Baltimore City Association
of School Psychologists
Special Issue
Spring 2015
President’s Pen
Trying to find the words for
this upcoming newsletter’s
presidential pen has been
difficult. I found myself struggling to find a way to capture
the thoughts and emotions of
not only our staff, but our
students and the communities in which we serve and
live. I found myself trying to
wrap my mind around what
has occurred in our city and
condense those thoughts into
a 500 word passage.
Reflecting upon my own
thoughts and feelings, I de-
cided to have the BCASP
board publish a special edition of our newsletter to highlight positive ways we influence our students to be
strong, independent, and successful members of society.
Additionally, I wanted to
frame the many ways that our
students channel their emotions and feelings during
times of such instability,
trepidation, and unease.
The pain in our city is deep
but not new. The struggle of
our city is constant and real.
John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School
However, the dedication that
we as School Psychologists
provide to this City, associated communities, and our
students is unwavering.
We hope this special edition
will shed some light on the
Baltimore City Public School
system and allow for others to
see what a great place it is to
work and live here.
Thank you.
Nadine Serbonich
Mallory Ungs
The kindergarten students gathered outside to make a human peace sign (pictured below). While
we were making the peace sign, the students were really excited to be making something "way bigger than us". They talked about how even though they couldn't see what we looked like, they were
excited that [school staff] could see us from the building. They discussed how people in planes and
space could look down and see our peace sign. When we were sharing about what was happening
in our city, the students focused on how to tell people with words what they didn't like, "not stealing and hurting." They talked about how people should listen more to what the "mad and sad people" were saying. Students were really positive, noting that even though some people "broke" our
city, they were happy to see people starting to "fix it," mentioning the cleaning efforts the day after
the riots. Students also said
that people shouldn't be mean
to police and others because
they were mad at a particular
police officer or person. A lot
of my students talked about
how the city needed more hugging and more ice cream. One
of my favorite things a little
boy said, was "I'd give the cops
ice cream, they have been out
in the hot all day!"
Page
2
Special
Page 2
The Baltimore City Association of School Psychologists
Issue
Mini-Grant Spotlight: It Takes A Village
A Constant Education
Written By Kerri-Jean Carter
Written By: Lisa Austin
Every once in a while a child comes into our offices and changes our lives. I met this child
Regardless of our origin stories, when we took jobs as school psychologists with
when he was in kindergarten. He was withdrawn, angry, wouldn’t speak and was misunderBaltimore City Schools, I imagine the majority of us attempted to prepare ourstood. This kindergartener had been dismissed from pre-k and suspended for behavior that
selves
we had
yet“why?”
to encounter,
which his
in turn
would
no one could understand;
yetfor
nochallenges
one had even
asked
Upon meeting
mother,
I require solutions
had yet to design.
That
said,
was not
amount of
time spent in the
learned that the family
hadwe
experienced
the tragic
loss
of there
his father/
heranhusband.
His
that could
havechildren,
prepared
us forlost
theher
challenges
we confronted
mother was now alonecity
to raise
her three
having
own mother
just a year in the wake of
Freddie
Not just
the challenge
processing
the to
tragic death of a
prior. At the time of his
father’sGray’s
death,death.
my student
was three
years-oldof
and
was reported
“We
former
Baltimore
City
the impact
it was store.
havingFor
ona the community
be as
theschool
only person with
his father
when he
wasStudent,
shot on but
the way
to the grocery
current
students. scenarios I can imagine.
psychologists
child this must be one and
of the
most traumatizing
are so
On Sunday morning May 26th, I was in Kentucky when I turned on the T.V. in
This child
for an IEP for an emotional disability and for alternative
fortunate
thatwas recommended
my hotel room to see pictures and video of three of my students vandalizing a poplacement due to his extreme externalizing behaviors. In understanding why he was angry,
lice car. At first, I was incredulous. I’m seeing this in Kentucky on CNN! I was
weI are
abletotosupport him
was able
and walk with him through those difficult times rather than hope
heartbroken;
heartbroken
for our
and forsecond
those children,
one of whom I have
offer
safe
thataan
IEP would change
him. Today
this young man
is acity
successful
grade student
gotten
to
known
well
over
past
three
years.
