage in self-paced learning and virtual small group sessions and one-on-one check ins with their teacher.  We are grateful to our school leaders and teachers for quickly adjusting course and for meeting this challenge with optimism and zest! 

The KIPP Team & Family are keeping in regular contact on Zoom!


In immediate response to the closure of colleges across the country, the KIPP Foundation raised nearly $150,000 in emergency relief for alumni nationwide.  In addition to our personalized outreach and connections, we surveyed our alumni to understand their needs during this time. 

  • To date, nearly half of surveyed KIPP alumni have requested emergency relief support. 
  • Nearly 40% of students have requested emergency food insecurity support.  Many food distribution sites serve youth up to age 18 and the elderly, so our college students are not able to take advantage of these resources.  Also, many students received financial aid for on-campus meal plans, which are now no longer valid.
  • Students have also requested assistance for: technology to continue remote learning, rent due to lost jobs or reduced hours, and transportation back to their colleges to retrieve belongings.
  • Funds for students are being distributed through: gift cards to grocery stores, gas stations, and storage facilities; PayPal for rent or other housing needs; and materials like laptops or other tech supports. In total, nearly $7,000 has been distributed to Baltimore alumni.
  • Our team continues to be in touch with our alumni to help them navigate evolving circumstances at their colleges and universities.  For many, the transition to online learning has been difficult.  Our staff's strong relationships and ongoing support from the KIPP Foundation will be critical to our students' success during this time and in the future.

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 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

Check out Ms. White's kindergarteners all decked out in their Towson University swag! Even at home, these members of the Pride of 2032 are full of tiger spirit.