Which Summer Program is Right for my Pre-teen?

Choosing the right summer activity for your child isn’t always easy – especially for those children who are at a transitional age. That is, they’re too independent for a youth day camp yet too young to work. So how do we keep these pre-teens busy throughout the summer months?

A well-established summer program is a great way to give kids at any age the freedom they long for while also keeping them social and active in a controlled setting. While deciding on the perfect summer program for a pre-teen is a bit more complicated than selecting a day camp for a younger child, it is important to remember that the rewards are often much greater. Below are a few questions to ask yourself as you embark upon your search for the perfect summer excursion for your pre-teen.

Is this program reputable? What kind of organization is managing this program, and how will that have an effect on my child’s overall welfare if they should attend?

Who is in charge? What is the staff like? Are activities supervised by trained and certified instructors?

Is it active? The last thing we want our kids doing on a beautiful day is inactively sitting in front of a television or computer for hours on end. Try to find a day program that offers obscure outdoor adventures like kayaking, climbing, boating, and hiking.

Is it educational? Just because kids aren’t in school doesn’t mean that learning should come to a halt, right? Finding a program that is committed to exercising children’s minds as well as their bodies allows kids to challenge themselves without even realizing it!

Keeping these questions along with your pre-teen’s particular interests in mind will help narrow down your summer excursion search. Environmental education organization, Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region, provides a great Summer Camp Catalog that includes countless adventures and hands-on learning activities that mirror the qualifications of an ideal summer program for pre-teens.

For more information about what Living Classrooms has to offer as well as answers to any further summer program-related questions, visit www.livingclassroomsdc.org.

5 Unique Ways to Enjoy DC’s 100th National Cherry Blossom Festival

Every year people visit Washington, DC from all over the country in order to celebrate the onset of spring with the Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. This year the DC Festival celebrates its 100th anniversary, and with that, will offer a diverse range of activities and events for visitors. Below is a list of five of the more unique ways folks can enjoy and admire the natural beauty of the blossoming cherry trees.

1. Bike Tours – A bike ride is one of the most effective and active ways to explore the natural beauty of DC in the spring. The Cherry Blossom Festival offers several bike tours, each running around 2 hours long.

2. Live Music – Whether you are entranced by the indigenous sounds of the ancient Japanese harp or perched on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial listening to local jazz, live music is sure to be an inviting key component to the 2012 Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.

3. Museum Exhibits – Many art and culture displays will be present in the city during the festival. One of the most unique will undoubtedly be the Arise Gallery’s “100 Years of Kimono,” which is an exhibit that showcases kimono, obi, and other Japanese textiles over a 100-year period. This is a great way to learn more about the beauty and history of the culture that started it all.

4. Blossom Kite Festival – The second annual Blossom Kite Festival will be held on March 31. Kite makers of all skill levels are invited to the Washington Monument grounds for free flying demonstrations and a variety of kite flying competitions. Children are also encouraged to create their own kites at an activity station nearby.

5. Cherry Blossom Boat Charters – Many people like to utilize the festival as a way to give back to their community. That is why local non-profit organization, Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region, is offering exclusive boat charters on the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers. Enjoy the rich views along the waterfront while contributing to a great cause! 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Living Classrooms “All Hands On Deck” scholarship fund.

The 2012 DC Festival is scheduled for March 20 – April 27. For more information on how to give back to the community during this time as well as information on the festival in general, visit http://livingclassroomsdc.org/CherryBlossomBoatCharters.html.

Joe Flacco Wears his Fu Manchu to Raise Ravens Pride and Funds to Support Living Classrooms Foundation

For Immediate Release

December 29, 2011

Baltimore, MD- Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Joe Flacco and Nestor Aparicio, owner of WNST (We Never Stop Talking Sports) recently partnered with Living Classrooms Foundation in a charity campaign tied to Flacco’s Fu Manchu. On December 6^th, “Fu 5 Fighters for Flacco” kicked off with Flacco challenging fans (male and female) to join him in growing or wearing a Fu Manchu. Participants pledge to donate $5 each week for the remainder of Ravens football season and are eligible to win dinner with Flacco. Donations can be made throughout the contest or in one lump sum at the end. Participants must first register their Fu through the Facebook App (go to facebook.com and search “Fu 5 Fighters for Flacco”) then upload photos showing off their staches and Ravens pride. Fans can fulfill their pledges or donate without growing a Fu by visiting this link directly at www.livingclassrooms.org/fu5flacco.

The staches are starting to catch on with fans and players including Brendon Ayanbadejo. Fans are posting pictures of their Fus on the Facebook page and tweeting about them using hashtag #5F.

The Fu Manchus are a symbol of Baltimore’s pride in the Ravens and commitment to our City’s youth. Joe Flacco and WNST selected Living Classrooms as charity partner because of the Foundation’s success in turning lives around and positively impacting communities.

