BCP November 2018 Newsletter
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In this issue:
- City Springs Middle School Students are Outward Bound
- We are FREDERICK: Frederick Elementary One Year Later
- Community Learning Walk at Frederick Elementary
- American Education Week at Govans Elementary
- Record-Breaking Bee Fit Fundraiser at Hampstead Hill Academy
- Ravens Give Away 200 Turkeys to Wolfe Street Academy Families
- Teacher Feature: City Springs Elementary/Middle's Karl Nebbia
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City Springs Middle School Students are Outward Bound
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City Springs teacher Sonya Hughes recently took a group of middle school students on a week-long adventure with Outward Bound, a program that provides individuals with outdoor challenges and leadership development experiences.
The students were given new challenges on a daily basis that tested their outdoor skills and stretched them in ways they never thought possible!
They hiked to a different spot every day and were responsible for their own navigation. Students also learned to purify water from a creek to make it drinkable, cook meals, and make a fire by finding enough wood to sustain it for at least an hour.
Some of the food that the students prepared included jambalaya, stew, hummus, and a Thanksgiving meal consisting of mashed potatoes and stuffing. They also enjoyed lemonade and hot chocolate, which they appreciated on the cold nights. On one of the nights, they even got to roast marshmallows!
The students were responsible for setting up and taking down their own tents every day. Throughout the week, they slept in different locations, including the top of a mountain and by a beautiful lake. The hike to the mountain top proved particularly challenging; they laughed and cried, they fell in holes, but they showed resilience by getting right back up every time.
Some parts of the experience were more challenging than others. For example, the students had to get used to going to the bathroom in the woods and using a shovel to bury waste. One night, they had to endure the fearful sound of coyotes howling in the distance!
Of course, they didn’t overcome all of these obstacles alone. Three Outward Bound instructors, Emily, Shannon, and Coya, provided them with pro-tips, which they increasingly relied on as the week progressed and the challenges got harder.
Overall, the experience taught the students a lot about themselves and served to strengthen their character. Whenever arguments or disagreements emerged, the facilitators encouraged the students to work through them on their own in order to improve their problem-solving skills. In the end, the students learned a lot.
For Aniya Robinson, the experience was challenging but also rewarding. “I made sure I pushed myself and prepped myself for the next morning,” she says. “I’m not as open to people but I learned that I can open up to people that I don’t know.”
Tanasia Tucker says that she would do it again. “It’s a good place to get away from your phone and get your mind off of the little things. You learn how to communicate and do things with each other instead of picking up a phone every five seconds.”
For Naya White, the experience was eye-opening in other ways. “I realized how much I actually missed my mother, even though I complain way too much about being in the house with her.”
Dayanna Brown agreed. “It was a fun experience, but I missed my mom.”
Khayla Thomas learned that she could overcome obstacles if she pushed herself. “Keep going, never give up. Push yourself and you can do it!”
About Outward Bound
Outward Bound is a non-profit educational organization and expedition school that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through active learning expeditions that inspire character development, self-discovery and service both in and out of the classroom. Outward Bound delivers programs using unfamiliar settings as a way for participants across the country to experience adventure and challenge in a way that helps students realize they can do more than they thought possible.
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We are FREDERICK: Frederick Elementary One Year Later
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During the summer of 2017, BCP took on its fifth charter school, Frederick Elementary, and hired Harold S. Henry, Jr. to serve as Principal. The teams at BCP and Frederick could not be happier with the progress the school has made. Principal Henry describes this transformation below:
"BCP has fulfilled every promise it made to Frederick Elementary School two years ago. The BCP education model, which includes effective curriculum and climate tools, teacher training and mentoring, and more, has been invaluable in the effort to provide effective educational experiences to the students in Southwest Baltimore.
Progress toward the transformation of Frederick Elementary School in such a short time has been extraordinary. Two years ago, Frederick was the lowest performing school in the State. Today, we have students moving closer to reading proficiency, and a learning community that is supportive of all stakeholders.
Parents praise the school and say how happy they are that their children attend this outstanding neighborhood charter school. BCP has been integral in the work of developing wise leaders who are supportive of themselves and their community.”
BCP would like to thank Principal Henry and all of the administrators, teachers and staff members at Frederick Elementary for their hard work and dedication. BCP would also like to thank Bon Secours Community Works for serving as the Lead Community School Agency for Frederick Elementary. Special thanks to all of the individuals and organizations that help BCP provide teacher training, principal mentoring, effective educational strategies and other supports to transform struggling schools into beacons of learning.
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Community Learning Walk at Frederick Elementary
By Jon McGill, Director of Academic Affairs, Baltimore Curriculum Project
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BCP holds “learning walks” at all five BCP schools to assess the quality of instruction taking place in the classroom.
