News

Conversation with Harold Young/BCYF

January 12, 2024

We were excited to finally meet Program Officer Harold Young from the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund (BCYF)who joined us for a"Conversation with.." BCYF is generously supporting the school and enabled the hiring of another teacher at The Community School. We have been working with Harold since August but this was our first face to face meeting. TCS is included in Harold's portfolio of organizations at BCYF where he provides support and is a link to technical assistance and networking. In addition to his program work, Harold also does improv comedy and is an actor. He shared his career trajectory that included working to strengthen families and improve the lives of young people through his work for the city and various agencies. Harold was especially interested in learning more about the students and the school. The students shared their stories about how they came to be at TCS and how the unique education offered here works for each of them. Fatima, Madison, Ethan and Ruth also took him on a tour explaining what goes on in all the different rooms around the school. It was a lively conversation and we look forward to our continued work with Harold and the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund over the next 3 years. Check out BCYF here: https://bcyfund.org/...

TCS Student News January 12, 2024

by Tom

TCS Student News

January 12, 2024

[embed]https://youtu.be/q9LwdrxMIpg[/embed] This week’s edition of TCS Student News was researched, written, produced and anchored by Quinn Guilfoyle and Ethan Jobita Jemadari with technical production by Hector Rivas....

Station North Tool Library Visits TCS

by Tom

News

January 8, 2024

Did you know that there's a library that lends tools instead of books? At our monthly Done Construction woodworking seminar, Beth Pointer brought in Leanna Frick from the Station North Tool Library (SNTL). SNTL is a nonprofit tool-lending library and community hub in the heart of Baltimore City. They offer over 3,000 tools, 30 classes, a public woodworking shop, a dedicated DIY workspace, and a home repair classroom. It is located at 417 E Oliver St. Baltimore 21202. Ms. Leanna shared the philosophy of the group and their efforts to empower all people to improve their lives and environments, through affordable access to tools, skills, and workspace. In addition to their regular workshops, the women of Done Construction have now brought in two organizations for the students to learn about tools and resources in Baltimore that they can access for their projects. Thank you Leanna and Beth. To learn more about the SNTL, you can visit their website at https://toollibrary.org/...

Conversation with South Baltimore Learning Center

by Tom

News

January 5, 2024

We were honored to have another community based education program visit us for the "Conversation with...

Somatic Workshop at The Lyric

by Tom

News

January 4, 2024

Costumes, movement, acting, music, journaling, reflection and sharing were all part of the students' experience at The Lyric yesterday. This month's somatic workshop focused on the concept of Chaos. Led by resident artist Ebony Evans and accompanied musically by Antonio Eyez, the students reflected through their thoughts, written and spoken word, and movement on the idea of chaos in their lives. It was an engaging experience that was at times fun and other times deeply moving. Our deep thanks to Lyric Education Director Denise Kumani Gantt, Ebony & Antonio for this enlightening experience....

Last Day of Class 2023

by Tom

News

December 22, 2023

Today was a special day at the school. In his creative writing seminar, Mr. Don gave the students a prompt under the heading "Bemoaning Modern Discourse". The students were to write a letter to someone past or present. Some students wrote to a parent, some an old friend, and others to themselves at different stages in their lives. One even wrote to the President. Each week the students share their writings speaking in front of the class. Often these sharings are very personal and sometimes emotional and difficult, but the school community has created a positive, comfortable and safe environment for this to happen. Mr. Don's writing seminar is an important part of this and we are thankful for his many years of mentoring and teaching at the school. The last thing we did before going on Winter Break was to watch "It's a Wonderful Life". It's always been gratifying to see students absorbed in and moved by this 1947 movie. This Frank Capra classic explores many themes rooted in important values of family, compassion and community. George Bailey, the lead character played perfectly by Jimmy Stewart, is a multidimensional character. He's a good person who sacrifices and adjusts his dreams for family and community yet is real enough to question himself, and to take out his stress and frustrations in ways that are not good. After losing his faith in himself and collapsing under the pressure, he comes to appreciate what is important in his life and is saved by the love of his family and support...

TCS Student News December 22, 2023

by Tom

News

December 22, 2023

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFUBVTkcMiU[/embed] This week’s edition of TCS Student News was researched, written, produced and anchored by Danny Buck and Sam Meenan with technical production by Rhys Guilfoyle....

Self Portrait Art

by Tom

News

December 20, 2023

A self portrait - that was the prompt for today's special art seminar. Following a long TCS tradition, the students had a special art session today where they were free to let their creativity loose as they put acrylic to canvas. With smooth jazz playing in the background, the students became lost in their imaginations and their art. The works were as varied as the students, each with their own unique meaning and reflection on their life. Our thanks to art teacher Leandra Laird for encouraging this seminar as an interruption to the more typical focus on learning technique along with their creative expression....

The Importance of Investing!

by Tom

News, TCS Student News

December 18, 2023

You might think investing is too big a topic for high school students, but not at The Community School. Our friends from Berman McAleer were in for another of their monthly Financial Literacy seminars. Led by Kathleen Gower along with Brian Carroll and Terri Cook, the students explored how investing just $30 a month - under $10/week) would grow when compounded over the years. Students talked about using the money from their summer jobs and cutting down on unnecessary spending to begin investing now. The students learned a lot this week and are looking forward to Part II of this seminar in January. Thank you BMc and Kathleen, Brian and Terri!...