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

Returning Volunteer Tutor Sarah Novotny works with students Evan Green and Larry Kearns

CONTRIBUTIONS

$7,414,20

as of 10/30/09

7/1/08-6/30/09

GOAL

$60,000

7/1/09-6/30/10

GOAL

$60,000

Newsflash 10/8/09 A new initiative is underway at the school to improve the health of students through improved nutrition, more physical activity, and better sleep habits.  Assisting the school are Sudeshna Trivedi and Michael Higgins, students from Johns Hopkins University that are participating as part of an undergraduate course entitled Practicum of Community Health.  Today, Mike and Sudeshna presented a powerpoint to the students sharing their findings to date and surveyed about food interests. They are at the school twice a week working on this project and will continue throughout the semester.

Newsflash 10/4/09 The best food in the neighborhood was enjoyed at the first Pot Luck Dinner of the new school year held tonight at the school. The room was overflowing with great food and even better people as students, parents, sponsors, family members, volunteers, and supporters gathered in fellowship. The students were applauded and wished well during their new term and the graduates from last year were recognized for their achievements. It was a wonderful evening.

Michael Higgins and Sudeshna  Trivedi answering student’s questions about their powerpoint presentation.

Writing mentor & tutor Don Riesett   

Newsflash 10/7/09 “I am standing in line, ashamed.  I cannot understand what has brought me to this point.  I hear my stomach growl ferociously.”  With these words student Matthew Wendler began his story about a character during the Great Depression.  Matt’s essay was featured as the first in a series of writing seminars now incorporated into the class by Don Riesett. For over a year Don has been meeting with the students individually on their weekly writing projects.  This year we have added the seminars for the class to examine student’s work and showcase their talent.  Matt’s essay ended with the words: “It wasn’t something I wanted to do, but in order to stay alive, I had to. I figured I could either take my chances with crime, or be loyal to the city and wait out my death.”

Pot Luck

Dinner

Sunday,

October 4th

The students conducted a taste test of apple varieties to try to determine the ones to be stocked at the school.  Two kinds tied for 1st Place - Jon Gold’s and Honey crisp. (The apples were kindly supplied by Aduke Hubbard)

Pot Luck Dinner

Sunday, October 4th

Professor Lee Bone, Tom Culotta and Linda Trotter at Johns Hopkins University

Newsflash 10/12/09 Tom Culotta was invited to speak to the Practicum of Community Health class at Johns Hopkins University today.  He was invited to speak to Professor Lee Bone’s class about the school and community health issues.  Also speaking was Linda Trotter, Director of Jobs Housing Recovery Programs.  The students who were in the class are working as interns in various community based organizations around Baltimore including at our school. Tom was joined by students Amanda McCarty, Freddy Chilcote and Evan Green.  Evan also spoke about his experiences at the school. We appreciate the invitation by Hnin Julia Lwin to share our work with the well informed and engaged students from Hopkins.

Newsflash 10/6/09 The Board of Trustees met this evening to review program plans and adjustments for the year and approved a final budget. Aduke Hubbard resigned as a trustee and was commended for her service on the Board.  Aduke has been a supporter of the school since its inception and will stay active, though no longer as a trustee. The Trustees finalized 2 dates - December 17th for the Holiday Open House and June 6th for the End of Year Ceremony.

Tom Culotta and Linda Trotter, Director of JHR Programs, discussing community issues before presentation at Johns Hopkins University on October 12th.

Newsflash 10/14/09 The Advisory Board held their first meeting of the school term tonight.  Attending the meeting were Peggy Lashbrook, Tom Iacoboni, Don Riesett, Carol Berman,Felix Dialoiso, Ken Bancroft, Tony Fusco, and Tom Culotta. The meeting was started with a delicious dinner provided by Peggy and a powerpoint presentation to introduce the Class of 09/10 that was made by students Freddy Chilcote and Evan Green. Much of the meeting was spent reviewing and discussing the school’s financial reports and budget for the current year. A number of new fundraising ideas were also floated.  The group will meet again at midterm.

Newsflash 10/21/09 The 2nd Sponsor Meeting of the year was just as spirited as the first just one month earlier. In addition to providing feedback on changes in the school this term, the meeting focused on fundraising and event planning. Sponsors Shelia Sadler and Gina Linebarger presented an update on the Holiday Basket Raffle.  There will be two winners on December 17th each receiving a large basket of food and gift certificates from area businesses.  Bob Watt encouraged the students and sponsors to take part in the Hampden Christmas Parade which everyone then voted unanimously to do. The parade will take place on December 6th and the planning meeting for our part of the event will be on November 2nd. The next Sponsor meeting will be held around the beginning of the 2nd trimester on December 9th.

Newsflash 10/19/09 The students were happy to see the wonderful United Methodist Women from Good Shepherd Church at the school today. These women and the men who join them adopted the school last year and were regular visitors to the classroom.  They come bringing words of encouragement, food and gifts, and a lot of love.  At the beginning of the this school term they brought loads of notebooks and school supplies and on this visit they brought food and Halloween candy for the students. We are very thankful to have them as part of our community

Students decorate front window for Halloween

Tony Fusco teaches class on financial management to students

Newsflash 10/21/09 The students learned many of the basics in financial management today from Advisory Board member Tony Fusco.  He is the founder of  Tony Fusco Associates, a financial planning firm located in Towson, and was introduced to the school through fellow Advisory Board member Tom Iacoboni. The students asked a lot of questions about bank accounts, credit cards, loans, investments, and savings. Tony put a lot of preparation into his presentation, even having students fill out sample checks and check registers. We’re looking forward to part 2 of this valuable seminar. Thanks Tony!

Tony Fusco answering question from

student Anthony Mulcahy

Newsflash 10/29/09 Advisory Board member Ken Bancroft dropped by the school today to meet the new class. After introductions that included the students sharing their goals, Ken shared some of his story about growing up just 3 blocks from the school.  He stressed the importance of education in helping him rise to become head of St. Agnes Hospital. In that job, he was responsible for the health care of thousands of patients, and the well being of over 3,000 employees. Ken encouraged the students to take full advantage of the opportunities for growth provided by the school to build a successful life.