- Food Pantry– To help combat food insecurity, the food pantry at Lois T. Murray School serves as a distribution center where students, families and staff can receive food. The food pantry consists of donated food from our partners. The Maryland Food bank and Weekend Backpacks.
- Hygiene Closet– Having great hygiene affects self-esteem and the ability to feel good about one’s self. Our goal is to uplift students and provide a safe place for students, families and staff to receive tioletry and household items.
- Clothing Closet Hours of operation Monday-Thursday 10am- 2pm The purpose of the school’s clothing closet is to help any student in need. The closet can provide clothing if a student falls and rips their pants, to having an accident or not being prepared on a winter day.
As the Lois T. Murray Elementary/ Middle School Community Schools Director, my purpose is to implement an evidence-based school improvement strategy in which Lois T. Murray partners with community organizations and local government, to provide an integrated focus on academic improvement, health and social services.
I am working to ensure that our community partnerships are mutually beneficial. It is important to support our partners anyway that we can.
What is a Community School?
A community school serves as the hub of its community and unites families, educators, and community partners in an effort to provide all students with top quality academics, enrichment, health and social services and opportunities to succeed in school and in life. Together we will aim to improve student outcomes, reduce mental health stigma and social isolation as well as strengthen community partnerships by building alliances and networks.
If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Miller at nicolemiller@ymaryland.com
Community School Activities/Events and Family Resources
Back to school NIght
Parents will have the opportunity to learn about events, activities, and updates for the new school year. Parents will also have the opportunity to sign up for volunteer positions throughout the year. Some positions will be stipend.
Books for Breakfast
This event will feature a pancake breakfast coupled with storytelling. Studends, staff and parents are invited to attend. Participants can wear costumes of characters from books. Parents and students will have the opportunity to pick through books and take them home.
Community based instruction trips (cbi)
CBI is an instructional method that takes place in the student’s natural, non-school environment. It is designed to teach functional skills based on IEPS goals, vocational goals and transition goals. The expectation for all students is that one day they will become responsible adults living, working, shopping and socializing in integrated environments within the community. Examples of CBI trips include grocery stores, library, fitness center, mall, etc.
Fire safety day
Students will learn about fire safety from the Baltimore City Fire Department.
multicultural night
To celebrate ethnic and cultural diversity. Families will choose a country or their own heritage to showcase it. There will be performances and food.
parents’s day out
Parents will go on a field trip to engage with other parents and to reboot from life’s daily activities. Dave and Buster’s possibly.
family fitness night
This event will expose students and families to fun and physical activities that can be enjoyed together at home as well as connect families to fitness resources within the community. The event will include fitness stations, healthy and nutritious snacks and resources about low-cost activities (such as Y memberships, local fitness centers, health department and after school activities.
Parent One day retreat
A day of learning, relaxation, and engagement for parents.
parent workshops
These workshops will give parents and caregivers the opportunities to meet other parents and share their concerns, resources, and positive highlights. Each month a speaker will come in to address a certain topic.
pets on wheels
Pets on Wheels provides pet therapy that provides affection and comfort to people in hospitals, schools, people with learning disabilities and to those in streeful situations such as disasters through friendly interactions.
Family cooking class
Families and students will participate in a cooking class together to learn new skills and engage in family fun.
Field trips
B&O Railroad, We Rock The Spectrum, Farm, etc.
Service Day
Students, staff, parents and community members will engage in a day of service around the school community. All participants will be given a task to complete that includes gardening, making appreciation cards, picking up trash, etc.
community partners
