EXPECT

BELIEVE

ACHIEVE

FROM THE BROOK Volume 1, Issue 3

May, 2018

WILLIAMS’ WORDS EXPECT BELIEVE ACHIEVE

Upcoming Dates & Events

IB Banquet May 18th Springbrook HS

6:30PM MD State Assessments May 21st - 25th Senior Last Day May 25th Memorial Day No School May 28th Graduation June 5th DAR 10AM (Seniors report at 9am)

I want to thank everyone for their hard work and support of our school community. Time is winding down as the fourth quarter is well underway. This time of the year presents several challenges – ambitious testing schedules, preparation for end of course projects, balancing end of year activities and preparation for end of course assessments. Many of us are counting down to summer with great anticipation. However, we must continue to stay focused and committed to reaching our goals. It is my hope that we will continue to take care of each other and finish strong! We can do it! Did you know? - We ranked 13/26 schools for SSL hours. Britney Joseph completed 1,874.5 hours

and Yassin Drammeh completed over 1, 207 hours -Springbrook was awarded $10,000 to purchase new T.V. Studio equipment and hopes to offer a TV Production class next year - 97% of first time IB studentes earned a C or higher (1st semester) - 89% of first-time AP students earned a C or higher (1st semester) - Drama Department performed “The Little Mermaid” production for Cannon Road Elementary School, Drew Elementary School and White Oak Middle School - Our Best Buddies Program won chapter of the year for the state of Maryland. Spring Athlete Academic Stats (292 athletes): - 286 maintained eligibility (98%) - 205 made the honor roll (70%) - 165 earned @MPSSAA_Org Minds in Motion (58%) - 28 earned a perfect 4.0 GPA!!

Student Spotlight Only a few years ago, school graduating senior Joel Chomnou didn’t see the point of getting up and going to school. The recent immigrant from Cameroon says that he could not speak English, and didn’t understand any of his peers. Speaking with him today, it is hard to imagine that this successful IB and AP student ever doubted himself. Not only has Joel excelled in his academic courses, but he has also participated in athletics, held a job, and completed more than the required number of student service learning hours. Joel says that at times he would become frustrated because he really wanted to learn and do well academically. Luckily he had the support and encouragement of his parents, his ESOL teachers, and other students when he felt discouraged. Many of his days were spent at the library reading books and listening to tapes in order to improve his English language comprehension. Earlier this year, Joel could often be found in the career center researching universities, completing applications, and applying for scholarships. That hard work and determination has definitely resulted in success! Next year he will be attending Salisbury University where he plans to study pharmacology.

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MYP Projects As inquiring IB learners, Springbrook students nurture their curiosity, and develop their skills for inquiry and research. They know how to learn independently and with others. They learn with enthusiasm and sustain their love of learning throughout their lives. This year’s IB Expo highlighted the amazing work of our Springbrook IB/ MYP students. Visitors were able to view visual artworks demonstrating the use a variety of traditional and non-traditional mediums. Visitors were also able to view

the MYP projects of some of our students. Prior to becoming members of the IB Diploma Programme, students in grades 9-10 are a part of the Middle Years Programme (MYP). These years are designed to prepare the students for the IB Diploma Programme in grades 11-12. Two of the projects that were very popular during the Expo were: Growing New Food from Kitchen Waste by Tisean Aryee, and an in-depth investigative broadcast presentation by Joel Lev-Tov. Tisean said that she was encouraged to work on this project by her biology teacher, and MYP project advisor, Ms. Williams. Using leftover scraps from cooking, Tisean was able to regrow celery, cilantro, rosemary, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, and mint. Although she doubted whether or not some of the scraps would actually grow, she found that she quickly became interested in knowing where her food comes from and how it is

grown. Once the plants grew she found that the herbs tasted much better than those purchased at the supermarket. Her family also agreed! Joel Lev– Tov, who has been interested in politics for as long as he can remember, was able to secure interviews with prominent politicians and community members such as Senator Paul Pinsky and Ken Zinn of the National Nurses Union. Joel was particularly focused on getting some insight into the national health care debate. Based on his interviews, he found that both Pinsky and Zinn seemed to favor a single payer option. Lev-Tov’s interest in this issue was sparked by the last presidential election. He was particularly interested in Bernie Sander’s analysis of the single payer option. Joel definitely sees himself playing a role on the political stage and making a difference in the future.

