First Lady Katie O’Malley Celebrates Read Across Maryland at Holabird Academy

The Holabird Academy, a Baltimore City, pre-K to 8 public school tucked in O’Donnell Heights, remains busy and vibrant long after the final bell rings at 3:40 p.m. Twice-weekly, two-hour karate workouts in the gym and organized soccer matches are just part of the activities.

In one classroom Wednesday, students played chess. Nearby, others practiced in a drum line. Down the hall, kids in the gardening class—stuck indoors because of rain—worked on arts and crafts projects. Upstairs, more students received homework help from tutors.

“This is wonderful, especially with all different programs. Usually after 3 p.m., you think of schools closing,” said Maryland’s First Lady Katie O’Malley, visiting Wednesday as part of the third annual Read Across Maryland Month. “Soccer, karate, chess, music—it really goes to the culture that a lot of schools create. They become more than a school; they become a center of the community.”

Principal Lindsay Krey Vollentin came to school four years ago at a time when it was slated for closure by Baltimore City Public Schools. Four years ago, the school had 150 students overall. Today, after hiring a entirely new staff and going door-to-door to recruit students after her arrival, Holabird Academy currently serves 345 students, roughly 40 percent of whom participate in after-school activities.

“Sometimes the most important part of their day—the thing the students look forward to the most—comes at the end of the day,” Vollentin said. “They learn about gardening, study debate, learn to play the drums. There’s a worldliness they acquire that’s different because it’s hands-on. It has such a wide impact, it’s impossible to measure.”

For example, the principal pointed to karate classes, taught by Stephen Kenion, where students have learned to count in Japanese. Naturally, she said, the students paid more attention to recent events in the earthquake- and tsunami-devastated country because they felt a connection from their after-school activity.

Vollentin also pointed to the success of the gardening project at the school, where 40 fruit trees have been planted, as well as basil, chard and other vegetables and herbs, helping students learned about the environment, nutrition and cuisine.

“I have had kids coming down the hall looking for me because they want to give me a tomato, basil and chard sandwich,” she said, smiling.

The school also has a new library. After having been considered a failing school for eight years, it came off the list in 2010 and is now a Title I Choice School.

Vollentin, who was born 10 minutes from the school, credited her teachers and staff, as well as partnerships with the local community. Kenion, for example, has been volunteering his time for four years at the school.

After touring the after-school activities, O’Malley sat down with students and read a children’s story. First, however, Maryland State Educators Association president Clara Floyd asked the students if they knew what a judge did, explaining it was the First Lady’s day job.

“You make the rules,” one young student said, raising his hand.

“Well, I don’t make rules,” O’Malley responded, “but I make sure people follow them.”

Floyd also pointed out to the kids that O’Malley's husband is Governor Martin O'Malley, and that she is the mother of four children.

“I know how important it is for kids to do things after school,” O'Malley said afterward. “They have a lot of energy they need get out before they can sit down and do homework.”