April, 2022
NEWS FROM THE HILL
MUSIC, ART AND CULINARY DELIGHTS AT
COMMUNITY ARTS NIGHT
Welcome to Hampstead Hill Academy!
Note from Principal Hornbeck – B3 Bingo, Bidding and Bites! Principal
Matt Hornbeck
Bidding, Bites, and Bingo (B3) is just around the corner! Come join me the evening of
Saturday, April 30th for what promises to be a terrific night. Great food from Fells Point
and Canton restaurants, awesome silent auction items from area businesses, parents,
staff and a full night of bingo await you. A record number of sponsors are helping
produce the event. This is an adults only evening where beer and wine will be served.
Current COVID rules mean masks are optional. Examples of auction items include wine
tasting, weekend getaways, spa treatments, an O’s game with Mr. Edwards and
Ms. Douglas, lunch from Mission Barbeque with me, gift baskets, B’MORE Licks with
various teachers and VIP seats to our spring musical production of “Annie.” Bring a
friend along but remember there is limited seating and B3 always sells out. Get your
tickets now at https://hhapto.org/b3tickets!
Hampstead Hill Academy VISION STATEMENT
500 South Linwood Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21224 Hampstead Hill seeks to be a safe, nurturing, diverse,
family-friendly neighborhood school with rigorous,
410.396.9146 tel. 410.396.3637 fax effective academic programs and exciting, engaging
www.hha47.org extracurricular activities. We believe all parents want
the same thing for their children: more and better
Matt Hornbeck, Principal [email protected] opportunities for college and career. We believe in
John Paz, Assistant Principal [email protected] the importance of the arts, and we want our students
Cassandra Bailey, Assistant Principal [email protected] to be great communicators, listeners and writers. Our
students will be forward thinkers, persistent,
Hampstead Hill Academy is operated by the Baltimore responsible, caring, dependable and healthy members
Curriculum Project, a local nonprofit organization celebrating of the greater community.
more than a decade of service and student learning in
Baltimore. MISSION STATEMENT
Laura Doherty, President Hampstead Hill Academy is a neighborhood public
[email protected] charter school that exists to educate children living in
John McGill, Director of Academic Affairs both our attendance area and throughout Baltimore
[email protected] City. Our talented staff uses research-based
www.baltimorecp.org curriculum to develop and implement rigorous lesson
plans that continuously raise the academic bar for our
HHA News from the Hill Magazine is published monthly for students. Our whole school community is dedicated
the families and community of Hampstead Hill Academy to working together to challenge our students to
succeed in a fair, consistent, just and joyful learning
Editor Publisher environment.
Geraldine Swann Matt Hornbeck
Director of Community Outreach Principal
Magazine contributors:
HHA staff
Club coordinators
Community Organizations
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IMPORTANT DATES THIS MONTH
4/5, PTO Meeting 7 pm What’s Inside…
4/6, Report Cards Sent Home
4/6, Early Release Day – Students dismissed at 12:35 pm Top News Stories page 4
4/11 – 4/18, School Closed, Spring Break
4/14, PTO Tutti Gusti Night 3 – 8 pm Current HHA information along with
4/20, School Family Council Meeting 3 pm upcoming events
4/21, International Breakfast, 8:30 am
4/28, Padres Unidos/Parents United 8:15 am News from the Teams page 7
4/29, PTO Nominations due by 3 pm
/30, PT B3 11 pm What your child is doing in class along
with resource, enrichment and ESOL
PLEASE CHECK information
HTTPS://HHA47.ORG/PARENT-STUDENT-CALENDAR/
FOR THE PARENT AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES CALENDARS Club/Activities News page 13
Updates and announcements for the
many clubs offered at HHA
Family Information page 15
Issues important to our parents on a
variety of subjects
PTO News page 19
News from the Parent/Teacher
Organization at HHA
Family Fun Information 20
List of neighborhood organizations along
with telephone number and email
address
DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR
YOUR STUDENT
It is important that we have the following documentation completed for each
one of your children:
Emergency Contact Form - Please visit www.hha47.org to complete your child's emergency contact
information for this school year. The information on this form will provide us:
the most up-to-date contact information
who to contact in the event of an emergency, if the parent(s) cannot be reached
and will grant your child permission to do a variety of activities at the school.
Thank you if you have already completed the form!
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B3 is Hampstead Hill Can't attend B3 but still looking
Academy’s annual for a way to support the event
and HHA? Silent auction items
fundraiser sponsored by are still needed along with help
the Parent Teacher at the event. Select the links
below to sign up to volunteer or
Organization (PTO) to raise
money for our kids! to donate an auction item.
Enjoy a fun-filled night of bingo games Silent Auction Donation Form
and win cash prizes! Volunteer Sign-Up
Have fun bidding on fantastic items in
our Silent Auction featuring in-kind
donations from many local businesses,
restaurants and other organizations.
Dine on delicious bites donated by
local community restaurants while
listening to great live music.
B3 is an over-21 event and a terrific
night out!
B3 tickets are $30 and includes a
bingo card and food.
Drinks and extra bingo cards will be
available to purchase.
To purchase tickets online,
go to:
https://hhapto.org/b3tickets
or use the paper order form at the
end of the news magazine or pick up
an order form in the main lobby of
the school.
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TOP NEWS STORIES
STATE TEST IS SCHEDULED WEEKS OF MAY 16TH AND MAY 23RD
The 3rd year of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program
(MCAP) is very important for HHA’s charter renewal this year. The
first week is the reading assessment and the second week is the
math assessment. Testing will take about 70-80 minutes each
morning. The test includes open-ended written responses as well
as multiple-choice questions. The multiple-choice questions ask
students to select the best answer and then the next question asks
them to select how or why they know their answer to the previous
question is correct.
New this year: Students in grades 3 - 8 taking the math portion of the test will no longer be able to skip problems or return to check previous
answers. Our students are as ready as any student in Maryland. Parents can help by making sure students are relaxed, rested and have a good
breakfast on test days. Being present and taking the test on scheduled days with their class ensures that students do not have to make up the test
and miss class later in May. Please e-mail your questions to our testing coordinator Jen Shaffer at [email protected]. Remember that
breakfast is free to all students starting at 7:40 am in our cafeteria. On test days, students MUST be on time for the start of school by 8 am and
present every day to do their best.
SPECIAL INCENTIVES DURING MCAP TESTING
To emphasize attendance, effort and conduct during testing weeks, students are eligible to earn tickets for special raffles or participation in pizza
parties organized by their teachers. Prizes and/or pizza parties vary by grade. Ask your child’s homeroom teacher for more information. Staff
addresses at https://hha47.org/staff-contact-roster/ or the Class Dojo app. Encourage your child to come to school with a relaxed, positive view of
the test and to be on time and try their best.
BUDGET UPDATE 6TH GRADE PLACEMENT AT HHA
For SY23, HHA is projected to be flat funded. Class size will remain Moving from 5th to 6th grade at HHA marks the transition from
larger than we prefer around 30 students per class, with a range of elementary school to middle school. This is an exciting milestone. At
24-34. Pullout staffing will continue to be used for enrichment, HHA, staff members seek to provide a joyful, safe, nurturing,
talent development, special education services, etc., which has the diverse, family-friendly environment with rigorous, effective
effect of reducing class size for certain subjects. Additionally, there academic programs for every student. To that end, all students take
will continue to be fulltime assistant teachers in every PreK-1 honors classes. Middle school students receive honors credit for
classroom and Experience Corps mentors in many second and third their work in social studies and science classes. In English Language
grade classrooms, which improves the staff to student ratio. There Arts and Math, students receive on grade level instruction or are
will also be five full-time substitute teachers on staff that enable us placed in an advanced class. Students will be placed in the ELA and
to never have to split classes up when a teacher needs to be out for math advanced classes in 6th grade based on a formula that includes
an appointment or is sick. Our robust staffing model will continue grades, test scores and attendance. The formula is based on a score
and enable all programs and services to remain place. It is our hope on a 100-point scale. The score is calculated after the winter
that the new Accountability Implementation Board (AIB) for Kirwan administration of the MAP test and the 3rd quarter ends. Current 5th
figures out a more accurate way to count poverty in schools across grade students and their families should expect to receive
the state as all of the new funding is based on poverty rates. placement information the week of May 2nd.
NEWS FROM THE HHA CHARTER OPERATOR
BALTIMORE CURRICULUM PROJECT
Baltimore Curriculum Project is always searching for the very best educators to join our family of
six schools. We are interested in candidates who are able to be certified in the state of Maryland. Interested parties can send resumes
to [email protected]. We would also like to congratulate the administration and staff at Hampstead Hill Academy for completing the BCPSS
School Effectiveness Review (SER). We know that your future is secure and that the school district recognizes the continued excellence that is HHA!
PARENTS ARE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR THE SCHOOL FAMILY COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20TH AT 3 PM IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY
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CHECK OUT THE JOB OPENINGS AT HHA!
