Fall, 2002, No. 13 National Network of Partnership Schools
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Network Members Strive to Make the World a Better Place
September 11, 2002 marked the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. The surreal events of airplanes crashing and exploding into civilian buildings and thousands of people dead in a massive heap of rubble, left an indelible mark on our psyches. As a nation we experienced anger, fear, anxiety, sadness, and an utter lack of control. You may have asked, "What has this world come to?" As a teacher or parent you may have thought, "I don't want my children to grow up in a world like this." We were left awestruck and confronted with what is truly important in life. Many of us reached out to family and friends with greater appreciation. As a nation we became a community overnight, offering our thoughts and prayers, and generously giving to those in need.
My family was personally affected. We lost my brother in-law, Christopher Wodenshek. My sister Anne was left with their five small children ages two to nine. It has been a difficult year, but as a family we have shared in my sister's burden. Her family has been redefined. The children no longer have a father, but their aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends have modeled the resiliency of family. The teachers of my school-age nieces and nephews have understood their trauma while trying to maintain the normalcy of school life.
I came to the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) in February 2002, after living with my sister and her children for four months. I needed to work at a place that reflected my values. The framework of six types of involvement developed by Dr. Joyce Epstein is a powerful model that I believe could make a difference in children and parents' lives by helping them become partners with schools and communities. More than ever, we all need to take responsibility for raising our nation's children.
All NNPS members strive to implement activities that improve the lives of children. Promising Partnership Practices-2002 demonstrates the generosity and dedication of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community members working together to improve their schools, strengthen families and communities, and increase student success. For example, The Quilting Project in Galena, MD helps middle school students make quilts for sick children. A parent-student reading activity at the Baltimore City Detention Center School #370 brings partnership and the pleasure of reading to incarcerated youth. A school beautification project at Madison Junior High School in Naperville, IL improved the front entrance of the school to decrease vandalism and to create a welcoming area for students, staff, families, and community members.
Over 90 activities in Promising Partnership Practices-2002 communicate hope, alleviate some of our anxieties, and motivate us to take actions that will make our children's world a better place. Collectively in partnership, we do make a difference.
By Katharine M. Gerne
Middle and High School Facilitator
