KBI Monthly news, updates & joy
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This Network is an opportunity to expand our alumni support with career guidance, mental health resources, and personal finance education. All programs - currently in piloting phase - will be available without cost to our alumni. They include a two-week virtual career guidance bootcamp, including building LinkedIn, interviewing for jobs and how to network; a pilot program focused on supporting KIPP alumni who do not have a college degree with coaching and job placement; and mental health counseling services for alumni, who will have access to four free virtual counseling sessions a month (in partnership with AYANA Mental Health). These sessions are especially designed to reach alumni who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and experienced trauma from the recent police shootings of Black men and women nationwide.
In these times, building and maintaining close connections are vitally important. I’m thrilled to be able to offer these and other national resources to our KIPP Baltimore alumni, who have already told us that they look forward to reaching around to support the next generation of KIPPsters.
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This is gratitude in action, and it is the very definition of “KIPP Team and Family”.
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1 | What is the "KIPP Difference"? Our people. |
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Last month, we held our second Lunch and Learn e-gathering - Teaching at KIPP - and our practitioners reminded us why we do what we do.
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This panel discussion featured three of our outstanding teacher-leaders: Tieast Harris, Davalyn Cunningham, and Kanesha Davenport. These women spoke to the experience of choosing KIPP - and what makes them stay. Each brought a different perspective and experience, but all three amplify some of the critical and unique attributes that we've come to think of as "the KIPP Difference", including unwavering focus on student success; thoughtful planning; reliance on the "team and family" model for authentic professional development; and simple - but consistent - hard work.
Our teachers center students' goals, gifts, and needs in everything they do.
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2 | Partnership Spotlight: Baltimore SquashWise |
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Since 2008, SquashWise has advanced equity and opportunity in squash and education for middle and high school students in Baltimore City. KIPP's close partnership with SquashWise has been going strong since 2014! Each year, the SquashWise team introduces KIPP middle schoolers to our program to recruit a class of “rookies,” who develop their squash game and their post-secondary plans; SquashWise - like KIPP - develops long-term relationships with students and families to support them through middle school, high school, and into college. This year-round program includes physical fitness and squash, academic support and enrichment, social-emotional skill-building, and college/career preparation. To date, more than 80% of SquashWise graduates have matriculated to college, compared with only 52% of their peers in Baltimore City Public Schools.
Nicola Mohan, SquashWise College and Career Success Coordinator, explains: "SquashWise is a place for KIPP students to try something new and expand their horizons. Students who love all sports, have never played a sport, or are looking for a network of supportive adults and peers are all drawn to SquashWise. Having a safe space and caring adults to turn to after school is one common thread for all of our students."
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After a successful online summer program, SquashWise currently offers students a hybrid model that allows for in-person athletic programs and virtual clubs and tutoring. KIPPsters can enjoy outdoor racquet sports like pickleball and crossminton, fitness sessions and hiking, as well as dynamic online academic and enrichment programming, tutoring, and electives like Creative Writing and Student Leadership Council. |
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3 | KIPP Mission & Vision in Action |
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As an organization, we are committed to the causes of racial justice and equitable opportunity, for our students, families, teachers, and staff. |
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As we work to ensure that KIPP Baltimore honors and advocates for the needs, goals, and dream of every member of our community, we celebrate our staff's commitment to Equity in Action. We believe that our schools must foster culturally-affirming learning environments that create a sense of belonging. Our classrooms and hallways create learning environments that are joyful, authentic, and cultivate our students’ sense of belonging. This month, we honor three of our teachers for their leadership:
Ms. Gencheva, Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Taylor, Harmony Art teacher
Ms. Webb, Special Educator (picture below!)
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Ms. Gencheva always incorporates social emotional learning activities into the lesson, and is quick to voice and celebrate each of her students' unique gifts. She demonstrates an authentic passion for teaching and commitment to student success and well-being.
Ms. Taylor’s classroom is a space of creativity, joy, and self-expression! Her 4th and 5th grade students are working on creating personalized slideshows with animations and Bitmojis. She is also planning a virtual art gallery, because she believes that our students should share their talents - and hard work - with the world around them.
Ms. Webb goes above and beyond the call of duty to build culture with her students, such as leading student government. She creates opportunities for students to learn and practice critical leadership skills and the character traits that will empower them to advocate for themselves and their communities.
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Each teacher cultivates an unequivocal sense of belonging in their classroom, whether in person or virtually! We honor their commitment to the KIPP Baltimore Mission. |
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4 | Fundraising Update: KTC Enters Year 4 of Next Gen Scholars Grant
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Established in the Maryland legislature by HB1403 in 2016, the Next Generation Scholars of Maryland is a state grant program that provides funding for college access through nonprofit organizations to enhance college and career awareness and college completion for low-income Maryland high schools students. Grants provided to nonprofits to administer a program that provides guidance and services to students prequalifying for the Guaranteed Access Grant in eligible school systems. This is Year 4 of a seven-year program which specifically supports our current 10th, 11th, and 12th graders (Prides of 2021, 2022, and 2023). |
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We are grateful to our Next Gen Scholar program partners - MSDE, the University of Baltimore, and Squashwise - and celebrate our alumni who are building their own journeys to and through college! |
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5 | This Month's Moment of Joy: Fall into Reading
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Last month, we hosted a socially distanced book giveaway for our KIPP community on our Walbrook campus. Who doesn't love a good book?!?
We also used the opportunity to celebrate Halloween! Our Community Schools Site Specialist, Ms. Jabriera Handy, collaborated with members of the KIPP Parent Association (KPA) to ensure a joyful experience for our families. KIPPsters wore their Halloween costumes with pride and received a special surprise - pictures with Mickey Mouse and the Little Mermaid! Students and families selected more than 80 books to read at home.
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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
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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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