extra, extra, read all about it!

There's a lot of hype about the Newseum.  You could spend two days there.  It's the best museum ever.  I love it more than I love my children.  Really folks?  Never having seen it, I was pretty skeptical when we loaded up our four buses and 100 some-odd mentors and mentees.  We arrived about 10:15 this past Saturday morning.

At 12:30, about fifteen minutes before we were scheduled to depart, I was running around furiously to see if we could squeeze in another half hour and mentors and mentees were asking (begging to see) if our tickets were good for 48 hours.  The hype is well-deserved.

From a stunning set of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs on the first floor to the view (at right) from the sixth floor terrace, the place simply did not disappoint.  There are clips from the Daily Show, newspaper headlines from the past two centuries, and everything in between.  Mentors and Mentees gushed about the 4-D theater, the 9/11 exhibit, and the section of the Berlin Wall.  One mentor described this last highlight as "an exhibit that glorifies the breaking of one wall which makes us think of the others that are being built today."

No matter the exhibit, it was the hands-on nature of the whole experience that really moved the group.  Every floor has touchscreens and various ways to engage in the news and the history on display.  None of the exhibits, however, provided more immediate engagement than the Be a TV Reporter station pictured at the top of this page.  In that picture, Keona Archer and Aris Ellison are reporting while their mentors, YaVonne Dubose and Nidhi Patel, look on.  As Courtney Jones explains, "I was able to see a news reporter's point of view and to see how much they had to do.  Being a news reporter and getting out of my comfort zone was fun."

Snow storms in DC shut down everything and left the entire district immobilized. And the Green Club grew lettuce.

Three thoughts from the post-blizzard scenes at TMA:

1. Even a few days of 40+ degree weather hasn't cleared much snow. The field, the garden, and the basketball court remain hidden. The headline image is a stark contrast (and not just because of our new sign) to this picture of the same scene from the summer:

 2. All of DC is still buried in three feet of snow.  Schools were shut down.  The Metro stopped service.  But thanks to a few cold frames, the lettuce in our organic garden continued to grow.  See the picture below?  That's two feet of snow there on the left and then, inside the cold frame, that's lettuce.

3. Our green club is awesome.

Update from the Supreme Court

Along with the entire District, the Thurgood Marshall Academy basketball teams have spent the last few weeks in hibernation.  For the rest of the Washington Charter School Athletic Association, this was a welcome reprieve, as the Warriors had been on a tear to start  2010.

The girls team hasn't lost a game since December 12th and have won five straight contests.  The team has begun to gel around seniors Chanae Watson, Shaterika Turman, and Jasmine McPhaul.  They feature a balanced attack that includes dominating post play and a deft touch from the guards.  Freshman Ni'Asia Bond continues to make a case for rookie of the year.

And the TMA boys have been just as hot.  Since losing a close battle with perennial powerhouse Booker T. Washington, the boys have won seven of eight.  Contributions from Houston Brewer, Matt Thomas, and the return of Demetrius Begeman have added depth to their already formidable lineup.

As the league scrambles to schedule make-up games and get ready for the playoffs, look for the Warriors to continue their hot streak and land a top seed in both the boys and the girls playoffs.  This week features three games, and we'll have another update before the playoffs start.  Go Warriors!

Club Highlight: Sister Action Sister Stregnth

Dozens of clubs have been meeting weekly since the start of the school year. Among these is Sister Action Sister Strength, better known as SASS. Every Monday, a positive community of about 15 teenage women gather to openly discuss real issues of importance to them. Club leader Kara Johnson had this to say:

Can you please describe the focus of the SASS Club?

Sister Action Sister Strength (SASS) is an initiative of the DC Rape Crisis Center. Its primary task is to conduct clubs for adolescent girls where they can explore relationships in a context that challenges the views of femininity and engages them in exercises that allow them to define various means of self-expression and communication. They will explore power dynamics and how those dynamics may influence them and contribute to the culture of violence. We will use such tools as media analysis, facilitated dialogue, and team-building exercises that will culminate in an outreach activity to the community around the prevention of rape and sexual assault during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). They will also have an opportunity to engage in activities with Men Can Stop Rape’s MOST clubs.

