Read Across America Day at Barclay Elementary/Middle

Submitted by Vanessa Schaefer

The unheard-of amount of snow that had paralyzed the city for weeks had thrown us off of our carefully plotted timeline. Now members of the staff of Barclay Elementary/Middle School and GHCC had only one week to finish putting together a day-long event and press conference. Read Across America Day is a celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and of reading in general, every year on March 2. Barclay celebrates this with zeal, but this year had an additional benefit and stressor added: Dr. Alonso, CEO of Baltimore City Schools and Dr. Ron Daniels, President of Johns Hopkins University, were having a press conference at the school the same day to announce a new volunteering partnership between JHU and City Schools.

Obviously, we saw how great this could be for Barclay.  In addition to having guest readers councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, Rabbi Panitz of Bolton St. Synagogue, Sanford Ungar, President of Goucher College, and other admirable public figures in Baltimore, we would have Dr. Alonso and the press there, too.  This fact soon became a “for better or worse” statement. Everyone was working hard, but it seemed that as soon as plans were solidified, they needed to be changed. Time was a factor, as was location, length of time spent, and classes considered and mapped for the day.

Everything was a flurry of activity, but just when it seemed like there was too much to do and too little time to do it, volunteers showed up in spades. The Johns Hopkins Women’s Club has always volunteered in the library, their work being the basis of what keeps it alive. This time, they showed up bearing enough food and drinks to provide snacks for Read Across America for the entire population of the school—and then some! Other volunteers that work with Barclay’s Story Pals program showed up to do any work necessary, including moving boxes of books all over the school, and to read to classes during empty time slots, exciting the students with their expert, engaging public reading skills.

Left to right: City Schools' Michael Sarbanes, City Schools CEO Dr. Andres Alonso, and Principal Jenny Heinbaugh

So the day came and went with all of us on our feet and the last strands of our sanity. It was exhausting, but it went off without incident. In fact, it was amazing. I went home that day pleased, but wanting to go to bed and stay there for a week. Fortunately, I dragged myself to the gym, and while running stoically and watching the news, I saw the event covered on the 5 o’clock Channel 11 News! Students that I knew, that I had worked with all day, were being interviewed! I couldn’t stop smiling and I started to laugh while still running on the treadmill, unaware of what kind of scene this might be for my fellow gym patrons. The way it made me feel to know that the event went well, and that the students would see themselves on TV and be proud to have been a part of it, all of this is what drives me every day to keep working behind the scenes. If my face is never on that screen, I won’t worry about it; but if I can keep helping facilitate positive events that enrich people’s lives, well that’s a reason to keep moving.

Barclay Principal Jenny Heinbaugh and President Sanford Ungar of Goucher College.  President Ungar read to children as part of Read Across America Day

Village Parents to Present Series of Five Discussions on Urban Education

Charles Village’s new parents’ organization, The Village Parents, is proud to present School Daze: Five Conversations on Urban Education in the Nation, in the City, and in the Neighborhood. The panel discussion series, co-sponsored by Greater Homewood Community Corporation, Loyola University’s School of Education, and Barclay and Margaret Brent Elementary Schools, will feature local education experts discussing the academic and social issues facing today's urban schools.

Please join us for the first event of the series, The State of Urban Education in America, on February 22, 7:00 p.m., at Barclay Elementary School.    Peter C. Murrell, Jr., Dean of Loyola University Maryland’s School of Education, together with professors Robert Simmons and Stephanie Flores-Koulish, will address the challenges and opportunities facing students and teachers in today’s city schools. They’ll discuss the implications of federal academic policies for both urban students and their suburban counterparts, and why city schools often suffer more from a perception problem than an actual content deficiency.  Refreshments will be served.

The series will continue with a second panel discussion on March 22 at Margaret Brent Elementary School. Former elementary school principals Gertrude Williams (Barclay Elementary School) and Mariale Hardiman (Roland Park Elementary School), along with Charles Village community leaders Jo Ann Robinson, Karen Cook and Dorris McElroy, will share how they worked to reverse the middle-class trend of rejecting neighborhood public schools in favor of private or charter schools. For details on these and the rest of the panel discussions, please visit the Village Parents website.