There
is
no
preparing
and IWe
havehave
had the pleasure of working with him over the three years. With grief counsel- for that. I had
space.
eight hours
in the has
car grown
to process
what was happening.
Allhis
of daysthe solutions I came
ing
and
behavioral
support
this student
tremendously.
While he has
the opportunity
up
with
required
more
than
I
could
muster
on
my
own.
However,
much like we all do, he has really learned to cope with his grief and manage his feelings like I tell the
to appropriately.
be the adult
students I work with, “Identify the problem, focus on what you have control over,
and find a way to control it. Do not get bogged down by all the other stuff—that’s
they can come
just
white
noise.
not let it
distract
you—focus!”
This
year
his
mother
came
to me
andDo
disclosed
that
she was
homeless- living on the livto when they
ing room floor of her sister’s home with three children and an infant all under the age of
Then Monday night happened and there were fires and looting within two
need a noneight. She didn’t have transportation, or the means to move but she had been saving up for
blocks
of my school in East Baltimore. More heartbreak led to more self-talk,
judgmental
months from her federal aid to finally have enough money to move her family from the Due to this renewed effort
“Control what
you havewhen
control
So Tuesday
morning
up, drove
to
learner success,
projects to a safer neighborhood.
I remember
she over.”
called me
and was so
excitedItogottowards
ear.”
there
areschools,
many positive
McElderry
Park
in
Baltimore
to
meet
the
Assistant
Principal
of
one
of
my
share that she finally found a place that she could afford! She was thrilled to share the great school-wide changes
and
wetocleaned
up.family
The positive
community
support
palpable.
In
news that she would be
able
move her
and notenergy
have toand
sleep
on someone’s
floor.wasincluding
additional
the
wake
of
so
much
disappointment,
the
smiles
and
civic
responsibility
was
a
supports
to
PRIDE
It quickly occurred to me that this mother may not have any furniture of her own, or linens,
programs.
manifestation
of thefor
amazing
spirit While
Baltimore
possesses.
or dishes or anything to
furnish this home
her family.
I cannot
change At
thethat
pastmoment, I consideredexperienced,
myself so fortunate.
Fortunate
because
I livetoand
in Baltimore City
and the loss they had already
I knew I could
help in
the present
get work
the maand
I
witness
that
amazing
spirit
everyday.
terials they would need to make a safe home for these children.
When Wednesday came, I was uncertain about what I would find at my high
I decided to organize a community effort to gather household items for this family. I
school
in Cherry Hill. By the end of the day, I was shown (yet again) how fortunate
posted an add on my neighborhood website and with the support of Canton Neighbors I
I
am
to
thetowels,
job I do.
Likepots
I amand
surepans,
many
of you
was able to collect beds, cribs, have
sheets,
plates,
baby
toysexperienced,
and books! II had a constant
stream
of
traffic
in
and
out
of
my
office
all
day.
Some
students
would stay for only
had mothers donating children’s clothing and new shoes. We were able to get a dining
a
couple
of
minutes,
“Just
checking
in
Mrs.
Austin,
wanted
to
see how you were
room table and a chair for the living room. I even had neighbors volunteer to help deliver
doing.”
was probably
most
polite
request
for her
support
have ever encounall of the items to the house
for(that
this family.
When Ithe
called
this
parent
and told
what Ithis
tered).
Many
notworked
sure how
to talk
about Freddie’s
community had done for
her she
wasstudents
in tears. were
She had
so hard
to secure
a safe shel-death and its afstill
did she
notwould
even know
details
Freddie’s death and
ter for her family that termath.
she hadn’tMore
even students
considered
what
use tothe
furnish
theofhome.
a safe
to ask We
questions
andwith
an even
safer place
to process and reIt made me realize howneeded
much we
take place
for granted.
redecorate
the seasons,
and buy
to those
We for
as school
so fortunate
new things because wespond
can, but
that details.
is not true
most ofpsychologists
the families are
we work
with inthat we are able
offermet
a safe
space.
We have
theand
opportunity
be the
adult
they can come to
Baltimore City. I have to
never
a more
grateful
mother
I had nevertobeen
more
humwhen they need a non-judgmental ear.
bled.