Living Classrooms Foundation is an educational nonprofit organization that serves disadvantaged youth and young adults throughout the Baltimore and Washington, DC areas. The Foundation has been serving the community for over 26 years with hands-on education and job training programs, including a public charter middle school and K-8 school in East Baltimore. The organization’s mission is to strengthen communities and inspire young people to achieve their potential through hands-on education and job training, using urban, natural, and maritime resources as “living classrooms.”

Contact: Thara Taylor thara@livingclassrooms.org OR James Piper Bond james@livingclassrooms.org 410.685.0295

Living Classrooms and Partners Open Renovated East Baltimore Fire House as P.O.W.E.R. House Serving Perkins Homes Community; Susan Taylor will be Special Guest Speaker

For Immediate Release

Contact: Thara Taylor thara@livingclassrooms.org OR James Piper Bond james@livingclassrooms.org 410.685.0295

Living Classrooms and Partners Open Renovated East Baltimore Fire House as P.O.W.E.R. House Serving Perkins Homes Community; Susan Taylor will be Special Guest Speaker

WHO: Living Classrooms Foundation and partners including Susan Taylor- Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine and Founder of National Cares Mentoring Foundation, Scott Wilfong of SunTrust Bank, Mayor Rawlings-Blake (attendance is tentative), Cailin McGough on behalf of Council President Young, and representatives from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Bauer Foundation, Dept. of Housing, Perkins Homes Tenant Council, Commercial Interiors, RTGX; and students.

WHAT:  Ribbon-cutting Ceremony and Open House for East Baltimore’s New P.O.W.E.R. House Community Center

WHEN:  Thursday, December 15, 2011

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11:00 a.m.

Open House with Tours from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:  316 S. Caroline Street Baltimore, MD 21231

About the Project:  Located in the heart of one of Baltimore’s largest public housing developments, the P.O.W.E.R. House (P.O.W.E.R.= Providing Opportunities to Work, Expand and Rise) will serve as Living Classrooms Foundation’s newest educational facility aimed at expanding programs and services to children and families living in East Baltimore. The opening of the P.O.W.E.R. House celebrates the collective effort of many supporters over several years dedicating their hard work and financial contributions to revitalize and transform the 100 year old abandoned firehouse into a community center that will serve Perkins Homes youth and residents. Perkins is one of the largest public housing development in Baltimore City with 688 units that are homes to 1,349 residents of all ages.

The project’s generous supporters include: The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Commercial Interiors, Charles T. Bauer Foundation, SunTrust Bank, Baltimore Housing, Maryland State 46^th District Bond Bill Authorization, RTGX, Greater Baltimore Cares, Clark Construction, France-Merrick Foundation, Empower Baltimore Management Corporation, Baltimore Community Foundation, East Harbor Community Development Corporation, Perkins Tenant Council, Schochor, Federico, & Staton, P.A., and University of Maryland Law School Clinic.

“Living Classrooms Foundation is extremely grateful for the support of all our partners and donors for making this P.O.W.E.R. House vision a reality for East Baltimore” said James Piper Bond, President and CEO of Living Classrooms Foundation, “We are excited to work with the community and bring Living Classrooms’ innovative hands-on education programs and core services to this new site.”

The facility will feature large multipurpose rooms designed for after school programming, community meetings, financial education, youth mentoring, employment training sessions, and health fairs among other community enrichment-focused events.  The center will provide a variety of enriching services and events aimed at fostering an environment that is positive and safe, and that promotes healthy living for all members living in the Perkins community.

“I am extremely excited to welcome the P.O.W.E.R. House facility to East Baltimore,” said Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young. “This facility will help to improve the quality of life for countless East Baltimore families and continues the city’s commitment to ensuring that all residents have access to first-class programs and facilities.”

The P.O.W.E.R. House facility will also serve as a satellite location for Living Classrooms Foundation’s after school and summer programming serving Perkins Homes youth focused on the following core areas: Education & Career Development, Character & Civic Development, Health & Life Skills, and Cultural Enrichment & the Arts.  Living Classrooms’ program structure creates a positive impact that has been proven to help children develop greater confidence in their academic abilities and a greater interest in school, both of which have been shown to lead to the goal of improved school attendance and completion rates.  Additionally, the facility will have programs during the day for adults and seniors living in the Perkins community.

The P.O.W.E.R. House will be outfitted with a state-of-art computer lab and technology center with high-speed Internet access for students and community residents, sponsored by RTGX and Greater Baltimore Cares.  The RTGX/Greater Baltimore Cares Technology Center will enrich and empower all individuals through the use of technology. To this end, the P.O.W.E.R. House will foster computer literacy through classroom instruction, and address the technology needs of the community by providing access to the Internet and productivity software.  Moreover, youth and families residing in the Perkins Community will have access to the SunTrust Financial Education Center providing education and resources, including financial expert volunteers through a partnership with SunTrust Bank.

