A combination of returning parents and new parents and returning students and new students met tonight to discuss the upcoming summer at Student U. The meeting began with a conversation about both the best aspects of the schools students are currently attending as well as the parts of schools where there is room for improvement. After students and parents shared success stories, I asked to hear about some of the struggles students were currently facing. All of the six students who were at the meeting immediately raised their hands. Each discussed a specific aspect of school which had become difficult in the past year. I was so impressed with the courage each student had to share with the group as well as the willingness of the students to admit weaknesses. These students are clearly ready to face challenges and do what is necessary to combat these struggles.
These thoughts led to a conversation about what Student U. could do this summer to help students better prepare for the sixth or seventh grade. Comments ranged from teaching more study and test taking skills to working with students on how to deal with peer pressure to creating a Student U. School Board. Many of the ideas brainstormed today will lead to tangible additions to the summer program.
Perhaps even more exciting than these new ideas was the way our rising seventh grade students interacted with our new students. Diamond, one of our returning students, stood up at one point and exclaimed, "When I first heard about Student U., I thought it was going to be boring, but then I came and made new friends. I was at first upset that I wasn't going to have a summer, but then on the last day of Student U. I cried." Diamond and other returners kept on trying to get the new students exciting about the upcoming journey. Genessa told the new students "If you have a problem, come to us. Seriously, we are here." Kayla added on "we know how to help people. Student U. taught us how to help people and we can use that to make you new students happy."
The meeting ended with a lot of excitement, enthusiasm, and anxious bodies, wishing the summer could start tomorrow.
To end this post, I will share one more story form the night. Sara, a new student, expressed at one point her interest in art and her disappointment that her current school did not provide better art classes. Kayla quickly responded, "Mr. Kimberg, can Sara help teach an art class this summer?"
At Student U. we truly are all teachers and all students, working together to enhance our strengths and combat those struggles we face.
40 days until Student U. Summer 2008 begins.
These thoughts led to a conversation about what Student U. could do this summer to help students better prepare for the sixth or seventh grade. Comments ranged from teaching more study and test taking skills to working with students on how to deal with peer pressure to creating a Student U. School Board. Many of the ideas brainstormed today will lead to tangible additions to the summer program.
Perhaps even more exciting than these new ideas was the way our rising seventh grade students interacted with our new students. Diamond, one of our returning students, stood up at one point and exclaimed, "When I first heard about Student U., I thought it was going to be boring, but then I came and made new friends. I was at first upset that I wasn't going to have a summer, but then on the last day of Student U. I cried." Diamond and other returners kept on trying to get the new students exciting about the upcoming journey. Genessa told the new students "If you have a problem, come to us. Seriously, we are here." Kayla added on "we know how to help people. Student U. taught us how to help people and we can use that to make you new students happy."
The meeting ended with a lot of excitement, enthusiasm, and anxious bodies, wishing the summer could start tomorrow.
To end this post, I will share one more story form the night. Sara, a new student, expressed at one point her interest in art and her disappointment that her current school did not provide better art classes. Kayla quickly responded, "Mr. Kimberg, can Sara help teach an art class this summer?"
At Student U. we truly are all teachers and all students, working together to enhance our strengths and combat those struggles we face.
40 days until Student U. Summer 2008 begins.
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