Who We Are Poem

Our class is like a bowl of ice cream filled with different flavors,

we're all one of a kind and we all taste good in our own way.

Respectful and caring things are what we say.

We're risk-takers because we share our opinion,

which leads to very passionate debates.

Although we have different opinions,

we all want our school to be a No Place for Hate!

The guys can't go a day without sports,

we consider them sports fanatics.

The girls love art and the guys consider us creatively ecstatic.

We all have integrity when it comes to right and wrong.

We own up to our choices and that makes us strong.

Since we're an ESL class we enjoy helping others learn,

and when we're helping each other we make sure we're not stern.

We act like brothers and sisters who bicker and fight,

but secretly we enjoy each other.

Most of all we have a very clear idea of WHO WE ARE!

Take ACTION

Our true no place for hate event last night was a huge success.

The students worked extremely hard, and the results were obvious.

The community truly came together and enjoyed an afternoon of fun and learning. I would like to thank all the parents for allowing their kids to come and take part. Special thanks to Fionna Dunnet, Tina Butlet, Mrs. Malik, Mindy Notley, Camy Muhleherr, Veronica Fuentes, Mindy Black, Ilene and Megan Flora for helping all evening and ensuring things were running smoothly.

More Thanks go to Central Market for donating $250 for the kids to purchase healthy food, and Smoothie Kind for donating 100 shake samples. Last thanks goes to the Houston Dynamos for donating items to be raffled as an incentive for our guests.

Mark your calender or May 19Th, Exhibition day and come celebrate with us.

Update...

It's all coming together... everyday the plan changes, molds and firms.
So far we have scheduled our true no place for HATE event for May 11th afternoon.
Kids are busy trying to find a sponsor to donate healthy food samples so that kids can try healthy snack ideas. One group is working to create a role playing workshop for kids to learn how to stand up for themselves, and how to take ACTION when witnessing bullying. Another group is working on teaching kids how to express themselves through art instead of anger.
Also, we have a group that is organizing a soccer game. Coach Jody will speak to the kids before the game about true sportsmanship and proper communication during a game. All activities are designed to bring the community closer together and try to eliminate HATE.
The kids have assigned roles, some are photographers, documentary film producers, volunteer liaison, Press release, advocates, and some are on the advertising committee.
Please join us as we come together on May 11th and explore WHO WE ARE.

Our ACTION Plan

Today in class we brainstormed our action plan.

Goal: To bring the community closer together.

Date: Tuesday May 11, 5-7 PM

At this event we will let other kids try to figure out who they are following a similar path we went through. They will "taste" the different activities to try to figure out who they are.

Here are some of the activities that will be at the event:

• Art Expression ( being a critical friend of other's art)
• Physical activities (talk about sportsmenship)
• food they like (open mindness)
• Role playing - bullying

Our Central Idea

Choices we make to hate, or to appreciate, define our world.

Hate Reflection

This morning we reflected about Hate. What Hate means, what causes hate, who hates, and why. These are some things we agreed on.

• Revenge leads to hate. if someone has hated you, then you want revenge which causes you to hate the people who have done you wrong in the past.
  
• Hate can be towards one's religion.
  
• Hate starts with and is because of differences (skin color, gender, religion, opinions, and behavior).
  
• Some people hate to gain popularity-peer pressure
  
• Narrow-minded (stubborn) people hate.
  
• Some people hate because of anger or jealousy.
  
• People learn to hate from people around them. some kids are "brainwashed" to hate to carry on a generation.

Our Central Idea

Here are some central ideas we came up with today. Please read and reflect on the different statements. please remember that a good central idea should be a true statement that is not value laden.

• To help our world become a better place, our generation needs to help stop hate.
• Choices we make, to hate or to appreciate define our world.
• To help our world become a better place without hate, we need to appreciate everything we have.
• To be true to yourself means to not HATE!
• We the kids promise to help build strong relationships and tear down hate and to learn about each other in order to have a safer community.
• Hate prevents people from being socially, mentally, physically healthy and from having good human relationships.
• Friendly human relationships can destroy hate and make the world safe!
• To be human means to not hate, but to appreciate things while you can.