Play Scrabble for a Good Cause

For nine years, participants in GHCC's Scrabble® Fundraiser for Literacy have gathered in the spirit of fun and games to support a good cause – fighting adult illiteracy in Baltimore City. This year marks the event’s tenth anniversary and with an estimated 100 players planning to attend, promises to be the best one yet with live music, a silent auction, food, beer, wine, and fun.

Over the years, the Scrabble® Fundraiser for Literacy has been attended by a wide range of Scrabble® lovers and even reunited friends and neighbors who had no idea of each other's dedication to GHCC's Adult Literacy & ESOL Program. GHCC recently caught up with veteran player and former literacy tutor Nancy Spritz, who fondly remembers the Scrabble® parties of years past and also talks a bit about why she continues to support the work we do.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your connection to the Adult Literacy & ESOL Program.

I became an Adult Literacy volunteer tutor several years ago and continued for a few years. Unfortunately, I had to stop volunteering, but I have remained very supportive of GHCC

You’ve participated in the Annual Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy since it started in 2002 (only missing two years!). What keeps you coming back each year?

I love Scrabble and I love reading, so I feel strongly about developing literacy for adult learners—what a perfect combination and what a great way to raise money for a worthwhile cause! So much better than going to a fancy charity dinner!

What was the most inspirational moment in all your years of participating in this event?

Seeing so many people—more and more each year—dedicated to this cause, doing something intellectual, and having a great time, too. And the competitive Scrabble players are also awesome and inspirational—I can’t get close to their level!

What is your favorite memory from past years of the Scrabble Fundraiser (if it’s different)?

I won the 50/50 raffle two years in a row! Also, my 87 year old mother came with me for several years, and my son joined me a few times too.

What would you say to anyone considering attending the event as a player/participant?

You don’t have to be a good or even regular Scrabble player; there are all levels of players and everyone there will be patient and kind about your abilities. You’ll meet people from all walks of life, do something different and educational, and in the process you’ll support a meaningful, worthwhile, important organization that makes Baltimore City a better place!

As the first participant to register for the Scrabble Party, what do you look forward to with this year’s anniversary celebration?

More and more interesting people, good food, stimulating wordplay, and neat prizes. I always look forward to seeing the people that I met in the first few years, like the sweet little ladies from the Liberty Road Senior Center who can beat the pants off me!

Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 in support of the Literacy Program. What would you say to encourage anyone considering a donation or sponsorship?

You will be contributing to a hands-on organization which helps individuals directly and substantially, and you can be assured that your limited charitable dollars will be doing the greatest good.

Hope to see you there!

Come and play on Saturday, March 26 at Calvert School's atrium. We'll host informal pickup games from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and two competetive formal rounds for prizes. Tickets are $50 per player ($40 for students or 62+). All proceeds support GHCC's Adult Literacy & ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program. Register here.

Donor Voices: Connie Smith

It's that time of year again: we're all receiving a deluge of fundraising appeals in our mailboxes, and here at GHCC we're sending out our fair share as well. As the holidays grow nearer and life becomes more hectic, sometimes it's important to reflect on why it means so much for us to give.

Recently, Greater Homewood Voices caught up with someone who knows exactly what it means to support a cause she believes in: loyal GHCC donor (and staff parent!) Connie Smith. Almost a year ago her son Tyson, GHCC's Director of Administration, shared his journey from Utah to Greater Homewood. Recently, Connie and her husband David made a journey of their own to attend GHCC's Annual Celebration & Volunteer Recognition event on November 9. Here, she shares some reflections on the event, giving to GHCC, and finally meeting Tyson's GHCC family.

GHCC's Annual Celebration & Volunteer Recognition
November 9, 2010
L to R: Connie Smith, Tyson Smith, Neal Gary, David Smith

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Why do you think it’s important to support non-profit causes you believe in?