How and why did the SASS club develop? How long has TMA had an active SASS club?

The SASS club was developed four years ago by our Community Education Department based on the need for a program like this, the many requests we got for this and through our desire to provide such programs. Originally we started with only high schools, but this year we have expanded to middle schools as well.

SASS Club has been at Thurgood Marshall Academy for a couple of years and we have always received a lot of support from the school.

As a facilitator, please describe some challenges in leading the SASS club?

One of the challenges is getting everyone involved and help them experience what they need to experience individually. We go over some tough topics that aren’t openly talked about in society so sometimes the girls have a hard time opening up, but after trust is built within the group the girls share more and more.

The DC Rape Crisis Center has always had some difficulties getting into the school systems, but there are plenty of passionate teachers and counselors that are willing to work with us to give the girls this experience.

What insights have our TMA students given to you?

Running the SASS club at TMA is something that I look forward to every week. I really hold a lot of respect for the girls that attend. I admire their drive for learning new things and openly talking about topics that are something hard to talk about. Many if not all of the girls have self-confidence which shows me that I can be more self-confident about myself too.

Thanks to Kara and the DC Rape Crisis Center for the leadership and commitment to the students of TMA! Look for more club highlights soon!

America's Next Top Blogger - Week Five Winner - Kyle Holley (Again)

Can you believe it? We're already done with our fifth week of this heated competition. This week's topic focused on the recent devastation in Haiti. We at A.N.T.B. asked students to convey their initial reactions and what they feel would be an appropriate response from their communities. We received several stellar responses, though once again Junior Kyle Holley distinguished himself as a standout journalist. Reprinted below is his response:

As the world recovers from the devastating occurrences on the island of Haiti, I myself have mixed feelings. While the general reaction is shock, disbelief, and sympathy for those involved, which in reality is all of us, I find positive strides in the rebuilding processes. In the wake of a nightmare experienced by everyone in Haiti on the afternoon of January 12th, eyes opened to the timely aid of the United States Government, Special Forces and Military. Though an estimated 150,000 people lost their lives in the epic quake and aftershocks that followed, Americans proved strong and true once again, that in times of hardship, we as a people can come together for the greater good.

I believe our government also made a strong statement with their timely response. When I saw the almost immediate action to the victims in Haiti, I instantly thought of the less than urgent response to the victims of the notorious Hurricane Katrina, which slashed through the U.S. soil of New Orleans, only a short five years ago, in August of 2005. The Obama administration's quick relief efforts spoke volumes to me, in reference to the promising direction our country looks to take under this team. I believe this also lead to the speedy reaction of American citizens, with donation text lines and relief effort concerts being organized, just days after this series of misfortune.

Even in the hallways of Thurgood Marshall Academy, steps have been taken through a dress down and supply drive. In the midst of all the bad came a silver lining and I believe that lining stems from our government. A statement was made; and I believe it said, "We stand together and we stand strong."

The standings for America's Next Top Blogger are now: Kyle Holley-2, Nadean Talley-2, and Marcellus Sanders-1. Whoa! Can you feel the heat? This is going to be a race to the finish. Remember, the first blogger to earn three nods for blogger of the week will be crowned America's Next Top Blogger. As always, stay tuned for the newest topic for the week and keep those posts coming.

How do you spell debate? V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

The snowstorm that immobilized much of the district this past Saturday kept many in the comfort of their homes, but not TMA's fearless debate team. Despite the snowy conditions, members of the debate team made it out to Roosevelt Senior High School for the Urban Debate League's fourth tournament of the season.

The two topics they were set to debate?: The relevance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in modern education and whether or not the federal minimum wage should be raised to ten dollars an hour.

