by The Children's Guild | Mar 3, 2022 | News
The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations, announced the appointment of Jerry B. Partlow, founder and CEO of The Partlow Insurance Agency, Inc., to join the Board of Directors. In his new role, Partlow will join an outstanding board who are responsible for setting goals, determining policies, hiring senior leadership, and setting budgets for the 67-year-old organization with an $86-million budget.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jerry to our esteemed board with our goal of improving the organization’s operating effectiveness and building organizational capacity. He brings years of experience in board leadership and a commitment to social service and education, ” says Jenny Livelli, president, and CEO of The Children’s Guild Alliance. “The Children’s Guild is a strong and dynamic organization, and we look forward to Jerry supporting our growth and our mission of putting kids first and transforming the way America cares for and educates its children.”
Partlow has more than 40 years of experience in commercial insurance. Mr. Partlow is recognized nationally for his innovative designs and development of Association related insurance programs for Non-Profit 501(C)3 organizations across the U.S.
The Partlow Insurance Agency, Inc. has longstanding endorsements from the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) in Washington, D.C., the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Educations Facilities (VAISEF), the Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped in New Jersey, the Arizona Association of Private Special Education Providers, and the Illinois Association of Private Special Education Centers.
A recognized expert in malpractice insurance and related services for the medical industry, Mr. Partlow serves on the National Agents Advisory Council for Philadelphia Insurance Company and is a past member of the Commercial Insurance Round Table for Erie Insurance. He has received numerous state and national awards from various insurance industry associations.
Mr. Partlow has served on numerous Non-Profit Boards of Directors. He is currently Chairman of the Board for Grafton Integrated Health Network and serves on the Leary Educational Foundation Board of Directors. He was elected to three four-year terms on the Winchester City Council chairing the finance committee, social service, and education committees.
Mr. Partlow attended West Virginia University on a full football scholarship. He is an IFR rated pilot, a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoys traveling. He has three grown children and seven grandchildren and currently resides in Winchester, Virginia.
Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, DC Public Charter School, The Janet and Frank Kelly Autism Center, Monarch Academy public charter and contract schools, The Outpatient Mental Health Center, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships. For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.
by The Children's Guild | Dec 6, 2021 | Events, News
Registration Now Open for Virtual Event Taking Place on Saturday, December 11
The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School (TCG DC), a free DC public charter K-8 school which meets the needs of all types of learners, and guided by a Transformation Education philosophy supporting the whole child, will be participating in the Virtual EdFEST21. This online event is DC’s annual public school fair, where families can learn about the public school lottery, is taking place on Saturday, December 11 from 10 am – 1 pm. Families are invited to register for the event, for free, and make plans to visit TCG DC’s virtual booth to learn how the school uses a Transformation Education philosophy to educate the whole child, with a focus on special education.
“All students at TCG DC -The Children’s Guild receive the personal attention and support they need to be successful in school by having access to special education resources and a caring teaching staff to see them through,” explained School Principal Bryan Daniels. “At The Children’s Guild, we provide a safe and reassuring learning environment that promotes personal accountability, academic achievement, and a true sense of community. We have transportation hubs around the city to get children safely to school each day.”
“TCG DC is great! I needed a family friendly environment for my son to learn and feel nurtured and this school provides the best education and lifelong memories that has helped him to grow into a young man. Now he’s in honors courses! I couldn’t be prouder of him and the place we will forever call home at TCG DC,” Katrena Nash, DCPCS graduate parent.
To meet with TCG DC school representatives and explore more about their whole child teaching approach and how to get a child enrolled, register for EdFEST (virtual event). Families who need support registering for the event or navigating the lottery process are encouraged to call the My School DC Hotline at (202) 888-6336, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The DC Public Charter School is a program of The Children’s Guild. Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, The Janet and Frank Kelly Autism Center, Monarch Academy public charter and contract schools, The Outpatient Mental Health Center, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships. For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.
by The Children's Guild | Nov 19, 2021 | News
La escuela pública está ubicada en el condado de Anne Arundel y es parte de un programa liderado por la Universidad de Towson, que capacita a educadores de las escuelas públicas para la enseñanza a estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés.
Monarch Academy Annapolis aborda las necesidades de los estudiantes multilingües en sus aulas mediante la contratación y capacitación de maestros de inglés especializados en hablantes de otros idiomas (ESOL, por sus siglas en inglés).
La escuela, que es gratuita y está financiada con fondos públicos, se ubica en el condado de Anne Arundel, y ofrece clases a estudiantes desde prekínder hasta quinto grado. Su misión es proporcionar una cultura escolar que produzca estudiantes que piensen críticamente, resuelvan problemas de manera creativa, se vuelvan autodisciplinados, y sepan cómo aprender y comprender que el objetivo de la vida es servir a una causa más grande que uno mismo.