About the Village Parents

The Village Parents is a group of families working to enhance Charles Village’s family-friendly offerings. They're devoted to building a strong community among families by creating more children’s activities, investing in the local parks and playgrounds, and advocating for competitive, high-quality public schools. Please find them online atwww.charlesvillageparents.org and join their mailing list.

VISTA Spotlight: Tara McKenzie

Meet Tara McKenzie.  Tara is an AmeriCorps*VISTA member completing a year of service at Success Academy, an middle/high school for Baltimore City students on long-term suspension or expulsion.  After completing her undergraduate degree in at Pikeville College in Pikeville, Kentucky, Tara completed graduate studies at University of Bristol in England and University of Sydney in Australia.  Following her return from Australia, she decided to come to Baltimore and serve with GHCC!  Greater Homewood Voices caught up with her recently to ask her about her experience.

1. Where do you come from?  (educational background, home state/town, etc.)

I grew up in Webbville, Kentucky -- a very small, very poor rural farming community in the mountains of northeastern Kentucky.  Following my graduation from high school, I attended Pikeville College.  I started out as an English major with a minor in Anthropology.  Initially, my goal was to become an archaeologist or paleoanthropologist.  At the end of my sophomore year I received a scholarship to attend the Arizona State University/University of the Witwatersrand Paleoanthropology Field School in the Makapansgat Valley of South Africa. During our trip from our bushveldt field camp back to the city of Johannesburg, we passed sprawling shanty towns.  I was astounded!  We certainly know poverty in Eastern Kentucky, but this was different.  That was a turning point in my life.  I couldn't imagine being so disconnected from the social troubles of the world in my excavation unit.  I wanted to be on the ground doing something!  I returned the following semester to Pikeville College and changed my major to Sociology. 

I was awarded a Berger Scholarship for a place in the London Semester Program facilitated through the Imperial College of London my senior year of college.  I spent my last semester as an undergraduate studying courses on British life and culture, living in the Royal Borough of Kensington.  I hadn't had enough of London my the end of my semester abroad, so I applied to graduate school there before returning home.  I was ultimately accepted into the Master of Science program in Social & Cultural Theory at the University of Bristol, England.

While I was finishing my Master's thesis in Bristol, I was asked to serve as the sponsored applicant for the Kentucky Rotary District 6740 Ambassadorial Scholarship. I was granted admission to my first choice of foreign institution: The University of Sydney, Australia, where I was a Master of Arts candidate in Social Policy (with emphasis on education policy).  I was active in Rotary community service projects, and I worked in collaboration with my best Aussie "mate" to design our own arts-based program for inner city youth. 

2.  What made you decide to be a VISTA?

My family was, in many ways, a very typical blue-collar Appalachian family.  While we were family of limited means, the generosity my mom and stepfather demonstrated to others was always a shining example of doing "the right thing."  My mother was a construction laborer and union member.  She used to always tell my sister and me that "you do what you have to do" and that "any job worth doing is worth doing well."  I merged these mottoes in the development of my own personal philosophy: "If you have the means, and you see the need, do it!  Do whatever needs to be done."  While I may not have the ability to bring about change through financial contributions, I do have my education and I have the desire to make a difference.  Those are the means I use in fulfilling my VISTA position.

3. Why did you choose Baltimore/GHCC?

I have always loved the idea of leaving behind the familiar, pushing my comfort zone, and developing a new social network in an otherwise "foreign" place.  That is what drove me to look outside of the tri-state Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia area. While searching through the position descriptions, I hit upon my current position.  I was ecstatic!  It was exactly what I wanted to do with my life! 

4.  What do you generally do every day?

I am a School-Community Partnership Coordinator, so I do a lot of emailing and meeting with companies/associations/agencies to pitch the idea of engaging in a partnership with the Success Academy.  When I'm not meeting with potential partners, I am generally researching resources available within the neighborhoods our students come from.  I maintain a newly developed "resource center" and lead student workshops on career development.  My day can vary from focusing upon one particular project, to being a day of meetings, to being very student interaction focused.  I love that variety, and I am so appreciative of the flexibility and ability to be creative in my approach to the workday and the workload.