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Day of Service As caring IB learners, Springbrook students show empathy, compassion, and respect. They have a commitment to service, and they act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around them. This characteristic of the IB learner was on full display in mid March when the Springbrook Ambassadors collaborated to prepare and distribute bag lunches to the Central Union Mission, a faith based organization that works to eliminate DC's homelessness crisis. Under the sponsorship of English teacher, Ms. Marvin, the group of 15 ambassadors have also planned a canned food drive, winter clothes drive, and school supplies drive. They have volunteered at many Springbrook events such as: Back-to-School Night, open house, and multiple assemblies.

The ambassadors hope to continue supporting our community through volunteering and helping out at local and school events, and through organizing community projects to help resolve issues that are important to their organization.

Inquiring Minds The Justice Law & Society Academy has had a busy start of the semester. One hundred students in the academy attended a field trip to the Library of Congress, and the United States Supreme Court. Students were able to tour the Supreme Court Library and participate in a lecture. They spoke with special Supreme Court staff and had an opportunity to ask questions about the judicial process. Our future lawyers and legal workers were able to glimpse where their aspirations and hard work may one day lead them. Additionally, Adriana Rodriquez Mejia and Adriana Ramirez (pictured right), two of our JLS students were accepted into the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) Summer Institute with full scholarships ($2500.00 tuition ). The ACLU’s Summer Advocacy Institute will bring together a diverse group of students, entering their junior and senior years of high school, from across the United States to participate in an advanced firsthand learning experience for the next generation of social justice advocates. Through an intensive 8-day program (July 18-25, 2018) in Washington D.C., students will learn directly from lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and other

experts working to defend the civil rights and liberties critical to a free and open society. We are EXTREMELY proud of our JLS students who were accepted into the Summer Institute through a competitive nationwide application process. JLS looks forward to some exciting legal student internships this summer and for the upcoming school year. We will also welcome our new corporate legal partner, Verizon Communications, in the Fall 2018 semester.

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Caring for the Community Making A Difference

If you are interested in donating items to the Free Store, then there are a variety of ways that you may do so. Donations may be dropped off in the main office. Items should be in boxes or bags and have a label posted on the outside indicating that it is a donation for the store. Please include your name and contact information. You may also donate by visiting the Free Store Wish List on Amazon. Follow this link to order items to be sent directly to the school: http://a.co/hPyjFvG

Springbrook English teacher, Emily Dillon, and Math teacher, Patricia Jones are making a difference in the lives of many students new to Springbrook and new to the country. They are two faculty members who truly exemplify the IB learner characteristic of caring. Prior to meeting, both teachers had been thinking of ways that they might be able to make an impact not only on the lives of students, but also on the attendance rate. While they knew right away that the free store would be a wonderful resource for students to access basic need items, such as toiletries, clothing, and school supplies; they have found that the wide array of available items has become a place for all students to go to get items that they may have forgotten to bring from home, or that they may have run out of during the school day. They noticed that this availability to all students has removed the stigma of the Free Store being viewed as a place only for students who don’t have the

economic resources afford the things that they need. Ms. Dillon and Ms. Jones both agree that they believe the store has had an impact on students who may not come to school because they don’t have clean clothes or basic hygiene items. Donations for the free store have come in from all over the country. The Springbrook family has shared information about the free story with family and friends via social media. As a result, people have been inspired to support the effort and to ship items to the school. Ms. Dillon and Ms. Jones work with a team of volunteers to unpack donated items and to organize them so that they are easily accessible to students. The store has been visited by groups of teachers from neighboring counties who are also interested in creating a similar resource for the students in their schools. We are very fortunate to have this duo setting an example of caring for our students!

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You’ve Got a Friend in Me Springbrook Best Buddies has come such a long way since the start of our chapter three years ago. In those three years, our chapter has won Rookie of the Year (2016), has grown tremendously in numbers, has helped our students to grow in confidence in socialization with peers their age, has had a buddy to be nominated and WIN homecoming king (Kevin Flynn), has had a buddy to place in the Best Buddies dance off at the state wide dance competition (Kevin Flynn), has had three buddies speak in front of the University of Maryland football team and Coach Durkin on their experiences as football managers (Kevin Flynn, Chandler Havely, Devin Johnson) and most recently we won Chapter of the Year out of eighty chapters throughout the state of Maryland.

