Heart of the School Grantee Spotlights

Thanks to a Heart of the School Fund grant, Arundel Elementary hosted a Back-to-School Block Party on ahead of the start of school year 2024-25. The event featured meals, games, music and an opportunity to learn about and pick up resources from community partners, including school supplies and food access. Students and their families met their child’s teacher and each child received two uniform shirts. Below, Principal Machado talks about project and the positive impact it had on her school's students and community: "Our school community is grateful for the grant from the Heart of the Schools, a program of the Fund for Educational Excellence. It was amazing to see so many families join us as we kicked off the new school year with resources, food, and fun! Families received uniforms, sneakers, bookbags, school supplies and met school staff. The Back-to-School Block Party was a success because we have a hard-working school team and dependable partners. We had one goal and that was to remove any barriers that would stop students from attending on the first day of school. Families left feeling cared for and ready!" Six times a year, the Heart of the School Fund provides grants to Baltimore City Public School principals to support projects that enhance their school buildings, their students’ learning, and their staff’s growth. To read about additional Heart of the School Fund grants, click here . Check out some photos from the event:

In November 2023, City Neighbors High School (CNHS) was awarded a Heart of the School Fund grant to support the creation of an outdoor classroom on their campus, a project that has already begun to transform the school’s learning environment. The vision for the outdoor classroom has been years in the making. Back in 2019, CNHS, in partnership with Ashley Traut, started planning for green spaces on the City Neighbors High School/City Neighbors Hamilton campus. Over the past few years, they’ve received grants, including one from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, to reduce stormwater runoff and increase green spaces throughout the campus. This environmental initiative has included removing impervious surfaces, creating a rain garden, and planting native species—all with the goal of creating a more sustainable, hands-on learning environment for students. The outdoor classroom is a result of the collaborative efforts of the CNHS Green Team, a student-led, afterschool club that has spearheaded much of the campus’s environmental work. With support from local organizations like Live Green Landscape and EnviroCollab, the team helped design the space and plant shrubs and trees that will surround it, transforming a previously unused area into an inviting, functional outdoor classroom serving 650 students from both Cit Neighbors High School and the nearby City Neighbors Hamilton (CNH). Since the project’s completion, the response from students, staff, and parents has been overwhelmingly positive. The outdoor classroom is already being used for advisory periods, reading blocks, and student gatherings. It’s a space where students can take a break from the classroom, enjoy lunch, and even participate in environmental education activities like planting native species. Cheyanne Zahrt, Principal of CNHS, reflected on the impact of the project: "Working on the grant and implementation of the outdoor classroom with the GREEN Team at CNHS was one of the best moments as a principal. It was awesome to watch the students create their vision of the space and see it come to life. It has been a great space for our community." Senior student Paige Curry shared her excitement about the space, particularly its value during the warmer months: "I like the outdoor classroom especially during the summer. Last year, in AP seminar and pod especially I got to use it to get a fresh breath of air instead of being cooped up in the class for an hour. It's also a nice space to have lunch." To celebrate the completion of the outdoor classroom, CNHS held an unveiling ceremony during the Earth Day celebration on April 25, 2024. For the Class of 2024, this was especially meaningful as they not only were able to showcase their hard work coming to fruition but also able to do the ribbon cutting before graduating. We look forward to seeing how this new resource will continue to enrich the lives of students and families for years to come. Six times a year, the Heart of the School Fund provides grants to Baltimore City Public School principals to support projects that enhance their school buildings, their students’ learning, and their staff’s growth. To read about additional Heart of the School Fund grants, click here. Check out photos of the space and ribbon cutting ceremony below:

