2009

Annual

Fund Campaign

Everyone

Can Help

7/1/08-6/30/09

GOAL

$60,000

CONTRIBUTIONS

$24,852.97

as of 12/25/08

The Annual Campaign is the cornerstone of The Community School’s financial foundation.  It is how contributors from all backgrounds, from modest means to financially comfortable, assure that our students continue to have the opportunity to receive a rigorous academic education, improve their lives, and find success. Contributions to this campaign have ranged from $5.00 to $5,000 and every donation counts.

For more information:

Visit:  Ways to Give Webpage

Email: Donations@TCS-CAMP.com

Newsflash 11/3/08 The school was invited to speak  by Dr. Michael J. Klag, dean of the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University today.  Tom Culotta and student Steven Martin had a chance to speak to a group of specially invited staff as part of a United Way leadership meeting.  Everyone listened intently as Steven talked about his personal story in public schools and then at The Community School. In that audience was a Nobel Laureate, Dr. Peter Agre, who Steve was especially excited to meet. We deeply appreciate the invitation from Dr. Klag and the support from Jeff Pratt the Director of Faculty, Staff, & Retiree Programs at JHU.

Newsflash 11/10/08   Advisory Board member Ken & Paulette Bancroft brought in lunch today to share with the students.  During the extended lunch period, Ken & Paulette shared their stories about growing up in Remington and their own journeys in education and career.  The students were particularly moved by the heartfelt and candid comments of Paulette as she talked about her own struggles with education. The students shared their own thoughts about school and their plans for the future. It was a terrific lunch and a thought provoking discussion. The school is fortunate to have the active involvement of both Ken & Paulette and their care for the students.

Newsflash 11/11/08   The school hosted a meeting sponsored and chaired by Jane Sundius of the Open Society Institute today. The purpose of the meeting was to  “discuss the need for, barriers to, and desirability and characteristics of very small, recovery-type transformation schools for students who have already left school, are on their way out, or are DJS involved and who need a very small, very different environment to succeed.” Peggy Lashbrook and Tom Culotta represented The Community School. Over twenty people attended including two representatives of the Baltimore City Public Schools: Jonathan Brice, the Executive Director of Student Services and Laura Weeldreyer, Director of Charter and New and Innovative Schools. Several alternative education programs were represented and gave reports including The Chesapeake Academy, Independence School, Learning Inc., and The Learning Bank of COIL. We were honored to host the Director of OSI-Baltimore, Diana Morris, as well as the other educators and guests at our school. We look forward to continuing dialogue with all of them in the future toward the improvement of educational opportunities for Baltimore youth.

Newsflash 11/20/08   Each school day the students watch CNN Student News and spend 30-45 minutes discussing current events from the community to the world.  There has been much discussion about the financial crisis. To help understand the way it affects autoworkers and the  big companies, the students invited Dave Miller to speak to the class. Dave is student Amanda McCarty’s grandfather and a retired 30 year GM autoworker.  The students listened attentively and learned about what it was like to be an assembly line worker and also about the concerns of someone who is receiving a pension from a company that is in financial crisis.

Newsflash 11/20/08   Students Sara Ciulla and Desmond Carter along with staff Justin Switzer and Tom Culotta represented the school at the annual B’More Fund Celebration.  This fund is a giving circle created by local emerging leaders and honors local  “unsung heroes” each year with an award and a grant of $5,000.  Tom was honored by the group in 2006. This year’s honorees were Nzinga Oneferua-El and Nargas Hyman, both of whom work with youth in Baltimore. You can learn more about the fund by checking out their website: www.bmorefund.org.

Newsflash 11/17/08   A delicious lunch of homemade barbeque chicken, red beans and rice, and cheesecake pie was provided by Mary James, parent and Sponsor of student Kevin James.  Thank you Mary!

Newsflash 11/17/08  Representatives from the United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Hampden came for their monthly visit to the school today. Again they came bearing gifts of delicious food including homemade pies, ice cream, apple juice, and other goodies. They gave a card to the students that read in part: “When we at Good Shepherd Church count our blessings - you all are at the top of our ‘thanks list’.” We want these fine people to know that they always bring a smile to the students and are on our thanks list as well.

