Give charter more time to succeed

Below is BCP Board Chairman George Hess' letter to the editor from today's Baltimore Sun.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bal-charterletter0304,0,2836886.story

The editorial "School board test," (Mar. 3) did not provide a complete picture of the issues related to the charter school renewal application for Dr. Rayner Browne Academy. Unlike most charter schools that are newly created, Rayner was an existing Baltimore City public school long before it became a charter school. The school was on the state's restructuring list because it was failing when the Board of School Commissioners approved the request of parents to convert the school to a charter school to be operated by the Baltimore Curriculum Project just two and a half years ago.

The conversion of existing, low performing schools is as difficult as it is unusual. While such turnaround schools are a primary focus of U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan's Race to the Top competition, he and many others in the education community recognize that there is limited capacity to do this work nationally. Across the country, there are few organizations willing to do this work both because of the difficulty of the task and the time it takes to accomplish such reform.

Baltimore is fortunate to have a local non-profit committed to the work of turning around some of the most difficult schools in the city. The Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) is not only committed to this work but has demonstrated success in doing it.

Rayner is one of five schools operated by BCP. Between 2007 and 2009, the share of students scoring advance or proficient on the state test at the other four BCP schools has increased from 55 percent to 78 percent in reading and from 45 percent to 71 percent in math. Since BCP began working with its original three schools (City Springs, Collington Square and Hampstead Hill) at least eight years ago, reading scores at those schools have increased by an average of 66 percentage points.

The Board of School Commissioners approved BCP's method of educational reform at Rayner through the approval of their original charter application in 2007. Since BCP has operated the school for less than three years, BCP and the Rayner Browne community respectfully request at least two more years to achieve significant improvement.

George Hess, Baltimore

The writer is chairman of the Baltimore Curriculum Project board.

Send letters to the editor to talkback@baltimoresun.com.

Copyright © 2010, The Baltimore Sun

BCP Helps with AFP Funders Panel

On February 18th the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Maryland Chapter held an informative Meet the Funders panel discussion at the Junior League of Baltimore. The room was packed with development professionals eager to learn more about working with foundations.

Panelists included Brooke J. Hodges (Senior Vice President, Bank of America), Nancy R. Kutler (Vice President, The Center for Funds and Foundations at The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore), and Melissa Warlow (Program Officer, Baltimore Community Foundation).

Betsy S. Nelson (Executive Director, The Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers) gave an overview of the current funding climate and moderated the discussion. The panelists discussed how to develop long-term relationships and work most effectively with foundation staff before, during, and after grants are awarded.

Larry Schugam (Development Director, Baltimore Curriculum Project ), Jessica Schmidt-Bonifant (Development Director, Central Scholarship Bureau), and Kathleen Elliott (Philanthropic Services Officer, Baltimore Community Foundation) organized the event.

We'd like to thank Brooke Hodges, Nancy Kutler, Betsy Nelson, and Melissa Warlow for volunteering their time and sharing their expertise. We'd also like to thank Shelly Terranova (Director, The Junior League of Baltimore) and Stephanie Bartal (President, The Junior League of Baltimore) for graciously hosting the event.

About AFP-Maryland
AFP-Maryland's mission is to foster the growth and development of a culturally diverse population of fundraising professionals, enhance philanthropy by encouraging giving and volunteering, and promote ethics in fundraising and sound non-profit management throughout Maryland. To learn more and become a member visit: www.afpmaryland.org

About the Junior League of Baltimore
The Junior League of Baltimore is a volunteer organization for women interested in making a positive impact in their communities. Since 1912, the Junior League of Baltimore has been a driving force behind many of the initiatives and institutions that make our community strong.
To learn more visit: www.jlbalt.org

City Springs School Hosts Town Hall Meeting on Youth

City Springs School hosted a Town Hall meeting on Baltimore's youth on February 17, 2010. Below is the article by Lynn Pinder from the Baltimore Examiner:

