What’s Good in the Neighborhood, November 15, 2021

Last Thursday I participated in the following panel “Creative Activity as a Human Right: A Panel Conversation with National Leaders in Art + Design Education Focused on Equity” at Syracuse University.  It was so wonderful to be able to represent CNH and tell some of our stories.  We do a lot of amazing work at CNH that leaders around the country find inspiring!

We pay attention.  We listen closely.  We construct with and not for our students.  We partner with parents and guardians. We engage learners in sustained project studies that are actually interesting and meaningful. We are responsive and pivot as-needed along the way.

This event at Syracuse University received interest from reporters at the following news sources: New York Times, Washington Post, AP, Wall Street Journal, CNN NBC News, USA Today, Huffington Post, Ebony, and the Mercury News (California).  Who knows where our stories might pop up.  Even if they aren’t referenced in these venues from this particular event, we are doing work that our larger national community wants to learn about.  So proud of the teachers and their great work!

Have a great week, everyone!

–Dr. Shyla.

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Noteworthy Upcoming Dates:

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Virtual Committee Night — TOMORROW 6:00-6:30

Join us for Committee Night from home, in your car, at soccer practice, or while still in the office.  We would love to have your voice

It is a requirement for all families to join at least one committee each year. We have made it super simple to participate this year with Committee Night every month (3rd Tuesday of each month).  Free childcare and food for all participants will be provided in the in-person months. The dates are listed below.

Come join  us!

 

Don’t forget to log your participation hours!

Full Descriptions of Committees

Classroom Support Committee:    This committee is an important hub of communication between teachers and families. Designated classroom “parents” are automatically part of this committee, but any CNH family member is welcome and encouraged to attend meetings. This committee works in partnership with the Principal and faculty to host events such as family educational workshops regarding curriculum. It also assists with school functions like picture day and teacher appreciation week.

Communications Committee: This committee helps update and manage the website, social media, flyers, posters, and newsletters for the school.

Community Relations Committee:  This Committee helps to establish/maintain relationships with the community outside of the school building (i.e. Glenham Belhar and Lauraville Community Associations). They also look to partner with the local business community for things like career exploration or sponsorship possibilities. The committee may also work with other local educational institutions for opportunities to collaborate. This committee will also assist with developing the extracurricular/after school catalog (i.e. litter patrol, dance club, chess club).

Culture of Care (SEL Family Workgroup): At CNH there are adults within the building who make up the Culture of Care Team. Those individuals are Ms. Lauren, Dr. Shyla, Ms. Liz and Dr. King. Our goal as a Culture of Care team is to ensure the well-being of all our students by educating them on social and emotional learning. To further this work, the SEL Family Workgroup is a way for families to learn about the work we do, receive vital information and strategies about social/emotional learning, as well provide ideas/suggestions to continue to support the work we do internally. This Committee will work to create family events and workshops that support the student experience at this school.  Come and help us celebrate and support our students!

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: This committee helps to plan and host events to engage and include the school community. The committee also seeks out resources and venues to facilitate meaningful interactions that explicitly grapple with diversity in our school, community, and world, and allow opportunities for individuals to connect and grow with all fellow CNH community members. Our job is to proactively promote, support, and celebrate our wonderful diversity at CNH.

Facilities Committee:  This committee assists the Principal, building manager, and faculty to create and maintain a great learning environment for students. This committee assists with family work days, specific building projects, and even some digital infrastructure.

Fundraising Committee: This committee assists in coordinating efforts to raise money to meet the school’s commitment to providing a rich program for our students. This committee assists with grant writing, fundraising event planning, and fund drives to raise money for field trips, technology equipment, teaching supports and professional development for teachers.

Family Participation Committee:  This committee is responsible for tracking family participation and volunteer hours, encouraging family participation in school events, and celebrating family engagement. This committee also helps to coordinate family volunteers for the library!

Global Perspectives Initiative Committee:  This committee is responsible for increasing global awareness and international education opportunities for CNH students. This committee will also assist with school events that celebrate multiple cultures, language learning opportunities, student exchange partnerships, and increasing local and global partnerships.

The following Committees do not meet regularly on Committee Nights:

Advocacy Committee: (This committee meets on a different night than Committee Night) Chair: Gwendolyn Unoko – gunoko@cityneighbors.org This committee advocates on behalf of the City Neighbors Hamilton, charter schools, and the Baltimore City Public School System. This committee will coordinate efforts with the Advocacy Committee of our network schools, City Neighbors Charter and City Neighbors High School. We believe in taking a stand for all children. Come to help us impact Annapolis, City Council, and Schools on behalf of the children of Baltimore. This committee will not meet on committee night as it will be a meeting of members from all 3 city neighbors schools. Advocacy Committee meetings are on the first Wednesday or every month at 7 pm, starting on October 7.

Finance Committee: (This committee only  meets quarterly on Committee Night) Chair: John Henderson – jhenderson@cityneighborhamilton.org  This committee is charged with the development and recommendation of the CNH annual budget and does not meet on Committee Night.