HHA seeks to attract and keep the very best teachers. We know that nothing is more important to student success than the teacher. Each year we
receive more than 50 resumes from talented teachers across the nation and Maryland interested in teaching at our school. There is a four-part
process that includes the following:
1. resume screening,
2. phone interview,
3. 1/2 day visit to HHA to teach a sample lesson and provide an on-the-spot writing sample, and
4. a check of references.
Job openings are posted on our website at https://hha47.org/. Special thanks to Academic Coaches Katie Johnson, Megan Tyson and Mike Lucas for
their essential work on our recruitment and hiring process. Breaking news: We have a stellar crop of new hires that you will learn about in the
coming months. There are currently three positions that remain open for next year - 2nd grade teacher, health resource teacher and
paraeducator/assistant teacher. All other positions have been filled.
3RD QUARTER REPORT CARDS KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT
COMING HOME WEDNESDAY, FOR 2022-2023
APRIL 6TH
If you live within our attendance area, approximately Broadway to
Your child's 3rd quarter report card tells you how your child is Haven Street and Eastern Avenue to Boston Street, and you are
planning to send your child to kindergarten at HHA next year, online
performing in each subject. Make sure to note if any teacher registration will be available shortly at
https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/ . Your child must turn five
indicates that your child is performing below grade level and/or is years old by September 1, 2022. Please call the main office at
410.396.9146 for a complete list of documentation that is needed
requesting a conference. If you want to schedule an appointment and additional information. There are more than 75 children on our
waiting list for next year who live outside of our attendance area.
with a teacher, please contact your child’s teacher on Class DoJo or We need an accurate count of in-zone families who intend to enroll
in order to project sensible class sizes.
contact the main office at 410-396-9146. For tips on talking with
your child's teacher, see the article at the end of the newsletter.
Busy Bees Summer Camp
July 5th - August 5th
8am - 12pm
Breakfast and Lunch served each day
Looking for EXPLORERS entering kindergarten through grade 5 to join in the fun!
Each day Explorers will participate in outdoor games, literature projects, science and technology activities, yoga and
mindfulness, world cultures, crafts and more! Fridays will be dedicated to exploration to North Point State Park, Lake Roland,
field days in the park, walking field trips and water play.
5 weeks of laughing, learning and adventure for $300!
Now Offering: Extended after care by Busy Bee staff until 3 pm each day
for an extra $300 for all 5 weeks. Space is limited so email soon!
Register Online:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRItF4J8eXDBBXGlpylqB_4ssxDC-Gltk8LHRA27Ke_6b9yQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Contact information:
School Phone: 410-396-9146, ask for Ms. Maciel
Email: [email protected]
Venmo: @HHAHornets
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STRONG SCHOOLS
MARYLAND
Want to make sure HHA gets its fair share of Kirwan
funding? Join our Strong Schools Maryland team at HHA.
Educate yourself on issues surrounding the funding of
public schools in Maryland and advocate for more
accurate ways to count poverty. Contact Jill Vasbinder
Morrison [email protected] or Leana
Houser [email protected] to join. Meetings are on
the second Thursday of the month at 3:15 pm at school
or on Zoom. For more information on Strong Schools,
please see the flyer at the end of the magazine.
SAFE USE OF HHA’S
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Please remind your elementary-age child to use the
playground equipment safely after school hours. No tag
or running because kids run into each other. No
students in 5th grade or higher are allowed to use the
playground. All PreK - 4 grade students are required to
have an adult supervising them on the playground after
school. Our afterschool provider, Fitness, Fun, and
Games uses the playground as well. So you may see
students without a parent being supervised by FFG staff.
The “Spinami” spinning activity should have a maximum
of 6 students on it at one time, and they should all be
sitting. No hanging on the Spinami is permitted. Please let the office know immediately if you see anything unsafe. Our goal is to let younger kids
have a lot of safe fun with parent supervision after school.
DOUBLE PARKING
Please avoid driving on the blocks surrounding the school from 7:45 - 8:15 in the morning and 2:40 - 3 in the afternoon. Park a block away and walk
your child to school or pick up your child. There have been a number of near misses by cars going around cars that are parked or stopped illegally in
the middle of the road. This is a constant safety concern. Do not block crosswalks, alleys or driveways. This irritates neighbors and can be
dangerous. Tickets for stopping in the lane of traffic to let your child out or pick your child up are $252. There have been some very sad stories of
parents and caregivers who have had to pay that fine. Pull to the curb and let your child out of the vehicle on the curb side of the car only. Plan
ahead, park a block away and walk to school. Parking enforcement officers are randomly checking on compliance. We never know when they will
be here. As a reminder, the school cannot cover the cost of the parking ticket or fix it.
HHA FREE T-SHIRTS HAVE ARRIVED
All students will receive their new 2021-2022 free t-shirt. The shirt is green with white screen printing. This shirt can be worn any day of the week
in place of the normal blue collared uniform shirt. Thank you for your patience as we dealt with supply chain issues.
Teacher Appreciation week is coming
soon! Now is a great time to fill the wishes
of your child's teachers, and see what they
would like for their classroom. This is an
Amazon wishlist with items requested
directly by the HHA teachers. Please
include a gift message and name with your
purchase! Visit the link below to make HHA teachers’ wishes come true!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2BXOLB5YA59GE?ref_=wl_share
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NEWS FROM THE TEAMS
PREK
Ms. Klenk and Ms. Kaminaris: In math, students will finish the unit on numbers 1-10, and will begin to learn about length, weight and capacity.
They will also talk about the spring season and learn about plants. In addition, students will take part in an Audubon lesson in Patterson Park. The
times are below:
Kaminaris - Thursday, 04/21 from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Klenk - Thursday, 04/21 from 12:45 -1:45 pm
As a reminder, students go outside twice a day to play and should wear closed toe Students in grades PreK-2 enjoy a presentation by
shoes. Please do not send your child to school wearing flip-flops. This footwear is the Blue Sky Puppet Theatre
not permitted in school and can cause your child to trip and fall.
KINDERGARTEN
Ms. Maciel, Ms. Wallis and Ms. Villa: In math, students are working on number
bonds and fast facts. They have been practicing mental math and at home, should
continue to practice addition and subtraction flashcards. In reading groups,
students have been practicing their fluency with short stories and answering
comprehension questions. Don't forget to have your child read every night as part
of homework. Take advantage of library books going home weekly and change up
story time with those books. You can also try out chapter books with your child to
show them how to use their imagination as they listen to the stories and picture the
stories in their mind. During April, students will celebrate Earth Day. They will
continue to learn how to take care of our planet and to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Keep these discussions going at home. Ask your child how your family helps to
conserve natural resources at home. Students are very excited about the warmer
weather headed our way. They will get to enjoy more time outside. Thank you to
our families for all your support and generosity and enjoy your spring break!
GRADE 1
Ms. Bierley, Ms. Clary and Ms. Douglas: The students enjoyed the Blue Sky Puppet
Theatre Show. They engaged in an interactive retelling of The Three Little Pigs. The
boys and girls are now looking forward to their upcoming field trip on Friday,
April 8th to the Baltimore Zoo. Following spring break, the students will receive
permission slips for the next field trip to Green Meadows Farm. If you plan to attend
the PTO B3 event, look for the 1st grade team’s silent auction item. Please be aware
of the changing weather patterns and be sure to send your child dressed
appropriately. Best wishes for a relaxing and safe spring break!
GRADE 2
Ms. Bonner: Reading scholars are learning about two boys that travel throughout
time, and language scholars are learning how to write a paragraph with an
indentation, correct capitalization and spelling. Spelling scholars are learning about
words that end in -dge and –ss, and core knowledge scholars are learning about
different cycles in nature. Math scholars have completed their money unit and are
now learning about graphs and tables. Look for a permission slip to Green Meadows
Farm in your student’s folder. The trip will be on May 12th, and chaperones will be
needed. Have a great spring break!
Ms. Weber: Students enjoyed Blue Sky Puppet Theatre. It was a wonderful break from the daily routine. Please look for information being sent
home about a field trip in May. Also, the class is in need of tissues. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
Ms. Graston: Students are continuing to strengthen comprehension and fluency skills in reading with texts related to human anatomy and the
functioning of muscles and bones. In language, they have been using context clues to infer the meaning of difficult words as well as examining root
words and their meaning. In science, they are learning about life cycles. Most recently they have learned about the plant cycle. In math, students
are learning about fractions. Everyone has been working hard and deserve the upcoming spring break. Let’s hope for sunny warm weather!
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GRADE 3
Reading – Ms. Kaplan: Students are doing a fantastic job with their reading fluency and comprehension skills. Some students are reading a story
about a boy named Waldo who trains animals, and others are starting a unit about myths. Please make sure your child is reading every night and
completing their assigned reading homework. As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns about your child's progress in reading
class.
Language/Science - Ms. Billups: Students continue to master the conventions of writing which includes capitalization, punctuation, indentation and
parts of speech. Newly implemented this quarter are Daily Do-Nows, where students get to practice their newly acquired writing skills through
creative writing. Ask your child to share their creative stories with you. After spring break, students will begin to work on a creative writing piece
for their May publishing party. Stay tuned for further details! In science, students have embarked on the first unit Motion and Matter. They have
learned about force and friction as well as the three different states of matter. After learning about these topics in-depth, students completed
science experiments of their choosing on one of the two topics. As they move into the last quarter, they will learn about weather, climate and the
structures of life.
