School of the Way
October 1, 2013
Students Samantha Bell and Mary Lechner accepted a special invitation to the School of the Way by founder John Starling. The mutual respect held by our two schools was reaffirmed as John presented a shirt to Tom Culotta. Both teachers expressed their appreciation of each other’s work and the relationship that includes extending high school credit for TCS students for dedicated participation in the School of the Way. Earlier in the day, TCS graduate and School of the Way student Zack Austin gave a presentation about the Mentoring Martial Arts school to our students encouraging their interest. Both schools are fully committed to the positive development of neighborhood youth.
Today, the students were given an opportunity to show what they have been learning in science class. Given a set of graduated cylinders, a triple beam balance scale, apple juice, olive oil, water and a rock, the students had to work co-operatively to demonstrate an understanding of density and specific gravity. It was exciting to watch them come together and use their collective minds to solve the tasks assigned! We are very proud of this actively engaged class!
The class went to see the movie, The Butler, today at Rotunda Theaters. They were all moved by this very personal story told within an intense historical period of social change. The movie prompted an excellent discussion about the history of racism and the struggle for civil rights. Everyone liked the movie and said it gave them a clearer understanding of what African-American people went through during this time.
Today this first class of the new TCS High School met their grandparents. Well, they’re not really their biological grandparents, but any student that’s been in the school for the last several years knows who we are talking about. They are the very kind folks from the United Methodist Women of Good Shepherd Church in Hampden. They come to the school every month to show support for the students and the school in many ways. Today they dropped off bags and bags full of needed school supplies. Another month, it may be a lunch or food to stock the pantry shelves or even gifts for the students during the holidays. The group contributes to a scholarship fund for our college students and is a major force behind fundraising for our field trips. They raise all of this money a quarter or a dollar at a time through selling thrift items like clothing and appliances that is provided as a benefit to the community-at-large for a low cost. We are very thankful for them as they are true to their motto – “Love In Action”.
The first full week of class has come to an end and the students shared their feelings very openly in their journals. “This week has been very good for me! This is the first time I have ever looked forward to going to school,” one student wrote. Another described her sense of accomplishment like this, “I love this school! I’ve been getting better at math. I have actually been wanting to read out loud and I usually never read out loud when i am told to. I’m very proud of myself.” Another expressed a new found love of learning with these words, “I feel good about learning. I really do. If I don’t get something that day, i can’t wait to come back the next day to learn it.” “I have only been at this school for a week and have learned a lot of things, about the world and academically,” shared another student. One student described the way school affects her personally with these words, “I feel a lot better about myself now that I’ve been going to school everyday. I kind of feel as though I am at work.” She went on to say, “I feel like my life is finally coming together now that i am attending The Community School.” One student just summed it up with these simple words, “This school is a good fit for me.” This journey is off to a great start!