Monarch ha cambiado las reglas a la hora de dictar clases. No es inusual encontrar un maestro ESOL, junto a otro colega en la misma aula, aplicando un método que ayuda a los estudiantes que no hablan inglés a aprender el idioma. Este método de co-enseñanza se ha convertido en una forma eficaz de satisfacer las crecientes necesidades de los alumnos multilingües, la población de más rápido crecimiento en los Estados Unidos.
“Siempre nos hemos mantenido fieles a las necesidades de nuestros estudiantes y sus familias en Monarch Academy”, dijo Charlotte Manbeck, directora de la institución. “Más de la mitad de los estudiantes en nuestras aulas actualmente hablan español en casa y están aprendiendo más de un idioma a la vez. A medida que nuestra comunidad cambia, también debemos cambiar con ellos y brindarles a los estudiantes y sus familias las herramientas que necesitan para prosperar”.
De acuerdo a un informe del Instituto Brookings de 2017, los estudiantes multilingües crecieron 60% en la última década. Más de cinco millones en todo el país están aprendiendo inglés mientras hablan otro idioma en casa, y son parte de programas de asistencia para mejorar el idioma.
La necesidad de maestros ESOL también ha aumentado exponencialmente. Debido a la falta de educadores que cumplan con estos criterios, los estudiantes están siendo perjudicados. Según los informes del gobierno, a pesar de su gran crecimiento, los estudiantes multilingües siguen figurando como el grupo con el rendimiento más bajo, en cuanto a la tasa de graduación y al resultado de las evaluaciones se refiere.
“La población de estudiantes aprendiendo inglés en el condado está creciendo, y todos los maestros en algún momento van a tener a un aprendiz del idioma en el salón de clases”, dijo Chelsea Massa, maestra de primer grado en Monarch Academy en una entrevista al diario The Washington Post. “Necesitamos saber qué hace que ese estudiante sea único, cómo puedo satisfacer sus necesidades y asegurarme de que sean escuchados y comprendidos de la manera adecuada”.
Massa es parte del programa ELEVATE de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Towson. La iniciativa capacita a los maestros a través de asociaciones con seis escuelas en el distrito escolar público del condado Anne Arundel. El programa surgió de una subvención de 2.7 millones de dólares, otorgada por el Departamento de Educación de EE. UU., destinada para formar a los educadores ESOL en el estado de Maryland, y también para apoyar a aquellos que ya tienen la certificación.
Como parte del programa, los maestros ESOL de Monarch se reúnen con el equipo de la universidad una vez a la semana para recibir entrenamiento específico para mejorar la educación que se brinda a los 90 estudiantes multilingües inscritos en la escuela.
“Nos aseguramos de que nuestras clases y el currículo de los semestres se alineen con las necesidades de los estudiantes ESL (con inglés como segunda lengua)”, dijo Alyssa Danick, instructora ESOL en Monarch Academy Annapolis. Nuestra participación en el programa ELEVATE ha mejorado la forma en que abordamos las clases y las necesidades de los estudiantes, y también nos ha ayudado a aprender nuevas formas de integrar el inglés”.
Mientras los educadores siguen capacitándose para satisfacer las necesidades de los estudiantes, Monarch continúa sumando herramientas de desarrollo del lenguaje en sus lecciones, aulas y herramientas de instrucción. Con la ayuda de una subvención de 2017, la escuela también está trabajando en un club de lectura bilingüe que proporcionará libros en inglés y en español a las familias hispanohablantes en sus propias casas.
“Estamos muy entusiasmados con nuestro club de lectura bilingüe”, dijo Miguel Vicente, líder de participación comunitaria bilingüe. “Esta iniciativa ayudará a los estudiantes y sus familias a unirse y a aprender juntos. Estamos encantados de dar el siguiente paso para ayudar a nuestros alumnos a prosperar y a que cada día se sientan más cómodos con un nuevo idioma tanto en casa como en la escuela “.
by The Children's Guild | Nov 19, 2021 | News
The contract school located in Anne Arundel County is part of a Towson University program that trains educators to teach ESL students at public schools.
Monarch Academy Annapolis has been addressing the needs of multilingual learners in their classrooms by hiring and training English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers.
The tuition-free, publicly funded contract school open to pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students in Anne Arundel County is focused on its mission to provide a school culture that produces students who think critically, problem solve creatively, become self-disciplined, know how to learn, and understand that the goal of life is to serve a cause larger than oneself.
Monarch has changed the rules when it comes to leading their classrooms. It’s not unusual to find an ESOL teacher working alongside a classroom teacher as an effective method of helping non-English speakers learn the English language. This co-teaching method has become an effective way to meet the growing needs of multilingual students, the fastest-growing population in the United States.
“We have always stayed true to the needs of our students and their families at Monarch Academy,” said Charlotte Manbeck, Monarch Academy Annapolis’ Principal. “More than half of the students in our classrooms currently speak Spanish at home and are learning more than one language at a time. As our community changes, we must also change with them and provide students and their families the tools they need to thrive.”