“The opening of the P.O.W.E.R. House is a shining example of what is possible with bold, visionary leadership, collaboration and action. The Perkins Homes families want the best for their children, and P.O.W.E.R House makes available the 21st century skills our children need to take their deserved place in the technology-driven global economy” says Susan Taylor, “I am over the moon with pride that Armando and Kathlyn Seay, Greater Baltimore CARES leaders and owners of Ross Technologies, are investing their resources in tackling entrenched problems and advancing young lives.”

“SunTrust is proud to partner with Living Classrooms at the P.O.W.E.R House,” Scott Wilfong, Chairman and CEO of SunTrust Bank said, “Financial Education is an important component of a community’s health and we are excited to be given the opportunity to bring the Banking on our Future program to the Perkins community in our SunTrust Financial Education Center.”

This new location will allow Living Classrooms to expand its core services and create new programs to better serve members of the Perkins Homes community. Living Classrooms Foundation will work closely with the community to build upon and develop programming based on need, and to create a comprehensive schedule of events and activities.

Commodore John Rodgers School Shows Success in First Year as Only Baltimore City Turn-around School to Meet Performance Standards

Baltimore, MD — In fall 2010, when Living Classrooms Foundation was designated Turn-around Specialist of Commodore John Rodgers Elementary and Middle School, an East Baltimore Title I school with over 98% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches, Commodore was one of the worst performing schools in Baltimore City. Living Classrooms assumed operations of the failing school based on the model for the Foundation’s successful charter school, The Crossroads School. Since then, Commodore John Rodgers has demonstrated exceptional results.

In one year, Commodore John Rodgers School underwent a major facilities renovation, re-staffed the entire school (hiring more than 50 new staff members), and doubled the projected enrollment of 250 to more than 500 students.  The school enhanced student learning with the addition of technology school-wide (computers, document cameras, student-response systems), reading materials (over 10,000 books), and fieldwork opportunities that allowed students to learn outside of traditional learning spaces. This collective effort resulted in Commodore John Rodgers School meeting the performance targets put in place by Maryland State Department of Education, Baltimore City Public Schools, and the School Improvement Grant.  Commodore was the only one of Baltimore City’s seven Turn-around Schools to meet the target.  Students made double digit gains as measured by the MSA in both Reading (15% point increase) and Math (10% point increase).  Other measures improved dramatically as well, including attendance, school climate, and family engagement.

The school is already making more improvement this school year through raised expectations, increased stability (not a single staff member transferred to another city school), and extended day programming. There are many new initiatives and partnerships that will help leverage increased success at Commodore this school year. Additionally, Commodore John Rodgers families are benefiting from adult education classes (English as a Second Language, Spanish, GED, computer skills) that are taught on-site by Baltimore City Community College instructors.  With all of this support in place, Living Classrooms is committed to fulfilling the school’s stated mission of “From Commodore to College: 100% for 100%.”

It is critically important that children affected by poverty are engaged in learning, stay in school, and receive a strong education that prepares them for college and a brighter future.  Living Classrooms’ transformation of Commodore John Rodgers is aimed at meeting that goal and giving disadvantaged young people the tools they need for success.

Waterfront Kitchen Now Open on Living Classrooms’ Douglass-Myers Maritime Park Campus

Restaurant Partner shares Living Classrooms’ mission to provide hands-on education and job training to at-risk populations.

Located on the first floor of Living Classrooms‘ Douglass-Myers Maritime Park in Fells Point, the new Waterfront Kitchen is downtown’s newest hotspot that offers mission-driven dining. In partnership with Living Classrooms Foundation, Waterfront Kitchen features a spirited American menu designed by local chef Jerry Pellegrino (of Corks in Federal Hill) using seasonal ingredients including those grown by inner-city students in Living Classrooms’ Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students (BUGS) After School Program. The restaurant is also hiring disadvantaged young adults who graduate from Living Classrooms’ Project SERVE, providing valuable training and work experience in the hospitality industry with opportunities for advancement.

The BUGS After School Program is a national-model program that uses horticulture and academic enrichment to engage at-risk elementary school youth during the critical after school hours, when children are most likely to get into trouble. This winter, the restaurant will help prepare and expand the BUGS’ gardens and greenhouse located one block away from the Maritime Park, on the Foundation’s East Harbor Campus. Come spring, students will be planting and growing produce and seasonal herbs that will supply the restaurant. The restaurant will make year-round donations to support this partnership. Students will also use the restaurant kitchen as a “living classroom” where they learn about healthy nutrition and participate in hands-on projects, for example, making and bottling pickles they sell in their annual Farmers Market.

