TCS Student News January 12, 2024
January 12, 2024
This week’s edition of TCS Student News was researched, written, produced and anchored by Quinn Guilfoyle and Ethan Jobita Jemadari with technical production by Hector Rivas.
This week’s edition of TCS Student News was researched, written, produced and anchored by Quinn Guilfoyle and Ethan Jobita Jemadari with technical production by Hector Rivas.
Did you know that there’s a library that lends tools instead of books? At our monthly Done Construction woodworking seminar, Beth Pointer brought in Leanna Frick from the Station North Tool Library (SNTL).
SNTL is a nonprofit tool-lending library and community hub in the heart of Baltimore City. They offer over 3,000 tools, 30 classes, a public woodworking shop, a dedicated DIY workspace, and a home repair classroom. It is located at 417 E Oliver St. Baltimore 21202.
Ms. Leanna shared the philosophy of the group and their efforts to empower all people to improve their lives and environments, through affordable access to tools, skills, and workspace.
In addition to their regular workshops, the women of Done Construction have now brought in two organizations for the students to learn about tools and resources in Baltimore that they can access for their projects.
Thank you Leanna and Beth.
To learn more about the SNTL, you can visit their website at https://toollibrary.org/
We were honored to have another community based education program visit us for the “Conversation with…” this past week. We met them at the AIAC banquet in December and the students wanted to invite them when hearing about their work. The South Baltimore Learning Center is a community based education program that serves adult learners in a holistic way.
Representing SBLC was their Executive Director Melissa Smith, Operations Manager Zina Barr, Senior Director of Adult Education Programs, Antoinette Kennedy, and Learning Support and Marketing Specialist Chakel Walker. They shared their approach to education and were very interested in learning from the students about their experiences. After the Conversation, they toured the school and learned more about our program from students Karla, Danny and Kendall.
It was a great conversation about education and the two organizations pledged to stay in touch.
Costumes, movement, acting, music, journaling, reflection and sharing were all part of the students’ experience at The Lyric yesterday. This month’s somatic workshop focused on the concept of Chaos. Led by resident artist Ebony Evans and accompanied musically by Antonio Eyez, the students reflected through their thoughts, written and spoken word, and movement on the idea of chaos in their lives.
It was an engaging experience that was at times fun and other times deeply moving. Our deep thanks to Lyric Education Director Denise Kumani Gantt, Ebony & Antonio for this enlightening experience.
Today was a special day at the school. In his creative writing seminar, Mr. Don gave the students a prompt under the heading “Bemoaning Modern Discourse”. The students were to write a letter to someone past or present. Some students wrote to a parent, some an old friend, and others to themselves at different stages in their lives. One even wrote to the President.
Each week the students share their writings speaking in front of the class. Often these sharings are very personal and sometimes emotional and difficult, but the school community has created a positive, comfortable and safe environment for this to happen. Mr. Don’s writing seminar is an important part of this and we are thankful for his many years of mentoring and teaching at the school.
The last thing we did before going on Winter Break was to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life”. It’s always been gratifying to see students absorbed in and moved by this 1947 movie. This Frank Capra classic explores many themes rooted in important values of family, compassion and community.
George Bailey, the lead character played perfectly by Jimmy Stewart, is a multidimensional character. He’s a good person who sacrifices and adjusts his dreams for family and community yet is real enough to question himself, and to take out his stress and frustrations in ways that are not good. After losing his faith in himself and collapsing under the pressure, he comes to appreciate what is important in his life and is saved by the love of his family and support of the community.
Every experience in The Community School is meant to be meaningful and foster growth and maturity. Rather than just seek the superficiality often associated with this season, the students embraced a deeper story that encourages us to consider and sharpen our values.
We are proud of our students and thankful for all of those who make this school possible. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and fulfilling holiday season.
This week’s edition of TCS Student News was researched, written, produced and anchored by Danny Buck and Sam Meenan with technical production by Rhys Guilfoyle.