The administrative team at Patterson High School asked us to share this message about the January 2025 print edition of the Patterson Press.
“We are so proud of our students’ efforts in producing the January 2025 Patterson Press publication. In this edition, our scholars have captured their school level experiences, academic and athletic successes, issues that are germane to them and their peers, cultural and seasonal celebrations, political and social issues, and many successes and experiences of students and teams in the Patterson family.
As you read today’s Patterson Press publication, please read it through the lens of our scholars. You will find that our students captured data through their lens and the lens of interviewed staff who do not have access to formal data portals, so data is estimated. Please know that by law, there should be no/limited alteration of student writings/messages as students voice their perspectives. These journalism students’ perspectives may or may not be shared by fellow students, teachers, staff, or administration, but as always, we celebrate and encourage the efforts of our scholars. They are budding journalists.”
As we wrap up the first half of the school year, we look back at what the Jonathan Ogden Club has accomplished so far. This year has been filled with community service, striving for excellence in the classroom, preparing for our futures, and becoming a close-knit club.
Here are some of the highlights from first semester:
The club partnered with Graceland Park once again and were able to accomplish (2) readings, (1) mentoring, and (1) craft day. They also bought, wrapped, and distributed 150 gifts and stuffed animals to their PreK and kindergarten students, with some help from Santa!
In an effort to support those in need, we prepared and donated 75 turkey sandwiches and 100+ hygiene bags for the homeless. While this may seem like a small act, it made a big impact on both the community and our club members.
In preparation for our futures we participated in five college visits, a Ravens Stadium Career Tour, and a virtual NFL Hall of Fame Tour. We also welcomed our community partners–Cristata Wealth and The Jaime Gervasi Team–to teach us how to become financially fit.
One of the most memorable events this year was our annual holiday celebration at Dave & Buster’s. We spent the day playing games with Jonathan Ogden and were given a gift and an award based on our GPAs.
Through all our projects and activities, the JO Club has consistently demonstrated the power of teamwork and service. We we are excited to continue making an impact in the second half of the school year.
Why do students fight in school? I’m a senior at Patterson High School and over the last few years I’ve seen many students get into fights around me. Some of my fellow students have even lost their lives because of school-related problems.
My 9th grade year was the first year Patterson’s new building was open. There were always many students having problems and they would constantly be fighting around the school with seemingly no consequences. I always wondered why the teachers and staff never called the parents of Patterson students who started fights and at least let parents know what the school where their children go to had going on, especially when there would be multiple very large fights going on school.
In December and January 2024, I posed that question to some of the school’s hall monitors and Climate staff. Ms. Enjoulek Jackson (AKA “New York”) said “We aren’t allowed to just call home and tell the students’ parents that there have been fights at school because they need permission from school boards to call parents and then if that was to happen it leads to parents being worried and rushing to come take their kids out of school over a situation that they will always have under control; Unless it involves a more serious situation–then they do call students’ homes.
I walked around the school interviewing Patterson staff/hall monitors and also our school police–Officer Torbit and Officer Jones–questions about these fights.
A few hall monitors such as Mr. Rivas told me students fight mostly over drama on social media and also problems which are easy to resolve but which some students don’t really like to resolve in easy ways.
When asked how many fights the Patterson hall monitors had seen in the past month, most estimated the number at around 15-20 fights while others said about 3-5 fights. Some hall monitors like Mr. Walker haven’t seen many fights while others have seen fights break out more often in certain areas of the school.
Average number of fights per week witnessed by hall monitors in December 2024 (Source: Interviews with hall monitors)
Officer Jones said when someone gets into a fight at Patterson, she and or her partner would go to the location of the fight and stop it and figure out what happened and make sure everyone’s OK. Then the student is brought to the administrators and they figure out who was in the wrong and the guilty parties get suspended for 3-10 days depending on the way things escalated.
Although school fights remain a serious problem at Patterson, a lot of progress has been made over the past few years. Three years ago, fights and problems at school were really bad and there was an uncountable amount of fights and dangerous activities going on, but by the time I entered 11th and 12th grade, the fights had most definitely calmed down and the school climate has continued to be calmer than it used to be. Yet even now, every other day there is a fight going on in school.
What do school staff members do to prevent these fights and problems happening during school? According to Mr. Will, “After a fight we break it up, figure out what happened, then have a mediation group and make sure both parties resolve and agree to not fight again during school hours.”
At the end of the day I think Patterson High School is now changing for the better and there are far fewer fights than there used to be. The school is actually trying to prevent them and has put things in place to help achieve that goal. Patterson High School has long had a problem with fights that students keep causing. Although my research shows that it has gotten better over the years, it’s still an ongoing problem. I am hoping many students read this and realize that this is a problem in our school and maybe help stop or prevent a fight. At the end of the day, there are many other ways to resolve a problem or conflict.
