Blog

Third Sponsor Meeting Recognizes Students’ Hard Work

This Thursday sponsors and students gathered for the third sponsor meeting of the school year. Thursday’s sponsor meeting wrapped up the first trimester, handed out report cards and recognized everyone’s hard work so far this year. The meeting was chaired by Lisa Knickmeyer, who has taken on the role of Sponsor Coordinator for the 2019-2020 school term. 

After a brief report from Mr. Tom and a presentation on all of the special activities of the 1st trimester by Olivia and Jacob, Lisa had everyone break down into 5 different groups that scattered around the building.  Each group did brainstorming on student recruitment, social activities, facility maintenance, fundraising and the structure of the sponsor program. Everyone came back together and each group reported their ideas to be compiled by Lisa and circulated for future action.

The meeting ended with handing out report cards. Seven students made the Honor Roll, qualifying with a total average of above 90% and no subject below 80% – congratulations Ethan, Keith, Ronan, Sara, Aidan, Claude and Olivia. 

This trimester saw great attendance, with a 99.1% overall attendance record and 76% of the students having not missing a single day – good job to Ethan, Faith, Keith, Jacob, Destiny, Ronan, Sara, Aidan, Claude, Le’Onnie, Salma, Joshua, and Olivia. 

We also recognized two special academic achievements. Great job, Aidan, for completing all of your high school math credits as a Junior, and Olivia for being accepted into college!

Thank you to our student leaders this trimester- Jacob as Cleanup Coordinator and Studio Coordinator, Destiny as Cleanup Coordinator, Sara as Greenhouse Coordinator, and Aidan and Salma as Gratitude Coordinators. 

Thank you to everyone who attended the sponsor meeting, to all of the students for their hard work and to everyone who has volunteered so far this year. You all help make TCS a special place.

Conversation with Zack Austin

This Thursday, alumnus Zack Austin joined us for a special Conversation With. Zack, a soldier in the U.S. Army, is home in Baltimore right now for a 2 week leave. Zack graduated TCS in 2013. When he turned 18, he enlisted in the Army and spent time in Alaska at Fort Wainwright. After his first contract ended Zack reenlisted and is now stationed in Hawaii. We are happy that Zack has chosen to spend some of his leave visiting his TCS community, first attending the Thanksgiving Potluck and the AIAC banquet, and now coming in for the Conversation With. 

Zack described for the students all of the different opportunities in the army and the steps in the enlistment process. He also described the three stages of boot camp and the benefits you receive as a member of the military along with some of his personal stories from his enlistment. We have several current students who are interested in the possibility of joining the military, so the conversation today was very informative. Destiny enjoyed hearing about Zack’s experience with scuba diving. For Jacob, the conversation reinforced that the only person who can hold you back from achieving your goals is yourself. Faith and Salma also appreciated Zack’s advice on how to confront and overcome fears. Thank you for giving time out of your short leave to talk to the current students, Zack! The TCS community is grateful for your service. 

TCS Honored at AIAC Banquet

Through the consistent kindness of Tom and Jacque Iacoboni and Mike and Jean Gallo, The Community School was honored with a generous donation Tuesday night at the Associated Italian American Charities fundraiser banquet. TCS staff and students attend this event each year with the generosity of our friends in the AIAC. The dinner, devoted to charity and education, featured members of the AIAC awarding donations to many organizations and scholarships for local high school and college students.

 All of the students and teachers accompanied Tom to the stage when TCS was called. Mr. Tom’s cousin Tom Iacoboni presented the donation to the school, and then turned the mic over to the students. Sara gave a speech about all the activities in the school that the AIAC donations help fund, and Tyleiah gave a speech thanking all of the AIAC members who have supported the school over the years. Thank you to the AIAC for their investment in our amazing students, and a special thank you to Felix Dialioso and Tom Iacoboni for having the students and staff of TCS attend the banquet as their guests. We all had a wonderful night sharing in good food and the AIAC’s giving tradition.

TCS Graduate Janiah Speaks to Students About College

2017 TCS graduate Janiah Tillery visited the school today, having come home from college for Thanksgiving break. Janiah is in her 3rd year at Roanoke College, where she studies history and East Asian studies on a full-ride scholarship. Mr. Tom used Janiah’s visit as an opportunity to ask her questions about her college experience in front of the class. The students learned that Janiah originally entered college as a biology major with the goal of becoming a doctor, but she decided she would enjoy history more. 

Janiah has been learning Traditional Mandarin as part of her East Asian studies courses, and will be expanding her language skills this spring during an immersive study abroad semester in Taiwan. Janiah applied for the opportunity a year in advance with the study abroad program ISEP, International Student Exchange Programs. In addition to the scholarship she receives from Roanoke, Janiah applied for and won a scholarship with the Gilman International Scholarship program. She hopes that her language skills will improve a lot over the semester, because after college she plans to teach English in East Asian countries before going on to graduate school. 

Janiah said that her biggest advice to current TCS students is to pay attention and don’t take your education lightly. In high school she knew that in her financial situation, the only way she could afford college without going into a lot of debt was to work hard, get good grades, and win scholarships. She did however also say that if she could tell herself from five years ago one thing, it would be to not stress too much. Thank you Janiah for coming and speaking to the current TCS students. Hearing stories of successful alumni is always valuable. We look forward to hearing about your semester in Taiwan!

Community Gathers at Thanksgiving Potluck

At The Community School, we make sure to express our appreciation for the things people do to help make our school a special place throughout the year. Any time we can get everyone together as a community and be grateful for all of the amazing people that chose to learn with us and support each other is a gift, and the annual Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner is no exception. 

This Saturday, students, staff, families, sponsors, and alumni gathered for TCS Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner to share delicious food and fellowship. Turkey, stuffing, mac and cheese, tacos, bread, and pies were just some of the many items that people brought to share. 

Mr. Tom kicked the night off by thanking everyone for coming, and asking each attendee to sign a card for 2018 graduate Vernon “Will” Laumann who has recently entered boot camp for the U.S. Army. People each wrote cards wishing Will well and thanking him for his sacrifice. We’re sure the large pile of cards from Will’s TCS community will warm his heart this holiday season. 

In the back classroom people gathered for a fun round of Thanksgiving themed Pictionary – a game in which one person draws a word and their partner guesses the word. This activity was a perfect way to include everyone from younger siblings to students and parents. In the front classroom the latest TCS Student News broadcast produced by freshmen Le’onnie and Ethan  was enjoyed by all. Towards the end of the evening, Stacy Laumann and Dave Bayer held a drawing for the Potluck’s door prize, a beautiful fall-themed gift basket that was originally donated by Faith Coleman’s family for the Bull Roast. Sara’s sponsor Sam Wirtz was the winner! 

Mr. Tom wrapped up the evening by giving thanks to our staff who work hard to make the school the exceptional place that it is, to the students who go above and beyond every day, and to their families and sponsors who support them and the school. Special thanks to Ms. Jenae Gates who leads the Social Committee and arranged the Potluck Dinner- from setting up the online RSVPs to coming early to decorate and helping clean up, this lovely community event could not have happened without her. We look forward to seeing everyone again at the next sponsor meeting, Thursday December 5th at 6:30, and the Holiday Open House, Wednesday December 11th from 5:30-8:30. Happy Thanksgiving!