I have lived the vast majority of my life in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. I taught second grade for five years before I had children. I now have four sons, two daughters-in-law, and one adorable grandson, with another grandchild on the way in the spring. I loved my time as a teacher and spent many years volunteering in my children's classrooms. My husband is also an educator: he was a teacher, spent 20 years as an elementary school principal, and now he works for the Utah State Office of Education.

I have always felt very blessed in my life in many ways, not the least of which is that I was able to stay home while I had children growing up in my home. I have always tried to express gratitude for my many blessings by helping others less fortunate than myself. Through service to others I find great joy and a sense of well being, as well as increased gratitude for all I have. I have learned a whole lot about the non-profit world since Tyson got his job at GHCC and have been very pleased to be able to donate to such a worthy cause for the last few years.

You became a donor in 2007 when your son Tyson moved to Baltimore from Utah and joined our staff. What makes you glad he found us at GHCC?

I am thrilled about Tyson's chance to be involved in the great work at GHCC. None of us had any idea what lay ahead for Tyson when he left Utah in February 2007 and headed back east to Baltimore—all we knew was that he was planning to pursue professional acting. Now I realize there was a reason he went to Baltimore and I believe it has to do with his being hired by GHCC. Of course, being from Utah, none of us were very familiar with much about Baltimore or any of the large eastern cities. Tyson told me early on that he felt Baltimore faced more extreme challenges than many other cities did. He was quite surprised by many of the things he learned after his arrival. He is now able to work in a place where he can really make a difference and improve many lives, and that makes me very happy and grateful. I believe he is right where he is supposed to be at this time.

You flew out from Salt Lake City to attend our Annual Celebration. What was your favorite aspect of the evening? What inspired you the most?

I thoroughly enjoyed the Annual Celebration—I thought it went perfectly. It was wonderful to be able to put a lot of GHCC names to faces after hearing so much about them. My husband and I were so impressed with the mayor’s keynote address and her vision for Baltimore. It was also a lot of fun for us to see Neal's boss in that context (he works in the mayor’s office). The new Vacants to Value program she spoke about was very inspiring. I also really loved learning about all the awards that were presented.

My very favorite part of the evening was the three people who spoke from their personal experiences: the Experience Corps member, the school principal, and the adult literacy learner. They were so enlightening and inspiring to hear. These are people who have literally had their lives changed through GHCC’s work and are now helping to improve others’ lives. I could have listened to those kinds of stories all night long!


What is your favorite GHCC program?

I have been learning more and more over the past few years and everything new I learn just makes me appreciate even more all the good work that GHCC is doing. There is such a variety of programs reaching out to so many different types of people: children, adults, low-income, new move-ins, people who need to learn English, etc. I think that is so exciting. I have also thoroughly enjoyed learning about the VISTA program which I had not heard of before. I have loved reading the VISTA members’ inspiring stories on GHCC’s blog.

If I had to single out one favorite program, I would choose GHCC’s work in the public schools. Being a former teacher who raised four children, all of whom did very well in public schools and got a great start on their college educations, I understand how important a good education is for everyone. All children deserve excellent teachers who love to work with children and well-run schools with ample support from the community. I have heard a lot about the impact GHCC has on Baltimore City public schools and I am so impressed by that.

As one of GHCC’s long-distance friends, how do you keep up to date and stay in touch?

Of course, Tyson is my main source of connection to GHCC. He tries to keep me in the loop with the big things, but being on the mailing list for the past several months for Greater Homewood Voices and the GHCC Digest has been so eye-opening for me. I have learned so much and have really enjoyed reading the personal and very inspiring stories from so many individuals. On our recent trip to Baltimore Tyson drove us around a bit and showed us some Greater Homewood neighborhoods. We were able to see the 33^rd Street mural and the Senator Theatre, which we brought home on a lovely hand-signed poster from [Baltimore cartoonist] Tom Chalkley.

If you could say just one thing to potential donors, what would it be?

If you are looking for a way to make a difference and know that your money will go a long way and be very well spent, GHCC is a great organization to consider!

