Calvert Community Outreach

International Week T-Shirts Help Support our International Outreach Partners

2012-02-01T15:36:00.001-05:00

To go along with the week's International theme, students learned more about our international outreach partners today, from three of our teachers who have close relationships with schools in other countries. The proceeds of the sale of International Week T-shirts will be donated to the three schools.

Sixth Age teacher, Kim Miles, has been working closely with the Sarah Junior School in Nairobi, Kenya. Sarah Jr. is a one room school in the center of the Kibera slums, housing as many as 60 preschool children ranging in ages from 3-5 years old. The daily lunch that the school provides is oftentimes the only meal the children will eat that day. There are very few supplies, and many times too few teachers due to the lack of funds. Despite these hardships, the teachers and children are happy and cheerful. If you are interested in learning more about this school, or helping to support the Sarah Junior School, please contact Kim Miles at kmiles@calvertschoolmd.org .

The Holy Cross School is a primary school located in San Pedro, Belize. It was opened in 2006 by volunteers from the Anglican Church to educate the island’s poorest children. Many immigrants move to Belize for hope of work, but the economy is weak. So many children there roam the streets and have nowhere to go, and their families do not have the means to feed, clothe or educate them. Volunteers from all over the world have pitched in to help build this school, and it is now home to 426 students. The students and teachers there are so grateful for visitors’ time, help and donations. Fifth Grade teacher, Kathy Liotta, recently went with a team of five to run a physical education program for the week. They brought many duffel bags of sports’ clothing and supplies as well. They also worked in the classrooms tutoring small groups and getting to know the fifth grade students there (who are currently pen pals to the Calvert fifth graders).

Last summer Skip Howe spent two weeks in Liberia doing teacher training and traveling around to different areas and meeting people who are agents of change. Mr. Howe has been working hard to support a school and orphanage there to help underprivileged children who have been affected by civil war and poverty. To learn more about his experience and Mr. Howe’s powerful connection to the people there, please visit http://www.skiphowe.com/2011/10/amazing-woman.html or email Mr. Howe directly at showe@calvertschoolmd.org

Fifth Grade/6th Age Buddies

2012-01-27T10:39:00.002-05:00

Mrs. Ossmus’ Fifth Grade boys excitedly joined their 6th Age buddies for a Community Outreach project. The students created picture frames for Paul’s Place. Everyone enjoyed spending time together and making something to help those at Paul’s Place

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

2012-01-18T10:47:00.000-05:00

On Monday, January 16th, we held our third annual Martin Luther King Day of Service. Over 280 community members joined together to participate in a variety of service activities in honor of Dr. King's vision and legacy. Some of the highlights included, but are not limited to:

Ø Karen Burdnell’s interactive storiesfocused on the importance of making good choices not just for the individualbut for the greater community.

Ø Terri Merwin and Henry McClain-Bey singing together.

Ø Parents, friends, relatives, older andyounger children engaged in helping each other make a difference.

Parentsand teachers who volunteered to lead activities

Cards for the Troops (CricketWoloson)
SPCA (Elizabeth Martin)
Gallagher Services BINGO (Angie Rubin)
JudyCenter making scarves for children (Monica Stewart)
Sarah’s Hope (PeggySzcerbicki)
Keswick/RPP decorating flower pots (Danielle Donner)
Decorationsfor Mt. Washington Pediatrics Hospital (Zelda Gillian, Debbie Fox, MollyShattuck)
The Door (Ronae Brock)
Healthy Teeth making tooth fairy pillows(Helen Anderson)
Paul’s Place (Wesley Finnerty)
Hampden Family Center (LynnHeller)

Thanks to all participants and leaders for making this such a special day.

MLK Day of Service Jan. 16 th

2012-01-04T14:04:00.000-05:00

Join us for

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service

Monday, January 16, 2012

Calvert Service OpportunityAll are welcome!

Register here: https://www.netdirectories.com/~calvert/oler2.cgi?1077

Successful Toy Drive

2011-12-10T15:57:00.001-05:00

Calvert School participated in a Community Outreach Toy Drive November 28th through December 2nd. Thanks to all of our generous and caring families, we collected 404 new toys and 200 gently used toys to donate to our outreach partners, The Hampden Family Center, Paul’s Place, as well as some other local organizations that serve the less fortunate.A heartfelt thanks goes out to this wonderful Calvert community!

8th Graders to Paul's Place

2011-12-07T11:12:00.001-05:00

Two eighth grade advisories ventured down to Paul’s Place in Washington Village on Tuesday, December 6. In preparation for their time, the students and their advisors purchased and cut fringes on 64 sections of fleece to be used to make blankets. When the group arrived at 3:15, the Paul’s Place students were having a healthy, hot meal and the Calvert girls received a brief orientation to the mission of the after school program from Ms. Shirley. Then the Calvert girls introduced themselves one by one to the elementary school children who, in turn, stood up one by one and introduced themselves to the girls from Calvert. At four o’clock, homework help began and Calvert students attached themselves to one or two children as academic helpers. Several students baked sweets and these were served to everyone after homework was complete and backpacks were put away. At about five o’clock, two students introduced the craft and explained how to tie the fleece together to make blankets. The girls distributed the fabric and sat with the children, instructing, tying knots, asking questions, and laughing. The blankets will go home with the children before their winter break and become Christmas gifts for their parents. The last twenty minutes were filled with free time activities which included checkers, legos, memory games, and reading aloud. The atmosphere was lively and hopeful and the Calvert girls are already planning their next trip to Paul’s Place. They represented the Calvert Community with kindness and fun!

Toy Drive this Week!!!

2011-11-28T14:54:00.001-05:00

Calvert School will be participating in a Community Outreach Toy Drive November 28th through December 2nd. We will be collecting new and gently used toys to donate to our outreach partners, The Hampden Family Center, Paul’s Place, as well as some other local organizations that serve the less fortunate. If you would like to participate in this all school drive, please have your son or daughter bring in a donation any day during the week of November 28th. Gifts should be wrapped and marked with a tag denoting the age, gender, and if the gift is new or gently used. We will be providing gift tags for the students, and additional tags will be available in the Lower School Lobby and the Middle School Lobby. Thank you in advance for your support!

Real Food Farm Update

2011-11-22T14:17:00.001-05:00

What is Real Food Farms? How is Calvert involved?

Real Food Farm is Civic Works' innovative urban agricultural enterprise engaged in growing fresh produce on six acres of land in Clifton Park in northeast Baltimore. According to their mission statement, Real Food Farm works toward a just and sustainable food system by improving neighborhood access to healthy food, providing experience-based education, and developing an economically viable, environmentally responsible local agriculture sector.

With support from Constellation Energy, Calvert Lower School students participated in planting seeds for Real Food Farms in October. These plants were then taken to the hoophouses at Clifton Park. Now the seeds have sprouted into seedlings. Take a peak at the below photographs for a view of their growth, and stay tuned for future news about Calvert's connection to Real Food Farms!

Successful Tailgate to Benefit Paul's Place

2011-11-07T15:16:00.001-05:00

On Thursday afternoon, Mr. Clapp and Mrs. Lears hosted a tailgate during the boys' football game. They raised an impressive $455 and will be donating it to Paul's Place.

Fall Healthy Food Drive

2011-10-28T14:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all who contributed to the Food Drive this week. Here is a summary of what we donated.

Monday - Lower School 113 pounds and 95 pounds from the Middle School....both went to George Washington Elementary

Tuesday - Lower School 213 pounds to Dr. Rayner Browne Elementary and Middle School 88.4 to George Washington Elementary

Wednesday - Lower School 205 pounds to George Washington Elementary School and Middle School 45.2 pounds to Dr. Rayner Browne Elementary School.

Thursday--Lower School 195 pounds and the Middle School: 120 pounds to Dicky Hill Elementary School and Harlem Park Elementary School

Friday--309 lbs (Lower School) and 215 lbs (Middle School) to Harford Heights Elementary and Garrison Elementary-Middle School

And last week, a family brought in 185 pounds of apples for the Healthy Food Drive and we contributed them to Franciscan Center.

Calvert thanks you for your donations!
Thanks to the parent volunteers who drove the food to the various schools.

Way to go Drive leaders, Larisa Kamp, Erin Strom, and Molly Shattuck!

Real Food Farm Plantings

2011-10-26T16:04:00.001-04:00

On Monday, the entire Lower School participated in seed plantings for Real Food Farms. This project, led by teacher, Jen Armstrong, and parent, Molly Shattuck, is part of our year long partnership with Constellation Energy and Real Food Farm. 5,000 seedlings were planted, including the following types of seeds:

• tatsoi mustard greens

• mizuna mustard greens

• arugula

• dino kale

Middle School students will have the opportuntiy to harvest the crops in the spring.

