S'ello! I know that this is not the normal six-weeks rundown, but I just have to share with the community some of the fantastic work we've been doing over here in Trojan Country.
First, on November 9th, 10th and 11th, we brought a group of juniors from the PAL community and AVID together with some of our newcomer ELL students to learn the ways of restorative practices community building circles with Sherwynn and Kim Patton from Life A New, an organization here in Austin that helps people of all ages learn to maintain, repair, and preserve relationships with others by breaking cycles of punishment.
The trainings were a huge success. The facilitation skills that our students learned are being put to great use as we transition from Homeroom Lessons to Homeroom Community Circles wherein students will participate in a structured discussion over issues that they face here at school.
First, on November 9th, 10th and 11th, we brought a group of juniors from the PAL community and AVID together with some of our newcomer ELL students to learn the ways of restorative practices community building circles with Sherwynn and Kim Patton from Life A New, an organization here in Austin that helps people of all ages learn to maintain, repair, and preserve relationships with others by breaking cycles of punishment.
The trainings were a huge success. The facilitation skills that our students learned are being put to great use as we transition from Homeroom Lessons to Homeroom Community Circles wherein students will participate in a structured discussion over issues that they face here at school.
Additionally, we have a fantastic opportunity in January that the PTSA has made possible, in conjunction with the District. We'll host the ADL's A World of Difference Institute for 9th- and 10th-grade students from across the school population on January 6, 7, and 8. These students will take the lead on No Place for Hate programming, as well as other efforts to promote kindness, inclusiveness, and community on our campus.
Moreover, the Newcomer's Club, a group of seniors who are invested in mentoring freshmen and other new students, has started reaching out to their partners, and the Junior PALS, in conjunction with Ms. Prado's ELL Newcomer class (collectively known as La Familia) has started the Culture Club to celebrate all of the cultures and backgrounds present on campus through lunchtime informational meetings.
Moreover, the Newcomer's Club, a group of seniors who are invested in mentoring freshmen and other new students, has started reaching out to their partners, and the Junior PALS, in conjunction with Ms. Prado's ELL Newcomer class (collectively known as La Familia) has started the Culture Club to celebrate all of the cultures and backgrounds present on campus through lunchtime informational meetings.