Math - Ms. Knudsen: Students have been learning about elapsed time, attributes of shapes and different types of angles. They look forward to
learning about area and perimeter, money word problems and capacity. Ms. Knudsen welcomes Ms. Doherty as her long-term substitute teacher.
GRADE 4
Reading – Ms. Schultz: Some students are reading the myth The Golden Touch, and other students are reading a biography of Harriet Tubman. All
students are challenged to read grade level text fluently and to show their understanding by answering comprehension questions and responding
to text-based writing prompts. As always, if there is anything Ms. Schultz can do to better support your child, don't hesitate to reach out on Class
Dojo.
Language/Science - Ms. Conrad: Students have been working on
composing parallel sentences and statements and identifying
various parts of speech. This practice is translating into strong
written paragraphs. In science, students are currently working in
the unit Soil, Rocks and Landforms. They have participated in a
variety of investigations such as determining what are the
components of science, how weathering happens and making
replicas of cast and mold fossils.
Math – Ms. Murray: Students are currently working on area and 4th grade students take part in a science investigation exploring
perimeter and fractions. Mr. Marinelli will be in the 4th grade how acid rain affects rocks
classroom to assist where needed. Welcome!
GRADE 5
Reading – Ms. Pellegrini: Some students are currently working through a novel study. They are reading The Cruise of the Dazzler by Jack London
and using the text to examine point of view. They will continue to focus on using comprehension strategies to answer questions. Other students
recently began the third unit in the Springboard curriculum, Changing Perspectives. In class, they are analyzing a variety of argumentative texts and
discussing how authors use claims, reasons and evidence. Students will continue to explore a variety of topics in order to debate issues and write
about topics of interest.
Language/Science – Ms. Ruppenthal:
Students did an outstanding job on the
MISA assessment in March! Over the next
few weeks, they will learn about the
Chesapeake Bay in the unit, Save the Bay.
The activity in this unit focuses specifically
on the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed,
which includes Baltimore. Students will
learn about the physical characteristics of
the Bay, including its geography and the
types of water found there. They will also 5th grade students separate mixtures during Unit 3, Mixtures and Solutions
learn about the various plant and animal
species that live within the watershed and
how these organisms depend on each other for survival. Students will examine how human activities, such as those that cause pollution, affect the
food chain. The unit will conclude with an action research project and field trip to the inner harbor this month.
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Math – Ms. O’Connor: Students recently finished Module 4 of Eureka Math, which focused on fractions. They have now moved into Module 5,
which is Addition and Multiplication with Area and Volume. In this unit, students will work to find the area of rectangular prisms, cubes and
composite figures. They will also learn about finding the area of rectangles with fractional sides, as well as the properties of different geometric
figures. Students continue to do great work on IXL.com and have answered 128,287 questions this year!
GRADE 6
Humanities – Mr. Farber: Students have just finished reading Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes and completed a short writing assignment where
they imagined that there was a chapter in the book about themselves writing a brief narrative and expressive poem. They will soon begin
reading Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis in class as well as each night for homework. Students will begin to prepare for the MCAP English
test, which will be in May.
Math – Ms. Bentil: This month, students will end the Expressions and Equations module by using the algebraic method to solve one-step, two-step
and multi-step equations. After spring break, they will jump into our last two modules - Geometry and Statistics. As always, please encourage your
student to find and share ripples. Ripples are connections that are made between the content students are learning and the world around them.
Science – Ms. Poole: Students are finishing the chemistry unit called, How can I Smell Things from a Distance? Your student has been learning
about how odors are detected and how odors form. In order to understand odors, students have been exploring the states of matter, as well as
atoms and molecules. Quiz question: Which state of matter does an object have to be in, in order for there to be an odor? Want to see if you are
correct? Ask a sixth grade student for the answer!
GRADE 7
Language Arts – Ms. Locke-Jones: Students are in the editing process of their essay about Stargirl. After tackling the infamous, HOT MEAT RAW 5
paragraph essay, students will begin to read The Giver by Lois Lowry. Throughout the novel, students will be asked if the society portrayed in the
novel is a utopian or a dystopian one.
History – Ms. Kosmer: Students will begin to work on a Civil War research project focusing on the different perspectives of the North and South.
They will research a battle and present their project to their classmates.
Math – Mr. White: Students will continue exploring Geometry topics. They will learn about the area of composite figures, surface area of
composite figures, special angle pairs and volume of three-dimensional figures.
GRADE 8
Language Arts – Mr. Ball: Students are finishing the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird. They have been exploring and analyzing how Harper Lee
develops the coming of age theme through literary elements. They are especially focusing on the use of perspective and how the characters Scout
and Jem change and develop as the novel progresses. The setting of the novel also provides us with an opportunity to dive deeper into the
historical context of the American South in the 1930’s and explore the Great Depression and the Jim Crow era. In quarter four, students will begin
to read The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros and continue the exploration of what it means to come of age.
Pre-Algebra/Algebra 1 – Mr. Pratta - Students will begin to interpret, write and solve quadratic equations. They will learn that writing and solving
quadratic equations is a way to precisely describe and answer questions about quadratic functions. It is especially useful for finding input values
that produce certain outputs. Students will then solve quadratic equations by reasoning, rewriting expressions in factored form and using the zero
product property, by completing the square and by applying the quadratic formula. They will also rewrite expressions in vertex form to solve
problems about the maximum or minimum value of a function.
Science – Mr. Lohrman: Students have completed their science program for the school year and are transitioning to history. The first unit is the
IQWST unit called What makes the weather change? In this unit, students will learn how weather can change because of how the sun heats the
Earth unevenly which results in air masses of different temperatures. When these air masses meet, changes in weather such as
thunderstorms/rainstorms occur.
LEADERS GO PLACES
What a great 3rd quarter! In order to make level, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or
higher, earn an 80% or higher on Class Dojo, and complete two or more hours of
community service. These are high standards. 73% of our middle school students made
level this quarter! Combined, students completed more than 1,400 community service
hours. Seventy-two students earned the Riser Award, meaning they earned a higher level
in 3rd quarter than they did during the 2nd quarter. This represents 25% of our middle
school students reaching new heights. Congratulations to our middle school students!
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END OF THE YEAR ACTIVITIES FOR 8TH GRADE STUDENTS
Shortly, the 8th grade End of Year letter will be sent home. In this letter, you will find details about all the field trips, the luncheon and the closing
ceremony. The letter will be given to the students in hard copy and will also be posted on Class DoJo.
To date:
88% of 8th grade students were accepted to their first or second choice high school.
78% of 8th grade students were accepted into a criteria-based public high school.
Public school acceptances include the following schools:
Baltimore City College Academy for College and Career Exploration
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Green Street Academy
Baltimore School for the Arts Forest Park High School
Western High School Digital Harbor High School
Dunbar High School Bluford Drew Jemison
Bard High School Early College National Academy Foundation
Baltimore Design School Patterson High School
In addition to this year's public school acceptances, private,
independent and/or specialized acceptances include the
following schools:
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School HHA’s welcomes Loyola Blakefield trustee Phil Lazzati for a
Mercy High School tour and brief visit with 8thgrade students attending this
Catholic High School of Baltimore prestigious high school starting in fall.
Maryvale Preparatory Congratulations to Ramiro, Lalo, Max and William!
Notre Dame Preparatory
The Bryn Mawr School
Friends School of Baltimore
Archbishop Curley
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Mount Saint Joseph's
Calvert Hall
Loyola Blakefield (also Ignatius Honors Program
ENRICHMENT
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. Edwards: PreK and kindergarten students will
work on spatial awareness, throwing, and catching,
while grade 1 – 4 students will perform
conditioning workouts and cooperative gameplay.
Middle school athletes will continue HIIT training
along with refining offensive and defensive
strategies and will be introduced to ultimate
Frisbee.
TECHNOLOGY
Ms. Sparwasser: Students are practicing block and
text-based coding in Python. Review sites and login
information are on Google Classroom.
In technology class, Ms. Bierley’s students learn about the evolution of
technology, and Ms. Kaplan’s students learn about coding.
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MUSIC LESSONS
Ms. Alexander: Ms. Alexander has had lots of fun working with HHA's student musicians during the month of March! On Thursday, March 10th,
HHA strings and percussion students gave their second performance of the school year at the March Community Arts Night, performing in both
small lesson groups and as a full orchestra ensemble. Additionally, students have been busy working through a series of Karate songs and skills, as
part of our Orchestra and Band Karate challenge!
ART
Ms. Butcher: Students have been working so hard in the art room! The art show last month displayed the many talented HHA artists. The last art
show will take place in June.
DRAMA Students enjoy borrowing books from
the HHA library to read at home.
Ms. Durkin: For the second year in a row, HHA is home to two winners of Baltimore Center
Stage's Young Playwrights Festival! Congratulations to Ms. Clary and Ms. Tucker's 1st grade
class and to the 4th grade playwriting team of Spencer Cappolla and Julius Hampton-Glunde!