Race for the Cure

2011-10-24T18:55:00.000-04:00

All pinked out were the many thousands who participated in this Sunday’s 19th Komen Maryland Race for the Cure. The cool morning temperatures and traffic did not dim the excitement or pure joy that was felt in Hunt Valley. Runners and walkers of all ages filled the streets by Hunt Valley Towne Center and beyond. The overhead views of the race were truly astounding!Team Calvert had its most successful year, recruiting 98 members and raising over $4500! In fact, the donations are still coming in. Congratulations and a BIG thank you to Team Calvert and all those who supported Komen Maryland Race for the Cure. As a school community we are supporting the promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever.

Fall Family Outreach Day a Huge Success!

2011-10-24T11:52:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, about 90 members of the Calvert community participated in our second annual Fall Family Outreach Day. Parents, students, faculty, and alumni worked side by side cleaning the Calvert campus and neighborhood; and helping the Baltimore community by preparing healthy and nutritious food for those in need. In addition to trash collection, weeding, and planting, community members also contributed to making 20 containers of vegetable soup, 15 broccoli casseroles, 15 spinach quiches, 15 pounds of fresh green beans, and 40 jars of LOVE ! In a mere two hours, 40 volunteers made enough food to feed 400 people. The food was delivered to Sarah's Hope (a women and children's center that houses approximately 80 residents) and Our Daily Bread. A special thank you to our event leaders, Susie Silberstein (teacher) and Elizabeth Rice (parent). We are also very grateful to our activity leaders Molly Shattuck and Larisa Kamp (Stone Soup), Lillie Stewart, Louisa Peartree, and Joel Ewen (neighbohood clean up), and Greg Hagel and Nettie Washburn (Campus Clean up).

Healthy Food Drive

2011-10-19T10:44:00.000-04:00

Teachers, Larisa Kamp and Erin Strom, have been working closely with parent, Molly Shattuck to promote the Fall Healthy Food Drive, which takes place next week (Oct. 24-28). A special component to this year's food drive is that we are for the first time collecting fresh foods, which will provide families from area city schools access to healthy food and produce. Great foods to contribute would be russet and sweet potatoes, squashes such as butternut, acorn and spaghetti, and root vegetables such as radishes, parsnips, turnips and beets. Other items needed include green beans, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, apples, and oranges. Thank you all for your support of this effort.

Locks of Love

2011-10-19T10:33:00.001-04:00

A very special 6th Grader recently donated 6 inches of her own hair to an organization called "Locks for Love." Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to children who have suffered hair loss from long term medical conditions. The hairpieces have allowed children to feel less self conscious and more self confident when facing the world.

Mr. Howe's Fascinating Experience in Liberia

2011-10-16T10:20:00.004-04:00

Last summer Ninth Age teacher, Skip Howe, spent two weeks in Liberia doing teacher training and traveling around to different areas and meeting people who are agents of change. One of the people he met was a woman who is absolutely incredible. Her name is Martha, and her story is amazing. In the 1990’s, her country of Liberia was in the midst of a lengthy civil war that would eventually take more than 200,000 lives and make orphans of about 50,000 children. Martha saw needs all around her but had no resources to do anything about it. All she had was $5.00. What could she possibly do with that sum of money? Most people in her situation would have thought of themselves and how far they could stretch it to feed themselves. No one would fault anyone for having that thought. Martha had a different plan for the money though. She decided to start an orphanage. There were some buildings that were in poor repair that had been used as an orphanage in the past, but they had been abandoned. She moved in and word soon got out that there was an orphanage where children could go. The number of children fluctuated but settled at about fifty. These boys and girls ranged in age from very young to their late teens. Martha soon realized that if she could raise $70.00 a month she could feed all of the children enough nutritious meals to keep them alive until times got better. Help came from a variety of sources and fortunately most months the needed money was in place. Times were not always peaceful though. The battles that raged across the country sometimes came near the orphanage. On more than one instance, Martha had to take all of the children and hide deep in the forest as the fighting raged nearby. In those instances she left all of the doors to the orphanage open so that the rebels would think that the buildings had already been looted and nothing of value was left inside. Her strategy worked and she was able to sneak back in the middle of the night and bring food to the children who were still hiding in the woods. When the war ended Martha continued running the orphanage and decided to start a school since she knew that the boys and girls would need an education if they hoped to have a good life in Liberia. This has increased her financial burden but there are people in Liberia and abroad who have stepped forward and offer support each month. The orphanage and school are functioning but there are still many needs. The government has at long last promised to start helping as well but to this point no help has come. So what is the next step? Skip is working with on starting a child sponsorship program with Martha’s school and a few others that he visited last summer. The program will be administered through the group he went to Liberia with called Compassion Corps. It will take some time to set up though since the internet is very slow in Liberia. He is also trying to set up some kind of a pen pal program between classes here in the states and in Liberia. This too has hurdles which will be overcome with patience and perseverance. If you would like to get involved send him an email (showe@calvertschoolmd.org) or leave a comment below. His life was changed by what he experienced this past summer. Now he is trying to change the lives of some children in Liberia. Join him…you won’t be disappointed.

Pinwheels for Peace

2011-09-21T12:30:00.002-04:00

Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two Florida art teachers as a way for students to express their feelings about what’s going on in the world and in their lives. The project was quickly embraced by their students and the entire school community and by millions of art teachers, teachers, parents, children and adults who desire peace in our world. In 2010, over 3.5 million pinwheels were spinning in over 3,000 locations around the world!

In advisory this week, all middle schoolers were invited to create pinwheels for the project. On one side, students wrote their thoughts about peace / tolerance/ living in harmony with others, and on the other, they drew to visually express their feelings. Today, September 21st, is International Day of Peace, so we installed the pinwheels outside of the Middle School as a public statement and art exhibit/installation. We hope the spinning of the pinwheels in the wind spreads thoughts and feelings about peace throughout the country, the world!

Our Children Making Change

2011-09-07T09:11:00.001-04:00

This summer a large number of Calvert students participated in a wonderful charitable endeavor spear-headed by Eva Martire. The project is called Our Children Making Change and it is a program designed as a way for children of all ages to contribute to charities in their communities through raising money. In early June, over 100 children gathered in the Middle School Gym to select the charities for which they felt a passion.
At the first meeting, each participating child agreed to raised $100.00 over the summer by doing age appropriate activities. The fund raising efforts included lemonade and bake sales, movie nights, ice cream making and bike-a-thons (just to name a few). All told, by the end of the summer, the children as a group were able to raise over $11, 700.00! All who participated were extremely proud of their efforts and at the end of the summer, the children enjoyed a wonderful celebration marked by the presence of the charities for which the money was raised! Bravo to all those who participated.

Girls' Lacrosse Supports the Yeardley Love Foundation

2011-05-17T09:10:00.002-04:00

Last Wednesday, May 11th, the girls’ A lacrosse team played Notre dame Prep. Along with an exciting game, we had a tailgate to benefit the Yeardley Love Foundation at Notre Dame. The girls played a beautiful game and enjoyed a tailgate later with the NDP girls. We raised over $800.00 dollars for the Fund.

Earth Day Plantings

2011-04-20T15:02:00.005-04:00

Many students are participating in a campus beautification project this week in honor of Earth Day. The entire 8th grade, along with their advisors and several parent volunteers, weeded and cleared an area of our campus. Our ninth and tenth agers continued the project by planting over 350 plants and mulching. Way to go team!

Recycling Bin Decorating Contest

2011-04-20T14:09:00.000-04:00

To complement our year long recycling program, run mostly by students, our student government hosted a recycling bin decorating contest in the Middle School. Classes were encouraged to use recycled materials to decorate their recycling bin in an effort to make the bins more colorful, exciting, and visible. The library recycling bin came to life as their class book worm. One class made their recycling bin a paper devouring monster, while another bin became a basket ball hoop in which students crumpled up papers and tossed them into the bin, making it more interactive and fun.

Earth Day Plantings

2011-04-19T10:29:00.010-04:00

On Monday, the 8th grade students and advisors joined parent volunteers to help clear the Castalia hill, and plant flowers and ground cover. Thanks to all!

Spring Family Outreach Day-Real Food Farm

2011-04-10T15:00:00.003-04:00

Calvert families joined volunteers from Constellation Energy to construct and raise two new hoop houses at Real Food Farm. Children and adults mulched, trimmed shrubs, and helped prepare the hoop houses. A very productive morning!

The farm produces vegetables, fruits, and herbs to promote healthy, local, and sustainable eating for underserved Baltimore residents. Last winter, RFF donated more than 1,000 pounds of fresh produce to schools, residents, and restaurants around the city of Baltimore.

