Community Schools is proud to share that rental assistance is now available through the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program (CSRAP) — a partnership between United Way of Central Maryland and Baltimore City Public Schools.
This program helps families who may be behind on rent or facing housing instability get the support they need to stay safely housed.
Who can apply:
Baltimore City residents with school-aged children
Families experiencing financial hardship or at risk of eviction
How to apply:
Click the link below to complete the application and learn more about eligibility and required documents:
https://uwcm.org/csrap-baltcity/
If you have questions or need assistance completing your application, please reach out to Ms. Owens, Community School Coordinator! dmowens01@bcps.k12.md.us
Good afternoon FSK!
We want to share some important information about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease and how we are handling confirmed cases at FSK
Here’s how our school manages confirmed cases of HFMD:
The school nurse or administration notifies impacted classrooms or grade-level families (while protecting privacy). In accordance with local health department guidelines, we monitor for clusters and consult public health when needed. Our custodial staff cleans and disinfects all classrooms and spaces where the student has been in.
A child or staff member with HFMD should stay home if they have a fever. They should remain home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever‑reducing medicine and/or if they have open blisters.
When fever-free for 24 hours, feeling well, and new blisters are not forming, the child or staff may return, even if some rash remains. We will continue enhanced cleaning and disinfection (especially high-touch surfaces, toys, shared materials) during and after a case. We reinforce hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and safe practices school‑wide.
If more CONFIRMED cases arise, we will alert the health department, inform families and staff of steps being taken, and encourage vigilance for checking for symptoms. Families should report suspected or confirmed HFMD to the school nurse promptly to obtain guidance.
FSK takes the health and safety of our community seriously. By working together, we can reduce the spread of HFMD and ensure that, when illness occurs, we respond in a thoughtful, evidence-based way. Please review the HFMD info sheets attached. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our school health office or nurse.
School Nurse: Dannia Alexander
Email: ddalexander@bcps.k12.md.us
Nurse Tech: Ms. Vanessa
Nurse line: 410-291-2534
Thank you for your cooperation and care. Have a great day, on purpose!
We want to share some important information about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease and how we are handling confirmed cases at FSK
Here’s how our school manages confirmed cases of HFMD:
The school nurse or administration notifies impacted classrooms or grade-level families (while protecting privacy). In accordance with local health department guidelines, we monitor for clusters and consult public health when needed. Our custodial staff cleans and disinfects all classrooms and spaces where the student has been in.
A child or staff member with HFMD should stay home if they have a fever. They should remain home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever‑reducing medicine and/or if they have open blisters.
When fever-free for 24 hours, feeling well, and new blisters are not forming, the child or staff may return, even if some rash remains. We will continue enhanced cleaning and disinfection (especially high-touch surfaces, toys, shared materials) during and after a case. We reinforce hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and safe practices school‑wide.
If more CONFIRMED cases arise, we will alert the health department, inform families and staff of steps being taken, and encourage vigilance for checking for symptoms. Families should report suspected or confirmed HFMD to the school nurse promptly to obtain guidance.
FSK takes the health and safety of our community seriously. By working together, we can reduce the spread of HFMD and ensure that, when illness occurs, we respond in a thoughtful, evidence-based way. Please review the HFMD info sheets attached. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our school health office or nurse.
School Nurse: Dannia Alexander
Email: ddalexander@bcps.k12.md.us
Nurse Tech: Ms. Vanessa
Nurse line: 410-291-2534
Thank you for your cooperation and care. Have a great day, on purpose!
Good Morning FSK! I hope everyone is well today. This is a friendly reminder that today is an early release day. School dismisses at 1:00 PM today. Please ensure prompt pickup for your students at 1:00. ALU students will report to ALU at 1 PM.
Our main office telephones are down today. Please reach out to the school by email if you have issues or concerns. I have attached the External Point of Contact sheet to this email as a directory families can use to connect to staff.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are by appointment only and will begin at 1:30 PM. Teachers have communicated conference schedules. Please reach out to your student's teacher(s) if you have questions.
Our main office telephones are down today. Please reach out to the school by email if you have issues or concerns. I have attached the External Point of Contact sheet to this email as a directory families can use to connect to staff.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are by appointment only and will begin at 1:30 PM. Teachers have communicated conference schedules. Please reach out to your student's teacher(s) if you have questions.
Good Afternoon, FSK!