According to a 2017 Brookings Institute report, multilingual students have grown by 60 percent in the last decade. Additionally, more than 5 million students nationwide are learning English while speaking another language at home and are part of a language assistance program.
The need for ESOL teachers has also increased exponentially. Due to a lack of educators who meet these criteria, students are suffering. According to government reports, multilingual learners still show up as the lowest-performing group on graduation rates and testing despite their growing numbers.
“Our ELL population in the county is growing, and all teachers at some point are going to have an English learner in the classroom,” said Chelsea Massa, a first-grade teacher at Monarch Academy Annapolis in an interview with The Washington Post. “They need to know what makes that student unique, how can I meet their needs, and also make sure that they’re being heard and understood in the appropriate way.”
Massa is part of the ELEVATE program at Towson University College of Education. This initiative trains teachers through partnerships with six schools in Anne Arundel County public school district. The program emerged from a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Education Department focused on training ESL educators in the state of Maryland and supporting those who already have the certification.
As part of the program, the ESOL teachers at Monarch meet with the college’s team once a week for targeted training to improve the education provided to the 90 multilingual students enrolled at the school.
“We make sure our lesson plans and curriculum for the semesters align with the needs of ESL students,” said Alyssa Danick, ESOL instructor at Monarch Academy Annapolis. Our participation in the ELEVATE program has enhanced the way we approach lesson plans, student needs, and also has helped us to learn new ways of integrating the English language.”
While educators continue training to meet the needs of students, Monarch continues to integrate language development tools into their lesson plans, classrooms, and instruction tools. With the help of a 2017 grant, the school is also working on a take-home bilingual book club that will provide English and Spanish books for the families that speak Spanish at home.
“We are so excited about our bilingual book club,” said Miguel Vicente, Bilingual Community Engagement Liaison. “This initiative will help students and their families come together and learn together. We are thrilled to take the next step toward helping our students thrive and feel like every day they are getting more and more comfortable with a new language both at home and at school.”
by The Children's Guild | Nov 10, 2021 | News
The Children’s Guild is proud to announce that our amazing staff at Monarch Academy Annapolis was recognized by The Washington Post for the work they provide for their bilingual students. Our school educators do a great job of incorporating Spanish in their lessons making their students feel eager to learn and helping them feel more comfortable in the learning process.
As we are becoming an ever more multilingual society, we have noticed that our students are growing up learning English as a second language, so we have partnered with Towson University College of Education that trains teachers in creating an exciting and inclusive curriculum for ESL (English as a Second Language) students. We are pleased to provide language development through new content for these students without excluding them or removing them from the classroom. We as a school want to ensure inclusion for all our students and having a partnership with Towson University allows us all to see our students succeed. We are so thankful to be part of our students’ achievements.
Below is a link to the article that features Monarch Academy Annapolis and the outstanding work that is being provided to our students and their families.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/11/07/english-language-teachers-towson/
by The Children's Guild | Sep 17, 2021 | Events, News
The Children’s Guild will open The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy, a new non-public school providing special education services to children on the autism spectrum, on Oct. 18, 2021. Transformation Academy’s primary goal is to prepare students for transition into adulthood by focusing on functional life skills and activities of daily living beginning at a young age. By offering wrap-around services, we strive to make life better for the students and their families by meeting each student where they are and maximizing their level of independence.
Located at 6802 McClean Blvd., in Baltimore, The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy is a 12-month, day school for students ages 5-21, whose primary diagnosis is autism but may have co-existing diagnoses of sensory processing disorder, a specific learning disability, a health impairment or multiple disabilities. At Transformation Academy, we know that our students are more than their diagnoses and we strive to educate and support families in their hopes for their child as a family member and a member of the community.
The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy will hold open houses for interested families on the following dates:
- Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 30, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We work with children on the autism spectrum whose needs cannot be met in public schools,” said Sarah Weitzel, speech language pathologist and clinical supervisor for The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy. Our primary purpose is to prepare students for transition into adulthood. We focus on functional life skills and activities of daily living and offer wrap-around services that make life better for the students, to maximize their level of independence.”
Instructional areas are determined by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and may include communication skills, self-care, functional academics, fine and gross motor skills and behavior and socialization skills. The school offers a community-based component and introduces students to job, recreation and leisure skills. Referrals are made through the student’s local public school system, and funding is through local and state boards of education.
The open houses are walk-in friendly, and no preregistration is required. All COVID-19 safety precautions will be in effect. For more information, visit www.childrensguildschools.org/transformation-academy or email Sarah Weitzel at [email protected].
Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, The Janet and Frank Kelly Autism Center, Monarch Academy public charter and contract schools, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Outpatient Mental Health Center, The Academy: Therapeutic Group Homes, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships.
