BCP News

City Springs Restorative Practices Featured on CBS

2012-01-26T18:33:00.000-08:00

City Springs School's implementation of Restorative Practices was featured in a January 25th CBS News broadcast.

Restorative Practices is a proactive approach for building a school community based on cooperation, mutual understanding, and respect. Restorative practices provides processes for holding students accountable for their actions and behavior while at the same time building a nurturing school environment.

BCP brought Restorative Practices to its four neighborhood charter schools in 2007 with the support of grants from OSI-Baltimore and the Goldsmith Family Foundation.

Read the article and view the video at:
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/01/25/md-to-reconsider-zero-tolerance-policy-towards-conduct-violations-in-schools/

92Q Jams Supports Collington Square School

2012-01-26T12:37:00.000-08:00

On Friday January 25, 2012 Sean and Ian from 92Q Jams visited Collington Square School of the Arts to generate excitement about the school's incentive program for good behavior.

Students in grades three through five earn points for good behavior on their Collington Cards. The points add up to prizes an field trips.

In order to motivate the students, Assistant Principal Bernarda Kwaw invited 92Q to celebrate and shout out to the students who are doing a wonderful job using their Collington Cards.

Thank you to 92Q for supporting Collington Square School of the Arts.

Wolfe Street Receives Lowe's Grant for Living Classroom

2012-01-21T02:49:00.000-08:00

The Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation (LCEF) has awarded Wolfe Street Academy a 2011-2012 Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant of $2,000 to support the school's Outdoor Living Classroom Project.

The grant will enable the school to transform an underutilized courtyard into a serene Living Classroom learning environment for students, families and the local community. The courtyard, which currently contains a container garden, will also include benches, raised flower beds, a butterfly garden, a bird bath and feeders.

Teachers will use the University of Maryland Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program's Growing Healthy Habits (GHH) curriculum to provide nutrition education through gardening.

This curriculum was developed specifically for educators in Maryland reaching low-income youth who wish to use gardening as a tool for improving nutrition-related behaviors. GHH was written by Chrissa Carlson, Hampstead Hill Academy's Food for Life Educator.

A variety of partners are supporting the project. Students from Kennedy Krieger High School have volunteered to build the raised planter beds; Master Gardeners from the University of Maryland’s Nutrition Education Program will provide technical assistance; and the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation will provide a variety of workshops for students on nutrition and gardening.

We would like to thank Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation for supporting our Living Classroom project.

About Lowe’s Toolbox for Education
Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant program is funded by the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, which has supported thousands of grassroots community and school projects in the communities where Lowe’s does business. Learn More.

City Springs Sweeps MLK Essay Competition Again

2012-01-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

City Springs School has swept the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Writing Competition for the second year in a row. The competition is hosted by the Baltimore Urban Debate League (BUDL) and The Walters Art Museum.

Congratulations to Chelsea Gilmer (4th grade), Charisma Coles (6th grade), and Shardai Little (7th grade) for winning the Elementary and Middle School Divisions. They presented their winning essays at the Walters Art Museum's MLK Jr. Family Festival on January 16th.

The students composed essays about unsung heroes of the civil rights movement; what Dr. Martin Luther King meant to them; and how they want to continue his legacy today.

Last year City Springs School took 1st and 3rd place in the Elementary Division and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Middle School Division.

Read the winning essays at:
http://www.baltimorecp.org/docs/MLK12essaywinners.pdf

View of video of Shardai Little reading her essay on the BUDL Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/bmoredebate

About BUDL
The Baltimore Urban Debate League (BUDL) enriches the academic experience of students from Baltimore City's public elementary, middle and high schools through participation in team policy debate. Through debate, students become engaged learners, critical thinkers and citizens and leaders who are effective advocates for themselves and their communities.
http://budl.org/

About The Walters Art Museum
The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland is internationally renowned for its collection of art, which was amassed substantially by two men, William and Henry Walters, and eventually bequeathed to the City of Baltimore. The collection presents an overview of world art from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th-century Europe, and counts among its many treasures Greek sculpture and Roman sarcophagi; medieval ivories and Old Master paintings; Art Deco jewelry and 19th-century European and American masterpieces.
http://thewalters.org

BCP Featured on Restorative Practices Blog

2012-01-19T08:27:00.000-08:00

An article about BCP and Restorative Practices was featured on the Restorative Practices Blog:

In the fall of 2005 Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) President Muriel Berkeley attended a workshop at the Maryland Charter School Network Conference that sparked a wholesale transformation of school culture at BCP’s four neighborhood charter schools: City Springs School, Collington Square School of the Arts, Hampstead Hill Academy, and Wolfe Street Academy.
The workshop, led by Tonya Featherston, explored Restorative Practices (RP), a school-culture building approach that promotes positive relationships over punishment.

“RP was just what we were looking for to improve our school climates,” said Dr. Berkeley.

Read the full article at:

http://blog.iirp.edu/2012/01/baltimore-curriculum-project-and-restorative-practices-transforming-schools-neighborhoods/

Dorfman Museum Figures Donates Art Supplies

2012-01-18T16:50:00.000-08:00

Dorfman Museum Figures, a Dundalk-based business, has donated spools and other art supplies to Wolfe Street Academy's After-School Art Program. Students used the spools to create the beautiful artwork you see in the photo above.

Myra Gnadt, Administrator for Dorfman Museum Figures, has been instrumental in coordinating the supply donations. Founded by Earl Dorfman in 1957, Dorfman Museum Figures, Inc. has added vitality and drama to museums and exhibits from the Smithsonian to Singapore.

We would like to thank Dorfman Museum Figures and Ms. Gnadt for their support.

For more information about Dorfman Museum Figures visit: http://www.museumfigures.com

To learn more about the Wolfe Street After-School Art Program contact Program Director Nancy Jagelka at njagelka@gmail.com

BCP Schools Selected for MissionSpring Fundraising Training

2012-01-17T20:06:00.000-08:00

Two BCP Schools, City Springs School and Wolfe Street Academy, have been selected to participate in the inaugural class of MissionSpring, a yearlong, professional fundraising training academy being offered to Baltimore City’s charter, transformation, and innovation schools.

The program is sponsored by Supporting Public Schools of Choice, a project of the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, and led by Sangha Solutions and Jump Start Growth, Inc.

MissionSpring provides participating schools with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to build and sustain an individual giving program.

The inaugural class of MissionSpring (2012) includes the following schools: Baltimore Community High School, Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women, Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy, City Neighbors Foundation, City Springs School, Midtown Academy, Patterson Park Public Charter School, Southwest Baltimore Charter School, and Wolfe Street Academy.

We would like to thank Supporting Public Schools of Choice, Sangha Solutions, and Jump Start Growth, Inc. for making this opportunity available to our schools.

Hampstead Hill Academy January 2012 Newsletter

2012-01-14T18:40:00.000-08:00

Check out Hampstead Hill Academy's January 2012 Newsletter at: http://bitly.com/hhanews0112

Support Audubon with an Evening at Bistro RX

2012-01-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

Support the Patterson Park Audubon Center by dining at Bistro Rx on Thursday, January 26th between 4:00pm and 9:00 p.m. A portion of dinner and drink sales will be donated to Audubon's urban environmental education programs. Be sure to mention Audubon to your server.

Bistro Rx, located at the intersection of North Linwood Avenue and East Baltimore Street, is a Patterson Park neighborhood restaurant serving outstanding food and delicious wines.

http://bistrorx.net/

Patterson Park Audubon Center has provided Hampstead Hill Academy students with environmental education programming for several years. Each year Legg Mason contributes a generous matching grant to make this possible.

About Patterson Park Audubon Center

Patterson Park Audubon Center is part of Audubon Maryland-DC and has been actively involved in this Baltimore community since 2002, providing education programming with schools, recreation centers, and after school programs in Patterson Park. The education staff also provides public programs, including bird walks, Tiny Tot programs, Active Audubon! and family and adult programs in the Park for the community. We serve five of the elementary schools around Patterson Park, two after-school programs, as well as eight Baltimore City high schools. Several of these programs we offer in English and in Spanish.

http://pattersonpark.audubon.org/

Thank You to Hampstead Hill Partners

2012-01-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

We would like to thank the following partners for supporting Hampstead Hill Academy:

Melissa Thompson, General Manager at LensCrafters and the staff of LensCrafters for inviting five Hampstead Hill Academy students to their Hometown Event. The students received a free screening, eye examination and glasses.
The residents of Indecco Senior Apartments for their donation of hats, scarves and gloves for our kindergarten students.
The Bryan Family for donating miscellaneous items to the school.
The Edwards Family for a cash donation of $100 to the students of HHA.
All of the parents who have volunteered in various areas of the building: Ruth Pruitt, Ms. Jill, Ms. Peterson, Jeanne Pasko, Julie Bryan, Trish Gnibus, Jessica Smith, Kristina Bachman, Justin Pruitt, Maryana Romanyuk, Michele Franklin, Mr. Jillson and Dominique Zeltzman.
The parents who volunteered to chaperone field trips and who donated gently used uniforms.

Legg Mason Visits Hampstead Hill Academy

2012-01-14T17:16:00.000-08:00

Tom Hirschmann and Joe Larocque Read to HHA Students

On December 15, 2011 Legg Mason Managing Director Joe Larocque and Head of U.S. Sales Tom Hirschmann visited Hampstead Hill Academy to read to students in Mrs. Kaminaris and Mrs. Smith's kindergarten class.

They read the 20th Anniversary edition of Jan Brett's The Mitten and gave each student a copy of the book, a hat and a pair of mittens. The students were delighted with the story and excited to wear their new hats and mittens.

We would like to thank Mr. Larocque, Mr. Hirschmann and Legg Mason for their generosity and continuing support.

BCP/Hampstead Hill Academy to Host Restorative Practices Event

2012-01-14T17:02:00.000-08:00

The Baltimore Curriculum Project and its four neighborhood charter schools value Restorative Practices and the power of positive relationships to improve student achievement.

Over the last four years, the staff at Hampstead Hill Academy (HHA) has conducted thousands of restorative circles designed to build community and minimize bullying and negative behaviors.

In February, the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) and HHA will host Baltimore City Public Schools CAO Dr. Sonja Brookins-Santelises, Network Officer Jonathan Brice and dozens of principals as they visit classrooms, observe students participating in circles and learn about Restorative Practices.

City Springs Students Visit Walters Art Museum

2012-01-14T16:54:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks groups of City Springs School students have had the wonderful opportunity to visit and learn about the art at The Walters Art Museum. City Springs Art Teacher Kasey Trudgeon shares her impressions about the visits below.

Although I was told by both docents of Ms. Hagemann's class how much fun they had with our students, it was wonderful to hear them say, as the door was shutting behind me, "what a wonderful group of students" they really are.

I overheard the students and the docents having intellectual conversations about Ancient Greece and Greek mythology, and, at one point, a group of students and their docent were actually quietly dancing through the museum to the Greek celebration music their docent was playing for them.

The artistic ability, creativity, and imagination of the students in Ms. Roberts' class were all duly noted by the studio art teacher at the Walters. These students attended the "Telling Stories Through Art" exhibit, and during their studio visit, created 3-D artwork that told a story of its own by using the different story elements.

The Academy [Middle Grades Students] also contributed to the reputation of City Springs when they attended. A docent for a group of seventh grade boys said that their group knew more than any other group she had ever given a tour to; while a docent for a group of eighth grade girls noted what a wonderful group we had representing our school.

Many of our students cannot wait to go back on their own to visit the rest of the museum!

We would like to thank The Walters Art Museum for welcoming our students. Not only did our students gain relevant information for what they are learning in class; but they also gained an invaluable experience in their very own city.

About The Walters Art Museum
The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland is internationally renowned for its collection of art, which was amassed substantially by two men, William and Henry Walters, and eventually bequeathed to the City of Baltimore. The collection presents an overview of world art from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th-century Europe, and counts among its many treasures Greek sculpture and Roman sarcophagi; medieval ivories and Old Master paintings; Art Deco jewelry and 19th-century European and American masterpieces.

For more information visit: http://thewalters.org

Travel Advantage Network Donates 2,000 Book Bags to BCP Students

2012-01-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

MILLERSVILLE, Md., Jan. 11, 2012

Local Company's Charitable Efforts Support the Baltimore Curriculum Project

MILLERSVILLE, Md., Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Travel Advantage Network (TAN), a wholesale vacation accommodations program, donated 2,000 book bags to a network of Baltimore City schools affiliated with the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP). Wolfe Street Academy, a Baltimore City public charter school and BCP member, was able to equip its entire student population of pre-kindergarten through 5th grade students with the TAN sling book bags. The remainder of the bags went to other BCP-affiliated schools. Chief development officer and vice president of the Baltimore Curriculum Project, Larry Schugam, personally delivered the bags to the students.