5.  How did it feel to actually get here and start working at the beginning of your service year?

I will admit that I did have a number of preconceptions prior to arriving in Baltimore and to my placement site.  A lot of it dealt with the behaviors I thought I would be confronted with at the school where I work.  It was nothing like that!  The kids were, and continue to be, very respectful, keen to learn, and excited to explore the work and study opportunities that lie before them.  When working with the Success Academy students, I think back to my own experience as  high school student.  I was from the poor, country elementary school, and many of my high school teachers allowed that stigma to affect our interactions.  In a lot of ways, I wasn't expected to succeed, and I certainly wasn't  expected to go on to college!  It took the encouragement of three particular teachers for me to realize that I did, in fact, have the potential to succeed.  I encourage the students of the Success Academy.  Each of those students have such potential, and I wouldn't be able to face each day knowing I had not attempted in some way to empower or encourage them in their aspirations. 

6.  What is your favorite thing about your VISTA work?

My favorite thing about my VISTA work is definitely feeling like I have a positive impact on the lives of our students.

7.  What is your least favorite?

My least favorite thing about my VISTA work is that it will only last a year, and I won't be able to ultimately see any potential impacts my work has had.

8. What's one thing you really hope to accomplish before the year is over?

Ideally, I would love to see all of our students participating in an internship or mentorship program.  As cliche as it sounds, I would be happy just knowing that one student benefited from one of the internships/mentorships or resources I provided access to.

9.  Anything else?

It really has been wonderful working with such a dynamic association of caring, enthusiastic community developers/organizers/visionaries!  While I appreciate the work that all of GHCC's branches contribute to the organization's overall function, I am biased toward the Neighborhood Programs branch.  I am honored to work with such a dynamic group of people!

American Education Week at Guilford Elementary/Middle

Submitted by Shana McIver

Happy American Education Week! Yes, starting yesterday, Guilford is celebrating American Education: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility. All week long, it's open house and parents are welcomed to visit classrooms. On Thursday at 5:30 PM, the PTO will host a Thanksgiving Feast for Guilford families. We welcome support and merely your attendance as we engage new and existing parents through meaningful involvement, fellowship and fun!

On Friday, we'll honor our community partners by inviting them to sign up to read in a classroom. Several classes still need readers, so if your schedule allows and you want to spend some time with Guilford's awesome students, contact Shana McIver at 443-277-8273 for more details.

Check out some of the other activities which will be taking place:

• Monday- Guilford Grandparent's Day
• Tuesday- Achievement Awards Assemblies / middle school College Chat with Loyola students
• Wednesday- Parent Workshop: Making The Home School Connection, 10:00 a.m.
• Thursday- PTO Thanksgiving Feast (Board Election and food drive), 5:30 p.m.
• Friday- Community Partner Day

Want to see what great things are happening at Guilford? Drop in and visit us during American Education Week!

Heroes in Our Midst: Ted Smith

Submitted by Shana McIver

If you missed the event at the Walters Art Museum on October 25th, Sunday afternoon, then you missed a great time! Ted Smith, teacher and National Academic League leader, was of 12 Baltimore City Schools heroes receiving special recognition for their commitment to uplifting the lives of children.

A display of artwork created by Guilford students and a brief bio of Mr. Smith are on display at the Walters on the fourth floor. Everyone was very proud of the spectacular dramatic performance by Guilford’s own student performers, who were instructed for only a few weeks prior to the big event by theater teachers from Run of the Mill Theater.

Many of Mr. Smith's current and former students -- totaling about 50 supporters -- spent the afternoon at the Walters in a show of support for their teacher and mentor. Those who came out to share in this recognition event included students, alumni, colleagues, volunteers, parents, and community partners. City Schools CEO Dr. Andres Alonso addressed the audience and with much energy and excitement, describing event as "BIG fun."