I would
like tomini
think
thattothose
the time,
moneyitems
and energy to comI requested the support
of BCASP’s
grant
help who
covertake
the costs
of hygiene
plete
a
graduate
program
to
become
a
School
Psychologist
do
such as new tooth brushes, baby soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste and shampoo. so
I for more than
and summers
off. We are
caretakers.
are taking care by
bought diapers, toilet spring
paper, breaks
paper towels,
and silverware
in addition
to Whether
trash bagsweand
warden
the IEP
process,
or by using
training
and
sponges, dish soap andbeing
hand asoap.
The of
family
was so
appreciative
for ourour
support.
With
theempathy to provide
a
safe
and
therapeutic
place
for
children
to
speak
their
mind
donations of caring neighbors and the financial support of BCASP I was able to help a fam- and get help
their
universe.
Thefor
actthe
of holidays.
caretaking goes both ways; the students I
ily in need have a homedeciphering
with heat and
furniture
in time
met with at my high school and my K-8 showed a level of compassion and sagathatI belied
their
age
and
demonstrated
theirmorning
caretaking
To close, I will shareciousness
this message
received
from
this
parent
on Christmas
afterskills.
the children had opened the presents (also donated). “Ms. Carter, I cant thank you and
had a conversation
particular
so enlightening
and
your friends enough for Ihelping
us with this with
houseone
andstudent
gettinginpresents
forthat
my was
family.
I
provided
insight
that
I
had
been
struggling
to
put
into
words.
As
we
discussed
the
never thought my children would be so lucky to know someone like you.” While the day to
day trials may wear us down, we must remember that “to the world we may be one person,
but to one person we may be the world.”
Special Issue
Page 3
A Constant Education, Cont.
riots, it came up that people were having a hard time understanding, much less
empathizing, with why people would burn their own neighborhood. I told him
one person said to me, "It's like burning down your own house. Why would you
burn down your own house?” I asked him how he would want me to try to explain
that to them. This was his (paraphrased) response:
“What if you hated your house? What if your house wasn't safe? What if the
roof was falling in and you didn't have any running water and the air was dangerous to breathe and the paint could make you sick? What if you hated your house
for all of those reasons, but nobody would fix it? What if you hated your house
for all of those reasons, and no one cared enough to have it condemned. Well,
you might burn that f****er down. You might say if nobody's going to pay attention while it's still standing, maybe they will pay attention when it's burning."
How many people do you know have the opportunity to have these conversations? How many people are allowed the benefit of not only helping kids like this,
but also being helped in return? In preparing to become School Psychologists, we
took so many classes and wrote so many papers and scored so many protocols.
We are still learning by way of personal research, professional development and
supervision. Yet, those are not the only ways we become better clinicians. Life is
a constant education. I consider it part of my continuing development to hear as
much as my students care to tell me. It is part of our education to gain understanding about the lives and struggles and circumstances of the children we
serve. It is part of our job to gain this information so that we can more accurately
empathize with and then support our students. Empathy (and its application) is
not about making excuses. It is not about the avoidance of holding children accountable for their decisions. It is about being able to communicate comprehensively and supporting students in working through those decisions. That empathy is shown in our ability to demonstrate consistent and genuine guidance, and
this sincere furtherance is what fosters positive change.
We are so fortunate. We are able to be the adult who builds a relationship with
these students. We are able help them conceptualize that while perhaps their life
circumstances may have taught them they cannot always count on others to meet
their physical or emotional needs, that is not how life has to always be. We are
able to see the resilience, strength, and determination of children who face struggles that would make a lot of us throw in the towel. Not only do we get to help
these children, but in doing so we become better practitioners. Through increased understanding, exposure, and empathy we in turn become better people.
How many people can say that? How many people can say that because of the
work they do every day, work that has the opportunity to help so many, they have
realized personal growth in themselves? Again, we are so fortunate.
It is not an easy job and sometimes it makes your heart hurt. Few things that
foster growth and improvement are easy, and gaining strength does not happen
without aching muscles. So work through the pain. Gain strength, gain insight,
and control what you have control over…which I know at times can seem like
such a small insignificant piece. We are all just one person, and that can make
our small daily actions seem unimportant. When I feel like I am bailing water out
of a boat that has a hole in it, I look at a quote hanging in my office, “Never doubt
that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Now, go be awesome.