The Tunbridge School, a January 2024 Heart of the School Fund grant recipient, was able to purchase a brand-new stage, which made its debut just in time for the spring 2023 musical performance. This new addition marks a significant milestone for the school’s theatre program and has already had a profound impact on students, staff, and the wider community. Kate McKenna, Director of Arts & Resources at The Tunbridge School, shared her excitement about the new stage. “The directors of the musical were thrilled to have our own stage. The cost of renting stages had been increasing each year, so this investment will result in significant savings for us moving forward. It also gave us the flexibility to use the stage earlier in the rehearsal process without paying a daily rate.” Previously, the rented stage took 4 delivery men about 4-6 hours to assemble and take apart, contributing to the high cost. The new stage’s design includes wheels and a foldable structure, allowing for quick assembly and storage. “The quality of our new stage is better than what we had been renting, so the directors were thrilled about that as well.” Compared to the difficult set up of the rented stage, initially assembling the new stage took three adults about 90 minutes. The arrival of the stage was a memorable event. It came in 12 heavy boxes, each weighing over 200 pounds. “We had six eighth graders, our two directors, and the delivery man all working together to get the boxes into the building,” McKenna recounted. “We had to navigate around lunchtime and recess, which added to the challenge. Once we managed to get the boxes inside, the assembly process was much smoother than expected.” The new stage was put to use for The Tunbridge School’s spring production of High School Musical, Jr. The show featured the largest cast in the school’s history—65 students—and was a tremendous success. “Having the stage set up a few extra days for rehearsal made a huge difference in our production,” McKenna said. “We were also able to celebrate our 10th production by inviting 200 alumni and their families to perform on the new stage. It was an incredibly special moment for everyone involved.” The Tunbridge School has exciting plans for the stage beyond the annual musical. The stage will be used for two performance events with elementary students in the winter and spring, as well as for quarterly awards ceremonies. “The stage will enhance the experience for both students and parents, providing better visibility and overall enjoyment,” McKenna added. Students and staff have shared their thoughts on what this new stage means to them: Signe Corner, 7th Grade: “Getting our own stage at Tunbridge was something our arts community has been waiting for as we’ve been doing musicals at our school for 10 years, it has inspired many kids including myself. Getting a stage like this will inspire many kids in the future to dream big and learn more about the arts.” Rachel Eversley, 8th Grade: "Because Tunbridge now owns a stage, I think a whole lot more can happen now. First off, it's ours, so if needed, the musical cast could use it earlier for rehearsals. It could maybe even be used for other Tunbridge events. I know that Penny Wars was a fundraiser to get money to rent the stage, but since we have one, we can now save up money for stage repairs or use some of it to purchase mics and other items for the set and the musical." Aisha Wickes, Principal of The Tunbridge School: “The impact of us having our own stage really celebrates the focus we at Tunbridge take in our Arts and Resource department. The musical is a part of the fabric of our being. Having the ability to have our own stage really has created a sense of security and a heightened feeling that we are presenting a high quality musical production to our Tunbridge Community. For many at Tunbridge the musical is a distinguished honor to be able to participate in. Being able to acquire this integral piece of equipment solidifies the opportunity to continue to provide engaging opportunities for our families and community.” We look forward to seeing how this new resource will continue to enrich the lives of students and families for years to come. Six times a year, the Heart of the School Fund provides grants to Baltimore City Public School principals to support projects that enhance their school buildings, their students’ learning, and their staff’s growth. To read about additional Heart of the School Fund grants, click here. See photos of students in action utilizing the stage for their spring 2023 musical below, shared with permission from The Tunbridge School, shots courtesy of Root Exposure Photography.

At the start of school year 2023-24, The Crossroads School was awarded a Heart of the School Fund grant for new classroom technology, including: smart boards on rolling carts, a speaker with microphone, and a laminator. These new technologies have contributed to a more interactive and engaging classroom experience and enriching school environment for students. The Heart of the Schools recently caught up with Dr. Denisse Villaran, principal of The Crossroads School, to learn more about the project’s impact over the past school year. “Thanks to the grant, we have been able to implement touchscreen boards in some of our classrooms. We use the smart boards daily. Teachers use them for lessons and students can complete work on them. Smart boards have been much more practical than projectors or white boards as the work done on them can be saved and reused. Teachers also use the laminator often to create stations for students to engage to the content.” When asked how the project has positively impacted students’ classroom learning experience, Dr. Villaran notes: “These interactive tools have transformed the way our students engage with their learning. The touchscreen boards allow for dynamic lessons where students can actively participate, collaborate with their peers, and explore concepts in real-time. Teachers have reported increased student engagement and enthusiasm, as the technology enables a more hands-on approach to learning. Students are now able to interact with educational content in innovative ways, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.” In addition, the new stereo system has contributed to enhancing the school’s culture: “We now play music during morning meetings, creating a welcoming atmosphere that sets a positive tone for the day. Our Friday music contests have also become a highlight of the week, promoting fun and camaraderie among students and staff alike.” As Crossroads prepares for the upcoming school year, Dr. Villaran shared her thoughts about the continued usage of these tools: “Together, these initiatives foster a more engaging and enjoyable learning environment, helping to build community and enhance student well-being. We are excited to see how these advancements continue to enhance our educational practices and support our commitment to providing a rich, interactive learning experience for all students.” Six times a year, the Heart of the School Fund provides grants to Baltimore City Public School principals to support projects that enhance their school buildings, their students’ learning, and their staff’s growth. To read about additional Heart of the School Fund grants, click here .