"We are incredibly grateful for TAN's donation of book bags for our four neighborhood charter schools which include City Springs School, Collington Square School of the Arts, Hampstead Hill Academy and Wolfe Street Academy. Gifts like these make a big difference in the lives of our students," stated Larry Schugam, chief development officer and vice president of the Baltimore Curriculum Project.

The Baltimore Curriculum Project is a nonprofit organization that endows four neighborhood charter schools in East Baltimore. Its mission is to develop, implement, and advocate for an innovative, sustainable, and replicable education model that improves student outcomes. A vital goal of the organization is to help raise standards and opportunities for disadvantaged youth and Baltimore City schools.

TAN has been dedicated to charitable giving since its inception. Brad Callahan, TAN president, has cultivated a culture of giving at Travel Advantage Network that includes a commitment to monthly charitable events. Each month an employee chooses a charity to sponsor and donations are raised during that month through various fundraising activities such as raffles, silent auctions, pay-to-wear-jeans days, and other fun events to get TAN team members to contribute. In 2011, TAN raised more than $12,000 for various local and national charities. For information about Travel Advantage Network and its charitable efforts, please visit PlanWithTAN.com or the Travel Advantage Network Charity Blog.

Since 1992, TAN, a wholesale priced vacation accommodations program, has helped families and individuals create lifelong vacation memories. TAN is the proud recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Maryland's prestigious Torch Award for exemplifying high business standards and professional integrity, as well as the Maryland Chamber of Commerce's Philanthropy in Business Award for outstanding and innovative commitment to local and national charities. TAN is a recipient of SmartCEO Magazine's 2008 and 2009 Future 50 Award, recognizing the fastest growing companies in the greater Baltimore area. For more information, please visit PlanWithTAN.com.

Media Contact:
Shayna Iglesias
Travel Advantage Network
siglesias@planwithtan.com
Phone: 800.223.0088 x 259
www.PlanWithTAN.com

BCP and Restorative Practices Transform Schools & Neighborhoods

2012-01-10T16:32:00.000-08:00

Restorative Circle at City Springs School

In the fall of 2005 Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) President Muriel Berkeley attended a workshop at the Maryland Charter School Network Conference that sparked a wholesale transformation of school culture at BCP's four neighborhood charter schools: City Springs School, Collington Square School of the Arts, Hampstead Hill Academy, and Wolfe Street Academy .

The workshop, led by Tonya Featherston, explored Restorative Practices (RP), a school-culture building approach that promotes positive relationships over punishment.

"RP was just what we were looking for to improve our school climates," said Dr. Berkeley.

Restorative Practices uses restorative circles and conferences to help students with conflict resolution; teaching them vital skills that will help them succeed in college, career, and life. In addition to addressing misbehavior, Restorative Practices develops life skills and channels students into productive discussions of issues that concern them.

"RP has been critical to helping our schools become safe havens for learning. Fourteen years ago, before BCP became involved, City Springs was extremely chaotic. Kids didn't stay in class or even in the building, but did as they pleased," said BCP President Muriel Berkeley.

"When BCP came on board, students learned new rules; rewards were put in place for following the rules; and everything improved. Several years later, BCP staff realized that students behaved only if the adults were watching. Students hadn't internalized the behavior. Then we heard about RP: a way to teach kids how their actions affected their classroom, their school and their neighborhood."

In 2006 BCP implemented RP at City Springs School, Collington Square School and Hampstead Hill Academy with the support of a $42,000 grant from the Open Society Institute - Baltimore and two $20,000 grants from The Goldsmith Family Foundation .

The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) provided training for all teachers and administrators. That same year BCP brought on OSI Fellow Tonya Featherston to oversee the RP implementation.

"High-poverty schools tend to face more challenges than higher-income schools; but most schools don't have the time to seek out additional support," said BCP Executive Vice President Larry Schugam.

"That's why BCP works with schools to identify and implement effective education strategies like Restorative Practices, Direct Instruction, and CHAMPS."

The impact of Restorative Practices has been impressive

"When BCP brought Restorative Practices training to City Springs School six years ago, many teachers were a bit skeptical about what impact this school-wide approach to discipline would have on student behavior. It seemed almost too simple to address our challenges," said City Springs School Principal Rhonda Richetta.

"To say we have experienced remarkable results is an understatement: in just one year, suspensions plummeted from 86 to 9!"

What the Students Say

"I like Restorative Practices because it clears stuff off your mind and keeps you from fighting. If you fight with someone you can talk it out," said City Springs fourth grader Antonio Wilson.

"If you're stressed you can talk it out and talk about your feelings. Restorative Practices helps you get to know your classmates better," said City Springs fourth grader Kenyon Park.

"When people are going through stuff at home, you get ideas on how to cope with family members," said City Springs seventh grader Sherie Turnage.

Beyond the School

The influence of Restorative Practices continues to grow at BCP's four schools and beyond. Dr. Berkeley and Principal Richetta were featured speakers at the 2011 IIRP Summer Symposium; Hampstead Hill Academy Principal Matt Hornbeck recently hired a full-time Restorative Practices expert to take their school to the next level; and City Springs School is in year two of a school-wide RP implementation that will etch the process thoroughly into the school's culture.

"For many students there is one set of rules in the school and another set of rules in the neighborhood," said Principal Richetta.

Last spring City Springs provided Restorative Practices training for families of students living in Perkins Homes Public Housing. Afterwards, the training was the "talk of the courts."

"Our vision extends to helping create a Restorative Zone that encompasses the school and the entire neighborhood," said Principal Richetta.

This may sound like a fantasy; but it is a reality in Hull, England where IIRP is bringing Restorative Practices training to the City's 23,000 professionals and volunteers who work with children and young people.

"Just imagine if we could bring Restorative Practices to all of East Baltimore!" said Dr. Berkeley.

Restorative Practices at City Springs School

2012-01-05T05:55:00.000-08:00

Photographer Matt Roth's Photoblog features some beautiful photos of Restorative Practices in action at City Springs School.

BCP implemented Restorative Practices (RP) at City Springs School, Collington Square School of the Arts, and Hampstead Hill Academy in 2006 with the generous support of grants from the Open Society Institute-Baltimore and the Goldsmith Family Foundation.

The project was led by BCP's former Director of RP, OSI Fellow Tonya Featherston. In 2007 BCP implemented RP at Wolfe Street Academy. The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) has provided training for all of our schools.

Read more about the success of RP on the Matt Roth Photography website: http://mattrothphoto.com/blog/2012/01/baltimore-dc-photographer/education-week-safety-restorative-practices/

City Springs wants to turn dilapidated schoolyard into sports complex

2012-01-02T05:49:00.000-08:00

The community recently opened a football field, but school wants place for kids to play

By Liz Bowie, The Baltimore Sun
4:43 PM EST, January 2, 2012

Most mornings, students arrive early at City Springs Elementary/Middle School to throw a football around on the blacktop. They love the game, but it is hard to play in the raggedy yard behind the school.

The students of the school had a plan back in 2007. A group wrote a letter and gathered signatures, then handed it to the principal at a morning assembly.

"The complex outside has many things wrong with it," they wrote. "It is outlined with a very uneven grass, it has broken glass on the rocky concrete, a broken gate, a swing set without swings, a basketball court with only one goal and it is very trashy. This needs to be fixed because many children hurt themselves on the complex. … We can have a football field, basketball court, a swing set and a gate to keep intruders [out]."

The principal listened and so did the adults in the community. From the students' vision has come a new regulation-size football field dedicated recently that will serve as a place for sports teams in the neighborhood. Built with a $100,000 grant from the NFL to Living Classrooms Foundation and $135,000 from the city's Department of Recreation and Parks, the field also was supported by the Ravens.

But the football field was built a block away from City Springs because the school grounds were not large enough to accommodate a 100-yard playing field. And because the field is fenced, the students don't have access to it every morning.

Six schools, including a high school, Freedom Academy, are nearby and have teams that need a field. City Springs has an intramural flag football team, as well as a soccer and basketball team for its middle-schoolers.

"I feel good about the field that has been given to the community, but I get out of my car every day and I look at that field [at the school], and it looks the same as it did four years ago," said the principal, Rhonda Richetta. "I feel I have let the kids down."

The space behind the school is large enough to hold everything the students in 2007 imagined as well as a track for running, according to Larry Schugam, the executive vice president and chief development officer for the Baltimore Curriculum Project, which operates City Springs as a charter school.

Schugam developed a master plan for the area several years ago, and he said he and Richetta are hoping to reconvene the committee that worked on the football field to build a sports complex behind City Springs. Schugam said they hope to raise more money — he estimates the cost at between $500,000 and $800,000 — to provide good facilities.

The school could reach out to the community and local businesses, as well as the NFL Local Initiatives Support Coalition Grassroots Program, which provided funding for the first field. Schugam said the new field would be 80 yards long rather than 100 yards, but still provide plenty of space for elementary and middle-school students.

City Springs students are particularly interested in sports, Richetta said, and at times she has considered whether the school should have a particular focus on athletics.

"There is a lot of talent at City Springs, and we are not tapping into it. It is tragic," she said.

Right now the school, with about 600 students, can devote little time to athletics. Every student takes physical education for one 45-minute period a week. In addition, students can go outside once a week during lunch to play on the blacktop. Richetta said the grassy field with a few trees behind the school is off-limits to her students because it is scattered with broken glass, trash and needles discarded by drug users. Only on the days that she goes out with her gloves to clean up the area can her students play there.

If the students' dream is realized, Schugam said, the area will be fenced. Parents and other residents are interested in the project, and he said the school would have no trouble finding responsible adults in the neighborhood who would be willing to open the area for the community. But first, there's a lot of money to raise.

liz.bowie@baltsun.com
www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/bs-md-ci-city-springs-sports-20120101,0,5040528.story
baltimoresun.com

Copyright © 2012, The Baltimore Sun

City Springs Field: A Dream Fullfilled

2011-12-28T05:39:00.000-08:00

Baltimore, MD - 12/28/11 - On November 29th, 2011 the Baltimore Ravens joined Living Classrooms Foundation, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young, the NFL/Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC) Grassroots Program and several former Colts players for the dedication of a new football field at City Springs Park. The field will offer more than 2,000 youth every year a safe place to exercise, play team sports and receive wraparound services.

The newly renovated City Springs Football Field features a regulation-size football field that will be used for physical education activities during the school day and will provide youth with safe and supervised recreation during the critical after-school hours.

The City Springs School Drug-Free Soul Steppers and Hampstead Hill Academy's Drum Line performed at the dedication.

Baltimore Ravens players and cheerleaders hosted a Play 60 football skills clinic for 125 students immediately following the press conference. The NFL's Play 60 campaign is designed to encourage kids to be active for at least 60 minutes a day in order to help reverse the trend of childhood obesity.

"Our students are very excited about this brand new field," said City Springs Principal Rhonda Richetta.

"We have been running an intramural flag-football league for several years. This field will help take the league to the next level."

The City Springs Flag Football League's fall 2011 season was funded by a grant from the Ravens All Community Team Foundation.

Public/Private Partnership

Funding for the City Springs Football Field was initiated by an NFL/LISC Grassroots grant of $100,000 to Living Classrooms, that was supported by the Baltimore Ravens and matched with funding from Baltimore City Recreation and Parks of $153,000.

This unique public and private partnership in the form of an Adopt-a-Field Agreement has designated Living Classrooms Foundation as the operator of the field by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. As the designated operator, Living Classrooms will provide both the maintenance of this high quality athletic field and programming focusing on health and wellness for the East Baltimore Community.

The Dream...

The dream of a City Springs football field began in 2007 when a group of City Springs students presented Principal Rhonda Richetta with a petition at the school's daily morning assembly. The petition urged her to repair the run-down field, playground and basketball courts adjacent to the school.

"We really want to play football. We will not hit any cars. We will come in on time. We will not come in after 8:00 and ask for breakfast. We will also consider safety first. We will also not disrespect any adults that tell us to come in. We will also have our shirts tucked in... The complex outside has many things wrong with it. It is outlined with a very uneven grass, it has broken glass on the rocky concrete, a broken gate, a swing set without swings, a basketball court with only one goal and it is very trashy. This needs to be fixed because many children hurt themselves on the complex...we can have a football field, basketball court, a swing set and a gate to keep intruders out and to keep our fellow peers safe. This will benefit our school because our children will be more safe and will be able to stay healthy."

In response to this request, Principal Richetta and Baltimore Curriculum Project Executive Vice President Larry Schugam assembled an energetic planning team, which included Kevin Atkinson (BRE Construction), Michael Carter (BCPS Parent Engagement Office), Talib Horne (Living Classrooms Foundation), Blaine Lipski (BCPS Department of Facilities), Erin McVay (Legislative Aide to City Councilman Jim Kraft), Alison Perkins-Cohen (formely of the Baltimore Curriculum Project), David Pennington (Colliers Pinkard), Lucy Price (formerly of Colliers Pinkard), and Kinji Scott (Citizens for Washington Hill)

The team met regularly to flesh out the vision for a sports complex, discuss logistics, and develop a fundraising plan. BCP secured Community Investment Tax Credits and in October 2008 the Little Italy Bocce Rollers Association hosted a Bocce Tournament to raise funds for the project.

