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Does Patterson have what it takes to become a “Top 500” school?

Posted on January 21, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

Will Patterson High School become one of the top 500 high schools in the U.S.? (Photo: Mikal McCoy, Patterson Press)

By Sartre Ndebaneza,

For more than 5 years, Patterson High School has had a goal of being ranked in the top 500 best high schools in the country, as rated by the magazine U.S. News and World Report.

Some seniors at Patterson don’t believe in this academic goal that Mr. Benton and the school staff have set. They refer to Patterson’s reputation and performance, and compare them to the schools that are on the list of Best High Schools in the country for 2016. According to these students, Patterson’s goals are unrealistic.

“We gonna die of old age before that happens,” one senior at Patterson said of the goal. Discipline problems, low attendance, and poor academic performance on state and national assessments are still issues at Patterson. Patterson High School was unranked in the 2016 national ratings.

Mr. Benton insists that Patterson has the potential to be one of the top 500 schools in the country. (Photo: Faran Nadeem, Patterson Press)

Mr. Benton insists that Patterson has the potential to be one of the top 500 high schools in the country. (Photo: Faran Nadeem, Patterson Press)

However, regardless of these challenges, Mr. Benton, principal at Patterson High, who has served the school for almost 6 years, believes that Patterson has improved already. He stated that “we are no longer identified as a turnaround school,” which is a big step for Patterson High School.

Mr. Benton is optimistic about the future of the school, but many students’ views are antithetical to the principal’s. Students see it as an impossible goal to achieve. The rank is based on student performance, but Patterson still needs to invest a lot of effort to improve school issues, including food fights in the cafeteria, security and student motivation. Students who attended Patterson for four years say hope for a better Patterson is an unbelievable thing.

“Things are getting worse every year. Students are misbehaving, racist, and don’t want to study,” Natasha Abrev Moran, a senior at Patterson High School, said.

In spite of the pessimism of many students, Mr. Benton is ready to challenge students and teachers in order to achieve Patterson’s goals. “We need teachers’ commitment and students collectively to improve academic success.” Mr. Benton said.

So what specifically does Patterson have to do to qualify as a “top 500” school? In order for any school to participate in the elimination process they must meet specific criteria established by U.S News and World report and North Carolina-based RTI International, a global nonprofit social science research firm. There is a four step process for determining which schools will be considered for the list:

The school must be performing better than statistically expected for students in that state.
The school’s disadvantaged students – black, Hispanic and low-income – must be outperforming disadvantaged students in the state.
The school must meet or surpass a basic benchmark for its graduation rate.
Schools that make it through the first three steps are judged on their college-readiness performance (based on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test scores).

19 schools in Maryland made the top 500 list in 2016, although none of them were in Baltimore City.

As the saying goes, if your dream doesn’t scare you, know that it is not big enough. Patterson High School’s leaders have already crossed that limitation off their minds. They are determined to make Patterson a “Top 500” school, even if it may take many years to achieve. The journey is long to reach the goal, but Patterson is making changes for the better every day.

To read the 2016 “Best High Schools” report, visit http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools .

U.S. News and World Report ranks the top 500 schools in the United States each year. (Photo: US News and World Report)

Students testify at MTA bus pass hearing

Posted on January 21, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

Students and parents lined up testify against recent changes to the MTA student bus pass (Photo: Brian Clark Jr., Patterson Press)

By Amadou Bah,

Students, teachers, parents and others attended a public hearing on Thursday, January 5th to testify to City Council about the need to extend the MTA student bus pass to 8:00 PM. The hearing took place at Frederick Douglass High School at 4:00 PM.

Until this school year, students were using S-PASS, which allowed users to ride the MTA bus for free between from the hours of 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. The S-PASS allowed for multiple rides throughout the day, making it possible for students to go from home, to school, to after-school activities and back home again.

However, with the new “One Pass”, this has changed. The current contract between the school district and the MTA limits the hours students not taking part in school-sanctioned activities can ride the bus for free, cutting it from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. In reality, this is also impacting many student athletes as well as students who participate in after-school clubs like Coding Club, the Patterson Press, Chess Club and many others.

