The Government class has been learning the structure and functions of local government, so who better to come speak than a member of the city council? Baltimore City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke led the students in a discussion about the work her and her follow council members do, as well as the changes happening in the city right now.
Mary Pat explained what happens in the council when the mayor resigns; the city council president steps in as mayor and the council must select a replacement president as well as someone new to represent the former president’s district. It was very exciting for the students to be able to ask questions about this process in the middle of it actually happening!
Lights, camera, action! Monday launched the start of an exciting four-part seminar series about on-camera techniques for the students to utilize in the weekly news segments. Taught by voice actor Renee Beale and former CNN correspondent Jamie McIntyre, the students had the opportunity to practice their camera techniques with professional equipment and coaching.
For the first seminar in the series, the students practiced their on-camera energy, learning techniques such as “don’t drop the last syllable” and to hold eye contact with the camera when done speaking. Renee and Jamie discussed the different means of delivering information, like audio-prompting, and taught the “set of three” technique for creating vocal interest.
We can’t wait to see what else this unique learning opportunity will bring! Special thanks to the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts and their Bright StARTS program for making this opportunity possible.
Parasites, vaccinations, and public health- Dr. Alan Scott, professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, presented to the students on Monday on these specialties, giving an overview of his research as well as a look at the why’s and how’s of herd immunity. After talking about his research in nematode infections, Dr. Scott discussed how the different types of vaccinations. The students learned about the decline in the rates of disease since vaccinations were introduced, as well as how one person getting vaccinated can protect others who are vulnerable. They discussed how what types of side effects there can be from vaccines, and how serious side effects are very rare.
Following the presentation, the biology class had the privilege of an extended learning session with Dr. Scott in which they asked in-depth questions about different diseases, the effect on the cells of the body, and their treatments. Thank you Dr. Scott for this wonderful learning opportunity!
When Sande Riesett saw the news a few years ago about young Baltimore men abusing animals as a social activity, she knew she must act. A veteran of the advertising business, Sande decided to use her marketing skills to launch the nonprofit Show Your Soft Side. Soft Side is a campaign that shows athletes, and other celebrities that we typically think of as “tough”, holding their pets and promoting nonviolence towards animals.
Sande came to speak to the students for a Conversation With on Monday, in which she told the story of her passionate campaign against animal cruelty. She also talked about organizing the nonprofit’s yearly adoption event, Pawject Runway. Athletes and celebrities come for the event and walk the runway with adoptable pets.
On Saturday, the students all gathered at Pawject Runway to support Sande and the Soft Side team.
Salma, 10th grade, said that she liked the meaning behind Pawject Runway. “Helping out animals that had a rough start and just to bring them joy to their life and joy to whoever is adopting them. Hearing the animals story really makes me want to adopt one. I overall love animals and in this case dogs. I also like how celebrities also help out these animals as much as they can. Also how at the end of the event, every animal was adopted,” she said.
9th grader Destiny said, “Pawject Runway was an amazing event. I loved seeing the animals and the people. I loved how there are people like this in this world. People who are soft, people who are caring, people who do instead of watching a video of an animal being abuse and saying that this should stop.”
It is always a great treat to welcome TCS graduates back to talk about their successes. This Friday, firefighters Jason Hammonds and CJ Sosa told the story of their lives at school, their journey to becoming firefighters, and what life is like on the job.
“What made it even more special was that they were TCS graduates… They talked about… the process of becoming a firefighter, their best and worst calls they received, and more topics. Just hearing what you do as an EMT firefighter makes me want to choose that as one of my career options” said Sean, who will be considering those career options as a senior next year.
Salma, a sophomore, said that she enjoys that TCS graduates come back and visit, even if they left years ago. She says, “I hope I can continue my education here, graduate, and then come back like they did and tell my story. Not just my parents would be proud, but also Mr. Tom. I could be someone to other students and my brother could look up to.”
