Midtown Academy News

Midtown Votes Early!

2008-10-31T07:55:00.000-07:00

On Oct 30, the Midtown Academy held its mock presidential election. Over the past month, students were able to learn about several aspects of the voting process, while preparing for the mock election. There was a voter registration drive that enabled students to register before voting day arrived, and on "election day" there was a booth set up in which each student who had registered had the opportunity to cast a secret ballot.

Activities related to the mock election spanned several different classes. For example, in art students made "vote" buttons and posters and some students wrote essays about the importance of voting, in additional to the work done to hold the actual vote. Thanks to all Midtown students, parents and teachers who helped make this event a success.

Midtown Open House: Oct 17

2008-10-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

Midtown will host an open house for prospective new students and their families from 10:00 - 12:00 on Friday October 17. For more information, please contact our admissions coordinator, Rhonda Jones, at (410) 225-3257 or send an email to admissions-at-midtownacademy-dot-org.

The Midtown Choir at the Festival on the Hill

2008-10-07T20:41:00.001-07:00

This year's annual Festival on the Hill, held around the 1400 block of Bolton Street, will once again a feature a performance by the Midtown Academy choir. The choir will preform from 10:30-11:00, and the festival goes from 10:00 - 4:00 and features plenty of performances, crafts and activities for children.

New Martial Arts T-Shirts and Instructor

2008-09-07T17:25:00.000-07:00

New martial arts t-shirts will be on sale at Midtown in the multipurpose room, right after opening on Monday and Tuesday and in the front office. If you can not make it to MIdtown, you can also purchase shirts by sending in cash or a check in a SEALED envelope with your child's name on it. Shirts are $8 a piece.

And speaking of Martial Arts at Midtown, we have a new instructor this year. Sifu Gamel Spencer will bring World Wing Chun to Midtown and its students. Look for more details in next week's Friday folders.

STAPL/PTO Meeting September 8

2008-09-07T17:17:00.000-07:00

The first STAPL (Student, Teacher and Parent Life) Committee meeting of the school year will be held on Monday September 8 at 6:30 in the multipurpose room. Agenda items will include elections, committee sign ups and fall fund raising. Please join us if you can.

Charter Schools Gain Acceptance in Maryland

2008-08-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

With the new school year upon us, and the 1st charter school opening in Baltimore County, there have been several articles written about news schools. In Maryland, the majority of charter schools are in Baltimore city, and the August 24, 2008 Baltimore Sun article "Charter growth: A skeptical public gradually embraces charter schools statewide", provides a good look at how charter schools are gaining popularity in the counties. The article also addresses how some of the concerns people had about Charter Schools have proven, so far, to be unfounded.

With a new year starting, we take a look back

2008-08-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

As the 2008-9 school year gets underway at Midtown, you might find some inspiration in these pictures from last year:

Midtown's Taekwando Black Belt Promotion Test

2008-06-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

Please join us for Midtown Academy’s 3rd Annual
BLACK BELT PROMOTION TEST
sponsored by the
U.S. Korean Martial Arts Federation

7 p.m., Thursday, June 12, 2008
Midtown Academy Multi-Purpose Room

Candidates

1st Dan Black Belt
Paul Lai

2nd Dan Black Belt
Isabella Lee

4th Dan Black Belt & “Master” Instructor Level
Brent Stouffer

Midtown Board Elections

2008-05-27T20:09:00.000-07:00

The election for the Midtown Board of Directors will be held on June 10, 2008 at 7:00pm. All interested parties are welcome to attend and participate. Absentee ballots will be available for those who can not attend.

Save the Date: Nov. 21, 2008

2008-05-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

Midtown's annual fund raiser featuring a dinner, dance and auction will be held on Nov 21, 2008 from 7:00pm - 11:00 pm at the Prince Hall Lodge.

The them for this event will be..., well you get to decide. Look in an upcoming Friday folder for your chance to vote for the theme.

Morning At Midtown

2008-05-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, May 20, 2008, parents and community members are invited to join us for Morning at Midtown: a special Opening Ceremony with Midtown’s Elementary School Students.

8:15 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Program

Welcome by Donna Hager, Board President

Remarks by Kathleen O’Hanlon, Director

Classroom Visits with Small Group

9:30 a.m. Conversation and Questions

Special Guests from The Midtown Academy Family

Michael Sarbanes – Parent and Baltimore City Public Schools Executive Director, Partnerships, Communications & Community Engagement
Keiffer Mitchell - Parent, Board Member and Former Member, Baltimore City Council
George Nilson – Board Member and Baltimore City Solicitor

6th Annual Talent Show!!!!

2008-05-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

What: The 6th Annual Midtown Academy Talent Show (and Bake Sale)
When: Friday, May 16 at 7:30PM
Where: The Midtown Academy (multipurpose room)

To volunteer, please contact Laura Gillespie at:
midtownacademytalentshow
<*at*> yahoo <*dot*> com

May events

2008-05-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

May will be an event filled month at Midtown. Students will get a visit from the Enoch Pratt Library, put on a talent show, help the environment by planting trees, release butterflies and more! For a list of events, check out the Midtown Academy calendar.