After determining that the sports complex could not easily accommodate a regulation-size football field, the team developed a master plan to build a regulation-size field in nearby City Springs Park and a "feeder" field for elementary-age football in the original location; complete with a track, basketball courts, and playground.

"After picking up the schematics for City Springs Park from the City Planning Department and determining that a regulation-size field would fit; I developed an albeit amateur design for a football field in City Springs Park," said Larry Schugam.

Living Classrooms

With said design in hand, Living Classrooms took the lead to meet with Rec and Parks and apply for a LISC grant to develop the regulation-size field in City Springs Park. The rest is history.

"We are incredibly grateful to Living Classrooms, the Ravens, Rec and Parks, and LISC for developing this beautiful field just a block from our school," said Rhonda Richetta.

"It is amazing what can happen when schools like City Springs and nonprofits like the Baltimore Curriculum Project and Living Classrooms work together."

Phase Two

Now that the students at City Springs have a regulation field within walking distance, the school and BCP have turned their attention to the dilapidated park next to the school.

"We hope that this investment in City Springs Park and the attention it has drawn to this part of East Baltimore will spark greater interest among local businesses and foundations in developing our original vision for the City Spring Sports Complex," said Muriel Berkeley.

In the park next to City Springs School the swing set still has no swings; the basketball courts still have only one basket; and the concrete is still broken.

As Principal Richetta gazes at park, all she sees is potential.

"With wonderful partners like Living Classrooms and the Ravens, no dream is beyond our reach."

City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young Performs with Collington Square Students

2011-12-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

On December 20, 2011 at 12:00 noon City Council President Bernard "Jack" Young and Eastern District Baltimore City Police Commander Major Melvin Russell joined an all male cast of middle grades students at Collington Square School of the Arts to perform a new play: It's Not About Things, It's About People!: A Holiday Celebration.

Council President Young portrayed a Baltimore City Sanitation Worker whose son is embarrassed by his father's job. Major Russell played a police officer who has an interaction with a group of young African-American men on the street. The situation changes the perception that the young men and the police officer have of one another for the better.

The play was written in collaboration with the students in Collington Square's Theater Arts Class, which is taught by Koli Tengella of Social Justice Theater.

The performance was part of Collington Square School of the Arts' annual Winter Program, which featured the school's outstanding arts programs. The event included a choir performance led by Choir Director Daniel Dorsey, a band performance led by Music Teacher Josh Soto, and a spoken word poetry performance, which was facilitated by Librarian/Media Specialist Dawn Edward.

"The Arts are alive at Collington Square School and Mr. Tengella's drama groups are just one example of the outstanding opportunities our students have for creative self expression," said Larry Schugam, Executive Vice President of the Baltimore Curriculum Project.

"We were delighted to have Councilman President Young and Major Russell join us."

We would like to thank Council President Young and Major Russell for taking the time to perform with our students.

To view more videos of the play and other performances visit: http://www.youtube.com/baltimorecp

Police Commander Major Melvin Russell Performs with Collington Square Students

2011-12-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

Eastern District Baltimore City Police Commander Major Melvin Russell performed with middle grades students from Collington Square School of the Arts in the new play: "It's Not About Things, It's About People!: A Holiday Celebration" on Tuesday, December 20, 2011. Collington Square's Theaters Arts Class is taught by OSI-Fellow Koli Tengella.

City Springs 2011 Vocabulary Rumble

2011-12-20T11:43:00.000-08:00

City Springs School students demonstrated their outstanding vocabulary skills while having a good time at their 2011 Vocabulary Rumble on December 15th.

View all of the videos at http://www.youtube.com/baltimorecp

TAN Donates 325 Book Bags to Wolfe Street Academy

2011-12-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

We would like to thank Travel Advantage Network (TAN) for donating 325 book bags to Wolfe Street Academy. Wolfe Street's 190+ students will take these book bags home as a Holiday gift. The remaining book bags will be distributed to teachers at other BCP Schools.

Travel Advantage Network and the Baltimore Curriculum Project are clients of Sir Speedy in Linthicium. Sir Speedy Sales & Marketing Consultant Chris Fath connected the two organizations when he found out that TAN wanted to donate book bags to a Baltimore City school.

Thank you to Chris Fath and TAN Director of Marketing Sean Oakley for making this gift possible.

For more information on TAN visit: http://www.planwithtan.com/

For more information on Sir Speedy visit: http://www.sirspeedy.com/centers/linthicummd870/

Wolfe Street Students Perform at Fells Point Corner Theater

2011-12-16T13:43:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, December 13th all of the first grade students from Wolfe Street Academy performed at the Fells Point Corner Theater. They rehearsed every Tuesday after school for the event. The students performed The Rabbit, the Bear, and the Zinniga Zanniga by Dr. Seuss and a number of holiday songs.

Thank you to the Fells Point Corner Theater for hosting this and other Wolfe Street Academy events. http://www.fpct.org/

View more photos at: http://baltimorecp.shutterfly.com/

Bike Safety Rodeo at Wolfe Street Academy

2011-12-16T13:35:00.000-08:00

Bike Maryland hosted a Bike Safety Rodeo at Wolfe Street Academy's After-School Program on Monday, December 12, 2011. They arrived at 2:30 pm with a trailer full of bikes and set up a course on the play ground for the students to ride around. Representatives from Bike Maryland discussed bike safety and the importance of wearing helmets. They talked to 50 after-school students.

Fifth grader Kathryn Jagelka won an award for an essay she wrote for the event. She was honored along with Katherine Zuniga. Both were given beautiful bicycles.

Bike Maryland recently launched its Bike Awareness Program to provide youth and adult safety awareness workshops to reduce crashes/increase safety for bicyclists in Maryland. Bike Maryland hosts free youth bike safety rodeos and free adult commuter workshops. They promote safe cycling for fun, fitness and transportation.

The Bike Ambassador program is a collaboration between the Maryland State Highway Administration and Bike Maryland. For more information about the Bike Awareness Program visit: http://bikemd.org/page.php?id=359

Baltimore City Police Department Hosts Career Day at Collington Square School

2011-12-15T14:07:00.000-08:00

Collington Square School Students Meet with Police Horses

On Thursday (12/15) from 10:00am to 1:00pm the Baltimore City Policy Department (BCPD) sponsored a Career Day in conjunction with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Maryland Mentoring Partnership (BBBS/MMP) for over 200 students at Collington Square School of the Arts, a Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) neighborhood charter school.

The event informed students about the array of rewarding career opportunities available in law enforcement. Fifth through eighth graders learned what it is like to be a police officer and viewed a "Police for a Day" video. Deputy Commissioner John Skinner organized the event.

"The biggest hits were the police dogs, horses, and the BCPD Foxtrot helicopter," said BBBS/MMP Elev8 Manager Roosevelt Britt.

Collington Square School was selected for this event because BCPD is a new BBBS/MMP mentoring partner at the school. BBBS/MMP was present at the event, recruiting families for both school and community mentoring opportunities.

A number of students expressed an interest in BCPD's Law Enforcement Explorers Program, a mentoring program that partners youth with police officers who teach them good citizenship, community involvement, and leadership skills.

"We are very excited about this partnership between BCPD, BBBS/MMP, Elev8, Collington Square School and BCP. We want every student who needs a mentor to have a mentor," said BCP Executive Vice President Larry Schugam.

About the Baltimore City Police Department:
The mission of the Baltimore Police Department, in partnership with the Baltimore community, is to protect and preserve life and protect property, to understand and serve the needs of the city's neighborhoods, and to improve the quality of life by building capacities to maintain order, recognize and resolve problems, and apprehend criminals in a manner consistent with the law and reflective of shared community values. www.baltimorepolice.org

About Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Maryland Mentoring Partnership
Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Maryland Mentoring Partnership are now officially operating as one organization. This unites the two largest and most experienced mentoring organizations in Maryland -- Big Brothers Big Sisters in providing unparalleled quality in direct service mentoring support, and the Maryland Mentoring Partnership in providing expert training and technical assistance. The organization is headquartered in Baltimore and serves more than 2,500 children in the region. There are thousands of youth still in need of mentors. Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Maryland Mentoring Partnership are uniquely positioned to provide these children with the mentoring relationships and comprehensive support they need to succeed, but we need your help. Learn how you can positively impact a child's life, donate, or volunteer at www.biglittle.org.

About Elev8 Baltimore
Elev8 Baltimore is an initiative working in East Baltimore to ensure that students in the middle grades (5-8) succeed in school and in life. Launched in 2009, Elev8 Baltimore provides out-of-school time opportunities, school-based health services, and resources, support and outreach for the families we serve. Elev8 partners with schools and the surrounding community to make sure that every student is ready to succeed in high school. www.elev8baltimore.org

About Baltimore Curriculum Project
The Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) is a nonprofit organization that operates four neighborhood charter schools in East Baltimore: City Springs School, Collington Square School of the Arts, Hampstead Hill Academy, and Wolfe Street Academy. BCP empowers teachers and principals with the tools, training and support they need to help every child succeed. www.baltimorecp.org

View more photos of the event at http://baltimorecp.shutterfly.com/

http://conta.cc/tflnI8

City Springs Featured on Great Kids Up Close

2011-12-14T18:44:00.000-08:00

The Orioles Holiday Party for City Springs students was featured on Great Kids Up Close:

http://bit.ly/css-orioles-2011

City Springs Featured in Article about Restorative Practices

2011-12-14T16:49:00.000-08:00

City Springs School was featured in an article about how Restorative Practices has been found to improve school safety. BCP brought Restorative Practices to its schools in 2007 with the support of grants from the Goldsmith Family Foundation and OSI-Baltimore.

In the fall of 2010, City Springs Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore, Maryland began concentrating wholeheartedly on affective statements and the 10 other elements of whole-school change. The number of suspensions at City Springs declined from 86 in 2008-2009 to nine in 2010-2011.

Read the full article at:
http://www.newswise.com/articles/restorative-practices-found-to-improve-school-safety

DBFA Adopts Wolfe Street Families

2011-12-13T11:27:00.000-08:00

On Sunday December 11^th the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance (DBFA) held an amazing Adopt-a-Family Event at Wolfe Street Academy. Ninety-four Wolfe Street families received hundreds of dollars worth of clothing, boots, winter coats, gift cards and toys for the Holidays.

This is the fourth year that DBFA has partnered with Wolfe Street to provide gifts for families in need. DBFA also partnered with George Washington Elementary. Last year, DBFA was able to match nearly 150 families through the program.

In November participating DBFA families and businesses received wish lists from Wolfe families detailing each child’s age, gender, clothing size and a list of items the child might like. Families purchased the gifts and delivered them to the school.

“The program was originally going to provide one $40 gift for each child, but the donors go all out!” said Wolfe Street Academy Community School Coordinator Connie Phelps.

PTO Celebration

This year Wolfe Street’s PTO held a Holiday Party Fundraiser alongside the DBFA event. Volunteers sold tamales, hot dogs, hot chocolate, baked goods, and atole, a hot Mexican rice drink. The school’s Mexican Folkloric Dance Troupe performed while children took pictures with Santa Claus.

Funds raise will support field trips during the day and during Wolfe Street's after-school program, which is supported by a grant from the Family League of Baltimore City. This year the PTO initiated a grant program for teachers so that they can apply for field trip grants.

Thank You
We would like to thank Allison Pendell Jones, Michele Esch, and all of the DBFA volunteers for making this event possible. Thank you to the generous families and businesses that provided gifts for our families. Thank you to aMuse Toys offering a 15% discount on gifts purchased as part of the program. Thank you to the Wolfe Street PTO for holding the Holiday Party.

Orioles Host Holiday Party for City Springs Students

2011-12-13T10:28:00.001-08:00

Former Oriole Al Bumbry and 4th Grade Teacher Andrew Frankel

On Tuesday December 13th current and former Orioles hosted 90 third and fourth graders from City Springs School as part of the 33rd Annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party at Dave & Busters in Arundel Mills Mall.

Manager Buck Showalter, Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton, Jeremy Guthrie and Brian Roberts were joined by former O's Al Bumbry, Dave Johnson Larry Sheets, and Scott McGregor.

Players played games with the students, served lunch, and signed autographs. Dave Johnson played Santa Claus and deliver new, unopened gifts donated by the Orioles to each child. Students played for free in the arcade room with the players courtesy of Dave & Busters.

The Right Side Foundation, the personal charity of Nick and Christina Markakis, made a financial contribution for the party and provided a copy of the book The Polar Express as well as a new baseball glove for each child.