Many critics of the new MTA policy believe that the changes are being implemented in order to save MTA money. However, Sean Adgerson, deputy chief operating officer at MTA, denies this. In an interview with ABC2 News, Adgerson asserted that “any suggestion that the MTA has changed its S-PASS policy to save money at the expense of Baltimore City’s school children is simply inaccurate”. Adgerson told ABC2 News that MTA has created a process for the school system to provide bus fare for after-school programs.

Despite these assurances, students participating in non-athletic after-school clubs at Patterson are still not being provided with any additional bus fare and often have to leave their activities early to ensure that they get on the bus before 6:00. With a dismissal time of 3:35 PM, after-school programs at Patterson often do not start until 4:00 or later. Also, many Patterson students live far from the school and have to transfer busses multiple times. This makes it necessary for some students to board a bus after 6:00 PM if they stay for an after-school activity.

Additionally there is the issue of students who work after school or participate in other activities outside of school, such as volunteering, buying groceries for their families or spending time at a community center or a place of worship. MTA officials insist that this is not their concern. “Our contract was always designed to take kids to and from school and school related activities, not for jobs, not for those other things,” Adgerson said to ABC2 News.

Students and teachers stated their opinions about the bus pass issue at the City Council hearing and elsewhere.

“It’s really a shame that students are not able to ride the bus for free between the hours of 6 am and 8 pm as they were in the past”, said O’Brien Bobbi, an English 1 teacher. “I also think that there are a lot of problems with how the new S-Pass policy was rolled out to the schools because the first we’ve heard about it–well, the first I’ve heard about it–was when students were struggling and didn’t know that the bus pass stopped working at 6pm. I hope this problem will be fixed soon”, she said.

Nathan Nieves, a sophomore from Patterson High School, talked about having to leave Casa de Maryland’s Mi Espacio program early every day. “I’m trying to do my part by seeking out the positive, by learning how to help my community. I hope Baltimore City does their part too, to make sure I get home safe”, he said.

A Patterson student named John Dingzon commented on this issue, stating, “It’s really unfair for students that have after-school activities and don’t have enough time, due to this issue. Students that leave after-school activities wait at the bus stop and sometimes buses are running late.” Dingzon added, “When students get on the bus they’re expected to pay a fee of $1.70 which most kids don’t have and some bus drivers are rude and will not allow them on, due to this issue. All I want is that the new Bus pass be extended back to 8 or 9 pm.”

Dingzon had more to say but the City Council didn’t have enough time to hear him testify. A long line of students and parents who were still waiting to testify were turned away without getting an opportunity to speak. At 5:45 a member of City Council said, “Students need to be dismissed right now. City Council and MTA will try to find the best way to pass this bill”. Some members of City Council have pledged to fight until a new bill is passed and the bus pass for students is extended.

The hearing closed promptly at 5:50 p.m. so students could get that 6 p.m. swipe for the bus home, an irony that was not lost on the students and others who had come to the meeting to testify.

It remains to be seen whether City Council will figure out a way to get this issue resolved.

Patterson and NAF Students Help Create Prosthetic Hands For Those In Need

Posted on January 20, 2017 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

Engineering students share the limelight with their teachers, Mr. Yates (left) and Ms. Ball (right) (Photo: Northrop Grumman)By: Amadou Bah

By Amadou Bah,

Students from two Baltimore high schools (Patterson & National Academy Foundation) had the chance to create prosthetic hands for children around the world. Both Mr. Yates and Ms. Ball selected six students to go on the field trip on Oct. 3, 2016.

Students from Patterson High School and National Academy Foundation (NAF), had the chance to pair up with volunteers from Northrop Grumman for a hands-on experience. The students had the guidance of one volunteer from Northrop Grumman for each table, with the exception of Amadou Bah, who had the guidance of two volunteers. All students also had the materials from 3D printers as part of a program that organizers said “keeps rapidly growing every year.”

Those involved in the program hope developing a prosthetic hand will not only change the life of the child that will use it, but also the ones that are assembling it.

Prosthetic Hand Assembled by Students (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

The program is part of Manufacturing Week. Overall, 13 Northrop Grumman campuses across the country are doing the same project with students.