Their plays will be performed at Center Stage on Saturday, May 21st. We hope the HHA
community will come out to support our young playwrights at this free event. This month,
PreK and kindergarten students will learn about the parts of a story, and grade 1 – 8 students
will rehearse and perform short plays or scenes.
LIBRARY
Ms. Kannam: The HHA Library is rocking! PreK and kindergarten students are signing along
with Pete the Cat stories and talking about emotions like worry and stress through
literature. Grade 1- 4 students are doing a lot of reading and checking out more books than
ever. Please remind your student to return books when they are done. So many students
want books that are still out. Grade 5 – 8 students are practicing note taking and are creating
their own poems, raps or songs about historical figures they are reading about. Please ask to
see your students' work. They have done an incredible job! Keep reading! Keep learning, and
keep returning books!!
FOOD FOR LIFE
Ms. Mitchell: Students make a variety of healthy food dishes in class. See pictures below.
11
NATURE EXPLORATION
Ms. Riorda: Spring is the best time of the year for Nature Exploration! Students naturally are curious about the emergence of plants and the
flowering of trees. The pond is full of migrating birds and frogs, and fish are coming out of hibernation as the water temperatures warm. Third-
quarter ended with 7th grade students testing the buoyancy of their boats in the pond, while 5th grade students helped take care of the natural
resources by cleaning trash out of the park. Elementary students continued their investigations about animal adaptations. Fourth-quarter will get
everyone outside as much as possible as the classes focus on ecosystem dynamics and the transfer of energy.
During Nature Exploration
class, HHA students take part
in a variety of activities in
Patterson Park. They test
buoyancy, pick up trash,
explore and just have fun.
GIFTED AND ADVANCED LEARNING PROGRAM
Ms. Guitian and Ms. Gonzalez: During the month of April, Ms. Guitian is excited to partner with the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to bring special virtual book clubs to GAL students in grades 1,2,3 and 4. Students will have one
session each week during their GAL pullout time. The final session will take us on a virtual tour of the museum with a special focus on the themes
and ideas explained below.
Fables, Folk Tales, and Fairy Tales (Grades 1 and 2) introduces children to classic forms of literature through reading, discussion and activities. From
The Ant and the Grasshopper to Rapunzel, students will look at the connections among these tales, their differences and similarities, and discover
why they're still relevant today. Students will receive their own copy of one of the books that will be used.
Fantasy Book Club (Grades 3 and 4) will have students read and discuss two fantasy novels, including Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and The
Trials of Morrigan Crow. Through journaling and artistic activities, students explore the characteristics of fantasy and compare fantasy to other
forms of literature. Students have been given the books to read ahead of the classes, so please encourage them to do this.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Ms. Shaffer: April 2nd marked World Autism Awareness Day and many people took part in 'Lighting It Up Blue' to shine a bright light on autism.
Light It Up Blue, in its third year, is a unique global initiative by Autism Speaks to help raise awareness about the growing public health concern that
is autism.
All lost and found items are held for one week only.
Items marked with the student’s name will be returned to the student. Please come into
school as soon as possible to check for any lost items.
12
ESOL DEPARTMENT NEWS
Ms. Ziemba, Ms. Brezenoff, Ms. Hicks, Ms. Hyatt, and Mr. LaBarr: In kindergarten, students are learning about spring. What are some things we
love about spring? What happens to the trees in spring? Identifying the season is fun and challenging! Grade 1 students are learning about children
and the place they call home. Talk with your child about one thing that makes your home a special place. Grade 2 students are learning all about
rain and the water cycle. Ask your child if we drink the same water today that dinosaurs drank long ago? Some grade 3 students are making
inferences about characters and setting, and exploring how illustrations help us understand a story. Other students are using different types of
charts and words to make comparisons between things that are alike in some ways and different in other ways, such as the Moon and Earth. Grade
5 and 6 students are learning about the different food groups and food nutrition. They are doing a deep dive into the food pyramid, and grade 8
students just finished the unit on ancestors and heritage. Students created a chart describing what values, traits, traditions and talents have been
passed down from their ancestors. They will now begin a new unit about the earth and read stories about how the earth is formed. They will
complete an earth day research and writing project.
CLUB/ACTIVITIES NEWS
As a reminder, students will not be permitted to join two clubs that meet on the same day.
NOTIFICATION OF CLUB OPENINGS
Parents will be notified two ways regarding club openings. Some club coordinators will send an interest form home with the student to complete
and return to school. Other coordinators will send out an interest form via e-mail and posting on the HHA Facebook page. Parents signed up to
receive emails will receive these notifications.
If more students sign up for a club than there are openings, a lottery will be held. Students selected will
receive a permission slip. If your child does not receive a permission slip,
your child was not selected in the lottery.
THE COMMUNITY BUILDERS OF HHA
SERVICE CLUB FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
The Community Builders have been busy planning their next big events. Club members are partnering with a new organization for the spring and
will raise money for the Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation. This is an organization that provides housing to families for children
undergoing medical crises. Since 1982, they have provided over 900,000 individual overnight accommodations from every state in the US and 82
countries worldwide. They also provide respite housing where families can spend quality time together at the beach or in the mountains. This is a
fantastic foundation doing really important work. Snowball sales will be held in the spring to raise money for this foundation. Club members also
made crafts for the residents of FutureCare nursing home of Canton. There is only one more meeting in April due to spring break. That meeting will
be held on April 26th from 2:50 – 4 pm in Ms. Kaminaris' classroom.
HHA DEBATE CLUB
The HHA Elementary Debate Team has been enjoying another fun and
successful month! A big shout out to all of the brave debaters who
participated in this month's tournament. Congratulations to Cecelia Couteau
for coming in 7th place and Jaden Adarkwah-Yiadom for placing 2nd in the
March Original Oratory competition.
LEGO LEAGUE TEAM First Lego Team League Maria F., Fiona G. and
Joaquin M.
Congratulations to the FIRST Lego League Team #51496, Party Pandas,
5th grade students Maria Fernandez, Fiona Gahagan and Joaquin Miller. The
Party Pandas competed in the February 26th FLL Baltimore City Qualifier
against seven other teams and took home the Robot Design and Robot
Challenge Awards. They also researched an Innovation Project to explore
using solar panels on cargo ships to reduce pollution. The first time FLL Team
had the highest score in the tournament for the Challenge portion of the
Qualifier and won an additional event called the “Chicken Challenge”!
13
LEGO CLUB
Students had so much fun during the inaugural session of LEGO club! They worked together to make LEGO Mad Libs creations, 3D hearts, their own
original builds and wind racer creations that were raced with friends. Overall, it was a fabulous first session. Everyone is looking forward to even
more fun next year! Thanks to everyone for working so hard and making it so much fun!
Students had a
great time
building in
Lego Club!
GIRLS ON THE RUN
HHA is in search of two head coaches for the Girls on the Run program. Girls on the Run has both a fall and spring
program each year at HHA. A coach is a volunteer who works with a team of coaches to facilitate the Girls on the Run
curriculum to program participants. The time commitment for this position includes a four hour pre-season training, 90
minutes a session over 16-20 sessions and support for the season-ending 5K celebration. Current Coaches, Amanda
Smith and Gabriella Pellegrini, will be available to fill-in or support the transition as needed. Coaches’ daughters, in
grade 3 – 5, can register and participate for free.
REQUIREMENTS to be a Coach:
Must be at least 21 years old
One coach per team must identify as female, all genders welcome to
coach.
1 Coach per team must be CPR/First Aid Certified
Must consent to and complete a free background check
Attend/complete all Girls on the Run coach training online modules
Attend practices each week for a weekly time commitment of
approximately 4 hours
Have fun!
RESPONSIBILITIES of a Coach:
Serve as a role model for program participants
Prepare, organize and supervise weekly lessons (from GOTR Curriculum)
Collaborate with other coaches for successful lesson delivery
Facilitate communication with parents/guardians of program participants
Participate in your team's season-ending 5K run
Plan and coordinate your team’s end of season party
CULINARY ARTS CLUB
Members of the Culinary
Arts Club learn new
cooking techniques.
14
STEAM
STEAM club classes have been working on different activities, both indoor and outdoor. Kindergarten class has been doing fun art activities, and
grade 1 students have been engaged with activities involving robots. Grade 2 students have been doing interesting science activities, and grade 3
and 4 students have been exploring problem solving through engineering activities. The last session of STEAM club for the school year is taking
place now. If your student was unable to participate this year, please look for interest flyers in the fall. They will go home by mid-September.
Preference will be given to students who did not have an opportunity to participate in any of the three sessions this school year. If you have any
questions, please email Ms. N. Gonzalez at [email protected].
Students in STEAM learn how to solve engineering problems by building marshmallow towers. Other students
made maracas for National Sing Out day.
FAMILY INFORMATION
THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES
74% of the school year is completed
133 of our 180 student days are completed
There are approximately 22 school days left until our
3-8 grade students take the MCAP Assessment in
reading and math beginning in May, 2022.
LEARN ABOUT MCAP
Spend some time learning about this new state assessment for your child at the Maryland State Department of
Education at http://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DAAIT/Assessment/index.aspx
KNOW THE NO’S
No gum at school. It is distracting and prevents students from reading aloud clearly.