Students were selected to attend based on a combination of attendance, good behavior, completion of assignments and adherence to the school dress code. This year's event marks the 33rd year the Orioles have held a holiday party for children from economically disadvantaged areas in Baltimore. A different school is selected each year.

View photos of the event at: http://baltimorecp.shutterfly.com/

Thank you
City Springs School and the Baltimore Curriculum Project would like to thank the Baltimore Orioles and The Right Side Foundation for hosting this wonderful party for our students. You have given them an amazing holiday gift!

About OriolesREACH:
Since 1954, the Baltimore Orioles have given back to the community by becoming involved in a variety of area programs and initiatives, as well as creating new opportunities for assistance. Through OriolesREACH, the organization reaches out to our neighbors across Birdland to help our fans improve their daily lives. In addition to partnering with existing charities and organizations, the Orioles have also established a collection of new initiatives.

About the Right Side Foundation:
Children are the most precious members of our society. With this philosophy in mind, Nick and Christina Markakis established The Right Side Foundation to utilize the platform baseball has provided them in an effort to greatly impact this population. Through Foundation programming, investing in community groups/initiatives and developing strategic partnerships, the organization’s efforts will focus on improving the quality of life for children throughout the State of Maryland.

Class Matters. Why Won't We Admit It?

2011-12-12T05:55:00.000-08:00

Op-Ed Contributors: Class Matters. Why Won't We Admit It?
By HELEN F. LADD and EDWARD B. FISKE
Federal education policy seems blind to the relationship between poverty and student performance.

City Springs 8th Grader Speaks at National NAEP Event

2011-12-10T21:24:00.000-08:00

New Book on Direct Instruction and DI's Creator

2011-12-05T17:34:00.000-08:00

Written by veteran journalist Shepard Barbash over a period of 10 years, Clear Teaching is a well-researched, highly readable introduction to Direct Instruction (DI), a systematic teaching approach which for more than 40 years has dramatically improved learning outcomes for students of all abilities and from all walks of life.

The book looks at the development of DI through the early experiences of its creator, Zig Engelmann; explains the principles that underpin this approach; and looks at DI's reception in the world of teaching, where it has been effectively shunned despite a formidable research base and example after example of transformative success.

Photos of students from BCP schools are featured on the cover and throughout the book.

Read more and download the book at:
http://www.education-consumers.org/ClearTeaching.htm

Fall 2011 Edition of BCP's Class Notes

2011-12-04T08:04:00.000-08:00

Hampstead Hill Students Visit the White House and other news in the
Fall 2011 Edition of BCP's Class Notes

Click here to read the full Fall 2011 edition of BCP's Class Notes (PDF)

This issue features the following articles:

Around the World in Four Newsletters ...
Over the next four issues educators from around the world will share their thoughts on public education. This issue features Andrew Biemiller, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, and Ali Wannas Lafi Al-Rikabi, Head of Translation Department, University of Basrah.

False Dichotomies

By Jon McGill, BCP Chief Academic Officer

The educational world has its own version of the "nature versus nurture" conundrum. It is most often clothed in the guise of debates about whether good teaching can make up for the circumstances in which children live. Can high quality teaching provide the conditions in which children overcome poverty, racism, and difficult home circumstances? Are parental failings, poor home situations, poverty and race really destiny or can "equal opportunity" and excellent teaching, along with excellent schools, bridge the gaps?

Leading Minds Forum: The Impact of Poverty on Education

On September 22, 2011 over 450 teachers, community members, and nonprofit and business leaders attended BCP's fifth Leading Minds forum on The Impact of Poverty on Education. Co-hosted by Loyola University Maryland's School of Education and Urbanite Magazine, the forum explored why poverty has such a detrimental impact on academic achievement and what we, as a community, can do about it.
View a video of the forum and past forums at: http://bit.ly/leadingminds

BCP Receives USTA Organization of the Year Award
BCP has received the US Tennis Association/Maryland Chapter's Organization of the Year Award. Last summer BCP launched a new Pre-K through eight school tennis initiative incorporating 10 and Under Tennis. BCP has committed to bring tennis this year to nearly 1,500 students in all four of its schools through physical education, after school clubs, and an intramural tennis league planned for 2012.

From Baraka to BCP: An Interview with Antoine Lewis

Antoine Lewis' journey from the Baraka School to City Springs School began over 15 years ago. The ties between the Baraka School and the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) run deep. The Baraka School was an experimental school funded by The Abell Foundation, the organization that, under the leadership of Abell President Bob Embry, co-founded the BCP with BCP President Muriel Berkeley.

Arts Every Day at Collington

In an era when art and music are frequently sacrificed on the altar of high-stakes testing, the arts are alive and well at Collington Square School of the Arts. Collington Square is one of 44 City schools participating in Arts Every Day, a program that facilitates connections between the arts and learning for every student, every day.

Baltimore Arts Offerings at Collington

The Collington arts experience doesn't stop at the end of the school day. Students participate in visual arts and dance programs, courtesy of Elev8 Baltimore.

Hampstead Hill at White House

Hampstead Hill Recess in the News

You may have seen a recent Baltimore Sun article on the importance of recess. HHA middle school students were featured in a large, front page picture. The article highlighted the importance of having recess in the school day. It also pointed out the challenges that come with staffing and supervising recess, especially middle school recess.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program at Hampstead Hill

Again this year, HHA has been selected to receive about $50,000 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Good nutrition and healthy eating are part of what make for a good day at school.

Stability Balls at Hampstead Hill

Air-filled stability balls have been shown to help students focus on their studies and relieve discomfort caused by long periods of sitting on hard chairs. HHA was recently selected to receive a grant to study the use of stability balls to replace classroom chairs.

Family League Awards BCP $100K for Wolfe Street After-Schol Program

The Family League of Baltimore City has awarded the Baltimore Curriculum Project a $100,000 BOOST (Baltimore Out of School Time) grant to run the Wolfe Street After-School Program. Kathy Stroup, Director of Extended Student Services, has managed the program for three years. Currently, 82 students are enrolled and 35 students are on at the waitlist. We would like to thank the Family League for their support.

City Springs Steppers and Hampstead Hill Drum Line Perform at Field Dedication

2011-11-30T13:06:00.000-08:00

City Springs School's Drug Free Soul Steppers and Hampstead Hill Academy's Drum Line performed at yesterday's dedication of a newly renovated City Springs Football Field. Several Ravens, along with city officials, Living Classrooms and former Baltimore Colt Joe Ehrmann attended.

View the video at
http://www.baltimoresun.com/videogallery/66398383/Sports/East-Baltimore-football-field-dedicated

City Schools, Civic Works, and Collington Students Spruce Up Ravens Playground

2011-11-20T08:53:00.000-08:00

Recently we noticed that the mulch at Collington Square School's Ravens Playground was getting a little low. I emailed Blaine Lipski (Baltimore City Public Schools Executive Director of Facilities) to see if he had any mulch and before you can say "exemplary North Avenue employee" Mr. Lipski had a truckload of free mulch scheduled to be delivered on Friday November 18th.

When the truck arrived Friday morning we had plenty of manpower, but were short a few wheelbarrows. Civic Works, Baltimore’s urban service corps and an AmeriCorps program, saved us with a last minute loan of three wheelbarrows and a dozen shovels.

Then the hard work began... About 10 Collington 8th graders worked tirelessly for hours to move a four foot high pile of mulch from the sidewalk to the playground. Spirits were high as we shoveled the mulch, pushed wheelbarrows up the hill, and spread the mulch over the playground. Principal Etta Johnson pitched in with the shoveling and rewarded the students with a pizza lunch.

History of the Ravens Playground

On June 11, 2007 over 300 volunteers turned out to build the Ravens playground at Collington Square School. The project was made possible by a partnership between the The Baltimore Ravens, KaBOOM!, the Baltimore Curriculum Project, and Collington Square School. Over $100,000 was contributed by The Ravens to build the customized playground.

View a video of Build Day at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU-A62riG3g

Thank You!

We'd like to thank:

The Ravens for giving us this playground, which continues to be a source of joy for our students;
City Schools, Blaine Lipsi and Pete Jessup of for providing the free mulch;
Civic Works for donating the tools and wheelbarrows;
Principal Johnson for coordinating the students and pitching in with the shoveling; and
all of the 8th graders who worked so hard.

- Larry Schugam, BCP Executive Vice President

About our Partners
Baltimore City Public Schools' mission is to accelerate student progress through effective implementation of the Master Plan, focusing on quality instruction, managing systems efficiently, and sustaining a culture of excellence.

The Baltimore Ravens have a strong commitment to the community. In addition to appearances by Ravens players, coaches and staff, the team assists hundreds of charities and non-profit organizations through in-kind donations of team memorabilia.

The Baltimore Ravens All Community Team Foundation serves as a separate non-profit entity of the team's community outreach efforts. In addition to Ravens appearances and in-kind donations, the foundation provides support to Baltimore area non-profit organizations. Ravens players are also active in the community through individual foundations of their own.

Civic Works transforms the lives of Baltimore area youth through community service and skills development. Their key program areas include community improvement, workforce development, education, and green programs.

KaBOOM! is a national non-profit dedicated to saving play for America's children. Our mission is to create great playspaces through the participation and leadership of communities. Ultimately, we envision a place to play within walking distance of every child in America.

Ravens Center Andre Gurode Provides 500 Turkeys to Collington Families

2011-11-20T08:24:00.000-08:00

Baltimore Ravens Center/Guard Andre Gurode and
BCP Executive Vice President Larry Schugam

On Friday November 18th Baltimore Ravens Center/Guard Andre Gurode distributed 500 turkeys to the families of Israel Baptist Church and Collington Square School. Mr. Gurode signed with the Ravens on 9/5/11 and previously played for the Dallas Cowboys. He is a five-time Pro Bowl performer (2006-10) and two-time All-Pro (2007, 2009)

Melanie LeGrande (Ravens Director of Community Relations, Executive Director, RACTF); Heather Darney (Ravens Community Relations Manager); and Larry Schugam (BCP Executive Vice President) were on hand to help Mr. Gurode pass out the turkeys.

In addition to Mr. Gurode, several other Ravens players including Ray Lewis, Jameel McClain, Ray Rice, Ben Grubbs, Lardarius Webb, and Ed Reed were in the community last week to extend a helping hand in Maryland’s fight against hunger.

There are 466,000 people in the state who are food insecure, meaning they are unsure of where their next meal is coming from. Each year, the Ravens organization and its players commit to making a difference by feeding Maryland families.

We would like to thank Mr. Gurode for his generosity. Thank you also to the Baltimore Ravens and Melanie LeGrande (Executive Director, RACTF/Director of Community Relations) for always supportng BCP's neighborhood charter schools and school communities.

AARP Experience Corps Literacy Festival at City Springs

2011-11-16T15:33:00.000-08:00

AARP Experience Corps Baltimore City’s 3rd Annual Literary Festival took place on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at City Springs School and Langston Hughes Elementary School.

Many of the City’s 300 older adult volunteers who help children in 22 City schools will be there to complement what they do every week to get young people excited about reading and math. Sponsored by the Maryland Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism, the day’s festivities include literacy games, guest readers, dancing, music, book give-a-ways, refreshments, and more.

“We hope to get children and families excited about reading through this fun and free event,” says Brandi Roberts from AARP Experience Corps. “Our volunteers make a real difference every week all year long with kindergarten through third grade classroom teachers; this offers them the chance to reach out beyond the classrooms and into their communities.”

AARP Experience Corps is an award winning program that places people over 55 in elementary school classrooms. These AARP Experience Corps members tutor and mentor the students, providing homework help and serving as consistent role models. Independent research shows that Experience Corps boosts student’s academic performance and enhances the well-being of older adults.

We'd like to thank AARP Experience Corps for bringing this wonderful event and their dedicated volunteers and staff to City Springs School.

View photos of the festival at:
http://baltimorecp.shutterfly.com/pictures/8

Baltimore Orioles Host Holiday Party for City Springs Students

2011-11-11T05:39:00.000-08:00

The Baltimore Orioles have invited 100 City Springs School students and teachers to attend their Annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party on December 13th at Dave and Buster's. Each child will receive a delicious meal, a game card, and have the opportunity to meet Santa Clause along with many current and former Oriole players.

City Springs School and the Baltimore Curriculum Project would like to thank the Baltimore Orioles and Matthew Death, Baltimore Orioles Programs and Promotions Coordinator, for this wonderful Holiday gift.

Wolfe Street Triumphs at Chess Tournament

2011-11-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

Wolfe Street Academy won the elementary unrated team division at The Maryland Chess Association (MCA) tournament on Saturday, October 29th at Poly/Western High School. This was MCA's first scholastic chess tournament ever in Baltimore. Over 175 players competed with teams coming from as far away as Virginia and Delaware.

Baltimore Kids Chess League players collected 15 trophies. Organizers from MCA were impressed with the turnout and plan on holding another event in Baltimore next year.

