Janiah Tillery, 2017 TCS Graduate, has just been awarded the competitive and prestigious Gilman Scholarship to support her study of Mandarin abroad in Taiwan during the spring semester. Janiah has been attending Roanoke College on a full scholarship since graduating The Community School. She is a history major with a concentration in East Asian studies. It is Janiah’s hope to teach language in mainland China for two years after earning her bachelor’s degree with plans to earn her Master’s degree following this experience. Since her graduation, Janiah has remained a regular at The Community School always spending part of each break here helping the students and school when she is in town. She won't be leaving until February for Taiwan so you can catch her around TCS until then. Janiah is an inspiration to the students and we are so proud her achievements. Click here to read story on Janiah from Roanoke College. ...
Congratulations to senior Olivia Yates on her acceptance into Notre Dame University of Maryland for the fall 2020 term! This was Olivia’s first pick for college and she is very excited to have this opportunity. Olivia was also awarded an academic scholarship for each of the 4 years that she will be attending the college. Last night, Olivia toured the campus and was excited to share it with her mother, Rachel. Leading the tour was Mary Louise Preis, an Associate Trustee of the University and long time sponsor and supporter of the students of The Community School. We are so proud of Olivia as she completes her high school education at The Community School and prepares for the next step in her journey to college and career! ...
We were honored to have Dr. Chris Domes, the President of Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania, come in for a conversation with the students. Dr. Domes and his wife Mary Domes made a special trip to Baltimore just to see the school and talk with the class. He not only spoke about Neumann University but also about the college experience and the opportunities presented both in college and after. Dr. Domes shared his own humble beginning and career path that included being President of Silver Lakes College in Wisconsin and leadership positions at Marymount University in Virginia and St. Bonaventure University in New York. He had a real impact on the student’s future considerations of attending college and answered their many questions. Dr. Domes promised to arrange a tour of the university in the spring and all of the students are eager to see his school firsthand. Head of School, Tom Culotta, is an alumnus of Neumann University and was especially proud to have Dr. Domes and Mary Domes visit the school. Click here to learn more about Neumann University ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLiSPH4CqxQ&feature=youtu.be 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...
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! ...
https://youtu.be/ZijNtEmt5gc 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...