QUARTERLY UPDATE

In the IMPACT program, we set high standards and stretch students to accomplish things that had never seemed possible. Students who have never participated in community service log in ten to twenty hours. Others who have a difficult time reading or writing begin creating articles for our Social Voice online magazine and participating in a challenging book club. Students who never considered themselves artists learn how to paint murals while those who have never used technology create blogs, wikis, concept maps, websites and presentations.

In the next two months, we will stretch you beyond what you first thought possible. All students will accomplish more community service, create a documentary, continue designing a website and have many opportunities to participate in meaningful experiences. Those who take up the greater challenge will write a book, join a book club, learn photography, create a play, design a newscast and several other activities.

People may scoff at our ideas and tell us that it is impossible. You might even find a moment when you think, "This is too hard." Yet, that is the moment when true learning occurs.

If I have learned anything as a teacher it is that students can accomplish amazing things if they are given the opportunity and the necessary guidance. Some of our greatest ideas came from students with an idea of how they would make an impact in their community. If you are not involved in many of the activities, I challenge you to try something out that is difficult for you. As a result, you will grow as a person.

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