BCP recently held a donor tour at City Springs School and recorded a video of the event.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
HHA Food for Life in the News
The following article is from the Baltimore Examiner, November 7, 2008
School nutrition program teaches healthy eating
Hampstead Hill Academy's Food for Life program teaches nutrition basics
By Sara Michael
Examiner Staff Writer
At Hampstead Hill Academy, it's OK for middle-schoolers to play with their food.
Through the school's Food for Life program, students spend class time learning about what vitamins are in foods, how to prepare healthy meals, and of course, how the fresh foods taste. They even have an organic garden with fruits, vegetables and herbs.
"They almost without fail try it [if they] have a hand in identifying where it comes from, the recipe or the nutritional value," said Matt Hornbeck, Hampstead Hill principal.
Hampstead Hill is one of eight Baltimore schools incorporating nutrition into the school day using curriculum developed by the Food Studies.Institute, a nonprofit based
in Trumansburg, N.Y.
The institute's Food Is Elementary lesson plan teaches young children healthy eating habits - one solution to the rising rates of childhood obesity and the growing number of children taking medications for weight-related diseases, said founder and visiting Hopkins scholar Antonia Demas.
She has tried to make healthy foods fun by letting children touch, smell and taste new and diverse fruits and vegetables.
"They are so receptive to this type of education, and they are not getting it," said Demas, speaking at a conference Thursday at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.
The federal school lunch program feeds 53 million students a day, and 73 percent of Baltimore's students receive free and reduced meals, Demas said.
The standard meal of a hot dog, tater tots and canned fruit in syrup may meet the federal nutrition requirements, but it isn't healthy for students, she said.
For more on this story, visit baltimoreexaminer.com
smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com
School nutrition program teaches healthy eating
Hampstead Hill Academy's Food for Life program teaches nutrition basics
By Sara Michael
Examiner Staff Writer
At Hampstead Hill Academy, it's OK for middle-schoolers to play with their food.
Through the school's Food for Life program, students spend class time learning about what vitamins are in foods, how to prepare healthy meals, and of course, how the fresh foods taste. They even have an organic garden with fruits, vegetables and herbs.
"They almost without fail try it [if they] have a hand in identifying where it comes from, the recipe or the nutritional value," said Matt Hornbeck, Hampstead Hill principal.
Hampstead Hill is one of eight Baltimore schools incorporating nutrition into the school day using curriculum developed by the Food Studies.Institute, a nonprofit based
in Trumansburg, N.Y.
The institute's Food Is Elementary lesson plan teaches young children healthy eating habits - one solution to the rising rates of childhood obesity and the growing number of children taking medications for weight-related diseases, said founder and visiting Hopkins scholar Antonia Demas.
She has tried to make healthy foods fun by letting children touch, smell and taste new and diverse fruits and vegetables.
"They are so receptive to this type of education, and they are not getting it," said Demas, speaking at a conference Thursday at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.
The federal school lunch program feeds 53 million students a day, and 73 percent of Baltimore's students receive free and reduced meals, Demas said.
The standard meal of a hot dog, tater tots and canned fruit in syrup may meet the federal nutrition requirements, but it isn't healthy for students, she said.
For more on this story, visit baltimoreexaminer.com
smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com
BCP Harvest Fest
Over 300 children and families attended the first-ever BCP Harvest Fest on October 25, 2008 at the Rec Center in Patterson Park. Dance, Music, and Drama groups from our 5 charter schools performed. Every child went home with one or two free books, which were donated by Random House.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Baltimore Ravens Plan in Motion
The Baltimore Ravens All Community Team Foundation (RACTF) has awarded City Springs School and Collington Square School grants of $5,000 each to promote physical fitness. The grants will support the after-school Karate program at City Springs and volleyball, basketball, and soccer at Collington Square.
This year the Ravens’ Plan in Motion project has provided nearly $100,000 in grants to 23 nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore metropolitan area. RACTF is dedicated to improving and facilitating the healthy development of youth in Baltimore and throughout the state of Maryland.
Childhood obesity is on the rise and inactivity among the nation’s youth is a great concern. This grant program, in its second year, has been designed to encourage healthy youth activities and promote the importance of nutrition and exercise for children.
For more information on the Ravens ACT Foundation or the Ravens’ Plan In Motion project, visit www.baltimoreravens.com/community.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Accenture Partners with BCP
Accenture has volunteered to help BCP with its organizational development through Project
"Impact."
In an effort to “Impact lives” BCP and Accenture will embark on project to better organize and recommend a strategy for BCP that allows them to more efficiently and effectively achieve their goal to better serve and increase the outcomes of the underprivileged youth in Baltimore City and measure those results.
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.
We would like to thank the Accenture consultants who have so generously volunteered their time and expertise:
"Impact."In an effort to “Impact lives” BCP and Accenture will embark on project to better organize and recommend a strategy for BCP that allows them to more efficiently and effectively achieve their goal to better serve and increase the outcomes of the underprivileged youth in Baltimore City and measure those results.
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.