Looking Back on Our Annual Celebration

Every year, GHCC takes an evening to celebrate those most important to us: our donors, supporters, and friends. This year's event, held on November 9, was the best one we can remember: great company, a keynote speech by the Mayor, the unveiling of our very first video, and a fundraising challenge that helped us raise over $5,000 in pledges and donations! Everyone had a blast! While we can't bring back the food, friends, and enthusiasm, we can share some photos from the evening. Click on one of the images below to see more!

www.flickr.com

And don't forget to check out the video, which you can watch right here or check out in full HD on YouTube.

Join Your Friends and Neighbors for a Night Out at Darker Than Blue Cafe!

What makes Greater Homewood...greater? For starters, how about great food, great hospitality, and great neighbors?

It all comes together on:

September 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

Darker Than Blue Café

3034 Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore, 21218

Bring three of your friends, family, or neighbors for a buffet dinner and discover another reason why you love Greater Homewood.

$26 per person (tax included)

BYOB
Raffle

Please RSVP to Christy Zuccarini (click to open an email) or our the Facebook event so we can get a good head count for Casey Jenkins, a great neighbor and owner of this little gem on Greenmount. 

Make it easy! Purchase your ticket online in advance by clicking the button below.

Celebrating Literacy and People

Submitted by Jaclyn Paul, Program Assistant for Development and Administration


Last week, I was asked to wear my photographer hat and volunteer my services at our 20th Annual Literacy Celebration.   More than 160 program volunteers, current and former staff, learners, and partners came out to recognize the wonderful work GHCC's Adult Literacy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program is doing.  I'd like to share a few of my favorite moments from the event in the form of a short photo essay.





I felt fortunate for the opportunity to see these heartfelt performances from the Greenmount Senior Center Dance Team.



Without meeting them in person, it's hard to convey just how strong the tutor-learner bond can be.  Seeing tutors speak about their learners—and vice versa—brought home to me how much these pairs become like family, completely invested in reaching a shared goal.



The first photo doesn't do it justice, so I just have to highlight the butterfly wings learner Ruby used to represent the changes she's undergone in her life since coming to the Literacy Program.



Our VISTA members have shared a lot of stories on this blog lately, but sometimes we forget how much impact they have on our staff.  Here, Special Literacy Projects VISTA Cyndel Taylor (shown receiving flowers) receives a big thank you from Program Director Todd Elliott and Assistant Director Kim Bosworth.

To see more photos from the evening, check out our albums on Facebook or Flickr.

Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy: An Evening Not to be Missed!

Here at GHCC we're getting ready one of our very favorite events: the Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy on March 27.  This is our ninth year hosting the tournament, which includes a light fare buffet, prizes, and both competitive and social brackets of play.  Haven't checked it out yet?  Download our registration flyer or visit our Facebook event for more details.

Today, we asked volunteer Dave Engelhardt to tell us about how he got involved with GHCC's Adult Literacy & ESOL Program.  We'll give you a hint: it had something to do with Scrabble!

I’ve been involved with the Greater Homewood Adult Literacy & ESOL Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy every year since the beginning in 2001.  The first year, I participated as a player.  Afterward, I volunteered as a literacy tutor at GHCC, and since then I have been involved in the organizing and planning  the Scrabble event. 

For me, it’s always an enjoyable evening!  It’s an opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones.  There’s always plenty of food and it’s an opportunity to play my favorite word game.  I highly recommend it to anyone, whether you’ve only played Scrabble a couple of times at home with family or if you are a club and tournament player.  It doesn’t matter, because you can play at whatever level you are comfortable with and have an enjoyable evening and at the same time contribute to the Adult Literacy & ESOL Program at GHCC. 

Players face off at the 2009 Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy

University of Baltimore to Host Second Annual Urban Child Symposium

On Thursday, April 1, the University of Baltimore School of Law Center for Families, Children and the Courts will host its second annual Urban Child Symposium.  This year the Symposium will focus on the wide range of health challenges facing children in urban environments, with a keynote address from Congressman Elijah E. Cummings and three panels with a variety of excellent presenters.

