Community Schools Conference

A host of invested parties and stakeholders went west to participate in a national community schools conference. The conference highlighted the work community schools in Baltimore as well as others across the nation have been doing. AFT-Maryland and the Baltimore Teachers Union have been on the front lines of advancing the Community School Strategy across the State of Maryland. Of those in attendance were some of AFT-Maryland's partners on the Baltimore Education Roundtable, including Maryland Out-of-School Time (MOST), The Family League of Baltimore, and MD Communities United, among others.

For photos, visit our Facebook album.

The Baltimore delegation was lauded for their work in moving community school legislation through the Maryland General Assembly. Because of the work of AFT-Maryland and partners, schools across the state are able to access funding to turn their schools into a Community School implementing the full community school strategy with a needs-based assessment and new resources.

Khalil Bridges, a student at Baltimore's Renaissance High School was a featured speaker at the conference telling attendees about the impact the strategy has had on his life. Bridges also gave important and compelling testimony to legislators in Annapolis as they were debating the Community Schools bill.

One of the values of the conference was that it provided an opportunity for agencies, school districts, and community groups to trade stories, learn from the success of others, and develop best practices. Each member of the Baltimore delegation returned with unique insight and valuable information to continue to strengthen Baltimore's already award-winning community schools.

For photos, visit our Facebook album.

2016-04-08