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November 27, 2019

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!

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News
November 24, 2019

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!

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News, Seminars
November 22, 2019

“If you do something you don’t love just for the money you will be miserable… you can always make money, you’re not going to get a minute back”. Rafael Alvarez, Baltimore-based writer and mentor of student Manuel, shared these words in today’s Conversation With. Rafael was a writer for the Baltimore Sun for 24 years before becoming a writer and producer for television. He sold his first article when he was nineteen. His introduction into television writing was working as a staff writer for the classic Baltimore drama The Wire. He has also written 11 books, non fiction as well as short story collections. Rafael has history with TCS as well because he wrote an article about the young school in the 1980’s for the Sun.

Rafael told the students his background and how he got into writing as a child. The Beatles inspired him to be an artist because of how their music made him feel. He was a first generation college student in a family of factory workers. Rafael explained that his parents knew he was smart, and wanted him to choose a practical profession like being a lawyer. When he decided he wanted to be a writer, though, his parents were supportive and told him to make sure to work very hard at it. 

Rafael asked each of the students to ask him one question and promised he would answer honestly. He suggested the students pretend they are a reporter and think of something they would want to know. He asked the students to expand on the questions that were asked before to build a picture of who he is. Rafael gave honest advice about what to do and not to do if you want to be successful. The students enjoyed Rafael’s honesty and his energy. “I got some really good quotes and things to live by, like how it’s not the smartest people that make it but the hardest workers. I’m going to live by that,” said Ronan. The students also appreciated Rafael’s efforts to bring them into the conversation through the journalism-style question and answer session. We are grateful that Rafael has come back into the TCS community to sponsor Manuel and share his wisdom with the students.

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News, Seminars
November 21, 2019

Most people only get the opportunity to view comets from afar as they blaze past the earth’s orbit. Today, the students had the opportunity to view these celestial bundles of ice and dirt up close with a simulated comet activity in Space Lab. Using soil and dry ice, the students formed small objects that simulate the materials and appearance of comets. When heat is applied, the mini-comets grow tails like those that appear when real comets get close to stars. 

The students continue their study of the moon this semester in Space Lab. While discussing the different space objects that affect the moon’s surface, one of the students questioned the difference between asteroids, meteors, and comets. Ms. Elaine Lewis, a former NASA-Goddard educator who has been leading Space Lab at TCS since last year, decided to show the students first-hand with this comet lab.

With this hands-on knowledge, the students are more informed and equipped for this semester’s space lab project. The students are designing a habitat for living on the moon. In building this habitat, they must take into account the various factors that make the moon inhospitable. They are learning how radiation from the sun and objects like meteors constantly bombard the surface of the moon. The students must design a habitat that protects from these elements, because there is nothing on the moon or in the moon’s atmosphere that protects from these elements naturally. Thank you Ms. Elaine for providing the informative and fun comet activity!

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News
November 19, 2019

This Tuesday The Community School welcomed five students for a shadow day. TCS shadow days, which run from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM, are set up so prospective students can get a first-hand look at what it is like to attend TCS. This week we had Sean, Kyle, and Trent from Roland Park Elementary/Middle School, Julian from Hampden Elementary/Middle School, and Cameron from Garrett Heights Elementary/Middle School. Students find our school in many ways. These students found us through family who attended TCS in the past, word of mouth from a current TCS student’s family, and guidance counselors. 

The shadow students participated in Current Events, sat in on Health and English class, and were treated to Ms. Peg’s Thanksgiving inspired turkey lunch. Salma and Joshua also took the shadows for a tour of the school. 

We enjoyed having the students here and look forward to receiving their applications! Our next shadow days are Monday, December 9th and Tuesday, January 14th. 

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