After three hours of intellectual exchanges and intense debate, the results were in. TMA went nearly undefeated during the course of the day, winning 7 matches and losing just one. With a dominating performance and an 87.5% winning percentage, TMA took home first place overall. In addition to taking taking home top honors, TMA earned some individual and team accolades. Tamara Johnson placed 14th overall out of all individual speakers. The team comprised of Tamara Johnson, Brian Crawford and Demetrius Suggs was 10th overall with a 3-1 record. Deycha Robinson and Alicia Hargrove's team earned 4th place by going undefeated on the day (See picture above. Wouldn't you be smiling if you were undefeated?)

Below is a picture of the entire debate team with their cache of trophies and medals along with with advisors, John London, Marielys Garcia, and Eleanor Lewis. If you're interested in joining a top-notch debate team and winning a lot of awards appeals to you, see Mr. London or Ms. Garcia. They are specifically looking for 9th and 10th graders to join their roster of great debaters.

TMA students earn their PhDs (Practicing Healthy Decisions)

This past Tuesday, the TMA community gathered in our gym to dance, get their blood pressure taken, learn about safe sex, and even jump rope. What was going on? Students from Kena Allison's health class were putting on the annual TMA health fair, that's what.

The students spent the last semester studying different topics related to personal health and wellness. For their final project they were asked to produce an informational booth or demonstration aimed at teaching those in the TMA community about how to develop and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. The projects would then all be put on display as the annual TMA Health Fair.


During the Health Fair, students could determine their BMI (Body Mass Index),  learn about the importance of getting your blood pressure taken, and even partake in an original cardio routine developed by  the students pictured above. Another room in the gym housed the healthy eating room. Thanks to the generosity of Whole Foods there were fruit salads, fruit cups, and fruit smoothies everywhere!

There were also laughs and smiles everywhere and there was genuine experiential learning taking place. Thanks to Ms. Allison and all her students for giving us all a great way to spend our Tuesday afternoon. Can't wait until next year!

Good Times and Rhymes

Where can students go to express themselves in an uncensored environment? Last Spring, Markus Batchelor and Moo Johnson wondered the same thing. Hoping to give their peers an outlet to the long days and what they perceived as constant reminders of limits and restrictions, Markus and Moo approached Ms. Jones hoping to use her classroom one Friday a month for Student Poetry Slams. Ms. Jones agreed, contingent on the notion that the slams would be entirely student driven. Ms. Jones would open her door and the students would take it from there.

The inaugural Student Poetry Slam was held last March. It consisted of 7 excited students. Each subsequent month, the group grew, as more students eager to freestyle and read poetry attended. The most recent slam took place on Friday, January 8. About 20 students packed Ms. Jones' room for an afternoon of rhymes, rhythm and prose. Their words touched on topics as disparate as love and exams. The passion was palpable, as all listened intently to their peers, offering snaps as a showing of approval. With the author's permission, reprinted below is sophmore Malek Latney's moving piece "If love was a color...":

If love was a color,
Would it be red,
That's too traditional,
Make it green instead,
Green would stand for envy,
As love is hard to find,
Purple quite majestic,
As love is sweet and kind,
Blue would stand for the blues,
Once over it you will get,
Yellow for that glow,
That love is often synonomous with,
Orange would stand for warmth,
That you draw from your lover's body,
Pink for flamboyancy 'cause,
You flaunt it around everybody,
White for standard lightness,
'Cause you think you're on cloud 9,
Black for your demise,
'Cause love always ends sometime.

Please stay tuned for the next Open Mic Poetry Slam!

Homework help and Tutoring Spotlight: Joseph Hill and Anna Stoto

Every day after school, Thurgood Marshall Academy opens its library for tutoring, remediation, and academic counseling. Some students come in to finish powerpoint presentations, some to study for a test, others simply to finish their latest reading assignment in The Souls of Black Folk. For 9th grader Joseph Hill and a handful of other students, the library is a place where they can receive one-on-one tutoring from our team of dedicated volunteer tutors. Joe and his tutor Anna Stoto have been working together for a few months and here is what they have to say about their tutoring experience.

