Category Archives: Good Works

Nail Tech Students Remember Teens Lost to Violence

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(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

The Professional Nail Technicians in the Cosmetic Services program hosted a “Quiet Memory Manicure” event on Thursday night, October 11, 2012 . This special occasion was created by Mrs. Bridgeforth, the instructor of the program, to give the youth of Patterson High School the opportunity to come into the salon and receive silent services. During this time guests were able to quietly remember their teenage friends and family members who lost their lives as a result of senseless violence.

The event was very successful. The Nail Technicians remained silent throughout the evening while parents and students were given basic manicures in the Patterson “Spa La La” Salon. Daughters quietly pampered their mothers and many Patterson students. Several guests commented that the services were very nice. The mothers shared with Ms. Bridgeforth that the event was very nice and they were thankful it was done. Candles were lit, refreshments were served and the atmosphere was very calm, comforting and relaxing.

The Professional Nail Technicians at Patterson High School perform a variety of community services throughout the year. They are looking forward to hosting this event again in the future. They are always happy to show their care and concern to their fellow students.

 

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Jevaughn Taylor, Patterson Press)

Community Fair brings school and neighborhood together

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Participants join in a traditional Mexican dance

Participants join in a traditional Mexican dance (Photo: Patterson Press)

By Brennan Meeks

Patterson High School held a Back to School Night and Community Fair on September 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The event was held mainly in the cafeteria but spread out into hallways and classrooms because there were so many things to do and see. Many local organizations from the Bayview area came out to support our school and inform students and their families about the services they provide. Among the community partners present were Johns Hopkins University, the Building STEPs program, CASA de Maryland and the Refugee Youth Project. Johns Hopkins Medical Center even sent a giant truck that provided free HIV screening and other medical services. Patterson put its many different resources and programs on display, such as sports, career pathway programs, health programs and much more.

Patterson had many visitors from the community, such as a local McDonald’s, which came to support us by giving away free sandwiches.  There were exciting entertainment acts, including a belly dancer, a hip-hop group and a a group of traditional dancers from Mexico. At the fair, the school also provided meals for teachers, students, staff, and families that were involved in the fair. At the fair, there were prizes that you can win just by completing a task. Also on display were many Patterson clubs that students can join. The Patterson Press table even featured old issues of the school newspaper dating back to the World War 2 era. The school store was open for anyone who wanted to purchase Patterson logo-ed shirts, mugs, pens, binders and much more.

Many Patterson students volunteered to help set up and run the fair, earning community service hours in the process. All of our Patterson family participated in this special event, making this year’s community fair a huge success.  We hope to do it again next school year. We would like to see a lot of family, staff members and students come back next time. Our mission is to make our school one of the top 500 schools in the nation, and this year’s community fair showed that we are well on the way to achieving that goal.

Rayvis Mitchell contributed to this article.

Ms. Diehl from Patterson's Health Corps, demonstrates how to eat a healthy diet. (Photo: Patterson Press)

Ms. Diehl from Patterson’s Health Corps, demonstrates how to eat a healthy diet. (Photo: Patterson Press)

CASA de Maryland

Latino rights organization CASA de Maryland promotes the Maryland Dream Act, which would grant more rights to undocumented immigrants in Maryland.  (Photo: Patterson Press)

Female coaches

Patterson’s female coaches encourage students to get involved in athletics. (Photo: Patterson Press)

belly dancer

A belly dancer performs for the crowd (Photo: Patterson Press)

Nail tech

Ms. Bridgeforth’s nail tech students give hand treatments and manicures. (Photo: Patterson Press)

eating

Students, family members, staff and visitors enjoy a meal together. (Photo: Patterson Press)

Clipper Corner

The school store (now called the Clipper Corner) sells Patterson T-shirts and other gear to students and visitors. (Photo: Patterson Press)

Free medical screenings

Health professionals provide free medical screenings on their mobile trailer. (Photo: Patterson Press)

New group at Patterson will tackle issues facing homeless students

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By Deyanna Bell, Patterson Press staff writer

A new group is forming at Patterson High School to support the rights of homeless students. The group, called On Our Own Together, also teaches people what homelessness is really like. According to the group’s spokesperson, attorney Monisha Cherayil, being homeless doe not necessarily mean you have to be living on the street. If you and your family are crashing at someone else’s house or living or in your car, you are still considered homeless and are entitled to certain rights and support.

On Our Own Together is being organized by school-based social workers and legal advocates from a public justice center. The program can help homeless students get the resources and services they need. The program educates people who are and are not homeless. On Our Own Together also helps children and young adults enroll in school and tells them how they can get free healthcare, clothing and other support. On  Our Own Together is a program that empowers and provides information while helping to keep young people off the streets. They also plan to organize fun social events like movie nights.

