Weekly Wrap Up – October 4th
On Monday, we welcomed a new student, Mary Lechner to the school. We had a surprise visit from City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke on Monday who stopped by to see how the new High School is going this year. That evening, Tom and two of the students went to meet John Starling and see the School of the Way following a presentation about the school from alumni Zack Austin. . On Tuesday, Peggy Lashbrook made a delicious lunch of BLT sandwiches and a salad. We were very fortunate to have Francine Krumholz bring in an Italian feast on Wednesday. Francine is active with the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle and was the leader of the group that visited the school in the spring. She spoke with the students about her own career journey and her work advocating on behalf of children in the foster care system. Francine also explained about the work of the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle, who this year funded APEX, our new computerized curriculum. Dave Bayer, Aduke Hubbard, and Eddie Gavin, representing the Board of Trustees met on Wednesday night. with Gary Bozel and Megan Lindenmeyer from Gary Bozel & Associates to review the financial audit report for the year. Everyone was really glad to see trustee Jeanette Norris who stopped in after the meeting to reaffirm her commitment to the school. It was wonderful to see alumni Desmond Carter when he visited the school on Thursday. Desmond is going to get some advice through our College Support Program. On Thursday night Lisa Gavin and Ryan Gavin upgraded our computer network with a new router that will speed our internet up from 16 mbps to 50 mbps! The week ended on Friday with a viewing of The Mission, a movie depicting colonization of the Native People in South America. This was part of our U.S. History class. It was another productive and terrific week!
Students Samantha Bell and Mary Lechner accepted a special invitation to the School of the Way by founder John Starling. The mutual respect held by our two schools was reaffirmed as John presented a shirt to Tom Culotta. Both teachers expressed their appreciation of each other’s work and the relationship that includes extending high school credit for TCS students for dedicated participation in the School of the Way. Earlier in the day, TCS graduate and School of the Way student Zack Austin gave a presentation about the Mentoring Martial Arts school to our students encouraging their interest. Both schools are fully committed to the positive development of neighborhood youth.
Today, the students were given an opportunity to show what they have been learning in science class. Given a set of graduated cylinders, a triple beam balance scale, apple juice, olive oil, water and a rock, the students had to work co-operatively to demonstrate an understanding of density and specific gravity. It was exciting to watch them come together and use their collective minds to solve the tasks assigned! We are very proud of this actively engaged class!
The class went to see the movie, The Butler, today at Rotunda Theaters. They were all moved by this very personal story told within an intense historical period of social change. The movie prompted an excellent discussion about the history of racism and the struggle for civil rights. Everyone liked the movie and said it gave them a clearer understanding of what African-American people went through during this time.
Today this first class of the new TCS High School met their grandparents. Well, they’re not really their biological grandparents, but any student that’s been in the school for the last several years knows who we are talking about. They are the very kind folks from the United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd Church in Hampden. They come to the school every month to show support for the students and the school in many ways. Today they dropped off bags and bags full of needed school supplies. Another month, it may be a lunch or food to stock the pantry shelves or even gifts for the students during the holidays. The group contributes to a scholarship fund for our college students and is a major force behind fundraising for our field trips. They raise all of this money a quarter or a dollar at a time through selling thrift items like clothing and appliances that is provided as a benefit to the community-at-large for a low cost. We are very thankful for them as they are true to their motto – “Love In Action”.