Fostering an Inclusive Atmosphere

Quarter One is complete and we have begun the second half of the semester.  Senora Araiza and Senora Wolfe's advisory partnership are the current Advisory Contest Champions!  They were quite successful at completing song lyrics, answering riddles, tying shoes, throwing paper airplanes and more!  To celebrate they have been treated to a pizza party.  Now a new set of contests will occur and everyone is even again!

This past week in Advisory we focused on diversity, appreciation for ourselves and how we are strong when we bring all of our individual differences together.  Students worked to create "leaves" that represent their individuality and the leaves are being assembled on a "Diversity Tree" by a team of very creative 8th grade students!  Here's a sneak peak at some of the leaves, I'll be sure to post a picture of the tree when it is complete.

In light of our school wide look into appreciating what makes us diverse, I thought I would share that I have recently attended a workshop to be Safe Space trained through the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The aim of this training is to increase knowledge of and sensitivity to LGBTQ topics, challenges and experiences.  I went to strengthen my ability to be an effective ally and advocate for all students and families at Pembroke Hill.  At the workshop I gained an updated list of resources that may interest you.

• Kansas City Passages Youth Center www.kcpassages.org/site
• Center for LGBTQ youth ages 14-20.  Programs to encourage personal growth and social interaction
• The Transgender Institute of Kansas City www.transinstitute.org
• Gender Identity therapy and referrals to endocrinologists, surgeons, cosmetologists
• Like Me Lighthouse likemelighthouse.org
• Safe space for LGBT individuals and their families.  Provides resources, outreach and community 
• Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Kansas City (PFLAG-KC) www.pflagkc.org
• Provide a support system for families and friends of LGBT youth
• Perform Out KC www.performoutkc.org
• Inclusive atmosphere for youth of all identities to excel in the performing arts
• The Trevor Project - LGBT Youth Hotline 1-866-488-7386

Making A Wish Come True!

Greetings Parents!

This fall we introduced our students to Haley, a 6 year old girl with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML).  Her wish is to swim with the dolphins this spring and our job is to make that wish come true by raising the $5,000 needed to cover the cost of the trip.  The Kids for Wish Kids program is a division of Make-A-Wish Foundation that partners with schools to bring character education into action.  Through this program our students are developing their:

• Respect - Understanding the difficulties another faces when battling a life-threatening illness and the impact on his/her life, as well as the other members of his/her family.  Students are also challenged to work together to create fundraising opportunities, putting them in positions of needing to hear each other's ideas and work cooperatively.
• Compassion - Students are building empathy for Haley and other seriously ill children in our community.  They are finding ways to put their wants second, in order to positively impact the life of another.
• Scholarship - Students are exercising their creative problem-solving capabilities.  They are focused on an end goal and see their efforts as integral to finding success.  There will be roadblocks along the way that will require perseverance and continual determination to maneuver.  
• Integrity - In the Kids for Wish Kids guide for schools they have chosen integrity building as part of their vision for the program.  They approach every aspect of their work with honesty and transparency in honoring the needs of the wish recipient, their families and supporters.  We are challenging our students to keep this critical piece of the process in mind as they strive to meet our goal.  

The impact of this program is fairly amazing, as you can see.  It gets better than this though!  81% of wish kid parents observe an increased willingness by their child to comply with treatment while they are being sponsored for a wish.  89% of doctors, nurses and social workers say they believe the wish experience influences the child's physical health.  97% of wish families and 96% of health care professionals observe an increase in the child's emotional health.  Lastly, 97% of families say the wish experience strengthened their family.

Already through their own efforts, our students have raised $861.00!!!  Many more fundraising ideas are on their way, and students are always welcome to make a "just because" donation at any time.  These can be given to their adviser or brought to me.  What an inspiring and worthy cause - and your children are rising to the challenge - amazing!