  

The brochure is now online with full details.  Over 250 people attended last year's event, so please register if you plan on attending.  Online registration is available at the School of Law's website.

Reflections on the Neighborhood Institute

Submitted by Karen DeCamp, Director of Neighborhood Programs

GHCC's third annual Neighborhood Institute January 23 was an inspiring event. Kicking off the opening panel discussion about different aspects of great urban living, Karenthia Barber -- president of the Ednor Gardens-Lakeside Civic Association -- went through all the intentional ways her neighborhood show they care about their community.  Ednor Gardens-Lakeside is one of the most well-organized communities in north Baltimore, from their efforts to welcome new neighbors to the very well-organized committees and initiatives like their incredible Citizens on Patrol group. Moderator Dana Moore, Councilman Bill Henry, Live Baltimore's Anna Custer, City Schools' Michael Sarbanes, and developer Donald Manekin all enlivened the conversation as well.

For me, the meat of the day was in the workshops: 16 different workshops held in 4 sesssions allowed neighborhood residents to choose from a wide menu of options.  This year, we intentionally minimized the number of "agency wonks" presenting workshops in favor of neighborhood residents presenting what they are doing in neighborhoods -- best practices to inspire others.  It seems like that strategy really paid off, as many participants gave us great feedback about the quality of the workshops. 

Workshop highlights included:

• Remington's Chris Merriam and Roland Park's Doug Munro showing how they use technology to make their neighborhood associations more effective.
• Miriam Avins and Pat Shaw of Better Waverly presenting their community art and greening work.
• Chris Ryon of Ednor Gardens and Joe Stewart of Better Waverly (along with our favorite police officers Jon Walter and Doug Gibson) exploring different models of Citizens on Patrol. 
• Neighborhood leaders talked about what they are proud of and what most challenges them.  They asked for support from GHCC in communicating with other neighborhoods.  GHCC has launched a Yahoo! Groups listserv to facilitate that and agreed to help organize quarterly "meet and greets" so that community leaders can get together and share what's working and what's not.  Joe Stewart suggested doing this at a local restaurant so we can patronize those positive businesses.

It's hard to pick my favorite part of the day, but I absolutely loved being able to give awards to wonderful communiyt volunteers: Emerging Leaders awards went to Rose Harris Jones, a quietly persistant advocate for parents and children at Waverly School, and to Rodney Burris, whose infectious enthusiasm has galvanized neighbors around recycling and public safety. 

Other awardees included Jim Fabian as Volunteer of the Year and Tom Gamper, recipient of the Community Economic Development program's Landmark Award.

Of course, I'm already thinking about all the ways we can follow up on the conversations we had at this event and make next year's event an even bigger success!

Come to the Neighborhood Institute On January 23!

Strengthen your neighborhood and your local public schools at our third annual Neighborhood Institute!

January 23

10:00-4:30 (registration begins at 9:30)

Barclay Elementary/Middle School, 2900 Barclay Street

Hear leaders from neighborhoods and public schools all around North Baltimore talk about how they have successfully made their communities greener, safer, and better connected, and their schools stronger and more vibrant!

The day will begin with a panel session on Elements of Great Urban Living:  Strong Neighborhood Organizations, Great Schools, Sustainable Communities and Responsive Government featuring:

Donald Manekin, Seawall Development

Anna Custer, Live Baltimore

Bill Henry, 14^th District City Council

Karenthia Barber, Ednor-Gardens Lakeside Association

Michael Sarbanes, City Schools (invited)

There will be a light lunch, followed by an afternoon of workshops:

Workshop titles include:

• Creating Family Friendly Neighborhoods
• Using Technology in Community Associations
• Working With Volunteers to Accomplish Goals
• Organizing to Advocate for Public Schools
• Community Greening and Art
• Block Captain Mini-training
• Partnering with Police: Models of Citizens on Patrol
• Dealing with Problem Liquor Establishments
• How to Market Your Neighborhood
• Housing Code Enforcement
• Greater Homewood Community Leaders Forum
• Greater Homewood School Parent Leaders Forum

Workshop time will be set aside to kick off new forums for community leaders and school parent leaders.  These new forums will provide new online and face-to-face opportunities for neighborhood and parent leaders to share best practices and solutions to common problems.

