Voices from within

Perspectives of our elementary school students, parents, teachers and administrators.

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  Spring is here!  Check out all of the fun classes adn events we have coming up at FHPS!  Yoga and tours and art, Oh My!  Plus, CHILD CARE!!

Enroll today!

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It's likely you are not.  So if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!  You can find out their thoughts, feelings, musings and more on Ms. Lannigan's fifth graders blog.  

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Now you can fill out your registration form, indicate your desire to be considered for a program scholarship and choose your pick-up preferences on our website.  Registration and payments are due Friday, September 12th at 3:00 PM.  You can hand in forms and payments at drop-off or pick-up each day.

The PTO is sponsoring Pay-What-You-Can programs to allow more students to participate in after-school activities.  Sign-up your students for teacher-led classes in crafts, reading, cooking and basketball today!

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Federal Hill Prep Outshines Competitors

A public school achieving in more than test scores

Baltimore, MD//June 9, 2014 – Federal Hill Preparatory School clinches the top spot for the Baltimore City Schools Energy Competition by reducing energy usage from November through April by 14%.  The competition included thirteen city schools and is put on by Baltimore Energy Challenge, a division of CivicWorks.  The school will receive an award today at 1:00 PM in the school auditorium and many community partners, local elected officials Baltimore City School Board members and North Avenue BCPS administrators will be in attendance.  

Overall, school energy usage in Baltimore City was up 2.8% which means that Federal Hill Prep is using over 15% less energy than the average school in the city.  This seems nearly impossible given the extremely cold winter Baltimore faced as a whole, which likely contributed to increased energy usage.  “The students took ownership of the program.” says Principal Sara Long.  “We gave them the tools to develop strategies to reduce energy.  With the leadership of our Americorps volunteers (provided by Baltimore Energy Challenge through the Power Up Program), the students were excited to find small ways to save energy like turning off lights.  Then, they monitored themselves and each other.” 

Earlier this year, Federal Hill Preparatory School was awarded a grant for $2500 to develop two student-led projects in the 2014 Green, Healthy, Smart Challenge.  The Challenge is a partnership between the Baltimore Community Foundation, Baltimore Office of Sustainability and Baltimore City Public Schools.  One of the major funders of the program is Constellation, an Exelon company.  As a part of the Challenge, schools were asked to opt-in to the Baltimore City Schools Energy Competition.  Thirteen schools were taken to task on reducing energy usage and consumption.  Today, one has emerged victorious.

Federal Hill Preparatory School has implemented a number of resource reducing, recycling and repurposing projects school-wide.  The school, through the active pursuit of PTO volunteer, Amy Thomas, has secured funding, in-school programming, field trip opportunities and more from various environmental and energy organizations.   The school received $1500 from Chesapeake Bay Trust through Governor O'Malley's Explore and Restore Your Schoolshed program.  Federal Hill Preparatory School students separate their waste into recycle, trash and compost bins throughout the school.  Even art projects made from repurposed plastic water bottles decorate the hallways.  FHPS holds a “Maryland Green School” designation and it is evident from the hallways to the executive suite.

     The award ceremony begins at 1:00 PM at the Federal Hill Preparatory School auditorium located at 1040 William Street (at Cross Street) in the historic Federal Hill neighborhood in downtown Baltimore.

News release from June 9, 2014.

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FHPS First Grade Author (published in the Federal Hillsider, May)

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On January 28th, 2011 our close knit neighborhood was changed forever. Jake Owen's family was on the way to return some Christmas presents when they happened upon an accident stopping all traffic. Their car was at a complete standstill when it was struck from behind by a car whose driver had not noticed traffic had stopped in front of him. Despite having 500ft ( the length of 5 football fields) he was so distracted and involved in the conversation he was having on his hand held cell phone, he never even  applied the brakes. The entire community rallied around the Owen/Yum family in the wake of Jake's death, but the overwhelming feeling was one of helplessness. Showing unbelievable strength his parents Susan Yum and Spike Owen formed the Change for Jake foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at passing legislation and raising awareness of the dangers of cell phone use while driving. The neighborhood finally felt as if now, there was something we could actually do. People wrote and called their representatives, went to Annapolis in person in support of the bill and just this month Jake's Law has become state law. Please join this community on May 9th 2014 at REV Cycle Studio at 6pm for a one hour charity ride benefiting the Change for Jake Foundation. Their will be a happy hour at World of Beers. A very generous portion of the class cost is donated directly to the charity. Never done a spin class??? Not a problem, I will make sure every participant can enjoy the experience at whatever level they choose. Hope to see you there! Janet Roa

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Introducing the FHPS Cast of Annie Jr.