“Last year we did this event and we just loved it,” Ingrid Vaughn, vice president of manufacturing for Northrup Grumman, told WBALTV. “We were able to produce 160 hands, and we distributed them to Enabling the Future. So that was really a first-year big hit, so we are trying to do the same thing this year.”

When students are finished, the hands will go to a child in need anywhere in the world, thanks to the nonprofit, e-NABLE.

Journalism Students Attend Conference At University of Maryland College Park

Posted on December 20, 2016 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

Some of students who attended the J-Day event at University of Maryland College Park,(Photo: Patterson Press)

By Sartre Ndebaneza,

High schoolers who plan to pursue a career in journalism, and students who love to shoot photographs, attended a special event called J-Day (Journalism Day). During this annual event held at University of Maryland College Park, many high school students took advantage of the opportunity to learn important skills that make their photojournalism work valuable.

Professor Tony Richards, in what he called, “Quality Photography,” explained there are some keys to be a successful photographer. During the first thirty minutes of the lecture, Professor Richards shared with the audience the techniques of shooting a good photo, but he emphasized making a plan before you start working on your sample. He stated, “Planning things ahead of time gives you a better photo.” He advised young journalists, and photographers to plan things ahead of time in order to get good results.

Sarah, a 10^th grade student at Patterson High School, testified that the J-Day was an interesting event. Smiling, Sarah said, “I went to the workshop about taking better pictures and I have learned new skills.” Sarah connected those new skills she gained from the J-Day event with her project of taking pictures. She learned the use of exposure and other tips in photography that will help her to do well when she will be taking pictures.

The J-Day was an interesting event for all high schoolers who attended.

Freedom of the Press Matters (OPINION)

Posted on November 6, 2016 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

By Justist Rice,

Freedom of the press is very important because it gives everybody a right to voice their opinions and express how people really feel. There have been more and more victims to police brutality every day. People’s families have been broken because of the deaths of family members at the hands of police abusing their authority. There are so many people who are hurt and angry. They all have stories to tell, and freedom of the press helps them tell their stories.

Government censorship affects journalism in a very bad way, because it blocks out and ignores very important facts, making it difficult to tell the whole story. Before Freedom of the Press, people weren’t allowed to voice their opinions, and if they did they were either arrested or bullied, and were stopped from writing–period.

There are limits to Freedom of the Press, such as libel, fabrication, and invasion of privacy. All these things are forbidden. People are not allowed to publish false statements to damage someone else’s reputation. It’s also forbidden to invade someone else’s privacy, meaning you can’t take a picture of someone if they are not in a public place. Similarly, you can’t hack into someone’s emails or messages and post them online.

In many states, reporters for school publications do not have the same rights as other news reporters. In many schools, student reporters are not allowed to talk about certain things, such as politics. The Maryland New Voices Act, which went into affect this October, allows student journalists to exercise freedom of speech without prior restraint. It gives student reporters a chance to express their opinions on any topic. Freedom of the Press is essential for people who want their voices to be heard, who are tired of being overlooked, who want to vent to the world.

Patterson continues tradition with 6th annual community fair

Posted on October 16, 2016 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

A stand from the community Fair (Photo: Patterson Press)

By Mikal McCoy,

Patterson High School had its 6th annual Back to School Night and Community Fair on the evening of September 22, 2016. Students, teachers and family members met together in the cafeteria to share a night of fun.

During the fair, there were games, activities and food. “It was a lot of food, a lot of chicken, vegetables and drinks”, said Yero Goloco, a student who attended the fair. For entertainment, different activities were planned. Students who were asked agreed that the fair was entertaining. “There was a lady belly dancing, people played drums, and there was a dance battle”, said Amadou Bah, another student who attended the fair. These responses reveal that people enjoyed the food and activities, but the Community Fair served other purposes as well.

Many families attended the fair. Students from Patterson High School invited their parents, friends, and relatives. Around 500 people attended the event. Dozens of community organizations, businesses and universities participated in the fair, along with many school groups and programs such as Robotics, Gardening, Coding Club and more. Each club had a stand with representatives who spoke with students and family members about what they do.