February 17th will go down in Baltimore history as a day when community leaders, police officials, public policy makers, educators, youth and parents wade through the snow and ice to come together for a town hall meeting sponsored by the Eric R. Villines Advocacy Institute (ERVAI) and the Baltimore Algebra Project (BAP). The ERVAI/BAP Town Hall Meeting will take place at the City Springs School located 100 S. Caroline Street from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Guest panelists include a who's who of Baltimore policy-makers, community activists, youth leaders and educators. As noted on Facebook, invited panelists include State Representative Delegate, Jill P. Carter; Baltimore City Police Commissioner, Fred Bealefeld; Former Drug Kingpin and famed Actor from the HBO award wining series The WIRE, Melvin Williams; President of the Baltimore Building & Construction Trades Council, Rod Easter; College Student, Damien Poole; Senior High School Student, Magda "Maggi" Phillips; Baltimore City Public School System's Director of Community & Family Partnerships, Michael Sarbanes; Senior Director of Youth Initiatives at Community Law and Action, Laura Furr; and the Founder of the Eric R. Villines Advocacy Institute, Kimberly Armstrong. Radio One's 92Q-munity DJ and personality, Pork Chop and the Baltimore Algebra Project's Chris Goodman will moderate the town hall meeting which will air LIVE (2/17) on the 92Q radio station from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Some of the issues up for discussion at the town hall meeting include: (1) the number of youth transferred or waived into the adult criminal justice system; (2) the construction of two new $280 million detention centers in Baltimore City for women and juveniles; (3) the school to prison pipeline; (4) youth unemployment; (5) the Student's Bill of Rights; and (6) youth violence. Organizers of the town hall meeting invite anyone, who has an interest in taking action and doing something to change the current culture of local policy-makers to fund jails instead of education and workforce development opportunities, to attend.

"I hope that some people will get educated and angry enough to do something. We are in a state of urgency. Our law-makers are authorizing the release of funds to build $280 million jails and cutting funds toward education. My advice for people who just want to attend an event to talk and hear a good speech is to stay home. This town hall meeting on 2/17 is the start of a movement in Baltimore - only those with the tenacity, spirit and commitment to positive youth development and change should come out and let their voices be heard," said Kimberly Armstrong, the Founder of the Eric R. Villines Advocacy Institute and one of the organizers of the town hall meeting.

Collington Square Student Ta’Shawn Miles Meets President

On January 20th Ta'Shawn Miles, a 6th grader at BCP's Collington Square School of the Arts, had the experience of a life time. He visited the White House and met the President and First lady as part of a National Mentoring Month celebration.

Ta'Shawn participates in the Higher Achievement Program at Collington Square School, which provides mentoring in addition to an after-school academy, summer academy, and a high-school placement program for middle school children.

Sarah Pitcock, Director of Program Quality for the National Summer Learning Association, is Ta'Shawn's mentor. Below is a post from Ms. Pitcock about Ta'Shawn from the Higher Achivement Program Blog (higherachievementlearning.blogspot.com):

Memoirs of a Mentor - Shared by Sarah Pitcock, of Higher Achievement Baltimore

I have mentioned a few times my love for mentoring at Higher Achievement and for my mentees. They have really brought so much joy into my life in such a short time. I am very blessed to spend time each week with Ta’Shawn Miles, a sixth grader at Collington Square with hopes and dreams that far exceed the small radius of East Baltimore he knows.

Since the first day I met him, Ta’Shawn has been talking about President Barack Obama (he always calls him by his full title). Seeing an African American man become President has truly changed Ta’Shawn’s concept of what he can do with his life. He talks about him ALL the time!

When I went to mentoring on Tuesday, the Center Director told me that Ta’Shawn’s mom had picked him up early that day to go buy him a suit because he was going to the White House to represent Higher Achievement and United Way for a National Mentoring Month event the next day. I nearly fell over, and I’ve had chills ever since just thinking about what the experience would be like for him.