Spring Clothing Drive a Success!

2011-04-07T13:29:00.002-04:00

The recent spring clothing drive was a great success. On Tuesday, April 5th, we donated over 104 large trash bags full of gently used clothing to The Hampden Family Center. It was a real community effort. Participation was high in both the Lower and Middle Schools. Several classes volunteered to sort the clothing into piles of men's, women's, and children's in an effort to make it easier on the recieving end.Thank you all for your outstanding participation in the spring clothing drive. We are fortunate to have such a thoughtful and generous community.

Ninth Age Student Takes Initiative!

2011-03-21T09:20:00.009-04:00

Brendan, a Ninth Age student, recently had a birthday! He and some friends enjoyed an evening at Monster Mini-Golf to celebrate his 9th birthday. However, what made this birthday different than others was that Brendan asked his friends to bring canned goods to donate to the needy instead of bringing him a birthday gift. The boys filled a large blue cart with food that was donated to Paul's Place. The experience made such an impression on Brendan that he is already looking forward to his next charitable endeavor. Brendan commented to his mother "You know mom, my heart feels really good." Way to go, Brendan!

Upcoming Family Opportunities

2011-02-28T20:44:00.000-05:00

• We’re pleased to announce an opportunity for Calvert families to become involved. On April 9, we will host our third Family Outreach Day. Families and faculty can choose to participate in:
1. The raising of a Hoop House at Real Food Farm in Clifton Park or
2. A campus beautification planting and gardening-related project

Please look for registration information on our website (www.calvertschoolmd.org)

Our third and final drive of this school year will be held during the week of March 28 when we will be accepting gently used spring clothing for men, women, and children. More details to come!

These are just a few examples of how students and teachers are helping to improve the community in which we live. Thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support. We greatly appreciate it!

5th Grade Shares a Valentine's Day Lunch with Friends at Hampden Family Center

2011-02-12T12:51:00.005-05:00

Mrs. Lawrence’s Fifth Grade class traveled to the Hampden Family Center today. After taking a tour of the facilities, they served almost 40 seniors a delicious Valentine’s lunch. During lunch, the girls shared stories and asked many questions. The participants were so excited to have them there and mentioned several times about how kind and thoughtful the girls were. After everyone indulged in cupcakes, the girls cleaned tables and assisted in a bingo game. Each senior left with a scarf and a Valentine’s card that the girls made. They cannot wait to go back!

Empty Bowls

2011-02-04T14:01:00.003-05:00

Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger and was created by The Imagine Render Group. The basic premise is simple: Potters, craftspeople, educators and others work with the community to create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The money raised is donated to an organization working to end hunger and food insecurity. Each individual or group organizing an event designs it around the needs of their own community and is responsible for their own event.

Locally, St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore hosts an annual Empty Bowls Souper Supper to raise money to support the homeless and hungry population in Baltimore. The sixth grade girls have spent several advisory periods creating bowls to donate to this year's event and will be glazing them next week:

This year's Souper Supper Details:

College of Notre Dame, Doyle Hall
Saturday, March 12, 2011;
*NEW THIS YEAR - 2 SEATINGS!
Lunch seating 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.,
Dinner seating 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy a tasty selection of soups supplied by local restaurants, a silent auction, take part in fun, family-friendly activities and choose a handcrafted bowl.

Tickets are $15 per person (children 5 and under are free). Pack of 10 tickets is $125. Extra bowl tickets available for $10.

MLK Day of Service

2011-01-17T12:55:00.003-05:00

A note from MLK Day of Service Director, Gilly Babb:

This year we had 334 participants engaging in a variety of on-site and off-site activities. For Our Daily Bread, Mary Obrecht organized a group to make 800 sunbutter and jelly sandwiches. Children at the Mt Washington Children's Hospital will benefit from decorations that will adorn their halls and rooms for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick's Day and Mardi Gras. Just over 100 scarves were made under Monica Stewart and Melissa Riorda's leadership for those that live or visit the VA. For Sarah's Hope, a local homeless shelter for women and children, Peggy Sczerbicki helped us decorate 55 hope chests, each of which contained a few small toys and a $5.00 gift card to Target. For those recovering at Walter Reed Hospital, thanks to Cricket Woloson, we wrote over fifty cards sending them our best wishes. Under Kathy McGonigle's tutelage, Gedco benefitted because we made numerous cards for them to sell, while at the same time selling over $100 worth of merchandise. Lastly, for some, the highlight was playing BINGO with our special needs friends from Gallagher Services. Thanks to the Rubins, Quichey and her Tynisha Brown for overseeing this activity and providing an extraordinary experience for all involved.

Meanwhile, we also visited three off-site places. The first was Langston Hughes where Pragna Balasubramanyam’s sister helped her coordinate our painters. A hallway, mural and part of the cafeteria were painted by this tenacious group. Meanwhile, at The Door, Ronae Brock had us categorizing the library, making sight word flashcards and decorating their recycling containers. Lastly, at The Lodge, Molly Shattuck and her group of hearty souls reorganized their basement food pantry and had such a wonderful experience that they are planning a return visit.

Please join me in thanking the committee and our facilitators. These wonderful people include, Kathy McGonigle, Mary Obrecht, Cricket Woloson, Pragna Balasubramanyam, Peggy Szczerbicki, Monica Stewart, Angie Rubins, Jen Armstrong, Mollie Williams, Elizabeth Martin, Zelda Gilliam, Wesely Finnerty, Molly Shattuck, Ronae Brock, Kathy Liotta, Casey Briggs, Lillie Stewart, Tynisha Brown, Quichey Johnson and Kaye Whitehead

Join us for our annual MLK Day of Service!

2011-01-05T08:21:00.001-05:00

Please consider joining members of the Calvert community as we celebrate Martin Luther King’s legacy on January 17, 2011. Dr. King devoted his life’s work to causes of equality and social justice. He taught that through nonviolence and service to one another, problems such as hunger and homelessness, prejudice and discrimination can be overcome. Dr. King’s teachings can continue to guide us in addressing our nation’s most pressing needs---poverty, economic insecurity, job loss and education. Help us help others by volunteering a few hours of your time. Make sandwiches for Our Daily Bread, scarves for veterans, holiday decorations for children at the Mt. Washington Children’s hospital or join other families in a sing-a-long. All ages are welcome! If your interest has been sparked, please sign-up through the email that was recently sent.

Toy Drive (Dec. 6-10)

2010-12-12T08:12:00.000-05:00

We had our second of three school-wide drives the week of December 6-10. This was a toy drive that benefited the Hampden Family Center, as well as a few other local organizations. Families generously donated new and gently used toys, which changed the lives of many during the holiday season. Thank you for your participation!

Fall Food Drive a Great Success!

2010-11-20T16:51:00.006-05:00

Last fiscal year, Paul’s Place served over 82,000 meals--that was a 10,000 meal increase from the previous year. In an effort to help Paul's Place provide food to local families in need,students were asked to bring in items that would be served at a traditional Thanksgiving meal, such as gravy, stuffing, canned vegetables, brownie mix, pancake mix, and boxed instant mashed potatoes. We are proud to report that Calvert employees and families donated approximately 2,000 pounds of food during our annual Fall Food Drive.

5th Grade Boys Join the Seniors' Lunch at the Hampden Family Center

2010-11-20T16:44:00.007-05:00

On Friday, Mrs. Ossmus' Fifth Grade boys visited seniors at the Seniors' Lunch at the Hampden Family Center. They helped serve approximately 40 senior citizens Thanksgiving lunch, and they shared conversation and companionship with the seniors. The boys also led a Bingo game, and cleaned up after lunch. Way to go, boys!

6th Grade Boys Help the Neighborhood

2010-11-20T16:34:00.006-05:00

This week the 6th grade boys, under the leadership of their advisors, Mr. Broy, Mr. Rossi, and Mr. Bennett, helped the Linkwood neighborhood by raking leaves. They got a good work out and helped others at the same time!

Real Food Farms

2010-11-10T12:06:00.004-05:00

Six advisories in the Middle School are currently participating in stage 2 of the Real Food Farms Project (see previous post for more details). This stage includes traveling to Clifton Park and touring the farm, learning about issues such as the food to table process, composting, and urban farming. We were also able to check on the progress of, and plant into the ground, the 9,000 vegetables and herbs that the Lower School planted four weeks ago.

Fall Family Outreach Day a Success!