CAST 

ANNIE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ashantae Hayward

THE ORPHANS

MOLLY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Bickford

PEPPER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Panorea Mastoras

DUFFY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Simone Hammett

KATE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sophie VonCoelln

TESSIE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Taylor Edwards

JULY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sophie O’Brien

MISS HANNIGAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Se’lah Jackson

BUNDLES McCLOSKY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lindsey Henderson

APPLE SELLER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Leah Robinson

DOGCATCHER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Daija Burrell-Simms

SANDY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kyle Thomas

LT. WARD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kahlil Williams

GRACE FARRELL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reina Flowers

DRAKE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hasan Owens

CECILE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mallory Quallich

ANNETTE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chandler Johnson

MRS. GREER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Daija Burrell-Simms

MRS. PUGH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dallas Joyner

OLIVER WARBUCKS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerome Hamilton

STAR-TO-BE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winter Brown

MAN IN BROWNSTONE WINDOW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Baker

USHERETTE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aeirss Prince

RADIO ANNOUNCER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Isaiah Lewis

ROOSTER HANNIGAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ethan Hammett

LILY ST.REGIS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cierra Jackson

SOUND EFFECTS MAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Isaiah Lewis

BERT HEALY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isaiah Lewis

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT. . . . . . . . .Tyler Tucker

LOUIS HOWE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lindsey Henderson

POLICEMAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashton Mayeux

ADDITIONAL ORPHANS

ORPHAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maggie Malone

ORPHAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alex Wiker

ORPHAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ava Israel

ORPHAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabrielle Edwards

SERVANTS/NYC

SERVANT/NYC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Emerson Swinburne

SERVANT/NYC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Damirra Benns

SERVANT/NYC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stella Perez

SERVANT/NYC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yousseff Sobeih

SERVANT/NYC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angel Davidson

Stage Crew: Alyson Cavazos, Kaitlyn Leitherer, Ahmad Harris

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#BreakingElmo! Elmo learns to beatbox and dance the Robot with Mya, the Full-Time Kid! 

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The Fun Keeps Multiplying

by Alex G. Dixon, Jr., 2nd grade

The five tricks make it easy to learn multiplication.  My favorite strategy that we learned is the array.  You build it and it is fun to use.  Also, Equal groups can be used to draw pictures when you are doing word problems.  Having five ways to do multiplication makes it easier to check your answer.  You can do a problem using equal groups and check it using an array.  Multiplication is just repeated addition which is one of the five strategies you can use to solve problems.

I thought it would help to do an example.  

Problem: If you read this blog 2 times a day for a week (7 days).  How many times would you have read this blog?

Answer: 

1. Repeated addition:

2. Array: 

3. Mental Math 

Since we already did the 2 times tables, I know that 2x7=14.  

4. Equal Groups

5. Tape Diagram

No matter which way you do it, the answer is 14.  Wasn't that easy and fun?

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QR Codes certainly provide an opportunity for more robust information to be created and explored...find out how.

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The Maryland Science Center and Constellation Celebrate Grand Opening of Power Up! Exhibit

The $1.8 million exhibit, sponsored by Constellation and parent company Exelon, gives visitors an interactive look at the science of electricity. The 4,000-square-foot, multi-lingual (English, Spanish and Braille) exhibit features more than 12 interactive stations that allow visitors to participate in the process of generating, measuring, monitoring and distributing electricity. Power Up! is the first major permanent to exhibit to open at the Maryland Science Center in four years. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today at the Maryland Science Center to commemorate the exhibit's opening. The event included representatives from the Maryland Science Center and Constellation, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith, and 20 first-grade students from Federal Hill Prep.

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Oh, the Things You Will See!

by Theresa Cegielski, Pre-K Teacher

Did you notice all the “things” running around our school in celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Monday?  Did you wonder how teachers chose their “thing” number?  It turns out that we picked numbers that are important to us in some way.  Read on to learn a little more about the teachers of Federal Hill Prep.

Thing 0 – Mr. B

Technically it’s the letter “O”, as in ‘how bout dem O’s’.

Thing 6 – Ms. Milkewski

I chose the number 6 because it was my all time “go to” number for soccer and hockey jerseys.  It brings back great memories!  Also, I love even numbers.

9 is my lucky number :)

Thing 10 – Mrs. Rozanc

I chose #10 for my husband’s birthday on October 10th!!

Thing 11 – Mrs. Bennett

I chose #11 because that is my grandson’s age.  I have raised him since he was 14 months old.  He is a remarkable boy who has autism and he is the light of my life.

Thing 15 – Ms. Carey

I chose #15 because I was born on March 15th, and it’s always been my lucky number.  I was supposed to be a St. Patrick’s Day baby, but decided to show up a few days early.  #15 has brought me plenty of luck nonetheless.

Thing 16 – Mrs. Cegielski

I chose #16 for Joe Montana.  He is the player I watched as a kid with my dad and is the reason I have such a love for football.

Thing 24 – Mrs. Decker

I chose the number 24 because I met my husband when I was 24 on the 24th…

Thing 45 – Mrs. Long

#45 for obvious reasons!!

Thing 88 – Mrs. Wiseman

Not sure how I came up with the number 88, but my students thought it was my age :(

Thing 143 – Mrs. Tarleton

Being from Massachusetts (ask her to say the word “park”) and sharing a love of lighthouses with my dad (who is a strong and wonderful 88 years young) we always finish our nightly conversations with “143” which is what the Massachusetts Minots Ledge Lighthouse flashes 24/7 –   “I Love You”!