Newsflash 11/23/08 Through the combined efforts of volunteer and neighbor Jesse Warford, Trustee Lisa Gavin, and Eddie Gavin and his crew at CSC Construction, the school is now fully wired for internet.  The back classroom building is now networked with the rest of the facility and there is a computer for each student in the school.  We appreciate the ongoing efforts of Jesse & Lisa in setting up our network and keeping it and the computers operational

Newsflash 11/24/08 The students kicked off Thanksgiving week with a special lunch given for members of the Boards of Trustees and Advisors. There was plenty of good home cooking and great conversation as the students and Board members spread out in groups of tables around the classroom. Advisory Board members Paul Coates, Ken Bancroft, Tom Iacoboni, Sherry Welch, Felix Dialosio,  Chris Mazzulli, Jim Riley, Tony Culotta , Ruth Daiker and Peggy Lashbrook were joined by volunteer staff Susama Agarwala, Don Riesett, Dan Berger and special guest Jacque Iacoboni. Each of the students presented their goals and plans for the future with special reports presented by Steven Martin, Desmond Carter, Samantha Sloat, and Kris Watt. A great time was had by all.

Newsflash 11/23/08 Through the combined efforts of volunteer and neighbor Jesse Warford, Trustee Lisa Gavin, and Eddie Gavin and his crew at CSC Construction, the school is now fully wired for internet.  The back classroom building is now networked with the rest of the facility and there is a computer for each student in the school.  We appreciate the ongoing efforts of Jesse & Lisa in setting up our network and keeping it and the computers operational

Newsflash 11/24/08 The Advisory Board met today after the special luncheon given by the students.  Sherry Welch was elected as the new Chairperson of the Board.  Paul Coates and Ken Bancroft were recognized for their service as the leadership team that served during the rapid growth of the Advisory Board these last 2 years. Sherry spoke about her personal commitment and the great contribution that the Board members have made in spreading the word about the school and building an external network for it. The Advisory Board will meet again in mid-winter.

Newsflash 11/25/08 A general operating funds grant arrived today from the Goldsmith Family Foundation. This group has been supporting the school since 2006. In the letter to the school, the President of the foundation, Beth Goldsmith, stated, “We take pride in supporting organizations such as yours, and we wish you continued success..” Out thanks go to Beth and the Goldsmith family for your important and continued support of our program. Thank you also to foundation representative Wendy Samet, for her ongoing relationship with the school and concern for our students.

Newsflash 11/26/08 The first stage of student Kris Watt’s special Boy Scout project was completed today. Three maple trees were planted on the West 30th Street side of the building.  Kris designed and is implementing a beautification project at the school as the last part of his bid to obtain the honored rank of Eagle Scout.  Kris has enlisted the support of many people who have been critical to this project.  They include Basil Matthews and Jahmilla Wilson from the Forestry Division of the Baltimore City Bureau of Parks and Betty Robson from the Asplundh Corporation. Special thanks go to Advisory Board member Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke and Tim Shive, also from the Forestry Division, both of whom have given an enormous amount of time to see this project through. The trees look great and we are looking forward to the rest of this project.

Newsflash 11/25/08 The latest in technology is coming into our classrooms!  Today, we received a letter from Diane Miles, Assistant Vice President for External Affairs of the Verizon Corporation. Diane wrote, “The Verizon Foundation is delighted to support your program, and we thank you and your organization for your dedication and contribution to our communities.”  This grant will enable the purchase of  interactive “Smartboards” for both of our classrooms allowing for a multimedia approach to learning. This support further improves the already high quality education available to our students. Thank you Diane and to everyone at Verizon for supporting our students in such a great way.

Above: students with members of the Baltimore City Forestry Department in front of a newly planted red sunset maple tree

Left: student Kris Watt with Tim Shive

Newsflash 11/30/08 The Students completed the 1st Trimester on November 26th. At the end of each trimester the students complete a 2 page self-evaluation and a 10 page evaluation of the school. The students examine every major aspect of the school from tests and texts to teaching and school organization. The results of the school evaluation are being compiled by one of the trustees for a summary report to be presented by mid-December.  The report is shared with the class, parents and sponsors, and board members, and will be posted on our website.