The day will close with a networking session for community members to meet and greet one another, share ideas, and make connections and partnerships to help strengthen and develop their communities and schools!

 No registration required, but you can RSVP or get more information by contacting John Bernet atjbernet@greaterhomewood.org or 410-261-3516, or by visitng our event page on Facebook.

The Harlem Children’s Zone — Can it Happen in Baltimore?

Join the Greater Homewood Interfaith Alliance on January 21 at Bolton Street Synangogue for an evening of sprited discussion about the most comprehensive and revolutionary effort to end childhood poverty.

The discussion will be led by New York Times Magazine Editor and Author of Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America.

Whatever it Takes tells the true story of Geoffrey Canada, the creator of the Harlem Children’s Zone, an audacious attempt to increase opportunities for poor children by changing everything in their lives — their schools, their neighborhoods, and even the child-rearing practices of their parents.

Recently featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes and in Urbanite Magazine, Geoffrey Canada’s approach to fighting inner-city poverty has attracted attention and praise from policymakers and educators across the political spectrum—including President Obama, who has pledged federal funding to support the replication of Canada’s ideas through the creation of Promise Neighborhoods throughout the nation.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Doors open at 6:30 with opportunities to talk with representatives from Baltimore-area organizations working on poverty and education reform.

Please visit our website or Facebook event for more details.

Tour de Greater Homewood: Success!

81 bicyclists came out to enjoy a sunny, warm November day in Baltimore and ride in memory of Jack Yates on Sunday. The Tour de Greater Homewood was a great success thanks to the efforts of our local cycling community.

We thought we'd share a few highlights from the ride, including:

• A great article in the Baltimore Sun!
• Blog posts by North Baltimore Bike Brigade and Kali Durga.
• Photos on Flickr and Facebook.

Here are some photos from the day:

Northern District police officers were on hand to engrave bikes with their owners' drivers license numbers -- a good idea to protect against theft!

A few words from Jack's family before the ride began.

They're off!

Biking in Baltimore: Part I

TiVo the Ravens game on Sunday and join us for north central Baltimore's biggest bike ride: the Tour de Greater Homewood! This year's ride will honor fallen cyclist and former GHCC Board of Directors member Jack Yates, who was killed in a cycling accident in August. To gear up for the big ride this Sunday, we're featuring some guest writers representing Baltimore's bike scene. To learn more about the Tour de Greater Homewood, visit our website or check out the event on Facebook.

Submitted by Nate Evans, Baltimore City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner.

Baltimore can be one of the hardest cities to bike in. From angry drivers to bad pavement, old streetcar rails and wheel-eating storm grates, cyclists have many obstacles to overcome to reach a destination safely. Despite the challenges, Baltimore is becoming an easier place to ride.

With the Bicycle Master Plan of 2006, the city now has guidelines and goals to improve bike infrastructure and safety. The city’s first major bike project was the Collegetown Bike Network, which installed bike lanes, sharrows, and signed routes connecting the colleges of central Baltimore. Expansion of the bike network continues with Operation Orange Cone, the city’s street resurfacing program, by bringing bike lanes to Park Heights, Hanover St., and Loch Raven Blvd. The city maintains a free bike rack program that has installed some 200 racks, including the city's first on-street bike parking in Charles Village .

