2009

Annual

Fund Campaign

Everyone

Can Help

The Annual Campaign is the cornerstone of The Community School’s financial foundation.  It is how contributors from all backgrounds, from modest means to financially comfortable, assure that our students continue to have the opportunity to receive a rigorous academic education, improve their lives, and find success. Contributions to this campaign have ranged from $5.00 to $5,000 and every donation counts.

For more information:

Visit:  Ways to Give Webpage

Email: Donations@TCS-CAMP.com

Students gather with Tom and Jacque Iacoboni and special guest Tony Fusco

Newsflash 4/1/09 The students were visited today by Tom and Jacque Iacoboni who brought along a special guest, Tony Fusco. Jacque prepared and served another one of her terrific lunches complete with a load of Easter sweets. Tony was introduced to the school by Tom Iacoboni through their work together in the Associated Italian-American Charities. Tony shared some of his life story from growing up in the Bronx through his success with his company, Fusco Financial Associates. He was the first in his family to complete high school and college. Tony encouraged the students to believe in themselves and remain determined to follow their dreams.   As part of Tony’s commitment to give back, he has held an annual client event which includes a contribution to charity.  In autumn, Tony has invited The Community School to be the featured group at this event.  We appreciated the opportunity to have Tony meet with the students and see the school personally and we look forward to a long association together. A special thanks go to Tom & Jacque Iacoboni who have done so much over the years to build support for the school and to generously share their time with the students.

Newsflash 4/1/09 The first session for design of a new mural took place today at the school.  The students discussed ideas with noted Baltimore artist Spoon Popkin who is spearheading this school art project. Spoon is here because of the kindness of Maggie Muth and the Bright StARTS Program. The mural will replace the one that used to be on the 30th Street side of the building.

Newsflash 4/1/09 The school received word today from the Office of the Superintendent of Baltimore City Public Schools that Dr. Andres Alonso has agreed to be our keynote speaker for the 2009 End of Year Ceremony.  This is an honor and a continuation of our relationship with this committed and respected educator as he continues to transform Baltimore’s schools. The End of Year Ceremony will take place at The Johns Hopkins University Glass Pavilion on Sunday, May 31st at 2:00. 

Newsflash 4/2/09 Special thanks go to the Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund for a grant to purchase new curriculum materials, improve technology, and support the students’ pantry. This new fund is funded and managed through workers at JHU. Our appreciation to Jeff Pratt, the funding committee, and the staff at Johns Hopkins University.

Newsflash 4/3/09 The Community School was well represented at an education discussion sponsored by Goucher College’s Baltimore City Forum.  Justin Switzer and student Evan Green spoke at the forum held at the Village Learning Place in Charles Village. They shared their experiences at our school as well as in the public school system.  Fellow student Anthony Mulcahy also attended this event exploring a wide range of education issues facing Baltimore City youth.

Newsflash 4/14/09 Longtime Advisory Board member Ken Bancroft brought Skip and Margie Counselman along with Pat Deering, all from RCM&D, to the school today. The group observed part of a geography class and a health class and then after introductions, discussed educational experiences with the students. This was followed by a student led tour of the school. The RCM&D Foundation has been a regular contributor to the school for several years now and their interest in the students is deeply appreciated.

Newsflash 4/14/09 The students learned about India through the first hand experiences of Susama Agarwala.  The students’ geography study has now taken them to Asia. Susama brought the curriculum alive through stories from her family and her time working with women’s organizations in Calcutta. Susama is a part of the school’s volunteer staff with the math class.

Newsflash 4/13/09 Those wonderful folks from the United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd Church in Hampden came by the school today bringing homemade chocolate Easter eggs and plastic eggs filled with a cash gift for each student. The group has become adopted grandparents to the students during this class year

Above: Students participate in play during the Teen Initiative visit April 2nd. L to R: Sara, Rin, Desmond, Jarrad, Evan & Lindsay  Left: Tania Araya and Lauri Richman from the Teen Initiative of the House of Ruth

Visit by United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd Church

April 13, 2009   

Students Desmond Carter, Kristophor Watt & Samantha Sloat at Stevenson University

Newsflash 4/15/09 The only high school students presenting papers at the Undergraduate Conference at Stevenson University were students from The Community School.  This is the ninth annual conference convened at the university by Professor Alex Hooke, a longtime friend and neighbor of our school.  All of the students did research and writing for this paper that was presented by Samantha Sloat, Kristophor Watt, and Desmond Carter. Our writing mentor, Don Riesett, led this effort and accompanied the presenting students to the campus.  To read the students’ paper, click on this link:

Global Events Through Local Eyes

Newsflash 4/16/09 The students had a visit from representatives of the Commonweal Foundation today. They were on a site visit to learn more about our school. Students shared their views on education and learned about the background and experiences of these visitors which ranged from growing up under apartheid in Capetown, South Africa to life as a community organizer and social worker. The discussion was deep and thoughtful and our hope is to develop a long term relationship.

