The Rouse Foundation Responds Back

Mr. Kington,

As Vice President of The Rouse Company Foundation and member of the Board of Directors of New Song Academy I would like to respond to your recent email to the New Song Advocates.

When The Rouse Company merged into General Growth Properties in November 2004 The Rouse Company Foundation continued as a separate entity. The Rouse Company Foundation was just one the funders who supported the school and to this day remains steadfast in its support of New Song Academy. In 2005 and 2006, we will fund New Song in the range of $260,000. As this crisis manifested itself Anthony W. Deering, former CEO of The Rouse Company and Chairman of The Rouse Company Foundation, wrote to Dr. Copeland informing her of both the Foundation’s and his personal financial support for New Song and urging her to restore full funding to this remarkable school. Mr. Deering’s letter to Dr. Copeland is attached. He is still awaiting a response from her.

“What changed” you asked. Baltimore City School System has cut funding to New Song Academy by 26% over the past two years. That’s the crisis issue.

We certainly agree that it would be nice for General Growth Properties to suddenly fund New Song - - good luck with your efforts in that direction. John Bucksbaum is CEO of General Growth - - his phone number is (312) 960-5005.

Margaret P. Mauro
Vice President
The Rouse Company Foundation
2328 West Joppa Road, Suite 110
Lutherville, MD 21093


Phone: 410.825.0336
FAX: 410.825.6525

Another Response

Mr. Kington:

I am member of the Board of Directors at New Song and a former Vice President at The Rouse Company.

The support of New Song, both operating support and support for the construction of the school building, came from The Rouse Foundation, not The Rouse Company. The Rouse Foundation survived the acquisition by GGP and continues to be ONE of the critical supporters of New Song. This support did not evaporate when The Rouse Company was acquired in 2004 and in fact this support has continued and increased.

The support that New Song has received over the past nine years from a host of foundations and individuals is not what has changed. What has changed is the support New Song receives from the Baltimore City School System – support that has decreased 26% reduction over the past three years (please see attached summary).

Once you have a chance to review this summary again (it was originally sent to all of the members of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners over a week ago), we would love to hear your ideas for addressing what has changed.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Anthony Mifsud

A BCPSS Board Member Responds to us

To All New Song Advocate:

First of all, thank you for sending me multiple emails expressing your concern for the funding challenges that threaten to impact your programs at New Song Academy. As a member of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, rest assured that the entire Board and School System are committed to providing all students in the Baltimore City Public School System - including ours at New Song Academy - with an excellent education.

When I first received your letters and emails, I asked, "What changed?" As I understand the matter, New Song Academy had received funding in prior years from The Rouse Company. This funding was either drastically reduced or eliminated after General Growth Properties bought The Rouse Company, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, in Q4 2004.

General Growth Properties (www.generalgrowth.com) , a New York Stock Exchange listed real estate investment trust or "REIT," was founded in 1954 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but is now based in Chicago. The Rouse Company purchase added 37 more regional shopping centers to the 200 General Growth already owned. This REIT now has a market value of $35 billion.

Understanding these facts, I thought of a potential solution.

Seems to me that if the problem is replacing the funds once supplied by The Rouse Company, the target of the derision should be the $35 billion REIT not the $1 billion, chronically under-funded urban school district. I suggest that advocates of New Song Academy, including The Sun, launch a full scale lobbying program focused on General Growth Properties. Perhaps advocates could attend the next shareholders meeting [May 10, 2006] after kicking off a letter/email writing campaign to convince General Growth Properties to change its mind. Public companies don't like to be seen a penurious in the eyes of shareholders, rating agencies and politicians. One never knows when Harbor Place, the Galleria or the Village of Cross Keys may need some zoning help or an expedited building permit.

Driving to work this morning, my memory was jogged as I eased down Gwynns Falls Parkway past Mondawmin Mall. General Growth Properties owns Mondawmin Mall. As a matter of fact, Mondawmin Mall figured prominently in the acquisition of The Rouse Company by General Growth due to its unrealized potential redevelopment opportunities. Mondawmin, built in 1956 is fifty years old this year. And while some members of the neighborhood were saddened by the loss of Sears, The Rouse Company didn't weep because they repositioned the mall with merchants aimed at urban consumers. This repositioning created a cash engine for The Rouse Company that catapulted Mondawmin into the ranks of the highest sales per square foot of any Rouse mall in the region.