I thought I had posted this earlier in the school year, but I clearly made a mistake. If you have time to complete the Google form today, please do so!
The Baltimore Family Alliance is once again sponsoring students and families who may need support with buying gifts for their children during the holidays. Please note this program is NOT affiliated with any religious/faith-based organizations. If you are interested, or know of a family that could benefit from the support, please scan the QR code and complete the google form by tomorrow afternoon (October 15th). Please contact Ms. Russell if you need assistance or have questions: trussell@bcps.k12.md.us
I thought I had posted this earlier in the school year, but I clearly made a mistake. If you have time to complete the Google form today, please do so!
The Baltimore Family Alliance is once again sponsoring students and families who may need support with buying gifts for their children during the holidays. Please note this program is NOT affiliated with any religious/faith-based organizations. If you are interested, or know of a family that could benefit from the support, please scan the QR code and complete the google form by tomorrow afternoon (October 15th). Please contact Ms. Russell if you need assistance or have questions: trussell@bcps.k12.md.us
Good Afternoon FSK!!
Families in need of grocery support can receive free weekly groceries right here at
Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School.
Packs are given out every Thursday and can be picked up from the Main Lobby. Sign-up is required –you can scan the QR code on the flyer to complete the Google Form, which reserves your pack each week. or click the link here: Weekend Backpacks
Please email Ms. Owens (dmowens01@bcps.k12.md.us ) if you have any questions.
Happy Friday Eve, FSK!
We have had a fantastic start to our year. I want to thank all of you for helping us to grow and become a better school for our students, families, and community. Our students have been showing up and walking in our school's core values consistently, each and every day. While we understand that our children won't always make the best choices, it is our belief that working together as a community we can ensure that our students make the best choices on a consistent basis. With that being said, I'd like your assistance with the following issues we've seen over the past few weeks. Please forgive the lengthiness of the post--it is long, but necessary.
1. Playfighting: We have witnessed an uptick in the incidents of playfighting .Playfighting is dangerous. It often becomes aggressive, causing animosity between those involved and sometimes leading to actual fights. At FSK we treat playfighting as fighting, and we will dole out consequences for fighting as described in the Code of Conduct if students are caught participating in this behavior.
2. Bottom Smacking: We have also seen an increase of students smacking each other on the bottom. It's being reported that our young ladies are smacking young men on the bottom in a playful manner. This is NOT okay. When we've investigated these events, the offender will give the excuse of "...just playing" and "...he was laughing..." . These are not excuses and this behavior will also have consequences as outlined in the Code of Conduct. ALL of our students have agency over their bodies and we will not tolerate anyone violating that.
3. Shoe Game: Some of our students have been participating in this game at recess where they will steal and hide each other's shoes. The problem comes when those who hide the shoes can't remember where they hid them and students have to walk around shoeless while staff assists with locating shoes. A mild annoyance, yes, but it takes time away from the operations of the day.
4. SprayGround Tags: There is a very popular brand of bookbags many of our students carry called SprayGround. These bags are very expensive. They come tagged, and it's the tag that helps keep the value of the bag. The company, allegedly, has a promotion where if you turn in five tags you get a free bag. I'm unsure of the validity of this claim, but this is what students believe. There have been a few incidents of students taking the tags from other students for this purpose. This is not okay. Barring anything else, we want our students to respect each other's property, so no one should be touching anyone's belongings without explicit permission.
We are asking for parents and families to discuss these concerns with your students and reiterate expectations around these behaviors. We know kids will be kids, but it is important that they understand that it's best for them, and our entire community, when they make the right choices consistently.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Take care, and have a great day on purpose!
We have had a fantastic start to our year. I want to thank all of you for helping us to grow and become a better school for our students, families, and community. Our students have been showing up and walking in our school's core values consistently, each and every day. While we understand that our children won't always make the best choices, it is our belief that working together as a community we can ensure that our students make the best choices on a consistent basis. With that being said, I'd like your assistance with the following issues we've seen over the past few weeks. Please forgive the lengthiness of the post--it is long, but necessary.
1. Playfighting: We have witnessed an uptick in the incidents of playfighting .Playfighting is dangerous. It often becomes aggressive, causing animosity between those involved and sometimes leading to actual fights. At FSK we treat playfighting as fighting, and we will dole out consequences for fighting as described in the Code of Conduct if students are caught participating in this behavior.