Rosita Green, Barbara Bainum, & Marilyn Wu from the Commonweal Foundation.

Commonweal Foundation Reps talking with students

Artist Spoon Popkin introducing herself before preparing wall for mural

JD Culotta discussing his time on Navy destroyer off the Somali Coast

Visitors on April 15, 2009

Newsflash 4/17/09 The students spent a very full day in our nation’s capital. The first stop was the National Museum of Natural History where many exhibits illustrated lessons from the biology book, from mollusks to mammals. We went from there to the National Museum of American History enjoying the transportation and the presidents exhibits. The many diverse foods of the Native People of North America were sampled for lunch at the National Museum of the American Indian. From there the students spent the entire afternoon at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. This eye-opening and moving experience that started with a deeply personal story in “Remembering the Children: Daniel’s Story” to the main exhibit where you walk through the history of the Holocaust  illustrated with artifacts and media documenting this terrible time in world history. The students then attended a play performed by the City at Peace youth organization at the Atlas Performing Arts Theatre.  This is the 2nd year that the students attended this entertaining and thought-provoking annual performance. The play is put together from the life stories of young people ages 13-19 who make a commitment to personal and community change.   We appreciate the gift arranged through Tom Prewitt, Managing Director of City at Peace who donated half of the tickets allowing the whole class to attend the show. It was a day no-one will easily forget! 

Students outside the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.

Newsflash 4/20/09 It was with great surprise when our good friends from the United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd Church came in the school today with a special gift for the class. These caring and dedicated people, along with the congregation and friends of the church, collected and donated funds to support the students’ trip to Canada.  They presented a can that they used to collect the money decorated with a photo of the school that contained the amazing amount of $725. There were quite a few moist eyes in the house when this gift was given. Like the rest of the money that the students are raising for this trip, this had been raised one dollar at a time and we appreciate the sacrifice that people have made to give the students this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Newsflash 4/20/09 A longtime friend of the school, Louis Head, visited class today. Louis is with an organization called the SouthWest Organizing Project located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Louis spoke to the class about community issues in the Southwest and the work that their organization does to improve conditions there.  Louis also shared his insights into the current issues in Cuba-U.S. relations. The school has relations that go back with SWOP for over 20 years and we appreciate Louis’s effort to renew these ties.

Louis Head and students Samantha Sloat, Sara Ciulla & Amanda McCarty.

Newsflash 4/22/09 The students heard from our neighbor Mohammad Faruk Islam today as he spoke about his home country of Bangladesh.  He shared stories about his childhood and talked about current conditions. Muhammad’s reflections on the importance of a value-based civil society were of particular interest to the class.

Newsflash 4/23/09 TCS alumni and current staff member Justin Switzer read his poetry today at Stevenson University, where he is about to earn his B.A. Two of his poems were just published in the campus literary magazine Spectrum. Justin previewed the works with the class today and led a discussion about the inspiration for his writing.

Newsflash 4/24/09 After another very successful bake sale today at Superfresh on 41st Street, the students have raised enough money to put them over the top for their Canada trip. The $367 raised today combined with the last bake sale, chocolate bar sales, Joe Corbi pizza product sales, and direct contributions from friends and supporters, brings the total to $4,147. This generosity of friends and supporters along with the support of the Choice Hotels and donated tickets from the Maid of the Mist Boat Company assures that the students will have a great educational opportunity. You can see a partial list of supporters for the trip by Clicking Here.  Thank you one and all.  The imagination and drive of our people and the kindness of so many is what makes this school such a great community of learning.

Newsflash 4/30/09-5/2/09 The class had their first journey to a foreign country as they crossed the border into Canada. The students visited Niagara Falls and Toronto as part of their geography studies in an action packed couple of days.  Besides the Falls, sites included the Parliament at Queens Park and the castle called Casa Loma.  By bus, boat, and amphibious vehicle the students were able to observe some amazing geographic sites up close as well as learn about another culture and country. This once in a lifetime trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Check back in a few days when we will have completed work on a separate web page with photos and stories from the trip.

Canada Trip

4/30-5/2

CONTRIBUTIONS

$34,994.39

as of 4/17/09

7/1/08-6/30/09

GOAL

$60,000