The following Wolfe Street students took home trophies:

Eduardo Guzman - 2nd place
Robin Lopez - 3rd place
Jose Portillo - 4th place
Malacai Davis - 6th place
Jose Orellana - 8th place
Eric Vasquez - 10th place

Congratulations to the Wolfe Street team on their success!

BCP Schools Rally to Transform Baltimore

2011-11-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

On Thursday November 3, 2011 groups from three BCP Schools - City Springs School, Collington Square School, and Hampstead Hill Academy - joined groups from over 30 City schools for a rally to fix school facilities at War Memorial Hall.

Students decried the deplorable conditions of some of their school facilities. Students, parents, and teachers urged elected officials to support the Transform Baltimore campaign and adopt the Greenville Plan, a $2.8 billion bond financing strategy that was used successfully in Greenville, S.C. to renovate 70 schools.

Using the roughly $61 million that is currently available in annual funds for city school facilities, Baltimore could borrow approximately $1 billion to fix or rebuild half of the City's schools over the next few years. The $61 million a year would be used to pay back the loan.

Read more in:
The Baltimore Sun - Baltimore students lead rally for better school facilities
Baltimore Brew - Baltimore students protest “shameful” conditions in their schools

Learn more about the Transform Baltimore campaign at:
http://www.transformbaltimore.org/

Hampstead Hill Academy Pre-K Students Get New Learning Space « CBS Baltimore

2011-11-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

Thank you Andrea Fujii of WJZ for the wonderful coverage and video of Hampstead Hill Academy's ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday! View the article and video here: Hampstead Hill Academy Pre-K Students Get New Learning Space « CBS Baltimore

Help Wolfe Street Academy kids feed the hungry & veterans

2011-11-05T05:19:00.000-07:00

Children at the Wolfe Street Academy, Gough and Wolfe streets, are feeding the hungry and veterans on Friday, Nov. 11, and need things to serve. Nonperishables may be dropped off before Nov. 11: single servings of raisins or dried fruit; peaches, pears, mixed fruit, applesauce, pineapple, etc.; juice boxes; cookies; Rice Krispie treats; brownies; crackers; chips; popcorn and corn chips.

The children also need jars of peanut butter, jelly, mayo, mustard, whole wheat bread, large brown lunch bags, napkins, plastic utensils, paper towels, paper tablecloths, and rubber gloves, all sizes.
Perishables, drop off November 9-11: drop off lunch meats, cheese slices, lettuce, tomatoes, baby carrots, cucumbers, grapes, oranges and apples.

Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve. For info email Suzanne Bailey, suebeebailey@yahoo.com or call Maura Farrall, 410-396-9140.

Hampstead Hill Academy November Newsletter

2011-11-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

HHA Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - 11/5/2011
(left to right) City Councilman Jim Kraft, HHA Principal Matt Hornbeck,
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, BCP President Muriel Berkeley
and City Schools CEO Andres Andres Alonso

Read Hampstead Hill Academy's November 2011 newsletter at: http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/domain/5760

This edition features:

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Pre-Kindergarten Addition
Senator Barbara A. Mikulski Tours HHA
American Education Week Events
International Night

Hampstead Hill Academy Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 2011

2011-11-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

On Friday November 4, 2011 Hampstead Hill Academy held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the much-anticipated $1.2 million pre-kindergarten addition. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Schools CEO Andres Alonso, City Councilman James Kraft, Hampstead Hill Principal Matt Hornbeck and BCP President Muriel Berkeley participated in the ceremony

Student Ben Simon Donates School Supplies

2011-11-02T17:41:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank middle school student Ben Simon for donating 5 bags of school supplies to our schools. Ben collected the supplies as part of a middle school project. Ben and his family were nice enough to drop off the supplies last weekend.

We'd also like to thank Melanie C. LeGrande (Executive Director, RACTF/Director of Community Relations, Baltimore Ravens) and Bridgett Coates (Founder, Exposure BBC) for helping to coordinate the donation.

BCP President Muriel Berkeley on the Purpose of Public Education

2011-10-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

BCP President Muriel Berkeley talks about school accountability and the purpose of public education during a Principals Panel Discussion at BCP's Fall Professional Development Conference on October 20, 2011.

The Conference provided over 300 teachers with a variety of engaging workshops. BCP offers customized workshops throughout the year that meet the staff training needs identified by teachers, principals and BCP staff members.

Collington Square School Principal Etta Johnson on the Purpose of Public...

2011-10-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

Collington Square School Principal Etta Johnson talks about the purpose of public education during a Principals Panel Discussion at BCP's Fall Professional Development Conference on October 20, 2011.

The Conference provided over 300 teachers with a variety of engaging workshops. BCP offers customized workshops throughout the year that meet the staff training needs identified by teachers, principals and BCP staff members.

City Springs School Principal Rhonda Richetta on the Purpose of Public E...

2011-10-31T17:12:00.000-07:00

City Springs School Principal Rhonda Richetta talks about the purpose of public education during a Principals Panel Discussion at BCP's Fall Professional Development Conference on October 20, 2011.

The Conference provided over 300 teachers with a variety of engaging workshops. BCP offers customized workshops throughout the year that meet the staff training needs identified by teachers, principals and BCP staff members

Hampstead Hill Academy Principal Matt Hornbeck on the Purpose of Public ...

2011-10-31T17:11:00.000-07:00

Hampstead Hill Academy Principal Matt Hornbeck talks about the purpose of public education during a Principals Panel Discussion at BCP's Fall Professional Development Conference on October 20, 2011.

The Conference provided over 300 teachers with a variety of engaging workshops. BCP offers customized workshops throughout the year that meet the staff training needs identified by teachers, principals and BCP staff members.

Wolfe Street Academy Principal Mark Gaither on the Purpose of Public Edu...

2011-10-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

Wolfe Street Academy Principal Mark Gaither talks about the purpose of public education during a Principals Panel Discussion at BCP's Fall Professional Development Conference on October 20, 2011.

The Conference provided over 300 teachers with a variety of engaging workshops. BCP offers customized workshops throughout the year that meet the staff training needs identified by teachers, principals and BCP staff members.

HHA Students Cook with Amplify Baltimore and Dangerously Delicious Pies

2011-10-31T15:39:00.000-07:00

Students from Hampstead Hill Academy's Food for Life program make pie crusts with Amplify Baltimore and Dangerously Delicious Pies.

BCP Fall Professional Development Conference

2011-10-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

BCP's Fall Professional Development Conference on October 20, 2011 provided over 300 teachers with a variety of engaging workshops. BCP offers customized workshops throughout the year that meet the staff training needs identified by teachers, principal and BCP staff members.

Common Core Sessions
During the morning teachers participated in hands-on Common Core Sessions, where they learned how instructional programs are aligned with the Common Core State Standards, as well as strategies for effective instruction. The session were conducted by teachers from City Springs School.

Common Core Language Arts: PreK- 2nd grade
Presenter: Ms. Jenae Toulson, City Springs School
Common Core Language Arts: 1st and 2nd grade
Presenter: Ms. Shereen Holmes, City Springs
Common Core Language Arts: 3rd - 5th grade
Presenter: Ms. Laura Doherty, NIFDI Consultant
Common Core Language Arts: 6th - 8th grade
Presenter: Ms. Vicky Jennings, City Springs School
Common Core Math: K-8th grade
Presenter: Mr. Donnell Spedden, City Springs School

Hampstead Hill Choir and Principal Panel Discussion

During the afternoon break, teachers were serenaded by the Hampstead Hill Academy Choir. This was followed by a Principal Panel Discussion on school accountability, which was moderated by Muriel Berkeley. View video clips of the discussion at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/baltimorecp

Lunch was supported by a generous grant from McGraw-Hill School Education Grou p.

Afternoon Sessions

During the afternoon teachers engaged in a wide variety of workshops:

Math Learning Centers: PreK - 2nd grade
Presenter: Brenda Kahn, Academic Coach
Do you have more than one math group? Are you looking for opportunities to move beyond worksheets to provide practice for your students? Do your students struggle with mastering math concepts? This session will focus on the why and how of developing appropriate learning centers that enrich and support our math curriculum and the Common Core Standards. A variety of ideas and practical strategies for creating and implementing learning centers will be shared. We will also look at opportunities for incorporating math concepts and vocabulary into the classroom read aloud.
Active Monitoring
Presenter: Jeff Krick, BCP Director of Student Support Services
Why would a teacher wait to read a student’s independent work to know how they are learning? Teachers can use Active Monitoring practices to monitor student understanding and respond efficiently with targeted instruction DURING independent work time. Active monitoring can also be used to target motivation. Come join us and explore these techniques. This session will mix presentation, discussion, and video examples.
The Power of Words: Developing Vocabulary
Presenter: Susan Lattimore
Why is it critical to build our students’ vocabulary, and what does this look like in our classrooms? What techniques are proven to enhance the vocabulary skills of English Language Learners, students with learning challenges, and students who are impacted by poverty? Participants in this session will develop a practical understanding of the above issues, and will discuss how to address them across content areas. We will work together to develop materials and lessons that will jump start any vocabulary program and integrate it effectively throughout the school day.
Interventions: Behavior Management Training
Presenter: Tara Anderson, BCP Director of Training
Learn intervention techniques for those students with chronically challenging behavior. We will discuss strategies to correct and redirect disruptive behaviors and long term plans for support and monitoring of individual students.
Power Teacher Grade Book
Presenter: Devin Stevenson, City Springs School Staff Developer
PowerTeacher Gradebook is a full-featured grade-keeping application used to record, report, and monitor student performance. It promotes progressive grading methods, including grading student groups, easy creation of formative, summative, and diagnostic assignments, and multiple measures of central tendencies (mean, median, mode). It's designed to allow educators to assess their students' progress from many different angles in order to maximize student achievement.
Language Arts Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Instructional Support for grades 3-8
Presenter: Marvelyn Johnson, Academic Coach
PRESENTER: MARVELYN JOHNSON, BCP ACADEMIC COACH
Are you new to the MSA testing grades? If so, this session is for you! In this session we will review the MSA scoring rubric for Language Arts BCRs and how to motivate and teach students to earn full points for their written responses. We will practice instructional strategies to teach students how to use the Answer, Text detail, Explain (ATE) format to develop complete responses. We will provide sample lesson materials that will help you teach your students how to take their answers from a 1 to a 3.
Impact of Poverty on Education
Presenter: Jon McGill, BCP Director of Academics
How can we address poverty and education at the same time? A look at the research into high poverty schools, the effects of poverty on child health and on learning readiness. This session includes information on what makes certain schools succeed and others fail.
Everfi Financial Education
Presenters: Everfi Staff
EverFi has built an entirely new framework to finance and deliver innovation into schools in such areas as Financial Literacy, Student Loan Management, Digital Literacy, Substance Abuse, Nutrition, Obesity, and other key issues. We enable students to learn using the latest technology, including rich media, high-definition video, diagrams and avatars. The EverFi platform is typically integrated into core courses to empower teachers and reach all students.

Men of Strength Club
A group of City Springs staff members also participated in a 2-day intensive training to prepare them to implement a Men of Strength Club at City Springs School. The Men of Strength Club, a youth development program of the Washington, DC-based nonprofit Men Can Stop Rape's , is the country’s premier primary violence prevention program for mobilizing young men to prevent sexual and dating violence. The Men of Strength Club, or MOST Club, provides young men with a structured and supportive space to build individualized definitions of masculinity that promote healthy relationships.

Thank you
We would like to thank all of the principals, teachers, trainers, and staff members who made BCP's Fall Profesional Development Conference possible. We would also like to thank McGraw-Hill School Education Grou p for providing lunch; Merritt Athletic Clubs for donating a one month membership for a teacher; and Lakeshore for donating $400 worth of gift to cards to help BCP teachers purchase school supplies. Special thanks to BCP Director of Training Tara Anderson for organizing the conference.

Standing Room Only at City Springs Back-to-School Night

2011-10-22T12:59:00.000-07:00

Once again City Springs School's Back-to-School Night on September 29, 2011 was standing room only. Approximately 350 people attended. (Now that's parent engagement!) Congratulations City Springs.

To learn more about City Springs School visit: http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/8

Hampstead Hill Academy Students Visit White House

2011-10-20T18:57:00.001-07:00

On October 12, 2011 more than 100 Hampstead Hill Academy students and staff participated in a physical education event at the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama hosted hundreds of area students in an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records record for the most people doing jumping jacks for one minute in a 24-hour period.

This was the U.S. kick-off for a worldwide attempt to break the record held by more than 24,000 people jumping jacks. The event highlighted the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” healthy living initiative.