At Patterson High School, a concerning trend has developed for the past few years. Students arrive at school not just to attend classes, but to smoke or vape. Whether it’s e-cigarettes or marijuana, many students are using school grounds as a place to indulge in these unhealthy habits before the school day begins or during breaks. But what’s leading to this behavior and why do some students come to school and smoke? Understanding the reasons behind this pattern is necessary to addressing the issue and starting to create a healthier school environment.
Mr. Rivas, a hall monitor at Patterson High School, says that smoking becomes addictive and that is why many students hide from their parents and do it at school. Sometimes this also extends to alcohol, as he once caught five students drinking in the bathroom. Mr. Simmons (AKA “Mr. Soul”), another hall monitor at Patterson, said students smoke in the bathroom because they are hiding from the teachers and the staff because they’re not allowed to smoke in school.
Ms. Howard said they smoke in the bathroom because they aren’t able to smoke in their house and they think they are able to smoke in school because school and home are two different things and that is why they are not respectful to their environment.
One of the most significant factors influencing why some Patterson students smoke is peer pressure. One student who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity said “I smoke whenever my friends invite me to but I don’t do it on a regular basis.” Adolescence is a time when many young people are highly influenced by their peers and social group.
Source: Interviews with PHS Hall Monitors
In many cases, students feel compelled to smoke to fit in or to appear “cool.” Peer groups, especially those who already engage in smoking, can normalize this behavior and create an environment where students feel that smoking is an expected or even desirable activity.
Another reason that students smoke is because of stress and escaping their problems. High school can be an extremely stressful time for students, balancing academics, responsibilities.
One student claimed she smokes because she feels stressed due to academics, sports, family expectations, and other pressures. “I have a lot of family issues and I deal with trying to get my grades up so all of those things on top of each other stress me out”, she explained.
Another factor contributing to the prevalence of smoking at Patterson High school is the easy access to vapes and other smoking materials. The increasing availability of vaping products in stores and online markets and from friends and family means that many students have a ready supply that they can use before, during and after school hours.
Vaping devices confiscated from students by school climate staff (Photo: Daniela Acosta)
In addition to causing health issues, teen smoking can also lead to serious consequences at home or even with the police. In the Baltimore City Public Schools Code of Conduct there are five different levels of interventions and disciplinary responses that can be applied when students violate the rules against using, possessing, or distributing tobacco products, drugs, or other controlled substances. Depending on the severity of the violation, these consequences can range from teacher interventions like contacting parents all the way up to extended suspension, expulsion and referral responses where students are removed from school and placed “in an alternative environment that provides additional structure to address the behavior.” In some cases, the police might even get involved, potentially leading to arrest and criminal charges.
As a school, we need to educate students more on the effects of smoking during school and the consequences that come with it, as well as the resources available to help students who may be struggling with addiction or other problems. Educating students on this issue could help prevent more problems in the future.
Funding public education is a crucial responsibility shared across state, federal and local governments. But how exactly is this money distributed, and where does it go? Here’s a closer look at the intricacies of school funding and how it impacts teachers, students and programs.
Public schools receive their funding from three primary sources: state funding, federal funding and local government contribution. Each source plays a vital role in ensuring schools have the resources they need to function effectively. According to Patterson’s business manager, Mr. Cox, approximately 85% of school funding is allocated to paying the salaries of teachers and staff, along with health insurance and other related expenses. healthcare The remaining 15% is distributed across several categories. Some of it is spent on classroom materials and other necessities required to maintain daily operations, while the rest goes toward funding other priorities, including arts programs and extracurricular activities such as athletics, clubs, and field trips. These programs provide students with opportunities beyond academics, fostering personal growth and teamwork. The school district oversees the funding for school lunch programs, ensuring that students across different schools have access to meals.
Estimated Breakdown of 2024-2025 PHS School Budget (Source: Mr. Cox)
As schools prepare to receive additional funding later in the school year, there is a clear focus on addressing the pressing issues and improving student outcomes with key priorities being recruiting and retaining high quality diverse educators, supporting mental health initiatives for students, improving attendance rates, reducing dropouts, accelerating literacy and math achievements, and providing students with a well rounded education.
Based on the budget forum that was held in December 2024, there appear to be no major controversies surrounding the distribution of school funding. Most outside activities and extracurricular programs are funded equitably, with small percentages drawn from federal funding to support their cost. Additionally school districts and various agencies work collaboratively to manage and allocate these funds efficiently.
The distribution of school funding plays a pivotal role in shaping the quality of education and opportunities provided to students. While the majority of funds go towards staffing and essentials, efforts are being made to address evolving needs, such as mental health support and literacy improvement. With future priorities focused on equity, readiness and innovation, school funding remains a vital tool in preparing students for success.
Next Generation Language Access (NGLA) is a training program for students at Patterson High School who want to become professional interpreters.
Since there are many people that have limited English proficiency in Baltimore, there is a shortage in access to interpretation services. Currently NGLA is partnering with 3 different high schools: Patterson High School, Benjamin Franklin High School, and Digital Harbor High School. The program started at Patterson in 2023. They did their pilot program last year and now there are five students who are certified to work as community interpreters.
