Strategic Plan Update
Juvenile Services Education System of MSDE
The Strategic Plan Verification Project Newsletter: June 2017, #8
What's Next in UMD Strategic Plan Support?
Happy Spring! Welcome to the 8th edition of our newsletter.
The first report of the Strategic Plan Verification Team has been released and can be found at this link: JSE Strategic Plan Benchmark Report, Jan. 2017
Black History Month At Noyes
Noyes Children’s Center Education Program celebrated Black History Month in February with a Fair celebrating notable African Americans. Students displayed work they created in Science and Social Studies class. In Social Studies students created trifold boards documenting many historical and cultural events in black history. In Science class students researched and choose an African-American inventor and produced a display of important information about that person. The students were then tasked with constructing a replica of each invention using only cardboard, tape, and a few arts supplies. The students did a phenomenal job of utilizing their imagination and critical thinking skills to produce projects on people such as Sarah Boone, Barack Obama, Benjamin Bradley and Garrett Morgan.
Street Entrepreneurs at Waxter
The young women at Waxter participated in a Street Entrepreneur workshop given by Juliana Cardona Mejca, a small business owner and bank consultant. The sessions were sponsored by The Voice: Juvenile Justice a club at the University of Maryland that has hosted poetry exchanges at Waxter and Maya Angelo Academy.
On one Friday in March, students in Dr. Garcia’s English Language Arts classes imagined businesses as a part of their futures. The workshop began with an interview activity to get at the core of their interests and passions. Then Ms. Mejca helped students frame interests, brainstorming three ideas and grouping them into categories such as salons/beauty, lounge/clubs, food, clothing and others. Ms. Mejca channeled student energy and prodded students to be creative and develop a prototype poster with everything to know about their choice of business including the name, slogan, customers, prices, advertising strategy. Students responded and came up with amazingly specific work, for example, a nail salon with a fish tank for descaling feet, a mobile hair weave van, cupcakes and candy store with “Blue Love” flavor, a club with food/drink/entertainment in under 18 and over 21 areas.
All throughout, Ms. Mejca told about her successful initiatives in a way that captivated the young women who came away imagining themselves making money on their own doing something that they are passionate about. This could lead to a Level-two Street Entrepreneurs program where ideas are tested, monetized and made into business plans. This topic could be a part of CRD in other facilities. Congratulations to Waxter school staff, DJS (provided snacks at Waxter), Laura Miller from The Voice and Ms. Mejca. Here is a youtube that tells more about the Street Entrepreneurs program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7cZ3VhzavI .
From Street Entrepreneurs:
Street Entrepreneurs with founder and CEO, Juliana Cardona Mejia, and the University of Maryland College Park "The Voice" Club brought an exciting day of entrepreneurship to the girls at Waxter. Juliana Mejia conducted one of her entrepreneurship workshops, with the assistance of Laura Miller from the University of Maryland College Park, in order to encourage the girls to identify their skills and passions. They introduced how the Street Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit organization, could possibly support the girls in turning their skills/ideas into a business in the future. The young ladies of Waxter enjoyed the dynamic experience in sharing their ideas and skills. We will continue our relationship with the Street Entrepreneurs and will offer further entrepreneur workshops in the future in order to build upon these skills and ideas and hopefully one day create our own Waxter success story.
FOCUS ON CARTER CENTER AND LESCC
New Principal! at Carter and LESCC Dena Evelo
- Born and raised in South Jersey
- Special Education Teacher for 18 years at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mt. Holly NJ
- Promoted to school administrator in 2013
- Moved to Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland this past July
- Began working for MSDE/JSES in Sept. 2016
- Principal for both the Lower Eastern Shore Children's Center and the J. DeWeese Carter Center
- Been married for 25 years
- Have 20 year old twin girls
- Fun Facts: Had my first Honda dirt bike when I was 5 years old, love to be on the back of my husband's Harley, and love to be on our boat with my family and friends.
Graduations!! A Message from Dena--
"Last month I participated in two student graduations, two days in a row! One at Carter for a student that earned her GED and one at LESCC for a student that met all of his graduation requirements through Wicomico County Public Schools. All students, all educational staff, and several DJS staff attended each. At LESCC, we even had family members attend. I believe this was the first graduation ever held at LESCC and my second at Carter since I began in September.
I have sent many "Thank yous" to my staff and DJS for coming together at both of my schools to make these events happen. I want to also thank you for supporting me.
Black History Month at LESCC
Black History Month culminated in an Assembly at Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center (LESCC). Students worked all month making posters, practicing speeches and researching the Negro Baseball League (NBL). The keynote speaker at the assembly, Dr. Kirkland Hall- teacher at UMES, played for the Princess Ann Oaksville Eagles of the semi-pro NBL. The Assembly was preceded by a “soul food” meal for the performers, education staff and management team of DJS. They shared fried chicken, cabbage, mac & cheese, plantains, goat and dessert. The program (artwork by students) consisted of words by Ms. Evelo (principal) and Mr. Witherspoon (superintendent), performance by dance group from Baltimore – Keur Khaleyi African Dance, student performances and the keynote speech by Dr. Hall.
The day after the assembly, the students wrote thank you notes and reflections and sent them to Dr. Hall. The experience celebrated the power of Sankofa “Learn from the past to ensure a strong future”. Principal Evelo gives kudos to her staff who came up with the idea and worked with students, DJS and staff to put it all together.
Maryland JSE Facilities Participate in CEEAS Words Unlocked 2017
Words Unlocked 2017: Poets strike the “temple bell of authenticity”
"They were all strong, they all dove into the ether realm of anguish and confusion and struck the temple bell of authenticity— I’m proud of them, they all have unique voices, clear and genuine, their affection gripped me and their sincerity was compelling— I applaud them all for a commendable effort!"
-- Jimmy Santiago Baca, Lead Reviewing Artist
Strategic Plan Newsletters Have a Link
This is the 8th edition of the Strategic Plan Update, newsletter published as a part of the partnership of MSDE/JSE and the University of Maryland. Many of you have received the link to the newsletter on the website, www.smore.com, via email. To reach more viewers (and those that may have gone to SPAM) we have made the newsletter available through the JSE homepage (tab to the left – University of Maryland Partnership) where pdfs of Updates will be archived. We hope you read and tell others to view updates on the Strategic Plan implementation, JSE news and events. Find out more here:
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/programs/Pages/JSE/index.aspx
We will continue to archive Updates and periodic project reports.
The Strategic Plan Verification Project
Email: miji.cosmo@verizon.net
Location: University of MD, College Park, MD, United States
Phone: 410 707 7912
Twitter: @MiJiKim3