What’s Good in the Neighborhood, October 12, 2021

With every sunrise comes a new day — space for new beginnings and fresh starts.  No matter how we feel when we crawl into bed at night, the next morning brings with it the promise of a new day.  As you rise each morning, allow yourself to practice a little mindfulness by slowing down to admire the beauty of the morning.  Breathe, relax, and remember — Today, you are beautiful!

Have a great week, everyone!

–Dr. Shyla

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Noteworthy Upcoming Dates:

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Morning Meeting Activities

Click Here:  October (Mon-Wed-Fri) Activities

If you’d like to see what your children engaged with during morning meeting or have something to talk about at the dinner table, here is the October Calendar.  Thank you, Ms. Liz, for putting this together for our community!

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Early Fall MCAP/MISA Make-up Testing

This week on Monday October 11, Tuesday October 12, and Wednesday October 13, students who were absent during the Early Fall MCAP/MISA testing the week of September 27 will be able to make-up these assessments. Students will be pulled during their Intensive times so that they will not miss their content or arts classes. Students who receive accommodations will be provided their accommodations during the test.

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Equity Committee

Two years ago, we conducted an Equity Audit of our school.  From that, we created a team of community members that helped to develop a formal Equity Plan for the school in response to findings from the audit.  Each year, we plan to revisit the plan, adjust it for current needs and conditions, and hold ourselves accountable for continued work toward a more equitable and inclusive school.

If you would like to join the equity committee, please email Shyla Rao (srao@cityneighborshamilton.org) and Rickkay King (rking@cityneighborshamilton.org). We would love to have voice and perspective on the committee!

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Student Voice Association Elections

Our goal for CNH graduates is for our alumni to be able to critically engage in the world around them and affect change where they deem necessary.  The Student Voice Association, facilitated by Dr. Shyla, is a way for students to learn how to empower their voices and help to improve the student experience at school.  I look forward to working with our future change agents!  Here is the link to the “Intent to Run” form.

All final Intent to Run Forms are due to the homeroom teachers no later than Monday morning.

 

 

SVA

Intent to Run Form

Student Voice Association Elections (October 15, 2021)

If you are interested in running for a position, please fill out the form below and return it to your homeroom teacher no later than Friday morning (October 8th).

Name _______________________________________________

Grade _______________________________________________

Position _____________________________________________

I would like to meet with Dr. Shyla for advice on my campaign (circle one)   Yes    No

(Dr. Shyla will schedule a time to meet with you after you return the form.)

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Description of the leadership structure in his proposal:

• “The Core” positions — The leadership team of the SVA. Roles include:

  • Facilitator — Collects ideas from students and leads SVA meetings

  • Promoter — (Student rep for the Board) — Shares ideas from the SVA and seeks support from the Board, faculty, and community with new initiatives

  • Organizer — Leads the students to make new initiatives happen.

  • Members-at-Large – Support Core in collecting student opinions and enacting initiatives

• Classroom representative — Attends all SVA meetings, reports back to their homeroom class, and helps to promote initiatives around the school

 Timeline for elections:

• Friday, October 8 — Students submit their “Intent to Run” form to their homeroom teachers no later than this day.

• Monday, October 11-Friday October 15 — Hang signs for student campaigns

• Friday, October 15 — Any students running for “The Core” will record a speech to be played for the school at the virtual All-School on Friday, October 15.

  • Elections will follow the speeches.

  • Elections for students running for classroom representative will be held during homeroom that same morning.

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Policy Review — Committee Nights

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 (ie. 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 (ie. 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 7th.

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.

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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