Dear Baltimore City Public Schools community,
Like many of you, we continue to monitor news reports and updates about the conflict in Israel and Gaza. The events may be unfolding on the other side of the world, but we understand they impact our students, families, and staff here in Baltimore. The intensity of emotions and opinions are significant, impacting our community in apparent and discreet ways.
With this perspective, our focus is to ensure that all students have the freedom to learn in safe and inclusive school communities without disruption. City Schools’ curriculum is designed to support and encourage respectful academic discussions, debate, and civil discourse in our classrooms in accordance with Board policies.
At the same time, City Schools will remain vigilant and respond swiftly to any discrimination in our schools and central office, including acts by students or staff. Board Policies ACA and JBA prohibit acts of hate, violence, harassment, or retaliation by or against any students, staff, or other community members based on their shared ancestry or ethnic backgrounds, including those who are Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, Arab, or Palestinian. Antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and all other forms of hatred go against our core values. Our schools must be places for learning and growth, not hate.
If you believe you are the victim of a hate-based incident, harassment, or any other form of discrimination, learn how to report it by visiting City Schools’ Notice of Nondiscrimination and our Student and Staff Fair Practices pages on our website.
City Schools will continue to honor the diversity and humanity of our entire community. We urge all students, families, and staff members to do the same by avoiding any actions that ridicule or demean the religious beliefs, race, nationalities, cultures, shared ancestry, and ethnic backgrounds of others. There are many ways to express your viewpoint on pressing issues without muting the voices of others, calling for harm or attacks against individuals or groups, or otherwise disrupting the learning environment.
In this season of reflection, let’s remember that Baltimore City is unique not simply because of our similarities but our ability to honor our differences as well.