WJZ press coverage of the event can be seen at:
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/10/11/health-eating-initiative-gets-local-school-invite-to-white-house/

City Springs School Hosts USTA Tennis Training

2011-10-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

On September 15, 2011 City Springs School hosted a free USTA school tennis workshop for physical education teachers and anyone working with sports programs in City Schools. Fifteen participants representing 11 schools/organizations participated.

Thank you to City Springs School for hosting the training; USTA for providing the training; and the following schools/organizations for participating:

Belmont Elementary/Playworks
Callaway Elementary
City Springs School
Federal Hill
Friendship Academy for Science and Technology
Gilmore Elementary
Hampstead Hill Academy
Loving Arms, Inc. (through Safe&Sound/Out of School Time Network)
Lyndhurst Elementary/Playworks
Patterson High School
Waverly Elementary/Playworks

USTA Maryland’s mission is to promote the growth and development of tennis in Maryland as a healthy lifetime sport available to all regardless of age and ability. USTA Maryland fosters an inclusive tennis environment and greater diversity throughout the sport.
For more information visit: http://www.maryland.usta.com/

BCP Receives USTA Organization of the Year Award

2011-10-17T09:18:00.001-07:00

The Baltimore Curriculum Project has received the US Tennis Association/Maryland Chapter's Organization of the Year Award. BCP Executive Vice President Larry Schugam was on hand Saturday to receive the award at the USTA Maryland's annual luncheon in Annapolis.

Last summer BCP launched a new Pre-K through 8 school tennis initiative incorporating 10 and Under Tennis. BCP has committed to bring tennis this year to nearly 1,500 students in all four of its schools -- City Springs School, Collington Square School, Hampstead Hill Academy, and Wolfe Street Academy -- through physical education, after school clubs, and an intramural tennis league planned for 2012.

BCP and USTA kicked off the initiative last June with a fun tennis outing in Patterson Park for over 400 students, followed this fall by an in-service training for BCP and other Baltimore City physical educators.

We would like to thank USTA/Maryland for this honor and for helping to bring tennis to our schools. Special thanks to USTA Maryland President Marc Kantrowitz, USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Service Representative Lynn Gertzog, and USTA Maryland 2nd Vice President Tim Almaguer for their support.

USTA Maryland’s mission is to promote the growth and development of tennis in Maryland as a healthy lifetime sport available to all regardless of age and ability. USTA Maryland fosters an inclusive tennis environment and greater diversity throughout the sport.
For more information visit: http://www.maryland.usta.com/

Hopkins Community Affairs Office Supports Science Education

2011-10-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank the Johns Hopkins Government and Community Affairs - Office of Community Services for donating 10 microscopes and 25 goggles to Wolfe Street Academy to support science education. Thank you also to Carolyn Chance, Program Development Coordinator for the Office of Community Services, for making this donation possible.

Science teacher Maura Farrall was very excited about the donations...

Thank you thank you, thank you! Today I set up a table with 5 microsopes so students could look at everything from mosquito heads to a piece of their hair to pollen! They loved it! Even the kindergarten students were able to stand on a stool to use the microscopes! What a lot of excitement in science classes today..students who don't get to come until tomorrow are very excited because they heard about the new microscopes from others. We are about to start cell units, these microscopes are amazing! - Maura Farrall, Science Teacher, Wolfe Street Academy

The Johns Hopkins Office of Community Affairs serves institutional affiliates as well as others interested in the communities surrounding the institutions' campuses regarding local matters.
For more information visit: http://web.jhu.edu/administration/gca/community/

Leading Minds Forum Inspires Over 450 People

2011-09-26T08:01:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday over 450 teachers, community members, and nonprofit and business leaders attended BCP's fifth Leading Minds forum on The Impact of Poverty on Education. Co-hosted by Loyola University Maryland's School of Education and Urbanite Magazine, the forum explored why poverty has such a detrimental impact on academic achievement and what we, as a community, can do about it.

This was the fifth forum in BCP's Leading Minds series, which engages national experts and local stakeholders in discussions about cutting-edge educational issues that relate directly to improving public education.

An Organization Showcase before the forum featured local nonprofits and public agencies working to address the barriers to learning associated with poverty through community school initiatives, policy advocacy, parent engagement, after-school programming, and other strategies.

Panelists included Peter C. Murrell, Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Urban Education at Loyola’s School of Education; Jane Quinn, Vice President and Director of the National Center for Community Schools at the Children’s Aid Society; and Heather B. Weiss, Ph.D., Founder and Director of the Harvard Family Research Project and Senior Research Associate and Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Marc Steiner, host of “The Marc Steiner Show” on Baltimore’s WEAA 88.9 FM, moderated the discussion.

Presentations were followed by an in-depth Q&A and breakout discussion groups lead by the panelists and nonprofit leaders. The forum wrapped up with report backs from each of the eight breakout groups. Attendees were provided with a list of specific action items on how they can address this issue (below).

Next steps include circulating the notes from the discussion groups to all attendees and generating feedback on how we, as a community, can work together to ameliorate the impact of poverty on education.

THANK YOU

We would like to thank Peter Murrell, Jane Quinn, Heather Weiss, and Marc Steiner for enriching our exploration of the topic with their expertise.

Thank you to Dr. Mickey Fenzel, (Interim Dean, School of Education and Affiliate Professor, Psychology Department, Loyola University Maryland) for hosting the forum and welcoming the attendees.

Thank you to Candra Healy (Executive Assistant to the Dean, Loyola University Maryland Schools of Education) for making miracles happen in the planning and execution of the event.

Thank you to Patrick Durkin (Assistant Director, Loyola Event Services), John Kline (Event Production Technician, Loyola Event Services) and the rest of their outstanding event services team.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Thank you to the following breakout discussion group facilitators:

Joseph Anastasio, Transition Coordinator - School to Work, Baltimore City Public Schools
Muriel Berkeley, Ph.D., President and Founder, Baltimore Curriculum Project
Kaleisha Biggs, Nutrition Program Coordinator, Family League of Baltimore City
Karen DeCamp, Director, Neighborhood Programs, Greater Homewood Community Corporation
Sue Fothergill, Owner, educationRising
Mark Gaither, Principal, Wolfe Street Academy
Tina Hike-Hubbard, Director of Education, Enterprise Community Partners
Rebecca Messner, Assistant Editor, Urbanite
Peter C. Murrell, Jr., Ph.D., professor of urban education, Loyola School of Education
Connie Phelps, Community School Coordinator, Wolfe Street Academy
Jane Quinn, Vice President and Director of the National Center for Community Schools at the Children’s Aid Society
Marc Steiner, Host, “The Marc Steiner Show” on WEAA 88.9 FM
Sue Takemoto, Special and Integrated Technology Education Advocate, Baltimore City Public Schools
Tracy Ward, Publisher, Urbanite
Heather B. Weiss, Ph.D., founder and director of the Harvard Family Research Project

Thank you to the following volunteers:

Ava Anderson
Tara Anderson
Virginia Cobler
Kim Goldsmith
Marvelyn Johnson
Tilda Johnson
Brenda Kahn
Jeff Krick
Wayne Lawson
Jon McGill
Michele Sabean
Angela Scott

Thank you to the following organizations that participated in the Organization Showcase:

Below are some actions items that were distributed to forum attendees:

Join the Baltimore Education Coalition: www.becforourkids.org
Visit a Community School: email bcpinfo@baltimorecp.org
Write a letter to the Mayor urging her to support full funding for Community Schools.
Register as a volunteer with Baltimore City Public Schools: www.baltimorecityschools.org/_volunteerPartnerDonate
Volunteer with after-school or mentoring programs such as Higher Achievement Program (www.higherachievement.org) and BigBrothers Big Sisters (www.biglittle.org)
Volunteer or partner with a Baltimore Curriculum Project school by e-mailing bcpinfo@baltimorecp.org or calling 410-675-7000.
Visit the Coalition for Community Schools Policy and Advocacy webpage: http://www.communityschools.org/policy_advocacy
Join the Transform Baltimore Campaign to modernize Baltimore City public school buildings: www.transformbaltimore.org
Support Baltimore’s Safe and Sound Campaign at: http://safeandsound.org
Support BUILD’s Raise Our Youth/Raise Our City Campaign: www.buildiaf.org/raise-our-youth-raise-our-city
Join over 30 organizations to march for youth opportunities, not jails on October 4th: http://stopbaltimoreyouthjail.com

To learn more about the Leading Minds series and to view videos of past forums visit: http://www.baltimorecp.org/leadingminds

Merritt Athletic Clubs Support BCP Fall Conference

2011-09-13T13:24:00.001-07:00

We would like to thank Merritt Athletic Clubs for donating a one month membership, which will be offered as a door prize during BCP's Fall Professional Development Conference.

With over 27,000 members, more than 800 employees, swimming pools, squash, tennis, racquetball, more than 300 group exercise classes each week, 10 convenient locations, and over 30 years in the health and fitness industry, Merritt Athletic Clubs is the most complete fitness organization in Maryland.

For more information visit: http://www.merrittclubs.com

Turner Construction Supports Leading Minds Forum

2011-09-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank Turner Construction for supporting our upcoming Leading Minds forum on The Impact of Poverty on Education. Turner provides building services to institutions who recognize the value of a partner who works diligently and creatively to find the best possible solution for each particular project.

Turner actively supports the community through a variety of programs and partnerships including:

YouthForce 2020: a program instituted in 1989 to guide youth toward careers in the construction industry.
The Turner School of Construction Management: Since 1969, Turner has been training minority- and women-business owners in the disciplines practiced in the construction industry.
Community Relations And Affiliations: Turner supports organizations and affiliations that have facilitated the progress of the M/WBE community.
Partnership with ACE Mentor Program: The ACE Mentor Program is a national organization that mentors high school students in the architectural, construction management and engineering industries.

For more information visit: http://www.turnerconstruction.com/

D.C. United Soccer Series Comes to Baltimore

2011-09-07T10:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday over 100 students from Recreation Centers around the City, Baltimore Curriculum Project's four neighborhood charter schools, and Patterson Park Public Charter School were treated to a D.C. United Soccer Clinic and autograph session courtesy of Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young.

The clinic was run by six players from Major League Soccer's D.C. United: Brandon Barklage, Joseph Ngwenya, Perry Kitchen, Clyde Simms, Brandon McDonald and Santino Quaranta, a Baltimore native who grew up in Highlandtown.

Students participated in scrimmages and drills as part of the D.C. United Community Soccer Series. Professional players as well as stars from the men's and women's soccer teams at Loyola University Maryland and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland led the children in activities that refined their soccer skills and allowed them to interact in a positive environment.

D.C. United's Community Soccer Series aims to give children in the greater-Washington area a chance to learn the beautiful game from the team's players.

For more information visit: http://www.dcunitedsoccerfest.com/home/523371.html

We would like to thank the following partners and people for making this event possible:

D.C. United; Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young; Baltimore's Safe and Sound Campaign; Baltimore City Recreation and Parks; D.C United Players Brandon Barklage, Joseph Ngwenya, Perry Kitchen, Clyde Simms, Brandon McDonald and Santino Quaranta; D.C. United Grassroots Marketing Coordinator Andrew Minucci; Baltimore's Safe and Sound Campaign Strategist for Recreation and Parks Tim Almaguer; Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Division Chief Bob Wall; Ben Hyman, Special Assistant to Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young; the student-athletes from Loyola University Maryland and College of Notre Dame of Maryland; and all of the schools, Rec Centers, and parents for organizing the kids and getting them to Du Burns Arena.

Day of Hope in Collington Square

2011-09-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

On Saturday September 3rd, 227 volunteers brought hope to more than 2,200 Collington Square residents at the Day Of Hope in Collington Square Park. Organized by The Transformation Team, the Day of Hope provided groceries, haircuts, health services, and food for residents as well as backpacks for kids from the neighborhood. A variety of community-based organization, including the Baltimore Curriculum Project, were present to share information with residents.

The Transformation Team has held multiple Days Of Hope throughout various communities in Baltimore City. The Transformation Team is a conglomeration of people who were either born, live/lived, love, or work in East Baltimore and remain committed with a vested interest in its successful revitalization.

A Day Of Hope is a one-day special community event designed to meet both human and spiritual needs of residents. The heartbeat of the Day Of Hope comes from our generous volunteers as they serve and connect with residents, making a lasting impression on all who participate.

We would like to thank The Transformation Team for making this incredible event possible!

For more information about the Transformation Team visit:
http://on.fb.me/ttt090711

For more information about Day of Hope visit:
http://on.fb.me/hope090711

Lakeshore Supports BCP Teachers

2011-09-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

Lakeshore has donated $400 worth of gift to cards to help BCP teachers purchase school supplies. The gift cards will be awarded at BCP's October 2011 Professional Development Conference.

Lakeshore is dedicated to creating innovative educational materials that spark young imaginations, instill a sense of wonder and foster a lifelong love of learning. We would like to thank Lakeshore for their generosity.