Aside from new infrastructure, more events and information are available to help citizens discover biking. The new Bike Baltimore website is a one-stop shop for cycling in Baltimore, complete with news updates, detailed description of bike facilities, route information, and a list of biking groups and bike shops around town. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council published the Bicycle Commuter Guide, which lays out all the information necessary to transition to cycle commuting. Along with the annual Bike To Work Day celebration, Baltimore ’s Department of Transportation hosted the Bike Blast, which brought together local shops and advocates to promote biking with guided bike rides. The Bike Summit was a day long event to envision just how big biking could be in town, hearing from residents and learning from Chicago ’s example.

While we’ve come a long way, we still have a long way to go to normalize cycling in Baltimore. Along with two new bike networks in Southeast and Park Heights, new sections of the Jones Falls Trail are scheduled for construction beginning next year. A bike safety campaign will be promoted by the city and new policies promoting cycling are in the works. No doubt this is an exciting time to be on two-wheels in B’more!

Pictures from GHCC's 40th Birthday Party!

Receiving our pictures from event photographer Mike Ciesielski easily took the cake as the most exciting event in our office this week. Everyone had such a wonderful time on Saturday! Here are a few photos from the evening, and you can see even more on our Flickr page.



The Uppity Ladies Stilt Walkers towered above the crowd.



Aerialist Mara Neimanis performed The Myth of Akewa



Single Carrot Theatre gave a great improv comedy performance.



The crowd sang "Happy Birthday" and enjoyed bright blue cupcakes.



Hundreds of supporters turned out to dance and celebrate GHCC's 40th Birthday!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who made the day great!

www.flickr.com

Come Out and Experience Taste of Govanstowne!

This post courtesy of Jay Harris and the Govanstowne Business Association



Get your taste buds ready for some culinary delights!

The Govanstowne Business Association will present the 2nd Annual Taste of Govanstowne on Saturday, June 20th between 11am & 4pm at the Senator Theatre.

Fourteen restaurants will offer delicious samples of their food, including Atwater’s, Bombay Gardens, Café Zen, Crush Restaurant, Edible Arrangements, Greg’s Bagels, Jerry’s Belvedere Tavern, Negrill Jamaican Carry Out, Ryan’s Daughters, Saigon Remembered, Starbucks, Swallow at the Hollow, Tam Tam Restaurant, and Zen West.

For an all-inclusive admission of $10, you will be invited to sample a great variety of foods and given opportunities to win exciting prizes. There is a 10% discount for purchases of 10 or more tickets. Reserve your tickets today by calling 410-561-0065. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

Come and enjoy and don’t worry about getting messy, we have plenty of napkins!

Don't Miss the Old Goucher Historic House Tour on April 26!

by Peter Duvall


Old Goucher Historic House Tour
April 26 2009

The Old Goucher Community Association, Inc. is celebrating our neighborhood with a tour of the Old Goucher Historic District, located right in the heart of Baltimore.

On Sunday, April 26th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the Old Goucher Community Association, Inc. will hold a house tour in the Old Goucher Historic District. Stops on the tour will include beautiful two- and three-story row houses, dramatic churches, and some of the historic buildings and halls of Goucher College’s original campus, most dating back to the late 1800s. The fabulous “Clock House” will be on the tour this year.

Tickets for the self-guided house tour will be sold for $12 (Students with ID pay $6) starting at noon through 3:00 PM on April 26, 2009 in front of Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, 2200 St. Paul Street. The ticket price will include a small snack item at one tour stop.

For more information about the tour on April 26th, or about the neighborhood and the Old Goucher Community Association Inc., please call 410-561-0562 or send e-mail to: email@oldgoucher.org.

Station North Spring Music Festival Seeking Volunteers

The Station North Spring Music Festival is right around the corner, and the Charles North Community Association is seeking volunteers to help make the event a success. Jobs vary from setting up, to helping during event hours (5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.), to closing everything down between 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. This is truly a case where many hands make light work, and working at the Festival is a great opportunity to meet new friends and have a good time.

All are welcome, whether you can give a whole day or just an hour or two of your time. If you can help, please contact Mr. Jamy Erny, Event Coordinator, at 410-812-6161 or theearnys@hotmail.com Or, if you're the spontaneous type, you can also just show up early the day of the Festival at the northeast corner of Charles Street and North Avenue.