2010-10-25T19:49:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday, many Calvert families joined faculty and staff in a morning of service focused around our theme of physical and emotional wellness, particularly how it relates to our connection with the natural world. After gathering in the atrium for coffee and scones, the group listened to inspirational stories from three members of our community: a student, a teacher, and a parent. We then engaged in a physical fitness warm up activity, which got us ready for our environmental stewardship projects at three locations: Calvert School, Linkwood Park, and Gwynns Falls Elementary School.

Lower School Participates in Real Food Farms Project

2010-10-13T11:20:00.003-04:00

Real Food Farm plants and distributes vegetables, fruits, and herbs to address the community’s access issues and to promote farming as a serious future for the city. It is located on six acres of Clifton Park in NE Baltimore and uses hoop houses and sustainable farming methods.
Calvert has partnered with Constellation Energy and Real Food Farm to bring fresh vegetables to inner city families. For three Mondays in a row, the entire Lower School under the leadership of Mrs. Armstrong and parent, Molly Shattuck, will plant seedlings in trays at Calvert. They will be transported to a hoop house in Clifton Park, where they will grow in a green house. Participating Middle School groups will then participate in the remaining three stages: planting the vegetables into the ground, harvesting them, and helping farm staff to sell them at a farm stand at one of the neighborhood sites.

Race for the Cure

2010-10-05T15:05:00.002-04:00

Team Calvert, with 49 participating members, raised over $2,900 for Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure! It was a beautiful day!

Children Helping Families of Wounded Veterans

2010-09-30T16:18:00.003-04:00

The following teachers and their students partnered with Constellation Energy to make diaper cakes for expecting families of wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital: Pontier, Catlin, Pszczerbicki, Silberstein, Bennett. The students incorporated math by measuring ribbon, counting diapers, and making cards. They all had a great time!

"Give Maintenance a Break" Day

2010-09-24T11:46:00.002-04:00

Sixth grade girls all got together as a group recently to discuss ideas for Outreach projects we can do internally in the Middle School. The girls suggested having a monthly "Give Maintenance a Break" day, where they would spend their advisory period taking over the task of cleaning up the atrium after snack and resetting it for lunch. During this time, Mr. Artis and Mrs. Price, who usually do the cleaning, will get to put their feet up! In addition to doing the work, the girls wanted to provide treats for the whole Maintenance Department to show our appreciation for their valuable contributions to our school. Our first "Give Maintenance a Break" day was today and it was a great success!

Pinwheels for Peace

2010-09-21T14:28:00.002-04:00

Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two Florida art teachers as a way for students to express their feelings about what’s going on in the world and in their lives. The project was quickly embraced by their students and the entire school community and by millions of art teachers, teachers, parents, children and adults who desire peace in our world. In 2009, over 3 million pinwheels were spinning in thousands of locations around the world!

In advisory last week, all middle school students created pinwheels for the project. On one side, students wrote their thoughts about peace / tolerance/ living in harmony with others, and on the other, they drew to visually express their feelings. Today, September 21, is International Day of Peace, and our 200 pinwheels are installed outside of the MS as a public statement and art exhibit/installation about peace. The spinning of the pinwheels in the wind spreads thoughts and feelings about peace throughout the country, the world!

Our Children Making Change

2010-09-07T08:10:00.004-04:00

This summer a large number of Calvert students participated in a wonderful charitable endeavor spear-headed by Dr. Martire's wife, Eva. The project is called Our Children Making Change and it is a program designed as a way for children of all ages to contribute to charities in their communities through raising money. In early June, almost 100 children gathered in the Middle School Gym to select the charities for which they felt a passion. Five charities were picked by the group: The Cool Kids Campaign (which provides kids with cancer a higher quality of life for themselves and their families while facing the challenges of cancer), the Esperanza Center (providing a wide range of services to new immigrants to the Baltimore Metropolitan Area), the mdSPCA (which improves the lives of pets and people in the community), BARCS (which works directly with Baltimore City Animal Control to provide a sanctuary for all animals and to promote a more humane community), and CATRA (which provides recreational and therapeutic horseback riding to physically- and mentally-challenged people of all ages).

At the first meeting, each participating child agreed to raised $100.00 over the summer by doing age appropriate activities. The fund raising efforts included lemonade and bake sales, movie nights, ice cream making and bike-a-thons (just to name a few). All told, by the end of the summer, the children as a group were able to raise almost $11,000.00 and they were able to give each of their selected charities over $2000.00. All who participated were extremely proud of their efforts and at the end of the summer, the children enjoyed a wonderful celebration marked by the presence of the charities for which the money was raised! Bravo to all those who participated.

Outstanding Youth Fundraiser Award Nominees

2010-08-19T18:08:00.003-04:00

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Maryland chapter gives an Outstanding Youth Fundraiser Award each year to recognize youth who are personally involved and actively engaged in a project that raises funds to benefit the Maryland community and/or a Maryland non-profit organization. "Criteria used to select winners includes evidence of quality of leadership and organizational abilities, original and creative thought of a fundraising project and how the funds raised benefited the Maryland non-profit organization or the Maryland community." This year, two of Calvert's students, 7th Grader, Makayla Gilliam-Price, and 10th Ager, Sophia Litrenta, have been selected as finalists for this award. Makayla made bracelets with beads from around the world. She sold them and raised over $2,000 to benefit the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Sophia raised over $2,000 in her lemonade and bake sales to donate to the mounted police unit in Baltimore.In both cases, the girls were inspired by stories of need, assessed the situation and made a plan to help, and followed through with their vision to help.

Students Taking Initiative to Help!

2010-05-06T07:20:00.002-04:00

Over the weekend these Calvert students collected $109.00 for Haiti disaster relief from around the neighborhood. Afterwards, they took their money to the Red Cross, and were given a special Red Cross pin as a thank you! Way to go,kids!

Family Opportunity: CF Walk in Hunt Valley

2010-04-12T11:36:00.004-04:00

Be a part of Team Calvert and walk around the Hunt Valley Mall (1.2 miles) in support of finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis on May 2, 2010 starting at 9:00 am. Great food provided by Outback Steakhouse will be provided. One Calvert Family has been involved in the fight to find a cure for CF for some time. Stacy Danko passed away last year, and her daughters have been continuing her legacy. Please take some time to visit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Great Strides website to sign up!

http://www.cff.org/Chapters/maryland/greatstrides/

Hoops For Heart

2010-03-17T08:21:00.002-04:00

On Wednesday, more than 20 teams took to the hoops to participate in Calvert's eigth annual Hoops for Heart. The teams of 5 players shot on the six baskets in the middle school gym for 10 minute games. The atletes all seemed to have a great time, and many teams had dressed up for the fun. Mr. Broy ran the event, while Mr. Little and Mr. Doss refereed from mid-court. The final money tally is not in yet, but this event is sure to raise lots of money to fight heart disease.

Calvert Supports the Squeal Appeal!

2010-03-04T16:48:00.002-05:00

Are you looking to exercise more often? Looking to support a cause? The Squeal Appeal is the perfect combination for you and your family! Paul's Place is putting on a 5k run/walk at M&T Bank Stadium on March 27th beginning at 8 AM (registration opens at 7 AM).

Calvert has been a partner of Paul's Place for some time and we would love to see a large number of Calvert families participate. If you are interested, please visit their website at

http://www.paulsplaceoutreach.org/squealplace/index.html

Thank you for your support!

MLK Day of Service a Great Success!

2010-03-02T21:16:00.000-05:00

On January 18, 2010, members of the Calvert community joined together to share in our first Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. After gathering in the atrium for opening remarks and breakfast, participants split up into a variety of groups that met on and off campus for a range of service activities. On campus, participants made cat toys for the S.P.C.A, scarves for the homeless, a backdrop for the Lower School stage, greeting cards for C.A.R.E.S food pantry, sandwiches and lasagna for Paul's Place, and more. Off campus activities included singing songs with veterans and serving a meal at Paul's Place. It was a magical day with members from all parts of the Calvert community pulling together for a united cause. Thank you for all of your enthusiasm and support.

Polar Bear Plunge

2010-02-02T14:42:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, January 30, 2010, forty-eight members of the Calvert community, including students, parents and employees, participated in the Polar Bear Plunge, as a way to support Maryland Special Olympics. The mission of Maryland Special Olympics is to provide sports training and athletic competition for all children and adults with developmental disabilities. The Polar Bear Plunge provides an opportunity for individuals, groups, teams, etc. to make a difference in the lives of these special athletes by making a personal donation, taking the plunge, or soliciting pledges. We raised over $27,000 for the cause Despite the fact that the actual plunge into the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay was cancelled due to dangerously cold conditions, our team, “Simon’s Swimmers,” took a plunge of our own, running on the snowy beach in swimsuits alone.

