Summer 2011 E-Newsletter
Content
Moving Forward
Summer 2011
A newsletter from The Bright Lights Initiative
Hello Friends, The 2010-2011 school year has come to a close. It was an eventful year for the Bright Lights and we’d like to share with you some of the highlights. BLI Induction Ceremonies: At the heart of The Bright Lights Initiative is the induction of new students into the Society of Learners. Sixty new students were inducted this year in four ceremonies. There were a total of 184 active Bright Lights for the school year. Writer ’s Workshop: Each year we coordinate a Writer's Workshop for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students. Students write and illustrate their own books, culminating with a Writer' Tea where their parents are invited and the students are presented with their books. Modeled after a program in Toronto Canada, a BLI volunteer began the Peirce Bright Lights Writer's Workshop in 1995. Working with a small group of ten students, the volunteer guided the children to write and illustrate an original story. The books were bound and presented to the children as a bound published book. The following year another volunteer was added and the program expanded to 20 students twice a year for a ten-week cycle. More than 550 of Peirce's students have written books, including 40 students this year. Copies of each book are bound and stored in the library. Bright Lights raise their voices about budget cuts to public education: In the Spring with the Governor of Pennsylvia announcing a possible $550 million cut to public education, 10 Bright Light students attended the Philadelphia Student Union organized March & Rally in Center City to express their dismay. This was just the start of Bright Light advocacy efforts to see that their schools are properly funded. (See page 3 for more about The Bright Lights advocacy efforts).
BLI Activities: Each year we offer a variety of opportunities for Bright Light students to engage in, that increase their knowledge about their history, allow for them to have fun and introduce them to cultural expressions vital to receiving a well-rounded education. This year, Bright Lights attended a film screening of Scarred Justice, The Orangeburg Massacre, 1968 at the International House. They attended a Cirque du Soleil performance and were invited to help recognize Sonia Sanchez in a Life-time Achievement tribute at the Church of the Advocate in North Philadelphia. One of the favorite events among Bright Lights was the trip to see the play, Journey of a Gun, at The Freedom Theater. The play traced the series of events from a gun being purchased to the eventual killing of 3 people. Young actors in Junior and Senior High captured the attention of the Bright Lights and led to a lively Q & A session after the performance between the Bright Lights and the actors. Music Learning Sessions: With the loss of Peirce Elementary School’s music teacher this year, we partnered with Jill Scott’s Blues Babe Foundation to offer music learning sessions once a week for 6 weeks to 4th grade students. They were lead by Detrick Lowman, a professional drummer. Students received instruction and hands on exposure to instruments and the magical sounds they create. These are a few of our favorite moments over the past year. Thank you for your support! Moving Forward, Ann Guise
Bright Light Alumni and Board Member Gives 6th Grade Graduation Speech
Mark Savage, who was one of the first Bright Lights in 1994, was invited to give the T.M. Peirce Elementary School Graduation Speech to students, parents and teachers on June 17th, 2011. Here is what he shared with the graduates. Great morning! Graduates, parents & faculty! Firstly, I want to congratulate everyone in this auditorium! Go ahead clap, it’s a celebration for not only students, but for parents, mothers, fathers & children. You all deserve this, and you must realize that you deserve it! Pat yourself on the back. We all should show ourselves some love everyday. I want to talk about this particular moment. I know some of you may hang out with friends & family after this to eat or watch a movie, but there's something right now that we all must do. And that is cherish this moment. You strived all year to reach this point & look, its finally here. So cherish it! Look at your friends, classmates, family, and teachers. Smell the air. Take a moment to take it in; this is what all of us must do more of. We can’t time travel yet, but we have right now. And that's the greatest realization I think that anyone can make. The choices you make after today will direct you on your life's journey. A few of you may go to college, some of you will become millionaires just from the clever ideas you have & a lot of you will create and own your own thriving businesses. "Future Entrepreneurs," creating jobs for everyone, and hiring all your friends and family or anyone else you see fit; if you want. And this is where love has to come in. Its important for all of us to love one another like family, because we are family. Every gentleman in here has to treat every woman he meets like a queen! And all the divine women in here must demand every male they see to be the true kings they are! Respect, honesty, trust & loyalty doesn’t have to be taught because we are already born with these qualities! When you love right, you find out more about yourself and you get closer to revealing your life’s purpose. And the sooner you have a clear, precise, divine purpose the better we all become. A part of my purpose today is to ask all of you to get uncomfortable. From now on when you wake up, see if your daily routine continues to produce the same results. If you're a person that sees the need for change, then you will have to step outside of your comfort zone in order to become the change you want to see, as Mahatma Gandhi would say! Its called taking action! Please do not continue to be sleeping giants. In closing, I want to say that the world needs more leaders! Responsible, caring, trusted leaders. You all have the skills inside of you to be great leaders. The key to unlocking your true potential is to quiet everything around you and listen. Listen with your mind, heart and spirit & you will get the answers. The answers of how to help yourself, how to help your family, how to help your friends, your neighborhood, city, state, country & even the world. We all have inside us the answers to heal the world. They were manifested inside of us before we were born! As you go forward, don’t ever forget where you came from. You have to give back, volunteer, mentor, facilitate. Because we as a people have got to continue to get greater and return to the true lives we were meant to live! All my gorgeous, intelligent, magnificent, serene sisters shine no matter where you are, because you will always be beautiful inside and out! And to all my bold, brilliant, benevolent brothers, be brave and never give up. T.M. Peirce Class of 2011, I will see you at the top!