Governance Committee: Members of this committee are Board Members only and meets on a different night than Committee Night Chair: Erika Coughlin – ecoughlin@cityneighborshamilton.org This committee makes recommendations for the ongoing successful governance of the school, including reviewing policies and the school handbook. The governance committee oversees elections each year and conducts an ongoing review of the CNH by-laws. The Governance Committee assesses the needs of the board of directors and makes suggestions for including or replacing board members.

Zoom Meeting Information:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://bcps-k12-md-us.zoom.us/j/6798012472

Meeting ID: 679 801 2472

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Meeting ID: 679 801 2472

Find your local number: https://bcps-k12-md-us.zoom.us/u/kd4RpWXCK6

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Family Participation Information

Your participation in City Neighbors Hamilton matters!

Meaningful involvement by parents and family members is one of the core elements of the City Neighbors Hamilton charter and philosophy. We believe that our school is alive, and we are stronger when parents, teachers, and staff work together! You can track hours adults in your family participate in these activities or those like them:

• Arts Showcase

• Board Meeting (CNH or City Schools)

• Education Rally in Annapolis

• Assisting with your student’s SVA Speech

• Progress Report Conference/Teacher Meeting

• Work Day

• Meeting with Dr. Shyla

• Glenham-Belhar Community Association Meeting

• High School Choice meetings

• 90s Dance Party

• Committee Meetings (Advocacy, Fundraising, etc.)

• Classroom Support

• Library

• Field Work Chaperone:                    

• Carpooling                                                  

Recording hours is easy! Click this link to submit Family Participation hours.

Please contact Elisabeth Hyleck if you have questions or for guidance about how you can meet your participation goal.  Thanks for all you do for our kids and our school!

The Family Participation Committee

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(Virtual) Family Arts Night — November 19, 6:00-7:30

 

Mark your calendar for our first Family Arts Night of this school year. We will be hosting this trimester’s Family Arts Night virtually on Zoom. On Friday, November 19th from 6:00-7:30, join us for an evening of performances, presentations and celebrations. Here is a snapshot of the evening:

• Kindergarten – PE Highlights

• First Grade – Dancing & Drumming from the Great Mali Empire

• Second Grade – Friendly Folks Puppet Shows

• Third GradeT- PE Highlights

• Fourth Grade – Meaningful Place Tunnel Books

• Fifth Grade – Funk Band

• Sixth Grade – PE Highlights

• Seventh Grade – Experimental Fashion Share Out

• Eight Grade –  Step Show Footage

The students have been working hard in their A-Team classes and are eager to share their learning with you!

Best,

Ms. Cohen, Ms. Breai, and Mr. Bush

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Thanksgiving Break Extended

The School Board of Commissioners approved an extended Thanksgiving Break.  We will have an early release on Tuesday, November 23 at 1:00 and will return to school the following Monday.

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Enrollment 2022-23

We are accepting enrollment applications for 2022-23!

 NEW FAMILIES

City Neighbors Hamilton is now accepting enrollment applications for next school year.  The deadline to receive applications from new families for inclusion in the enrollment lottery is 3 PM February 2, 2022.  Please spread the word!

CURRENT FAMILIES AND STAFF

The deadline to receive applications for siblings of current students and children of school staff is January 21, 2022.  If your child currently attends CNH, there is no need to reapply.  Intent to Return forms will be sent and collected in January.  Siblings and children of staff will not be included in the enrollment lottery, HOWEVER, you must submit an enrollment application by January 21, 2022 in order for us to have an accurate count of open seats when we conduct our lottery.

 Enrollment applications can be downloaded from http://cityneighborshamilton.org/apply/

and should be emailed to applications@cityneighborshamilton.org.  Be sure to clearly indicate “sibling” on the application. If the sibling has a different last name than the CNH student, please include the name of the CNH student on the application.

Please be aware that the Sibling Preference Policy only applies to siblings of current City Neighbors Hamilton students.  It does not apply to siblings of students who are enrolled at City Neighbors Charter School or City Neighbors High School.  Read the entire policy here under FAQ:  http://cityneighborshamilton.org/apply/

If you have any questions about enrollment, please reach out to Enrollment Coordinator, Stephanie King, at sking@cityneighborshamilton.org.

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  Register for the Progressive Ed Summit

Click on the image to register

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Donations to the School

If you would like to donate money to the school (for any reason), the easiest way is through our PayPal account. If you want your donation to go to a specific fund or activity (general educational expenses, technology, arts, etc), please note it with your donation.

PayPal Donate Button on Website: http://cityneighborshamilton.org/

If you aren’t able to donate funds to the school right now, we always appreciate your donation of time supporting the general programming needs at our school (all virtual, of course).  If you would like to volunteer for the school, please email our Family Participation Board Director Elisabeth Hyleck at ehyleck@cityneighborshamilton.org.

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Helpful Links

 

• School Website

• Student Handbook

• School Calendar

• Log your Family Participation Hours Here

• Before and After Care Information and Payment Links

• Sign-Up for a Vaccination or Booster