October 2008
2009
Annual
Fund Campaign
Everyone
Can Help
7/1/08-6/30/09
GOAL
$60,000
CONTRIBUTIONS
$15,676.08
as of 10/24/08
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 of Our Donors!
Our most recent donors:
Christy Wyskiel * In Memory of Wes Ulin * Aduke & Risasi Hubbard * W. L. Gore & Associates * The Appian Society * Ruth Baer * Tom & Jacque Iacoboni * Iacoboni Site Specialists * Richard Pearlstone * Mardie Walker * Matt Craven * Alex & Debra Hooke * Dr. Stanley & Mary Miller * Weissner Fund for Children * Matt Wyskiel * The Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund * Quinn, Gordon & Wolf * United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church * Don & Sande Riesett * Ken Bancroft * Peggy Lashbrook * Charles & Betty Tipton * Sherry Welch * Mary Pat Clarke * Zanvyl & Isabelle Krieger Fund
“I visited this extraordinary place last week. I don’t know if you’ve been there, The Community School. It’s extraordinary. It’s a one room school house...It has a remarkable teacher in front of the classroom. Some of the things that everybody says are the impediments to instruction are exactly what’s going on in that room, and it is used as the trampoline to success...The key thing for me is that in that room there’s a key to success which is how a group of kids and an adult working together and the ethos, if I can use that word, is all about success and responsibility for the kids. Our alternative schools should be exactly that way. Our comprehensive high schools have to move from fixed notions of what should be going on in a class to highly flexible approaches to students based upon what they are learning.”
Dr. Andres Alonso, Superintendent
Baltimore City Public Schools 2/18/08
NOTE: The Sunpapers did an interview with Dr. Alonso where he expressed his excitement about visiting our school. You can see the interview by clicking on this link. The part on our school is at 9 minutes on the video and you can fast forward to there. CLICK HERE
Fast Fact:
The attendance average for the school
as of 10/22/08 is 99.5%
Newsflash 10/5/08 What a spread! The first Pot Luck Dinner of the new school year was held this evening with some of the best cooking in the community on hand for sampling. Students and their families, Sponsors, volunteers, Board members, supporters and community members all had a good time. The conversation was lively and the festivities went well into the evening.
Newsflash 10/9/08 The students enjoyed a visit by Jane Sundius from the Open Society Institute today. Jane was interested in learning about “small recovery-type transformation schools” for students who have already left school or are on their way out and need a different environment to succeed. Ms. Sundius observed health class and even jumped into the spirited discussion. This was followed by a conversation about the students’ experiences in their previous schools and analysis about why they have found success in this school. Jane was impressed by the insights and honesty of our students and expressed how “alive” all of the students were. Ms. Sundius invited The Community School to be a part of a small group of educators from both inside and outside the public school system that is examining the need and potential for publicly supported small school programs. It was a terrific visit and Jane promised to come back again.
Newsflash 10/1/08 The school was honored to have a visit from an old friend today. Bill Tiefenwerth, Director of the Center for Social Concern at Johns Hopkins University, visited with fellow staffperson Gia Grier-McGinnis. The visit was organized by Susama to build a formal relationship between our school and the university. Bill and Gia expressed strong support for the school and committed to providing an opportunity for two work study students to work with us on a weekly, part-time basis. This will be the first step in establishing an ongoing relationship between TCS and JHU. Thank you Bill and Gia!
Newsflash 10/7/08 Representatives from the United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd Church in Hampden visited the students today. They brought overflowing bags of food for the students including milk, cereal, cookies, and fresh orange juice. Shirley Stran spoke to the students on behalf of the group and expressed how excited they were to meet the students and offer support. Shirley talked about how impressed their group is with the students because of how the students greeted the group. She said that the students always looked them in the eye and greeted them warmly and politely. This was the second visit of the group to the school with gifts of food. The United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd has pledged to bring in food for the students once a month during the school year.
Newsflash 10/9/08 The students had a very special celebration today for classmate Samantha Sloat’s 17th birthday. A delicious Italian feast was provided by Sam’s mom, Rosemary Sloat, to mark the occasion. Happy Birthday Sam and Thanks Rose!
Susama Agarwala helping student Sara Ciulla during math class.
Newsflash 10/8/08 The Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas School in Hampden, Sr. Marie Rose, accompanied by the guidance counselor, Ms. Ferguson, visited the school today. Several students from St. Thomas have continued their education with us and they were proud to show off their new school to their former principal. After touring the school and talking with the students, Sr. Marie Rose and Ms. Ferguson had extensive conversation with Tom about our approach to education. A commitment to education in this area was shared and the intent to form an ongoing relationship was established. It was an honor to have representatives from St. Thomas in our building.