Question: How did you find out about tutoring at TMA?
Anna: I found out about tutoring through a friend.

Question: Describe some projects and assignments you have worked on together.
Anna and Joseph: We started on a math cartoon, we worked some on the distributive property and are currently working on a PowerPoint.

Question: Describe some challenges of tutoring.
Anna: I'm 8 or 9 years out of working on the work he is assigned, and it's hard to find the best way to explain subjects and meet him where he is at.

Question: What is your favorite part of tutoring?
Joseph: When I have everything in order and done. Also, I like having someone to ask questions.
Anna: I've tutored with other organizations and I like working with Joe because I am able to get to know him better. I like building a relationship with one student.

Question: How does working with a tutor differ than working independently?
Joseph: Because I am actually able to get my work done!

Thurgood Marshall Academy matches students from all grade levels with volunteer tutors who provide one-on-one support as part of the Homework Help program. The tutoring sessions take place in the library from 3:30-6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4-6pm and 3:30-5pm on Fridays. We are currently looking for tutors in all subject areas including math, science, history, English, law and Spanish.

Please contact Tim Prendergast at tprendergast@tmapchs.org if you are interested in becoming a tutor.

A huge thank you to our current tutors at TMA! We are grateful for your commitment to our students' success!!

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday, the students, volunteers, and staff at Thurgood Marshall Academy participated in two separate service activities to celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

One group of 16 students (including Alethea Hanson, Josh Hamilton, Tyrell Jenkins and Malachi McCaskill pictured above) along with Mr. Kaplan and Ms. Gall, volunteered at the Ferebee Hope Elementary School in Southeast. Along with nearly 200 other volunteers coordinated by the DC Jewish Community Center, the students spent their day painting the inside of the school. With all four grades represented, TMA students meticulously taped off wall edges, papered the floors to avoid spills and spent hours rolling paint onto the walls. Not even a little paint on the clothes could deter them. When it was all over and the clean up began, several students expressed their enjoyment and their hopes to "do it again soon."

Meanwhile, back at the school, around 80 volunteers and students joined together to work on scholarship applications, college essays, and to learn about summer programs offered in the DC area.  We were overwhelmed by the showing of both volunteers and students, all of whom were extremely busy for the entire event.  Volunteers included current mentors, friends and family of staff, and members of IMAN, a Muslim volunteer organization.  Students and volunteers even exchanged contact information, hoping to stay in touch as deadlines and college acceptance letters approach.  Kudos to Ms. Levine, Ms. Fried, and Ms. Sher for organizing the event and to the students and volunteers who made sure it was a success!

America's Next Top Blogger - Week Four Winner - Marcellus Sanders!

This week, we asked students to provide their thoughts on the Gilbert Arenas situation.  Student responses ranged vastly, split nearly 50/50 among students who felt that Arenas had been unfairly punished and those who felt the league's actions were justified. This week's standout reaction came from sophmore Marcellus Sanders, who took a legalistic approach at explaining why he felt the punishment was undue. Attached below are his words:

I don't think his punishment is fair because they haven't finished investigating the situation and according to the law, "a suspect is innocent until proven guilty." If he hasn't been proven, why should he be reprimanded for his actions?

I feel that David Stern is making a little situation big because if the guns weren't loaded then he intended to do no harm to Crittendon. The only reason Gilbert was doing the six finger gun-shots in the warm-up is so they could get focused on the game and not let the investigation distract them. So far, he hasn't let this distract him because he scored 26 points on Saturday and he commented after the game about the situation being a distraction. "If you want it to be, there is. Not with me."

