Join Us

After learning about the Blueprint and its power to transform Maryland’s education system and provide a world-class education for ALL students, please join WCGMD to support the successful realization of the Blueprint’s promises. Because we are volunteers with limited resources, we are currently sharing our passions and skills in these areas::

• Early Childhood Education, especially prebirth to 3

• School Culture & Community Support

• Workforce Development

• Advocacy

Here are specific Actions you may take to assist WCGMD to reach the full implementation of the Blueprint.

• possible Actions I have presented on the website.

  • Learn about us and other similar organizations;

  • Join/support WCGMD;

  • Learn about how your local school district is implementing the Blueprint;

  • Attend workshops;

  • Do research;

  • Advocate for public support of the Blueprint;

  • Write letters;

  • Make phone calls;

  • Attend School Board Meetings;

  • Meet with your State Delegates and Senators;

  • Attend committee and/or subcommitee hearings;

  • Help frame our content;

  • Write News releases, articles and OpEds to communicate our findings and encourage participation in the full implementation of the Blueprint;

  • Direct WCGMD’s social media presence;

  • Plan Press Conferences to communicate important findings and planned actions;

  • Assist with clerical and IT needs.

To help you decide how you might contribute to our work, the following provides information about the specific areas of focus for WCGMD.

Early Childhood, especially prebirth to 3

The key to lifelong learning, which is required in the 21st Century, is what happens pre-birth to kindergarten. We have an emphasis on this vital time in life. If you think your skills and interests could be useful in addressing this period in our children’s lives, please complete the form at the bottom of this page with a subject of Pre-K and provide any additional information you would like in the “I would like to” section of the form.

In addition to the above suggested Actions, here are some specific actions to consider if you want to be helpful in the Early Childhood area.

• Attend Early Childhood workshops and conferences;

• Learn more about Early Childhood issues in your county and in Maryland;

• Visit or volunteer at a Patty or Judy Center;

• Promote reading and other kindergarten readiness activities;

• Advocate for businesses to establish on-site or nearby child care facilities or provide childcare subsidies or scholarships for employees.

School Culture & Community Support

Real success of the Blueprint means we can no longer do the same things we have already done. We need widespread, system changes that pay attention to all of the factors that influence whether students are able to experience successful outcomes. Community schools provide wraparound services for students and their families; they reach beyond the academics and address social, emotional, health and other basic needs.

We are encouraged by the accomlishments of Restorative Schools. There are too few of these but the success of those that do exist make us promoters of them. Attendance is high; parents are involved and support the school; ;there is low teacher turnover; student achievement is high.

If you think your skills and interests could be useful in addressing this area, please complete the form at the bottom of this page with a subject of School Culture and provide any additional information you would like in the “I would like to” section of the form.

In addition to the Actions suggested above in the introducation to this page, here are some specific actions to consider if you want to be helpful in this area.

• Find out about the Community Schools in your local school district;

• Volunteer at a local Community School;

• Become aware of the nearest Restorative School;

• Visit the school;

• Volunteer at the school;

Workforce Development

Included in the Blueprint plan is that students will be ready in high school to begin preparation for their next step, attend college or pursue a career. Advanced Placement classes and dual enrollment in high school and community college are two steps towards being prepared for college. To prepare for a career, they need to be aware of possible career choices and then of the requirements to enter the career of their choosing. They may need to enter a technical school or become an apprentice or intern.

If you think your skills and interests could be useful in addressing this period in our children’s lives, please complete the form at the bottom of this page with a subject of Workforce Development and provide any additional information you would like in the “I would like to” section of the form.

In addition to the Actions suggested above in the introducation to this page, here are some specific actions to consider if you want to be helpful in this area..

• Become aware of/promote awareness about county career programs;

• Encourage business participation in Workforce activities;

• Become aware of employment opportunities and the necessary preparation to take advantage of these opportunities;

• Mentor students about career and college preparation;

• Offer/sponsor Internships or apprenticeships.

Advocacy

We need to actively publicize and support each of the above areas with information gathered by those with a focus on the targeted area. The Actions listed in the introduction to this page are ways Advocates can be involved.

If you think your skills and interests could be useful in advocating for our target areas, please complete the form at the bottom of this page with a subject of Advocacy and provide any additional information you would like in the “I would like to” section of the form.