Demographic Breakdown of 08/09 Class
Age Last grade Completed
14 12.5% 7th 12.5%
15 12.5% 8th 43.8%
16 31.3% 9th 37.5%
17 31.3% 10th 6.2%
18 12.5% 11th
Male 50% Female 50%
White: 62.5% Black: 25% Biracial 12.5%
Live within 2 miles of school: 81.2%
Take 2 or more buses to get to school 12.5%
as of 10/10/08
Fast Fact: The Community School first began classes in January, 1982 and has taught two generations in some families.
Newsflash 10/15/08 Wendy Samet from the Goldsmith Foundation visited the school today. Wendy is an educator and the staff person for this socially conscious family foundation whose focus is enhancing educational opportunities for young people in Baltimore. The Goldsmith Foundation has been an important partner in our efforts since 2006 when Wendy first visited with the students.
Newsflash 10/15/08 There was a spirited discussion at the Sponsor Meeting tonight about the school schedule and the long hours that students spend at the school. Several sponsors raised concerns that Independent Study (homework) needed to be reduced so that students could go home earlier. The discussion was particularly timely since physical education and art class are being considered as additions to the curriculum. It was decided that each student would meet with his or her sponsors for at least 1/2 hour over the next few days to discuss the issues of workload and schedule. The feedback would then be shared with the class. The students will discuss the issues on Tuesday October 21st and formulate recommendations to be presented to the Trustees meeting on October 22nd.
The 5 Habits of a Successful Student:
Show Up Every Day
On Time,
Prepared to Work
With a Positive Attitude,
And All of Our Work
Sponsors at October 15th meeting.
Newsflash 10/24/08 Tom Culotta was warmly received as one of the speakers at a Leadership Luncheon for United Way held for faculty and staff at Johns Hopkins University. Tom was invited to speak about school and he expressed appreciation to the employees of JHU for their contribution to the school this past summer that enabled the purchase of new grammar and biology textbooks. This was done through the JHU Neighborhood Fund of United Way. WJZ anchor Denise Koch was the keynote speaker at the luncheon and spoke about the importance of giving. Other speakers included: Nick Jones, Dean of the School of Engineering; Mark Furst, Chief Operating Officer of United Way; and Jeff Pratt who staffs the Neighborhood Fund.
Newsflash 10/22/08 The Board of Trustees met this evening to review operations, receive reports and take action to continue to advance the mission of the school. A letter from the students was received concerning the current schedule and addition of new curriculum. The students acknowledged how hard they are working and the long hours, however, they do not want the workload cut. The majority of the students would like to add physical education and are willing to put in additional hours rather than cutting present curriculum. The trustees appreciated all of the effort the students have put into this issue with multiple meetings and consultations. It is the feeling of the board that the school continues to provide an excellent academic education and positively works to improve the mental/emotional and social growth of the students. A deficiency was recognized in not providing physical education and so a set of guidelines was given to Tom to establish a physical education program in the school.
Newsflash 10/22/08 A fund for a Canada Field Trip was established by the Board of Trustees and an initial $1,000 was earmarked to it. The students will lead this effort and are involved in fundraising and planning now for a trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto in the spring. This will be the first international experience for the students and is in conjunction with this year’s geography course.
Newsflash 10/24/08 Student Update:
Kris Watt passed his driving test today and now has a Maryland Driver’s License.
Congratulations Kris!
Newsflash 10/29/08 The students hosted a group of 14 young people from France today. The French students are in the United States for 2 weeks as part of the Young Ambassadors Program sponsored by the U.S. State Department. The visit to the school was arranged through the combined efforts of Gia Grier of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Social Concern and Jennifer Bullock from the U.S. Embassy in Paris, both of whom accompanied the group. Everyone met together for introductions and to share experiences before breaking down into smaller groups for more intimate sharing. Discussion ranged from cultural issues around food and music to experiences with public school education to Global Climate Change and the U.S. Presidential election. The session went way past the time alloted because none of the young people wanted to break it up. The excitement at the school was infectious as students exchanged e-mail addresses and pledged to stay in touch in this person-to-person international exchange.
Photos from the visit to the school of young people from France through the Young Ambassadors Program
Comments from students on visitors from France:
“I think it was cool to experience a a different culture then my own for once.” Evan
“I think it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.” Samantha
“The experience I had with the French students really made me think of the world differently. There is so much to experience!” Sara
Mission Statement:
The Community School is an academic and mentoring program, based in the Remington Community, for young people who want to advance their education, improve their lives, and better their community.