Springbrook team raised over $3,000 during their fundraiser to support the walk. The purpose of the Friendship Walk is to bring all of the Maryland Best Buddies participants together to celebrate the power of friendship and what it means to be a part of the Best Buddies family. While the walk has already come and gone, you may learn more about the annual event by visiting the Springbrook Best Buddies Friendship Walk website. It has been an amazing year! www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org /maryland/supporting/ #SpringbrookBB

Life

in The Brook

Ms. Hairston’s choral class celebrates vocal health month w/ a tea party

On May 5th, the spirited and amazing students participated in the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk at the University of Maryland Xfinity Center. They were joined by famous University of Maryland coaches DJ Durkin and Mark Turgeon. The Senior bonding day at the roller skating rink

Summer Jumpstart This summer we will be hosting a jumpstart mini-camp. The camp will be open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students from Francis Scott Key and White Oak Middle School. The purpose of the camp is to give students the opportunity to get a jump on high school, meet teachers, and begin to make new friends. Session one of the camp will run from June 25th - June 27th. The day will start at 8:00AM and end at

12:45PM. Offerings will include: Art Investigation Artscape SBHS!, Coding - You Write the Code, Creative Cuisine - International Foods, and Science Spectacular - Cool Stuff in the Lab. Students wishing to participate must complete a registration form. If you would like more information, please contact Ms. Dixon-Settles at [email protected], or call 240-740-3800

Coach Waghelstein at allied softball game

Governor’s Merit Scholastic Volume 1, Issue 3 Award Celebration - Prom 2018! Awarded to students with grade point averages in the top 5% of the graduating class Fabian Amurrio Reynold Bascal

Nathaniel Braddock

The theme of this year’s senior prom was A Red Carpet Affair. The prom was held on May 12th at The Camelot by Martin’s in Upper Marlboro, MD. The senior class officers worked with their administrator, Ms. Najera, and class sponsor, Ms. Giddens, to ensure that a wonderful time was had by all. The spring storm that roared through the area as some students were entering the event did not dampen their spirits. According to many of the students, “this was the best prom in town!”

Natenin Cisse Suong Dang Preston Der Kha Dinh Juliana Drozd

Celine Foreman Kate Futrowsky Moti Heda Timothy Hicks Allaine Ericka Hontiveros Christina Kilby Wisely Kong Benita Lukose Malaika Mosele Cassandra Sanidad Patrick Tallon Jordine Williams

After the Dance - After Prom This year the after prom committee worked overtime to make sure that our students had a safe and fun place to go after the prom. The after prom was held at Dave & Buster’s in Silver Spring, MD. Students were able to play games with their friends, get a good meal, or just relax and spend time reflecting on the awesome night that they were able to enjoy with their classmates.

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Athletic Scholarships BASKETBALL Matthew Balanc Quinnipiac Univ

Firsts at The Brook This year Springbrook High School held our first Senior Athlete Commitment Day. Each of the athletes participating in the event was recognized for their commitment to continue their education and athletic career at the collegiate level.

Anthony Deruisseau Wilson College Michael Germain Allegany College Sam Rafidi Montgomery College

Twenty student athletes were recognized at the ceremony. Parents, coaches, friends, and school faculty and staff members were in attendance as students thanked those people who supported them and made a positive impact in their lives. We definitely hope that this is the beginning of a wonderful tradition here at Springbrook! (athletes and school listed in side column)

FOOTBBALL Joseph Bass ASA College Jack Brutus College of the Redwoods Noah Davis Stevenson Univ

This year Springbrook had the first allied softball team in school history. Special education teacher, Brett Waghelstein organized and coached the team through a fun filled season. The team had the opportunity to compete against other county allied teams on our home field, and away. We are looking forward to a second season of allied softball next year. Way to go team Blue Devils!

Moses Kamara North Carolina Central Markell Daniels Alderson Broaddus Univ Trevon Ruffin Albright College Tre’Von Stewart College of the Redwoods LACROSSE Avery Khandagle Stevenson Univ Ekaterina Lopez Bondarchuk Univ of Guelph

This year Springbrook invited our neighboring elementary and middle schools into our auditorium to watch our spring production of The Little Mermaid. As always, our student performers put on a show to remember. To show their appreciation, the visitors sent us letters and cards to let us know just how much they enjoyed the show. We plan to continue this new tradition in the future. We hope to inspire future performers to come to Springbrook and take their place on the stage, behind the scenes, in the pit, or on the production team. If you have never been to one of our events, then check our calendar so that you don’t miss the next one.

Maya Lynch Scripps College SOCCER Nicolas Lancaster Seton Hill Univ Jaquelin Milloy Washington Adventist SWIMMING Nathaniel Braddock Washintgon College Cassandra Sanidad Juniata College TRACK Alvin Mukisa Bowie State Univ VOLLEYBALL Walissa Jaque Hood College

SPRINGBROOK HS. (An IB World School) 201 Valley Brook Dr. Silver Spring, MD 20904 240 -740 -3800