Local Schools Honor Black History Month

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This month we reached out to area schools to ask how they support Black History Month. Here’s what they shared about their curriculum spotlighting the history of BIPOC and their ongoing commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity throughout the year.

Archbishop Borders
3500 Foster Avenue, 410-276-6534

Miss Kaitlyn Hammel, Assistant Principal, tells us Archbishop Borders does many events around culture and inclusion year-round. This year's Black History Month events include, but are not limited to:

  • A "Celebrate the Nations" day to kick off Black History Month. Students will wear the colors of the flag of their heritage.

  • Middle school students will be invited to choose an Afro-Latino musician. They will present an introduction to the musical artist and will choose a song by that artist; this will air live on Morgan State's radio, WEAA, 88.9 on Saturday, February 11 at 12:00 pm

Registration for new students will open on February 15 for the 2023-24 school year. We’re excited to share ABS will be opening an additional Pre-K class next year! Families should apply now to be on the enrollment list.

Hampstead Hill Academy
500 S. Linwood Avenue, 410-396-9146

At Hampstead Hill Academy students will be learning about African traditions in the arts to celebrate Black History Month! Pre-K through 4th graders will use the knowledge gained in Q2 with the origins of masks and will be creating a paper mâché mask based on a storytelling tribe in Africa. The 5th through 8th graders will start putting their performance skills to the test by learning about monologue composition and performance.  Students will read monologues from famous African American playwrights – all to create a monologue of their own thoughts. Also, each morning, announcements will be made featuring information on famous African American individuals.

Hampstead Hill Academy is now accepting prospective student information forms for the 2023-2024 School Year. Parents can now submit a form for:

  • Pre-Kindergarten

  • The HHA Lottery

  • A child who is in-zone and plans to attend HHA for the 22-23 school year

Visit this link https://hha47.org/admissions/ for detailed information.

Patterson Park Public Charter School
27 N. Lakewood Avenue, 410-558-1230

Clay Hill Public Charter School (PPPCS and CHPCS are Sister Schools)
6400 E. Pratt Street, 443-813-1653

Patterson Park Public Charter School will host a Black History Month Family Program on February 23 at 5:30 pm at the school.

PPPCS is accepting enrollment applications for the school year 2023/24 in grades PreK-8. The deadline for applications to be part of the lottery is 2/15/23. Families can apply for PPPCS at www.pppcs.org/enrollment.

PPPCS’s partner school, Clay Hill Public Charter School, is also accepting enrollment applications for the school year 2023/24 in grades Kindergarten to 5th grade. The deadline for applications to be part of the lottery is 2/15/23. Families can apply for CHPCS at www.clayhillpcs.org/enrollment. Families can also obtain paper copies of the applications at each school’s main office.

St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) of Baltimore Head Start
242 S. Patterson Park Avenue, 410-276-5724

The Head Start scholars of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore will be celebrating Black History Month with a range of cultural and educational activities. Week 1 scholars will create “I have a dream” and “Black Lives Matter” collages that encourage them to visualize their goals and educate others about African American achievements.  Week 2 will explore the cultures of different African and Caribbean Island countries.  Week 3 scholars will wear African dress and engage in a parade and classroom presentations. They wrap up the month with educational explorations of African American inventors and music. As always, Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity to explore the many contributions of African American culture in our community and an exciting time for Head Start scholars.

Enrollment for the September 2023 year has started. If you are interested in learning more about St. Vincent de Paul Head Start, visit headstartbaltimore.org.

The New Century School
724 S. Ann St., 410.929.4116

Ann Marie Simonetti, Director of Admissions at The New Century School, tells us their anti-racism/Social Justice Committee, part of TNCS Family Partnership, focuses on raising awareness and building engagement around anti-racism and social justice matters. She also shares, service is one of the four Core Values at TNCS. During their capstone service-learning trip, TNCS middle students experience how their efforts can have farther-reaching impacts. 

Initiatives this year include reading lists grouped by age shared on our school blog, Immersed, and a tour of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum for 2nd - 8th graders. Also, Stamped by Jason Reynolds and author Ibram Kendi will be discussed in 6th through 8th-grade reading circles.

Previous programming supporting BIPOC included:

- Visit from renowned artist Harold Caudio sharing “The Colored Collection,” a series of portraits of iconic black individuals, the first of which was Trayvon Martin titled “Justus.”

- Guest speaker Jessy Molina sharing her presentation “Talking to Children about Race and Racism,”

- Choral Performances including songs such as Fanga Alafia which means “peace, goodwill” in the Yoruba language. This West African folk tune exhibits call and response one singer calls with a melodic statement, then is answered with a response. Lift Every Voice and Sing (words by James Weldon Johnson, music by J. Rosamond Johnson, and arranged by Rollo Dilworth).

- Walking tour of Baltimore with Frederick Douglass - brought to life Dr. Brian C. Morrison who points out places where he lived and worked. Dr. Morrison not only inhabits the character of Douglass but continues his legacy as an advocate for civil and human rights, the pursuit of education, and free debate.

For more information and enrollment info, visit https://www.facebook.com/thenewcenturyschool.

Wolfe Street Academy
245 S. Wolf Street, 410-396-9140 

Principal Mark Gaither shares Wolfe Street Academy will be celebrating Black History Month with focused lessons and schoolwide presentations on the fundamental role that African Americans and other people of color have played in the creation of a United States that seeks to live up to the ideals of its founding documents that all were created equal. In addition, our faculty continues a years-long look at developing their own commitment and learning. After participating in workshops on anti-racist teaching, members of the faculty have continued their work through the formation of Racial Identity Affinity Groups and of “The Coalition,” a combination of our two affinity groups where faculty can meet to discuss how to create a positive, equitable environment for all at Wolfe Street Academy.

Wolfe Street Academy is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year for all grades, Pre-Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Interested families can find enrollment information and applications at www.wolfestreetacademy.org. Enrollment can also be completed at https://www.baltimorecp.org/bcp-enrollment-application/. Please know that priority enrollment is based on your household address for kindergarten through 5th Grade. Families living outside of our enrollment zone will be placed in our lottery process. Pre-Kindergarten enrollment is based on economic priority needs. Regardless, WSA encourages all interested families to reach out and apply. Spaces are currently available at all grade levels.