I wasn’t sure if the President would actually be there or if Ta’Shawn would have any contact with him, but I got the full update this morning and the picture above says it all. Ta’Shawn is front row, second from left.

I am just bursting with pride today and wanted to share. Here is Ta’Shawn’s official quote about the experience, for historical record: “It was so exciting. I never thought a day in my life I’d get to meet the first Black President of the United States. It was an honor for me to walk into the White House, because so many people will never have that experience.”

We would like to congratulate Ta' Shawn on this honor and thank Ms. Pitcock, Collington Square Principal D'Andrea Chapman, Higher Achievement Program, and EBDI for making opportunities like this possible for our kids.

View the video of the President’s speech here.

BCP President Muriel Berkeley to Co-chair Rawlings-Blake Education Committee

On Friday January 22nd incoming Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake named BCP President Muriel Berkeley as co-chair of her Education and Youth Services Transition Committee.

Dr. Berkeley will co-chair the committee with Ralph Moore, Director of St. Frances Academy Community Center. Ronald Daniels, President of The Johns Hopkins University, will also serve on the committee.

Read the Baltimore Messenger article ...

Hampstead Hill and City Springs Featured on WJZ TV's Manic Monday

Hampstead Hill Academy Students Perform

On Monday, January 11, 2010 WJZ TV Channel 13's Manic Monday featured students from Hampstead Hill Academy signing the song "Manic Monday" in Fells Point. WJZ reporter Ron Matz joined Principal Matt Hornbeck and HHA staff for this fun-filled segment.

The following HHA Middle School students sang their hearts out: Kirsten Branham, Justina Burris, Alexis Caraballo, Naiha Dozier-El, Zachary Hewins, Sarah Ibrahim, Mason Johnson, Cheyenne Jones, Sabrina Lankford, Jenna Lockamy, Stephanie Miles, Alex Nestor, Theresa Newell, Alexandra Rojas, Allison Smith, Elizabeth Stachlinski, William Thomson, Diamond Thomas, James Wells, and Brittany Wisniewski.

Mrs. Claudia Easton, Mrs. Lisa Free, Mr. Larrivey, Ms. Gerri Swan, Mr. Johnathan Swann, and Ms. Deb Smith were also there to support our Middle School students.

After the performance parents, students, and staff dined at Jimmy's where Ron Matz invited some well spoken students and staff to speak on the Ravens Fan cam.

You can catch the performance on the HHA website: www.hha47.org.

Congratulations to the Middle School Choir who will be performing on the WJZ Manic Monday Meltdown in November where they will be competing against groups from all over Maryland for the Valentino Trophy!


105.7 The Fan visits City Springs School

The Manic Monday segment also featured a video of 105.7 The Fan's visit to City Springs School on Friday, January 8th. Students and staff were delighted to welcome 105.7 The Fan's Ed Norris and Maynard along with WJZ-TV's Ron Matz and Craig from Maryland Screen Printers, who stopped by to spread some Purple Pride! They walked from room to room giving every child and teacher a Baltimore Football T-shirt and car flag - over 600 total.

We would like to thank Ed Norris, Maynard Edwards, Ron Matz, Dave Burgess, Dave Tart, and Craig Pfiefer for their support and generosity.

View the video of the Manic Monday segment here

DBFA Helps Wolfe Street Families

Thank you to the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance (DBFA), DBFA member families, and others throughout the area for holding the 2nd DBFA Annual Adopt-A-Family Program. DBFA received more requests from their adopting families than they were able to match with adoptees from their partner school, Wolfe Street Academy. In addition to their partnership with Wolfe Street Academy, with whom DBFA matched over 100 families, they also partnered with Healthy Start of Baltimore to match an additional 30 families. Thank you to all who participated in making Christmas merrier for so many area families this year.

To view photos of the event click here.

To learn more about DBFA visit: http://www.dbfam.org/