Here’s what Baltimore City Public Schools families should know before the first day of school

The first day of school is steadily approaching for Baltimore City Public School System students once again.

But before Aug. 28 arrives, there’s paperwork and to-do lists for families and guardians to complete, most of which can be found at BCPSS’ back-to-school webpage. Here’s what Baltimore City students and their caregivers need to know ahead of the 2023-24 school year.

Advice

City schools spokesperson Sherry L. Christian said now is the time for students to jumpstart their routines.

“A lot of our teachers and schools are communicating with families now, saying, ‘Start getting back into the swing of things now,’” Christian said. “In other words, start setting that alarm clock for whatever time it is that you’re going to have to get up starting on Aug. 28.”

She emphasized the importance of attendance, calling it critical to success.

“We need you in that classroom in the school attending class regularly,” Christian said. “That’s where we’re able to come in and help out, provide a safe learning environment.”

Athletics

Most sports practices began Aug. 10. Students who want to participate in school sports will need a sports physical completed and uploaded to Dragonfly, an online medical records platform.

Following a presentation on expanding accessibility to sports by city schools to the Baltimore City Council on Thursday, all middle schoolers are now able to take advantage of athletics programming.

Child care

Should parents need child care outside school hours, the system directs families to contact their schools about in-house or nearby options.

Scholarships are available for families who qualify through the Maryland State Department of Education Child Care Scholarship Program. The students should be younger than 13 or have a qualifying disability.

Recipients must utilize Temporary Cash Assistance, Supplemental Security Income or have an income below the thresholds dictated by family size. For example, a family of four must earn less than $90,033. To apply, call 877-261-0060 or go to the Maryland Family Network’s website.

Paperwork

Enrollment for BCPSS has been open since April, with specific enrollment and transfer options rolling out over the summer. Families are encouraged to enroll students by Aug. 28, Christian said.

Proof of student identity and age, proof of guardian identity, two proofs of address, and proof of income are needed for enrollment.

Other requested documentation includes academic records, proof of custody if applicable, health records and any Individualized Education Program or 504 documents, which are used when a student has special needs or a disability.

Students who are undocumented immigrants and those in need of multilingual support can enroll with the help of the Multilingual Enrollment and Support Center. The center can be contacted via email at mesc@bcps.k12.md.us or by phone at 443-642-4481.

This academic year, BCPSS is asking families to verify their student contact information online instead of via paper forms. Users will need to log on to Campus Portal and check whether their phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses and emergency contact information are correct.

Other forms will be made available through Campus Portal, as well as copies of the family guide and student code of conduct.

COVID-19

A student who needs to stay home due to COVID-19 will be marked with an excused absence as long as they follow quarantine guidelines.

Those who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate themselves for a minimum of five days and can return to school afterward if they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever-free for 24 hours. The student will have to wear a mask until the 10th day following quarantine.

If a student is symptomatic but tests negative, they can stay in school with a mask. Should a student be identified as exposed to COVID-19, they can stay in school with a mask if they are asymptomatic.

Guardians can fill out consent forms if they want their students to have the option of being able to test for COVID-19 at school.

Immunizations

Incoming kindergarteners need to get two doses of the Varicella vaccine, which prevents chickenpox, before coming into the classroom. Rising seventh graders need one dose of the Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and one dose of meningococcal (MCV4).

All Maryland students need the following vaccinations: DTaP, polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), HepB, Varicella, Hib and pneumococcal (before 5 years old).

Internet

All BCPSS families qualify for an internet service discount as part of the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program, originally a temporary emergency response to the pandemic.

To apply for the $30 discount, visit affordableconnectivity.gov or call 1-877-384-2575.

The program also offers a $100 discount that can be applied to a laptop, desktop or tablet purchased from a participating provider.

School supplies

Baltimore schools provide their own supply lists, as they vary by grade level and class subject, Christian said. However, outside of the basics like pencils, pens and glue sticks, the system recommends younger children have tissues, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Older students are encouraged to be ready with feminine products and deodorant.

Many schools have partnerships or budget to ensure students get the supplies they need. For example, Armistead Gardens Elementary School is able to provide school supplies for all students this year because it allotted $90,000 of its own budget to cover student and teacher supplies, which cost about $60,000 and $30,000, respectively, said Principal Justin Holbrook.

The Baltimore Community Foundation also has a fund to help Baltimore City students in need of new uniforms. A $40 donation translates to two uniforms for a student.

Special needs

Guardians who want to discuss special needs services should contact the Child Find Office. Parents can call 443-984-1011 for students aged 3 to 21 and 410-396-1666 for students younger than 3. They’ll also need to submit a Child Find Referral Form, which can be done online.

Transportation

Students are able to commute to school via public transportation using an MTA Student ID card and an S-Pass.

The MTA Student ID card allows students to pay $1.50 per trip when commuting to and from school and can be requested from their school’s office. Cards only work for one school term and need to be renewed afterward. Students can use their cards for services on CityLink, LocalLink, Express Bus Link, Metro SubwayLink and Light RailLink.

A nontransferable monthly S-Pass is made available to students participating in the system’s Student Transportation Program; this is given in addition to the Baltimore City Public Schools Student Transit Identification Card and works similarly to a fare card. Students need both cards to ride on MTA local services.

Students can consult Maryland’s transit app or Google Maps to plan their public transportation routes.

Families should contact their schools to see if curb-to-curb transportation is provided.