Maria Broom to Compete in "Are You Smarter than a BCP 5th Grader?"

Actress, Dancer and Story Teller Maria Broom will join City Schools CEO Andres Alonso as a celebrity contestant at Are You Smarter than a BCP 5th Grader? on April 25, 2013.

Get your tickets today at: http://bcp.givezooks.com/events/are-you-smarter-than-a-bcp-5th-grader-2013


Although nationally known as an actress for her recurring roles in HBO’s “The Wire” and “The Corner”, Maria is also a storyteller and dancer with more than forty years of performing and teaching in the US and across the globe. She is a Fulbright scholar and former news reporter for the ABC affiliates in Miami and Baltimore. Currently, she is on the theater faculty at the Baltimore School for the Arts.

A native of Baltimore, Maria has received many awards and honors including the Eubie Blake Award, the Sarah’s Circle Award and the 2004 Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist. In 2007, she was named, Artist of the Year by Young Audiences of Maryland, Inc.

In addition to her work as performer and educator, Maria is much requested as a speaker and presenter. With a background in yoga, meditation, Homa therapy and dance therapy, she conducts staff retreats, workshops and weekly classes that help people to release stress and feel at peace.

Formerly, the diversity coordinator for the Park School in Baltimore, she has been a consultant since 2006 for Maryland Public Television’s Campaign for Love and Forgiveness, sponsored by Fetzer Institute.

As a recipient of an Open Society Institute community fellowship grant, Maria established a unique mentoring program in the inner city schools, and beyond, called the Dance Girls of Baltimore. It is through this vehicle that she passes on the values of self-discipline and thoughtful behavior.

In 2007, Maria worked in Poland and Czechoslovakia co-directing the independent film “Soul Immortal” to be released in 2010.

Why BCP Loves the Ravens

Hampstead Hill Academy School #47
Says Go Ravens in Superbowl #47

Why does the Baltimore Curriculum Project love the Baltimore Ravens? Let us count the ways:

1. The Ravens built a KaBOOM! Playground for Collington Square School of the Arts in June 2007.
2. The Ravens All Community Team Foundation (RACTF...) awarded City Springs Elementary/Middle School a Plan in Motion grant to support their Karate Program in July 2008.
3. RACTF has awarded Collington Square School of the Arts Plan in Motion grants to support their volleyball, basketball and soccer programs.
4. The Ravens hosted a fitness event at Wolfe Street Academy to celebrate Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play and Hispanic Heritage Month on September 23, 2008.
5. Close to 100 students from City Springs Elementary participated in the Ravens’ West Shore Park Football Clinic on October 14, 2008.
6. Wolfe Street Students had breakfast with Ravens linebacker Nick Greison in December 2008.
7. RACTF awarded Wolfe Street Academy a Plan in Motion grant to support their Mexican Folkloric Dance program in June 2009.
8. Hampstead Hill Academy participated in the Ravens’ Amazing Race at Maryland Zoo in October 2009.
9. Hampstead Hill Academy students spoke on the Ravens fan cam during Manic Monday in January 2010.
10. RACTF awarded Wolfe Street Academy a Plan in Motion grant to support the Patterson Park Elementary Soccer League in July 2010.
11. City Springs Elementary/Middle School was a Ravens Honor Row awardee in September 2010.
12. City Springs Elementary/Middle School participated in the Ravens’ Amazing Race at the Maryland Zoo in October 2010.
13. Hampstead Hill Academy students were allowed to wear their Ravens shirts to school on Oct. 4, 2010.
14. The Hampstead Hill Academy Builders Club was a Ravens Honor Row awardee in 2011.
15. Four City Springs School students attended the Ravens’ Play 60 game on November 28, 2010
16. RACTF awarded Hampstead Hill Academy a Ravens Youth Football Grant in 2011.
17. The City Springs Drug‐Free Soul Steppers and Hampstead Hill Academy Drum Line performed at ribbon‐cutting ceremony for City Springs Field on November 29, 2011.
18. RACTF awarded City Springs Elementary/Middle School a Plan in Motion grant in July 2011 to support the City Springs Flag‐Football League.
19. Ravens Center/Guard Andre Gurode distributed 500 turkeys to the families of Israel Baptist Church and Collington Square School on November 18, 2011.   
20. RACTF awarded the Baltimore Curriculum Project a Plan in Motion grant of $4,950 to support the Patterson Park Elementary Soccer League and the BCP/Patterson Park Tennis League in 2012/2013.
21. Ravens NT Terrence Cody's Hope for the Holidays Party on December 10, 2012 raised $8,000 to support the food backpack program at Wolfe Street Academy.
22. City Springs Elementary/Middle School students participate in “Purple Friday” on January 04, 2013.
23. Hampstead Hill Academy School #47 held a rally in January 2012 to support the Ravens in Super Bowl #47.
24. THE RAVENS TRULY CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY!