The Bright Lights Initiative Awarded Two Grants
For the 2011-2012 school year, the Bright Lights have received two grants that will go towards our general operating expenses and our Induction Ceremonies. We would like to thank these funders for their generous financial support.
Union Benevolent Association
and
Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial
You too can support The Bright Lights Initiative...
To foster high standards in literacy, cultural awareness and citizenship among schoolaged children who attend Philadelphia area elementary schools. To create an environment in which participating students become agents in their own learning and avid readers who are well-informed citizens and are eager to contribute to the larger concept of society.
Online donations can be made via PayPal at: www.thebrightlights.org Checks can be mailed to: The Bright Lights Initiative 4701 Pine Street, Box 82 Philadelphia, PA 19143
The Bright Lights Initiative, Moving Forward, Summer 2011
Bright Lights raise their voices about budget cuts to public education (Continued from p. 1) In April, a group of Bright Light students attended a statewide Rally in Harrisburg called for by the PA chapter of the NAACP. Two of the students addressed the crowd. (See one of the students remarks in the sidebar to the right.)The Bright Light students also delieverd letters to the Governor’s office written by their fellow Bright Lights expressing their concerns over the loss of money for their schools and their dreams of what education can provide to them and their communities. As funding cuts loomed and Peirce Elementary was looking at the loss of 4 teachers because of the cuts, Bright Lights Intiative Director, Ann Guise, and two 6th-grade Peirce Bright Light students, testified in front of the Philadelphia City Council during the Budget Hearings in May highlighting the dangerous consequences of poorly funded schools and calling on the City to help fund the School District. June brought with it the news that 9 teachers at Peirce Elementary were going to be laid off because of budget cuts. The Bright Lights rose up again to speak out for their education. Fourth, fifth and sixth grade Bright Lights wrote letters to City Council members urging them to give money to the School District. A delegation of Bright Lights then went to City Hall to deliver the letters and speak with any Council Members who would listen to them. The students received a letter from Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown alerting them that the City was giving the School District $53 million for the upcoming school year. Below is the content of the Councilwoman’s letter.
Remarks Delivered by 6th Grade Bright Light, Kiera Marsh-Hall April 26, 2011 On the steps of the Capitol in Harrisburg, PA
My name is Kiera Marsh-Hall. I am a member of the Bright Lights Initiative. I attend T.M. Peirce Elementary School. I am in the sixth grade. I am here today because I am very concerned about the decrease in the amount of funds schools will receive and the increase in the amount prisons will receive. I was born and am being raised in North Philadelphia. With that being said my friends and I depend on our education to become successful, intelligent citizens. We know for sure that will not happen if we don’t get the proper education. Instead of cutting the school budget the government should be building schools, libraries, etc… anything that will increase our level of education. My school tries hard. But we already do not have art, music, a library, a proper gym, lunchroom, and an auditorium and we are in a building that is 101 years old. Now we are going to loose 4 teachers and full day kindergarten. And yet there is increased funding for prisons. We all feel that the Governor gave up on us by obviously predicting that we will end up in prison. Therefore, please take this seriously. Please take us seriously. I personally have dreams and hopes for my future so do my peers because we believe that education is the key to success. Do the right thing and find someway to make education a top priority for Philadelphia’s children. Thank you!
Philadelphia City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown Writes to the Bright Lights. Dear Bright Lights Students:
Thank you so much for coming to speak with my Chief of Staff, David Forde, to discuss why it is important for City Councilmembers to support more funding for the Philadelphia Public Schools. Your message was heard loud and clear by not only myself but a majority of my colleagues as we created over $53 million in funds for the School District in the upcoming year. You should be proud of your efforts as you are certainly living up to the Bright Lights pledge to be an agent for “positive change.” As the School year comes to end enjoy your summer so that you are rested and ready for the next grade. You are all worthy of being
called a Bright Light. I look forward to learning more from you, the future leaders of Philadelphia.
