by Monarch Academy | Dec 18, 2020 | News
Monarch Global Academy Laurel, a public contract school with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, named Kate Dreibelbis dean of students. Dreibelbis is a strategic leader and behavioral specialist with experience supporting children with a wide range of behaviors.
“Kate comes to us with a plethora of knowledge and experience. She is leading our student support team, ensuring they are meeting the needs of our school community. Our virtual environment has created many challenges, and Kate has taken the initiative to connect with families for support,” Monarch Global Academy Principal Donna O’Shea said.
As dean of students, Dreibelbis works with students, family and staff members to motivate positive and appropriate student behavior and works with an interdisciplinary team to create and implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports schoolwide programs. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a framework for improving student outcomes.
Prior to coming to Monarch Global Academy Laurel, Dreibelbis was dean of students for the past two years at Monarch Academy Annapolis, which she joined in 2017 as a student support coach. Dreibelbis previously worked for the Episcopal Center for Children in Washington, D.C., as director of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, coordinator of behavioral support specialists and behavioral support specialist.
She graduated from High Point University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in human relations and earned a Master of Education degree from Concordia University. Dreibelbis also has an applied behavior analyst certification from Penn State University.
Monarch Academy charter and contract schools in Annapolis, Glen Burnie and Laurel, Maryland, are affiliate members of The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations and dedicated to transforming how America educates and cares for its children through education, behavioral health and national training and consultation services. Affiliates of The Children’s Guild Alliance include The Children’s Guild, The Children’s Guild D.C. Public Charter School, The Academy for Working Students (TAWS), TranZed Apprenticeships, Transformation Education Institute and The National Children’s Guild Fund.
by Monarch Academy | Dec 17, 2020 | News
Monarch Global Academy Laurel teacher Maria Cummings and Monarch Academy Glen Burnie teacher Sonja Bolotin are among 43 teachers nominated for Anne Arundel County’s Teacher of the Year. Monarch Global Academy Laurel and Monarch Academy Glen Burnie are charter or contract schools with Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
Sonia Bolotin
Sonja Bolotin teaches second grade at Monarch Academy Glen Burnie.
“Mrs. Bolotin meets each child where they are, creates a safe crew where children thrive and brings students to success as they engage in meaningful work that makes a difference. She does this while contributing to a culture of personal growth for the adults at Monarch Academy to ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to our commitment to equity,” said Monarch Academy Glen Burnie Principal Kim Jakovics. “Walking into Mrs. Bolotin’s second grade class is a magical experience. There are few places where I would rather be.”
Through Bolotin’s leadership, second grade students partnered with an author and nonprofit organization to write and illustrate a book about bees. The book was translated into Amharic and then distributed to children in Ethiopia.
“Our students, with Mrs. Bolotin’s commitment and passion for relevant learning experiences that affect the local and global community, made that happen,” Jakovics said.
Bolotin also created a reading program called the Caterpillar Club to encourage her second grade students to be excited about reading as she worked to ensure that all read on grade level by the end of their second grade year. This program brought in community volunteers and partners each morning and made reading fun and exciting for children.
Maria Cummings
Maria ‘Conchi’ Cummings teaches world and classical language to middle school students at Monarch Global Academy Laurel.
“Sra. Cummings came to us with a wealth of experience in all things Spanish. In her time at Monarch Global Academy, Conchi, as she is called, has consistently demonstrated her effectiveness as a teacher through her strong example, tireless work ethic and high expectations. Conchi’s classroom radiates a warmth that embraces her Spanish heritage,” said Monarch Global Academy Principal Donna O’Shea. “She is a true leader and team player and supports the implementation of curriculum and instruction that is both rigorous and highly differentiated to meet the needs of all learners. Parents respect Conchi because she holds high expectations for her students. They appreciate her willingness to go above and beyond, so their children succeed in Spanish.”
Cummings’ students have consistently scored high on the quarterly benchmark tests. Her students said they can tell she loves them. Positive and calm, she allows students to be creative and experience different things, they said.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools will honor Bolotin and Cummings at its 35th annual Excellence in Education Awards hosted by the 21st Century Education Foundation on April 15, 2021. The event will culminate with the announcement of the 2021 Anne Arundel County Public School Teacher of the Year, who will represent the county in the Maryland State Teacher of the Year competition.
by Monarch Academy | Dec 15, 2020 | News
Monarch Academy Annapolis, a public contract school with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, introduced Black History 365, a student extracurricular club that looks at the Black History 365 textbook presenting an inclusive account of American history, focusing on Black people, groups and cultures. Black History 365 meets virtually at no cost to students and will restart in January.
“Students walked away from the first session learning about ancient Africa along with the great kings and queens that ruled over vast kingdoms and empires,” said Lakisha and Woodly Thelusma, school parents and club organizers. “They were also introduced to many unique African animals, natural resources and the overall beauty of Africa; the enchantment and excitement seen in the eyes of the students communicate just how rich the experience has been for them.”
