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COMMENTARY: Our City, Our Schools
THE AFRO — As families across Baltimore prepare to send their children back to school, I am reminded of the awesome privilege and responsibility that we have at City Schools. At a time when our city continues to face significant challenges, our schools must be both an anchor for the community and springboard for its children. The stakes for our young people are high. Three years into the implementation of our City Schools Blueprint, we’ve made tremendous progress. We are certainly not where we want to be yet, but I am proud of the growth and achievements of our schools and our students.
By Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises
As families across Baltimore prepare to send their children back to school, I am reminded of the awesome privilege and responsibility that we have at City Schools. At a time when our city continues to face significant challenges, our schools must be both an anchor for the community and springboard for its children. The stakes for our young people are high. Three years into the implementation of our City Schools Blueprint, we’ve made tremendous progress. We are certainly not where we want to be yet, but I am proud of the growth and achievements of our schools and our students.
In this first guest editorial, I want to provide a glimpse of where we are—and where we’re going. My chiefs and I will be back to share more with AFRO readers over the coming school year.
Many of you are longtime fellow warriors in the fight for education justice, so I want to be clear: we will continue to call out and tear down institutional barriers that have denied opportunity to too many of our young people for far too long. We will continue to rally alongside community members and fight for equitable resources. And we will continue to name the issues at City Hall and in Annapolis.
But let’s be really clear: not all the problems are external. With our new Equity Policy, we are redoubling efforts to examine our practices, solicit feedback from students, and eradicate processes within city schools that delay or flat out deny opportunity to our students. And using our community index data, we are targeting and investing resources and opportunity in schools in neighborhoods that have historically and systematically been denied them.
But Baltimore City families and community members don’t just call for the absence of injustice in our schools. They call on us to strive for the presence of academic excellence. Like parents everywhere, our families want their children to attend schools where adults believe in them, and care enough to challenge them academically. That is the very heart of the Blueprint and thrust of the work ahead.
What does that mean for Baltimore’s children? It means every single neighborhood in Baltimore City now has gifted and advanced learning programs at the elementary level. It means that every single high school will offer Advanced Placement courses.
It means access to athletics and the arts, not simply because they’re nice to have, but because they are critical to the development of wholeness in all our young people.
It also means new, high-quality curricula. Last year, we implemented Wit and Wisdom, an engaging English curriculum aligned to true college and career readiness. We placed literacy coaches in 20 schools, and this year, we will provide coaches in 20 more.
In math, we launched the widely-respected Eureka curriculum. We are zeroing in on the critical middle grades to ensure that all students can access Algebra I before high school. Meanwhile, in social studies, students are exploring Baltimore and African American history and culture, sounding their own voices through our new “BMore Me” initiative.
In high schools, we are empowering students with personalized learning, mentoring, and internships. We are also overhauling our career and technical programming to provide students with exposure to and preparation for meaningful careers.
However, none of this will work if students don’t feel safe, supported, and loved in their schools. Last year, 35 of our schools served as social-emotional learning sites where staff instituted new practices to improve climate and nurture student wholeness. I am thrilled to announce that we’re adding 21 more this year. Further, 75 more of our highest need schools will gain a community school specialist, and students in every school will have access to a social worker.
From Park Heights to Cherry Hill, from Sandtown to Highlandtown, every student in Baltimore deserves a school brimming with opportunity, where they can imagine and reimagine themselves. Where they can stretch, grow, and fulfill their God-given potential and purpose. That is our charge.
I am excited about all this new school year has in store at City Schools, and I hope you will join us in supporting our schools and Baltimore’s young people.
Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises is the CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools.
This article originally appeared in The Afro.
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14th Annual Minnesota Cuban Film Festival with Franklin Curbelo
The 14th. Minnesota Cuban Film Festival is organized by the Minnesota Cuba Committee, with the collaboration of the MSP Film Society, and ICAIC (Cuban Film Institute)
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Feb. 21, 2023 – Al McFarlane will sit with Franklin Curbelo, organizer of the 14th Annual Minnesota Cuban Film Festival. In this exciting interview, Franklin will discuss the festival’s commitment to bringing diverse films from Cuba and this year’s line-up.
The 14th. Minnesota Cuban Film Festival is organized by the Minnesota Cuba Committee, with the collaboration of the MSP Film Society, and ICAIC (Cuban Film Institute)
The Conversation With Al McFarlane (TCWAM), Weekdays at 1 pm CST / 2 pm EST / 11 am PST
We hope you will join us at 1 pm CST / 2 pm EST / 11 am PST as we continue our ongoing conversations about how we can all make a difference in our community.
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Photo by: Juan Luis Ozaez
Photo by: CineDirektor FILMS
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2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5L Turbo w/Premium Plus Package AWD
2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5L Turbo w/Premium Plus Package AWD In-depth walkaround and POV Test Drive. The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is a luxurious and powerful compact SUV that boasts several high-end features and technologies. Equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, 227 HP @ 310 lb-ft Torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the C-50 delivers a […]
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2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5L Turbo w/Premium Plus Package AWD In-depth walkaround and POV Test Drive.