One group that attended the Community Fair was Patterson’s AFJROTC program. Cadets who attended the event helped out with setting up and seating visitors. “I was standing outside, greeting people, giving them their tickets for their sheets”, explained Abdullah, one of the cadets. Teachers, students and family members came together to make the Community Fair a success.

This year marked the 6th consecutive year that there has been a community fair event at Patterson. Ms. O’Brien and Mr. Alukwu started the event in 2011. “It was an idea that Mr. Alukwu and I came up with the summer before Mr. Benton became the principal”, recalled Ms. O’Brien. It takes planning, organization, and thought to come up with an idea like a school community fair and make it work. This year’s event was no exception.

Fear and miscommunication keeping ESOL students, native English speakers apart

Posted on September 25, 2016 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

ESOL Students siting separate from English speaking students in a World history class. (Photo: Sartre Ndebaneza)

By Sartre Ndebaneza,

Patterson High School is well known for its diversity of students from around the world. But students have developed a skeptical attitude toward each other which causes an strained relationship. ESOL students claim that they feel uncomfortable when they are with their classmates who are “English speakers”.

Mr. Tola is a teacher at Patterson High school. He has been a teacher since 2010. He used to teach English, History and United States Government and other ESOL programs. Mr. Tola has unveiled the beauty of Patterson students. According to Mr. Tola, “I think generally Patterson students are friendly and want to make new friends.” But a group of ESOL students I have talked with state that they feel apprehensive about going home in the same bus with their English speaking classmates because some of these students insult and bully them. One of them added that, “I don’t like to take class on the second floor,” referring to the fact that the second floor is where the English speaking students attend class.

Many teachers seem to believe that there has been a lot improvement on the issue of bullying at Patterson. Mr. Tola has said that, “we use to have that problem (bullying) here at Patterson” but that it is no longer as big of a problem as it once was. He explained that it was largely due to miscommunication. The English speaking students wanted to learn more about the culture of the ESOL students but did not know how to obtain this information. This led to anger and misconduct. To restore a friendly relationship between the English speaking and the ESOL students and to help ESOL students feel welcome in the community, Mr. Tola suggests that all students join and participate in certain groups, such as PGC and the Refugee Youth Project (RYP), that connect students from different backgrounds. He also has encouraged all of the teachers to put their hearts and souls into making things better at Patterson.

Senioritis outbreak sweeps through Patterson

Posted on May 11, 2016 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

by Ms. Kirsch,

Public Health Advisory!

A serious, seasonal disease is sweeping Patterson High School, and staff and students should be on alert. The disease, known colloquially as “Senioritis,” attacks the central nervous system often causing those affected to act erratically and illogically.

Symptoms include listlessness, red eyes, angry outbursts, inability to take responsibility for ones own actions and putting off for tomorrow what could be done today.

While the disease effects Seniors at a much higher rate, it is so highly contagious that no one is completely safe. Juniors are particularly susceptible to contamination in the late Spring, as we bid Farewell to the Seniors and the Juniors rise to fill their shoes. In this instance, the disease is most serious, since Juniors’ last quarter grades can mean the difference between acceptance to their dream college or flat, cold rejection.

Indeed, even faculty and staff are not completely immune. Since Senioritis is not viral, it can be contracted multiple times. Therefor, teachers who suffered through Senioritis in their own school days can be reinfected through contact with current Seniors. Symptoms manifest slightly differently in adults, and affected teachers may be found to suffer from crashing headaches, inadvertent rolling of the eyes, and the overwhelming urge not to work harder than their students.

The best protection is long-term goal setting and focus on those goals. When students can keep their minds set on their future, it is easier to maintain a state of health during those last few months of school.

City Schools to receive funding for new buildings and renovations

Posted on April 23, 2013 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

Patterson students participate in a rally for school funding in Annapolis (Photo: Corey Grisson, Jr., Patterson Press)

By Corey Grisson Jr.

Patterson High School and several other schools throughout Baltimore City are likely to receive major renovations or even brand new buildings within the next few years, thanks to a loan approved by the Maryland General Assembly in response to pressure from students, teachers, parents, administrators and other supporters.