The group plans to have their first student meeting on Thursday, March 22nd at 2:00 PM in the Media Center. This meeting is not only for homeless students but also for any other students who want to support their homeless classmates and raise awareness about the issue of homelessness in Baltimore. All students and staff are encouraged to attend.

Patterson Launches Recycling Program

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Students pick up paper bags to begin their weekly recycling collection (Photo: Whitney Jones, Patterson Press)

By Ms. Loring

Paper recycling at Patterson is going strong!  Each Thursday, after school, students gather in various rooms in the building to get their marching orders.  They scour the school for full paper recycling bags, drag them down to the loading dock, and get service learning hours in the process.  PHS recently entered a City competition and, though we didn’t fare well, we should take comfort in the enthusiasm and participation from students and staff.  Next time we will do better!  If you would like to participate – please see the following teachers in these academies:  Ms. Sohn – Business, Ms. Franklin – Arts, Ms. John – Transportation, Mr. Buckless – Health and Ms. Loring – Success.  Be a part of greening Patterson!

 

(Photo: Whitney Jones, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Whitney Jones, Patterson Press)

 

 

Patterson teacher creates street art for the community

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Ms. Broere creating her painted crosswalk (Photo: Ms. Monica Broere)

By Mengfei Chen, Patterson Press staff writer

Patterson art teacher Ms. Monica Broere recently created public art for the Highlandtown neighborhood, by painting a scene on the crosswalk  of Eastern Ave and Conkling Steet. Ms. Broere was invited by a group of  professional artists invited her to make this fresh and amazing work of art. That is the first time that she has painted a street. She was excited to do this because she saw it as an opportunity to bring people together in the community.

“The reason I chose that particular image is because painted window screens are a traditional art-form in Baltimore and it began right in East Baltimore”, Ms Broere told the Patterson Press. Even though it is no longer common  to see this type of art in East Baltimore, it is even more rare outside of  this area. Ms. Broere’s excitement about the project is evident when she speaks about it.

The picture she painted is of a home and trees. Those natural and warm images really bring viewers back to the period before air conditioning, when  people had more connection with each other. With the rapid development of  society today, it is easy for us to lose our most important relationships. We should work harder to build a stronger sense of community with our neighbors. Ms. Broere’s artwork helps to accomplish that, encouraging strangers to talk to each other about the new artwork as they pass each other on the street.

Ms. Broere said that she would like to do something like this again in the future, possibly around Patterson High School. She may ask students for their opinions and try to create the  picture on the paper first. We hope this day is coming soon!

Before (Photo: Ms. Monica Broere)

After (Photo: Ms. Monica Broere)

Patterson goes Passionately Pink to fight breast cancer

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Patterson students wore pink to raise awareness about breast cancer (Photo: Deyanna Bell, Patterson Press)

By Deyanna Bell, Patterson Press staff writer

Staff and students at Patterson High School showed their support and raised awareness about breast cancer on Thursday, October 27th by wearing pink shirts, ribbons or buttons. These actions were part of “Passionately Pink for the Cure Day”, which was organized by Ms. Brett, Ms. Hall-Butler and Coach Kelley Bagdasarian in recognition of breast cancer awareness month.  “As a female, [breast cancer] is something to be aware of and help others to be aware”, Coach Kelley told the Patterson Press.

In addition to encouraging students, teachers and staff to wear pink, the organizers also planned a fun event called” Ladies Night Out”, featuring zumba and yoga lessons as well as performances by Patterson student dancers. Tickets were sold for five dollars per person and the event was held in the auditorium. All proceeds were donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Students also went from class to class collecting donations for the same charity.

Whether it is for someone in your family or someone you don’t know, please support the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation to find a cure for breast cancer. The Patterson Press would like to thank Coach Kelly and all the staff and student members of Patterson High School who participated in this wonderful event .

Coach Kelley Bagdasarian, co-organizer of Passionately Pink Day (Photo: Deyanna Bell, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Deyanna Bell, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Deyanna Bell, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Deyanna Bell, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Deyanna Bell, Patterson Press)

(Photo: Deyanna Bell, Patterson Press)

Earn service learning hours while helping your school!

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Looking for an easy way to earn service learning hours and help your school? Students who have family members that shop at Giant Food (even occasionally) should see Ms. Laukeman in Room 232 during first period. On a sheet of paper, write the 12 digit Giant card number and the last name on the card, along with your name and your first period class. Once the number is entered you will receive a service learning credit of five hours per month from October to February. For every customer signed up, Giant will donate a percentage of the money from her/his purchases to Patterson to help pay for resources and programs that will benefit students.

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