“Life is a
constant
education. I
consider it
part of my
continuing
development
to hear as
much as my
students care
to tell me. “
Page
4
Special
Page 4
The Baltimore City Association of School Psychologists
Issue
Mini-Grant Spotlight: It Takes A Village
School Psychologists Supporting Students
Written By Kerri-Jean Carter
Reginald F. Lewis High School
Catherine Stuart
Every once in a while a child comes into our offices and changes our lives. I met this child
The mental
health
clinicians
and
psychologists at
when he was in kindergarten. He was withdrawn,
angry,
wouldn’t
speak and
wasschool
misunderstood. This kindergartener had been dismissed
from
pre-k and
suspended
for behavior
that on a schoolReginald
F. Lewis
High
School worked
together
no one could understand; yet no one had
asked
meeting his
mother,and
I staff in movwideeven
project
to“why?”
supportUpon
the students,
teachers,
learned that the family had experienced
tragic from
loss of
father/ her
His
ing the
forward
thehisincidents
thathusband.
have occurred
in the last
mother was now alone to raise her three
children,
having posters
lost her with
own amother
a year in the shape
week.
We created
map ofjust
Baltimore
prior. At the time of his father’s death, of
myheart,
student
was
three
and was
reported to
and
gave
outyears-old
sticky notes
for students,
staff, and teachbe the only person with his father wheners
heto
was
shot
on
the
way
to
the
grocery
store.
For a or things they
write things that they like about Baltimore
child this must be one of the most traumatizing
scenarios
canthe
imagine.
hope will
change Ifor
better. The goal of this project was to
allow students and staff to express themselves in peaceful and
This child was recommended for an IEP for an emotional disability and for alternative
positive
ways, In
along
with providing
an opportunity
for our
placement due to his extreme externalizing
behaviors.
understanding
why he was
angry,
to knowthose
theirdifficult
voices were
We had many high
I was able to support him and walk withyouth
him through
timesbeing
ratherheard.
than hope
school
students
Lifegrade
Skillsstudent
students), teachers,
that an IEP would change him. Today this
young
man is (including
a successfulour
second
and
staff
members
(including
school
police
officer, custodians,
and I have had the pleasure of working with him over the three years. With grief counselsecretaries,
counselors,
social
participate in the
ing and behavioral support this student
has grown APs,
tremendously.
While
he workers)
has his daysproject.
Many
participants
commented
that
they liked focusing
much like we all do, he has really learned
to cope
with
his grief and
manage his
feelings
on the positive things that were happening in the city as a way
appropriately.
to help them move forward. We also noticed that some students
This year his mother came to me andhad
disclosed
thatidentifying
she was homelessliv- of the adverdifficulty
positive living
thingson
asthe
a result
ing room floor of her sister’s home with
three
andbeen
an infant
the However,
age of
sity
thatchildren
they have
facingall
forunder
so long.
when proeight. She didn’t have transportation, or
the means
move butand
she had
been saving upthey
for were able to
vided
with to
examples
encouragement,
Due to this renewed effort
months from her federal aid to finallyidentify
have enough
money
to move
family
the they
positive
things
abouther
their
city from
or things
hope to
projects to a safer neighborhood. I remember
when she called me and was so excited to towards learner success,
see change.
there are many positive
share that she finally found a place that she could afford! She was thrilled to share the great school-wide changes
news that she would be able to move her family and not have to sleep on someone’s floor. including additional
supports to PRIDE
ItNorthwestern
quickly occurred
to me
that this mother may not have any furniture of her own, or linens,
High
School
Miriam
Yarmak
programs.
or dishes or anything to furnish this home for her family. While I cannot change the past
and
the loss
theystaff
had (including
already experienced,
I knew I could
help in the community
present to get
the maMental
health
school psychologist,
school-based
mental
health therapist,
terials
they would
to make
safe home for
these
children.
and school
socialneed
worker)
metaindividually
and
in small
groups with students and teachers to discuss
and process the events. After consultation with teachers, administrators, other mental health providI decided to organize a community effort to gather household items for this family. I
ers, and of course students, it was determined that a more systematic approach to helping students
posted an add on my neighborhood website and with the support of Canton Neighbors I
process
these
events
was
needed.