In Service, Blondell Reynolds Brown Councilwoman At-Large
The Bright Lights Initiative, Moving Forward, Summer 2011
Summer 2011
A newsletter from The Bright Lights Initiative
Hello Friends, The 2010-2011 school year has come to a close. It was an eventful year for the Bright Lights and we’d like to share with you some of the highlights. BLI Induction Ceremonies: At the heart of The Bright Lights Initiative is the induction of new students into the Society of Learners. Sixty new students were inducted this year in four ceremonies. There were a total of 184 active Bright Lights for the school year. Writer ’s Workshop: Each year we coordinate a Writer's Workshop for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students. Students write and illustrate their own books, culminating with a Writer' Tea where their parents are invited and the students are presented with their books. Modeled after a program in Toronto Canada, a BLI volunteer began the Peirce Bright Lights Writer's Workshop in 1995. Working with a small group of ten students, the volunteer guided the children to write and illustrate an original story. The books were bound and presented to the children as a bound published book. The following year another volunteer was added and the program expanded to 20 students twice a year for a ten-week cycle. More than 550 of Peirce's students have written books, including 40 students this year. Copies of each book are bound and stored in the library. Bright Lights raise their voices about budget cuts to public education: In the Spring with the Governor of Pennsylvia announcing a possible $550 million cut to public education, 10 Bright Light students attended the Philadelphia Student Union organized March & Rally in Center City to express their dismay. This was just the start of Bright Light advocacy efforts to see that their schools are properly funded. (See page 3 for more about The Bright Lights advocacy efforts).
BLI Activities: Each year we offer a variety of opportunities for Bright Light students to engage in, that increase their knowledge about their history, allow for them to have fun and introduce them to cultural expressions vital to receiving a well-rounded education. This year, Bright Lights attended a film screening of Scarred Justice, The Orangeburg Massacre, 1968 at the International House. They attended a Cirque du Soleil performance and were invited to help recognize Sonia Sanchez in a Life-time Achievement tribute at the Church of the Advocate in North Philadelphia. One of the favorite events among Bright Lights was the trip to see the play, Journey of a Gun, at The Freedom Theater. The play traced the series of events from a gun being purchased to the eventual killing of 3 people. Young actors in Junior and Senior High captured the attention of the Bright Lights and led to a lively Q & A session after the performance between the Bright Lights and the actors. Music Learning Sessions: With the loss of Peirce Elementary School’s music teacher this year, we partnered with Jill Scott’s Blues Babe Foundation to offer music learning sessions once a week for 6 weeks to 4th grade students. They were lead by Detrick Lowman, a professional drummer. Students received instruction and hands on exposure to instruments and the magical sounds they create. These are a few of our favorite moments over the past year. Thank you for your support! Moving Forward, Ann Guise
Bright Light Alumni and Board Member Gives 6th Grade Graduation Speech
Mark Savage, who was one of the first Bright Lights in 1994, was invited to give the T.M. Peirce Elementary School Graduation Speech to students, parents and teachers on June 17th, 2011. Here is what he shared with the graduates. Great morning! Graduates, parents & faculty! Firstly, I want to congratulate everyone in this auditorium! Go ahead clap, it’s a celebration for not only students, but for parents, mothers, fathers & children. You all deserve this, and you must realize that you deserve it! Pat yourself on the back. We all should show ourselves some love everyday. I want to talk about this particular moment. I know some of you may hang out with friends & family after this to eat or watch a movie, but there's something right now that we all must do. And that is cherish this moment. You strived all year to reach this point & look, its finally here. So cherish it! Look at your friends, classmates, family, and teachers. Smell the air. Take a moment to take it in; this is what all of us must do more of. We can’t time travel yet, but we have right now. And that's the greatest realization I think that anyone can make. The choices you make after today will direct you on your life's journey. A few of you may go to college, some of you will become millionaires just from the clever ideas you have & a lot of you will create and own your own thriving businesses. "Future Entrepreneurs," creating jobs for everyone, and hiring all your friends and family or anyone else you see fit; if you want. And this is where love has to come in. Its important for all of us to love one another like family, because we are family. Every gentleman in here has to treat every woman he meets like a queen! And all the divine women in here must demand every male they see to be the true kings they are! Respect, honesty, trust & loyalty doesn’t have to be taught because we are already born with these qualities! When you love right, you find out more about yourself and you get closer to revealing your life’s purpose. And the sooner you have a clear, precise, divine purpose the better we all become. A part of my purpose today is to ask all of you to get uncomfortable. From now on when you wake up, see if your daily routine continues to produce the same results. If you're a person that sees the need for change, then you will have to step outside of your comfort zone in order to become the change you want to see, as Mahatma Gandhi would say! Its called taking action! Please do not continue to be sleeping giants. In closing, I want to say that the world needs more leaders! Responsible, caring, trusted leaders. You all have the skills inside of you to be great leaders. The key to unlocking your true potential is to quiet everything around you and listen. Listen with your mind, heart and spirit & you will get the answers. The answers of how to help yourself, how to help your family, how to help your friends, your neighborhood, city, state, country & even the world. We all have inside us the answers to heal the world. They were manifested inside of us before we were born! As you go forward, don’t ever forget where you came from. You have to give back, volunteer, mentor, facilitate. Because we as a people have got to continue to get greater and return to the true lives we were meant to live! All my gorgeous, intelligent, magnificent, serene sisters shine no matter where you are, because you will always be beautiful inside and out! And to all my bold, brilliant, benevolent brothers, be brave and never give up. T.M. Peirce Class of 2011, I will see you at the top!