Returning to a strategy for New Song Academy. General Growth Properties recently presented a plan to the Baltimore City Planning Department for redeveloping Mondawmin Mall, including restaurants on pads sites similar to those at Hunt Valley Towne Center and Reisterstown Road Plaza. I understand the plan also calls for relocating the MVA and constructing a 50,000 square foot grocery store. These are great plans that will benefit many neighborhoods in West Baltimore, including the families of New Song Academy.

Here's are my proposed Next Steps:

1. Schedule a community meeting with a senior representative of General Growth Properties, not just the mall manager. The message to General Growth Properties should be you can not be just a "taker" in our community. You must contribute, and this is how.

2. Call the Mayor, City Counsel members and Otis Rolley, Director of Planning, to state clearly that you expect their support in regaining funding from the successor in interest to The Rouse Company.

3. Contact the merchants at Mondawmin Mall and request their support in exchange for your patronage.

4. Contact your state representatives and tell them not to renew its lease for the MVA office at Mondawmin Mall unless and until your funding request is given fair consideration.

4. Finally, inundate the CEO, senior executives and board members of General Growth Properties with letters stating your concerns and requests. Let them know that Mondawmin Mall is in your community and that you expect a $35 billion dollar REIT to be a good corporate citizen, especially during a period when General Growth Properties is seeking approval from Baltimore City to redevelop Mondawmin Mall.

If my understanding of the question "Why the sudden need for funding now?" is misguided, please let me know. If I am generally correct, I have many more ideas to bring pressure on a publicly traded company with assets in our jurisdiction. [Think about the fortuitous timing of (a) Constellation wishing to merge with Florida Power and Light, (b) BGE announcing a 72% rate hike for this summer and (c) the Maryland legislature being in session!!]

Douglas R. Kington

Principal
Kington Commercial, LLC
301 North Charles Street, Suite 702
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-4330



(410) 547-0515 phone
(410) 547-0516 fax
(443) 604-8898 Balto. cell
doug@kingtoncommercial.com
www.kingtoncommerical.com

Our 4th Graders Speak to The Sun Reporter

March 29, 2006

Dear Ms. Neufeld,
We, the fourth-grade class at New Song Academy, would like to thank you for writing the article about our school.

After we read your words, we sat in our morning circle and reflected:
Teyona scrunched up her face as she talked about how dirty her old school was.
Derrick remembered how he sat in the overcrowded classroom of his old school, not understanding his math, and wishing his teacher had the time to help him.
Kashai wondered aloud about equal education, “If we are to be treated like the other schools, then maybe we need to not come every day, not do our homework, and mess up our reputation so that we can get more money.”
What would we do without New Song?
Where would we go after school if we didn’t have basketball and violin?
Would we be in the streets?
Baltimore City says that they can’t give us extra funding because it wouldn’t be fair to other schools. Should we feel guilty about what we have worked so hard for? As one of our seventh graders pointed out in one morning assembly, “Why should we have to pay the consequences for being poor?”
A handful of students brought up the fact that one of the reasons their parents stay in Sandtown is so they can go to New Song. “If New Song closes, then my mom will probably move to the county.”
“I always thought the mayor wanted people to stay in the city.” I said out loud.
Then, we sat in silence, imagining “us” without each other.

We don’t know if we will continue, as a family, until we graduate from New Song. But we know that we will try our best to get there, together. Thank you for being part of that effort.

Respectfully,
Asaan Glover
Kashai Galloway
Demond Brown
Brooke Turner
Eric Miller
Daniel Whitehead
Antonio Sims
Tyron Edmonds
Daisha Faison
Tyrone DeShields
Teyona Griffith
Derrick Moore
Malika Brookes
Jaz’mon Churchill
Kathleen McCullough

Your Support and Action Is Making A Difference

Dear Supporters,

We have heard word that The Sun is planning to publish the avalanche of letters they have received within the next few days. Any other letters can be sent to letters@baltsun.com

We have also been contacted by a Baltimore Sun editor who is planning to do an editorial.

Two more possible contacts are:

Diane Bell, school board member
email: dbell@ebmc.org
(we only had a fax previously)

And the email for David Stone, Area Academic Officer is
DStone@bcps.k12.md.us


Thanks for your continued support!

What We Are Fighting For

What we need our supporters to do RIGHT NOW!

