Former Raven Prescott Burgess to Compete in "Are You Smarter than a BCP 5th Grader?"

We are pleased to announce that former Raven Prescott Burgess will compete in the fourth annual Are You Smarter than a BCP 5th Grader? Quiz Show on April 16th at City Springs Elementary/Middle School.

Burgess is a personal trainer, youth coach, and former Ravens linebacker. During his time with the Ravens he established himself as a special teams standout, becoming one of their top tacklers in that unit.

Before being drafted in the sixth round by Baltimore during the 2007 NFL Draft, Burgess was a standout at the University of Michigan, twice named an All-Big 10 Conference honorable mention in 2005 and 2006.

In addition to his work as a personal trainer at Federal Hill Fitness, Burgess is a youth coach and mentor at Coppermine Fieldhouse, teaching kids from ages 3 to 13 not only sports and exercise, but the value of sportsmanship and teamwork.

Burgess uses this same supportive approach when he's training people in his "Boot Camp on The Hill," the training class he holds at 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings in Federal Hill Park.

Learn more at: https://bcp.givezooks.com/events/are-you-smarter-than-a-bcp-5th-grader-2015

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to Compete in Fourth Annual "Are You Smarter than a BCP 5th Grader?"

We are pleased to announce that Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will compete in the fourth annual Are You Smarter than a BCP 5th Grader? Quiz Show on April 16th at City Springs Elementary/Middle School.

Learn more at: https://bcp.givezooks.com/events/are-you-smarter-than-a-bcp-5th-grader-2015

City Schools CEO Gregory Thornton to Compete in Fourth Annual "Are You Smarter than a BCP 5th Grader?"

We are pleased to announce that Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Dr. Gregory Thornton will compete in the fourth annual Are You Smarter than a BCP 5th Grader? Quiz Show on April 16th at City Springs Elementary/Middle School.

Learn more at: https://bcp.givezooks.com/events/are-you-smarter-than-a-bcp-5th-grader-2015

Mama's On The Half Shell and Nacho Mama's to Sponsor Baltimore Curriculum Project Fundraiser

"ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A BCP FIFTH GRADER?"
Thursday, April 16th at City Springs Elementary/Middle School
100 S. Caroline Street 21231
Tickets at $100
http://bitly.com/bcpquiz2015

Generous donation of the evening's hors d'ouevres, dinner and dessert will enhance an already exciting program that will pit Baltimore education and political representatives against 5th graders from the Baltimore Curriculum Project Public Charter Schools -- City Springs Elementary/Middle, Govans Elementary (beginning SY15-16), Hampstead Hill Academy and Wolfe Street Academy. Fundraising efforts will benefit the 1900 students in these neighborhood schools.

Mama's On The Half Shell:  http://www.mamamsmd.com/mamassite/
Nacho Mama's:  http://www.mamasmd.com/nachosiste/ 
2901 and 2907 O'Donnell Street, On the Square in Canton

City Springs Students Testify in Annapolis

Last week three City Springs EMS students traveled to Annapolis on two consecutive days to testify before the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Maryland House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee on behalf of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. They also visited with State Delegate Brooke Lierman in her office.

Last year these students participated in the For Whom It Stands (http://rflewismuseum.org/FWIS) exhibit at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, which is seeking continued State funding. The students' testimony is below.

City Springs and BCP would like to thank the Reginald F. Lewis Museum and Delegate Lierman for all they do for our students. Special thanks to Ms. Trudgeon for working with these students to prepare their testimony and traveling with them on both days to Annapolis.

Student Testimony:

I am currently a fifth grader at City Springs Elementary School and attend with my brother, who is in first grade. Last year my brother and I were given the opportunity to be a part of a photography project for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, which is just a few blocks from my school. I was really excited when I arrived and was given a tour of the museum-- and I was astonished that something like the museum was in my community, since it was the first time I had ever been there. It was cool to see things that are a part of my culture, and it was even cooler to be a part of an exhibit at this museum. It made me realize that I am a part of black history. 

I am a sixth grade student at CS E/M school. In the spring of 2014, I was given the privilege to be a part of For Whom It Stands... That exhibit was funded by the Reginald F Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. For Whom It Stands prompted Americans to interact with the flag and portray how they felt about it. I stood with the folded flag in front of me, which symbolizes the freedom and the privilege to do things that others in different countries do not. I was proud to hold the American flag, and I am proud of what it stands for.