“Students must know their history,” the Thelusmas continued, “in order to shape their future just as the great Maya Angelou said, ‘You can’t really know where you are going, unless you know where you’ve been.’”
The Thelusmas are adapting the high school-level Black History 365 textbook for kindergarten and first grade students at Monarch Academy Annapolis. The club allows students to expand their cultural awareness, earn badges and advance to higher levels. School districts across the country, including Prince George’s County Public Schools, have adopted the Black History 365 curriculum.
“Monarch Academy Annapolis is so lucky to have Lakisha and Woodly Thelusma leading our Black History 365. They have stepped up to develop and implement an amazing club experience for our youngest learners,” said Kate McFaul, student support and club coordinator at Monarch Academy Annapolis. “We hope the parent partnership on this diversity project can pave the way for future projects that encourage empathy and understanding for diverse cultures.”
In addition, Monarch Academy Annapolis offers other extracurricular activities for students:
- Mighty Milers club will help students stay active and learn health and wellness virtually this year. Monarch Academy Annapolis students join other students from Annapolis schools to participate in the club, led in partnership with Annapolis Recreation and Parks and United States Naval Academy midshipmen.
- MESA (Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement) offers students a chance for the first time this year to participate in a national competition connected to Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Twenty students in third grade—with plans to add students in fourth and fifth grades in the future—will participate in the teacher-led program.
Monarch Academy Annapolis also offers clubs for students interested in music, books, chess and other topics as well.
“At Monarch Annapolis, we strive to provide our students with a wide variety of extracurricular experiences that enrich their thinking and learning, provide the opportunity to meet new friends and extend school beyond our classrooms,” said Rachel Amstutz, principal of Monarch Academy Annapolis. “We are excited to continuously expand our club repertoire and that even in the virtual environment we have been able to create many exciting opportunities. At this point this year, over 160 students are engaging in our clubs, and they are having a blast.”
by Monarch Academy | Dec 14, 2020 | News
We are collectively living through one of the most sweeping health crises in our history. This issue of Transformation shares how The Children’s Guild Alliance has relied on empathy and action to persevere during these challenging times.
The holidays are difficult for many of our families, especially this year. We introduce our Holiday Gift Catalog and invite you to help us spread joy with an array of gifts from school supplies and daily essentials to gift certificates or a special experience such as a trip to the beach.
We are thankful for the success of our virtual Kids First Celebration and congratulate our 2020 Sadie Award recipients Guy and Nupur Parekh Flynn. We also congratulate the recipients of our 2020 Monarch Award, the highest honor bestowed upon our staff. Their dedication has been truly inspirational during a year of unforeseen stress and change.
Our staff continue to amaze us with their creativity and commitment. From virtual pep rallies to flexible mental health services, we are educating and caring for the whole child. We also welcome new staff members hired to build a more inclusive school culture.
Learn how The Guild is making the most of grants and special funding to launch preschool programs in Annapolis and College Park. We have also received grants to fund our community-building efforts during distance learning and support our ongoing food distribution program in Annapolis.
This issue of Transformation highlights how The Guild has transformed its approach during COVID-19 to meet the needs of our students. As you read these stories, join us in celebrating learning, giving, and putting “kids first”.
by Monarch Academy | Nov 23, 2020 | News
Monarch Academy Annapolis, a public contract school with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, received a $50,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Maryland Nonprofit Recovery Initiative to fund healthy meal distributions free to school families and Annapolis residents. The school partners with the Maryland Food Bank and Bridge Church of Annapolis to provide meals.
As part of the effort and in recognition of Thanksgiving, Monarch Academy Annapolis and volunteers distributed 325 turkeys totaling 6,000 pounds to 295 families in Annapolis on Thursday, Nov. 19.
“Monarch Academy Annapolis values the whole child and looks beyond test scores,” said Rachel Amstutz, principal of Monarch Academy Annapolis. “This is evident in our individualized learning models, our mental health services for students and our efforts to ensure all students get healthy meals, have clean clothes to wear and are productive members of their communities.”
Monarch Academy Annapolis distributes about 250 meals per week. Meals include fresh produce and are funded through The Children’s Guild Alliance which includes monetary contributions from donors. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Fresh produce is especially important in food insecure areas and often hard for people to access, yet so important for good health,” said Kathy Lane, chief of educational services for The Children’s Guild Alliance, which operates Monarch Academy Annapolis. “During these challenging COVID-19 times, Monarch Academy Annapolis wants to ensure not just that our children are still learning but that they continue to be well fed.”
The grant source, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Maryland Nonprofit Recovery Initiative, received $50 million allocated by Gov. Larry Hogan to help nonprofit organizations with critical operations that have been financially affected by COVID-19 and Maryland’s state of emergency.
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