The Bright Lights Initiative Awarded Two Grants
For the 2011-2012 school year, the Bright Lights have received two grants that will go towards our general operating expenses and our Induction Ceremonies. We would like to thank these funders for their generous financial support.
Union Benevolent Association
and
Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial
You too can support The Bright Lights Initiative...
To foster high standards in literacy, cultural awareness and citizenship among schoolaged children who attend Philadelphia area elementary schools. To create an environment in which participating students become agents in their own learning and avid readers who are well-informed citizens and are eager to contribute to the larger concept of society.
Online donations can be made via PayPal at: www.thebrightlights.org Checks can be mailed to: The Bright Lights Initiative 4701 Pine Street, Box 82 Philadelphia, PA 19143
The Bright Lights Initiative, Moving Forward, Summer 2011
Bright Lights raise their voices about budget cuts to public education (Continued from p. 1) In April, a group of Bright Light students attended a statewide Rally in Harrisburg called for by the PA chapter of the NAACP. Two of the students addressed the crowd. (See one of the students remarks in the sidebar to the right.)The Bright Light students also delieverd letters to the Governor’s office written by their fellow Bright Lights expressing their concerns over the loss of money for their schools and their dreams of what education can provide to them and their communities. As funding cuts loomed and Peirce Elementary was looking at the loss of 4 teachers because of the cuts, Bright Lights Intiative Director, Ann Guise, and two 6th-grade Peirce Bright Light students, testified in front of the Philadelphia City Council during the Budget Hearings in May highlighting the dangerous consequences of poorly funded schools and calling on the City to help fund the School District. June brought with it the news that 9 teachers at Peirce Elementary were going to be laid off because of budget cuts. The Bright Lights rose up again to speak out for their education. Fourth, fifth and sixth grade Bright Lights wrote letters to City Council members urging them to give money to the School District. A delegation of Bright Lights then went to City Hall to deliver the letters and speak with any Council Members who would listen to them. The students received a letter from Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown alerting them that the City was giving the School District $53 million for the upcoming school year. Below is the content of the Councilwoman’s letter.
Remarks Delivered by 6th Grade Bright Light, Kiera Marsh-Hall April 26, 2011 On the steps of the Capitol in Harrisburg, PA
My name is Kiera Marsh-Hall. I am a member of the Bright Lights Initiative. I attend T.M. Peirce Elementary School. I am in the sixth grade. I am here today because I am very concerned about the decrease in the amount of funds schools will receive and the increase in the amount prisons will receive. I was born and am being raised in North Philadelphia. With that being said my friends and I depend on our education to become successful, intelligent citizens. We know for sure that will not happen if we don’t get the proper education. Instead of cutting the school budget the government should be building schools, libraries, etc… anything that will increase our level of education. My school tries hard. But we already do not have art, music, a library, a proper gym, lunchroom, and an auditorium and we are in a building that is 101 years old. Now we are going to loose 4 teachers and full day kindergarten. And yet there is increased funding for prisons. We all feel that the Governor gave up on us by obviously predicting that we will end up in prison. Therefore, please take this seriously. Please take us seriously. I personally have dreams and hopes for my future so do my peers because we believe that education is the key to success. Do the right thing and find someway to make education a top priority for Philadelphia’s children. Thank you!
Philadelphia City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown Writes to the Bright Lights. Dear Bright Lights Students:
Thank you so much for coming to speak with my Chief of Staff, David Forde, to discuss why it is important for City Councilmembers to support more funding for the Philadelphia Public Schools. Your message was heard loud and clear by not only myself but a majority of my colleagues as we created over $53 million in funds for the School District in the upcoming year. You should be proud of your efforts as you are certainly living up to the Bright Lights pledge to be an agent for “positive change.” As the School year comes to end enjoy your summer so that you are rested and ready for the next grade. You are all worthy of being
called a Bright Light. I look forward to learning more from you, the future leaders of Philadelphia.
In Service, Blondell Reynolds Brown Councilwoman At-Large
The Bright Lights Initiative, Moving Forward, Summer 2011
