Fritz Edelstein
August 30, 2004

Baltimore's Believe in Our Schools Campaign

By Fritz Edelstein

Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley has kicked off a new back-to-school initiative entitled "Countdown to School." It is part of a larger campaign entitled Believe in Our Schools that was first announced in June 2004. "Countdown to School" started 19 days before the beginning of the new 2004-2005 school year. This is a partnership between the mayor and Baltimore City School's Chief Executive Bonnie Copeland, because when the city, community and school system work together children benefit.

The first of fifteen events was a teen night out at one of Baltimore's parks. The event provided students and parents with information on school enrollment and how to get involved in the Believe in Our Schools Campaign. During the 19-day Countdown will have a range of events and activities that will focus on helping enroll students in school, providing information on immunizations, providing students with school supplies, recognizing school employees, and continuing to work on the larger Believe in Our Schools campaign.

Mayor O'Malley stated, "The -Countdown to School- will ensure that our students and parents have the information they need to enroll in school on time, and show up on the first day ready to learn."

In June Mayor O'Malley and School CEO Copeland announced the Believe in Our Schools campaign to build community support for immediate achievable school facilities improvement. "For too long, our children have studied in dreary, often dirty schools where toilets lack privacy, playgrounds fill with trash, and clouded windows fail to let the sunshine in," said the mayor. "These conditions are unacceptable and convey to our children that we do not care. Working together with the business community and committed volunteers, we can create learning environments where our children flourish."

The campaign has enlisted 100 businesses, civic organizations and faith-based institutions to contribute supplies, expertise, volunteer time and generous financial support. Local contractors have conducted need assessments in more than 150 of Baltimore's schools. Every Saturday between the end of June and beginning of September has been a Blitz Day to address facility needs. More than 3,000 volunteers have replaced windows, repaired bathrooms, replaced damaged floor and ceiling tiles, turned on 400 previously inoperable water fountains, created new science labs and painted hallways, restrooms and classrooms. To date, the campaign has completed work in over 100 schools and expects to complete work in more than 150 schools by September 7, 2004.