This project was coordinated at Guilford by GHCC's Community School Site Coordinator, Shana McIver. She began the coordination of this event last spring and has brokered the relationship between the partners, families, and the school to add to the huge success of this event.

Everyone present enjoyed the ceremony and the gallery's art as well. Do yourself a favor and check out the City School students' artwork on the fourth floor in addition to the international exhibition, Heroes: Mortals and Myths in Ancient Greece, on the first floor. Please spread the word about the FREE opportunity for families to explore, learn, and have fun at the Walters Art Museum!

Also, click here for a video biography of Ted Smith.

Margaret Brent to Open Ben Carson Reading Room

Submitted by Rachel Prince

As the Lead Art Teacher at Margaret Brent, I collaborated with teachers and students to design and paint the Ben Carson Reading Room at Margaret Brent Elementary Middle School. The theme of the room, " Branching Out with Books," depicts a natural landscape for students and teachers to relax with a good book. Ten talented Middle School students spent several afternoon sessions painting the surrounding walls. They were eager to use bright colors and bring the room to life. Everyone worked well together and we are looking forward to the formal opening on November 4!

On November 4 at 1:30 p.m., Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School in Charles Village will open its brand-new Ben Carson Reading Room. Funded by a $10,000 grant from the Carson Scholars Fund, the room will create a nurturing atmosphere for students to expand their horizons and develop reading skills. The students and their art teacher have filled it with bright and colorful artwork and hundreds of books of all genres, topics, and authors. Click here to learn more about the Ben Carson Reading Project.

Competing for a Good Cause: More Trees!

Submitted by Olga Maltseva

A little competition can do a lot of good when Baltimore City College High School and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute get involved!

On October 24, 2009, Poly and City will compete in a tree plant-off organized by GHCC’s 40 Trees in 40 Neighborhoods Initiative. Each school will vie to outdo the other and plant the most trees on their campus. Joined by volunteers from the surrounding community, students from each school will spend the morning digging holes, planting trees, watering, mulching, and removing invasive plants.

The students know how much good they’re doing – more trees in the ground means less contaminated run-off, better air and water quality, and an overall better quality of life for everyone on the campus. Of course there can only be one “winner,” but no matter who puts the most trees in the ground, the real winners on October 24 will be the Jones Falls, the Herring Run, the Chesapeake Bay, and the citizens of Baltimore.

Want to join us on the 24th and be a part of this historic event? Email Audrey Stevens at astevens@greaterhomewood.org and stay in the loop by joining the event on Facebook.

Part of GHCC's 40th anniversary celebrations, this plant-off is made possible by TreeBaltimore, the Jones Falls Watershed Association, the Herring Run Watershed Association, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and the students, parents, alumni, and administrations at both schools.

Supplies for Schools and Families

Written by K. Breathett.

Every year, GHCC receives a large donation from a benefactor in Pasadena, Maryland. Throughout the year she collects items for us to give to our schools and community partners, and this time we received many books and office supplies. Last Thursday, several VISTAs gathered at 7:30 in the morning and set off for the her house. When we got to the house we saw on her front porch with boxes full of books. We then loaded the boxes into our U-Haul and took the supplies back to GHCC. The books are a generous thought for the schools because the principals are very excited to receive books to help stock their libraries. We greatly appreciate all the work that this donor does to help our community!

Note: this donor wishes to remain anonymous.

GHCC's VISTAs arrived early in the morning last Thursday to haul away boxes of donated books and school supplies to be used in Greater Homewood schools and communities.

Waverly's New Principal Gets a Warm Welcome from the Community

Baltimore City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke speaks to a room of supporters gathered to welcome Michelle Ferris as Waverly Elementary/Middle School's new principal.

On Thursday, July 23, partners and friends of Waverly Elementary/Middle School gathered at the Cathedral of the Incarnation to put on a welcome reception for newly appointed principal Michelle Ferris. Ferris began near the end of the 2008-2009 school year, and though she has a difficult job she clearly has an abundance of support from partners like City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, Delegate Maggie McIntosh, Franciscan Youth Center, Greater Homewood Community Corporation, Ednor Gardens-Lakeside, Waverly, and the Cathedral's leadership.