NGLA’s mission is to train high school students to become professional interpreters to reduce language barriers in Baltimore City and also provide a career opportunity after graduation for first and second generation immigrant high school students.
“The reason we focus on high school students is…there is research showing that students that are first or second generation immigrants that are 18 and older are more likely to fall into poverty than students that are not first or second generation”, shared NGLA Founding Director Omari Jeremiah.
“We want to solve two problems by providing meaningful employment opportunities for high school graduates that are first or second generation immigrants in the United States.”
Aside from providing a career path for immigrant youths, Mr. Jeremiah’s other goal is “reducing language barriers so that everyone, regardless of their language that they speak, is able to receive the services they need to thrive in Baltimore City.”
Students join the program for a variety of reasons.
“I want to learn how to interpret”, said Jesler Caledron. “I’ve never liked any class like this class because I participate a lot.” Calderon hopes to find work as an interpreter after he earns his certification.
“I want to have better communication in Baltimore City”, explained Raymond Alabi. While he’s looking forward to earning his certificate and getting paid to interpret, he has also made some personal connections through the program. “I feel good to have new friends”, Alabi said.
Zeinab Al-Ali is hopeful that the program is going to help her when applying for college. She also believes that her interpreter training will help her family. “ I feel this class is going to help me in the future because I have to interpret for my parents so I can know what to say and how to do it.”
Although Next Generation Language Access is currently only operating in a few schools, the program has plans to expand.
“We are always growing and evolving. There is a huge need for interpreters throughout the country, not just Baltimore City”, said Mr. Jeremiah. “We are excited to see how things continue to evolve.”
February 12th to 15th was Patterson High School’s winter Spirit Week hosted by Patterson’s Student Government Association (SGA) to raise money for the organization.
SGA raised money by asking students to pay for the opportunity to nominate a staff member to get pied in the face at a pep rally that was held on Thursday in the gym. The fortunate victim to receive this pie to the face was Mr. Ober, an English teacher.
For this spirit week, each day had a specific theme: Monday was a cozy day where people wore their pajamas like onesies and pledge pants. Tuesday was twin day where students tried to match with their friends to look like twins. Wednesday was flip-flop day where teachers dressed like students and students dressed like teachers. Finally, on Thursday, students and staff showed their Patterson pride during the day by wearing our school colors which are blue, white, and black, and then ending the celebration with a pep rally. The different cohorts participated in fun games against each other or against the staff members. These games included musical chairs with basketballs and real-life Hungry Hungry Hippos.
All of these events were planned by the SGA, a small group currently in need of more members as they have an important role helping to run fun events within the school for everyone to participate.
“The money raised is for future events for the school”, explained Jayzanay “Jazzy” Blessett, one of the members of SGA.
SGA can help to benefit students with more fun activities if more students join. Also, if you have problems with the way that the school is run and and you want to address those issues, SGA can be a great way to make your voice heard.
Today, Patterson High continues to mourn the loss of Ivan Carlos Funez. Ivan was a 17 year old boy who was originally from Honduras, a country in Central America. He was educated at Patterson High School in Baltimore, Maryland. He had a passion for wanting to join the military when he was older and even decided to join the JROTC program at Patterson.
During his free time Carlos would make music and experiment with his friends because he loved music. He was also a big fan of cars. He would collect a bunch of hot wheel cars and put them up on his wall. He was really proud of his background. He would always rep his country, no matter what. He would always mention his country and even post his flag. He was into trap music. He would often experiment in his room and rap about his love. His lyrics were always really deep, talking about having it hard and his romantic life.
His friends at Patterson always referred to him as the chillest dude they’ve ever met. He was always helpful, always thankful for everyone and everything he had in his life. They referred to him as being one of the best people to have a friendship with because he was always putting others before himself.
He went missing in the Month of December, then was reported to be dead. There were a lot of rumors telling multiple stories such as he was shot and then others said he was stabbed but later on people found out it was due to gun violence. it was confirmed he was dead on December 1, 2023 at 9:09 AM.
People were devastated. His family prayed that their son would be found alive. They had spread awareness on social platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. His friends helped set up a GoFundMe and hoped they would make enough in just 3 days to send Carlos back to his home country to get buried. His death made a lot of people and students tear up. Several people broke down in school crying.
Thankfully, Patterson is a very supportive high school that cares about their students. They offered support and comfort to students who were heartbroken and affected by the death of their loved one. They would check up every day on their students and go around the hallways asking every student they saw if they needed comfort or anything or wanted to talk about Carlos. This all lasted until the day it was finally time to bury Carlos.
Several of his friends and relatives went ahead to post a black ribbon bow and their profile to honor him. They made a shirt of the year he was born and the year he passed with his name and a lot of signatures of his loved ones. On the day of his funeral, everyone wore little badges of his face on their shirts and wore black. It was a really depressing death and affected a lot of people, especially his parents.
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