Middle School Reflection on Outreach

2009-12-09T12:20:00.003-05:00

On Wednesday, December 9, the middle school fall outreach programs culminated with an outreach fair. Ten outreach groups created a variety of multi-media presentations to inform their peers about what they were doing in their outreach groups. Students were able to discuss with their classmates,

o The outreach partner they were helping
o The goal of the group
o Pictures of the group at work
o Quotes from students or people they worked with
o Any next steps to come out of their project.

At the end of the fair the students left feeling excited about what they had accomplished and energized to reach out during the holiday season. I wish I could include the names of the students who were working each of the tables and talking outreach amongst themselves, but policy dictates against it. Instead here is a list of the outreach projects and the faculty members who led them.

1. RPP/Keswick: Sra. Sachar, Mme. Bofil-Polsky, and Mr. Hardesty presented samples of their correspondence with the residents, as well as pictures of their visit in November.

2. Calvert in Action Ambassadors: Ms. Webster and Ms. Wareheim presented a PowerPoint on the responsibilities of a CIA ambassador and even began recruiting future representatives!

3. Student Government Association: Our SGA officers and representatives presented a slide show on the accomplishments of the SGA including the November menu, helping the 5th grade in their elections, and the Paul’s Place Mitten Mountain.

4. Library Outreach: Ms. Stone presented a multi-media project promoting library use and it benefits.

5. Book Bonanza: Mrs. Babb presented examples of the children’s books their group had made for Hampstead Hill Elementary School.

6. Empty Bowls: Ms. Kamp and Mr. Rossi presented their bowls and a video describing their purpose in helping visitors to Beans & Bread and Sarah’s Place.

7. Tree Planting: Mr. Ewen filled in the details to a slide show about the trees they planted for the Herring Run Watershed.

8. Komen Race for the Cure: Mrs. Nessler, Mrs. Lears, and Ms. Summers presented a summary of the money raised for cancer research and pictures of the actual race attended by a number of Calvert students, faculty, and families.

9. Placement: Ms. Yapsuga and the 8th graders presented the nuts and bolts of Placement at Calvert and the students held some mock interviews for the 5th, 6th, and 7th graders.

10. Outreach Preview: Students were able to watch a presentation previewing the upcoming outreach opportunities beginning in January.

Girls on the Run!

2009-11-17T14:27:00.003-05:00

Miss Strom and Mrs. Williams have been leading an after school program called "Girls on the Run." This is an experiential learning program for girls in Ninth Age, Tenth Age, and Fifth Grade. It combines training for a 5K running event with self esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. It also includes the preparation for and execution of a community service project. The goals of the program are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual, and physical development. On December 6th, the girls, along with a “runny buddy,” will participate in the Jingle Bell 5K race in downtown Baltimore. In preparation for this run, they held a practice run on Monday, November 16th from 3:30-4:30 PM for partcipants and their "running buddies." Over 25 faculty and staff members came out to support the girls by cheering, helping keep track of laps, and running or walking. Thank you to all who participated!

5th Graders Work to Donate

2009-11-13T13:24:00.004-05:00

The fifth grade boys had a terrific morning. They have spent the past two weeks doing chores at home to earn money so we could all go shopping together at Super Fresh to purchase Thanksgiving food items for a food drive at Paul’s Place. In total they collected $350!

They worked in teams with a budget to purchase as much as they could for our collection. It was a real life math class and a busy morning for Super Fresh! We then carpooled down to Paul’s Place where we unloaded the food and carried it to the top level where they are coordinating the collection. The people at Paul’s Place were so appreciative, and many of the boys have asked how else they can help.

We are so proud of them and thankful to our chaperones: Dr. Balasubramanyam, Helen Anderson, Molly Shattuck and Terri Merwin. Way to go boys!

Here Comes UNICEF

2009-10-27T12:41:00.007-04:00

Fifth Graders make posters for our school-wide UNICEF Drive next week!

Babb's Advisory Helps Feed the Hungry

2009-10-27T12:37:00.003-04:00

Mrs. Babb and her Advisory make casseroles for Our Daily Bread.

Team Calvert at Komen!

2009-10-19T12:45:00.003-04:00

Despite the cold weather and rain, The Race for the Cure was a great success, raising $2,218,733.00 so far, with donations still coming in.

Team Calvert had 59 members and contributed $4,304.54! Nice going guys! Next year, let’s try for 100 members.

One of our 7th grade girls was the top student fund raiser with a total of $605.54 and she was the second place girl in the 14 and under category in the run.

The icing on my cake was that the second place winner of the race was Jake Marren, Calvert Class of ’94, former Calvert cross country coach, and my son!

A special thanks to Ms. Summers and Mr. Ewen for running the race about 10 times, going back to keep an eye on and encourage some of our student runners!

I have attached a photo of the Calvert team members who braved the elements and arrived early enough for the photo opportunity.

Mary Ellen

Race for the Cure!

2009-09-29T15:50:00.003-04:00

Run or walk alongside your Calvert classmates and teachers! Please join Team Calvert School on Sunday, October 18th to participate in the 2009 Koman Maryland Race for the Cure in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Your help will support the Koman promise of saving lives and ending breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality for all, and energizing science to find a cure.

All you need to do is follow this link to our team website http://komanmd.kintera.org/2009/calvert to make a donation or to register as a race participant. It is that easy!

Family Service Opportunity

2009-09-25T12:32:00.003-04:00

Genessee Valley is hosting its Fifth Annual Day of Giving on Saturday, October 24th, 2009. They welcome anyone who is interested in beautifying their property.Lunch will be provided, as well as an opportunity to try their ziplines at the end of the day. Volunteer projects will include general maintenence of the property, painting, trail building, and gardening. The day will begin at 10 AM and end at 4 PM. If you would like more information, please call 410-343-0101 or email at info@genesseevalley.org

"Whirled" Peace!

2009-09-23T14:15:00.008-04:00

Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two Art teachers in Florida as a way for their students to express their feelings about what is going on in the world and in their lives. The project was quickly embraced by their students and the entire school community and by millions of art teachers, teachers, parents, children, and adults who desire peace in our world. Since the first pinwheels were installed in 2005, the project has grown from 500,000 pinwheels planted the first year, to 2 million pinwheels in 2008!

The project involves the creation of pinwheels of all shapes and sizes on which participants write their thoughts about "war and peace/tolerance/living in harmony with others" on one side and, on the other side, drawings, paintings, etc...that visually express their feelings. This year, Calvert's Middle School created pinwheels in advisory and on International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, 2009. They were "planted" outside the school as a public statement and art exhibit/installation. The spinning of the pinwheels in the wind spread thoughts and feelings about peace throughout the country and throughout the world! You can learn more about the project by visiting http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com/.

Middle School Outreach Calendar

2009-09-22T23:16:00.003-04:00

The Middle School OutreachCalendar isnow available for viewing. It can be found on the right side menu under "Programs". Middle School students will use this document to plan their outreach periods for the remainder of the year. The Outreach catalog of offerings will be posted soon.

All students should meet in the gym tomorrow (Wednesday, 9/23/09) during the designated outreach period for a brief introduction to the orientation program. Following this overview, all students will go back to their homeroom to discuss the various session possibilities and begin to make their choices for the 2009-2010 school year.

Registration forms will be handed out to advisors tomorrow morning.

Recycling in Full Force

2009-09-20T08:27:00.003-04:00

School wide recycling is in full force. Every classroom and office has a recycling box, and the Fifth Graders alternate the task of emptying the individual recycling boxes into larger recycling bins. A couple times a week, the Fifth Graders come over to the Lower School to then empty the large bins into an ABITIBI recycling dumpster. It is a true community effort!

A Year in Pictures

2009-06-03T07:46:00.002-04:00

Ninth Age Makes Sandwiches for the Needy

2009-05-01T10:03:00.003-04:00

This morning, the entire Ninth Age made about 200 sandwiches for Paul's Place!

8B Makes a Difference!

2009-05-01T09:55:00.006-04:00

Mrs. Woods' Eighth Age class spent an afternoon last week weeding and planting in the courtyard outside of their classroom. They got "down and dirty" and seemed to really love it. Thank you Eighth Agers!

Tenth Age Service Project

2009-04-22T15:26:00.002-04:00

During March,as part of the class wide Calvert School Community Outreach initiative, all the Tenth Agers creatively designed journals to be distributed to children at Paul’s Place at a later date. Following candid discussions about the value our Calvert School students put on journals, the students suggested appropriate themes for journal covers. With a varied collection of markers, stickers, gems, decals, and other assorted craft items, the girls and boys put their attention on the responsibility each had to bring a smile to another child’s face. As seen by the pictures, it was a valuable lesson in care and share by extending a hand to strangers. In addition, all the Tenth Agers gathered in the cafeteria to make one hundred sandwiches for distribution at Paul’s Place. The students’ sensitivity to the recipients shows how the students are “cultivating an attitude of gratitude” by reaching beyond their familiar space.