Totowels,
that end,
overpots
theand
nextpans,
several
days,
and
was
able to
collect
beds,
cribs,
sheets,
plates,
baby
toysthe
andschool
books!psychologist
I
school-based
community
mental
health and
therapist
visitedWe
over
a dozen
English
classrooms to facilihad
mothers donating
children’s
clothing
new shoes.
were
able to
get a dining
tate discussions
with for
students
in aroom.
safe and
supportive
environment.
who were identified
room
table and a chair
the living
I even
had neighbors
volunteerStudents
to help deliver
byofteachers/staff
ashouse
needing
additional
were this
seenparent
one-on-one
the
school
all
the items to the
for this
family. support
When I called
and toldby
her
what
this social worker.
The mentalhad
health
met
principal
to discuss
froma the
intervencommunity
doneteam
for her
shewith
was the
in tears.
She had
worked take-always
so hard to secure
safeclassroom
sheltions.
Plans
are that
being
toeven
create
a video project
showcase
students'
positive reactions/
ter
for her
family
shemade
hadn’t
considered
what shetowould
use tothe
furnish
the home.
future.
Ithopes
madefor
methe
realize
how much we take for granted. We redecorate with the seasons, and buy
new things because we can, but that is not true for most of the families we work with in
Baltimore City. I have never met a more grateful mother and I had never been more humbled.
I requested the support of BCASP’s mini grant to help cover the costs of hygiene items
such as new tooth brushes, baby soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste and shampoo. I
bought diapers, toilet paper, paper towels, and silverware in addition to trash bags and
sponges, dish soap and hand soap. The family was so appreciative for our support. With the
donations of caring neighbors and the financial support of BCASP I was able to help a family in need have a home with heat and furniture in time for the holidays.
To close, I will share this message I received from this parent on Christmas morning after
the children had opened the presents (also donated). “Ms. Carter, I cant thank you and
your friends enough for helping us with this house and getting presents for my family. I
never thought my children would be so lucky to know someone like you.” While the day to
day trials may wear us down, we must remember that “to the world we may be one person,
but to one person we may be the world.”
Page 5
The Baltimore City Association of School Psychologists
Newsletter
School Psychologists Supporting Students
Yorkwood Elementary School
Kerri Jean Carter
With the tragic events in our city and the vast array of emotions felt by our students and staff,
there needed to be an outlet for everyone to peacefully express their feelings for the events that
took place over the past week. I was deployed to my home school of Yorkwood Elementary in East
Baltimore where students and staff shared a feeling of sadness and confusion about the destruction of the city. Throughout the week during lunch shifts, the clinicians and I set up a table with
drawing supplies and Bunting Flags— aka “Peace Flags” for the elementary school. Each student
decorated one peace flag during lunch with positive messages about Baltimore. We had a great
response from both students and staff on this positive message to our community. Students wrote
things like “B’more Respectful,” “Have Faith not hate,” “We love our City,” “Protect this City we
call home,” etc. The flags were laminated and strung up around the lobby for our school community to read.
Frederick Douglas High School
Gail Keller
Last week at Douglas High School , many members of the Mayor’s Office Staff as well as Red Cross
Workers visited our classrooms to help the students process their feelings and offer assistance to our
staff. Two members of the FBA team from North Avenue joined us as members of our Crisis Trauma
Team. Members of the Baltimore Ravens Football Team also paid us a visit including Ray Lewis and
Coach John Harbaugh. Ray Lewis gave a wonderful inspirational talk at our school-wide general assembly. He
put a smile on the faces of many of the students who had
been affected by arrests and looting in their neighborhoods. Ray also talked informally with the Douglas
Ducks Football Team before he left and promised to try
to visit one of their games. While there were Humvees
and National Guard Soldiers with rifles across from the
school, our Crisis Trauma Team’s work was enhanced by
the many wonderful, caring visitors to our building.
Their presence helped us meet the needs of our students
and staff during a very trying period. Many thanks to all
that helped.
Page 6
Special Issue
School Psychologists Supporting Students
Baltimore Montessori School
Kate Shoemaker
Students at Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School
created cards and letters of unity to send to Gilmor Elementary. The students will also be creating art projects
(friendship bracelets, or a whole tapestry made in a loom)
to provide to those students and school staff as a way to
support those most impacted in West Baltimore. Additionally, our students and school community are collecting toiletries and basic necessities to give to seniors in the
Senior Residences located behind the CVS that was
burned down.