See you there!

(click flyer to view larger version)

Medfield Heights Elementary to Host Second Annual Boys & Girls Fashion Show

Written by Angela Tyler, Medfield Heights Elementary School parent.

Don't miss this one! Second Annual Boys & Girls Fashion Show - Friday, April 24 - 6:30-8:30pm @ Western/Poly HS (Falls Rd at Cold Spring) hosted by Medfield Heights Elementary PTA and yes, it is a boy-friendly show, too!

This family event features 51 Medfield Heights boys and girls gracing the stage with their unique personalities and charm, while showcasing their own fashions. Due to last year's sell-out crowd, the PTA decided to relocate the show from the school's multi-purpose room to a larger facility so many more could enjoy. This year's show also highlights children designers from Sew Fabulous Sewing School in Owings Mills, MD. Tickets are on sale for $7 via www.medfieldheights.com (VISA/MC - debit/credit); by contacting Catherine Bates for group tickets (443-324-9161); or by stopping by the school on Thursday evenings (April 16 & 23 - 5:30-7pm) - 4300 Buchanan Avenue - 21211. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Medfield Heights Elementary is a small, non-Title 1 school known for its consistent educational excellence, cultural diversity, its Maryland Green School status, and its strong parental and community support. Less than 350 students attend the school ages 4-11, PreK through fifth grade. The Fashion Show serves as one of the PTA's largest fundraisers for the school. Proceeds benefit school activities and 2010 MSA practice booklets.

Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy: Photo Essay

Written by Jannette Seman

On Saturday, March 28, GHCC's Adult Literacy & ESOL Program hosted its Eighth Annual Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy. A record number of players raised over $5700 for the program through registration fees, a raffle, and a silent auction.

March Madness games weren’t the only ones bringing people together this month. For the Literacy Program, March was quite the month for board games.

For the Literacy staff, spring brings flowers, showers, and Scrabble! On March 28, nearly 115 social and competitive Scrabble players braved the rainy weather for an evening of great fun and gamesmanship at the Eighth Annual Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy, making this year’s event the most successful to date. Thanks to the wonderful assistance of the Literacy Advisory Board, we were able to obtain some amazing donations for player prizes and a silent auction (the first for this event) from several local businesses. Given the economic recession, the generosity in support of this year’s event was the most meaningful success of all.

Book Sale to Benefit Baltimore City Public Schools TOMORROW!

(click the image to see a larger version)

Solving the Drop-Out Crisis -- University of Baltimore Center for Families, Children, and the Courts to Host Urban Child Symposium

By Leigh Dalton, Truancy Court Program Manager and School Liaison Center for Families, Children and the Courts at the University of Baltimore School of Law.


To all teachers, administrators and community members interested in child advocacy and education:

As the Truancy Court Program Manager and School Liaison, I am sending you the link located below regarding an Urban Child Symposium presented by the Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC) to take place on April 2, 2009.

The topic is Solving the Drop-out Crisis: Getting the Other Half to Attend and Achieve. CFCC would like to extend the invitation for this event to you and to anyone you think would be interested. This includes any and all parents and students who would like to hear the amazing Jonathan Kozol [Author of Savage Inequalities, Amazing Grace, Death at an Early Age, and others] speak at 5:30pm. The event is free, and breakfast and lunch will be provided.

In addition to those you may know personally who would be interested in attending this Symposium, if you could forward this invitation to other other staff, teachers, students, parents and administration, and community partners, it would be greatly appreciated. There is more information on the Symposium below, if you click on the link provided. Registration is online.

For details and to register, please click here: http://law.ubalt.edu/urbanchild

If you have questions or concerns about the Symposium, please contact Leigh Dalton, Truancy Court Program Manager and School Liaison Center for Families, Children and the Courts, at 410-837-5792 or ldalton@ubalt.edu