2. Bottom Smacking: We have also seen an increase of students smacking each other on the bottom. It's being reported that our young ladies are smacking young men on the bottom in a playful manner. This is NOT okay. When we've investigated these events, the offender will give the excuse of "...just playing" and "...he was laughing..." . These are not excuses and this behavior will also have consequences as outlined in the Code of Conduct. ALL of our students have agency over their bodies and we will not tolerate anyone violating that.
3. Shoe Game: Some of our students have been participating in this game at recess where they will steal and hide each other's shoes. The problem comes when those who hide the shoes can't remember where they hid them and students have to walk around shoeless while staff assists with locating shoes. A mild annoyance, yes, but it takes time away from the operations of the day.
4. SprayGround Tags: There is a very popular brand of bookbags many of our students carry called SprayGround. These bags are very expensive. They come tagged, and it's the tag that helps keep the value of the bag. The company, allegedly, has a promotion where if you turn in five tags you get a free bag. I'm unsure of the validity of this claim, but this is what students believe. There have been a few incidents of students taking the tags from other students for this purpose. This is not okay. Barring anything else, we want our students to respect each other's property, so no one should be touching anyone's belongings without explicit permission.
We are asking for parents and families to discuss these concerns with your students and reiterate expectations around these behaviors. We know kids will be kids, but it is important that they understand that it's best for them, and our entire community, when they make the right choices consistently.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Take care, and have a great day on purpose!
The City Schools Cell Phone Policy is off to a strong start! Classrooms are calmer, students are more focused, and learning time is protected. With continued support from families and staff, this progress will only grow. Learn how students and families are participating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGg3i6hi65E
Help our schools receive the resources that students deserve! Complete your Annual Student Verification by Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Log in to Campus Portal to update or confirm student and contact information. If you have completed Annual Student Verification, we thank you. Learn more here: https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/page/annual-student-verification
NEW dates for the CEO Search Community Forums have just been released. Click the link to learn more about how you can offer input as City Schools searches for its next district leader: https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/article/2385508
Few updates with after school opportunities...
-- Tennis is ready to rock and roll with Coach Sammy for grades 5-8. If you want to join the squad, please email him to get permission slips and info - smah@bcps.k12.md.us
-- Join the Fun in Spanish Club at Francis Scott Key!
We’re thrilled to bring back Spanish Immersion Club with The Language Project this fall! Through games, songs, movement, and hands-on activities, students dive into the Spanish language in a fun, energetic, and fully immersive environment.
Led by experienced instructors, this high-energy program keeps students excited and engaged—building confidence and opening the door to the many lifelong benefits of bilingualism. Whether your child is new to Spanish or continuing from last year, this is the perfect way to learn while having fun!
Don’t miss out—spaces fill quickly!
Program Details:
Starts: Monday, September 22
Day/Time: Mondays, 4 – 5 pm
Grades: Classes for PreK, Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd – 4th grade
Teacher meets students at dismissal
Tuition (30-week program):
1 payment of $475 (reflects pay-in-full discount), or
9 monthly payments of approximately $56
Sibling discounts available at checkout
How to Register:
Visit www.languageprojectkids.com
Click on Clubs, Select Enroll Now, Choose Maryland Club Programs 25/26, Click on Spanish Club, and then Scroll to Francis Scott Key to complete registration.
Questions?
Contact Erika Porcel at mdspanishclubs@languageprojectkids.com or 410-935-3795.
-- Library After Hours!!
It's time for the first Library After Hours Session of the school year!
This session is for 25 students in K-5.
Wednesdays After School
*September 10th - November 5th*
3:40-4:40
*Please fill out a form for each child participating.*
You will be notified via email if your child(ren) gets into the program. There will be a waitlist if needed.
Middle School students can sign up to volunteer for Service Learning Hours.
Sign up - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2d3Po13hbYITSWWhy9jAeGrWdQINmnxBJRe1DgWCucr2Y8Q/viewform
-- Tennis is ready to rock and roll with Coach Sammy for grades 5-8. If you want to join the squad, please email him to get permission slips and info - smah@bcps.k12.md.us
-- Join the Fun in Spanish Club at Francis Scott Key!
We’re thrilled to bring back Spanish Immersion Club with The Language Project this fall! Through games, songs, movement, and hands-on activities, students dive into the Spanish language in a fun, energetic, and fully immersive environment.
