Baltimore students welcomed back with celebration and new school leadership
BALTIMORE —
School started Monday in Baltimore City for a new academic year, and with new district leadership.
The Baltimore Orioles were on hand to help welcome back students to Harlem Park Elementary\Middle School in West Baltimore with a festive celebration and a focus on academic improvement under new leadership.
“I’m looking forward to doing my best and being way better than last year,” said Nevaldo Ford, an eighth-grade student.
Catie Griggs, president of business operations for the Baltimore Orioles, shared her excitement for the new school year.
“The first day of school, we’re very excited,” Griggs said.
In 2024, the Orioles adopted Harlem Park, which has seen academic progress.
“We’re really hoping that this is just another great year for Harlem Park Elementary\Middle School students,” Griggs said. “They’ve had tremendous progress here in terms of test scores, reducing absentees, and going from a 2-score to a 3-score school. They’re on the right track. They’re doing great things, and we’re just looking forward to another great year.”
The celebration included a DJ, hype squad, firefighters, and the Oriole Bird, all cheering on students and parents. Students were also given “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” books to encourage reading.
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Principal Venus Jackson emphasized her focus on student well-being and academic achievement.
“First, we wanna make sure that our children are happy, whole, and want to be in school,” Jackson said. “Then secondly, the expectation is that we don’t stop until they’re all on grade level in reading and mathematics and getting them into premier high schools.”
Jackson’s goals align with the vision of Jermaine Dawson, the new CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, who is prioritizing proficiency in reading and math scores.
“The No. 1 impact on the child’s education is high-quality teachers in the classroom.”
“We are wide-eyed and know that we still have a lot of work to do until we close that gap with the state, and that’s what I’m after,” Dawson said. “We’re no longer talking about growth. We’re talking about proficiency because we want our children to be proficient.”
Dawson outlined plans to improve academic outcomes, including master scheduling for high-quality and timely instruction, increasing parental involvement, and supporting teachers and principals.
“That’s the No. 1 impact on the child’s education is high-quality teachers in the classroom,” Dawson said. “Second to that is making sure that we support our principals who have to lead that work in the classroom every day. The third thing for us that we’re gonna be working on is making sure that we have a guaranteed and viable curriculum.”
Dawson will hold another listening session to address community concerns from 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Bay Brook Elementary\Middle School.