Newsflash 12/6/08 The atmosphere was festive as students, alumni, sponsors, volunteers, and Board members gathered to decorate the school for the holidays.  Led by Creative Guy-In-Chief Dave Bayer, the crew worked into the evening.  There were many volunteers helping out including students Sara Ciulla, Samantha Sloat, Steven Martin, Evan Green, Larry Kearns, Erin Foltz, Kevin James, and newest class addition Freddy Chilcote who were joined by Alumni Jackie Bales and Thomas Magaha.  Sponsors Barbara Foltz, Mary Strong,  and Charlemagne Smith were on hand.  Advisory Board members Peggy Lashbrook and Mary Pat Clarke rounded out the crew with Volunteers Joshua Mooney, Denny Robinson,  Ronnie Robinson, and Kim Smith. Some of the students switched over at mid-afternoon to help student Kris Watt and his father Bob Watt work on his beautification project outside the school. To round out the activity, Trustee Lisa Gavin and Eddie Gavin did their faithful weekly food shopping for the school. Tom Culotta served some of his homemade chicken soup to warm everyone on this cold day and a fun time was had by all. The students and neighbors will be able enjoy the decorations daily, but everyone is invited to see them for yourselves when you join us for our Annual Holiday Open House on Wednesday, December 17th from 5:30-8:30.

Holiday

Decorating

Party

Newsflash 12/10/08 The third Sponsor Meeting of the school year took place tonight. Reports were given about the recently completed 1st trimester and plans for the new one. Future events were discussed and Kris Watt gave an update on the beautification project. Nearly all sponsors were present and all of the students were on hand. Erin Foltz, Kevin James, and Samantha Sloat received Honor Roll Certificates. These same students along with Larry Kearns, Evan Green, Sara Ciulla, Jarrad Gladden, Kris Watt, and Desmond Carter received certificates for not missing a day from school in the 1st trimester.  A highlight of the meeting was when several students delivered speeches that they had written for their writing class this week. Students were asked to imagine that it was graduation day and they were on the stage. Here are some quotes from those students:

”When there is nowhere else for us to go and get an education, most kids give up and resort to violence, but I’m living proof that there is another way out.” Jarrad  Gladden

“When I was fourteen, my life seemed as though it was going nowhere.  I believe that without this school, my life would still be in the same position.” Sara Ciulla

“The first day was amazing! All the people were all so welcoming to me and I felt comfortable.  Everyone treated me with respect and I really liked that.” Amanda McCarty

“I noticed this school was different from my old schools.  Everyone was paying attention, students were helping other students with their work, but the thing that really shocked me was everyone was doing their work.  This was different for me because in my old school, people had to watch their back from other kids trying to fight them.” Desmond Carter

“I am glad that I had The Community School to grow and learn from.” Ebony Love

Student Jarrad Gladden addressing students and sponsors.

Newsflash 12/10/08 Longtime friend of the school, Geoff Arrowsmith visited the students today and presented a check from St. Andrew’s  Christian Community Church to purchase a new laptop computer for the school. Geoff spoke about the strong and diverse community represented at their church on Roland Avenue and their efforts to network and reach out to the local community. Representatives from St. Andrew’s have both visited and supported the school before. A special thanks to Jonnie Barroll and the Mission Committee as well as the congregation at St. Andrew’s.

Newsflash 12/9/08 The students were pleasantly surprised and uplifted by a visit from the United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd Church today. The group brought individual Christmas gifts for each student in the school that included some home baked goods. The students showed their heartwarming appreciation in song for the monthly visits and kindness from these wonderful people.

Students using internet for research.

Sponsor Meeting

December 10th

2008

Holiday

Open

House

Newsflash 12/17/08 There were record crowds at the Holiday Open House at the school this year. Students, families, sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and community members all gathered to celebrate the season.  The food was delicious and plentiful with some of the best cooking from the neighborhood, and the joy and fellowship were both in abundance.  A highlight this year was the campfire in the back courtyard with the smell of fresh cedar in the air. It was a wonderful reminder of the diverse and unique community that makes up the school and allows it to be such a great place to be and learn.

Holiday Open House