The mission of Patterson Park Public Charter School is to provide a community-centered learning environment that values

diversity and embraces a whole child approach to develop well-educated citizens.

June 2015

Principal’s Message

As our school year comes to a close, I ask that all families spend time to reflect on each student’s accomplishments and plans for the future. We, as a school, have much for which to be thankful and each member of our community can be proud to be part of that success. Last month alone, we opened a new resource to share books at our Lakewood entrance, showcased student work in the arts and sciences, and acknowledged our community at our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. Many of these stories can be found on pppcs.org – take a look!

The action does not stop when the months get hot at PPPCS – we are open through June 15th. Each class has planned fun and educational activities – we do not want your children missing a thing! We are also offering a number of Summer programs - please contact your child’s teacher if you would like more information.

In closing, I want you to know it has been an honor to serve you this year. I, and the entire leadership team, am looking forward to great things over the Summer and beyond!

Dr. Charles Kramer

Principal

Announcing the 10th Anniversary Logo & Poster Contest Winners!

Thank you for participating in our 10th Anniversary Logo & Poster Contest! These designs will be included in our final 10th anniversary marketing materials: Logo by Gia in 3rd grade and Poster by Alexandra in 1st Grade.

In April, PPPCS students submitted designs for a 10th Anniversary Logo and Poster Contest. After initial voting by 10th Anniversary Committee members, finalists were posted online for voters. These are the winners.

Little Free Library is Open

Kindergarten has created a “Little Free Library” as a Service Learning Project. The library is a place for everyone in our school and community to donate and take books. It is located in the school's Lakewood courtyard.

Please keep your selections to 1 or 2 books, remember this is a resource for the whole community!

If you take a book one day please remember to put a book in one day too to keep the supply up. If you have books at home you no longer read just put them in, with a parent’s permission.

This is for grown-ups too! The top most shelf is designated for grown-up books.

1st Grade has a Blast at the Maryland Science Center

Mrs. Zapata's class was so excited to be spending the day at the Maryland Science Center! (picture, right)

Meyerhoff Foundation Supports Camp

The Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds has given $7,553 to fully fund the Summer Fun Camp at PPPCS!

Meet the Board: Vernae Hawkins

Vernae Hawkins is a creative and forward-thinking leader at PPPCS; she hopes PPPCS will open a high school one day.

Vernae was raised on the eastern shore of Maryland by her grandparents who taught her very early in life that one’s name and reputation are important to uphold for success. As an adult, she is motivated by opportunities that allow her to utilize her expertise to make a difference.

Vernae became a memorable part of the PPPCS family in 2012. Her daughter Symera became a student that year, and Vernae organized the first over-the-top Teacher Appreciation Week to celebrate our staff. Vernae was elected to the Board of Directors in 2014 and also serves on the Patterson Park 5K committee.

Vernae believes the school’s strengths are in its staff, volunteers and partnerships. The continuity of teachers and staff have helped build long-lasting relationships with the community they serve. The engagement of the parents in the strategic planning process helped to improve the school, which led to more partnerships and programming for students.

7th Grade visits Zoo

During 7th Grade’s visit to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Carolos had the opportunity to ride a camel!

Staff Person of the Month: Mrs. Intrieri

I am honored to be chosen as the May PPPCS Staff person of the month. I share this compliment with all the PPPCS staff members and the numerous volunteers who supported our Spring Book Fair. Our students and families expanded their home libraries to continue their reading progress over the summer. As PPPCS’s Library Media Specialist, I am overjoyed! Check out www.readingrockets.org to find fun and interesting ways to increase reading over the summer.

Baltimore Wins National Community Schools Awards

Every two years the Coalition for Community Schools releases an application for awards for Community School Initiatives and effective Community Schools. This year Family League applied for the Initiative award (of which PPPCS is a part) and three schools from Baltimore applied to be recognized for the individual school awards…..and all WON!! The 3 Baltimore schools selected for individual awards were: Wolfe Street Academy, The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor School and Ben Franklin High School. PPPCS is proud to be part of the Community School initiative which serves our students, families and communities so well!

Volunteer Spotlight

Each month we highlight volunteers who have contributed to PPPCS in BIG Way during the past month! This month, we would like to celebrate and thank the committee and the parents that contributed to Teacher/Staff Appreciation week.

Committee members: Vernae Hawkins, Dana Martin Scott, Julie Neale Taylor and Vanessa O’Neil Parents: Jennine Auerbach, Michelle Bolden, Mario Catalan, Alex Clough, Ana Cervantes, Christina Church, Matt and Lisa Clark, Karin Cintron, Danielle C., Melanie Cornelisse, Dimiriam Deloatch, Valerie Duffy, Flora Carvajal-Hernandez, Elaine Ellerbe, Davina Goode, Gail Goodwin, Maribel Gavilan, Camille Henderson, Fran Jackson, Sharon Kane, Matt Kanagy, Mary Kennedy, Jennifer and Kathy Hamel, Jennifer Holland, Charissa Lashley, Fabiola Lopez, Brigida Lopez , John and Tiffany Lundquist, Bill Mules, John Murphy, Jackie Muldrow, Araceli Ortega, Brandy Osorio, Dashana Patel, Nanette Powell, Gerri Pettus, Tereca Ramos, Rosa Normendez-Sanchez, Norma Rosario , Brandi Shird, Tiffany Stokes, Anisha Thompson, Francine Tuck, Santos Vallajares , Melissa and John Wesby, Paulette Wright, April Wuensch, Randy Wase, Jahaira Zuniga , Ledin Zunig among countless others.