I had the amazing opportunity to hear a key note address by Erin Gruwell last week. I have had the opportunity to hear Erin speak on two other occasions at Leader in Me events. The story of her students in Long Beach California is nothing short of inspirational. What resonates each time I hear this story and other similar stories is that Erin loved her students and believed in them so much that she persevered to find a way that reached them in a way that an entire system had failed them before. She herself coming from the other side of the tracks sort to speak, created an immediate disconnect that she bridged by seeking to understand where her students were at and meeting them there. There is a lesson for all teachers in this story of passion and commitment regardless of where we find ourselves serving. The relationships, love, creativity and passion to make the school experiences positive that comes through so clearly in the story are the elements behind the success. I am grateful that Erin had the courage to help her students find their voice and the willingness to share that story with the world through the Freedom Writers. If you ever feel youth do not have promise then think again.
Tag Archives: community action
Student Leaders Find Their Voice
I am so pleased to share a story of exciting leadership of our young leaders (grade 6). The Forest Green School Minga Club sent the following message to our School Division Superintendent today:
Dear Mrs. Wilkins, Deputy Superintendent
We are the Forest Green Minga Club. We are a group of students that get together once each week to influence and make change happen. We are sending you this message to ask permission to lower the flags at our school in recognition of the death of Nelson Mandela. He was the first black president and he changed the way our world is today. He stopped the separation from black and the white people in his country. He brought people together to influence a nation and the world to make change. This is similar to the mission of Minga. Nelson Mendala was put in jail for 26 years for trying to bring the black and white people together. After 26 years he tried again when he got out of jail. We think our school should lower the flags in his honor for what he did for the world. We were wondering if that is ok?
Signed,
The Forest Green Minga Club
Deputy Superintendent Wilkins responded in an email explaining the protocol and purpose of flying flags at half mast. Further she asked that the students communicate to the community about why our flags were flying half mast. The students then in turn prepared the following message for parents which was also posted on our website:
The Forest Green Minga Club are a group of students that get together once a week to influence and make change happen.
On December 5, 2013 a very important person in our world passed away, his name was Nelson Mandela and he made change in our world. He stopped the separation of the black and white people in his nation. He brought people together to influence a nation and the world to make change. This is similar to the mission of our club.
After receiving permission from Parkland School Division’s Deputy Superintendent, the Minga Club lowered the flags in commemoration of Nelson Mandela.
Signed,
Forest Green Minga Club
The Minga Club is truly a source of great pride for our school. They are committed to local and global acts of citizenship and charity. They have lead food drives, penny drives, bake sales, acts of kindness just to name a few. The Minga Club is important because it is one place where our young leaders have the opportunity to “Find Their Voice”.
I am told, “Minga” is an African word which means: people coming together for a common good. When one calls Minga – people come from all around to help complete an important job for the community and in community.
Staff from Forest Green and Connections for Learning come out in full force in support McHappy Day.
On Wednesday May 8th, 11 staff volunteers from Forest Green and Connections for Learning Schools participated in McHappy Day 2013. McHappy Day is a popular fundraiser that is celebrated in McDonald restaurants everywhere. Funds raised go to support the worthy projects of the Ronald McDonald House.
We are proud to support the Ronald McDonald house charity as it holds a place near and dear to our hearts. Ronald McDonald Charities help kids and families in our local community by keeping them together when children are sick and need extended hospital stays.
As a school community we help out in four significant ways:
1) By staff volunteering at McHappy Day each spring.
2) By participating in the Share the Warmth campaign by doing random acts of kindness in our local community in the coldest depths of the winter season.
3) By collecting beverage container tabs and donating them to the Ronald McDonald House as part of the Kids Helping Kids campaign.
4) By staff volunteering periodically to prepare meals for the families staying at RMH.
In addition to serving this worthy cause, these activities have also brought our school community together. We have also frequently heard from the community about how our efforts are appreciated and making a real difference.
Our next event will see our grade 3 students deliver a mountain of beverage container tabs to RMH on June 14. They have been collecting the tabs all year and have a mountain to show for it! Community Donations spiked after the project was profiled on Global Edmonton a few weeks ago. We are still accepting community donations of beverage tabs until June 13th so please go to your recycle bin, tear them off and drop them off at the school office.
We are so grateful to Eric and Barb of the local McDonalds restaurants for their generous support of our projects at Forest Green and look forward to continuing our work with them. They had this to say about our work together:
“Little people shouldn’t have to deal with big problems but sometimes, unfortunately they do. On McHappy Day, we, along with many community volunteers help support these kids and their families by raising money for Ronald McDonald House, a “home away from home” for children with a life threatening illness. Ongoing throughout the year, many individuals and organizations like Forest Green School, also support the house through their fundraising efforts. On behalf of the people that use the house, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!! It simply could not exist without the generosity of kind folks like you.”
Mikesmuses 