I am an 8th grader attending CS E/M school. I'm here on behalf of my school and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, to tell you about my experience and how the museum has become a real treasure in our school community. It started with the "For Whom It Stands" exhibition. I, along with ... several other students, was fortunate enough to participate in this project and have my photograph installed on the outside of our school building. The mural is publicly shown to people passing by. At every glance, it gives us different perspectives and meanings. When I think back to the creation of the mural, I remember being called up for the photoshoot and the photographer, Sheila Pree Bright, asking me a question that I had never before thought deeply about: "What does the American flag mean to you?" Many of us were left dumbfounded, but the photoshoot gave us the opportunity to really think of what the flag stands for. Maybe it means more than just red, white, and blue. As a young Asian-American, it was difficult for me to portray the meaning of the flag in my photograph because being an American isn't my sole identity, or my original identity. Crawling out beneath the flag's folds helped me explore and embrace this complex idea. Grasping for meaning in the flag, the other students and I began to truly value our history. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum provided this opportunity— and has challenged my community to also explore, embrace, and value their heritage as well.

Kevin Spacey Foundation Supports BCP

We would like to thank The Kevin Spacey Foundation (KSF) for awarding the Baltimore Curriculum Project a generous grant. This grant was part of a KSF initiative to support local charities during their Kevin Spacey in Concert event on September 29, 2014.

One of BCP's long-time partners, the Baltimore Urban Debate League, was also awarded a grant through the KSF initiative.

This concert event was critical for KSF to provide critical scholarships for undergraduate performing arts students, competitive project grants to emerging artists, and mentorship during the process from our distinguished roster of established artists.

At the same time, KSF will expand their efforts to bring the arts to underserved youth through the HOME GROWN program.

We would also like to thank KSF for providing BCP with tickets to the concert event and after-party.

About The Kevin Spacey Foundation
The Kevin Spacey Foundation enables the creation of new work via KSF Grants, designs bespoke education opportunities through KSF Learning, and offer free university placements via KSF Scholarships.

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

Chef Cindy Wolf Hosts Tour of Charleston for City Springs Students

Chef Cindy Wolf hosted a behind-the-scenes tour of Charleston Restaurant  for a group of 22 City Springs students on January 16th.

The tour began with a cooking demonstration. Chef Wolf prepared a salad and gave students the recipe so that they could recreate the dish at home. Students learned about all of the ingredients and the proper way to work in a kitchen.

Chef Wolf talked about the importance of discipline in cooking and how she is the general of her kitchen. When she gives an order, her chefs must follow directions without "rolling their eyes" or complaining.

"Your teachers have gifts to share," said Chef Wolf. She encouraged the students to respect their teachers in order to receive these gifts.

After the cooking demo, we walked through the kitchen and stopped in the walk-in refrigerator, where Chef Wolf introduced us to a variety of fresh foods that are delivered daily; some of which are flown in.

We learned about a type of expensive beef that comes from cows that drink mostly beer and receive regular massages; why cooking shrimp with the heads on creates the tastiest sauce; and how soda from glass bottles tastes better.

After the tour, everyone sat down for a fine lunch of salad topped with baked chicken, corn bread, and cookies for dessert. The students' manners were impeccable throughout the entire meal.

As we lunched, Chef Wolf continued to answer students' questions. She shared stories of her culinary career, including the time she had the opportunity to prepare lunch for Julia Child.

After lunch, we bid Chef Wolf farewell and returned to City Springs with full bellies, full minds, and happy hearts.

We would like to thank Chef Wolf and her staff for their wonderful hospitality and for providing such an amazing experience for our students.

About Chef Cindy Wolf

Executive Chef & Co-owner, Charleston

A 2006, 2008 & 2014 James Beard Foundation finalist for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic, Chef Wolf's cuisine is backed by French fundamentals and grounded in preparations that emphasize the natural flavors of the very finest regional products.

Charleston is an American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Five-Star Diamond award recipient, a Forbes Four-Star award recipient, and AAA Four Star Diamond Award recipient. The restaurant is recognized by Zagat for best food and service and has been rated the #1 restaurant in Baltimore by Baltimore magazine year over year.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Wolf has received notices in Food Arts, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, The Washington Times and The Washington Post. She has appeared in cooking segments on major local, national and cable television stations.

Wolf is business partners with Tony Foreman in their other restaurants which can be accessed through www.foremanwolf.com.