Special Projects and Programs 2008/2009
Ongoing Special Projects:
Oxford Presbyterian Elder Diner Program with Unitarian Universalist House Outreach Program:
Contacts: Janice Steinberg, Rachel King-Davis Liz Shriver of the Student CDC; Mary Fallon and Roberta Balsm of the Unitarian Universalist House, or Audrey Reid of Oxford Presbyterian Church
Students and elders learn about youth and elderly issues surrounding fitness and nutrition in a collaborative walking and talking project! Students have completed ‘instant aging’ training. Thanksgiving meal with students and elders happened on 11/20/08. Both elders and youth have completed fitness and nutrition focus groups and are now planning neighborhood walks.
The Print Center Shadow Box Project:
Contact: Rachel King-Davis, history/social development teacher
The Print Center is working in Ms. King-Davis’s 7th period class to create art projects that embody both “personal” and “cultural” identities.
Help Increase the Peace Program:
Contacts: Rachel King-Davis, Zach Stone.
Students are working on how to identify and create their own leadership and peace initiatives as supplements to the social development and leadership curriculum.
Dwight Evans Scholars Program:
Contact: Autumn Burdo, history teacher
Four 10th grade students are working hard on their Dwight Evans project on nutrition and food in the schools.
Philly Reality:
Contact Beverly Trimboli: Theatre teacher
Theater students work to create monologues and stories that weave together based on the theme of “change”. Writing, direction, lights, and sound will be produced by students. The final production will be performed at the Philadelphia Theater Company.
Mural project:
Contact: Allison Wooley, Art Teacher; Tina Weinraub, Librarian
Students are creating a mural on the new wall in the library surrounding the themes of peace and social justice! Students are working in art classes to learn about murals, gain skills to prepare for making a mural and are obtaining input from the rest of the student body regarding themes and subject matter for the mural.
9th Grade Mentor Program:
Contact: Liz Shriver, Haverford Fellow
(We are still seeking 5 women to be mentors.)
We currently have 15 new mentors for our new freshman interested in the program! Our first group activity was creating mosaic tiles with a local artist. Our second activity was going to the America I AM exhibit at the National Constitution Center.
Service Learning Trip to South Africa:
Contacts: Kathryn May and Rachel King Davis
Two students who researched programs and politics in South Africa in 2007/08 are planning to do a service project in South Africa this spring!
2008 Special Programs:
Voter Education Seminar:
October 2008: Outside facilitators were brought in to present different histories and perspectives on voting to students. Students also ran workshops and presented to their classmates surrounding issues of voting that effect young people.
Word Program:
Contacts: Janice Steinberg, Liz Shriver
December 2008: Parkway students worked to collect community stories (from each other, their families and community members) surrounding the themes of peace and social justice. Over ten outside groups also attended and performed.
Oppression Seminar:
December 2008: Students organized and implemented their own two hour seminar on oppression for the entire student body. Each classroom had two facilitators and presenters from the Philadelphia Student Union, Lutheran Settlement House and Temple Youth Voices were present.
Martin Luther King Day of Service:
Contacts: School Wide Effort!
January 2009: We had over 30 students perform and display projects at the Liacorus Center. Students sang songs, performed monologues, presented poetry and projects related to Civil Rights.