For more information visit: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com

McGraw-Hill Sponsors BCP Professional Development Conference

2011-08-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank the McGraw-Hill School Education Group for sponsoring the breakfast at BCP's upcoming Fall Professional Development Conference on October 12, 2011. McGraw Hill has been a faithful supporter of BCP's past conferences.

McGraw-Hill Education is a leading global provider of educational materials, information and solutions for the Pre-K through 12th grade, Assessment, Higher Education and Professional markets.

For more information visit: http://www.mheducation.com

Hopkins BFSA Donates School Supplies

2011-08-26T13:08:00.000-07:00

On August 28th, 2011 City Springs School, Collington Square School, Hampstead Hill Academy and Wolfe Street Academy received 4 boxes and 1 bag of school supplies each for students in need. The schools supplies were donated by The Johns Hopkins Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) and employees of the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.

The mission of The Johns Hopkins Black Faculty and Staff Association is to be a visible and viable agency dedicated to promoting and enhancing identity, sense of community, professional welfare and development among Black faculty, staff and students of the Johns Hopkins University.

We would like to thank The Johns Hopkins Black Faculty and Staff Association and the employees of the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions for their generous support. We would also like to thank Carolyn Chance (Program Development Coordinator, Government and Community Affairs - The Johns Hopkins Office of Community Services) for helping to make this donation possible.

For more information about The Johns Hopkins Black Faculty and Staff Association visit: http://bfsa.jhu.edu

City Springs Hits the Ball Out of the Park AGAIN!

2011-08-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

I walked through every City Springs School classroom today and saw instructional groups hard at work, and expectations being taught both in classrooms and in hallways. The tone was orderly and enthusiastic. Students were engaged and proud. Teachers appeared (these teachers are adults facing the trials and challenges with which adults must cope every day but whatever each of them is dealing with outside of school they were putting the children first in that building) happy and proud of their students.

Susan Lattimore, our new BCP coach had told me yesterday that she was amazed by City Springs when she was there Monday and yesterday because of the fast start to instruction, the orderly and pleasant atmosphere.

Well done City Springs!! Thank you for your dedication to our children.

Muriel Berkeley, Ph.D
President and Founder
Baltimore Curriculum Project

Ziger/Snead Supports Collington Square School

2011-08-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank Hugh McCormick, AIA, LEED AP and Ziger/Snead Architects for providing more than $1,400 of pro-bono services for Collington Square School’s auditorium renovation project.

Ziger/Snead has been a long-time partner of BCP and designed both phase one and phase two (currently under construction) of Hampstead Hill Academy’s Early Learning Wing renovation.

Ziger/Snead is a Baltimore-based small business with a national reputation for design excellence. For more information visit: http://www.zigersnead.com/

United Way Brings Backpacks to Collington

2011-08-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

As students of Collington Square School get ready to start the new school year, nearly 300 backpacks with leveled reading books await them. The school was the beneficiary of the generous donation of these backpacks at the end of June by United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM).

UWCM is committed to meeting the basic needs of their low-income, at-risk neighbors across central Maryland. By mobilizing the community to give, advocate and volunteer, UWCM helps thousands of individuals and families get out of crisis, stay out of crisis and achieve higher-quality, self-sufficient lives. Education is central to that. By supporting our children's education, UWCM helps give them the tools they need to one day have happy, healthy and independent lives.

On June 21, 2011, UWCM participated in the United Way National Day of Action. UWCM rallied a bus-load of volunteers and went down to the National Mall, where United Way Worldwide organized an assembly line of books, backpacks and volunteers. UWCM joined more than 1,000 volunteers and helped pack more than 50,000 backpacks with summer reading to give to students at high-need schools. United Way of Central Maryland volunteers packed approximately 3,000 backpacks, which were brought back to central Maryland to distribute. Many of the backpacks have been distributed to nonprofits working with children, and to the Baltimore Curriculum Project and Collington Square.

As part of the National Day of Action, UWCM joined forces with United Way Worldwide and hundreds of other local United Ways in a commitment to rally 1 million readers, tutors or mentors as education volunteers. UWCM is encouraging people across central Maryland to sign the pledge to be an education volunteer at www.liveunited.org/LUWvolunteer. By signing the pledge, volunteers will receive updates from UWCM about volunteer opportunities across the region.

We would like to thank United Way of Central Maryland for supporting our schools.

Wolfe Street Academy Wins Best Youth Garden

2011-08-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

Wolfe Street Academy won first place for best youth garden at the 24th Annual Best Gardens of Baltimore Contest/Supper. The event was held on August 7th inside the Vollmer Center at Cylburn Arboretum.

Gardeners from around the city attended the potluck supper, which was sponsored by the University of Maryland Extension in Baltimore City and their Baltimore City Master Gardeners.

BCP President Talks about No Child Left Behind

2011-08-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

Muriel Berkeley, president of the Baltimore Curriculum Project, said that the U.S. needs to reform the way it thinks about public education, as well as education legislation itself. President Barack Obama's proposed overhaul of No Child Left Behind is a good start, but not enough.

Read the full article at:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/08/10/no-child-left-behind-must-be-left-behind-teacher-tells-raw/

MECU Supports Leading Minds Forum

2011-08-09T07:27:00.001-07:00

MECU has awarded BCP a grant of $500 to support our 2011 Leading Minds Forum, The Impact of Poverty on Education, to be held on September 22nd at Loyola University Maryland.

For years, MECU has been demonstrating its commitment to the community by supporting non-profit agencies in their quest to improve the quality of life for residents of our city.

We'd like to thank MECU for their support.

BCP Summer 2011 Newsletter

2011-08-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

Read the BCP Summer 2011 E-newsletter at:
http://conta.cc/pskKgn

Read the full PDF version at:
http://www.baltimorecp.org/newsletter/Class_Notes_Summer_2011.pdf

Baltimore Sun Features MGP & BCP

2011-07-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Baltimore Sun article below features the Middle Grades Partnership's work with students from City Springs School and Collington Square School, and Garrison Forest School.

Academic program helps city students try polo in the county
Collaboration between public and private schools brings kids from W. Baltimore to Garrison Forest

July 24, 2011|By Mary Gail Hare, The Baltimore Sun

Sabriaya Shipley enrolled in a summer learning program that her mother promised would offer new experiences. But when the 15-year-old city girl discovered those experiences would be on horseback at a school in Baltimore County, she balked, at least a bit.

"At first I said, 'No way,'" said Sabriaya, a rising sophomore at the Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore. "I never thought I would even get on a horse, let alone lead one around the ring. Now I am trotting on one. Now I can say I play polo."

She can even deftly tie a horse's tail into the regulation polo knot. "It is kind of like braiding hair," she said, demonstrating her newly acquired skill on a docile mare stabled at Garrison Forest School.

The all-girls private school in Owings Mills is sharing its rich equestrian history with a dozen students from East Baltimore neighborhoods. Riding is only one of the classes the school is offering its city guests, who are participating in the Middle Grades Partnership, a public and private school collaboration sponsored by the Baltimore Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the quality of life throughout the region.

The Middle Grades Partnership provides summer and after-school learning opportunities to academically promising middle school students in the city, according to its web site. It began five years ago to give students "experiences they would not otherwise have, introduces them to a broader world and lets them explore new interests," said Andrea Perry, dean of special programs at Garrison Forest.

A bus brings the students from City Springs and Collington Square middle schools in the city to the campus in Greenspring Valley. They take riding lessons in the morning and then pursue academics, rotating through classes in math, language arts or, maybe, French.

Cindy Halle, Garrison Forest's riding instructor and polo coach, added horsemanship into the enrichment courses and launched "Introduction to Horses, Riding and Polo" last month. The U.S. Polo Association kicked in a $7,000 grant that helped pay for the students' helmets and riding boots.

"It's a pilot program where riding lessons evolve into polo," Halle said. "We are already teaching all sorts of sports and life skills, but when you put an animal into the mix, especially a horse, it's empowering."

The first day of the four-week course was filled with the jitters typical of inexperienced riders. When the program ended last week, the timidity had vanished. Those same girls were helping to lead the large animals from barn to riding ring.

"These girls were scared at first," Halle said. "Now they are all pretty damn comfortable."

Sabriaya was comfortable enough on horseback to trot around the ring and chat a little with a fellow rider and confident enough to wave to spectators cheering her on with, "You look good up there."

The novice equestrians have learned to trot, canter and form a straight line on horseback. They may not be ready for a fast-paced game of polo, but most can apply mallet to ball toward goal, while holding onto the reins. These riders have also learned a few lessons from their horses, Halle said.

"I learned right away how to get on," said Asia Jackson, 13, who will attend Baltimore City College in the fall. "Now I know how to move the horse in the direction that I want to go."

USA Football Awards City Springs $1,000 Equipment Grant

2011-07-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

USA Football has awarded the Baltimore Curriculum Project a youth football equipment grant of $1,000 to support the football program at City Springs School. USA Football Equipment Grants provide youth leagues and elementary, middle and high school programs from across the United States with over $1,000,000 worth of new football equipment.

We would like to thank USA Football for their support. For more information visit: http://usafootball.com

USTA Awards BCP Tennis Grant

2011-07-05T12:59:00.000-07:00

The United States Tennis Association (USTA)/Mid-Atlantic has awarded the Baltimore Curriculum Project a Diversity & Inclusion Signature Program Grant of $1,125. The grant will help BCP bring tennis to over 800 mostly African-American and Hispanic-American students from low-income families in East Baltimore.

USTA/Mid-Atlantic is a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting tennis by offering quality recreational and competitive programs for people of all ages and abilities. The USTA Diversity and Inclusion Committee was formed by the USTA to increase minority participation-particularly in the African-American, Asian, Latino, Hispanic, and Native American communities.

We would like to thank USTA/Mid-Atlantic for supporting our schools. In June USTA hosted a tennis event at Hampstead Hill Academy to introduce over 400 elementary and middle grades students to "10 and Under Tennis."

To learn more about Diversity and Inclusion programs within the USTA/Mid-Atlantic, please contact Alanna Broderick, Community Tennis Development and Jr. Team Tennis Manager at broderick@mas.usta.com or 703-556-6120 x16.

BCP President on Poverty and Education in Colesville Patch

2011-06-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

BCP President Muriel Berkeley and Chief Academic Officer Jon McGill comment on poverty and education in the Colesville Patch.

“The research that suggests that FARMS kids pull down the others is only true if the school isn’t good to begin with,” said Dr. Muriel Berkeley, president of the Baltimore Curriculum Project, a non-profit that conducts research on poverty and education and operates charter schools in Baltimore City.

“This issue across the country of parents getting worried because there’s a change in demographics and they think because there’s a sprinkling of poor kids coming in that it’s going to have a really negative impact,” Berkeley’s colleague, Jon McGill, chief academic officer at the project says. “The research suggests that that’s only true if there’s a problem with the school before those kids ever got there.”

Read the full article at: http://patch.com/A-j3kG

City Springs & Hampstead Hill Perform at Patterson Park

2011-06-13T15:03:00.000-07:00

The City Springs School "Steppers" and Hampstead Hill Academy Drum Line performed at today's Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Patterson Park Youth Sports Center Powered by Under Armour. The event was attended by Governor Martin O'Malley, Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Council President Jack Young, Baltimore City Schools CEO Andres Alonso, and Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank.

Congressional Bank Sponsors Leading Minds Forum

2011-06-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank Congressional Bank for their generous $1,000 sponsorship of BCP's 2011 Leading Minds Forum, The Impact of Poverty on Education, to be held on September 22, 2011 at Loyola University Maryland.

Congressional Bank is a community bank serving the greater Washington, DC area. For more information visit: https://www.congressionalbankonline.com

US Tennis at Hampstead Hill Academy

2011-06-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

Over 400 students from Hampstead Hill Academy enjoyed a taste of tennis at today's school outing in Patterson Park. Staff and volunteers from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) showed up in force to introduce students to this engaging sport.

Students participated in a variety of drills that got them smiling and excited about the game. USTA's "10 and Under Tenni s" initiative, using the QuickStart Tennis play format, uses balls that are easier to hit, smaller rackets, and smaller courts than adult tennis. All of this equals more fun and less frustration.

Next school year a partnership between USTA, Friends of Patterson Park, and the Baltimore Curriculum Project will bring tennis to all four BCP schools through physical education, after school clubs, and an intramural tennis league planned for spring 2012.

We would like to thank Marc Kantrowitz (President, USTA Mid-Atlantic/Maryland), Lynn Gertzog (Tennis Service Representative, USTA Mid-Atlantic/Maryland), Geri Swann (Community Outreach Coordinator, Hampstead Hill Academy), Tim Almaguer (Executive Director, Friends of Patterson Park), Katie Long (Recreational/Program Coordinator, Friends of Patterson Park), and all of the USTA staff and volunteers for making this event possible.