Fifth Graders Raise Money for Cystic Fibrosis

2009-04-16T13:53:00.005-04:00

Two Calvert Fifth Graders baked over 90 cupcakes and sold them, along with lemonade and jelly beans, at Sherwood Gardens over the weekend. They made over $100 which will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Cystic Fibrosis Walk-a-thon

2009-04-14T11:05:00.003-04:00

Our community lost Stacy Danko, mom of Molly and Bridget in the Middle School, and Paul Jr. Danko, currently attending Gilman School. In her memory, we have created a Calvert School team for the annual Cystic Fibrosis Walk-a-thon, which takes place on Sunday, May 17th, 2009. This is an exciting walk with many local sponsors and is perfect for the entire family.
The walk is 1.2 miles, and your participation and support can leave a lasting impact! Hopefully we will be able to come together as a community to support the Danko family and others as they bravely fight this difficult disease.
GREAT STRIDES is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s nationwide walk-a-thon that raises money to support vital research toward a cure. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with fun and food from Wegmans, Panera and Caribou Coffee. Engage in our walk, led by the Outback Hummer, around the Centre and finish by the Fireplace Circle where you’ll enjoy lunch by Outback, California Pizza Kitchen and Chipotle, ice cream by Carvel and live entertainment by Marco’s Magic Shop, and even Batman! It’s a great morning for a great cause.

Registration is easy. Go to the Great Strides Website – click Join My Team, Calvert School, and sign up for 2009. This will take you directly to the Calvert School page and you can invite friends and family to join you, either as a walker, or a donor. Students who participate and are eligible for student service hours can receive them walk day.

It is the perfect way for friends, families and co-workers to come together and make a difference in the lives of those with CF.

Another interesting tidbit:
Thursdays are CF Days at California Pizza Kitchen in April (2, 9, 16 & 23). 20% of all dine in and carry out on these days goes to Hunt Valley Great Strides. Stop by and see the staff in their CF shirts. Click on the attached link to print out the flyer to bring with you – this must be present in order for proceeds to be directed to CF.

Hoops for Heart Event

2009-04-14T10:01:00.002-04:00

Calvert's Middle School will be participating in Hoops for Heart on Friday, April 17th in the gym from 2:40 until 4:15. There are 30 teams playing 3vs 3 on 6 courts. Half of the money goes to the Heart Association, and half to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Tree Planting in Honor of Matt and Abby Young

2009-04-14T09:56:00.001-04:00

On Saturday, April 18th, from 2-4 PM (PLEASE NOT THE TIME CHANGE) a group of students from Park School will be planting trees on the Park campus in honor of Matt and Abby Young, and have invited any interested Calvert students and faculty to participate. If you would like to attend, please bring a shovel and your favorite memories of Matt and Abby! Please contact Park School teacher, Daniel Jacoby at djacoby@parkschool.net with any questions.

If you are planning to attend, please email communityoutreach@calvertschool.org so that we can have an idea of numbers attending. We thank you in advance.

9-B Makes a Quilt for Paul's Place

2009-03-31T09:31:00.003-04:00

In the month of March, the 9-B class worked on a quilt that will be given to the children's After School Care Program at Paul's Place. The girls were each in charge of two quilt blocks, one that required sewing two triangles together, and the other, that was a piece of black muslin on which the girls drew a picture. It was an incredibly rewarding experience! The quilt will be donated to Paul's Place later this month.

6th and 7th Graders Plant Trees

2009-03-31T08:46:00.001-04:00

Forty-two 6th and 7th graders involved in the “Maryland Greenschools” and “Composting at Calvert” Community Outreach groups went around the corner to Walter Dewees Park to plant more than 30 trees on Wednesday, March 25th. The trees were an equal mix of Willow Oak, Persimmon, and Hickory, all native to this part of Maryland. Students learned that trees in urban areas help stop flooding, provide fresh air, prevent erosion, and help stop the “Urban Heat Island” effect. They learned the best way to plant a tree, and about the care that young trees need. All the boys and girls worked very hard to make a nice contribution to our local community.

Green Tip:Spring Cleaning!

2009-03-26T08:46:00.003-04:00

Breathe new life into old clothes by giving them away! Spring is here and it is the perfect opportunity to go through those closets and give away clothes that no longer fit. There are dozens of local charities that would welcome the tax-deductible gift. Perhaps friends and family would appreciate the hand-me-downs...

10-A Makes Casseroles for East Side Shelter

2009-03-09T14:31:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, February 28,six eager 10-A volunteers and accompanying parents met at the Church of the Good Shepherd kitchen to prepare casseroles for the East Side Shelter for the first optional, 10-A monthly project to build community within by helping the community beyond. While some girls sliced hot dogs, others added beans and remaining ingredients before the pans were covered with foil and put in the freezer. The girls helped one another with directions while parents took up positions opening cans and helping to stir the heaping pans. The singing and excited chatting while many hands pitched in were all part of a joyful community outreach project. The girls appreciated the effect they had on the larger community by preparing these meals for the homeless while working together in such positive ways. I am so proud of their willingness to contribute their free time. We look forward to others who are able and would like to join us the last Saturday in March. They know they have made a difference in others’ lives while continuing to build teamwork within the homeroom.

Building a Relationship with Keswick and Roland Park Place

2009-02-27T18:53:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday, February 18th, one of the Middle School Outreach groups visited Keswick and Roland Park Place. Students had prepared for the visit by meeting with a resident and employee of Blakehurst, and having a conversation with representatives of both Keswick and Roland Park Place. They then sent Valentine’s Day or Mardi Gras cards to the residents with whom they were paired, practiced icing cupcakes, learned how to teach computer basics and constructed miniature golf holes. At Keswick we met a resident whose son was one of the first African Americans to attend Poly and learned about Pound Parties. We tried to play Wii, went to the Internet Café, made small talk, went to the Arts & Crafts Room, and decorated cupcakes. At Roland Park Place students baked and decorated cupcakes, played lots of Bingo and a little bit of Wii.

Family Opportunity to Remember Matt and Abby Young

2009-02-27T18:51:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, April 18th, from 9-11:30 a.m., a group of students from Park School will be planting trees on the Park campus in honor of Matt and Abby Young, and have invited any interested Calvert students and faculty to participate. If you would like to attend, please bring a shovel and your favorite memories of Matt and Abby! Please contact Park School teacher, Daniel Jacoby at djacoby@parkschool.net with any questions.

Fifth Grade Boys Help Christopher's Place

2009-02-27T13:32:00.002-05:00

The Fifth Grade boys made candy-grams to raise money for Christopher's Place. The endeavor was very successful, raising about $500.
The money will be used to purchase belts, body lotions, wash cloths, deodorant, pillows, and other items of need. The items will deliver on Wed., March 11th.

This week and next the Fifth Grade boys are collecting gently-used men’s dress clothing such as ties, belts, slacks, etc... to contribute to the overall donation.

8Th Age Makes Fleece Hats!

2009-02-27T09:05:00.004-05:00

8th Agers were have been busy at work making fleece hats from scratch. They cut, sewed, and glued jewels and sports decals onto these fun hats, which will be donated to the children at Paul's Place. The 8th agers joined the Tenth Agers and Pilots in this month's sandwhich making activity as well.

Pilot and Tenth Age Team up for a Project

2009-02-27T08:58:00.004-05:00

This month, the Pilots and Tenth Agers teamed up to make wind chimes for the children at Paul's Place. The Pilots decorated sturdy paper plates, while the 10th Agers tied bells onto hanging strings. The two grades levels also worked together to make 200 sandwiches to donate to Paul's Place.

7th Age Service Project

2009-02-03T14:22:00.004-05:00

The boys and girls in th 7th Age made Valentines cards for the children at Paul’s Place’s After School Program. They also put together materials for those children to make their own Valentines cards for someone special. The 7th Agers also formed an assembly line and made over 100 sandwiches for families served at Paul’s Place.

Building Relationship in Middle School Outreach

2009-02-03T14:20:00.002-05:00

One group of 6th and 7th grade students are working to build relationships with the residents of Roland Park Place and Keswick. Some of the ways in which they hope to accomplish this is by making Valentine’s and Mini Golf Holes. They are also planning to visit on February 18. The hope is that we will continue to visit the residents over the years.