  

Thank you Ravens for everything you do to support our students.

 

Go Ravens!

BVU/M&T PENCIL Partnership Supports Hampstead Hill Academy

Over the past several years, the Wallace Foundation has published groundbreaking research establishing the critical importance of school leadership – contributing to the growing consensus that a principal is second only to classroom teaching in the success of a school.

Thanks largely to their important work, more and more focus is being given to how to effectively train principals to become strategic and effective leaders and managers.

But as important as school leadership is in driving student achievement, our educators are also beginning to realize that a principal’s job is more complicated than ever.

Hampstead Hill Academy “Banks” on their Business Partner
In Baltimore, MD, where Business Volunteers Unlimited Maryland (BVU) manages a PENCIL Affiliate Program, BVU grasped this situation when they partnered Matthew Hornbeck, Principal of Hampstead Hill Academy, with Mohannad “Mo” Jishi, Commercial Banking Manager for Greater Baltimore at M&T Bank.

Read the full article at:
http://www.pencil.org/pencil-partnership-helps-baltimore-school-analyze-finances-to-support-long-range-planning/

Bee-Fit Promotes Youth Fitness and Supports HHA PTO

A Hampstead Hill Academy Student Participates in the
Bee-Fit event to support the school's PTO.

Article By Le’Kara Hebron
Student, Hampstead Hill Academy

An event called Bee-Fit was held for Hampstead Hill Academy on October 12, 2012 at Patterson Park.  The purpose of the event was to help students get exercise while raising money for Hampstead Hill’s PTO.  The program was created and run by the PTO staff.

All pre-K to eighth grade students participated in Bee-Fit. The participants ran laps for twenty minutes.  After the twenty minutes, the participants went to get snacks. The adults called students over to different sports and exercises like soccer, sit-ups, hula hoops, badminton, trampolines, art, football, and potato sack racing.

When my friends and I ran laps, we ran 11 laps and had lots of fun. When we did the activities, we listened for the whistle, which let us know it was time to go to another activity. My favorite activities were soccer and the trampolines. Bee-Fit was very successful and a lot of fun!

City Springs and Hampstead Hill Victorious at BUDL Tournament

Students from City Springs Elementary/Middle School

Reprinted from the BUDL website: www.budl.org

Baltimore Urban Debate League’s first EMS tournament took place on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Carver Vo-Tech High School. They had over 150 students in attendance with a lot of support from parents, friends and community members.

Every team competed with much passion and the rankings were extremely close, but Hampstead Hill and City Springs were the major victors.

Although the excitement around the start of a new school year might have quieted down, the excitement and anticipation of a new competitive debate season was in full effect as the beaming smiles on the faces of our student debaters lasted throughout the day. Overall, the speeches presented were very impressive!

Sun Education Reporter Erica Green Visits Hampstead Hill Academy

Baltimore Sun Education Reporter Erica L. Green

On October 1, 2012, Baltimore Sun Education Reporter Erica L. Green visited Hampstead Hill Academy to talk with students in Lauren White's fifth grade Language class. Erica shared how she loved to write stories as a student and wanted to pursue a career in writing and education. She advised students to write about their passion.