We would like to thank the Accenture consultants who have so generously volunteered their time and expertise:
- Vanessa Godshalk - Senior Executive Sponsor
- Matt Sitek - Project Manager
- Megan O’Keefe - Balanced Scorecard Developer
- Brittany Normand - Organization Design Developer
- Christine Ambrose - Balanced Scorecard Developer
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Second Annual Wolfest
Please join Wolfe Street Academy for our 2nd annual Wolfest street festival on Saturday, July 12, 2008 3-7pm
On Gough Street between Wolfe and Washington Streets Upper Fells Point; Admission is free.
Featuring:
On Gough Street between Wolfe and Washington Streets Upper Fells Point; Admission is free.
Featuring:
- Food by Arcos Restaurant, Michelle's Cafe & more
- Celebrated children's storyteller Maria Broom (4pm)
- Mexican traditional dance group Ballet Folklorico Mexico Vivo (5pm)
- Arts & crafts activities with The Creative Alliance
- Moon bounces, face painting, games, music, a raffle, dunking booth (with the Principal inside), sweets, etc!
For more information, please contact Connie Phelps at 410-409-8937, or conniephelps@ymaryland.org
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Homebuying Clinic
Learn from a lawyer about:
* Buying and financing a home
* Understanding your mortgage
* Avoiding scams
* Foreclosure
* What happens if you rent and the property is foreclosed upon
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
4 PM
Collington Square School
1409 N. Collington Ave.
Light refreshments
Questions? Call Kelia Murray at 410-675-7000 or Sarah Morgan at 410-951-7729
* Buying and financing a home
* Understanding your mortgage
* Avoiding scams
* Foreclosure
* What happens if you rent and the property is foreclosed upon
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
4 PM
Collington Square School
1409 N. Collington Ave.
Light refreshments
Questions? Call Kelia Murray at 410-675-7000 or Sarah Morgan at 410-951-7729
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
NFTE Business Plan Competition
Hampstead Hill Academy sixth graders Denise Caba, Jenny Lockamy, and Cheyenne Jones placed second in NFTE's Middle School Business Plan Competition on May 28, 2008.
The students presented a PowerPoint presentation about their business plan to a panel of four judges at the University of Baltimore. They were awarded $500.
The group learned about business and created their plans this school year in Anthony McKinney's NFTE business class. Matthew Sitek from Accenture acted as the group's mentor.
The judges were so impressed by the presentation that they asked the group to stay behind to record a demo, which will be shown to future middle school and high school business classes. View the demo below.
The students presented a PowerPoint presentation about their business plan to a panel of four judges at the University of Baltimore. They were awarded $500.
The group learned about business and created their plans this school year in Anthony McKinney's NFTE business class. Matthew Sitek from Accenture acted as the group's mentor.
The judges were so impressed by the presentation that they asked the group to stay behind to record a demo, which will be shown to future middle school and high school business classes. View the demo below.
Peace Canoe Parade
On June 4th City Springs School students and their Colliers Pinkard mentors showcased the 
canoes they built together at the Living Classrooms Foundation in the first-ever "Peace Canoe Parade"
canoes they built together at the Living Classrooms Foundation in the first-ever "Peace Canoe Parade"
The parade began at Living Classroom's Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum, where the City Springs Marching Band gave a rousing performance.
After being christened the canoes were placed in the harbor to prove their seaworthiness. Students, mentors, and teachers then paraded the canoes up South Caroline Street. An excited crowd at City Springs welcomed the cavalcade.
Since September 2007, City Springs School students and their Colliers Pinkard mentors have visited the Living Classrooms Foundation one day a month to build the peace canoes.
Gregory Pinkard, executive vice president of Colliers Pinkard, said that he wanted an effective way to build relationships with the children rather than just showing up at the school. "We have been mentoring students for 10 years,” said Mr. Pinkard, “and we are always trying to find unique ways to engage them.”
Nicole Keelty, vice president at Colliers Pinkard, developed this year’s mentoring program to build the canoes and produce a multimedia video. Living Classrooms provided space, materials and instructors for the project.
Nicole Keelty, vice president at Colliers Pinkard, developed this year’s mentoring program to build the canoes and produce a multimedia video. Living Classrooms provided space, materials and instructors for the project.
“In the past,” Keelty said, “we have collected winter gear, held a 
spring picnic and a Christmas pageant for the children. The only thing missing was consistent interaction between the mentors and kids, creating something positive and learning to work as a team."
Rhonda Richetta, principal of City Springs, said that she hopes the students who didn't participate in the program this year will see the canoes and begin to think about participating in the future.
spring picnic and a Christmas pageant for the children. The only thing missing was consistent interaction between the mentors and kids, creating something positive and learning to work as a team."Rhonda Richetta, principal of City Springs, said that she hopes the students who didn't participate in the program this year will see the canoes and begin to think about participating in the future.
