November 2009
2010
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
Thanks to All Who Give!
Our Most Recent Donors:
Regal Bank * United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd Church * Felix Dialoiso * LAI Construction Services * St. Andrew’s Christian Community Church * Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation * Matthew & Christina Wyskiel * Marcia Wolfson Ray * Black & Decker Company * Bedco Mobility * Ken & Paulette Bancroft * Goldsmith Family Foundation * Darlene & Tom Basta * Peggy Lashbrook * In Memory of Tony Iacoboni * United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd Church * John & Dorothy Siegert * Curt & Karen Dalton * Tom Culotta * Tony Fusco Associates * Iacoboni Site Specialists * Tom & Jacque Iacoboni * Bill & Pam Francik * Ida Lou Hudler * Donna Childress * Christie Young * William & Valerie Gavin * James & Emilie Scheidel * Janet Sawyer * Sali Choksi * Noshirwan & Carol Cama * Jeanne Smetana * Nancy & Kathryn Elliott * Michael & Janet Lewis * James & Santa Krieger * Raymond & Marlies Fisher * P. Panaggio * John & Anna Massone * Valerie & John Spangler * Diane & Robert Hutchins * John Schap * Andrew & Geraldine Lioi * Mary & Frank Fries * Louis & Mary Sacchetti * M. Arlene Carlson * Frank & Eleanor Panessa * Kevin & Mary Wiedel * John & Cheryl Hensarling * Frank & Connie Del Bianco * Maxine & Morton Rubin * Galina Langer * Robert Shaw * Pauline & Thomas Bozek * Paula Gene Weber * Margaret Harten * Irma & Raymond Houck * Raymond & Irma Houck * Office Depot Foundation * Ronald Halbright * Baltimore City Foundation * Commonweal Foundation/The Community Foundation for the Capital Region * Debra McClure * Aduke & Risasi Hubbard
CONTRIBUTIONS
$10,448.51
as of 11/25/09
7/1/08-6/30/09
GOAL
$60,000
7/1/09-6/30/10
GOAL
$60,000
Looking Back
September 2007. Mary Pat Clarke shows students and supporters from the school the Mayor’s Ceremonial room at City Hall as they eagerly wait for the Zoning Hearing to begin. The school won the hearing.
Student Update 11/3/09 New student Tevin Thomas was just accepted as a permanent student in The Community School. When a student applies to the school he or she is accepted on a conditional basis for 10 class days when a final decision is made about staying in the school. The students complete a self-evaluation and a discussion follows that is centered on the student’s adherence to the 5 habits of a successful student: To show up everyday, on time, prepared to learn, with a positive attitude and all of the work. Congratulations Tevin!
Student Update 11/2/09 Class of ’09 student Erin Foltz received her Maryland State High School Diploma today. She immediately registered for Baltimore City Community College and will be attending the Winter session. Congratulations Rin!
Newsflash 11/3/09 The school received a grant award letter today from the Goldsmith Family Foundation announcing a 4th year of funding support for the school. The letter said, “We take pride in supporting organizations such as yours and we wish you continued success.” Representatives of the foundation first visited the school in 2006 when they observed the class in action and met with the students. Their support has been an important cornerstone since then. A special thank you to the Goldsmith family and all of those associated with the fund.
September 2008 Advisory Board member Paul Coates brought his son, author Ta-Nehisi Coates, to visit the school today.
Looking Back
Newsflash 11/4/09 There was international excitement in the air as the school was once again visited by students from France. They were visiting this country as part of the Youth Ambassadors Program and just like last year made time in their schedule to share conversation and experiences with our students. A group of students from Gettysburg High School in Pennsylvania were also represented. The students shared stories about their lives and the issues they have to deal with, as well as differences in approaches to education in the 3 areas. Natalie Verte, the coordinator of the program from France, said that the visit to our school was a highlight of their American visit both years and that next year they want to devote a full day to their time at the school. Our students felt the same about the experience and plan on staying in touch with their new friends.
French Youth Ambassador’s visit on November 4, 2009
Countdown until
Dizzember Festival
Newsflash 11/19/09 The school received a grant award letter today from the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation. This is the second grant the school has been awarded by the foundation who stated, “We are proud to support your organization’s commitment to the community.” We deeply appreciate this continued confidence and support from the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation.
Newsflash 11/18/09 The Community School was represented at a forum held at Johns Hopkins University this evening as part of the series: People Live Here: Discussion with Our Neighbors in Baltimore. Both Tom Culotta and student Amanda McCarty presented information about the school and our experiences with the university. The discussion with Hopkins students also included the Baltimore Algebra Project and the Baltimore Free School. It was an interesting conversation and we hope that it will help bring about a deeper relationship with Hopkins.
Newsflash 11/21/09 “During these difficult economic times, we understand the need to help young people with their education and other opportunities that you provide for them. We appreciate the good work at The Community School and are eager to support you.” These words along with a check of financial support were received from Jonnie Barroll of the Mission Committee at St. Andrew’s Christian Community Church. The St. Andrew’s community has been an important and consistent supporter of our work and we appreciate their continued partnership.
Newsflash 11/24/09 It wasn’t a new animated display in our window yesterday, but rather 2 electricians from LAI Jamie Light and Jason Helbing. They were wiring up new outlets and track lights for the displays that are put up throughout the year. All of this is thanks to Advisory Board member Felix Dialoiso, President and CEO of LAI Construction Services. Over the years Felix has seen to it that the students had ceiling fans for their comfort in the classrooms, a load of microwaves in the kitchen to speed up lunch preparation, and a new classroom in the back. Thanks for always looking out for the students and the school Felix!
Jamie Light and Jason Helbing from LAI.
Newsflash 11/23/09 The official “adopted grandparents” for the school stopped by today bringing hot apple pie with ice cream and loads of other food goodies. The members of United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd Church in Hampden have been a part of the school family for more than a year now. They visit the school regularly giving the students words of encouragement. These wonderful men and women never come empty handed, but are always bringing gifts or food. They have also set up a scholarship fund that helped one of our students enroll in college this past September. We are blessed to have them in our lives.
Newsflash 11/25/09 The table was overflowing with great food and the room was full of laughs and stories as the students held their Thanksgiving Feast today. During the meal everyone enjoyed a slide show of many past events and activities. Joining the students were staff, volunteers, tutors, and alumni. Tom talked about how central the culture of appreciation is in the school before we went around the table with each person sharing a personal statement of thanks. A great time was had by all.
Newsflash 11/24/09 The Board of Trustees met last night at the school for their second meeting of the new school year. The Board was pleased to receive the audit report from Gary Bozel & Associates that certified that our financial management and record keeping are all in good order. Long term planning for the school program was the main item on the agenda as the Trustees.
“PEOPLE LIVE HERE” Meeting at Johns Hopkins University
Thanksgiving Dinner