2009 Polar Bear Plunge

2009-01-26T13:47:00.005-05:00

On Saturday, January 24, 2009, sixteen members of the Calvert community, including Mr. Martire himself, took the plunge into the very cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay, as a way to support Maryland Special Olympics. The mission of Maryland Special Olympics is to provide sports training and athletic competition for all children and adults with developmental disabilities. The Polar Bear Plunge provides an opportunity for individuals, groups, teams, etc. to make a difference in the lives of these special athletes by making a personal donation, taking the plunge, or soliciting pledges. Our team, "Simon's Swimmer's," in honor of my son who was born in 2001 with a rare syndrome, raised over $22,000 this year. Mollie Williams

Calvert Chorus Club Sings at Keswick

2009-01-26T13:46:00.000-05:00

On Wed, Jan 21, Letitia Elliott and Laura Spadone (9-B) took the Calvert Chorus to sing for the old and infirm residents at Keswick Home. The students enjoyed sharing their songs with an audience of people who appreciated and supported the children. Mrs. Elliott commented that singing brings joy to life, and the students demonstrated that joy in their singing. Miss Spadone played the piano to accompany the singers.

9-B Volunteers on New Year's Eve Day!

2009-01-01T08:27:00.010-05:00

I experienced a magical day today. My daughter and I, along with five members of 9-B and their mothers, volunteered at Paul's Place for two and a half hours. We helped in a variety of ways, including sorting through clothing donations and helping people shop for new outfits, serving drinks, wiping down tables between guests, and taking meal tickets. The guests at Paul's Place were incredibly warm, welcoming, and grateful for our help. Although they are clearly facing significant life struggles, their spirits were bright and hopeful. I was touched by the support that I witnessed throughout...amongst the volunteers as well as amongst eachother. The girls were comfortable despite this new setting. They were gracious, accepting, and compassionate. Calvert would be proud! Mollie Williams

Polar Bear Plunge

2008-12-17T09:03:00.006-05:00

On Saturday, January 24, 2009, my husband and I, along with friends and family, will be taking the plunge into the very cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay, as a way to support Maryland Special Olympics. The mission of Maryland Special Olympics is to provide sports training and athletic competition for all children and adults with developmental disabilities. We have formed a team called Simon’s Swimmers, in honor of our son who was born in 2001 with a rare syndrome. The Polar Bear Plunge provides an opportunity for individuals, groups, teams, etc. to make a difference in the lives of these special athletes by making a personal donation, taking the plunge, or soliciting pledges. If you are interested in supporting our efforts, please go to http://www.plungemd.com/index.php and register to join our team (follow directions for joining a team, and click "Simon's Swimmers," or sponsor a plunger on our team. Thank you!
Mollie Williams

Babb Advisory Makes Pretzels for Maintenance Staff

2008-12-17T07:46:00.005-05:00

The Babb advisory meet this past Sunday to make chocolate covered pretzels for the hardest working, incredibly dedicated and truly wonderful maintenance staff. Joined by their moms, eighteen of us worked furiously to make 198 pretzels, which we then delivered on Monday. Since we had a few extra bags, the girls made a list of other staff and faculty member’s to whom they wanted to also give a gift. They then each delivered them to their chosen recipient. It was truly a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Colors for the Cause

2008-12-16T10:46:00.005-05:00

Colors for the Cause, a craft and bake sale organized by Ms. Nessler’s 5th grade homeroom, raised $115.45 for Paul’ Place, just in time for the holidays. The girls were inspired by a geography lesson on the economy and free enterprise and decided to develop a “shop” and to donate the proceeds to a good cause. They created the name, the product line, the marketing, the prices and organized the sales force. They had a great time organizing the sale and were happy they could make a contribution to Paul’s place.

Green Handbook Tip for the Month

2008-12-15T10:25:00.004-05:00

If you are interested in buying more eco-friendly toys this year, you might consider the following tips:

choose simple, timeless toys made from nontoxic, organic materials like wood and fabric that are safe and stimulating to growing brains.
look for eco-friendly toys, puzzles, dolls, games.
buy non-toxic art supplies and recycled paper.
research toys by brand and category online to ensure safety.
avoid synthetic, mass-produced products that may contain hazardous substances such as lead or phthalates.
Look for PVC-free label on plastic toys and beware of products manufactured overseas that do not adheare to U.S. standards.
consider gifts that keep on giving: a share in a farmer's cooperative, a donation in someone's name to an important cause, a tree or plant
wrap your gifts with recyclable or reusable materials such as newspaper or cloth bags

Calvert Donates 130 Thanksgiving Meals to Paul's Place

2008-12-08T13:54:00.011-05:00

Prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday, Calvert community members collected food items for the people at Paul's Place. Part of the exercise was reflecting on why we collected food and what we could do in the future to help out. Below are some of the responses from our students, as well as some pictures of students delivering the items to Paul's Place.

Question: What would you like to do in the future to help others?

Most responses were:

"I'd like to donate food and money to Paul's Place"

However, these stood out as different:

7-A
"Spend time with people at Paul's Place

9-1
Start my own charity

Find moms for kids who don't have any

Be a famous race car driver

Lower taxes

10-A
Help as many people as possible

Stop trash from reaching the Chesapeake Bay

10-B
Have a lemonade stand to raise money for the poor

Fill an MTA bus with food for Paul's Place

10-1
Give all my old toys that I do not play with any more

Watch them eat the donated food

Eat with the homeless people at Paul's Place

9-B
I would like to invite some kids from Paul's Place to come to our class for a day

I would like to have a performance and five Paul's Place the money raised

Give people who are sleeping on the sidewalk crackers

10-2
I would like to bring in a LIVE turkey to Paul's Place

8th grade
Anything to help the children

6th grade
Help out making the meals at Paul's Place

Be kinder to everyone

7th grade
Tutor kids

6th Grade
Help people help others

I would like to write Thanksgiving cards for people in Paul's Place

7th grade
Cook Thanksgiving dinner at Paul's Place

6th grade
Hold the door more often

Have more dress down days for charity

Book drive

Help out at Paul's Place Christmas Drive

5th Grade Homeroom Donates to Bea Gaddy's

2008-12-04T15:14:00.006-05:00

Gilly Babb, a 5th grade homeroom teacher has submitted the following narrative about her class's visit to Bea Gaddy's.

My advisory decided that each month we would engage in some type of community service activity. For this month’s activity, we collected money from family and a few friends and after lunch at Bert’s, headed to Super Fresh to see how far we could stretch the $212 that we had collected. Divided into three groups and assigned specific items to purchase, the girls quickly learned how important it was to read the unit price and to look for sale items. I wish everyone could have been there to witness these girls at work! They gave a lot of thought to what to buy and why it was a healthy choice. At one point, after realizing that we were blocking the aisle, one student stated that she wished that we could close down the aisle so that we could really focus on picking the best items. In the end, we were able to buy 198 items and donate the extra money to the man ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. We left there and headed in a caravan to Bea Gaddy’s, on Chester Street in East Baltimore, where they graciously accepted our donations. It was clear that being in that part of town was new for some, which evoked interesting dialogue about the economic realities for some Baltimoreans. We returned excited about our success and ready for our next event.

Fifth Graders Take a Lead in UNICEF education!

2008-10-29T15:02:00.007-04:00

Today, Fifth Graders visited the Lower School to share some important facts about UNICEF in an effort to make children more aware of the organization and its purpose. The entire school is encouraged to take part in UNICEF collection during Halloween. After this collection, the Fifth Graders will follow up with the Lower School students to let them know how they have made a difference in other people's lives!

Genesee Valley Day of Giving

2008-10-22T15:19:00.001-04:00

Genesee Valley is offering its 4th Annual Day of Giving - November 2, 2008 -10:00am-4:00pm Each year they invite staff, family, friends and community members to come to Genesee Valley and volunteer for a day of projects aimed to maintain and keep Genesee Valley beautiful. Project opportunities include painting a mural and buildings, trail repair and maintenance, gardening and building green house tables. Everyone is invited and they offer child care for their younger volunteers. The day includes lunch, door prize drawings and the opportunity to try some of our High Elements and Zips lines. They will also be offering an open house and tours if you would like to stop by just to check it out

Fall Letter to Parents

2008-10-15T09:27:00.001-04:00

In an effort to keep our families as up to date as possible on the Outreach Program at Calvert, we have posted a letter to the parents under the Program section of this blog. Please check it out, and do not hesitate to e-mail us at communityoutreach@calvertschool.org with any questions.

Crop Walk - 10/25/2008

2008-10-06T14:02:00.001-04:00

This event has come to our attention and we thought it would be a great opportunity for Calvert families.