No smoking in or around school property. This is against the law on school property.
No double parking or idling at drop-off and pickup. Double parking creates a dangerous situation, and you could get a $252
ticket for double parking.
No crossing in the middle of the street. Cross your child at the corner. Do not encourage your child to get to school by
crossing in the middle of the street! This can be extremely dangerous for your child.
Please remind your child, especially older children, that ball playing is not allowed in front of the school or on the blacktop
during school arrival and dismissal times. Also, ask them to be mindful of smaller children to avoid accidentally bumping
into them.
15
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
HHA is serious about attendance. Our talented staff cannot teach unless students attend school. There is a district-wide focus on student
attendance. Again this year, there will be mandatory hearings at school headquarters for the parents of students with poor attendance. Each
month, the newsletter will include this chart so students and parents can review attendance averages.
Congratulations to the PreK Team for having the highest attendance average for March.
March Attendance% Year Attendance%
Grade 96.24% Grade 94.58%
HHA average 97.43% HHA average 95.41%
PreK 96.64% Grade 2 95.12%
Grade 1 96.58% Grade 1 95.06%
Grade 4 96.49% Grade 4 94.76%
Grade 5 96.37% Grade 5 94.39%
Grade 2 96.25% Grade 3 94.37%
Grade 3 96.13% Grade 6 93.99%
Grade 7 Grade 7 93.96%
95.85% Grade 8 93.93%
Kindergarten 95.69% Kindergarten
Grade 8 95.61% 92.23%
Grade 6 PreK
HOW DOES HHA COMMUNICATE WITH FAMILIES
HHA uses the following ways to communicate with families.
Post a monthly news magazine. This is a comprehensive document with information from Mr. Hornbeck, staff, club coordinators,
community partners, etc. The magazine is posted monthly at www.hha47.org
Send out parent emails – please sign up for our email list at www.hha47.org
Post information on the HHA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HampsteadHillAcademy/
Check out the HHA website at www.hha47.org
Parent and Student Activities/Club Calendars at https://hha47.org/calendar-of-student-parent-events/ - You can set to view in week,
month or agenda.
Class DoJo – for parent/teacher communication. Check with your child’s teacher for information on how to join.
Staff emails – List of staff email addresses is located at https://hha47.org/staff-contact-roster/
Campus Portal – Please email Ms. Varner at [email protected] for letter of instructions and activation code
Parentlink phone calls
Not sure where to find what, email Ms. Swann at [email protected]
Sign up to receive HHA emails at
www.hha47.org. Look for the icon on the
front page of the website at the bottom.
Join us for an International Potluck Breakfast to meet new families.
Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 8:30-9:30 am in the cafeteria
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UPCOMING PARENT MEETINGS
Conexiones Latinas, April 5th at 8:15 am, A support group for Latino parents led by Ms. Flor Giusti, Social Worker at Bayview Pediatrics
Clinic, Johns Hopkins.
International Breakfast, April 21st at 8:30 am
Virtual Webinar with Latino Economic Development, April 26th at 5 pm
Padres Unidos, April 28th at 8:15 am, Time to plan Multicultural Festival/International Night in May
FOOD DRIVE OPERATION MATO GROSSO
Thank you to everyone who has supported this cause. "You're doing more than just filling their bellies. You're showing them that people do care,
and that gives them hope. Sometimes hope is just what people need to try to change their lives.” Donations will be accepted until April 8th. The
drop-off box is in the main office.
Latino parents in their English
classes offered at HHA by Strong City
Baltimore. Parents are learning new
vocabulary, pronunciation
and more!
HHA students dropping off their
donation for the food drive
operation Mato Grosso.
HISTORY THROUGH ART YOUTH CONTEST 2022
ENDS ON MAY 25, 2022
The Baltimore National Heritage Area (BNHA) invites
Baltimore City youth to participate in our 3rd Annual
History Through Arts Competition. The purpose of this
contest is to engage City youth in an art exhibit showcasing
their unique talents while also expressing their view of life
in Baltimore City. The expectation is that the artwork will
reflect Baltimore’s historic people, places, significant
architecture or represent a historical event.
BNHA will host a summer exhibit showcasing this artwork
in partnership with the Downtown Partnership in 2022. The contest is open to Baltimore youth ages 9 -18. Submissions can take the form of
photography and works on paper. The deadline for submissions is May 25, 2022.
The Baltimore National Heritage Area (BNHA) works to promote, preserve and enhance Baltimore's legacy through history, arts and culture. Find
out more at explorebaltimore.org.
For a work in which a person is recognizable, you must secure a model release form the subject or, in the case of a minor, the subject’s parent or
guardian and provide it to BNHA upon request. A model release is available on the heritage area’s website. (Click here for the form.)
AWARDS
Grand Prize $300
Second Place $200
Third Place $100
Honorable Mention (2) $50.00 Gift Card
17
THE LEARNING CHANNEL
HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER: 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Maria Trimarchi
One of the best things you can do before talking to your child's teacher is to prepare. Think of it as a business meeting
and you're bringing the agenda. Ask the teacher how they prefer to be contacted. Many teachers do use email but
parents should take advantage of whatever the teacher has set up: email, phone, school hours, website, etc.
Understand that many teachers don't have a lot of time for extra one-on-one meetings with parents, especially at the
beginning of the year or during report card time, so using your agenda and keeping the conversation focused will
truly help. Find a time that's convenient for both of you: not usually drive-by meetings during pick up and drop off
times, in the middle of the day or in the grocery store. Be on time, be prepared with questions and stories, and walk away with a plan. Parents
should expect teachers to be experts in their field but need to remember they're human too. Many teachers are also parents who've been on the
other side of the table.
Having a positive relationship with your child's teacher can help your child be more successful in the classroom.
Parents should expect their child's teacher to hold shared information confidential, and should be confident in
discussing cognitive and social development, as well as family events. Trust that even if you disagree or have
different styles of communication, you both have a commitment to the child. Be fair, but in situations where you
feel you don't have a parent-teacher partnership, or that the teacher isn't producing results, seek out the counsel
of the school administration for tips or help.
Just as you expect your child's teach to share important events that happen during the school day, your
child's teacher wishes you'd reciprocate. Mutual disclosure is important in this partnership. Share insights
into your child's interests, needs, strengths and personality. If you have areas of concern, be honest about
that with your child's teacher. Communication should be both positive and negative -- don't be afraid to
share important events in kids' lives (such as divorce or a new sibling) but also remember to share the
funny stories too. All these things can affect how your child's days go.
Informed parents know what's happening in the classroom. They know the teacher, the kids, the whole cast
of characters and the rules of the classroom. Some of the easiest ways to stay informed about what's going
on in the classroom is to read newsletters, the classroom's web page and any notes sent home. Also, stay
on top of your child's homework assignments. Teachers have varying levels of accessibility, but all are
accessible. Some are available during after school hours, some have been known to give out their home
phone numbers. Keep informed and keep in touch.
In addition to being a well-informed parent, be a parent who participates. Make an effort to meet your child's
teacher early in the year, if only to introduce yourself. Throughout the year, you and your child's teacher will
have opportunities to meet at parent-teacher conferences and school events. Be sure to attend all parent-
teacher meetings as these are sometimes the only one-on-ones you'll have together. Ask what you can do to
be involved. For example, being a volunteer for classroom activities is just another way to stay connected and
informed. Go on one of your child’s field trips, join the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), help organize a
classroom party or donate time or resources to the classroom or grade.
FREE COMMUNITY COMPOST INITIATIVE
The CCA is excited to announce a new FREE Community Compost Initiative in Canton. The
site is at the “I Wonder Garden” at Hudson and Baylis Streets inside the fence in the
northeast corner of the parking lot. Neighbors are invited to drop off food scraps and
compostables including fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, bread and compostable
packaging. Please no plastic, glass, oil or metals. There are signs to specify what can and
can’t be composted at the site. There are a limited number of FREE Kitchen Caddies to share.
Email [email protected] to request one. First come, first served.
NEW CCA LEADERSHIP FOR 2022
The CCA held their annual Board Elections in February and voted in a new President and Vice-President. CCA is happy to share that the former Vice-
President Amanda Bourgeois is stepping into the role of President and Vic Victoriano is our new Vice-President. This is an experienced and hard-
working duo, so everyone is excited to see what’s on deck for 2022!
18
CANTON CANOPY SPRING PLANTINGS
Canton Canopy, the volunteer group working with the CCA to increase the trees in Canton, returns for the season on Saturday, April 30th. Join them
from 9 am to noon to help plant new trees! (Location TBD.) They’ll have tools, gloves, coffee and donuts… all they need is you! For details,
visit https://www.facebook.com/CantonCanopy.
PTO NEWS
CALL FOR PTO BOARD MEMBER NOMINATIONS
There will be several PTO board member openings at the end of the school year. The openings are:
Vice President,
Secretary, and
Two At-Large Board Members
All HHA parents and staff can nominate someone or themselves for an officer position. Each position is for a two-year term.
You may submit multiple nomination forms. If multiple candidates are interested in running for the same position, an election will be held at the
PTO meeting on May 3, 2022, at 7 pm.
