The Weekly What: Friday, October the 5th Newsletter
The Weekly What: Friday, October the 5th Newsletter
October 6th, 2018
Dear friends and family,
Thank you for those of you that have visited, supported, and cheered us on through our first few months of school. We are excited to declare that Quarter 1 exhibitions are complete, and we have made it to Fall Break!
As a reminder: Students will not have school until Wednesday, October the 10thas staff will be in Professional Development on Tuesday, October the 9th.
Quarter One Exhibitions
We could not be more proud of our students during their first week of exhibition presentations! For three days this week, students had the opportunity to present their most valuable learning experiences during the first quarter of their freshman year by responding to the prompt of “Who Am I?” with their own ambiguous, essential question.
We had several visitors from our local community, NHH families, and our mentors from Big Picture Learning.
Check out how our supporters at XQ Super Schools summed up the week:
See New Harmony’s Exhibition Rubric to Understand Project Guidelines and Expectations
Upcoming Events and Learning Opportunities
Chimp Haven and Audubon Zoo
Invite You to a Special Screening
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS STARTING TOMORROW:
Open Canoeing and Fishing
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. until Nov. 10
(This program is dependent on volunteer participation and the weather.)
Location: Joe W. Brown Park, 5601 Read Blvd
NORD‘s open canoeing and fishing is a free weekly event. Lessons are included.
This is also a volunteer opportunityfor students who are willing to commit to 6 Saturdays, beginning tomorrow! After the completion of volunteering, if your student is interested in becoming a certified lifeguard, NORD will cover the $400 fee.
Parents, if you students are interested in participating in any capacity, please fill out the appropriate permission form and return to school next week.
Ocean Heroes
One of our Students, Izzy, recently attended Ocean Heroes Boot Camp to learn more about the issues that plague our oceans. Ocean Heroes is a local group that has been meeting with the goals of: encouraging restaurants to ask if customers want straws before assuming they want one and to encourage neighbors to reduce the use of single use plastic.
They will be making crafts in the Kid’s Tent at the Arts Market New Orleans on October 27th, to raise public awareness about single-use plastic. The next Ocean Heroes meeting will be October 9th – 4:00-5:00 at the Rosa Keller Library, 4300 S. Broad Avenue.
Discovering Family Histories: An
Inter-generational Project
This is a wonderful opportunity for families to explore and preserve your collective history through the collection of stories, documents, recipes, etc
NHH FAMILIES
Student Ambassadors
Applications for those interested in joining our first group of student ambassadors were due Thursday. Any completed submissions will be reviewed and students will have an opportunity to interview next week in order to be selected as an ambassador. Responsibilities and privileges include guiding prospective students for Shadow Days, leading presentations at local middle schools, and being a positive representative of New Harmony at community events.
H A R M O N Y H I G H L I G H T S:
DINA
Although Dina has already been a part of the NHH family for a few weeks, we are officially welcoming in this edition of our newsletter. Dina comes to us with a wealth of experience teaching both math and ELA. We are very excited to have her on board!
What is something you do well?
I cook really well. I like Latin food and lean toward it the most. I love making fresh salsa and all types of Mexican dishes … I think my family is not telling me something about our heritage.
What do you do when you are not at New Harmony?
I am usually working out or catching up with friends when I can and do things around town. I like visiting thrift stores and rehabbing furniture. I am currently working on a new piece of furniture for our advisory room.
What brought you to New Harmony?
I have been teaching for a long time and what appeals to me about New Harmony is that kids get to control their learning. As a teacher, I get to empower students to own and explore their own learning.
What is something you learned in the past week?
That young minds are young potential. Students have potential that I did not realize was there until I saw all the projects and presentations. I have been impressed and excited at what students are able to do with little guidance and experience.
What is the biggest misconception people have about you?
I think some people think I’m mean. Students in the past think I am mean at first, but then think I’m “the cool teacher” later.
What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
I think I would quit my job and explore my own passions outside of teaching. I would probably start an urban farm and use eminent domain to acquire land.
IZZY
What is something you do well?
I swim well, I play instruments, I volunteer.
What is something you learned in the past week?
I learned about how the pipeline spills on average 11 times per week, so it destroys the water. The pipeline creates weird levees in the water and when the oil spills, because oil and water don’t mix, all the fish die. It makes me sad because we need the ocean and wetlands, and having the water destroyed because of a pipeline people made is sad to me.
What is the biggest misconception people have about you?
A lot of people think I’m shy … and I am… but when I was little, I was really sarcastic and my mom would post “Izzy-isms” on social media. It’s been a while, but she still gets “reminders” about it.
What is the biggest dream you have yourself that you are afraid to say aloud?
I am an open book. I tell people everything. The biggest dream I have for myself is to be a zookeeper, but that is something I already say all the time.
Who has had a positive influence on your life so far and why?
Kat who is a beekeeper. She was my supervisor for a few months; I love her, she is great. If I didn’t get help from her getting into the zoo, I don’t think I would have gotten in because I was shy and anxious during my interview.
What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
Probably just be louder. I’m not very loud when I’m not in a comfortable surrounding of people.
What do you like about New Harmony?
A lot: I like the people, the staff, I like the way we learn. The only thing I don’t like sometimes is the food. Other than that, I think everything is pretty awesome.
