We had an amazing field trip to Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania today! We were welcomed by Carrie Snyder, Vice-President for University Advancement who was our host for the day. LeAnn, a sophomore at the University, took us on a tour of the campus including classrooms, athletic facilities and dorms. We then had lunch with Carrie and were welcomed by Dr. Chris Domes, President of Neumann University, where we engaged in a conversation about the philosophy and operation of the school. Sean McDonald, Director of Neumann Media, then showed us around the studios and media center and explained how his career started as a student at Neumann. He was instrumental in setting up their current media program. Sean invited us into a live radio broadcast where TCS student Danny Buck joined the broadcast to talk about TCS's tour at Neumann. The tour was capped off with a live filming of the current TCS Student News broadcast in the Neumann studios with fellow classmates serving in the production roles including camera operation, teleprompter, sound and floor manager! It was an unforgettable day for the students to learn about college, campus life and especially about the many opportunities available at Neumann University. The Community School has had a special relationship with Neumann University since 2012 when they were of critical help as we were transitioning our school into a state-certified high school. Our Head of School, Tom Culotta, received his degree from Neumann and was a Humanitarian Award recipient from the University in 2020. Our deepest thanks to Dr. Domes, Carrie Snyder, Sean...
[embed]https://youtu.be/0A7FbQGdGf8[/embed] Do you have questions about the rapid development and direction of Artificial intelligence? Check out this week's edition of TCS Student news because it's the feature story. Also catch up on all of the happenings around the school including a "Conversation with.." noted radio interviewer and activist Marc Steiner, another with Dr. Ron and Barbara Walcher and still a third "Conversation with...
We experienced a deeply moving and impactful play, "Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery", at Coppin State University yesterday. It is a powerful and compelling story of a young woman coming of age and the community of women who guide and care for her. The story weaves traditions and spirituality from Africa seamlessly with those in America. At times horrific and provocative and others joyful and loving, it captures your attention and doesn't let go. The words are well crafted and delivered, the singing is soul touching, the acting is convincing and the staging is stark yet complete. The theatre is intimate and the staff were all very welcoming. We all highly recommend it. Our special thanks to Dr. Garey Hyatt for his kind invitation to attend this production. ...
It was a proud moment to watch TCS 9th grade student Danny Buck up on the stage receiving his award as a finalist and Dreamer in the Lyric's Dream Big Contest! The program which will be rebroadcast on WBAL on May 14th including aa video on the Lyric's work at Thee Community School that included interviews with our students and video of the class. Our thanks to Denise Gantt and Ebony Evans and all the folks at The Lyric for including us....
We were honored to have John Brenner and Philippia Richardson in for a "Conversation with.." today. They are the administrators for the Early Admission Program at the University of Baltimore and have been providing college classes at the Community School this year. The students engaged in a conversation with them about their backgrounds, educational experiences and careers. We appreciate the kindness of the University of Baltimore in providing this great opportunity for our students and especially the great working relationship with John and Philippia....
The students were tasked to “picture yourself in Wonderland.” The prompts included the Beatles song, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which was inspired by a child’s nursery school drawing and the imagery of “Alice in Wonderland.” We are featuring three very different approaches to the topic. Jayla takes us (and two of her fellow students) down the rabbit hole. Rhys considers it from the perspective of a real world trek to reach America from Colombia. And Kendall reminds us that Wonderland is always within us. WONDERLAND A land or place full of wonder? Do any of you know a place like that? I do—my brain. I would love to see my brain one day. I would cut open my head and rip it right out. You know, if it wouldn’t kill me! My brain is different from everyone else’s. Sometimes I can’t even wrap my own head around it. Like when I’m having a bad day and my brain just shuts it out. Or when someone says something that really tests my patience, and my brain figures out a way to make a joke out of it. My brain can make a joke about anything. People tend to be attracted to me because of my brain. Whether it be how funny I am or how empathic I am. But you know the thing about having such a good, funny brain? When I get low, I don’t stay low long. My brain tries to fight every bad thought that I have. Sometimes even before I’m done coping. It's like...
The students were tasked to “picture yourself in Wonderland.” The prompts included the Beatles song, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which was inspired by a child’s nursery school drawing and the imagery of “Alice in Wonderland.” We are featuring three very different approaches to the topic. Jayla takes us (and two of her fellow students) down the rabbit hole. Rhys considers it from the perspective of a real world trek to reach America from Colombia. And Kendall reminds us that Wonderland is always within us. WONDERLAND There is no opportunity in my country. I can’t make enough to support myself. I have to go to America. America seems like a wonderland. I won’t be persecuted for what I say, I can practice my own religion, and it has good paying jobs. But how do I get there? I have no visa or a green card. I have to make it there myself. I started off in Colombia to make it through the Darien Gap to Panama. Hundreds of miles of jungle are between me and freedom. The cartels set up a sophisticated operation to move us; they’re trafficking us. They told us it will only be a two-day walk. I use my savings to buy water, some clothes, and to pay the fees. As soon as we make it on the trail, it's nothing like the cartel said it would be. The mud grips your feet and pulls you down. People lose their shoes and have to walk the rest of the trip barefoot. Cartel members get paid...
The students were tasked to “picture yourself in Wonderland.” The prompts included the Beatles song, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which was inspired by a child’s nursery school drawing and the imagery of “Alice in Wonderland.” We are featuring three very different approaches to the topic. Jayla takes us (and two of her fellow students) down the rabbit hole. Rhys considers it from the perspective of a real world trek to reach America from Colombia. And Kendall reminds us that Wonderland is always within us. WONDERLAND Sitting in the classroom, my head felt light. I closed my eyes and started thinking. A few minutes later I hear this ticking. I try to ignore it, but the ticking continues. I pick up my head, everyone is gone, and this white, ugly, red-eyed rabbit is staring at me. It looks down at its ticking clock, then at me, and runs off. I run after the rabbit. We get to a park, and he jumps down a hole. It reminds me of the movie “Alice in Wonderland.” However, when I jumped down the hole, my trip wasn’t as slow or as nice as Alice. I smashed into a piano, dislocated my finger, and slammed into the ground. “Damn gang, why you land like that?” Karla says “What you mean? You acting like this a regular thing” I said “You saw that rabbit too huh? He threw a rock at me, next thing I know I’m spiraling down this hole” Karla explains “Anyone else down here?” “Kendall, but she ain’t see the rabbit, she was walking and fell into the hole” “Where...
We had a fascinaating "Conversation with" long time activist, radio producer and interviewer Marc Steiner. Marc shared personal stories that intersected with the events the students are studying in the civil rights struggle including desegregation in Baltimore and Freedom Summer in Mississippi. The students were also interested in his career and the many people he has interviewed and issues that he has shed light on. Thanks Marc for a great conversation. ...