7 minute read
Schools
GREENHILL, HOCKADAY CELEBRATE 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL
Thanks to the pandemic, it’s been an unusual year, but at least two schools still maintained the time-honored tradition of celebrating the 100th day of school in March.
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Hockaday kindergarteners celebrated with a Zoom visit from Zero the Hero, counting to 100 by 10s, and dressing up as centenarians.
The day was fun, according to at least one student.
“By golly, this is the best day, ever!” exclaimed kindergartner Sage.
Greenhill preschool and lower school students also celebrated with decorated T-shirts, fun activities, and big smiles behind their masks.
– Staff report
By golly, this is the best day, ever! - Sage
30 April 2021 | prestonhollowpeople.com Wesley Prep Fourth-Graders Become Podcast People Students turn to ‘Colorful Conversations’ to keep Common Ground tradition going
By Madelaine Woodhouse
People Newspapers
After four years of producing books, Wesley Prep’s Common Ground Experiment took a digital turn for the pandemic.
For their Colorful Conversations podcast, Wesley Prep fourth-graders research and interview people from around the community and beyond, asking questions about their careers, experiences, and inspiration.
The podcast allows the students to connect with others who are doing something positive and redeeming during the pandemic, teacher Lori Cousino said.
“They get to see examples of people building something and people healing,” Cousino said. “All the things that seem like we are struggling to do right now as a community.”
Each week, students research the upcoming guest and collaboratively draft a series of questions, including a round of rapid-fire questions. The final result is excellent conversation and spark, Cousino said.
“The way we converse and communicate with each other is changing, and I think just having an actual conversation is a great skill,” Cousino said.
The fourth-graders said they enjoy learning about people’s backgrounds and memorable stories, asking questions like “What was your favorite age?” and “What do you do when you’re not working?”
“Everybody has a story; they don’t just wake up one day and say, ‘I want to change the world,’” one student said.
Wesley Prep fourth-graders Colorful Conversations podcast has featured interviews with Jad Abumrad, Michael Horne, Sandra Godina, Michelle
Kinder, Rebecca Bruff, and Aelicia Watson. (PHOTOS: COURTESY LORI COUSINO AND BRANDON-ROBERTSON)
Guests have included Jad Abumrad, the creator and host of the Radiolab podcast, and Aelicia “Chocolate” Watson, the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Redeemed Women.
This was the fifth annual “Common Ground Experiment,” a student-led creative project in which the fourth-graders partner with nonprofit groups in the hopes of inspiring and uniting one another. Their previous projects included writing books with Heart House, the Austin Street Center, Bonton Farms, and Café Momentum. Proceeds from the book sales help the charities.
Every year the students build relationships with people from all walks of life, and this year is no different, Cousino said.
The fourth-graders have spoken with people they may not have considered talking to, and the podcast gives listeners a refreshing take from a child’s point of view and may even brighten their day, she said. “They’re asking questions and trying to make sense of why things are the way they are.”
CHECK IT OUT
Find Colorful Conversations on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
news is that nationwide, includ-
Don’t expect Texas to follow ing both in Texas and across the Virginia’s lead in South, death senabolishing capital tencing has been punishment anytime dramatically reduced soon. in the last 15 years.
Still, the found- As a result, the overer and director of all number of execuSMU’s Human tions in the country, Rights Program sees and especially in the the recent passage South (the Death of anti-death penalty legislation by the Rick Halperin Belt, where over 85% of all U.S. executions 23rd state to do so as a historic, are carried out), have similarly detrend-signaling moment. clined.”
“This continues a long trend over several decades in which nu- Coming to America merous states throughout the Before representing Spain at country reached similar conclu- the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022, sions to end the barbaric practice conceptual artist Ignasi Aballí of of state-sanctioned executions,” Barcelona will make his first visit Rick Halperin said. “Of course, as to Texas. a state of the former Confedera- “It will be great to be able to cy, Virginia’s move is all the more present my works at the Meadows noteworthy.” Museum next year and personal-
According to the Associated ly meet all of the people linked to Press, Virginia has executed more the museum, the university, and people in its long history than any the art world in Dallas,” Aballí other U.S. state. said. “I am looking forward to this
“There is not adequate political adventure.” leadership in any other Southern The adventure planned for earstate to offer a bill similar to Vir- ly 2022 makes Aballí the first artginia’s and certainly not here in ist to visit and exhibit at SMU Texas,” Halperin said. “The good through the MAS: Meadows/ ARCO Artist Spotlight program. Established in 2019, MAS is a six-year partnership between the Meadows Museum and Fundación ARCO, the guiding organization behind Spain’s premier contemporary art fair, ARCOmadrid.
Love in the library
Valentine’s Day may have passed along with one historically frigid storm, but love endures much longer than that when incorporated into a perpetual online exhibit hosted by the DeGolyer Library.
TOP: Ignasi Aballí’s Palabras Vacías (Empty Words), 2020, includes 27 galvanized iron sheets, almost 12 by 40 inches each, and will go on exhibit at the Meadows Museum in
2022. (PHOTO: LUIS ASÍN) BOTTOM: Visit smu.edu/libraries/degolyer and find the “Love Notes” exhibit to explore such romantic tokens as Valentine postcards and handwritten letters.
(PHOTOS: DEGOLYER LIBRARY)
Warm your heart with vintage Valentines, handwritten love letters, and a telegram from legendary U.S. District Judge Barefoot Sanders to his soon-to-be wife, Jan.
Long before texts and dating apps, couples found ways to communicate, even when apart, said exhibit curator Christina Jensen, DeGolyer’s head of public services. – Compiled by William Taylor
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Trusted By Councilwoman Gates. A two-time appointee of Councilwoman Jennifer Staubach Gates, Leland has led for pragmatic stewardship of city bond funds and development guidelines that protect neighborhoods. As our councilmember, we can trust him to improve basic services and get taxpayers more for their dollars.
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For eight years, our community has been well-served at City Hall but due to term limits we will elect a new leader in May 2021. As a lifelong resident of this community, experienced businessman, longtime volunteer leader, and a two-time appointee of Councilwoman Jennifer Gates – I’m prepared to continue the legacy of strong leadership from our community.