Hampstead Hill BUDL Champions on WYPR

2011-05-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

On May 18th Baltimore Urban Debate League Champions Katie Spriggs and Deboreah Ross of Hampstead Hill Academy were featured on Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast.

Listen to the interview at:

http://mdmorn.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/518113-dont-argue-with-a-baltimorean/

Garrison Forest Revitalizes City Springs Community Pool

2011-05-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

On May 21st Garrison Forest School student volunteers brightened the City Springs Community Pool. Upper School students painted, weeded, and cleaned up the neglected community pool, working alongside students from McDonogh School.

Through the Middle Grades Partnership, Garrison Forest School partners with City Springs School, which is located about a block from the pool. Many of the City Springs girls who enjoy the GFS MGP mentoring program are avid users of the pool.

Thank you to the Middle Grades Partnership and the students from Garrison Forest School and McDonogh School for supporting the City Springs community and City Springs School.

Read more at http://www.gfs.org/news/detail.aspx?linkid=1601&moduleid=98

Arcos & Quiznos Save the Music

2011-05-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

Arcos Restaurant held a benefit fundraiser for Wolfe Street Academy 's string instrument program on May 24th. Attendees enjoyed a performance by fourth grader Faustino Cano and instructor/cellist Jill Collier while feasting on fantastic Mexican cuisine and margaritas.

Combined with money raised from a recent Quiznos fundraiser, the two fundraisers earned over $800. Proceeds will benefit Wolfe Street's after-school "Bridges" program, a partnership with the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra which provides 35 Wolfe Street kids with violin, viola and cello instruction as well as Sunday orchestra classes.

The Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance and Goldseker Foundation have pledged a matching grant of $5,500 to support the program. So far we have raised about $4,000 towards our goal of $5,500.

Many thanks to Arcos and Quiznos for their support. To donate to Wolfe Street's Save the Music! campaign online, go to http://tinyurl.com/wsastrings

Wolfe Awarded MAEF Urban Youth Garden Grant

2011-05-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF) has awarded Wolfe Street Academy a $350 Urban Youth Garden grant to create a community garden. The grant is part of MAEF's AG Returns to the City program and their Edible Classroom Youth Gardening Project.

The goal of the Edible Classroom Youth Gardening Project is to increase the awareness of and appreciation for agriculture in the lives of urban students through hands-on gardening and classroom activities that meet MSDE’s State Curriculum. By implementing MAEF’s mission, this project offers students direct experience with growing, harvesting and preparing fresh foods while learning plant requirements, growing conditions, nutrition and wellness.

Thank you to MAEF for supporting Wolfe Street Academy and congratulations to Kathy Stroup for writing the grant proposal!

To learn more about MAEF visit: http://www.maefonline.com/

Hampstead Hill Academy Celebrates Organic Garden and Eco-Living

2011-05-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

Hampstead Hill Academy (HHA) will celebrate recent enhancements to the school's organic garden and efforts to reduce the school's impact on the environment on Thursday, May 26, 2011 from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm. The celebration will be part of a Hampstead Hill Nights Family Fun Event.

HHA has positioned itself as a leader in sustainability and community engagement. A student-led Green Expo will provide education about energy and water conservation and waste reduction through games, print materials, and prizes.

During the entertainment break around 7:00 pm HHA will officially dedicate a new garden mural, which was created by HHA students in partnership with the Creative Alliance.

Following the dedication, attendees will enjoy a garden art reception and have the opportunity to appreciate recent sustainable garden additions, including rain barrels and drip irrigation.

Thanks to a partnership with Waste Neutral Group, all food and paper waste from the event will be composted!

The event will take place from 5:30 until 8:00 pm, with live music starting at 6:00 pm. The mural dedication will occur around 7:00 pm. For more information, contact Chrissa Carlson at chrissacarlson@gmail.com.

Hampstead Hill Participates in Sustainability Challenge

2011-05-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Hampstead Hill Academy (HHA) joined over 30 other Baltimore City Schools as leaders in sustainability through a Baltimore City Schools Sustainability Challenge grant.

Students at HHA, led by Food for Life teacher Chrissa Carlson, completed a "Trash to Treasures" project. The grant funds were used to implement and document activities at the school that conserve and reuse resources, and demonstrate to the community how they can take action at home.

Drip irrigation lines, fed by rain barrels, helped water beds in the school's organic garden using stored rainwater from rain barrels, and waste from the annual Hampstead Hill Nights events was composted to organic soil amendments for the garden.

The Conservation Team documented their work and shared information on conserving water and energy, and reducing waste at a Green Expo during the final Hampstead Hill Nights event on May 26th.

Students also shared their work, along with other grant recipients, at a celebration with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on May 21st.

Thank you to Baltimore City Public Schools, the Baltimore Community Foundation, the Baltimore Office of Sustainability; and the Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge for supporting Hampstead Hill Academy.

Hampstead Hill Awarded MAEF Grant

2011-05-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hampstead Hill Academy (HHA) has received a grant from the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF) to fund the installation of a wash station in the school's organic vegetable garden.

In response to student requests for food preparation activities in the garden, and to increase opportunities for safe tasting of garden fruits, vegetables, and herbs, funds were sought to install a sink that can be used to wash hands and freshly harvested produce and herbs.

The wash stand was constructed by parent volunteers during a garden workday, using a reclaimed kitchen sink from the Loading Dock.

Thank you to MAEF for supporting Hampstead Hill Academy and congratulations to Chrissa Carlson for writing the grant proposal!

To learn more about MAEF visit: http://www.maefonline.com/

MGP Helps Collington Student Step Outside of Comfort Zone

2011-05-07T05:32:00.000-07:00

Middle Grades Partnership student Sabriaya used to get picked on for being a good student at Collington Square School of the Arts. “I have always been a geek,” she jokes, but not fitting in was hurting her self-esteem. So, when she was invited to participate in the Middle Grades Partnership program, she welcomed the opportunity to learn in a new environment.

Read more at the Middle Grades Partnership website:
http://www.middlegradespartnership.org/tabid/169/itemid/29/default.aspx

Hampstead Hill Academy Class Reunion 2007

2011-04-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

Hampstead Hill Academy is holding a Class of 2007 Reunion on Wednesday May 18, 2011 from 4:00 – 6:00pm in the Hampstead Hill Academy Cafeteria. We are looking for all 45 students and all Staff Members who attended or worked at Hampstead Hill from 1999 - 2007. Classmates and staff only.

RSVP: Tish1749@aol.com (Mrs. Patricia Jones) or 410-396-9147

BCP Spring 2011 Newsletter

2011-04-07T14:24:00.000-07:00

Check out the BCP Spring 2011 Newsletter at:
http://www.baltimorecp.org/newsletter/Class_Notes_Spring_2011.pdf

Collington Square School Hosts Health Fair

2011-04-05T17:21:00.000-07:00

On April 2nd Collington Square School hosted the 2011 East Baltimore Health and Wellness Fair.

The day kicked off with opening remarks by Elev8 staff member Borndavid McCraw; Collington Square School Principal Etta Johnson; Baltimore Curriculum Project Chief Academic Officer Jon McGill; Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake; U.S. Senator Ben Cardin; and Maryland State Senator Bill Ferguson.

The health fair included health screenings, health resources, workshops, music, children's activities, and more.

BCP Executive Vice President Larry Schugam and Communications & Development Associate Virginia Cobler volunteered at the Urban Health Institute's Community Health Initiative table.

The Community Health Initiative is a collaborative effort to improve the health and well-being of residents of all ages who live in East Baltimore through sustainable health collaborations, initially focused on a community health assessment and specific health interventions.

Schugam also helped Earl Johnson, Executive Director of One Green Home at a Time Foundation, pass out hundreds of free children's books as part of One Green Home's Bookmocycle Project.

We would like to thank Elev8 Baltimore, Baltimore Medical System, Johns Hopkins Student Outreach Resource Center (SOURCE), and Johns Hopkins Children's Center for organizing and sponsoring this event.

City Springs Student Wins National Boxing Championship

2011-03-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

City Springs fifth grader Lorenzo Simpson recently took the championship title at the 2011 National Silver Gloves Tournament of Champions in Kansas City, Mo., one of the nation's largest amateur tournaments for young boxers. Congratulations to Lorenzo and all of the people who supported him in this outstanding achievement.

Read the Baltimore Sun article at: http://bit.ly/gl7i57

View the Baltimore Sun video at: http://bit.ly/fiT76Z

View a video of Lorenzo in the finals at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-SxsIngByw

McDonald's Supports Collington Square School

2011-03-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank Brian Brown of the McDonald’s at 2001 N. Broadway Ave. and Kim Burrell of the McDonald’s at 2840 Greenmount Ave. for donating 80 apple pies for Collington Square School of the Arts' Fun Friday event on March 18, 2011.

The donation helped sweeten the celebration of our students’ successful completion of the Maryland School Assessment.

Hampstead Hill Fundraiser on March 26th

2011-03-19T00:35:00.000-07:00

Hampstead Hill Academy will hold a fundraiser, B3- Bingo, Beer, & a Band, on Saturday March 26, 2011 from 7:00pm - 11:00pm at 500 S. Linwood Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224.

Admission is $15 and bingo cards, beer and soft drinks will be available for purchase. B3 is an over-21 event. Tickets are available from Cathy Wolkow (wolkowca@gmail.com, 443-803-6081) or Erin Taylor Bell (etaylorbell@gmail.com)

BCP Featured at Restorative Practices Conference

2011-03-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

BCP President Dr. Muriel Berkeley and City Springs School Principal Rhonda will be featured speakers at the 2011 IIRP Summer Symposium, Tuesday–Thursday, August 2–4, 2011 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

TURNING THE TIDE: a participatory symposium on bringing restorative practices to schools, organizations, workplaces and communities will include three days of speakers, panels, videos, and restorative circles.

Dr. Berkeley will talk about the restorative practices implementations at BCP neighborhood charter schools. Principal Richetta will talk about the Whole School Restorative Practices implementation at City Springs School.

For more information visit: http://www.iirp.org/event_detail.php?event_id=NTY=

Canton Railroad Helps Hampstead Hill

2011-03-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

Hampstead Hill Academy and the Baltimore Curriculum Project would like to thank the Canton Railroad Company for their recent, generous donation of school supplies. Canton Railroad President John Magness and Vice-President Diane Abate dropped off enough supplies to last the rest of the school year including filler paper, spiral notebooks, composition books, pencils, pens, glue sticks, and a host of other items.

The Canton Railroad Company is an Industrial Switching Carrier located in East Baltimore City and County, Maryland. They have a long standing partnership with Hampstead Hill Academy and provide significant support for the Spectacular Express Program, which celebrates good students deeds and citizenship.

Hampstead Hill Principal Helps Amplify Baltimore

2011-03-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

On March 12th, 2011 Hampstead Hill Academy Principal Matt Hornbeck participated in a panel discussion about public education as part of Amplify Baltimore. Other panelists included former City Schools superintendent Walter G. Amprey and City Schools Chief Academic Officer Sonja Brookins Santelises.

Amplify Baltimore is a quarterly series of community conversations that explore some of the most challenging issues we face as a city.

About a dozen seventh and eighth graders from Hampstead Hill Academy attended the session and said they would like to see more creative curriculum and high school choices.

Read the AFRO article at: http://www.afro.com/sections/news/Baltimore/story.htm?storyid=4373

Learn more about Amplify Baltimore at http://www.civicframe.org/cf.html

School Board Acknowledges Impressive Achievement at City Springs

2011-03-10T12:41:00.000-08:00

At Wednesday's City School Board Meeting, board members cited City Springs School's outstanding academic achievement (an increase in state math test proficiency from 34 percent to 64 percent in five years) and the pressure put on teachers by No Child Left Behind.

Read more at: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bs-md-ci-alternative-governance-20110309,0,4059925.story

BCP President Muriel Berkeley Speaks at Kellogg Forum

2011-03-10T07:58:00.001-08:00

On Friday March 4th BCP President Muriel Berkeley participated in a panel on school and community engagement at the Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance's 2011 Forum. As a neighborhood charter school operator, BCP works collaboratively with schools and communities to improve public education. The panel was convened by Dr. Sam Stringfield and included representatives from diverse school reform advocacy groups.

For more information on the Forum visit: http://www.kfla.org/programs/?p=p&c=194

Hampstead Hill Academy Featured on DBFA Blog

2011-03-04T13:08:00.000-08:00

Claudia Towles, Vice President of the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance (DBFA), shares her experience sending her son Sebastian to Hampstead Hill Academy on the DBFA Blog:

http://www.dbfamblog.org/blog/2011/3/2/school-days-hampstead-hill-academy.html

We'd like to thank Claudia and DBFA for everything they do to support BCP schools.

City Springs School Featured in Baltimore Brew

2011-03-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

City Springs School's outstanding achievement is featured in yesterday's Baltimore Brew article: http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2011/03/01/a-new-day-at-baltimores-city-springs/