Students kept busy with Wednesday Wellness Workshops, including athletic cardio activities, taught by Mr. Marriotti, Ms. Figueroa, Ms. Eleby-El, and Ms. Smith, discussion and social problem solving groups taught by Mr. Coleman and Ms. Grant, and of course lots of fun making and baking activities. Ms. Dobler led a crafting circle, and Ms. Malcchiono taught weaving, while Ms. Coleman led an activity in creating paper dolls. Students also cooked shortbread cookies, granola, and guacamole in workshops led by Ms. Kolb, Ms. Moore, and Ms. Oberson. To round out the day, workshops on meditation, burnout, resilience, and community were lead by our many mental health professionals Ms. Davis, Ms. Griffith, Mr. Werstein, and Ms. Bufort. Wellness days allow students a chance to look inwards, relax, be creative, and socialize in teacher and student led workshops focused on rest, recuperation, and rejuvenation.
On Friday, Ms. Coleman will lead a painting workshop for teachers after school. The art teacher hosts private Paint and Sip events, and has also taught in person lessons for teachers before distance learning. She will keep the teachers hands busy and mouths moving by mixing after school conversation with a passion for the arts. Ms. Coleman also paints stunning portraits which she sells, including images of musicians like Nina Simone, Bob Marley, and Miles Davis and writers like James Baldwin. Ms. Coleman also paints still life images and landscapes. She teaches art to middle and upper school students as well as fifth grade math academic support classes.
Students in Ms. Foley’s AP Language and Composition class had a guest speaker this week on Thursday who touched on the topic of incarceration. Laura Sullivan, a journalist for NPR, investigated the Angola Prison in Louisiana, where two men were put in solitary confinement for 36 years for a crime they didn’t commit. Sullivan is an investigative reporter who covers crime and punishment for Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and other NPR programs. She discussed her journalism career, how to complete an unbiased interview, and some of the ethical dilemmas of journalism. Students reflected on how readers responded to her interviews, what reform attempts have occurred as the result of her reporting, and how she has handled the emotional toll of reporting.
Washington Latin Class of 2019 graduate Sarah Abbas earned a scholarship at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University, where she is a sophomore. The scholarship, presented by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason, honored her academic achievement. She is pursuing a degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, with a focus on Law and Justice. While a student at Latin, Abbas participated in the mediation program run by Ms. Grant, who attended George Mason’s Peace and Conflict Resolution program for graduate school. She helped develop inspirational posters for our school walls, encouraging students to develop ideas that are informed, reasoned, and flexible, played varsity soccer, and was a fellow at the Learn/Serve adventure fair.
Washington Latin’s GLOW club (Girls Leading Our World) is hosting a drive to support the local chapter of the nonprofit “I Support the Girls.” We are accepting pads, liners, tampons, and new and gently used bras, which will be distributed to community members in need. You can also donate money directly on their website.
The drive will run until February 20. Items can be dropped off at school in a bin next to Ms. Eleby El’s office Monday-Friday, 9-3. Items can also be picked up or dropped off at various neighborhood locations. Students, see your email for more information in a message sent last week by Zoe Edelman. Parents, more information will be coming soon in the Legenda.
