Power of the Cross

Yesterday students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 read and discussed Anne Spencer's poem: White Things. This poem was written during the Harlem Renaissance (late 1920's) and raises questions about how "power" is attached to race-skin color. With anger, Spencer takes events of the time to make a strong point. In class, we then talked about diversity and "power." These are hard questions that call for creative and new answers that all people may know justice and equity.

Jesus also walked and talked an unusual rendering of power- power of the cross. It often meant silence instead of defense, healing rather than hate, poverty rather than wealth, being last rather than being first. In this time in our culture where many are hurting and uncertainly seems more normal than certainty, may we offer quiet listening, healing, poverty of spirit, and a willingness to be last... and even misunderstood. True power transcends the trappings of this world, but rather is attached to an eternal way of living. Let Easter resurrect our resolve to be more like Jesus.

Grades 6, 7, and 8 are working on "color" poems. Crafting poetry helps us to better appreciate the beauty and the influence it has on our lives. After white winter, our lives are hungry for MORE color. Students are saying it with poetic verse.

In Geography, students will begin working on a country report of their choice. Tuesday and Wednesday we did activities related to Earth Day.

Thank you colleagues and students for your many birthday wishes. I felt deeply blessed by your expressions. With God's help, I look forward to another year of growing in relationships and faith.