Living Classrooms’ Project SERVE (Service-Empowerment-Revitalization-Volunteerism-Employment Training) is a job-training program that provides unemployed young adults, many of whom have a history of substance abuse and/or criminal involvement, with on-the-job training and opportunities to revitalize their communities. Seventy-five percent of Project SERVE participants are employed upon completion of the program, and Waterfront Kitchen is the program’s newest employment partner. Two Project SERVE members have been hired since the restaurant’s opening last week. Restaurant manager Jamie Heffron speaks of the hospitality positions, “This is the way to learn customer relations skills, how to multitask, and so much more. It’s a way to move up into restaurant management, but it also provides skills useful in any job.”

In addition to the seasonal menu, Waterfront Kitchen offers magnificent, sweeping views of Baltimore’s Harbor, and indoor and outdoor seating. The interior was designed by Patrick Sutton Interior Design to complement the 35 feet of glass and panoramic waterviews.

Living Classrooms is thrilled to be working with restaurant owners Chuck Nabit and Michael Klein, and the entire staff of the Waterfront Kitchen. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. Reservations can be made by visiting www.waterfrontkitchen.com.

Waterfront Kitchen owners present check to Living Classrooms Foundation

Living Classrooms Foundation, Mayor Rawlings-Blake, Ravens Players, NFL, and Partners to Hold Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New City Springs Football Field in East Baltimore- Nov. 29

MEDIA ALERT- November 28, 2011

Contact: Thara Taylor- thara@livingclassrooms.org, (410) 685-0295 x. 205

Living Classrooms Foundation, Mayor Rawlings-Blake, Ravens Players, NFL, and Partners to Hold Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New City Springs Football Field in East Baltimore

Initiative Highlights Living Classrooms’ Ongoing Leadership in Fostering Public-Private Partnerships to Improve Communities and Promote Healthy Lifestyles for Youth

WHO: Living Classrooms Foundation, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Council President Jack Young, Greg Bayor of Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, Dick Cass of the Baltimore Ravens, Ravens players*, cheerleaders and mascot, Kwame Flaherty of NFL/Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC) Grassroots Program, Coach Joe Ehrmann, East Baltimore students, and others. *Ravens players scheduled to appear include Tyrod Taylor, Ricky Williams, Bryan Hall, Lee Evans, Albert McClellan, Rodney Bradley, and more are scheduled to appear.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 from 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: City Springs Football Field (field is adjacent to City Springs pool) at 1500 E. Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21231 (enter at Lombard Street just east of Caroline Street); RAIN LOCATION: across the street at Baltimore Freedom Academy cafeteria

WHAT: Living Classrooms is collaborating with the City of Baltimore, The Baltimore Ravens, NFL/LISC Grassroots Program, Coach for America’s Joe Ehrmann, and East Baltimore schools to deliver much-needed physical education and wellness programming for youth, as part of Living Classrooms’ health and wellness initiative in East Baltimore’s Target Investment Zone. Partners will come together in an inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new City Springs Football Field, which will offer youth a safe place to exercise, play team sports, and receive wrap-around services.

ABOUT:

The newly renovated City Springs’ Football Field features a regulation size football field that will offer community youth and families a safe place to play football and participate in physical education classes and health and wellness programming run by Living Classrooms Foundation’s athletics and education staff. City Springs’ field was initiated by an NFL/LISC Grassroots grant of $100,000 to Living Classrooms, that was supported by the Baltimore Ravens and matched with funding from Baltimore City Recreation and Parks of $153,000. This unique public and private partnership in the form of an Adopt-a-Field Agreement has designated Living Classrooms Foundation as the operator of the field by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. As the designated operator, Living Classrooms will provide both the maintenance of this high quality athletic field and programming focusing on health and wellness for the East Baltimore Community.

Living Classrooms’ athletics and educational staff will manage the schedule for field use in coordination with Recreation and Parks ensuring that community youth have priority usage. This field will be used for physical education activities during the school day and will provide youth with safe and supervised recreation during the critical after school hours when they are more likely to participate in risky behavior. The program will also help youth to maintain a healthy lifestyle and achieve greater academic success, while promoting community engagement through the Living Classrooms Scholar Athlete Program. The Living Classrooms Scholar Athlete Program has been created in partnership with Joe Ehrmann’s Coach for America organization with the goal of creating a national model that uses sports as a means to advance a community. Living Classrooms will also partner with the educational programs and resources of USA Football. The programming vision for City Springs Field is to utilize athletics as an instrument aimed towards helping boys and girls become men and women of empathy and integrity who will lead, be responsible and positively impact their community.

*NOTE TO MEDIA: Media opportunities will be made available immediately following the ceremony.