Healthy School / Environment
Commodore loves partnerships with local organizations...especially when food is involved! Thank you to Chef Toure' of the Laughing Pintof Highlandtown Main Street and Lynne Livingston of the Patterson Park Neighborhood Association for bringing an awesome cooking demonstration to Ms. Palomares and her 2nd graders in March 2018. Check out some great photos of a fun time learning about spaghetti squash. Thank you Toure' and Lynne--we can't wait to see you again in our classrooms soon!
In 2016, the Commodore running club was formed by two middle school teachers, Ms. Heid and Ms. Rojas. In the spring of 2017 the running club participated in a 5k in Patterson Park and a few students won medals for their age groups! WOW!!
On January 19th, 2018 a group of 30 8th graders went to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to learn about careers in public health. During the event, Dean Josh Sharfstein led a session on health crisis management. Students were divided into teams to tackle a mock meningitis outbreak in a Baltimore City school. Kayla (8) served as the "Incident Commander" and led all the groups in their responses to the issue. It was one of the many awesome moments from the trip. Thank you, Johns Hopkins University and SOURCE (Student Outreach Resource Center) at JHU for making the event possible. Our kids had a great time!
Over the last few years, 2016-2018, The Chill Foundation has provided opportunities for some of our middle school students to build self-esteem and life skills through winter sports. This year, DaQuan (8), Alexandra (7), Tavon (7), Blanca (7), Dionna (7), Yonathon (7), and Cynthia (7) are traveling to Liberty Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania to work on their snowboarding skills. They have had two sessions so far and have four more to go. And they've already learned a lot!
Cleaning for Health
Green Works:
We chose this brand because they have the necessary components to disinfect and are DFE (Designed For the Environment).
The EPA promotes Green Works because they make decisions based upon the use of green chemistry.
--The products are made with plant and mineral-based cleaning ingredients. All of which are biodegradable and naturally derived.--
We chose this brand because they have the necessary components to disinfect and are DFE (Designed For the Environment).
The EPA promotes Green Works because they make decisions based upon the use of green chemistry.
--The products are made with plant and mineral-based cleaning ingredients. All of which are biodegradable and naturally derived.--
Action # 1: Testing for Air Quality
One 7th grade girls advisory consisting of 9 girls and an 8th grade boys advisory consisting of 10 boys, hung test strips throughout the building to test the air quality at our school. They reused orange juice cartons and drew one inch squares on the cartons. Then they covered the squares with petroleum jelly and hung the test strips in various locations around the school. They used different teachers classrooms, bathrooms and hallways. The waited for 4 days. On the fourth day, the collected their strips and used a magnifying glass to examine the number of particles that had stuck to their test strips. Below you can see the data table the was produced from each advisory.
Action # 2: Growing Indoor Plants for Every Classroom
A 7th grade girls advisory, has enjoyed planting and cultivating various plants throughout the school year. In January they began working on their goal to grown an indoor plant for every middle school classroom. Student clipped "baby" spider plants from their parent plants and nurtured them in water until they grew their own roots. Then students planted the plants in soil, created a label (shown above) that explained why they were important for improving air quality and then delivered them to each classroom. Once a week, these students water the plants to ensure they continue to thrive. This action involves 9 students on a weekly basis. Currently they have placed plants in all 12 middle school classrooms and are expanding to their enrichment classes. When they have enough plants they plan to spread to the elementary school.
Action # 3: Health Club During Advisory
2nd grade girls advisory works on out the fitness equipment. These 2nd grade girls initiated Workout Wednesdays during their advisory class so that they could stay active and spend time outside. This involves 11 second grade students who enjoy their time in the sunshine that improve their physical fitness. It began in September and occurs weekly throughout the school year.
Inspired by the 2nd graders, 7th grade girls also initiated Workout Wednesdays during which time they got to bundle up and go outside. They began this habit in January with New Years resolutions to get in shape. Initially this involved another 10 students, but in February they convinced another advisory to join them. Now this involves 22 7th grade girls on a weekly basis. They spend their 30 minute advisory day once a week outside on the fitness equipment.
Inspired by the 2nd graders, 7th grade girls also initiated Workout Wednesdays during which time they got to bundle up and go outside. They began this habit in January with New Years resolutions to get in shape. Initially this involved another 10 students, but in February they convinced another advisory to join them. Now this involves 22 7th grade girls on a weekly basis. They spend their 30 minute advisory day once a week outside on the fitness equipment.
Action # 4:Healthy After School Opportunities
Middle school students, grades 6-8 began asking for healthy, active, outdoor after school opportunities. In Spring of 2013, Commodore began working with Parks and People to provide these opportunities. Student leaders recruited coaches for a boys lacrosse team in the spring and a girls soccer team in the fall. There were 40 6-8th grade boys who participated in lacrosse and 18 6-8th grade girls who participated in the soccer team. During the Spring of 2014, 15 6-8th grade girls were involved with lacrosse and 25 6-8th grade boys. As a part of the Parks and People sports programs, each team is required to do a service project during one of their practices. Our teams have focused on cleaning up the field space that they are able to use in Patterson Park. By spending time in the Park each day, and picking up litter once a season, our athletes are reminded how human actions impact beautiful outdoor space. They learn to be responsible for their health and their playing field's health.
Action # 5: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
In efforts to increase healthy eating and healthy living, Commodore John Rodgers has implemented and maintained the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables program in each classroom, spanning from grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8th. Since 2010, both students and teachers have been introduced to new and unique fruits and vegetables that are locally grown in Maryland. Students are taught the benefits of eating healthy and fresh food and are encouraged to try new things. Fresh Fruits and Veggies are provided to students as a part of their Language Arts, Math or Science Curriculum, rather than given out during the lunch hour. The Fresh Fruits and Vegetables program provides students a chance to learn about how healthy living promotes a healthy body and a healthy environment. It impacts all students on all grade levels on a weekly basis.