Thing 3.14 – Ms. Campion 

I am a math person so I chose Pi!

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The Power of Literacy

"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." - Frederick Douglass

Literacy seems like such a simple thing.  It is defined as the ability to read and understand.  And typically, we take it for granted because once you become literate it is like you always were.  Yet, there are still many who struggle to read.  Our journey is one that extracts a literal meaning from Frederick Douglass' quote - freedom of words.

I have two students at Federal Hill Prep, a second grader and a kindergartener.  Both knew how to read before they walked through the doors of Federal Hill Prep.  Today, both are avid readers and I have seen significant improvements this year in pronunciation, vocabulary and comprehension.  But their brother can not read.  He is autistic and non-verbal.  It would follow that perhaps he can read but because he can not tell us what he has read, explain the meanings of words or express his understanding, we equate that to him being illiterate.  For the other two, reading is fundamental; for this son, reading is a milestone.  Because of his ability to understand spoken language, we feel the capacity to read exists.  Physiologically, the written words are not making it to his brain in a way that we, society at large, believe they should.  It is as if the words get trapped.  He may recognize them.  He may do what they say or act accordingly due to context clues (e.g. a stop sign) but because of his delayed expressive language we have no way to ascertain his full understanding of written words.  The words and thoughts are trapped; and he, as a result, is trapped - not free to express himself through words.

The moral of the story is that one of these kids has trouble reading like many children in school today.  But we cannot allow the barrier of illiteracy to overshadow the power of reading.  Like my autistic son, some students have trouble articulating the correct meaning of words.  Some may see words differently due to dyslexia or poor eyesight, which often manifests itself as a reading problem.  Many can phonetically pronounce the words but have no idea of the meaning.  And still others just have not had enough exposure or practice to become good at it.  No matter the reason, we as a school community can not allow even the least among us to be denied the single inalienable right to read, the right to freedom.

Maybe it sounds a bit exaggerated, but reading test scores not withstanding, literacy is a concern for everyone.  It can mean the difference between doing the right thing and doing the wrong thing.  It can help English language learners navigate the world easier.  It can help pull people out of poverty.  And, reading can save lives.  But it takes more than a book fair.  It takes a culture of reading in the classroom, school and, most importantly, at home.  So to support our students with reading difficulty, we offer these few tips to help free your minds from the barriers of illiteracy and to promote the culture of collaborative and supportive learning that exists in our school community.  Together, we will do great things.

1.  Read any and everything.  Read cereal boxes, receipts, or bills together with your child.  You do not have to have a library card or spend money on books. The reading material will come to you.  Have your children read all the junk mail before you throw it out.

2.  Take time to read.  Encourage a designated time of the day be dedicated to reading.  20 to 30 minutes a day can make a significant difference for children, especially Pre-K and Kindergarten students.

3.  Make reading fun.  Play games while riding the bus or walking to the store.  You can learn a lot about your child's reading ability when they are moving and have to quickly find words, sound them out or define them.

4.  S-p-e-l-l out directions.  When giving your child tasks, spell some of the words.  For example, when asking your son to clean his room say, "Go c-l-e-a-n up your room" or "It's time to s-t-r-a-i-g-h-t-e-n up".  Spelling and phonics are critical in developing higher literacy levels.

5.  Read with them.  Help teachers help your children by reading with your children and identifying where they may struggle.  The sooner a problem is identified and acknowledged, the sooner it can be corrected and progress can be made.

Written by Yindra Dixon, FHPS mother and PTO member.

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Green Inside and Out

by Sara Long, Principal

Although the weather continues to be cold, the kids at Federal Hill Prep are still fired up about greening. French botanist Patrick Blanc is credited as the father of the green wall movement. He produced his first project on the exterior of the Museum of Science and Industry in Paris in 1988. Dozens of his other works are now installed worldwide, indoors and out. Blanc refers to his projects as living paintings or vegetal walls. Mr. Blanc would certainly be impressed to learn that our students at Federal Hill Prep are following in his footsteps.

With the support of parent Amy Thomas and community partner Jenny Kaurinki, we were able to make one of my first goals for the lobby a reality – the creation of a living wall. The addition of the living wall in the lobby has created not only a beautiful aesthetic addition to the school but also an out of the box educational experience for the students.  The students learned about various plants as they built the garden.  They researched the impact of plants on air quality, learned how to measure it and are able to track improvements.   They even developed an understanding of the technology needed to pump water to the top of the garden.  Our fabulous fifth graders maintain the living wall by monitoring the health of the plants and adjusting the watering schedule, adding nutrients, removing dead plants and replanting overgrown plants.  This living vertical garden has enhanced the physical environment as well as provided additional educational opportunities for the students.  For many visitors this winter, it is a reminder of warmer days to come.  

We welcome friends and neighbors to stop by and see the wonderful creation of the students at Federal Hill Prep.