Picture Day and Awards Ceremony

2008-04-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

Just a few reminders about upcoming events at Midtown.

1. Class picture day will be Monday, May 19.

2. The 3rd Quarter Awards ceremony will be held on May 5. Parents and families are invited to join students in the multipurpose room for the event.

Primary team: 1:30 - 2:00
Middle School: 2:00 - 2:30
Intermediate Team: 2:30-3:00

Midtown Academy’s Black History Soiree 2008

2008-02-26T21:06:00.000-08:00

Come Out To Celebrate Midtown Academy’s Black History Soiree 2008
Sunday, March 2^ndFrom 3:00 – 5:00pm

Guest Speakers
Rick Fullard – Yellow Bowl Restaurant
Dwight Parker – Mansfield Plantation

Participate in the cook-off/bake-off contest and/or bring a dish or beverage for the potluck.
Events will include student and community presentations as current and former midtown staff, supporters, students and their families are all invited to attend.

For more information, please contact Olivia Fields.

Midtown Open House moved to Feb. 29

2008-02-21T08:11:00.000-08:00

Due to the inclement weather on February 20, The Midtown Academy Open House for prospective students and their parents will be held on Friday, Feb 29 from 1:00 - 3:00. Please join us to find out about our school. Presentations focusing on our Kindergarten and Middle School will start at 1:00.

Help Keep Midtown Clean

2008-02-04T07:28:00.000-08:00

Volunteers are coming to Midtown each Saturday in February from 10:00 am- 1:00pm to help keep the school looking good. If you would like to participate, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Rev. Wheeler at 410-225-3257, ext 202.

Busy 1st Mondays: Feb 4

2008-02-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

On February 4th, Midtown will be holding its 2nd Quarter Awards ceremony in the multipurpose room. Awards for the primary team will be held from 1:30-2:00, the Middle School from 2:00 - 2:30 and the Intermediate Team from 2:30 - 3:00.

In the evening will be a Midle School meeting at 5:30. This will be followed by the monthly STAPL/PTO meeting at 6:30, featuring a Taekwando presentation from Master Mark and a state of the school address by Director Kathy O'Hanlon.

Midtown Parent on the Value of Charter Schools

2008-01-23T08:43:00.000-08:00

The November 2007 issue of The Urbanite focused on education in the city. Many of the articles are very thoughtfully written and reflect multiple viewpoints on the importance of education in Baltimore City and the ways parents, teachers and institutions choose to meet various challenges. One article was from a writer who explained that he moved out of Baltimore City primarily so his children could get a decent education at a public school. Another viewpoint is given by Midtown Academy parent Molly Rath, who explains how having charter schools available as an option (and Midtown in particular), helped her family decide to stay in the city.

5th grade puppet show

2007-12-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

The Black Cherry Puppet Theater has been working with Midtown's 5th grade class this year to create a puppet show. On Dec 20th, the finished puppet show will be preformed at 1:30 for the Intermediate team and at 2:15 for the primary team. Family members and friends are welcome to attend both performances.

Holiday Shop, Dec 18

2007-12-10T07:14:00.001-08:00

Here is your chance to do your holiday shopping and help the Midtown Academy at the same time. On Dec 18th, the Midtown Academy will be hosting its holiday shop where students will have the opportunity to purchase gifts for the holidays.

Donations of small gift items, crafts, wrapping paper, bows, etc. to be made available during the sale are welcome. Please drop them off in the main office, or contact Rhonda Jones.

Holiday Parade, Dec 12

2007-12-10T07:08:00.000-08:00

The Midtown Chorus along with the 2nd Grade hand bell chorus will present Holiday Parade on December 12, 2007 in the Midtown Multipurpose Room. Doors open at 6:15. Please join us for the celebration.

Volunteers are needed for backstage help and to help monitor hallways. If you would like to volunteer please contact our music teacher, Mr. Lewis.

Midtown Teacher on the air

2007-11-16T21:14:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, Nov 6, Midtown's own kindergarten teacher, Mr. Sevigey appeared on the Marc Steiner show for a teachers roundtable. The link will take you to an audio file of the broadcast, where you can hear Mr. Sevigny and 2 other teachers talk about their views on some of the challenges faced by Baltimore City Schools. One of the things that comes out in the conversation is how different things are in a charter school like Midtown.

Midtown NAL, Basketball teams start new seasons

2007-11-16T20:50:00.000-08:00

The Midtown Academy students are participating in several citywide competitions this school year. After making it all the way to the Baltimore City finals last year, Midtown's National Academic League team returns again to show off their knowledge.

At the same time, the Midtown Magic tries to defend its crown in the Charter School Basketball League.

Open House

2007-10-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

The Midtown Academy will be hosting an open house for prospective students and their families on Friday October 12 from 1:30 - 3:30. Join us for a chance to meet our teachers and learn about our school. For more information contact Rhonda Jones, admissions coordinator at 410-225-3257 ext. 203. You can also reach via at admissions@midtownacademy.com.

The application deadline for the next school year is March 20, 2008.