City Springs School and the Baltimore Curriculum Project would like to thank Colliers Pinkard, Living Classrooms Foundation, and all of the mentors for their support.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Hogan & Hartson Volunteer Day
Thank you to Hogan & Hartson for the incredible work they did volunteering at Collington Square School on Friday May 30th. Approximately 55 volunteers spent the day painting both administrative offices; organizing the front office and storage space; beautifying the front of the school; cleaning up the park; organizing the book room; and painting the community garden. It was a great event and they plan to return 
during the next few weeks to finish painting the new teacher's lounge. We'd also like to thank Jennifer Eddinger, Naomi King, Kelia Murray and Kate Scherr for all their hard work and BVU's Volunteer Central for their ongoing support of BCP's schools.Friday, May 30, 2008
Business Plan Competition Winners
Students from Hampstead Hill Academy and Collington Square School participated successfully in NFTE's Business Plan Competition on May 23 and 28. Below are their rankings:
2nd Place ($500)- Denise Caba, Jenny Lockamy, Cheyenne Jones- Freeza
Hampstead Hill Middle School
NFTE CET- Anthony McKinney
Mentor: Matthew Sitek, Accenture
3rd Place ($250)- Stephen Day, Shannon O’Dair, Christopher Geleta- Krazy Kards
Hampstead Hill Middle School
NFTE CET: Anthony McKinney
Mentor: Matthew Sitek, Accenture
NFTE STARS:
Tawneisha Cherry & Bria Kyler- Candy Apples Co.
Collington Square Middle School
NFTE CET: Nicole Humphreys
Mentor: Darlene Ajayi, NFTE
To become involved with the NFTE Baltimore program, please e-mail Katie Schroeder - katie.schroeder@nfte.com
To learn more about NFTE visit: http://www.nfte.com/
2nd Place ($500)- Denise Caba, Jenny Lockamy, Cheyenne Jones- Freeza
Hampstead Hill Middle School
NFTE CET- Anthony McKinney
Mentor: Matthew Sitek, Accenture
3rd Place ($250)- Stephen Day, Shannon O’Dair, Christopher Geleta- Krazy Kards
Hampstead Hill Middle School
NFTE CET: Anthony McKinney
Mentor: Matthew Sitek, Accenture
NFTE STARS:
Tawneisha Cherry & Bria Kyler- Candy Apples Co.
Collington Square Middle School
NFTE CET: Nicole Humphreys
Mentor: Darlene Ajayi, NFTE
To become involved with the NFTE Baltimore program, please e-mail Katie Schroeder - katie.schroeder@nfte.com
To learn more about NFTE visit: http://www.nfte.com/
Op-Ed on Math in MD by Bob Embry
On May 29, 2008 The Baltimore Sun published an Op-Ed on Maryland's math problem that was written by Bob Embry, president of the Abell Foundation. Mr. Embry attended the K-12 Math Education Forum and quotes Professor Bill Schmidt, one of the panelists, in the article. This is great news for our chances of making progress on this issue in Maryland. Below is an excerpt from the Op-Ed:
While Maryland's Education Department is quick to tout the state's latest educational achievements, we're not so likely to hear about our failings. Here is a little secret: Maryland's math achievement is flagging. Maryland is one of the richest states - it has the highest median household income, according to a 2006 Census Bureau report. How come we're not at the top of the pack in math?
Math Forum Video Available
The online video of the Leading Minds Math Forum is now available at http://www.baltimorecp.org/leadingminds/.
We hope to hold another Leading Minds forum in the spring of 2009 and we are seeking support to make this happen. If you would like to donate online please visit http://www.baltimorecp.org/leadingminds/ and click the DONATE NOW button.
Checks can be made payable to "Baltimore Curriculum Project" and mailed to:
Baltimore Curriculum Project, 2707 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21224.
If you would like to learn more about the Leading Minds series or have suggestions for future topics, please feel free to contact Larry Schugam at lschugam@baltimorecp.org.
We hope to hold another Leading Minds forum in the spring of 2009 and we are seeking support to make this happen. If you would like to donate online please visit http://www.baltimorecp.org/leadingminds/ and click the DONATE NOW button.
Checks can be made payable to "Baltimore Curriculum Project" and mailed to:
Baltimore Curriculum Project, 2707 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21224.
If you would like to learn more about the Leading Minds series or have suggestions for future topics, please feel free to contact Larry Schugam at lschugam@baltimorecp.org.
Hampstead Hill Community Dinner
A Baltimore Times article on May 30, 2008 featured last month's Community Dinner at Hampstead Hill Academy, which celebrated healthy eating and food education.
“It's a wonderful thing for our school and community,” said Matthew Carpenter, Assistant Principal.
According to Principal Matt Hornbeck, who also mentioned the school's organic garden, spoke on how the program has brought together families from all walks of life.
It's neat when the food program can bring all of those people together, because food is the great common element everyone shares,” said Hornbeck.
“Taste of Baltimore,” the theme of the evening's dinner, brought dozens of enthusiastic parents, teachers, children and community advocates, tasting healthy food treats that were donated by area restaurants and prepared and served by students to honor the work of the Food Studies Program, a grassroots food education curriculum.
To read the full article visit http://www.btimes.com/News/article/article.asp?NewsID=88980&sID=4
For more information about the Food Studies Program, visit their website at http://www.foodstudies.org/.