The good work of Sirdeaner Walker in her efforts to bring greater awareness to dangers of bullying was not lost on the many, many supporters who showed up in droves on Saturday morning to participate in The Carl J. Walker-Hoover Foundation’s
2nd Annual Anti-Bullying Back-to-School Road Race/Walk.
A spirit of positivity and purpose permeated the air that morning with everyone unified in their commitment to stand against bullying.
It was an honor to serve as a co-chairman of this inspiring event. It was a busy week for so many of the volunteers involved with the “Extreme Makeover” project, which has benefited the Walker family with a brand new house. And the Road Race on Saturday was a perfect build-up to the culminating “Move that Bus” event on Sunday!
Springfield, once again, displayed its one-of-a-kind sense of community and caring to a deserving family and cause.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Renaissance gets personal with Gov. Patrick
When Gov. Deval Patrick was in seventh grade, his mother and grandmother were among his greatest influences. How do I know that you wonder? Because it’s information he shared during his visit with a seventh grade class at The Springfield Renaissance School today.
The Governor sat in on a class that was in session and one that happened to be having a group discussion about the influence of media, friends and family. He also participated in a discussion with students about the influence they believe their school has had on their lives and their futures. It was clear that every student appreciated the education they were receiving yet they were not shy about honestly discussing opportunities for improvement.
Gov. Patrick also spent time with some of Renaissance’s high school students and had meaningful interactions about their college aspirations, hopes and dreams. In an offer of encouragement and real life examples of what it means to persevere, he shared with students about his own background in being raised by a single parent mother and his grandparents on the South Side of Chicago, personal difficulties with standardized test and challenges in passing the California bar exam following Harvard Law school.
In the end, Renaissance students have a personal example of how hard work, perseverance and a positive attitude can pay off in their lives—“demography is not destiny.”
I could not have been more proud as I observed the Governor interacting with our students, who were bright, articulate, thoughtful, intelligent and confident. The great work of all our teachers, administrators and school staffs are evident in so many ways and shined brightly at Renaissance today.
The Governor sat in on a class that was in session and one that happened to be having a group discussion about the influence of media, friends and family. He also participated in a discussion with students about the influence they believe their school has had on their lives and their futures. It was clear that every student appreciated the education they were receiving yet they were not shy about honestly discussing opportunities for improvement.
Gov. Patrick also spent time with some of Renaissance’s high school students and had meaningful interactions about their college aspirations, hopes and dreams. In an offer of encouragement and real life examples of what it means to persevere, he shared with students about his own background in being raised by a single parent mother and his grandparents on the South Side of Chicago, personal difficulties with standardized test and challenges in passing the California bar exam following Harvard Law school.
In the end, Renaissance students have a personal example of how hard work, perseverance and a positive attitude can pay off in their lives—“demography is not destiny.”
I could not have been more proud as I observed the Governor interacting with our students, who were bright, articulate, thoughtful, intelligent and confident. The great work of all our teachers, administrators and school staffs are evident in so many ways and shined brightly at Renaissance today.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Enjoy the long weekend
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” That well known quote is extremely fitting as we pause as a school district to observe Labor Day this weekend. I wish everyone a relaxing, joyful and safe holiday weekend.
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