Please submit the online form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUWC69ZrGqXKWqYx_zgOZgR73NTR6iYcMOmAIel5YEuLm79Q/viewform?usp=sf_link , fill out the
paper form included in this newsletter, or send nominations by email to Geri Swann ([email protected]) by Friday, April 29, 2022, by 3 pm.
Description of each volunteer position is included in the nomination form.
Upcoming PTO Events Include
4/5, PTO Meeting 7 pm Details on school
calendar. We hope you'll join us to
discuss upcoming fundraising
opportunities, events, and more.
4/14, PTO Tutti Gusti Night – 3 - 8 pm
PTO will receive 10% of eat-in or carry out
sales when the Tutti Gusti flyer is
presented.
4/29, Deadline for PTO board member
nominations, 3 pm
4/30, Bingo, Bidding & Bites, 6 -11 pm, at
HHA
VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS, AND DONATIONS NEEDED FOR B3
It's time! Time to spring into action for HHA's biggest annual fundraiser,
Bidding, Bites, and Bingo—also known as B3. To make this event successful,
we need the help of our wonderful neighborhood and school communities.
The good news, there are lots of ways to get involved:
Volunteer your time. Check out the B3 job descriptions at B3
Volunteer Role Descriptions.docx - Google Docs , and
email [email protected] with your availability and interest.
Consider being a sponsor or reaching out to a business or
organization that might want to support one of Baltimore's best
public schools. See the form in this news magazine.
Make an in-kind silent auction donation and/or a food or
beverage donation (store-bought only). See the form in this news
magazine and the 2022 B3 Silent Auction Donations - Google
Sheets.
19
Reminders
Harris Teeter: Attach your Harris Teeter VIC card to HHA via the store’s Together in Education Program. When you shop Harris Teeter brands, a
percentage of your purchase is donated to the school that your VIC card is linked to. There are no limits to how much a school can earn, and in past
years HHA has earned thousands to support school initiatives However, families must register to earn funds. You can sign up online at
harristeeter.com/together-in-education. Questions? Email [email protected]
WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE VISIT
WWW.HHA47.ORG UNDER IMPORTANT LINKS FOR THE HHA FEEDBACK FORM!
FAMILY FUN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Southeast Anchor Library - located at 3601 Eastern Avenue; 410-396-1580, www.prattlibrary.org/locations/southeast/
Friends of Patterson Park – located at 27 S. Patterson Park Avenue; 410-276-3676, pattersonpark.com/
Creative Alliance at the Patterson – located at 3134 Eastern Avenue, 410-276-1651, creativealliance.org
Patterson Park Audubon Center – located at 2901 E. Baltimore Street, 410-558-2473, pattersonpark.audubon.org/
Please check the back of the news magazine for additional event information!
April 11th to April 18th
20
A Special Thank You to Our Volunteers…
Our PTO Officers: Vic Victoriano, Bonnie Mattox, Jonathan Rothstein,
Trisha Shellenbach, Cait Drake, Charles Eddington, Yan Zhao-Hylkema,
Danielle Kelly, Rosa Martinez, Maria (Ree) Miskimon, Jill Vasbinder
Morrison
Ms. Anya Cappolla
Ms. Barbara Maloni of B'more Licks
Ms. Chavonne Collins
Ms. Pamela Vroman
Ms. Rosalia Castelan
Mr. Micah Webster
Mr. Dennis Norman
Mr. Tom Curley
ADVENTURE AWAITS
AT
Busy Bees Summer Camp
July 5th - August 5th
8:00am - 12:00pm
Breakfast and Lunch served each day
Looking for EXPLORERS entering Kindergarten through 5th Grade to join in
the fun!
Each day Explorers will participate in outdoor games, literature projects,
science and technology activities, yoga and mindfulness, world cultures, crafts
and more!
Fridays will be dedicated to exploration to North Point State Park, Lake
Roland, Field days in the park, walking field trips, and water play.
5 weeks of laughing, learning, and adventure for $300
Now Offering: Extended care till 3:00pm each day for an extra $300
for all 5 weeks. Space limited so email soon!
Contact information:
School Phone: 410-396-9146, ask for Mrs. Maciel
Email: [email protected]
Venmo: @HHAHornets
Register Online:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRItF4J8eXDBBXGlpylqB_4ssxDC-
Gltk8LHRA27Ke_6b9yQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
LA AVENTURA TE ESPERA
EN EL
CAMPAMENTO DE VERANO BUSY BEES
Julio 5º - Agosto 5º
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
¡Buscando exploradores que inicien el kindergarten hasta el 5º grado para que
se unan a la diversión!
Cada día los exploradores participarán en juegos al aire libre, proyectos de
literatura, actividades de ciencia y tecnología, yoga y mindfulness, culturas del
mundo, artesanía y mucho más.
Los viernes se dedicarán a la exploración en el Parque Estatal North Point, el
Lago Roland, días de campo en el parque, excursiones a pie y juegos acuáticos.
Los participantes comienzan cada día con el desayuno y terminan con el
almuerzo.
5 semanas de risas, aprendizaje y aventura for $300
Ahora ofrecemos: Cuidado extendido hasta las 3:00pm cada día por un
extra de $300 por las 5 semanas. ¡Espacio limitado así que envíe un
correo electrónico pronto!
Información de contacto:
Teléfono de la escuela: 410-396-9146, preguntar por La señora Maciel
Correo electrónico: [email protected]
Venmo: @HHAHornets
Inscríbete en línea:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRItF4J8eXDBBXGlpylqB_4ssxDC-
Gltk8LHRA27Ke_6b9yQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Hampstead Hill Academy
2022-2023 School Year
Please submit this form or send nominations by email to Geri Swann ([email protected]) by Friday,
April 29, 2022, by 3 p.m.
There will be several PTO board member openings at the end of the school year. The openings are: Vice
President, Secretary, and two At-Large Board Members. All HHA parents and staff can nominate
someone or themselves for an officer position. Each position is for a two-year term.
You may submit multiple nomination forms. If multiple candidates are interested in running for the
same position, an election will be held at the PTO meeting on May 3, 2022, at 7 p.m.
Below are the descriptions of each open volunteer position:
Vice President - The Vice President shall assist the President and carry out the President’s duties in his or
her absence or inability to serve. Shall write up the monthly school newsletter HHA PTO update.
Secretary - The Secretary shall keep all records of the organization, take and record minutes, handle
correspondence, and send notices of meetings to the membership via the HHA PTO email list. The
secretary also keeps a copy of the minutes book, bylaws, rules, membership list, and any other
necessary supplies, and brings them to meetings.
At-Large Members - The At-Large Members shall foster and promote the mission and purpose of the
HHA PTO in the community and local area at large. Each member will volunteer to lead a specific event
(i.e., Bee Fit) or task (i.e., Harris Teeter VIC card link) to promote the PTO.
Name of Person Submitting Nomination:
______________________________________________________________________________
Email of Person Submitting Nomination:
______________________________________________________________________________
Name of Person Being Nominated:
______________________________________________________________________________
Contact info for the nominee (email or phone will be used to confirm the nominee's interest):
_______________________________________________________________________________
Nomination Position: _____Vice President _____Secretary _____Member at Large
Saturday, April 30, 2022
6pm - 11pm
Hampstead Hill Academy
PAPER TICKET ORDER FORM
To purchase tickets online, go to: https://hhapto.org/b3tickets
B3 is Hampstead Hill Academy’s annual fundraiser sponsored by the Parent Teacher Organization
(PTO) to raise money for our kids!
● Enjoy a fun-filled night of bingo games and win cash prizes!
● Have fun bidding on fantastic items in our Silent Auction featuring in-kind donations from
many local businesses, restaurants and other organizations.
● Dine on delicious bites donated by local community restaurants while listening to great live
music.
B3 is an over-21 event and a terrific night out!
B3 tickets are $30 and include bingo card and food.
Drinks and extra bingo cards will be available to purchase.
Complete the following information and send it in with your money:
__________ X $30/ticket = $__________
# of tickets total enclosed
Name________________________________________________________________
Contact (email / phone)__________________________________________________
Child’s name and homeroom for B3 ticket delivery:____________________________
NOW ACCEPTING Cash, Check, Paypal [email protected], or Venmo (@hhapto)!!!
Look for [email protected] for Paypal or Venmo payments.
Please include your child's name and homeroom teacher for ticket delivery.
Thank you to our generous 2022 B3 Sponsors:
Reach us at [email protected] or leave a note in the front office.
Join Hampstead Hill Academy
and
for
Friends and Family Night Out!
Bring this flyer into Tutti Gusti on
Thursday, April 14th
from 3-8pm
10% of Food & Drink purchases
(eat-in or carry out) will be donated to
Hampstead Hill Academy PTO
Come enjoy great food as well as a night out!
Gluten-free options available
Tutti Gusti
3100 Fait Ave, Baltimore 21224
410.534.4040
www.tuttigusti.net
Join us for an International Potluck
Breakfast to meet new families.