Northwestern High School
Laura Grubb
At Northwestern High School, I sat in on an assembly preparing students for the sight of national
guardsmen and armed policemen on their bus routes, instructing them on how to make their way
peacefully home. The students made a banner reading "I am somebody" and they invited students,
teachers, and staff to sign.
Harlem Park Middle School
Laura Grubb
At Harlem Park, I helped middle school students put together a "Hands of Peace" banner. We cut
out hand tracings from all the students and arranged them in the form of the word "Peace," a
cross, and a peace sign, while discussing their feelings about recent developments in the Freddie
Gray case, their experiences with police, and their thoughts on their role in making things better in
their community.
Page
7
Special
Page 7
The Baltimore City Association of School Psychologists
Issue
Mini-Grant Spotlight: It Takes A Village
Celebrating Renewed Identity &
Purpose in the Wake of Tragedy
Written By Kerri-Jean Carter
Every once in a while a child comes into our offices and changes our lives. I met thisWritten
child By: Liz Niemiec
when he was in kindergarten.
He
was
withdrawn,
angry,
wouldn’t
speak
and
was
misunderThe recent events in Baltimore City are rich with the pain that can only come
stood. This kindergartener had been dismissed from pre-k and suspended for behavior that
in
of one
opportunity,
growth,
and change.
For those
of us, like
one could understand;times
yet no
had even asked
“why?”
Upon meeting
his mother,
I me, who usu“Inosaw
ally
split
our time between
it was
surreal feeling
to report to
learned that the family
had
experienced
the tragicmultiple
loss of schools,
his father/
her ahusband.
His
teachers come
mother was now aloneWindsor
to raise her
three
children, Middle
having lost
her own
mother
just astraight.
year
Hills
Elementary
School
for over
a week
I suddenly
toprior.
life,At the time of his father’s death, my student was three years-old and was reported to
went from a fleeting, 1.5 days a week, part-time psychological assessment conbe the only person with his father when he was shot on the way to the grocery store. For a
facilitating
and traumatizing
IEP meetingscenarios
attendeeIto
a full-time,
child this must be one ductor
of the most
can
imagine. pivotal member of a community
conversations
that I knew very little about.
This childof
was recommended for an IEP for an emotional disability and for alternative
so outside
placement due to his extreme
behaviors. In
he was angry,and fellow staff
I was externalizing
given the opportunity
to understanding
bond with mywhy
administration
their
comfort
I was able to support him
and walk
him
through
rather than
hope
members
in with
a way
that
I had those
neverdifficult
before times
experienced.
I saw
teachers come to
zones,
that an IEP would change him. Today this young man is a successful second grade student
life, facilitating
of their
comfort
zones, embodying the
and I have had the pleasure
of workingconversations
with him over so
theoutside
three years.
With
grief counselembodying
traits this
I hope
to exude
a school
psychologist:
patience,
ing and behavioral support
student
has as
grown
tremendously.
While
he has flexibility,
his days- empathy, and
the
traits
I all do, he
much
like we
has really learned
to cope with his grief and manage his feelings
unparalleled
understanding.
appropriately.
hope
to exude
I saw students share the most simple, yet powerful statements of wonder, awe,
as a
school
This
year his motherand
came
to me
and disclosed
that
she was homelessliving on
the livshock
about
the human
condition
and the political
unrest
in our city. I ralpsychologist:
ing room floor of her sister’s home with three children and an infant all under the age of
lied
with
the
other
mental
health
providers
in
the
building,
working
together to
eight. She didn’t have transportation, or the means to move but she had been saving up for
patience,
Due week
to this renewed
collect
information
keepmoney
all staff
unitedher
and
informed
as the
pro- effort
months from her federal
aid to
finally haveand
enough
to move
family
from the
flexibility,
projects to a safer neighborhood.
I remember when she called me and was so excited to towards learner success,
gressed.
there are many positive
share that she
finally found a place that she could afford! She was thrilled to share the great school-wide changes
empathy,
and
news that she would be able
to
move
her
family
and
not
have
to
sleep
on
someone’s
floor.
including
additional
It made me remember that same sense of fear and duty I felt when
I first
disunparalleled
supports to PRIDE
It quickly occurred to me
that
this
mother
may
not
have
any
furniture
of
her
own,
or
linens,
covered the internship program offered here in Baltimore City. I had
to decide if
programs.
underor dishes or anything to furnish this home for her family. While I cannot change the past
pickingexperienced,
up and moving
myI life
tohelp
workinin
“big, urban
and the loss they had already
I knew
could
thea present
to getdistrict,
the ma-with big, urban
standing.”
problems”
would
be
right
for
me.