Representatives from these organizations, as well as City Schools CEO Dr. Andrés Alonso and several parents from the Waverly PTO, gave Ferris a warm welcome over light fare. Mary Pat Clarke and Maggie McIntosh spoke at the event, along with Karen Stokes and Karen DeCamp of GHCC, Rev. Jan Hamill of the Cathedral, and Antwaine Smith of Franciscan Youth Center. The reception provided time for speakers to thank the Waverly's strongest supports for their unfailing support of the school, especially their successful advocacy campaign to secure funding for a badly needed new middle school facility.

Overall, organizers hailed the event as a great success. DeCamp highlighted the potential for Waverly Elementary/Middle to become a flagship school for Baltimore City, given the forthcoming new facility and the wide network of support for the school. If Michelle Ferris' welcome reception is any indication, Waverly is well on its way to becoming a model for schools across the city.

Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Dr. Andrés Alonso at Waverly Principal Michelle Ferris' welcome reception.

Join the Early Literacy Team at Barclay Elementary/Middle School for a Year of Service!

The early literacy team at Barclay Elementary/Middle School in Charles Village recently launched a program to provide students and their families with more resources for improving literacy in the early grades. A part of Project Early ID, an early literacy project piloted at Barclay, the program includes one-on-one tutoring, free books, and literacy trainings. Community volunteers directly engage with students by serving as “Story Pals” for children in grades Pre-K through 3. The program, which has engaged community volunteers as well as Experience Corps members, teachers, parents, and staff, has been highly successful in its first year. Since January 2009, Barclay School has recruited over 10 volunteers to read one-on-one with approximately 20 students. Through free book shelves around the school and scheduled give-aways at trainings and parent nights, the school has given away over 4,000 books to students and their families.

Even with this success, it is evident that the program still has room to grow. Other schools in the Greater Homewood network have expressed interest in implementing a similar model of volunteer engagement targeting early literacy. With the help of a Volunteer Maryland Early Literacy Coordinator, the Barclay School Early Literacy team hopes to expand its program threefold in the coming year to engage over 200 students in early childhood and primary grades at Barclay. Additionally, the Volunteer Maryland Coordinator will develop a model for the program that can easily be applied to other schools.

Please help us spread the word about this exciting opportunity to work as a Volunteer Maryland Coordinator in one of Baltimore’s great City Schools!

Recruitment Announcement
Early Literacy Volunteer Coordinator at the Barclay School

Make a Difference for Baltimore’s Youngest Students!

Join The Barclay School #54’s dynamic early literacy team in providing our youngest readers and their families with more resources for improving literacy in the early grades, including one-on-one tutoring, free books, and literacy trainings. While establishing a model of volunteer development, the Coordinator will help to lay the foundation for a greater early literacy network in Baltimore City Schools.

The Early Literacy Volunteer Coordinator at Barclay will recruit volunteers to serve as read-aloud tutors, collect and distribute free books to students and parents, assist with trainings and professional development for school staff and volunteers, and organize celebrations of students’ reading successes. This is a part-time, one-year commitment as a member of AmeriCorps (sometimes referred to as a "domestic Peace Corps"). The service year begins September 16 and includes extensive training, a modest living allowance, and a post-service education award.

If interested, please send a cover letter and resume to

Katie Horn at khorn@greaterhomewood.org.

Gilman, Bryn Mawr, and Guilford Schools Partner up for the National Academic League

Written by Karen DeCamp, GHCC Public Education Programs

Guilford Elementary/Middle School teacher Ted Smith and Guilford neighbor Grace Pollack teamed up to form a unique partnership of Guilford students and students from Gilman and Bryn Mawr Schools. The private school students helped Guilford Middle School students study for National Academic League (NAL) games. On Sunday evenings this year, you could find private and public school students together eating dinner and brushing up on study questions.

