TCS Student News December 13, 2019
December 13, 2019
This week’s news broadcast from The Community School was researched, written, produced and anchored by students Salma Ruiz-Cruz and Destiny Grimes.
This week’s news broadcast from The Community School was researched, written, produced and anchored by students Salma Ruiz-Cruz and Destiny Grimes.
The students took a trip going back a hundred and fifty years to the American exploration of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon in the Center Stage play Men on Boats. This comedic play was a unique journey combining the major explorers of the time into one fierce, event filled story down the river. There were lots of laughs in this unique but light portrayal of this part of U.S. history. It was a bit of a departure from the other two more challenging and meaningful plays that the students have experienced this year. Still the play was enjoyable and we are thankful to Center Stage for providing this opportunity for us.
Learn more about the play by reading the program book.
Today we wrapped up the final seminar session for the Baltimore Center Stage Young Playwrights Festival. For nine weeks, instructor Parker Matthews has been leading the students through exercises to prepare each student to write their own short play. Mr. Parker started each seminar with physical exercises to loosen the students up and get them thinking creatively. He then used the rest of the classes to teach about various elements of playwriting, such as character, plot, and setting. The students then had the opportunity to draft their stories in writing sessions with Mr. Parker there to answer questions and give feedback.
After nine weeks of intensive creative writing process, the students have completed their plays! For today’s final session, each student presented an excerpt of their writing. Mr. Parker helped each student “cast” their play with other students in the room, and each part was read aloud to the class. This was a fun way to celebrate all of the students’ hard work and showcase their creativity. In January, the students will be submitting their pieces to Baltimore Center Stage along with other young creatives from second grade to twelfth grade. Up to six plays will be selected to receive a professional production at Center Stage. We are proud of our student’s work this past nine weeks and even if they don’t get selected, it is impressive to be able to say that you have written a play! Thank you so much to Mr. Parker and all of our friends at Baltimore Center Stage for giving us this opportunity.
We were honored to host Don Hutchinson, President and CEO of the Maryland Zoo as part of our “Conversation With…” series. Mr. Hutchinson shared stories about his political career starting as the youngest member of the committee that rewrote the Maryland State Constitution back in 1967 through serving in the state House of Delegates and Senate and then serving two terms as Baltimore County Executive. In addition, he served as President and CEO of SunTrust Bank and as President of the Greater Baltimore Committee. In that role, he was instrumental in building Ravens Stadium.
Mr. Hutchinson wove pearls of wisdom throughout his presentation of lessons learned including the importance of respecting yourself and having empathy for others. He reinforced the idea that our vision and actions have a primary role in creating our own destiny.
Several of the students had their minds changed about zoos as Mr. Hutchinson talked about the ethics of zoos, their care for the animals and the role that zoos have in protecting species from extinction.
The time passed by quickly and the students are looking forward to having Mr. Hutchinson back again and hopefully also seeing him in a visit to the Maryland Zoo. Thank you Mr. Hutchinson!
This week’s news broadcast from The Community School was researched, written, produced and anchored by students Claude Nicholson and Keith Cooke.
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.
