IN THE NEWS
In the face of difficult decisions affecting school budgets, the WPSF strives to continue to support important educational programs for our students and teachers through contributions from the Wayland community. Your support of the Foundation is crucial to this worthwhile endeavor and is greatly appreciated.
From the Wayland Town Crier, June 5, 2008
Thanks to the Wayland Public Schools Foundation and the inspiration of a grant submitted by High School English teachers Janet Karmen and Dana Holland, on May 30th, the Wayland High School Commons became a stage for poets, musicians, visual artists, dancers and vocalists as a culmination to a 2 part work-shop inspired by the Winter Week Poetry Slam. Led by renowned poet, performer, musician, Lyeoka and assistant musician Brian, the students were instructed to "consider the spoken word and music. Be in the moment, allow the music to move through you, listen to your creative voices". For some student performers this all came naturally and for others it required a lot of courage. For all, against the backdrop of compartmentalized learning, it was a refreshing, inter-disciplinary collaboration of departments celebrating Wayland High School artists. Financial contributions to the Wayland Public Schools Foundation make these innovative programs a reality for our teachers and students.
From the Town Crier:
January 2008
Wayland Public Schools Foundation Funds Provocative Presentations During Winter Week at Wayland High School
Winter Week, the week following HS mid-terms is a chance for students to take a break from the academic rigors of a typical week and to be exposed to new ideas and different ways of thinking. Thanks to the creative efforts of faculty who applied for the Wayland Public Schools Foundation grants, the students experienced a variety of powerful presentations by a group of poets and musicians, an author and a one-woman show in observance of 'Domestic Violence Awareness Month'.
This years Poetry Slam – “Snap, Crackle, Pop- A Celebration of the Spoken Word”, treated students to an energized, edgy, 'poetic pugilism' from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Poets ranted and raved while musicians embellished their emotion through instrumental interpretations. Each poet was given 8 minutes to 'weave a tapestry' which was then voted upon by 3 student judges. The Little Theater was alive with energy as the students tried to take in the fast-paced, stimulating performances, eliciting a variety of emotions.
The student feedback to English Teachers Dana Holland and Janet Karman was overwhelmingly exuberant and positive. "I thought it would be boring, kind of a waste of my time, but when I actually saw the slam, it was amazing and inspirational." "I didn't know that poets could sing their poems!" "The music and the poets' poems went seamlessly together, and it was moving
and inspirational." "The energetic poets vigorously performed their poetry...The experience of
going to a poetry slam is one that I will never forget."
Author, Michael Tougias, spoke with students about his experience of writing "Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea". As research historian and experienced writer, he took the students through the 'perfect storm', devastating 2 lobster boats leaving Georges Bank in November, 1980, unaware of the impending storm due to a malfunctioning weather buoy. The author introduced each lobsterman, including Wayland native, Ernie Banks, enabling the audience to see this as much more than a story. Through his research with the survivors, he was able to speak about the 100 ft. wave, the fight for survival, and the rescue of the survivors. Students asked questions about the details of the disaster as well as the process of writing, researching and publishing a book.
Adds Trish Halpin, History teacher, "Using slides from the coast guard documenting the actual rescue Tougias explained the series of life or death decisions Hazard had to make over the course of fifty hours floating in 50-100 foot waves before he was rescued. The author’s research is increasingly focusing on why some individuals survive and others do not”.
"The Yellow Dress" was a mesmerizing performance, as 'Anna', acted out the part of a HS girl, deciding which dress to wear to the prom. She introduces us to her boyfriend, 'Rick', popular, handsome, romantic. We learn how Rick subtly begins to control her, her decisions, her friendships, her thoughts. He becomes obsessive, angry, physically and emotionally abusive, and in the end, Anna does not survive. This powerful presentation, although difficult, taught students signs to be wary of and strategies for protecting themselves and others.
According to Dave Gavron, History teacher, "'The Yellow Dress” performance was an eye-opening and provocative experience. The one woman play kept the students hanging on her every word and emotion”. Caroline Glovsky, WHS Senior, said "It was very difficult to watch because I don't really think that something like that could happen here. But it really
opens your eyes to see it could. In seeing the show, it gives me the hope that
if it ever happened to me or a friend, I would know how to handle the
situation."
The Yellow Dress's message, and others like it, are very important to share with our students and children. Continues Gavron, “I was thrilled that WAS, the Wayland Police Department, the Guidance Department, and the Social Studies & Business Departments agreed with the importance of sharing this message. Without the generosity of the Wayland Public Schools Foundation Grant, we would not have been able to bring the Yellow Dress to Wayland High School. On behalf of all who helped with this effort, I thank you for funding our program.”
March 2008
Wayland Public Schools Foundation Brings Artist in Residence- Storyteller to Elementary Classrooms
The Wayland Public Schools Foundation recently funded a grant which brought Tim Van Egmond “Artist in Residence-Storyteller: Building a Repertoire for Telling and Writing Personal Narratives” to a fourth grade class at Happy Hollow School. The grant, written by teacher Maureen Devlin, was designed to build upon narrative writing skills and concept foundation in alliance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. These require that fourth grade students demonstrate the skills necessary to write a well-organized, multi-paragraph, personal narrative demonstrating evidence of writer’s craft and voice, a monumental task for many of us.
Working with, and learning from, a professional storyteller, in addition to their teacher, helped the students develop skills to organize their thoughts and enhance their creativity. They spent time thinking up ideas and writing drafts of a narrative to present to their classmates and parents. For the final performance, the class was divided into four groups, each with their own podium. The presentations consisted of creative, engaging, expressive stories, which inspired excitement among the presenters and the audience alike.
Ms. Devlin has seen an increase in her students’ enthusiasm for writing and in their creative ability. Parent Leah Hart commented, “I was very impressed with the children’s story telling in Maureen Devlin’s class. It was clear that the students had worked hard on their stories and presentations. It was also clear that Ms. Devlin had done a wonderful job working with the children on their writing and presentation. The opportunity to see a great story teller enriched the lives of the students.” James Lee, Principal of Happy Hollow School, feels that this was a wonderful opportunity to get the children in front of the class and to use their creativity. He was excited by the enthusiasm in the classroom and all were clearly impressed with the successful result. The children enjoyed the experience and frequently referenced the storyteller. Once again, the Wayland Public Schools Foundation has successfully supported a program that has enhanced, enriched and encouraged learning within our schools.