Only
in
hindsight
do
I
now
recognize how big
terials they would need to make a safe home for these children.
of a decision that was, and how that internship was the only thing that could
I decided to organize a community effort to gather household items for this family. I
have preparedwebsite
me for these
last few
weeks. of Canton Neighbors I
posted an add on my neighborhood
and with
the support
was able to collect beds, cribs, sheets, towels, plates, pots and pans, baby toys and books! I
had mothers donating children’s clothing and new shoes. We were able to get a dining
room table and a chair for the living room. I even had neighbors volunteer to help deliver
all of the items to the house for this family. When I called this parent and told her what this
community had done for her she was in tears. She had worked so hard to secure a safe shelter for her family that she hadn’t even considered what she would use to furnish the home.
It made me realize how much we take for granted. We redecorate with the seasons, and buy
new things because we can, but that is not true for most of the families we work with in
Baltimore City. I have never met a more grateful mother and I had never been more humbled.
I requested the support of BCASP’s mini grant to help cover the costs of hygiene items
such as new tooth brushes, baby soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste and shampoo. I
bought diapers, toilet paper, paper towels, and silverware in addition to trash bags and
sponges, dish soap and hand soap. The family was so appreciative for our support. With the
donations of caring neighbors and the financial support of BCASP I was able to help a family in need have a home with heat and furniture in time for the holidays.
To close, I will share this message I received from this parent on Christmas morning after
the children had opened the presents (also donated). “Ms. Carter, I cant thank you and
your friends enough for helping us with this house and getting presents for my family. I
never thought my children would be so lucky to know someone like you.” While the day to
day trials may wear us down, we must remember that “to the world we may be one person,
but to one person we may be the world.”
Special Issue
Page 8
Celebrating, Continued...
In the wake of these events, it is easy to want to “just get back to normal.” And
after a week of being away from Digital Harbor High School, I re-entered the
building nervous and disheartened at the thought of making up all of those
missed services, entering countless encounter notes, and catching up with my
seniors in the few precious days left to ensure a walk across that graduation
stage.
But I could not have been prepared for how these few days would cause such a
shift in my mentality. One after another, my students told me that they avoided
all of the violence. Whether they marched to City Hall, spent their day-off cleaning up several neighborhoods alongside their teachers and families, or just
stayed in their homes, the overwhelming sentiment was one of positivity and
activism. Despite their very own personal, negative experiences with the police
and justice system, they insisted that they were not going to be another statistic
or meme on the internet.
My emails were full of the pictures you see on these pages, taken by one of our
technology teachers, Anna McConnell. Links to news articles were shared, quoting our SGA president, Darius Craig’s speech from his March for Understanding
on April 29th, and our journalism teacher, Daniel Sass, focusing on celebrating
our students for who they are: students.
It feels odd to be so thankful for the unrest that has brought me to this place
in my professional development. However, I stand by my admiration and gratitude to those who have suffered personal loss, anguish, and rage in order for
countless others to find hope, unity, love, and the strength to build a better
world, and live better lives. In their honor, I hope to continue to serve Baltimore
City, our students, and their families.
“Despite their
very own,
personal,
negative
experiences
with the police
and justice
system,
[students]
insisted that
they were not
going to be
another
statistic or
meme on the
internet. ”
Thank you for reading!
2014-2015 Newsletter Committee Members:







Jessica Kouvel Munch, Editor-In-Chief
Liz Niemiec, Design & Layout Editor
April Turner, Managing Editor
Christina Burton
Nadine Serbonich
Check Out Our
Abby Courtright
Webpage!
Erin O’Keeffe
www.bcasp.net
Roland Park Elementary School
Cindy Thorne
Our RPEMS art department and students created and signed large banners as a symbol of unity,
civility and shared love for Baltimore City and all of its residents! We had some great one-on-one
and group conversations as these were being signed.