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The students eagerly anticipated the return of Mr. Don's weekly Creative Writing seminar.  For nearly 20 years, Don Riesett has worked his magic encouraging students to think and dive deeply into themselves and then produce a writing.  The creativity and diversity in approaches by the students is then shared as students read and share their work with the class. The prompts and topics vary each week and can be wildly humorous or very deep and personal. Mr. Don then edits the writings and then meets with each student individually each week to discuss their work. In the tradition of the school, Mr. Don is both a teacher and a mentor.  We are so fortunate to have his considerable talent and insights again this year.  Thank you Mr. Don!...

The new school year is underway! We are in our 44th year as a school and 49th year as an organization serving young people. We were happy to see the students continuing their education this year and welcomed the new students.  The students all showed up full of energy and potential. It was particularly heartwarming to see the continuing students showing the new students around and sharing their stories about how to be successful at TCS.  Stay tuned and buckle up for another great year!...

[embed]https://youtu.be/KN-uOy4m4wQ[/embed] This is our final newscast for this school term and looks back at the year as well as well as this packed week. It was produced by graduating seniors Rhys Guilfoyle and Madison Hansel with production assistance from Hector Rivas...

[embed]https://youtu.be/kxE5_nNq_W8[/embed] This week's newscast follows the visit of the South African President to the Oval Office and examines allegations of white genocide in South Africa. In news around TCS includes a Conversation with Dr. Greg Walsh, Director of the University of Baltimore’s Center for Digital Communication, Commerce, and Culture; a Conversation with photographer Devin Allen as he toured us through his "Heavy with History" exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art; a special field trip to the offices of Berman McAleer with mentoring sessions with their staff. The news also reports on two movies the students watched Earth Emergency about Climate Change and Echoes of a Lost Gaza about the plight og the Palestinians. This edition was produced by Danny Buck and Hector Rivas with production assistance from Rhys Guilfoyle and Mohamed Cissse....

Mentor, musician and entrepreneur Imani Yasin was our guest for a Conversation.  Imani has been associated with the school for many years and has come to know many of the students.  She was first  introduced to us through her work as a mentor with Sisters Circle who encouraged their students to enroll in our school. In addition to Imani's regular visits to the school, she has done several Conversations over the years. This Conversation was wide ranging but included the new direction that Imani has taken in setting up a management and consulting business. This was an inspiring and enjoyable Conversation and we are thankful for having Imani as part of our community.  ...

Black Classic Press Founder and Publisher Paul Coates was in for a Conversation with the students today.  Paul is a long time supporter, former Advisory Board member and frequent visitor of the school.  He spoke about his life and work and his life long commitment to his community and changing the world.  Paul shared how we each need to find our way to make a positive mark on  society.  Much of Paul's work has centered around education through books.  He said, "Books change people and people change the world." Paul commented on the diversity among our students and how each displayed an understanding and care about issues facing us from immigration to concern about conflict and wars to loss of support for medical and scientific research and aid for those in need. He encouraged them to continue to do their best in their studies and to be the resistance to negative forces in our society. It is always an inspirational boost when Paul visits with students at the school and this was no exception. We are deeply thankful for the example of his life and his steadfast support for our school.    ...

We were honored to have Baltimore City Comptroller Bill Henry join us for a Conversation today. Comptroller Henry shared his long experience in public service working with a nonprofit community development group and then as a member of the Baltimore City Council.  Both of these experiences prepared him for his present role as the comptroller for Baltimore. The students had a lot of questions about his career and current job, but also about the issues that the city and nation are facing today. Comptroller Henry enlightened the students about the challenges the City is facing with an infrastructure built for the nearly one million residents in the 1960's and a tax base supported by just over half that many current residents. We were also joined by J Hardy, special assistant to the Comptroller, who shared about his growing up in Baltimore, education, work in government, and desire to one day be an elected official himself. The students enjoyed Comptroller Henry's insights as well as his sense of humor. We also appreciated that he stayed nearly double the amount of time actually scheduled for his visit. This was the last in a series of visits by government officials invited to enhance the education the students have gained in their government course this year. We deeply appreciate the generosity of time shared by Comptroller Bill Henry....

The students had another amazing visit to the offices of Berman McAleer (BMc) today.  This is an event that the students look forward to every year. It starts with a welcome and then a lunch shared with members of the staff where informal conversation is held.  This was followed by a session where the students asked questions about finance and the work of BMc. The students then met in small groups with the staff to learn about staff members individual roles in the company. Lastly, two one-on-one sessions followed where students were paired with a BMc staff so students could share about their own lives, education and career plans to get feedback, advice and support. Berman McAleer is a wealth management firm that has been in relationship with our school for several years. They develop and staff monthly financial literacy seminars for the students.  BMc also established, with the Middendorf Foundation, an endowment fund for the school and manage it for us.. We are very thankful for this special and valued relationship and all that it adds to our students' education.  We appreciate the founders David Berman and Joe McAleer and all of the partners who prioritize this work, the staff for sharing their expertise and wisdom with the students and Ms. Kathleen Gower for leading and shepherding the seminars and this relationship.  ...

The students had an impactful experience touring the "Heavy with History" exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art.  The exhibit features the works captured during the Freddie Gray Uprising by acclaimed Baltimore based photographer Devin Allen.  We were fortunate to have Mr. Devin tour us through his work and learn his perspective on the events leading to and from the death of Freddie Gray. He explained his responsibility to reflect accurately the reaction to the death of Freddie Gray and its impact on the community. He talked about his history and relationship to the neighborhood that enabled him to get the images that he did. Devin shared his personal story and development of his career as a self-taught photographer to having one his photographs used on the cover of Time magazine. Devin's work has taken him around the world though he remains deeply rooted in Baltimore, living in the West Baltimore house once owned by his grandmother. He continues works with young people here to develop their interest and skills in photography. We were deeply honored to have Devin so generously share his time with us and thoroughly answering the students' many questions. Additional appreciation to Tracey Beale, Director of Public Programs at the BMA, arrange this event, speak with the students and accompany us. Thanks as well to TCS Trustee Fleesie Hubbard for arranging this visit. We also appreciate how the Baltimore Museum of Art has included us in their works....

[embed]https://youtu.be/l5abmpbkhDU[/embed] It has been a very busy week at The Community School. We had 4 important Conversations - Mayor Brandon Scott, Hannah Nentakpeh and Jalen Rose of B4YT in Liberia, Michelle White the Assistant Dean, Early College and Access Programs at BCCC, and Lee Blinder and Adrian Hinderlie from Trans Maryland. The main story is about transgendered people in the U.S. military. Other news around the school includes a Spotlight on Mayor Scott, a review of the movie Philadelphia that we watched as part of our health curriculum, a Celebration of students Quinn Guilfoyle and Mohamed Cisse and much more. This newscast was produced by Jordan Smith and Khori Mitchell with production assistance from Rhys Guilfoyle....