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is a luxurious and powerful compact SUV that boasts several high-end features and technologies. Equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, 227 HP @ 310 lb-ft Torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the C-50 delivers a robust performance and is available with the Premium Plus package, which offers various advanced features. This review will delve into the details of the car’s features and overall performance.
The CX-50 comes in a beautiful Ingot Blue Metallic exterior color, which complements its elegant and sleek design. It features black 20-inch alloy wheels with P245/45 R20 all-season tires, which provide excellent grip and stability on the road. The rain-sensing windshield wipers and wiper de-icer are a thoughtful addition, making driving in inclement weather more manageable. Additionally, the auto power-folding side mirrors are convenient for parking in tight spaces.
The CX-50’s interior is equally impressive, with a Black interior color and Brown leather-trimmed seats. The 5-passenger seating is spacious, and the power driver’s seat with memory and power passenger seats offer ample adjustability for comfortable driving positions. The ventilated front seats are a welcome feature, especially in hotter climates. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is a premium touch and feels good in the hands. The heated steering wheel is perfect for chilly weather, and the paddle shifters add to the car’s sporty feel. The Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry and rear power liftgate are convenient features that make accessing the vehicle a breeze.
The CX-50 has several safety and security features, including 24-hour roadside assistance, 5-passenger 3-point safety belts, LATCH child safety seat anchors, and an anti-theft engine immobilizer. It also has a lane departure warning system, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The I-ACTIV all-wheel drive, hill launch assist, and MI-Drive – sport/off-road/towing make it an excellent option for various driving conditions. The CX-50 also boasts a 3500 lb towing capacity, which makes it ideal for those who need to haul extra gear.
The CX-50 comes equipped with several high-tech features, including a power panoramic moonroof, adaptive front lighting system, LED headlights with auto on/off, and roof rails. The 10.25″ color center display and active driving HeadUp display provide easy access to all necessary information. The dual-zone auto climate control ensures that everyone in the car stays comfortable, and the rearview camera makes parking a breeze. The car has an AM/FM/HD Radio® with four USB inputs, BOSE® 12-speakers audio system, and a SiriusXM® 3 mos. trial. The Mazda Connected Services, wireless Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay are convenient for connecting smartphones and accessing music and apps on the go.
The CX-50 has several pros, including multiple driving modes, off-road modes, and a comfortable interior. The car has quick off-the-line acceleration and handles well, making it a fun car to drive.
One downside to the CX-50 is that the ride quality is mediocre. It may not be the best option for those who prefer a very smooth ride.
The CX-50’s MSRP is $43,525, and the Turbo Premium Plus Package adds extra features, such as heated rear seats, 360-degree view monitor, traffic jam assist, front and rear parking sensors, rear smart brake support, blind spot prevention, Mazda Navigation System, wireless phone charger, traffic sign recognition, and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink®.
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a luxurious and powerful compact SUV with advanced features and technologies. The car’s impressive performance, various driving modes, and comfortable interior make it a joy to drive. Additionally, the car’s safety and security features, along with the advanced technology, make it a safe and convenient car to own. Overall, the Mazda CX-50 is a strong contender in the compact SUV market and is definitely worth considering for those who want a car that delivers both performance and luxury.
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Why Attend Chicago Auto Show or Show In Your Market – AutoNetwork Reports 394
Our Take on The Chicago Auto Show, Recalls, Autel Energy, CrossTrex, Volvo Subscription Service, Customer Loyalty Dwindling, and more – AutoNetwork Reports 394 Coffee and Cars – AutoNetwork Reports 394. Get your coffee and join us for a new morning show. Warren was a great storyteller, friend, and all-around good guy in our industry and […]
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Our Take on The Chicago Auto Show, Recalls, Autel Energy, CrossTrex, Volvo Subscription Service, Customer Loyalty Dwindling, and more – AutoNetwork Reports 394
Coffee and Cars – AutoNetwork Reports 394.
Get your coffee and join us for a new morning show. Warren was a great storyteller, friend, and all-around good guy in our industry and reviewed cars for The Washington Post newspaper.
Reviews of Cars Driven – AutoNetwork Reports 394
Car Reviews of what we are driving this week. We help you better understand and appreciate your dream car. Find out why we would buy the new car or not. Join our panel of influencers as we review new cars and discuss the latest auto news.
Car Reviews: Visit the website of the panelists for full reviews.
Greg – RAV4
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Me – Niro SX Touring
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Frank Washington – AboutThatCar.com
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Chris Lawrence – Autoacademics.com
David Boldt – TxGarage.com
Valerie Menard – LatinoTrafficReports.com
Teia Collier – #DSMDrive
Dawn Gibson-Thigpen – @SassyAutoChick
The auto talk show, #AutoNetworkReports, is Live on YouTube weekly Wednesday from 10:00 am ET – 10:30 am ET. where auto influencers discuss the week’s latest automotive news. Go visit http://autonetwork.com for more shows.
Find out why they would buy the vehicle or not. Join our panel of auto journalists and influencers as we discuss this and simplify the latest auto industry news to help you appreciate the auto industry business.
When available we let you know of any vehicle recalls and how to resolve them. Some of the auto influencers have sold cars so we provide car buying and auto leasing tips to save you time and money on your next car purchase. AutoNetwork Reports simplify the latest auto industry news for you to help you appreciate the automotive industry.
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