On The Record WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore

One-third of Maryland students were chronically absent last school year - missing 10 percent or more school days, according to the state department of education. Howard County had the fewest chronically absent students, about one in five, while more than half of Baltimore City students missed 18 school days or more. 

Hedy Chang is the executive director of Attendance Works. We ask what schools can do to create a strong connection to students and families.

On a local level, the Tackling Chronic Absenteeism Project is part of the Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts at the University of Baltimore School of Law. We speak with coordinator Rohina Zavala and case manager Christopher Kelly.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472

Danna Thomas taught in Baltimore City for nearly a decade. Now she’s teaching teachers how to prioritize their mental health in a profession ripe with overwhelming demands. What does it take to stave off burnout? In her new book, Thomas calls for a 'Happy Teacher Revolution.'

Thomas will be at Greedy Reads Remington on Tuesday, May 7th to speak about her book. Details here. 
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472

Thiru Vignarajah keeps coming back. It’s the democrat’s fourth run for office, his second campaign to become mayor of Baltimore City. He describes how he’d fund schools, his plans to make city streets safer and lessons learned from being a political outsider. 

Check voter registration status here, Thiru Vignarajah site here, request a mail-in ballot here, Early voting and other election day info here.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472

Seven hundred thousand Marylanders don't get enough food. The Maryland food bank has been fighting hunger for decades. Now they hope to get at the root of food insecurity with a new grant program -- we hear about it from COO Meg Kimmel.

Plus, Eric Jackson, head of the Black Yield Institute and Billy Humphrey, who leads City of Refuge-Baltimore talk about how their nonprofits plan to combat hunger in innovative ways.

Links: Maryland Food Bank, Black Yield Institute, City of Refuge-Baltimore.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472

Here is a Stoop Story from Devin Morris about claiming the title of "artist."

The next Stoop show is May 8th at Whitehall Mill. Storytellers will share tales about motherhood and about the complexities, challenges, and enduring significance of our relationships with our mothers.

Listen to more stories by checking out the Stoop Storytelling Series podcast.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472

The Baltimore News Collaborative's Youth Voter Guide is out now. The guide surveys young people and candidates about priorities this election. Baltimore Beat editor Lisa Snowden speaks with WYPR's Bri Hatch about top issues affecting youth, like the cost of housing and how Baltimore’s taxes are levied.

Check out the Youth Voices section. Read responses to the candidate survey.

The Baltimore News Collaborative is a local newsroom partnership exploring the challenges and successes experienced by young people in Baltimore. The collaborative is supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. WYPR, Baltimore Beat, The Baltimore Banner, Wide Angle Youth Media, Morgan State University, and Maryland Public Television are all members.

Links:Suspensions are increasing in Baltimore City schools. Is that a solution, or another problem?Coppin State University launches first-ever housing voucher partnership for low-income studentsProposed Baltimore ballot initiative builds community fund by taxing large institutionsMaryland lawmakers consider bill to reimburse college students on mental health leaveMaryland bill stops ‘slippery slope of censorship’ by banning book bans
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472