Led by experienced instructors, this high-energy program keeps students excited and engaged—building confidence and opening the door to the many lifelong benefits of bilingualism. Whether your child is new to Spanish or continuing from last year, this is the perfect way to learn while having fun!
Don’t miss out—spaces fill quickly!
Program Details:
Starts: Monday, September 22
Day/Time: Mondays, 4 – 5 pm
Grades: Classes for PreK, Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd – 4th grade
Teacher meets students at dismissal
Tuition (30-week program):
1 payment of $475 (reflects pay-in-full discount), or
9 monthly payments of approximately $56
Sibling discounts available at checkout
How to Register:
Visit www.languageprojectkids.com
Click on Clubs, Select Enroll Now, Choose Maryland Club Programs 25/26, Click on Spanish Club, and then Scroll to Francis Scott Key to complete registration.
Questions?
Contact Erika Porcel at mdspanishclubs@languageprojectkids.com or 410-935-3795.
-- Library After Hours!!
It's time for the first Library After Hours Session of the school year!
This session is for 25 students in K-5.
Wednesdays After School
*September 10th - November 5th*
3:40-4:40
*Please fill out a form for each child participating.*
You will be notified via email if your child(ren) gets into the program. There will be a waitlist if needed.
Middle School students can sign up to volunteer for Service Learning Hours.
Sign up - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2d3Po13hbYITSWWhy9jAeGrWdQINmnxBJRe1DgWCucr2Y8Q/viewform
NEWS UPDATE: For the 2025-26 school year, City Schools requires students to power off, put away, and secure their cell phones during the day. Details: baltimorecityschools.org/page/cell-phone-policy
Dear Fourth Grade Families,
Yesterday, we received a parent report that some fourth grade students may have come across inappropriate images in magazines used during an art collage activity. The parent shared that their child described seeing pictures that included nudity.
As soon as we were made aware, our administrative team began investigating. We immediately connected with the art teacher, notified my supervisor, and sent an initial message to families last night. This morning, we continued our review by speaking with students and meeting again with the teacher.
During this process, our Assistant Principal, APVW, and the teacher went through the magazines used in the activity. They discovered that some yoga magazines, which had been donated for classroom use, contained advertisements with images of nude or partially nude bodies in yoga poses. While no private areas were depicted, we recognize these images were not appropriate for an elementary classroom setting. All of the donated materials deemed inappropriate have been removed and discarded.
Moving forward, our team will implement a more thorough review process for all donated materials before they are made available to students. We are committed to ensuring that all instructional and supplemental materials support a safe and age-appropriate learning environment.
Thank you for your partnership and understanding. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Tenerra McFadden
Yesterday, we received a parent report that some fourth grade students may have come across inappropriate images in magazines used during an art collage activity. The parent shared that their child described seeing pictures that included nudity.
As soon as we were made aware, our administrative team began investigating. We immediately connected with the art teacher, notified my supervisor, and sent an initial message to families last night. This morning, we continued our review by speaking with students and meeting again with the teacher.
During this process, our Assistant Principal, APVW, and the teacher went through the magazines used in the activity. They discovered that some yoga magazines, which had been donated for classroom use, contained advertisements with images of nude or partially nude bodies in yoga poses. While no private areas were depicted, we recognize these images were not appropriate for an elementary classroom setting. All of the donated materials deemed inappropriate have been removed and discarded.
Moving forward, our team will implement a more thorough review process for all donated materials before they are made available to students. We are committed to ensuring that all instructional and supplemental materials support a safe and age-appropriate learning environment.
Thank you for your partnership and understanding. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Tenerra McFadden
We are thrilled with how week 1 has gone so far! There is a positivity running through the building.
It’s the last day of the school week tomorrow so it’s a dress down day! Please be mindful that students should still dress according to the City Schools Dress Code.
We’ll also be celebrating our first week of school with Miss Twist! Our wonderful community partner, International Longshoreman’s Association, just a few rowhomes away, is fully sponsoring the event for every student and staff member to enjoy a well-deserved treat!
Class Dojo (app used for communication) is up and running. Invites have already begun to rollout. This is new for us so when we need to troubleshoot, please know we’re trying!
Welcome back!!
It’s the last day of the school week tomorrow so it’s a dress down day! Please be mindful that students should still dress according to the City Schools Dress Code.