April 21st, 2022 from 8:30-9:30 am in the cafeteria
**********************************************************************************************************
Please let us know if you are planning to attend and if you would like to share a
traditional dish.
Student’s name: __________________________ Teacher’s name: ___________________
Parent’s name: _______________________________ Phone Number: _________________
I would like to share: _________________________________________________________
Únase a nosotros a un desayuno
internacional para conocer nuevas
familias.
21 de Abril de 2022 de 8:30-9:30am en la cafeteria
**********************************************************************************************************
Por favor, comuníquenos si tiene previsto asistir y si desea compartir un plato
tradicional.
Nombre del estudiante: _______________________ Nombre del Maestro: _____________
Nombre del Padre : _______________________________ Numero de telefono: __________
Me gustaria compartir: ____________________________________________________
BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE
Funding Formula Explained
The Blueprint for Maryland's Future funding formula passed during the 2020 legislative session. This
formula funds the implementation of the Kirwan Commission recommendations which will build a world-
class education system for all Maryland students. Maryland's funding formula is one of the most complex in
the country, but we've summarized the important components below. Click the links for more details.
Categorical FOUNDATION
College & Career
Foundation Teachers Base amount of funding needed to provide
Early Childhood adequate general education services.
Education Per student funding, currently $7,244,
increases from $7,991 (2022) to $12,138 (2033).
Resources for Includes additional funding for the following
Student Success new initiatives:
Source Data Increased teacher salary & school staffing,
interventions and rigor for college &
career readiness, and behavioral health
services
EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION
Expands full-day pre-K for eligible 3-4 yr olds
from public and private providers with more
related services funded in the categorical
section.
Per pupil funding will increase from $10,094
in 2023 up to $19,526 in 2033.
Cost is determined by a tiered sliding scale.
RESOURCES FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED
STUDENT SUCCESS TEACHERS
Targeted funding for additional supports Funding for a new 4-tier career ladder
required beyond general education based on performance with other initiatives
services. to elevate the teaching profession included
Includes funding changes for the following in categorical and foundation funding.
supports:
CATEGORICAL
Special Education
English Language Learners Funding for specific programs with some
Compensatory Education - additional funds allocated by the state directly to the
funds needed to support students programs, not to local governments.
experiencing poverty Includes additional funding for the
Concentration of Poverty - funds needed following new initiatives:
to provide additional support for
students attending schools with Accountability board, teacher education
concentrations of poverty loan assistance, curriculum & assessment
improvements, family support
COLLEGE & CAREER centers and school-based health centers
READINESS
The state and local governments
Funds literacy intervention for students share funding responsibility for
who are below grade level in K-3rd grade. most of the formula based on
Phases out by 2027. local wealth, so the state funds
Post college and career readiness pathways. more for areas with less wealth.
Fitness Fun & Games
at
Hampstead Hill Academy
443-470-6024
Academic Enrichment
Breakfast, lunch, snack
June 13 to August 26, 2021, 7 am to 6 pm , Ages 4 – 13
$220/wk for M-F, 7 am – 6 pm $110/wk for Mon-Thu, noon to 6 pm
$50/day for 7 am – 6 pm $35/day for 7 am-noon OR noon to 6 pm
Sibling discounts 10% MSDE licensed, tax deductible as child care.
Annual $30 registration fee. Medical forms required for enrollment.
FFG is open all day on Fridays at Hampstead Hill in the summer.
First come, first served. Payments reserve slots. No refunds.
MSDE Child Care Scholarships accepted with no co-pays. FFG Scholarships Available.
APPLICATION FitnessFunandGames.org PAY HERE
[email protected]
AUDUBON IN Patterson Park
BALTIMORE Audubon Center
Birding Events
BIRDING
────
APR 23 & 30 Druid Hill Park
Meet at 3001 East Dr.
Join us in Druid Hill Park & Patterson Park
Audubon experts lead us in search of avian friends every month in these two city Saturday, April 23
parks. Experience Birding in Baltimore City! No experience is necessary – perfect
for beginners and experts alike. Registration is required and Audubon’s COVID- ────
19 rules must be followed by all participants. Patterson Park
Meet at the fountain
HABITAT TEAM
Saturday, April 30
APR 2
────
Help build bird habitat in Audubon’s native plant gardens in Patterson Park! 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Come to weed, mulch, and/or plant while spending the morning outdoors with
friends, family, and Audubon. We’re happy to sign community service hours for FREE!
helpful students. All ages welcome! Water, gloves, and tools provided. Registration required!
All ages & experience
WILDLIFE GARDENING WORKSHOPS
levels welcome.
-BIRD-FRIENDLY GARDEN DESIGN-
APR 7 FOLLOW US + TAG US
www. facebook.com/
Join us Online
PattersonParkAudubonCenter
Spring is on its way! Patterson Park Audubon Center is looking forward to longer @audubon_pattersonpark
days, flowers blooming, and migratory birds arriving in Maryland. They will be
looking for something to eat in our gardens. So let’s feed the birds and patterson.audubon.org
butterflies!
Registration is required!
Visit patterson.audubon.org/events
for info & to register.
CChhiillddrreenn’'ss PPrrooggrraammss:: AApprriill 22002222
WEEKLY STORYTIMES
Family Storytime
Tuesdays at 11:00am
April 5, 12, 19, 26
An interactive storytime
program with music and movement.
WEEKLY PROGRAM Art with a Heart: Self Importance
D.E.A.R Portraits
Tuesday, April 12th, 3:30 pm Tuesday, April 26th, 3:30 pm
Come to the library to celebrate Inspired by the Imagination Cele-
DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) bration book What Will You Be?,
with your favorite book, audiobook, participants will make self-portraits
or graphic novel with the librarians. and add words that best highlight
their positive characteristics.
Show Me Boards Giant Games: Hopscotch
Friday, April 29th, 3:30 pm
Wednesday, April 13th, 3:30 pm
Come to the library to play giant
Create a vision board of who you hopscotch and win a prize.
are now and what you would like to
be when you grow up. This pro-
gram is inspired by the 2022 Imagi-
nation Celebration title What Will
You Be? by Yamile Saied Méndez.
Giant Games: Tic Tac Toe The Enoch Pratt Free Library
System will be closed Friday,
Friday, April 22nd, 3:30 pm April 15, 2022 in observance of
Good Friday.
Come to the library to play a giant
game of Tic Tac Toe and win a
prize.
Southeast Anchor Library 3601 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21224
your journey starts here free TO BMORE
#atthepratt
Family Storytime
Storytime is back!
Join us every week at Southeast Anchor Library and the Patterson Park Branch
to share stories, movement, songs, and rhymes! Masks are required, attendance
space is limited. For children 2–5 and their caregivers, all abilities are welcome.
Southeast Anchor Library Patterson Park Branch
Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m.
With Ms. Kelly With Ms. Meredith
Call 410-396‑1580 to register. Call 410-396-0983 to register.
And don’t miss Virtual Storytime Live on Facebook and YouTube. A new storytime
every Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
The free educational and cultural programs at Pratt libraries are made prattlibrary.org
possible by the generous support of donors to the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
HEAD START
Early Childhood Education Programs
NOW ENROLLING!
Tuition Free, high-quali care
Clean and safe environment with credentialed
teachers and in-person learning
Low student to instructor ratio
Breakfast, lunch and snacks daily
Samsung Galaxy Tablet (Lending Library)
Family job search assistance
Family tuition support for continued education
AGES 6 WEEKS TO 2 YEARS AGES 3-4 YEARS
Early Head Start Head Start
3 LOCATIONS 6 LOCATIONS
Visit
headstartbaltimore.org
NOW to register!
¡VARIAS UBICACIONES EN SU COMUNIDAD!
PROGRAMA HEAD START
Programas educativos de temprana edad
¡ACEPTANDO INSCRIPCIONES DESDE AHORA!
Servicios de aprendizaje gratuito a niños con
atención de alta calidad
Entorno limpio y seguro con acreditadas profesores y
aprendizaje presencial
Pocos estudiantes por cada instructor
Desayuno, almuerzo y refacciones todos los días
Tableta Samsung Galaxy (Prestada por la Biblioteca)
Asistencia a la familia para la búsqueda de un empleo
Apoyo a la familia de la matrícula para la educación continua
EDADES DESDE LAS 6 SEMANAS 3-4 AÑOS
HASTA LOS 2 AÑOS PROGRAM
Head Start
Early Head Start
6 UBICACIONES
3 UBICACIONES
¡Visite
headstartbaltimore.org
AHORA para registrarse!
Where the Arts Change Kids’ Lives
FACRLRAESTSESES Photo by Saskia Kahn
REGISTRATION FOR TWIGS AUDITIONS IS REQUIRED!
For Film & Visual Storytelling, Auditions are
Stage Design & Production, and Visual Arts May 31-June 6, 2022
registration is open until May 11, 2022.
For Acting, Dance, and Music
registration is open until May 15, 2022.
Go to www.bsfa.org/twigsapplication
Where the Arts Change Kids’ Lives
The TWIGS program offers FREE
after-school and Saturday classes
in Music, Dance, Visual Arts, Stage
Design & Production, Acting, and Film
& Visual Storytelling for 2nd-8th graders*
who are Baltimore City residents and
who qualify by audition. Classes will
be held at the Baltimore School for the
Arts, 712 Cathedral St from Fall 2022
through Spring 2023.