During the walks, academic coaches, principals, and BCP staff members visit a variety of classrooms and take notes on what they observe.
BCP added a new element to the learning walk at Frederick Elementary on November 12th. This walk included Principal Harold Henry and Assistant Principal Tetra Jackson, along with ten parents whose children are in grades 1-5.
The parents wrote the following on their observation forms:
- “I observed the community engaged in conversations that allowed the students to discuss things that they find interesting. Overall, I feel that the community circle {part of Restorative Practices at FES} is an awesome idea and please keep up the good work.”
- “The students were all on task, focusing on the teacher. The students looked like they really wanted to learn because no one was up out of their seat, running around the class or talking out of turn.”
- “I observed the kids and teacher actively talking and the teacher was engaging them in the learning experience. I observed the kids learning and eager. I saw them breaking into smaller groups which I think is better for learning.”
- “This class is an exciting place to me. I find myself looking around and learning new things also!”
- “My son’s teacher is a very awesome teacher. Her educational learning is outstanding and so is her assistant’s. She has been doing an awesome job with my son. He has a problem with learning and is slower on tasks than others. What she has done has helped him “
- “I feel like FES is a good wholesome environment and provides an A1 educational program. I notice so much improvement in my son, and his eagerness to learn. I would like to become more active in his learning and be part of the school activities.”
- “The teacher speaks clearly, so the students can understand her instructions. The students can ask questions if they are confused. I see a lot of helpful material posted and that helps the kids also.”
- “I would love to see the teachers doing more out of the textbook. I know the teachers are hands on with the kids ... it’s more leadership this year!”
- “I am sending my son to school ready to learn and support his community…I liked seeing the learning taking place for myself.”
- “I am going to participate in school activities more, continue to work on his reading and math: what did I like? Everything!”
- “I am going to come in and help more. We have the same goal for all our kids!”
The next learning walk will take place in December and will include another group of parents. Parent input is an important part of providing an outstanding education for BCP students.
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American Education Week at Govans Elementary
By Bernarda Kwaw, Principal, Govans Elementary
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American Education Week was a tremendous success! The week kicked off with students enjoying a Zumba workout with their moms lead by Ms. Fleming.
On Tuesday, Govans Elementary School invited parents and friends to join their children for "eat with your child day" and enjoy lunch at Govans.
On Wednesday, visitors from a variety of professions shared information about their careers with our students. Guests included:
- Kire Brown (Govans Alumnus), Recreation Leader, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks
- Dr. Lawrence Brown, Associate Professor, School of Community Health and Policy, Morgan State University
- Latoya Francis-Williams, Esq., Lawyer
- Robert Kelly, CEO, RK34U Marketing and Promotions
- David Lloyd Marcus, Writer/Producer
- Jared Pearman, Photojournalist, WBAL-TV 11
- Shannel Pearman, Reporter, WMAR-2 News
- Nicholas Powell (Second grade parent), Arborist
- Lisa Stancil (PreK parent), Lawyer
- Dr. Lamonte Tyler, Director of IT, Mahan Rykiel Associates, Inc.
On Thursday, Govans staff came dressed representing their alma maters.
On Friday, students had "Donuts with Dad" and watched a video created by Shaquille Barrett, NFL football player for the Denver Broncos, thanking the dads for joining their children at the event and supporting their education.
Govans Elementary would like to thank everyone who helped make American Education Week truly awesome!
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Record-Breaking Bee Fit Fundraiser at Hampstead Hill Academy
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The Hampstead Hill Academy Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) held their annual Bee Fit Fundraiser and Field Day on October 17, 2018.
Bee Fit is a field day filled with engaging games and friendly competition. Students in all grades enjoyed tug of war, relay races, different versions of dodgeball, stretching, moving, and just being outside on a gorgeous, sunny
day!
All money raised from Bee Fit is used to help the PTO subsidize educational programs, after school clubs, sports and activities, field trips, classroom supplies and other equipment the teachers need to provide a superior education for our students.
Thank you to PTO Officer Shelbi Brookshire for tirelessly organizing and promoting Bee Fit. Shelbi and her team shattered last year’s total by raising more than $23,600 for HHA students and teachers. Thank you to everyone who made Bee Fit 2018 possible.
HHA would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting Bee Fit:
MCM Cleaning
Ceremony Coffee Roasters
Coppermine Fieldhouse
National Aquarium
Push511
Creative Alliance
BMORE LICKS
Port Discovery
Urban Pirates
Living Classrooms
Special thanks to the team of Exelon volunteers who helped with Bee Fit:
Aminat Asekun
Oluwaseun Balogun
Bappaditya Banerjee
Shaila Barve
Jonathan Batista
Duangchanoke Chana
Kathryn Corey
Juan Evans
William Gatgens
Darlene Holland
Armon Jackson
Monique Jeffrey
Carrie Jubane
Matthew Lipshultz
Erica Massenburg
William Mcalister
Jack Miglioretti II
Sa'ad Raouf
Chitra Reddy
John Regan Jr.