Erica explained how she goes through the writing process with each story. She described how it can be frustrating to make multiple revisions of a piece, but that she knows it is worth it because it will result in the best version of her story. Erica answered numerous student questions. Ms. White and her class thoroughly enjoyed meeting Erica and learning from her.

We would like to thank Erica for taking the time to meet with our students.

Read blog posts by Erica Green on Inside Ed: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/blog/

Follow Erica Green on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaLG

Hampstead Hill Students Demonstrate Impressive Research/Presentation Skills

On Friday May 18th, Hampstead Hill Academy students in Elizabeth Bernstein's 7th grade history class presented their European Geography/Conflict projects in a unique small group format that provided quality time for students to present, discuss, and interact with each other under the supervision of an adult facilitator.

Hampstead Hill Academy Director of Enrichment Laura Moyers recruited guest facilitators for each group. These facilitators, including Baltimore Curriculum Project Director of Students Support Services Jeff Krick,  worked with groups of  4-5 students and used a rubric to score the presentations; help guide the discussion; and provide important feedback to each presenter.

This format was used to create a meaningful experience for the students; giving them an authentic forum for showing and describing all aspects of their work.

"I enjoyed my group’s presentations and was impressed with their ability to elaborate on details of their country and conflict when asked, said Mr. Krick.

"I was impressed with their answers to my questions about researching online and how they not only knew that Wikipedia was not the most reliable source, but that they needed to find enough sources to establish a level of understanding for evaluating any contradictory sources."

Hampstead Hill Academy May 2012 Newsletter

Read Hampstead Hill Academy's May 2012 newsletter at:
http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/cms/lib/MD01001351/Centricity/Domain/5760/May%202012%20newsletter.pdf

This edition features:

• Mission and Vision Statement for HHA
• Performance Plan Meeting
• Information on Early Release Day/Parent Teacher Conferences
• Principal's List and Honor Roll for 3rd Quarter
• Renaissance Award
• News from the Teams and Much More in the May Newsletter!

Joe Ehrmann Provides Training for East Baltimore Coaches

Joe Ehrmann Provided Training for 31 East Baltimore Coaches on March 10th

On March 10, 2012 Joe Ehrmann provided an inspiring training for 31 coaches from across East Baltimore. Participating schools and organizations included City Springs Elementary/Middle School, Hampstead Hill Academy, BCTS, Baltimore Freedom Academy, and Inner Harbor East Academy.

The training was presented by Coach for America and Living Classrooms Foundation. This was the first of 2 trainings for coaches who plan to use the newly-renovated City Springs Field and the soon-to-be renovated Utz Field in Patterson Park - two projects managed by Living Classrooms Foundation.

"The training with Joe was amazing," said City Springs Elementary/Middle Physical Education Instructor Tavon McGee.

"He highlighted the importance of being a life coach to our young athletes. If we coach and teach with the competitive drive of building character and molding young men, the win/loss column will become the least important factor of defining a GREAT coach."

Joe Ehrmann is an inspirational speaker and seminar leader who works with corporate, civic and community organizations and associations to promote growth, teamwork, effectiveness and individual responsibility. He played professional football for 13 years and was Colts Man of the Year.

We would like to thank Joe Ehrmann, Coach for America, and Living Classrooms Foundation for providing this amazing opportunity for our coaches.

About Coach for America
Coach for America provides keynotes, workshops and seminars built on a solid foundation of current research theories and techniques. This unique and powerful method promises to improve the performance of your team on the field, at the office and in the home.
http://www.coachforamerica.com/

HHA Student Si Lin Named Carson Scholar

Hampstead Hill Academy 8th grader Si Lin has been named a 2012 Carson Scholar by the Carson Scholars Fund.

This year, 402 academic superstars have been named Carson Scholars with 24 from Baltimore City Public Schools. These students were nominated by their schools based on high academic achievement and commitment to serving their communities. Each scholar will receive a $1,000 scholarships.

