June 2012 - Ramallah Friends Schools
June 2012 - Ramallah Friends Schools
June 2012 - Ramallah Friends Schools
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Looking to<br />
the Future<br />
by Sophia Taylor<br />
Grade 8, Park Day School<br />
Sophia<br />
on the occasion of Tom’s 25th Anniversary as Director of Park Day<br />
hello, my name is Sophia Taylor and I am an 8th grade student here at Park Day<br />
School. I would like to start today by acknowledging Tom Little for 25 years of being<br />
a dedicated director of this school.<br />
Park Day is an amazing and unique community. There is an awareness of the world<br />
at Park that you couldn’t find at any other school. From Care Week, Pride Day, and<br />
Cultures Day, students get to hear stories and learn about the experiences of others,<br />
from the guests that visit. At Park we students have the opportunity to expand our<br />
knowledge and dive deeper into our thoughts. I have always felt encouraged by my<br />
teachers and peers to share my opinions. Park feels open and welcoming. Learning<br />
is something students here love and enjoy.<br />
Our beliefs about education are reflected in the principles this school is built<br />
around. “We believe that it is essential to foster in our students the belief that an<br />
individual can make a difference in the world.” I choose this quote from a letter,<br />
about our school that Tom wrote on the Park Day School website. I really love<br />
this quote because it makes me think about how my actions affect others, and<br />
it makes me feel I have the power to make a change in the world. Park helps<br />
students feel that we can make a difference, big or small, and not to feel<br />
like our opinions don’t count, because of our age. Today I have the honor<br />
of presenting the “Identity and Social Justice Library” that will be placed in<br />
the middle school library, in Tom’s name. Students for years to come will<br />
be able to read books about people’s true struggles, that other students<br />
found meaningful and important.<br />
Park Day School is a community in which everyone has a place. Here<br />
at Park we are a diverse group of students, staff, and families. Because<br />
of my time at Park, I’ve gained insight into social justice, a multitude of<br />
cultures, and environmental awareness. Students at Park are taught<br />
to be academically strong, and politically correct. Park is a school that<br />
does more than just tell us what we should know. Along with everything<br />
we are taught, we are given an experience. Whether it’s a trip<br />
to the ropes course, or a week in Costa Rica.<br />
Children Without Borders 11
Change language