Friday Reflections

The iCoaches, Courtney O'Connor, Michelle Fishcer, and Ed Beringer have launched a joint project centered around the novel Esperanza Rising. The story begins in Mexico in the 1930’s; twelve year old Esperanza is the main character, an only child of a wealthy Mexican landowner. After her father is killed and her heritage is taken from her by her uncles, Esperanza and some of her family travel to California where she works as poor migrant worker. The story gives readers many themes that apply even today– male authority, corruption, the American dream, stark plight of many immigrants, social inequities, and on and on.  And teachers are using many of the social justice themes of the story to teach/discuss the current immigrant caravan story.    Angela and Justin Gonzalez, our instructional coaches, are working with the teacher teams to compose a series of podcasts highlighting student discussion around the characters and themes of this story.  Irving and Piper students will alternat

Because most of our  contacts are with Berwyn’s children, it is good to be reminded that behind each   child is a family and a   larger community.     And we need their support in pursuit of the education of our kids.  A vocal group of community members have   been   going to school board meetings over the past months to voice their opposition   about the recently passed district referendum; some   dissenters have accused the   district about not being honest up front with how the passage of the referendum   would raise their property   taxes. To say the least, tax referendums are   complicated and the most recent one is both complicated and contentious.   With this said, several   of Irving’s community members came forward at the recent school board meeting   as counterpoints to the   dissenting votes.    Here are their speeches  in support of Irving.    Kris Nesbitt who is the mother of Cora in   Hannah’s class speaks first.    Her   heartfelt   message is exactly what so many pare