Dear Supporters,

Susan met with the mayor, Bonnie Copeland and Brian Morris, the chair of the school board this morning. Their solution is working to find after school grants which would sustain the school for only 1 year. This is not the long-term sustainable we want from the school system. They have also given us permission to look at the budget and see if we can find the money on our own. That will be our next step.

We are asking that in an effort to continue momentum, you would make some phone calls to various representatives on our behalf. If you are willing, please choose about three (or more!) individuals from the list below. We would like to keep comments positive. Feel free to speak from your heart or use some of our suggestions below.

If you are generous with you time and make some calls on our behalf, please leave a comment here so we know what our supporters are doing for us!

Here is a general statement and there are some specific talking points after some of the key players.

I am a New Song supporter. Currently we are receiving only 41% of the total amount that the system gets for students while the administrative costs total 59%. We want that ratio flipped. This would allow us to receive the majority of the funds while asking the system to make do with less. If BCPSS is not willing to fund and support success than the only other option is failure.

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Governor, Republican

State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401

410.974.3901
1.800.811.8336

email: www.gov.state.md.us/mail
fax: 410.974.3275

Michael S. Steele, Lt. Governor (Republican)
address same as above
410.974.3901
email: ltgovernor@gov.state.md.us


Specific talking points for Ehrlich and Steele:
a) At a time when good news from BCPSS is hard to find, New Song Academy
should be pointed to as a success and not punished by having its funding cut
over 25% over the past 2 years
b) When successful schools, in any district, are not being supported, it is time
for the state to protect these schools
c) If the state has the power to provide support for failing schools, it
must also be willing to step up and provide support for successful schools


Nancy Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools
410.767.0462
NGrasmick@msde.state.md.us

Dr. Grasmick has been very supportive so if you call, please be sure to thank her for her support!


State Reps:

Keith E. Haynes and Ruth M. Kirk and Jeffrey A. Page

Democrat, District 44, Baltimore Cit

Lowe House Office Building, Room 315
84 College Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401

410.841.3263
301.858.3263
1.800.492.7122, ext. 3263
Emails:

jeffrey.paige@house.state.md.us
ruth.kirk@house.state.md.us

Federal Representatives

Elijah Cummings, Democrat, Representative to Congress, 7th District

1010 Park Ave.
Suite 105
Baltimore, MD 21217

410.685.9199

Barbara Mikulski, Democrat, U.S. Senator from Maryland

Brown's Wharf
1629 Thames St. Suite 400
Baltimore, MD 21231

410.962.4510
202.224.8858

Paul Sarbanes, Democrat, U.S. Senator from Maryland

Tower 1, Suite 1710
100 South Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201

410.962.4436
202.224.4524
301.589.0797

City:



Bonnie Copeland, Chief Executive Officer Baltimore City Public Schools

410.396.8803


David Stone, Area Academic Officer Area 9 - New, Charter and Innovation High Schools

410.241.5115 (cell phone)

Specific talking points for Bonnie Copeland and David Stone:
a) We believe that you and the school system must start supporting success
and not simply supporting failure
b) Allow successful schools to have funding parity with schools who receive
the most, not with those who receive the least
c) Actively work for a transparent budget that allows for accountability and
for the majority of funds to go towards the schools and not to the bureaucracy

Mayor Martin O'Malley

City Hall, Room 250
100 N. Holliday St.
Baltimore, MD 21202

410.396.3835

mayor@baltimorecity.gov



Talking points for the mayor:


a) We appreciate your willingness to get involved and meet with New Song and
the school system, but what we need are results
b) When schools such as School for the Arts are getting $1.1 million on top
of their per pupil allocation, surely there are other funds for successful
schools
c) Please encourage the school system to flip their allocation of local,
state and federal funds so that the majority of these dollars goes directly
to the students instead of to central administration.

Continue to check our blog for updates and consider posting the letters you have written in the comment section so we can be encouraged through one another. www.newsongacademy.blogspot.com


Thank you for all your support. You are truly making a difference in the lives of the children of Sandtown.

Ms. Emily:
Dr. Copeland asks why we should bother funding excellent schools like New Song Academy. As a New Song teacher of six years, I must ask why aren’t we fully funding all schools so that all children in this city have access to an excellent education? Small class size is just one of the reasons why New Song Academy is leading the city in excellence. The school’s ability to attract and retain excellent teachers is another.

I started teaching for BCPSS in 1997 at a traditional middle school but decided to leave after three years of battling for supplies, administrative support and a vision for change or improvement. I was looking to work at schools in other cities—until I found New Song Academy. I recently earned National Board Certification. I could teach anywhere in the nation. I choose New Song.

