GHCC Digest March 2010
We are delighted to announce that GHCC, Margaret Brent and Barclay Elementary/Middle Schools are one of five Baltimore partnerships recently awarded funding from the Goldseker Foundation to enhance neighborhood-school partnerships and build strong, marketable communities. GHCC has partnered with these schools to create an initiative called Great Schools in Charles Village. Funding will also allow both schools to implement a thematic, project-based curriculum emphasizing the rich history of, art, architecture, and social activism in the surrounding neighborhoods. So far, this new initiative has been covered in the Daily Record and the Baltimore Sun.
As part of this project, GHCC convened parent focus groups to talk about factors influencing school choice and inspired the formation of a new organization called the Village Parents. The Village Parents will host a series of panel discussions on the state of urban education, the second of which is scheduled for March 22 at Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle (more information below). Neighborhoods zoned for these two schools include Abell, Better Waverly, Harwood, Charles Village, and Remington.
(Photo: Principals Jackie Waters-Scofield and Jenny Heinbaugh with Baltimore City Schools CEO Andrés Alonso at the Goldseker Neighborhood-School Partnerships press conference)
Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy Back for Ninth Year
It's time to register for Scrabble! We're very excited about the upcoming ninth annual Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy and we hope you are, too. Mark your calendar for March 27, 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Calvert School and come on out to face off against your friends and neighbors in competitive and social brackets. $35 ($20 for students with ID and seniors 62 and better) gets you a lite fare buffet, opportunities to win fabulous prizes, and a whole lot of fun. Visit our website for a downloadable registration form and don't forget to RSVP to the Facebook event so you can share with all your friends! All proceeds benefit the Adult Literacy & ESOL Program.
Victory for Waverly School
We're celebrating a major victory for Waverly Elementary/Middle School as plans move forward to construct a state-of-the-art facility built to LEED green building standards. Community members and school stakeholders attended an open discussion with City Schools officials and project architects Grimm & Parker on February 17, and students are expected to be in the new building in 2013. A culmination of years of advocacy and community action, this new building will not only move students out of a sub-standard facility, it will bring competitive academic programs to the school and provide Waverly and Oakenshawe families with a great public school option in their neighborhood.
Celebrating a Legacy of National Service
From April 23-25, 2010, we will bring together 36 years of national service volunteers for a GHCC AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) reunion. If you served as a VISTA member at GHCC, please visit our event page to learn more and let us know if you can join us.
Do you know a current or former VISTA member? Please forward this information to them so they know about the upcoming reunion! Don't know a VISTA? You should meet one! Current VISTA members Tara McKenzie and George Shardlow have recently shared their national service journeys on our Greater Homewood Voices blog.
Experience Corps Baltimore City Gets National Praise
Last week Cindy Padilla, Principal Deputy, Assistant Secretary of Aging from the Adminstration on Aging visited Experience Corps Baltimore City with members of Experience Corps National staff. The Adminstration on Aging is anxious to know more about Experience Corps and how they can work with and support the program to make it part of their national agenda. Ms. Padilla met with around 50 Experience Corps Team Leaders and Advisory Council members from each of our 20 schools to hear about their experiences with the program and the impact participation has had on members. Congratulations to Experience Corps Baltimore City for continuing to be a model for similar programs nationwide!
Volunteer With Us & Change a Life!
The Greater Homewood Adult Literacy & ESOL Program is seeking skilled and energetic volunteers to work one-on-one or in small groups with adult learners. Volunteer Tutors teach basic reading, writing, math, or English language skills for two hours a week, for a minimum of one year. Volunteer Computer Instructors teach basic computer skills to small groups of learners for two hours a week, for six weeks. Our next tutor trainings are scheduled for April 17, so apply now to participate in this rewarding and enjoyable experience! Interested parties should contact Jannette Seman at jseman@greaterhomewood.org or 410-261-0023.
Stay Connected
Did you know you can be our friend on Twitter, Facebook, and our blog? Follow us @greaterhomewood, become a fan at facebook.com/greaterhomewood, and read Greater Homewood Voices at greaterhomewood.blogspot.com.
Coming Up
Urban Education Discussion Series
March 22, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School
100 E. 26th Street, Baltimore, 21218
Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy
March 27, 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Calvert School
4300 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, 21218
ESOL Class Registration
April 5-6, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. both days
3501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, 21218
For Adult Basic Education Registration, call 410-261-3524
For more information about these and other events throughout the month, visit our website at www.greaterhomewood.org.
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Contact us:
3503 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218
www.greaterhomewood.org
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