We’ll also be celebrating our first week of school with Miss Twist! Our wonderful community partner, International Longshoreman’s Association, just a few rowhomes away, is fully sponsoring the event for every student and staff member to enjoy a well-deserved treat!
Class Dojo (app used for communication) is up and running. Invites have already begun to rollout. This is new for us so when we need to troubleshoot, please know we’re trying!
Welcome back!!
Dear Families,
We are excited to share that FSK will be hosting the Kids Zone during the Locust Point Festival on Saturday, September 13th—and we need your help to make it a success!
This is not only a fun way to support our school but also an important fundraiser for FSK. Volunteering is easy, and all helpers will receive a small thank-you!
👉 Please sign up for a shift here: Volunteer Sign-Up Link
Middle School students who participate will also earn credits toward their required service hours.
Thank you for supporting FSK and helping us make this a fun event for the whole neighborhood!
Best,
FSK PTO
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome back to a new and exciting school year! As we prepare to welcome your children back to school tomorrow, I wanted to take a moment to share our enthusiasm and highlight some of the key focuses for the year ahead.
Our team is eager to build on the wonderful progress made last year and continue fostering a nurturing and dynamic learning environment. This year, in accordance with the belief that ALL students can excel, we have set a goal that all students will increase their proficiency in ELA and Math by 1.3 grade levels from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, as measured by district diagnostic testing. FSK will prioritize several instructional strategies to support your child’s growth and development:
1. Small Group Instruction/Personalized Learning: We will be implementing more small group instruction to provide personalized support and targeted enrichment, helping each student achieve their best.
2. Improving Achievement Outcomes for Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners : Recognizing that every student learns differently and requires instructional practices geared to their individual needs, we will tailor our teaching approaches to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of all students.
3. Writing Across the Curriculum: Writing will be integrated into all subject areas to strengthen critical thinking and communication skills, making writing a central part of your child’s educational experience.
In order to further ensure the success of all of our students we want to also remind our families that City Schools has implemented a No Cellphone/Personal Devices policy. Students must keep all cellphones, personal laptops, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, Bluetooth headphones, etc., locked up during the school day. We will be enforcing this policy starting Day 1. FSKs personal device policy was emailed to families in our welcome letter and students will be bringing it home tomorrow as well.
As we work to meet and exceed our school’s goals and objectives, we call on our FSK families to collaborate and support us in this work. We want to thank our PTO for their continued support, with a special thank you goes to Martha Firehock for her exceptional work in navigating the district's enrollment process with us. Martha has worked tirelessly to ensure that all new parents and families received the information they needed, and her dedication has been invaluable.
We are also committed to ensuring that all students and their families feel valued and included in our school community. We believe that building strong relationships with you and your children is essential for their success. We will be intentional about creating a welcoming atmosphere and celebrating the cultures, talents, and achievements of all of our students.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we can make this school year a memorable and successful one for your child. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead!
Have a great day, on purpose!
Tenerra McFadden
Principal
#fromgoodtogreat
Girls on the Run - Grades 3rd-5th
If your child is interested in participating in Girls on the Run this fall, registration opens on August 23 and runs through September 10th. The program begins the week of 9/22/25 and ends with a 5k on Sunday 11/23 and runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45-5. You can find more information about this great program here: https://www.gotrchesapeake.org.
Registration numbers are limited. Spots will be given out through a lottery if necessary and you will be notified after September 11th as to whether your child has been accepted. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions at rcaldwell710@gmail.com. Attached flyer has further information. Click here to register: https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/Fall25ProgramGOTRGC.
School starts Monday, August 25, 2025! Ensure you're prepared by reviewing the City Schools 2025–2026 one-page calendar. It highlights important dates, such as the first and last days of school, holidays, early dismissals, and scheduled breaks. Download the printable version in English and Spanish here: https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/events
Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, students can still bring cell phones and other personal electronic devices to school—but they must stay powered off, put away, and secured during the school day. Learn more about the updated policy here: https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/article/2280560
Happy Monday! We've received a few emails from families who are experiencing difficulties completing the Annual Student Verification (ASV). Please click the link to log your issue: Annual Student Verification Issues Form
Ensure your student is well-prepared for a smooth start to the school year by completing the Annual Student Verification. Even if nothing has changed, reviewing and confirming your contact information helps your school stay connected and prepared to support your child from day one. Click here to learn how you can complete yours today: https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/page/annual-student-verification