I teach at New Song because we use research-based reforms to create a positive learning environment. As a staff member, I have a voice in everything from the curriculum to the behavior policy. When BCPSS starts empowering teachers to make research-based decisions to boost student achievement, our schools will stop being the training ground for teachers to go on to jobs in other counties and cities. The financial and educational costs of constantly hiring and training new teachers are too steep, and ultimately fall on the shoulders of our children. We can and are doing better than that at New Song Academy. How can we afford not to fund a school that’s working?


Emily Maunz
Teacher, New Song Academy
1506 McCulloh St.
Baltimore, MD 21217

Mr. Fireside
Dear Dr. Copeland and the Board of School Commissioners:



I have been a BCPSS teacher since 1994. I have worked at 4 BCPSS schools and have, for the past 2 ½ years worked as the Academic Coach and science teacher for middle grades at #322, New Song Academy.



I am writing to express my frustration with the way that New Song has been treated when it comes to our funding model. Since my arrival at 322 I have seen the staffing allocation fluctuate – first being increased and than steadily decreased. Changes of this type have a major impact on every school, but as New Song is a small school, the impact has been devastating. Next years staffing allocation with its further reductions will not allow New Song to operate as designed. It seems clear to me that while the System is happy to accept the model that was proposed for New Song, and happy about its continued academic and social success, it believes that treating New Song like every other school will somehow reap different results.



A little background on our academic success is in order:

In 2005 we met AYP in every grade level for both reading and math

In the following grade levels and subjects we beat the city average:

Grade 3 reading
Grade 4 reading
Grade 5 reading (we beat both city and state averages) and math
Grade 6 reading and math
Grade 7 reading and math
Grade 8 reading and math

In grade 5, no school in the state of Maryland outperformed us in reading based on similar Title 1 and FARM statistics

In grade 6 reading, only 2 schools with similar FARM and Title 1 populations outperformed us in the state

In grade 7, only 3 schools in the state outperformed us in reading when comparing schools with similar Title 1 and FARM populations

In grade 8, no school in the state of Maryland outperformed NSA in reading based on comparisons to our FARM and Title 1 populations

In grade 7, only 3 schools with similar Title 1 and FARM populations exceeded out MSA results

In grade 8, only 1 school in the state outperformed us when comparing schools with similar Title 1 and FARM populations



Clearly the dedicated staff and students have found a model of instruction and a school model that provides success for the state’s most forgotten students. What is also clear to me is that at a time when BCPSS is searching for examples of true academic success, New Song should be held up as a model.



I encourage the Board and Ms. Copeland to reflect on their desire for successful schools and fully fund New Song as a model of success.



Sincerely,





Doug Fireside

Academic Coach #322

What our students have to say in response to the School Systems offers

Dear Baltimore Sun,

Why do they want to shut our school down?

I think my school should not be shut down because we have less students so there is less violence and conflicts. Also, we get more attention in class. Is the school board being selfish with their money?

I think all schools should get money because you need to have more success with students so they will not drop out and bring more violence by selling drugs and getting pregnant.

My principal Mrs. Susan Tibbels is a wonderful principal, she would do anything for this school as well as Ms. Jane, the vice-principal. Ms. Emily is my teacher. She is the best teacher. She gives lessons on being better readers and writers. She knows how to pick great books at the store called Barnes and Nobles. Ms. Emily is a teacher who believes in the children that she teaches.

Every child is well educated by wonderful teachers. Please don'’t shut down our school.


Cheyenne Johnson
6thh grader, New Song Academy
Vincent Court
Baltimore, MD 21217
school: 410.728.2091
home:


And another

Dear Baltimore Sun,

My name is Jawanda. I'’m twelve years old and in the 6th grade. I've attended New Song Academy for three years. When I first came here I failed. My second year was more successful and I learned more.

Last year 92% of the 5th grade students passed the MSA and I was a part of that. There are some schools that have 5th graders that can’t even read on a 3rd grade level. At New Song, we have 3rd graders on a 4th and 5th grade level.

Our teachers make sacrifices for us. There are times when it’s hard for me and I can turn around and there is my teacher Ms. Emily saying, “'I love you' or when we were doing MSA, '“I hope you do well. You can do it!' She was encouraging me just like she always does.