On Saturday, October 25, community organizers and everyday citizens in Baltimore and some 2,000 cities nationwide will be taking part in the CROP Hunger Walk, an interfaith fundraising initiative sponsored by Church World Service to help end hunger locally and around the world through the use of self-help development initiatives. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. The walk starts and ends at FRIENDS SCHOOL. For more information about the Baltimore City CROP Hunger Walk, contact Betty Schroll at 410-647-2755 or jschroll@msn.com or Rosemary Thompson at 410-410-433-2442 ex.11 or rthompson@gedco.org.

Students Create Pinwheels for Peace

2008-09-26T09:45:00.010-04:00

To each of us, peace can take on a different meaning, but, in the end, it all comes down to a simple definition: "a state of calm and serenity, with no anxiety, the absence of violence, freedom from conflict or disagreement among people or groups of people." On September 21st, schools throughout the country participated in a program called "Pinwheels for Peace," which promotes a visual message for peace. The program was started in 2005 by two Art teachers, Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan, who teach at Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Florida.
Larisa Kamp, Calvert's Middle School teacher, created pinwheels with some of her students and then displayed them on the grass outside of the Middle School in the shape of a peace sign. For more information, please visit pinwheelsforpeace.com

Calvert Gardening Day, October 25

2008-09-10T13:58:00.004-04:00

Mary Alice Lears, Calvert's Athletic Director, is organizing a garden clean up at Calvert. The details are below:

Calvert Gardening Day

October 25th from 9-1:00

Give an hour or spend the morning!

Come and help spruce up Calvert before the Open House

Children, Parents, and Faculty/Staff

Snacks and drinks provided

Email MA Lears, mlears@calvertschool.org to sign up

Calvert Launches its Komen Team!

2008-09-05T10:37:00.001-04:00

Mark your calendar. On October 19th You Can Make A Difference!

We want you to join Calvert School on Sunday, October 19th so you can be among the anticipated 35,000 people who will participate in the 2008 Komen Maryland Race for the Cure held in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Your help will help support the Komen promise of saving lives and ending breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality for all and energizing science to find the cures.

New this year, the middle school students will participate in a t-shirt design contest. The winning design will be placed on our very own Calvert Race for the Cure long sleeve t-shirts. If you are interested in purchasing one, please send $10 to Mary Alice Lears by September 29th.

To register, click here. Please let us know if you have any questions.

6th Grade Ties Outreach to Echo Hill Trip

2008-09-04T16:47:00.005-04:00

The 6th grade is in full preparation mode for the upcoming trip to Echo Hill Outdoor School. The entire 6th grade will be departing from Calvert MS on Monday, October 13 at 8:30ish in the morning and returning by dismissal on Friday, October 17. At Parents’ Night on Monday, September 22, we will offer an informational session on Echo Hill to all of our 6th grade families.

The Outreach Program in the 6th grade is directly tied to the Echo Hill experience. To quote Mr. Ewen, the 6th grade Science teacher and Community Outreach Liaison, “I don’t think there’s another single event that will absorb so much of the students’ time this year. We should take the time before and after the trip to make it as meaningful as possible.”

A basic framework of the Outreach component is below:

Several themes reveal themselves through the Echo Hill experience. Each theme will become a topic of discussion during Community Outreach time on Wednesdays from 11:00-11:30. Advisors will introduce the theme, take questions, and to make expectations clear.

Themes in no particular order:
1. Skills
2. The Chesapeake Bay
3. Swamps and Ponds
4. Adventure
5. Camp Life
6. Community

6th grade teachers planto use these themes as a lens through which to focus their instruction. After we return, advisors will use Community Outreach time to reflect upon these themes and to compile the data and ideas the students have collected. Our hope is we can identify trends that can be useful in the respective classroom settings, create some fantastic presentation ideas, and really show the 9th and 10th agers how engaging the 6th grade can be.

Quite a few teachers will be joining the students at Echo Hill and everyone is hoping for beautiful weather! Stay tuned for more information and for some insight into the Echo Hill program, check out the following website:

http://www.ehos.org/index.htm

7th Grade to put on Mock Election in Middle School

2008-09-04T16:41:00.004-04:00

It is Mock Election Time!! The 7th grade Outreach Program, lead by Mrs. Marlowe, is focusing on the upcoming election. Over the course of the next two months, the 7th graders will educate the entire MS community on party issues as they relate to education, the economy, foreign policy, and energy. The students will also introduce the candidates and present speeches. The ‘candidates’ will also debate some hot button topics at one of our Monday assemblies.

One of the highlights of the program will be a visit on Wednesday, October 8 from The League of Women Voters, who will discuss the electoral process and the importance of exercising our right to vote.

On October 30, all MS students will vote in the Mock Election and the winner will be announced later that day. The students can then follow the election on November 4 understanding more about the candidates, their positions, and most importantly, the process of electing a new president.

Fifth Grade Teacher Works for Women

2008-09-04T15:50:00.002-04:00

Mary Ellen Nessler, one of our 5th grade girls' homeroom teachers, has been involved in an outreach program focusing on the advancement of women in the world. She says,

"For the past three years I have been an active member in Chapter E of PEO, a philanthropic organization, founded in 1869, where women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College; and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations. Local chapters meet monthly to sponsor higher education students through the following five national programs:

1. Program for Continuing Education funds a need based grant for educational expenses for women whose education has been interrupted and find it necessary to resume their studies.

2. Educational Loan Fund provides student loans based on financial need.

3. International Peace Scholarships support graduate students from students from around the world in their studies at an American university.

4. Program for Scholar Awards supports doctoral level or postgraduate studies or research.
Cottey College, a fully accredited liberal arts college for women in Nevada, Missouri, has been owned and operated by the P.E.O. Sisterhood since 1927."

Check out P.E.O.'s website under the Faculty and Staff Corner

Middle School Counselor Reaches Way Out!

2008-09-03T12:04:00.011-04:00

Terri Merwin, the middle school counselor, visted Nogales, Mexico on an outreach trip this summer. Along with her son, Mrs. Merwin worked to help the town build essential infrastructure.

Her story is below:

A Week in Nogales, Mexico

During the second week of July, my 17 year old son Josh and I worked with a team of 25 Americans and 10 Mexicans in the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico. There is no running water here so right after the roosters crow and the dogs begin barking, the drivers of the water trucks honk their horns as they make their way up and down the steep dirt roads hoping to make their living by filling up the cisterns that sit on many roofs. This water source makes for an extremely cold shower!

Squatters Rights is the real estate law of the land. Typical homes have walls made of wooden pallets (cast offs from shipping) and floors of dirt. One of our projects was pouring cement floors (the teenage boys did much of this labor) and waterproofing the walls. Waterproofing was accomplished by nailing a layer of tar paper and then a layer of chicken wire to the outside walls. Then they were covered with a coat of stucco. Sometimes we simply “painted” the plywood homes with used motor oil from the States to make them water tight. I helped to prepare a mid day meal for the approximately 90 children that make their way (some with their moms) to the “Kid’s Café” 3 days a week. I also attempted some Spanish with the moms over a couple of crafts, but mostly I just smiled. The divorce rate in this area is about 80% and mothers are in the tough position of having to choose between leaving their children to earn some money and staying home without financial resources. Many of them have built store fronts on their homes so that they can do both.

While the poverty was painful to experience, I was so inspired by the spirit of the people. They are friendly and extremely resourceful. Nothing is wasted: not used tires, which are filled with gravel to make steps, and not “scrap” paper from the crafts, which was collected to be used for decorations. Most striking is their love of beauty. A house may be made of slatted wood, but inside is a beautiful flowering plant. The breathtaking sunrises, sunsets, mountains and cloud formations seemed to keep their hope and inspiration alive. The beauty helped to sustain me too.

Paul's Place Summer Camp

2008-08-21T08:07:00.006-04:00

10th Age teacher Susan Silberstein relates the following story about her work with Paul's Place in the summers.

"I have been the Camp Director for Paul’s Place Camp at St. Thomas’ Church for the past two summers. The camp is an outreach program for the church. This rewarding camp for children ages six-twelve is always during the week of July 4th. Most of the campers are involved with Paul’s Place after-school program. I recruit local high school students (several have been Calvert alums) as counselors. The teens have a fabulous time while being excellent role models with the campers, and complete their community service hours. This year’s over-all theme was “The Olympics”, with daily theme focusing on different continents-Asia (the campers made kites and candy sushi), Europe (piggy banks were decorated while the campers learned about currency), Africa (the craft was African masks and preparing African dishes) and America (campers constructed flags, had their own Olympic Field Day which ended with an all-American picnic lunch). Included in the daily schedule is an academic hour."

Paul's Place is the primary outreach partner of Calvert School. Thanks, Susan!