Applications were at an all-time high this year, meaning the 2012 Scholars are truly the best and the brightest students from across the country.To date, the CSF has awarded more than 5,200 scholarships and has scholars in all 50 states!

Dr. Benjamin Carson grew up in a challenging environment in a single-parent household with a childhood dream of becoming a doctor. His mother, with only a third grade education, challenged and supported her sons, and Benjamin Carson is now a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He has also directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for more than 25 years.

Congratulations to Si Lin and all of the 2012 Carson Scholars!

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

Students Shine Through MSA at HHA

Today and yesterday I had the pleasure of proctoring the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) for Miss Hoover's 5th grade class at Hampstead Hill Academy.

Despite the enormous pressure the MSA places on students, teachers, and administrators, the students were focused and extremely well-behaved.

Perhaps the only thing more impressive than their behavior was the artwork the students drew on their scratch papers (which unfortunately had to be collected with the tests for test security)

Once the test was over Miss Hoover gave the students snacks and some free time to relax. Some of the students read while other played math games or worked on their homework.

I applaud Miss Hoover and her students for their outstanding work.

- Larry Schugam

Restorative Practices Event at Hampstead Hill Academy

Principals from across the city observed restorative circles in several
Hampstead Hill Academy classrooms, including Teacher Debbie Lastner's. (above)

Thank you to Hampstead Hill Academy and the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) for an inspiring introduction to Restorative Practices this morning for over 40 Baltimore City Schools principals and teachers! Attendees visited classrooms and participated in restorative circles.

Baltimore Curriculum Project President Muriel Berkeley, Hampstead Hill Academy Principal Matthew Hornbeck and City Springs Middle/Elementary School Principal Rhonda Richetta delivered wonderful presentations on their experience implementing this positive approach to building school culture. http://www.iirp.edu/

BCP Winter 2012 Professional Development Conference

On Thursday, January 26, 2012 BCP hosted its Winter 2012 Professional Development Conference for over 200 teachers from City Springs School, Collington Square School of the Arts, Hampstead Hill Academy, and Wolfe Street Academy.

BCP provides two professional development conferences and several day-long seminars each year. Principals determine their staff training needs and BCP customizes training to meet those needs. BCP also provides training that addresses areas identified by BCP coaches and leadership staff.

Click here to view the event program (PDF file).

A variety of workshops were offered at the Winter Conference including:

• CHAMPS: How to manage difficult kids
• Challenges in Urban Education
• Literacy Centers: Incorporating Literacy Centers into the Primary
  Classroom
• Maximizing Opportunity to Learn: Engagement Strategies
• Enrichment Activities for DI Lessons
• Effective Firm Up Procedures
• Writing Workshop
• Effective Lesson Planning for All Learning Levels

Presenters included Tara Anderson, Laura Doherty, Nora Hogan, Brenda Kahn, Marvelyn Johnson, Jeff Krick, Susan Lattimore, Jon McGill, Laura Moyers, Ed Schaefer,

Keynote Address

Journalist Shepard Barbash delivered the keynote address. Barbash has been a writer for thirty years. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, City Journal, Education Next and other publications.

He is former bureau chief of the Houston Chronicle in Mexico City and is the author of five books, including Clear Teaching, published in January by the Education Consumers Foundation.

Luncheon Speakers and City Springs Choir

Collington Square School of the Arts Resource Teacher Lauren Bevacqua and City Springs School Para Professional Antoine Lewis delivered talks during lunch. This was followed by a performance of the City Springs School Choir.

Thank you

We would like to thank Hampstead Hill Academy for hosting the 2012 Winter Professional Development Conference and the entire HHA staff for making it a success.

Thank you to Chipotle and ADP for sponsoring the conference.

Thank you to Tara Anderson for organizing the conference and to all of the BCP staff members who helped out: Tilda Johnson, Larry Schugam, and Angela Scott.

Hampstead Hill Academy January 2012 Newsletter

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

Support Audubon with an Evening at Bistro RX

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

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

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

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.

Fall 2011 Edition of BCP's Class Notes

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

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.

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

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