Working with the Engagement Office at BCPS as a summer intern was truly a transformative experience . When I was filling out the goal sheet of the internship , there was one question that asked what I wanted to accomplish through the internship . As my academic background and research training are both rooted in sociology and public policy , I mostly thought about the big picture regarding institutional changes and policymaking . Although having the macroscopic lens in mind is critical , working with my colleagues and supervisors taught me to have my feet on the ground and start with the little things . For most of the summer , we were all busy preparing for the annual Family Festival that celebrates students ’ achievements and enhances school-parent engagement and collaboration . One of my tasks was to create a flyer to recruit volunteers . I put a QR code and an active link , and I thought it was straightforward and easily accessible . Brittany , one of my supervisors , liked the overall design , but she specifically asked me to add the line “ scan the QR code or click the link below to register ,” which I thought was unnecessary and redundant . I am not particularly technically savvy , but I do know the basics . While I initially lacked consideration of those without access to technology in Baltimore ( about 41 % of households in Baltimore do not have wired internet service ), I realized it is critical to add additional instructions on “ simple ” things such as using QR codes . It is essential to understand the audience you are trying to communicate with and provide maximum accessibility .
It is not the fancy and jargonistic text nor our definition of accessibility that provides easy access and understandability . Instead , we need to “ consider things from his point of view , to climb inside of his skin and walk around in it .” Indeed , as Harper Lee has keenly written in To Kill a Mockingbird , we must shift our perspective and center the solution around the marginalized communities . This is just one example of my unforgettable experiences at the engagement office . They equipped me with not only reflective and honest feedback that helped me professionally , but also life lessons that revolutionized my understanding of how to be a good advocate and a life-long civil servant . The hard- and smart-working , creative , passionate , resilient team provided me with unceasing support , and constantly inspired me to be the vehicle for social change .
Initiated and executed a proposal to recruit and orientate more than 130 volunteers , coordinating their shifts , roles , and responsibilities
Functioned as a liaison to coordinate communication , graphic design , and logistics between the engagement office and other departments to orchestrate the Family Festival , which broke the previous record with more than 1500 families attending
Developed and led presentations that advocated for our department and the PIE portal to forge strong partnerships with 40 principals at Partner Fair at the Operations Institute
Created , administered , and analyzed survey data from community schools to illustrate City Schools ’ regulatory compliance status
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BALTIMORE CITY 29TH PUBLIC STREET SCHOOLS COMMUNITY - ENGAGEMENT CENTER
Intern : Frank Aiman Meng Altaf Supervisor :: Nathalie Monique Werebe Simms
What is the BCPS What Office is of the Family 29th and Street Community Community Engagement Center ?
The Baltimore City Public The 29th Schools Street Office Community of Family Center and Community offers a variety Engagement of programs implements for kids , and supports adults , district and all policies ages . The , practices mission , of and the opportunities 29th Street Community that enable families Center is and to community partners build and to engage strengthen with neighborhoods schools ; mobilizes and and people aligns by public bringing , private together , and philanthropic residents resources of north within central identified Baltimore neighborhoods through meaningful and school community communities building ; helps coordinate and responses high-quality to the enrichment community programming around issues for and all ages concerns and ; background and provides . ombudsman services for resolving concerns and complaints .
COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT ORGANIZING AND POLICY