Midtown Academy

Midtown News

What's New at Midtown?

A lot! As Midtown enters its tenth year, it has much to celebrate and share.

Graduating the first class of students to complete Midtown's full K-8 program last spring-and seeing them off to attend Baltimore City's top high schools-remains a huge source of pride at Midtown, as the school delves into a new academic year and numerous changes.

Midtown starts the 2006-07 school year with a new director, Kathleen O'Hanlon, and several new teachers and staff members. Ms. O'Hanlon trained under the New Leaders for New Schools program and, as part of that, the tutelage of one of Baltimore's most highly regarded elementary principals, Sandra Ashe at Rosemont Elementary School. Credentials aside, Ms. O'Hanlon's energy has Midtown running at a good clip towards another great year.

Working alongside Ms. O'Hanlon and keeping the running smooth is school secretary Renee Ervin who comes to Midtown from KIPP Ujima Village Academy, a fellow charter school. Among Midtown's new teachers are: Christina Engel, first grade; Ayanna Grey, second grade; Merlyn Tabaque, sixth grade; Laurie Reifel, seventh grade; Rodney Lewis, music; Charlie Greenawalt, art; and Lyda Marchiano, inclusion specialist. These folks join an extremely dedicated and talented teaching staff, which promises all kinds of unique learning opportunities and interesting projects in the months ahead. Stay tuned.

As part of James W. Rouse Community Service Day in Baltimore on Sept. 16, Midtown also became the beneficiary of what is already a popular and much-loved new playground, thanks to the true generosity of Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse and sweat equity of many parents. The creation of the $25,000 playground was one of 12 community projects spearheaded and funded by Struever Bros. and The Enterprise Foundation to honor the legacy of the late James W. Rouse, a longtime champion of community and neighborhood development in Baltimore and nationwide.

But as much as Midtown is enjoying and adjusting to recent changes, the school community is looking ahead and embarking on a strategic planning process to map out where and how it will grow into its second decade. The process will be ongoing throughout the school year, and because parent and community participation are critical components, please keep eyes and ears open for opportunities to jump in and get involved.

All kinds of other new things are afoot at Midtown, including a monthly newsletter and newly revamped web site which, together, should keep you apprised of current happenings and news. For questions about, or submissions to the newsletter, which is published the third Friday of every month and available both in students' Friday folders and online, please contact Terence O'Hara at oharat@earthlink.net. For questions about, or submissions to the web site, please contact Michael Shochet at mshochet@gmail.com.