The scores for America's Next Top Blogger are now as follows: Nadean Talley - 2, Kyle Holley - 1, and Marcellus Sanders - 1. Please keep a look out for this week's topic about your reaction to the earthquake in Haiti. Keep blogging, Warriors.

a cool day for the mentor program

As the pictures above indicate, the Mentor Program spent our most recent outing skating on the National Mall. Some highlights...

• Natalia Dunlap and Ayana Bell pursued the buses for miles from the school to the rink, finally catching up, enjoying the day, and even taking in an afternoon film once Mentor Day was over.
• Ashley Everett went from being a slight liability to a full-fledged Olympic skater.
  
• Mache Chase took advantage of friendly hands at every turn.
  
• Dream Jackson and Kyle Morean each performed triple axels (Kyle's got nothing on Dream's gracefulness).
  
• Ta'Zhaun Hunter broke the sound barrier.
• Maurice Ogletree taught his Mentor Wrede Smith how to perform an ice jump.
• Nia Boxley guided Yaida Ford on at least one full loop.
• Derrick Souder took some phenomenal photos.  All but four from the slide show are his!
  
• We all had fun, got numb, fell down, and were helped up before the end of the day.
• Have some of your own recollections? Write a comment below!
  

Pastels on Parade

Recently, Ms. Shabazz's Art 1 class completed their set of still life projects. Using pastels, students recreated a collection of unrelated inanimate objects placed together against a plain backdrop. Check out the students hard at work:

Look at that concentration!

Below are two of the many stand-out pieces upon completion.

by Brittany Tillman:

by Antoinette Parish:
Please take a look the rest of the students' work in the library, on the first floor by the science labs, and in the basement by the art room when you get a chance!

Mia Logan reviews Walter Dean Myers

Eds. Note: The following write-up is from TMA librarian Cary Hanson.  If you have a question, need a book, or are interested in submitting your own review, please e-mail her: chanson@tmapchs.org.

Read a good book lately?

Some books at the TMA library are so good, you have to get on a waiting list to check them out. Which books grab students and keep them up late at night when they should be doing their homework? Before winter break, we asked students to submit reviews for their favorite TMA library books that they have read for fun. Among the excellent submissions was Mia Logan’s review of Street Love by Walter Dean Myers, which she highly recommends:

I picked up this book and thought to myself that maybe I could feel what the characters were feeling based on what I read on the back of the book….This book is about the realistic drama on the street and at home, and it tells a gripping story. The main plot is about two young girls living with their grandmother because their mother is in prison for selling drugs on the street. The older sister meets a young teenage boy who is willing to put everything behind him and be with her while she takes care of her little sister….This book is written in poems that rhyme that show the experiences these young teens went through.

Check out what else Mia has to say about this dramatic story by clicking below!

America's Next Top Blogger-Week Three Winner-Nadean Talley...Again!!

She's done it again. Nadean Talley has come out on top in the competition to become America's Next Top Blogger. This week's topic?, "Tell us about your New Year's resolution"  Nadean was up against some fierce competition including outstanding prose from Kyle Holley and poignant insight provided by Courtney Jones. Nadean's combination of sober reflection and matter-of-fact humor elevated her entry above the others, making her our first repeat winner. Here is Nadean's entry in it's entirety:

New Year's Resolution

My New Year's resolution is to stop procrastinating. Usually if I get a project, I'd probably wait until the last few days to do it, this leaves me cramming all due work into slots and most of the time I end up turning one or two assignments in late. It slows me down, plus, it stresses me out. Stress leads to pimples, and pimples + High School is not a good look.

I would rather do my work on time, check it and make sure it's right and get full credit for it than just do it late, cram it and just accept lesser or half credit. I think it will help improve my grades and reduce stress from so much work. So far, it works!

By earning her second victory, Nadean has brought herself within one win of becoming America's Next Top Blogger and winning a spot as a staff writer here at The Other 17 Hours. But don't get complacent Nadean, there are plenty of young and hungry writers out there, ready to take the title. Until Next week: Congratulations Nadean!