The results? The Guilford team went undefeated for the season, proving that hard work pays off. And the bigger news? All ten Guilford NAL eighth graders were successful in their applications to competitive citywide high schools. Next year they will be attending Baltimore City College, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Western High School and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Way to go!

Below is a note from one of Guilford's eighth grade students:

To whom it may concern,

I just wanted to let all of the Gilman and Bryn Mawr students know that I really appreciated your time and patience. To know that you have a heart for the community puts a smile on my face. We may not have always behaved the best but you still helped us to learn so much. We made it to nationals and we were able to get into very good high schools. You helped me to learn enough to get into Poly, [one of the best public high schools in the state]. Again, I want to say thank you for your tender, loving care.
- Malik Kelly

Sports Day Festivals

Written by John Bernet, Community Connections Coordinator/AmeriCorps VISTA

Dallas F. Nicholas, Sr. Elementary School held its Annual Sports Day Festival on Friday, May 22nd. There was a terrific parent turnout starting right at 7:30 AM to help set up and it continued straight through the end of the afternoon until everything was cleaned up. Beyond that we had great staff support and were visited by some current and former Goucher College students. During the day we were also assisted by two groups of students from the Success Academy who helped us marshal students to and from their races.

Two local community organizations, Greater Greenmount Community Organization (a local neighborhood group) and Greater Homewood Community Corporation, hosted tables at the event. In addition to the traditional athletic events, this year's Sports Day grew a little bit with the addition of an academic component: a Math and Language Arts competition held in February at Goucher College. The event and months leading up to it now encompass not only athletics, but encourage students to prepare for their MSA Tests and study every night, as well as act appropriately during the school day. All points accrued at the Academic Competition and awarded for good behavior are then added to the totals from the Sports Day Festival, where the winning house is decided.


Written by Catherine Bates, Community Connections Coordinator/AmeriCorps VISTA

Medfield Heights Elementary School held their first Sports Day Festival on Thursday, May 21st! Medfield picked up on the tradition of Sports Day from a fellow GHCC partnership school, Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary School, and we plan on making it an annual tradition.

Sports Day was a great event that was only made possible by support from a team of people at Medfield Heights, including the principal and leadership team, who coordinated the event planning; the house captains, who each stepped up to lead 70 students to form a house team; the gym teacher, who helped all the students practice for all the events throughout the spring; the PTA for serving lunch; and for all the wonderful parents and community members who were able to come out and cheer for our students!

We were even lucky enough to have City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke make a guest appearance as one of the five Maryland icons honored with a house name. The other houses were the Dr. Alonso House, the Benjamin Banneker House, the Harriet Tubman House, and the Francis Scott Key House. The house names were voted on and chosen by Medfield’s fifth grade class. They did research projects on a number of Maryland’s historic icons as well as icons currently serving our state, and voted on who they wanted to honor on Sports Day with house names. In the end the Dr. Alonso House took first place for the day, but the Francis Scott Key House came in a close second.
Overall, it was a great day, and everyone -- students, parents, faculty, staff, and community members -- were able to come together and celebrate the school year with a great day of competition and fun outdoors!

A Fifth Grader Reacts to Guilford Elementary/Middle School's Tree Planting

Written by Michelle Beverly, 5th Grade Student, Guilford Elementary/Middle School.

On Friday, April 24, all 5th graders enjoyed planting the trees. I have heard from many 5th graders that they loved the activity. This is what we did: first, we saw how big the tree [to be planted] was. Then, we dug a hole big enough to plant the tree. I found over 100 worms, so I put some back to help the tree grow. I also asked [my classmates], was it fun at the time? They said yes. By the time we finished our first tree we moved on. Mr. Sam needed some help with five more trees. Mr. Sam asked if I could round them up and of course I said yes. I got all the 5th graders to come on over and help me finish, but there was one tree we forgot. But bad news, we had to go and we couldn't plant the other tree -- I was a little upset about having to go but really planting the trees was worth it because it made Guilford School a beautiful place, so thank you!

