How Sweet It Was!

The summer finished on some high notes.

On Wednesday, July 23rd, staff members brought in desserts to share at the end of the day. Everybody got (at least) one of Mr. Little's world-famous chocolate cookies and three other desserts!

On Friday, at our closing, 8th Graders sang "You Can't Stop the Learning," and a mixed grade group sang "Cuando Sali de Cuba" to an audience which included Mr. Andy Martire, Calvert Head Master, Mrs. Kelly Herrity, Calvert Middle School Head, and Mrs. Mary L. Booker, FSK Principal. Enjoy the attached movie. Downloadable pictures will be posted soon.

9th Graders received Certificates of Completion recognizing their three years with MGP. We hope they return, or at least visit. Mrs. Booker awarded plaques created by 9th Grader Arthur Plummer's father to Mr. Basmajian, Site Director, Ms. Marlowe, Program Director, and Calvert School.

Another Kind of Learning

On Tuesday, July 22nd, 9th graders visited BIC (Baltimore International College). BIC trains students for careers in culinary arts and/or hotel management -- the dorms are in the student-run Mt. Vernon Hotel. Students can earn associate's and bachelor's degrees in addition to gaining certificated skills that make them employable around the world. BIC also offers programs which articulate with Baltimore high schools. Lab (cooking) classes run in twenty-four day cycles; they start at 7 am and finish with LUNCH! Next time we visit, we'll start later so we can get to enjoy what the students prepare.

Radio Days

Selected 9th graders spent two half days July 15-16 at WLOY, the Loyola College radio station learning how to create, record and mix radio spots. They will air July 19-20 and July 26-27. WLOY staff and students direct a percentage of their fund-raising efforts to FSK. Rumor has it that plans are being aired about starting a radio station at FSK!

MGP at the Hippodrome

Monday, July 14th, students from FSK joined students from City Springs, Collington, Northeast Middle and Winston-Salem Middle at the Hippodrome for a Day of Drama. We sang, we danced (some of us did!), we learned some fight scene tricks, tried auditioning for commercials and learned about stage make-up. Some of us could not keep up with the adults who were teaching us. At the end of the day we got to be on the eight story high stage of the Hippodrome which was designed by a man with no architectural training.

Debate Residency

Baltimore Urban Debate League returned to offer a one week residency in debate to our 7th graders. The topic was immigration to support new understandings gained from reading First Crossing and working with Where in the World? Winning teams were: Malik Barnes and Taylor Jones, Jocely Delair and Drue Montgomery, and Mariah Dillard and Aria Jones. Top individuals were : Taylor Jones, Mariah Dillard and Symone Jackson.

Learning Can Be Sweet

Mr. Basmajian, Site Director, prepares to cut the cake celebrating National Summer Learning Day under the watchful eyes of 8th grader Cydni Smith

Boom Day

The students had an opportunity to meet a professor at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Bertrand Garcia-Moreno, Chair of the Bio-Physics Department, and Calvert parent. He performed exciting demonstrations for them, including levitation, expansion in a vacuum and exploding a solid.

Back at Calvert, students had another science treat, chemistry demonstrations with Mr. Little assisted by Mr. Doss. A few examples of the experiments include fighting over pink, recreating the Hindenberg blimp explosion, and making Alka-Seltzer rockets.

Rock Climbing at Earth Treks

On July 3rd the students visited Earth Treks for rock climbing. It was an awesome experience! Some of the teachers learned how to belay before the field trip. A "belayer" is responsible for tying knots, holding the rope that supports the climber, and insuring the safety of the climber as they ascend the wall. Some of the students were amazing climbers. Everyone really did a wonderful job of learning and improving during the day. A few students actually were chosen to climb the "big wall" where experienced climbers show off their skills.

Visit to Gettysburg

The 8th and 9th grade students went to Gettysburg. They visited the battle site, saw the location of Abraham Lincoln's speech, and learned about Civil War strategies. One student mentioned that they were touched by the importance of Gettysburg in American history, that without the Battle of Gettyburg and the Gettyburg Address the opportunities that we enjoy could be nonexistent.

Later they got to eat lunch at and tour Gettysburg College -- where every room has a micro-wave and a refrigerator!

Sailing at the Harbor

On June 30th, the students went sailing at the Downtown Sailing Center. They had a great time sailing, and enjoyed barbequed hot dogs and hamburgers afterwards. However, some of the hot dogs did not have as enjoyable a time. Yes, those are hot dogs...