In February 2013, Patterson High School was part of something wonderful, right along with every Baltimore City school. About 3,000 students, staff, and parents showed up, including a bus-load from Patterson. We went to Annapolis to fight to get a bill passed so City Schools could rebuild and replace our old schools with new, better buildings.

Students spoke out and told us how their schools looked and how they feel too hot sometimes and too cold at other times inside. Students from all grade levels from Kindergarten to 12th grade were there. One 4th grade girl talked about bugs being in her school and we all know that is true. Older alumni, who know what our schools look like because they graduated 30 years ago or more, also spoke. Teachers talked about our school conditions and said some windows were broken and some walls had holes in them. Baltimore’s Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake spoke out in favor of passing the bill. Dr. Andres Alonso, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, talked about the fact that he has gone to Annapolis for the past two years and that both times a bill did not get passed. He said he thought this bill would pass this year.

This year, lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly passed 766 bills, many of which have already been signed by our Governor, Martin O’Malley. And YES, our bill passed and has been signed! So the General Assembly has agreed on a financing plan to allow Baltimore to spend $1 billion dollars on school construction to repair or replace dilapidated buildings over the next seven years. Patterson High School is among the schools slated to benefit from this money. The plan would require Baltimore, the city school system, and the state to put up $20 million a year each to help pay back $1 billion in bonds over the next 30 years. The Stadium Authority will sell the bonds and oversee the construction program. With its current building in continous use since 1960, the School District had already recommended Patterson High School for renovation or replacement before the state bill was approved. Now that the money is available, we should see improvements and possibly a brand new building within the next few years.

All of the students, parents, and teachers who went to Annapolis to support the bill made a difference. Supporters said that investing in Baltimore’s children would benefit the whole state. That day was one of the greatest days of my life. I have never before been somewhere where everybody around me wanted the same thing. It feels good to be part of history.

: Patterson students participate in a rally for school funding in Annapolis (Photo: Corey Grisson, Jr., Patterson Press)

(Photos: Corey Grisson Jr., Patterson Press)

STEM competition returns for 5th year at Patterson

Posted on November 28, 2012 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

Students arrange mirrors to reflect a laser as part of the STEM competition (photo: Patterson Press)

By Jevaughn Taylor

Patterson High School held its 5th annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) competition on November 15,2012. We first met in the auditorium for a orientation until we were called to go to our different sections. We started the STEM competition at approximately 10:30.

We played an interesting game with lots of challenges we were put to the test to build things and use the time we had wisely. For this activity we were split into different stations (A,B,C and D). In order for contestants to win the STEM competition, they had to compete in all areas and fulfill all requirements, In each station, students receive a score based on how well they did in that area.

For example, in one competition, students were given five mirrors and they had to arrange them in a certain position so that a laser could go through the other side of the board. When that happened, the laser light would reflect on a certain score to give you your grade in that area. Each person who participated in the STEM competition worked in teams of four.

In addition to Patterson students, we also hosted visiting students from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Poly). Our students also had a lot of fun alongside some of the judges. During the STEM competition, students were very competitive to see who was better and faster at making things.

Ms. Ball and Mr. Yates were two of the people who help to organize this event and make sure everything went according to plan. Ms. Ball was the one who prepared the lunches and made sure that all STEM participants were properly fed. Students reported to lunch at approximately 12:30 to 1:00 PM. After lunch, Mr Benton (the principal of Patterson High School) announced the winners. Although the team from Poly won first place in the competition, we Patterson students tried our best and came in second and third in this competition.

Some students were frustrated that another school won the competition. When asked for comment about this, Mr. Benton replied, “Students now feel what I feel when other schools come into my stadium and beat our basketball team and other teams that we have here at Patterson, but all we can say is we did our part and participated and we are all hoping for the best the next time we keep a next STEM competition here at Patterson.”

The STEM competition has been a fun and educational experience for all of the students who participated in it. The sixth annual STEM competition is scheduled to take place at the same time next year. It is our hope that we will do even better next time and win first place.