A Time of Transition: New Leadership for Student Support Network Board By Laurie Taylor-Mitchell The Student Support Network began with one school, Loch Raven High School, in late 2015. I never thought it would grow beyond one school; in fact, the original name of our nonprofit was “The Loch...
By Laurie Taylor-Mitchell It was wonderful to see so many of our Network volunteers at the Appreciation Event this year, which was held at the beautiful Irvine Nature Center. The weather was perfect and there was lots of space for young children to run around, and to roast marshmallows for...
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe These wise words from tennis legend Arthur Ashe could only be improved with one more phrase: “Invite a friend.” This is what friends and fellow education advocates Yara Cheikh and Jonathan Schwartz have done for one another...
Please help us welcome Padonia International Elementary School — our 21st member school — to the Network! Padonia International Elementary has 565 students, 448, or 79.3%, of whom qualify for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS). Founded in 1968, and expanded and renovated in 2018,...
By Laurie Taylor-Mitchell Starting in the fall of 2023, BCPS will implement the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federally funded program, in all schools. This program provides universal breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income, a program that was lost when it was...
Mars Estates Elementary in Essex, MD recently became classified as a Community School, meaning that over 80% of its students’ families fall below the federal poverty threshold (annual income of no more than $27,250 for a family of four). The Community School status affords Mars Estates additional...
We just LOVE that we could provide scientific calculators to our AVID program students! These calculators cost upwards of $100 each and are a requirement for high school students taking advanced math courses. We think this gift is better (and lasts longer) than a box of chocolates! ...
We give a big thank you to Kids Dental Space in Towson and Dr. Roxanne Clark! Dr. Clark has graciously offered to donate 50 toothbrushes, toothpastes, and floss monthly to the Network! She has also been out to present at our schools on the importance of dental hygiene. We are grateful for this...
Thank you to our friends at Firaxis Games! They recently held an employee volunteer opportunity to support our network schools. Their employees made birthday cake kits which we will distribute to students within our network schools. Check out their fantastic artwork! We know these bags will create...
66% of BCPS students now qualify for free or reduced meals, a significant increase from 44% just five years ago. Founder, Laurie Taylor-Mitchell, and supporter, Yara Cheikh, talk to WYPR about this critical issue impacting local families. To read the interview, click...
Baltimore County has updated its list of food pantries, with addresses, schedules of operation, and in some cases, contact information. For the complete list of food pantries, click...
Every day the Student Support Network strives to honor Dr. King’s dream of equity and lifting of those who are most in need. We were happy to partner with United Way of Central Maryland today in honor of the MLK Day of Service in Celebration of Wes Moore and Aruna Miller’s...