Hundreds descended on City Hall Tuesday afternoon, 10/21/14, to support a call for expansion of Baltimore's community schools. Principals, parents, elected officials, and students gave remarks calling on the City Council to support a resolution that would increase funding for community schools.
Marietta English, President of AFT-Maryland and the Baltimore Teachers Union, closed the rally with her remarks demanding a resolution. She cited the invaluable work and partnerships that community organizations and schools do when they combine to serve the community. City Springs student Chelsea Gilmer was among the best speakers of the afternoon as she brilliantly and articulately explained why her school (a community school) makes such a positive impact on her and her fellow schoolmates.
Click here to see more photos from the event on our Facebook page.
The event was organized by AFT-Maryland in conjunction with the Baltimore Teachers Union, Maryland Communities United, and the Center for Popular Democracy, among other community supporters. The groups are looking for a resolution from the City Council and a financial commitment from the mayor's office of $2.2 million in this academic year and $10 million next year to fully fund exciting and emerging community schools.
Nine busses came from school communities throughout the city - Paterson High School, Wolfe Street Academy, Patterson Public Charter, Callaway Elementary, Holabird Elementary, Frederick Douglass HS, Robert Coleman Elementary, Gardenville Elementary School, Tench Tilghman, Collington Square, Commodore John Rodgers, Dr. Rayner Browne, Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center and Power HOUSE (Living Classrooms), CU's McCullough Homes Chapter and MD CASA's afterschool program!
Cheerleaders and a step team wowed the crowd, and the Charm City Labor Chorus kept us in song! Principals from Ben Franklin High School and Wolfe Street Academy and the Community School Coordinator from Callaway Elementary shared how Community Schools are transforming public education in Baltimore.
Read more on Maryland Communities United's webpage and on their Facebook page.
Click here to see more photos from the event on AFT-Maryland's Facebook page.
See what the Baltimore City Paper and the Maryland Reporter had to say about it!