Our school is safe. Everyone knows everybody. Not many schools are safe. BCPSS, you can't take our school away. We will stand up until it'’s over. I am saying, don'’t let us down. We love our school.




Jawanda Bowman
6th grader, New Song Academy
Mount St.
Baltimore, MD 21217
School: 410.728.2091


And another

Dear Baltimore Sun,

I'm Latora Brockington and this is my first year at New Song. I'm writing about the funds. I think this school should stay open because it's successful and to stay successful, we need money.

New Song has good teachers who pay a lot of attention to each person and we don't have to act out to get attention. The school stays clean and we have no graffiti or bad language on the wall. Another good thing about the school is that it is connected to other good things in the community.

My question is: Why are they doing this to us? We don't deserve a good school? Give us what we deserve.


Latora Brockington
6th grader, New Song Academy
Presstman St.
Baltimore, MD 21217
School: 410.728.2091

Baltimore Sun Article About New Song

Dear Friends and Supporters:


On Sunday, March 26th, the Baltimore Sun published an article outlining the challenges that New Song Academy is facing as it relates to the BCPSS budget. Here is a link to the article. As you read through the information, please think about making phone calls and/or sending emails (or regular mail) to "those in charge" to express your concerns. As always, thank you for your support.


Sun Article

Letter to BCPSS

The following is a letter written to an assistant of Bonnie Copeland, Baltimore City Public Schools CEO. This outlines the general requests of our school. As of today, there is a meeting scheduled on Tuesday with the CEO and mayor to find an agreement.

Dear Kerry,

I'm sorry I was unable to take your call this afternoon. My students, teachers and parents are my primary responsibility even in the midst of organizing to save our school.

I have called David Stone and was made aware of his two suggestions: become a charter school or add two students per class. He also made mention of his efforts to help us to obtain after-school funding.

We talked at length, but my response was relatively simple. Even as a charter school, we would only receive $5,300 per student. We need $7,500. Our school has assumed much of the responsibility that the BCPSS central office typically assumes and yet, we receive no compensation for our efforts. We are asking that the 59% of the System's per pupil expenditure be allocated to New Song and that 41% be retained for Central Office purposes. Currently, we receive 41% and Central Office retains 59%. This is both a reasonable and feasible request. Certainly, BCPSS hopes that every school would be able to meet all the standards set forth in the Master Plan and therefore become eligible for a similar funding allocation. It would make your jobs far easier if you didn't have to do the work that schools should be capable of doing for themselves.

In regard to the idea of increasing our class size, David responded before I did. We have a successful model; we are not changing it.

While I appreciate David's efforts to raise money for our extended day and after-school program from the City, it still means that New Song Academy is dependent upon outside resources for fundamental operating expenses. Even if we receive after-school funds now, they will not be guaranteed in the future. We need the School System to ensure that New Song Academy remains a respected educational institution in the City. For decades, there have been only a handful of schools in Baltimore City that people have clamored to enroll in – it's time to add another school to that list.

Please ask Dr. Copeland to reconsider her position on increased funding for our school. We are running out of time for BCPSS and New Song Community Learning Center to declare a "win-win" agreement that sets forth hope that one day every child in the Baltimore City Public School System can be a member of a successful school community. We cannot continue to focus on sustaining failure; if we do, where is the hope for our children?

I speak on behalf of our Board, teachers, parents, students and supporters when I tell you that we will not stop our organizing efforts until we have accomplished our goal of securing funds to continue operating New Song Academy.

Respectfully,

Susan Tibbels

Executive Director

--
New Song Academy
1530 Presstman St.
Baltimore, MD 21217
410.728.2091

newsong.academy@gmail.com

Dear Friends, Parents and Supporters of New Song,

In an effort to put pressure on the mayor and the school board for adequate funding, we are asking that you send the following statement:

If BCPSS can not sustain success, then their only purpose is to sustain failure. Where is the hope for our children? Fund New Song Academy!

Please send to:

Mayor Martin O'Malley mayor@baltimorecity.gov

Anirban Basu abasu@sagepolicy.com

James W. Campbell jcamp@jhu.edu

Douglas R. Kington doug@kingtoncommercial.com

Kalman R. Hettleman khettleman@comcast.net

George M. VanHook, Sr gvanhook@dhr.state.md.us

Diane L. Bell fax number: 410.783.0526

Please consider sending this email to anyone else who supports excellence in public education.

Read the Baltimore Sun this coming week! There will be an article about New Song Academy.

Thank you for your support!