In her upper school intensive writing class, English teacher Ms. Grant is pushing students to evaluate the roots of a complex conflict in order to improve persuasive writing skills. Students viewed the PBS Series, “Race: the Power of an Illusion,” and evaluated how racial constructs were formed. Students are currently writing persuasive essays on whether or not race still matters and plays an important role in the modern world. Grant notes that in order to resolve a conflict, students must understand the root causes of it. Ms. Grant is currently doing a master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, and is learning about the narratives and histories of conflicts.
Next week seniors will continue their collaboration with their fifth grade “Literary Colleagues.” The year-long collaboration allows our graduating students to mentor incoming students on all aspects of their literary life at Latin. The program, now in its third year, has been part of our efforts to help bridge the divide between the oldest and youngest students in the school. The partnership was devised by fifth grade English teacher Ms. Mujal and 12th grade English teacher Ms. Seid.
Over the weekend the Middle School Model UN conference held at George Washington University, five students from Latin were recognized at the Closing Ceremony for their outstanding performances. Sixth graders Henry Cohen and Liam Murphy received certificates of Honorable Mention for their strong work as delegates on the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee discussing refugee resettlement. Sixth grader Jamie Hayes also earned a certificate of Honorable Mention for his work as a delegate to the European Commission committee discussing the expansion of the European Union membership. Eighth graders Steve Mirabello and Aaron Scott received certificates of Honorable Mention for their efforts as delegates on the Disarmament and International Security committee discussing militarization of the arctic. Seventh grader Vladimir Zodorojny served on the Historic Committee where he debated the topic: ”Treaty of Versailles, 1919″. Eighth grader Samir Bhojwani served on the European Commission, while his classmate Robbie Mirabello served on the Special Political and Decolonization committee.This was the first model UN conference for fifth grader Ganesh Bhojwani and sixth grader Jamie Hayes. Ganesh served on the International Atomic Energy Association committee, and debated the topic: “Health and Environmental Cost of Nuclear Energy.” The club, which requires students to read, evaluate, and debate complex global issues, is advised by seventh grade history teacher Mr. Wills.
Last Wednesday, the C-SPAN Campaign 2016 bus came to Washington Latin as part of the national tour of schools. The bus, which is used to educate schools about the C-SPAN Network, travels to all fifty states and the District of Columbia. As part of our learning about the 2016 Presidential Election and the Electoral College, the sixth grade had an opportunity to tour the bus and learn about the role of the press in covering Congress and the Presidency.