Hazelwood Elementary/Middle School dedicated a portion of the Heart of the School Fund grant in fall 2023 to assist the school's robotics club. Principal Rice recognizes the importance of STEM programs for students and highlights the need for early preparation to ensure their readiness for life and the workforce. She strives to provide various school activities and educational programs to shape students holistically. The Heart of the Schools interviewed Ms. Cherry Amata, Hazelwood’s robotics coach and STEM coordinator, to learn more about the program, the school’s recent competitions, and the upcoming tournaments. “We had two teams compete at the VEX VRC Johns Hopkins Cup and emerged victorious over high school teams from around Baltimore City. Hazelwood RoboOwls played four qualifying matches to advance to the quarterfinals, secured a win in the semifinals, and demonstrated outstanding performance in the finals. In the ultimate showdown against Poly and Mervo, Hazelwood claimed the 2nd place after a challenging game. Our team also excelled in the Skills Challenge, earning us the title of Robot Skills CHAMPION Award with the highest combined score in the Programming Skills Challenge and Driving Skills Challenge.” On January 27th, Hazelwood's VEX IQ teams showcased their skills at the Johns Hopkins Robotics Cup. After participating in three challenging qualifying matches and interviews with judges, Hazelwood successfully advanced to the playoffs. The middle school RoboOwls performed exceptionally well, securing 1st place and earning the Champion title in the middle school division, surpassing 41 other teams. In the elementary category, competing against 42 teams, Hazelwood was honored with the Design Award. This award recognizes the team's thorough documentation of their Engineering Design Process in an Engineering Notebook. As a result of this achievement, they qualify to participate in the VEX Robotics State Championship in Hagerstown on Feb. 24th. At the CEO Cup on February 3rd, Hazelwood's RoboOwls were involved in six intense qualifying matches and ultimately advanced to the finals. During interviews, the RoboOwls impressed the judges by effectively defending their engineering notebook and providing thorough explanations about their robots. At the end of the tournament, they were recognized with the CEO Cup trophy and three awards: the Excellence Award, the highest honor at the robotics championship, for overall excellence in constructing a high-quality robot; the Judges Award, for displaying special attributes, exemplary effort, and perseverance; and the Design Award, acknowledging Team 80018A for their documentation skill and Team Interview. The dedication of the students to their team and competitions is truly inspiring. Ms. Amata shares: “The VEX IQ elementary and middle school teams practice in the morning, in the afternoon, during lunchtime and, sometimes, when we go to championship some of my students, if they do not think that the robot is perfect, [have us] stay [at school] until 7:00 o’clock! And I’m already exhausted! And they say [to me], ‘Ms. Amata we want to win, we want to win!’” In talking about her students, the robotics coach sang their praises: “We have amazing students at Hazelwood. Just so you know, we specifically serve underprivileged kids; our school is a Title I school. You can see their dedication through their hard work because they want to demonstrate to Baltimore that they have a place here and are capable of winning”. On February 24th, the RoboOwls participated in the 2024 Maryland Vex IQ State Championship for Elementary and Middle School Levels, a qualification for the Worlds Championship. On March 9th, the Hazelwood VEX VRC team took part in the Maryland State Championship and achieved 6th place. On March 11th, both middle school VRC teams travelled to Iowa for the National Robotics Championship as the only representatives of Baltimore City competing against teams from across the US, Canada, China, and Kazakhstan. This event convened 134 teams from the US and marked the team's first national competition. Despite facing formidable opponents, they clinched the 41st position following three days of demanding robotics challenges. Furthermore, the Hazelwood Robo-Owls have been invited to partake in Robotics Demo Day with the Senate AI Caucus on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at the Senate Office Building. Additionally, they will compete at the VEX Robotics Worlds Championship on April 28-30 in Dallas, Texas, where they will stand as the sole middle school representatives from Baltimore City among 498 teams worldwide. Six times a year, the Heart of the School Fund provides grants to Baltimore City Public School principals to support projects that enhance their school buildings, their students’ learning, and their staff’s growth. To read about additional Heart of the School Fund grants, click here .