* See class descriptions for
grade level requirements
www.bsfa.org Registration is
443.642.5169 required for
Mark K. Joseph Building TWIGS Auditions.
712 Cathedral Street www.bsfa.org/
Baltimore, Maryland 21201 twigsapplication
THEATRE THEATRE
Acting Stage Design & Production
GRADES 5-8 GRADES 5-8
Explore your imagination and work with Do you love the costumes, set and
an ensemble in creative ways. Classes special effects that make a show
include improvisation, theatre games, and exciting? SDP students explore creative
scene study. The 8th grade classes also ways of making art that tells stories.
include monologue rehearsal to develop 8th grade students work to create a
audition material. Classes will be held portfolio that can be used for auditions.
once a week for one and a half hours. Classes will be held once a week for one
and a half hours.
Acting Auditions
Stage Design &
MAY 31-JUNE 6, 2022 Production Auditions
Students entering grades 5-8 in MAY 31-JUNE 6, 2022
September 2022 are eligible to audition.
Students entering grades 5-8 in
Each applicant must prepare a September 2022 are eligible to audition.
memorized monologue (one character’s
speech from a play) no more than Please bring 3-5 examples of
two minutes in length or a poem artwork (drawings, paintings, collage,
approximately one minute long. photographs, craft projects) to share with
faculty. Applicants should be prepared
Students must complete registration by to discuss their artwork as well as why
May 15. Once registered, students will they want to join the Stage Design and
be notified of their in person audition Production Program. Any experience
appointment no later than one week prior working on performances (plays,
to Audition Week. concerts, dance shows) may be included
in the discussion.
All applicants must be registered
by Wednesday, May 11th in order
to receive the Google Form with
instructions for submitting examples
of artwork. Submissions are due by
May 15th. Interview appointments will
be emailed no later than one week
prior to Audition Week.
DANCE Sunday, May 15th in order to receive an
appointment. Appointment times will be
GRADES 2-8 sent out via email no later than one week
prior to Audition Week.
Develop your talents in dance.
Professional dance educators will train Applicants will participate in a brief
you in the basics of ballet. Classes will be dance movement class as part of the
held 1–4 times a week depending upon audition. For the audition, wear a leotard,
class level. In the spring, TWIGS dancers convertible tights and ballet slippers.
participate in an annual production. Spandex shorts/gym shorts with a close
fitting t-shirt may be worn. No skirts,
Dance Auditions leg warmers, costumes, or jeans. Feet
may be bare. Loose-fitting clothing or
MAY 31-JUNE 6, 2022 jewelry should not be worn. Hair should
be pulled away from the face and neck
Students entering grades 2-8 in September and securely pinned back. The audition
2022 are eligible to audition. process typically lasts about two hours.
Dance Auditions will be held after
school Tuesday, May 31- Friday, June
3rd and on Saturday, June 4. In order to
maintain safe, social distance practices,
auditions will be held by appointment
only. All applicants must be registered by
MUSIC MUSIC
Vocal Instrumental
GRADES 6-8 GRADES 2-8*
Learn to sing and care for your voice. Our program helps you improve on
You will participate in a choral music your instrument through ensembles
program to work on components of (band, orchestra, jazz band, sectionals),
singing including breath support, posture, musicianship classes, and private
note reading, and sound production. lessons with our esteemed faculty.
Most classes are held on Saturdays
Vocal Music Auditions but some private lessons may be
scheduled on a weekday.
MAY 31-JUNE 6, 2022
Instrumental Music
Students entering grades 6–8 in Auditions
September 2022 are eligible to audition.
MAY 31-JUNE 6, 2022
Applicants may sing a song of their
choice that demonstrates the quality of For the TWIGS Music auditions,
the voice and the clear articulation of students will need their instrument
the song’s words. Examples are patriotic and sheet music. Auditioning students
songs, church hymns, or folk songs. should be prepared to play at least
Popular music that imitates the style of one solo piece AND one or two scales.
that particular singer is not helpful in Students should choose pieces that
determining the quality of a young voice represent their current skill set on
and should be avoided. Applicants may the instrument. We are looking for
choose to sing “The Water is Wide.” This students who exhibit potential and a
song is recommended for students who level of proficiency, both musically and
cannot decide what to sing for the voice technically, regardless of the amount of
audition. Students can search “The Water experience on their instrument.
is Wide” on Youtube to hear the melody.
*Instrumental program instruments and
All applicants must be registered by grade level requirements:
Sunday, May 15th in order to receive an
appointment. Appointment times will be
sent out via email no later than one week
prior to Audition Week.
MUSIC CONTINUED Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium/
Baritone, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon,
Students entering grades 2-4 in Clarinet, Saxophone.
September 2022 are eligible to audition
for the following instruments: All applicants must be registered by
Piano, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello. Sunday, May 15th in order to receive an
appointment. Appointment times will
Students entering grades 5-8 in be sent out via email no later than one
September 2022 are eligible to audition week prior to Audition Week.
for the following instruments: Piano,
Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass,
Classical Guitar, Percussion, Trumpet,
VISUAL ARTS Visual Arts Auditions
GRADES 4-8 MAY 31-JUNE 6, 2022
Students entering grades 4-8 in September Students will be asked to submit specific
2022 are eligible to audition. drawings and a few samples of their own
work by May 15. Applicants in 8th grade
If you like to draw, paint, or work with your may be contacted for interviews via
hands, we offer lessons with professional Zoom.
artists to develop skills in drawing,
painting, and sculpture. 4th -7th grade Applicants must be registered by May
classes will be held once a week for two 11th and artwork must be submitted by
hours. 8th grade classes will meet twice a May 15th in order to be considered for the
week for two hours each. TWIGS Visual Arts Program. If selected
for an interview, 8th grade applicants will
*The Visual Arts program is a one-year be contacted no later than one week prior
program for students in grades 4 and 5. to Audition Week.
Interested current students may re-
audition to continue to pursue visual arts
at these grade levels.
FILM & VISUAL
STORYTELLING
Adobe Suite for Filmmakers times will be sent out via email no later
than one week prior to Audition Week.
GRADES 7 AND 8
Students entering grades 7 and 8 in Film and Visual Storytelling
September 2022 are eligible to audition. Audition Prep
This 20-week course is structured around GRADE 8
three important Adobe Creative Suite
software programs for filmmakers: Students entering grade 8 in September
Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After 2022 are eligible to audition.
Effects. Students will learn the skills
necessary to create film posters and (8th graders can apply to both classes and
short videos with basic visual effects and participate in both if accepted.)
title sequences.
This 8-week course is designed to
Shots and basic camera work will be prepare students for the Film and
explored. Classes will meet once a week Visual Storytelling high school audition.
on Saturdays. We will explore the principles of
storytelling, storyboards, and still image
Adobe Suite for Filmmakers compositions. Writing exercises are
and Film and Visual essential to this class. Classes will meet
Storytelling Audition Prep once a week from October to December.
Auditions We are seeking students with passion
for film and the collaborative art of
MAY 31-JUNE 6, 2022 movie-making. At the core of the
program are the principles of visual
Auditions will be virtual. Students will be storytelling and an emphasis on writing.
asked to submit requested material via a
Google Form and participate in a Zoom All applicants must be registered by
conversation. Further information and Wednesday, May 11th in order to receive
instructions will be available to students the Google Form with instructions for
following TWIGS registration. submission of materials. Submissions
are due May 15th. Zoom appointment
All applicants must be registered by times will be sent out via email no later
Wednesday, May 11th in order to receive than one week prior to Audition Week.
the Google Form with instructions for
submission of materials. Submissions
are due May 15th. Zoom appointment
“TWIGS was a chance for
me to be with other kids
I was not in school with,
to be with different
teachers who were
serious about art.”
—Dorian Dean, Visual Arts Student
AUDITION Students may audition for up to two
departments BUT, if accepted, MAY
INSTRUCTIONS: ONLY PARTICIPATE IN ONE. Families
Registration is required. will be notified of the results of the
audition by email in approximately
Auditions are required for acceptance six to eight weeks.
into the TWIGS program. Any interested
student who meets the grade-level TO REGISTER:
requirement* in September 2022 and
who lives in Baltimore City may audition. GO TO
Classes are held at the Baltimore School www.bsfa.org/twigsapplication
for the Arts, 712 Cathedral Street (corner
of Cathedral and Madison Streets). For additional information,
email: [email protected]
Registration is required by May 11th for
Film & Visual Storytelling, Stage Design & visit www.bsfa.org
Production, and Visual Arts, and by May
15th for Acting, Dance and Music. * See class descriptions for age
requirements for each department.
SUPPORT FOR 2022/23 TWIGS is provided by: Baltimore City Public Schools, The
Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, Clayton Baker Trust, The Aaron and Lillie
Straus Foundation, The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff
Family Charitable Funds, The Goldsmith Family Foundation, The Herbert Bearman
Foundation, and the Lockhart Vaughan Foundation.
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News from the Hill, April 2022
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