Sophia Rodriguez
Sharon Samuel
Saleh Satti
Lori Simpson
Doney Wortham
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Ravens Give Away 200 Turkeys to Wolfe Street Academy Families
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Baltimore Ravens Players Matthew Judon and Patrick Onwuasor handed out 200 turkeys with all the trimmings to Wolfe Street Academy families on November 16, 2018.
The Baltimore Ravens have been Baltimore Curriculum Project partners since 2007, when they built a KaBOOM! playground for Collington Square School. Since then, they have supported the BCP Schools in numerous ways including: a $200,000 NFL Grassroots Program grant to support the construction of the City Springs Athletic Field; grant funding for athletic programming; Purple Friday pep rallies; free tickets through their Honor Rows Program; and a Baltimore Ravens Gatorade Junior Training Camp at City Springs Elementary/Middle School in July 2018.
In addition to the turkey giveaway at Wolfe Street Academy, Ravens Wide Receivers John Brown and Willie Snead IV gave away 200 turkeys at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Family Center YMCA at Stadium Place and former Raven Ed Reed, alongside his foundation, gave away 400 Thanksgiving meals to every student at the SEED School of Maryland.
Other players supporting the Baltimore community this month include Michael Crabtree, Cyrus Jones, C.J. Mosley, Za’Darius Smith, Marshal Yanda, Willie Henry, Michael Pierce, Tony Jefferson, Bart Scott, Anthony Averett, Morgan Cox, Anthony Levine Sr., Kenny Young, and former Ravens Jameel McClain and O.J. Brigance.
BCP would like to thank The Ravens for supporting our schools.
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Teacher Feature: City Springs Elementary/Middle's Karl Nebbia
By Jon McGill, Director of Academic Affairs, Baltimore Curriculum Project
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Karl Nebbia is in his third year of teaching at City Springs Elementary/Middle School and he currently teaches fifth grade.
He came to City Springs and BCP from Anne Arundel County where he taught fourth, second and third grades at various times.
Mr. Nebbia ‘s first foray into education and work with young people came when he worked for two years at a therapeutic center, which is where he learned Restorative Practices and its value for working through difficult issues.
He is a graduate of Moody Bible College in Chicago and holds a Master’s Degree from Notre Dame here in Baltimore. Mr. Nebbia is married to wife Rosa and has a daughter named Genevieve.
Jon McGill: Mr. Nebbia, why did you decide to become a teacher?
Karl Nebbia: I liked the idea of working with kids. I saw a great deal of need; children to be served and supported. I worked at a therapeutic camp in North Carolina for students with high needs and that pushed me towards teaching. I came back to this area and got a job with Anne Arundel County.
JM: What are the rewards and challenges of teaching?
KN: The rewarding part is seeing and helping kids to grow academically and emotionally. Now that I have been at City Springs for two and a half years, I have good relationships with the students and they know I am not going anywhere. I just like being part of a school community and addressing the needs I see all around us. The challenging part? Every student provides their own kind of challenge, but overall I would say finding enough time to do everything is always a challenge.
JM: How do you find some balance in life; balance between the work and a personal life?
KN: I am in school at around 6:30 a.m., which gives me added time to prepare. I try to avoid stress, so I plan, and I do a fair amount of work on weekends and evenings. I have family time; work around the house or the yard; and I would love to join a men’s ice hockey league, but right now I don’t have time for that.
JM: Five to ten years from now, what do you see yourself doing in education?”
KN: “I will be a classroom teacher. That’s what I like doing; that’s where the need is.
JM: How has life at City Springs been for you?
KN: My first year was tough, but I got through it well. Consistency was a key for me and I also saw the opportunity to be of value to this community. Year two was different; better. Kids saw me as a part of the school and responded accordingly. I know that our students need high quality teachers and I think I can provide that. Restorative Practices was not new for me and I used that a lot in my classroom.
This is different form Anne Arundel County. I have had a lot of support here, I feel that my voice is heard. There are coaches, support staff, lots of people to help. I like to keep kids moving, in every way. They know now what I want from them and the right kind of behavior and attitude is now a habit for them.
JM: Thanks for your time, Mr. Nebbia.
We are delighted that Mr. Nebbia came to City Springs; that he wants to continue to be a classroom teacher (at CS, we hope); and that he continues to address the community and student needs for all our children. We ended our conversation sharing his delight as a Washington Capitals hockey fan that his team won the Stanley Cup
. He did not seem particularly sympathetic that my team has not won for 51 years! He saves his sympathy and empathy for his students.
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Baltimore Curriculum Project | 410.675.7000 | [email protected] | www.baltimorecp.org
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