Medfield Heights Elementary Hosts Sixth Annual Green Thumb Day

written by Catherine Bates

Medfield Heights Elementary School held our sixth annual Green Thumb Day on April 23rd. In honor of Earth Day, the school sets aside a day to spend outside in our schoolyard working to get ready for the gardening season. This year, not only did students spend time in our school’s outdoor learning areas to celebrate Earth Day, but fifth graders planned and lead other activities throughout the school as well.

The fifth grade taught the Pre-K classes to make bird feeders out of pine cones, lard, and birdseed; led the kindergartners in painting bird houses, bat boxes, and butterfly boxes to be placed in our gardens; led the third grade in making boxes for bottles and can recycling in the classrooms; and helped the fourth graders write skits about being energy efficient. While all these activities were going on, students were also working in the garden with Rick Hobbs from Irvine Nature Center, one of Medfield’s most active partners.

The day began with Rick Hobbs instructing the Medfield Heights fifth and second graders on the proper way to plant shrubs and flowers and about the basic ideas behind our schoolyard habitat. These students spent the morning working in front of the school in the outdoor classroom, which is made up of a butterfly and bird garden, and spent the afternoon working in the back of the school instructing the other grades on planting and mulching.

Overall the students of Medfield worked beautifully together! I was so impressed with the students’ ability and excitement to work in teams while digging holes, working hard to get shrubs out of their pots and into the ground, and to spread around fresh mulch. There is no doubt Medfield’s awesome fifth graders lead by example! They not only planned activities for the school in teams, but they lead their younger peers with excitement and maturity, and of course Irvine Nature Center could not have been more helpful! Medfield is so lucky to have such a great partner!

Medfield just received their recertifictation as a Maryland Green School last week and continues to work to educate our students on the way their actions affect their school, their community and their planet. Green Thumb Day is just one example of the school’s continued efforts.

Learning in Greater Homewood

Did you know Greater Homewood is home to 17 great public schools? From pre-kindergarten through high school graduation, there is a school close to home waiting to serve you.

Click on the map to view a 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.

Making Connections: Success Academy and Charles Village

By John Bernet, GHCC Community Connections Coordinator/AmeriCorps VISTA

On Saturday, March 22^nd, students from Success Academy in Baltimore City came out for a volunteer clean-up day at St. John’s United Methodist Church on the corner of 26^th and St. Paul Street. Over the course of two very productive hours, they cleaned out the garden and trimmed back the ivy along the front of the building and raked the side yards, making it look beautiful just in time for Spring to begin! They were joined by Pam and Christian Wilson from the Peabody Heights Resident Homeowners Alliance and Mrs. Carol Berman from the St. John’s congregation, all of whom helped to coordinate the effort with Success Academy Principal Kevin Brooks.

Following their time working outside, the students got a tour of the building and a run-down of all the wonderful services and programs the church provides. This was the first day of a two-part project, the second to occur around the week of Earth Day. Thanks to all the great students from Success Academy who participated, and the Wilsons and Mrs. Berman for providing lunch and an opportunity to see and learn about a very active local church!

This volunteer effort also marks the beginning of an active partnership between Success Academy and the surrounding communities that will see lots of volunteer and enrichment opportunities for the students.

Success Academy, an alternative school for city students on long-term suspension and expulsion, is located on the ground floor of Baltimore City Schools headquarters at 200 E. North Avenue.

Medfield Heights Elementary School Hosts First Reunion

Paul Smith graduated from Medfield Heights Elementary School in 1962 and is currently President of the Medfield Community Association.

Recently [Medfield Heights Elementary School] had the first reunion gathering. Approximately 150 graduates returned to share old stories and rekindle old friendships from quite a while ago. Some of the attendees still live in the neighborhood. It was great to see some of the guys and gals that I grew up with in Medfield. The turnout ranged from recent graduates to some not so recent.

The event had music, games, and refreshments provided by the Medfield PTA -- thank you, it was great!

Hopefully it won't be too long before we will have another reunion. We are not getting any younger.

It amazes me that the graduates from Medfield Elementary School would take time from their busy scheudles to return and share old memories. I guess it shows the character of the school and its students.