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The Arts at Patterson

Posted on December 9, 2012 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

A student plays the steel drums in Mr. Gagne’s Music Club. Other instruments used by the club include an electric guitar, two pianos and an electric keyboard. (Photo: Clinton Adams, Patterson Press)

By Clinton Adams

Two teachers, both involved in the Arts, recently spoke to the Patterson Press. Both of these teachers are advisors for clubs that students can participate in.

Ms.Bell, the teacher for Drama Club, said that the Drama Club will be performing 3 different shows this year: a Christmas show (scheduled for December 20th), a Black History variety show, and a Spring musical called “Once on this Island”.

Mr. Gagne, the teacher for the music club, says he would like to have his club perform this year and they will go to various locations to play music for people.

The Drama Club meets from 3:45-4:45 in Room 201 or the Auditorium, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Music Club meets Tuesdays at 3:45 in Room 200. Any students interested in these clubs should attend a meeting or talk to the teachers in charge.

School Garden Grows Organic Vegetables

Posted on December 9, 2012 by pattersonpress405 One comment

Patterson staff members working in the garden (Photo: Angel Sisounong, Patterson Press)

By Corey Grisson

The Patterson School Garden was started in 2011 by three staff members: Diane Snyder, school social worker, Susan Steigner, school social worker, and Monica Broere, art teacher. They built three raised beds for vegetables and a pollinator bed for flowers that will attract insects that will carry pollen from plant to plant. Hollins Organic soil was delivered and dumped into the beds. The garden is located behind the Academy of Engineering inside a fenced-in area.

The purpose of the garden is to:

To grow organic vegetables
To teach students about gardening
To provide service learning hours for students

The garden was started with a grant from the Baltimore Office of Sustainability. The amount of the grant was $1000 and was used to purchase soil, plants,seeds, materials like ground covering, and watering equipment, like hoses and nozzles. Visits were made to CGRN (Community Greening Network) and Baltimore Great Kids Farm to obtain sweet potatoes, onions, and a sprinkler system. In the spring of 2012 onions, broccoli rabe, radishes, sweet peas, and Swiss chard were planted and harvested. The early summer planting grew tomatoes, corn, zucchini, more onions, more Swiss chard, and sweet potatoes. The garden has been cleaned out and made ready for growing lettuces and rye from seed. The garden staff have sold the vegetables to Patterson high school staff for several weeks in the spring, summer, and early fall.

In order to grow enough vegetables for student consumption more grow space is needed, such as a hoophouse and more raised beds. Another grant application has been submitted to Lowes for a hoophouse and hopes are high that the grant will be given to Patterson. Meanwhile students help the Garden staff every Monday after school and earn service learning hours for clearing the garden, planting seeds, and digging out the area around the beds so paving stones can be laid.

Radishes from the garden (Photo: Angel Sisounong, Patterson Press)

Patterson AFJROTC attends aviation expo

Posted on October 21, 2012 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

Patterson JROTC students arrive at Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center (Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

By Jevaughn Taylor

Patterson students from Patterson’s Air Force JROTC program, along with students from Poly Technical High School, went on a field trip to Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in Washington DC on October 4th. The purpose of this event was to understand the importance of aviation (flight) technologies and to explore careers that help us to become a better country. Our students were escorted by military personnel throughout this activity.

Some of the students had the opportunity to go to different types of businesses to learn more and see what careers they are interested in. Other students simply went to learn about military aviation. Students also received free giveaways such as lights, candy and balls. Students also learned about smart ways the armed forces are working to protect the United States from terrorist attacks. A good example is how the military is building a prototype jet that can fly by itself. This way it will be safer for American citizens and soldiers, so they will not be in danger’s way when the clock ticks.

Towards the end of the day our students all marched in an orderly fashion to have lunch, where they met former Patterson High School Principal Mrs. Laura D’Anna. She was happy to meet our students and she posed for a picture with them to remember them. Afterward, our students broke off and watched presentations by other schools, including marching, a silent rifle drill, and presentations on aviation.

This field trip was organized by the leaders of Patterson High School’s AFJROTC MD-932, including student officers Cadet Major Fernando Brown and Vice Corp Commander Cadet Katie Thomas as well as teacher officers Sergeant Smith and Colonel Nichols. With the help and inspiration of these two teachers, American students will know how to become successful people who accomplish something worthwhile in life. This field trip has helped Patterson students to understand that when we are united together, we will be successful as a country.

Rifle demonstration (Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

Patterson JROTC student officers pose with former Patterson Principal Ms. Laura D’Anna (Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)