Aveson Home Stay Program welcomes Chinese students.

February, 2013 January 28 - February 8th Aveson Global Leadership Acadmey hosted 45 students and staff from China. ESL4Asia partnered with our school to bring these students, middle and high school age, to our community. The tour has Chinese students touring Washington D.C, Boston, New York and San Francisco for over a month. According to ESL4Asia representatives, it is the two weeks the students spend in Pasadena that is repeatedly noted as their favorite. It could be the Norton Simon Museum, or Old Town, or even the Apple Store. We visited all those places, as well as the Pasadena Museum of History, Eaton Canyon and The Rose Bowl. But I think it is the home stay aspect of the program that sets our community apart.

Aveson families, ASL and AGLA, stepped up to participate in the home stay program. Chinese youth spent 13 days as members of the Aveson family.

If you have not had a chance to participate in such a program I really can't explain how rewarding it is. Before the students arrived, I found myself wondering if I would be a good host, if I could handle the responsibilities, or if the home stay would be a burden on my family. As the two weeks came to an end my wife and our two kids found ourselves in tears as we said goodbye to our new friends/honorary family members.

We cooked "American" meals for them, including spaghetti and meatballs and the infamous breakfast burrito. We dined at Claim Jumper and Johnny Rockets, even went to "Chinese" in Arcadia. We visited the Santa Anita mall, marveled at the beauty of the Huntington and the Arboreteum and ate deep fried ice cream at the Santa Monica Pier. We played board games, Wii, played laser tag and visited Best Buy three times. Technology is a favorite of teenagers worldwide.

Our young visitors played piano for us, shared stories of their family and schooling, and even read bed time stories to our children.

During the day, Chinese students went to school along side Aveson students. The first week was Celebration of Learning week. Perhaps you were wondering why so many Chinese youth were celebrating alongside your children. One stand out moment was an ASL student presenting a project on the Great Wall of China to four Chinese visitors.

They were also able to participate in finalizing projects for the COL, Fitness class with Mr.Eric, electives, such as Cal Arts Sculpture and Yearbook at AGLA, and were given a tour of ASL by Ms. Carey's 4th and 5th graders.

Aveson will continue to build on this partnership with ESL4Asia. Ideas for a true exchange of students are being discussed, as well as future home stay opportunities.

Righteous Conversations

Monday, January 28th Aveson Global held a special assembly.  Helen Freeman, who is 91 years old spoke briefly to the students.  Helen is a survivor of Auchwitz Concentration Camp, which some consider the worst of all camps concerning human rights violations during World War II.
Helen spoke clearly and with such passion.  She was accompanied by Aveson students Purag Moumdjian and Trey Carlisle, who had met Helen while working with Righteous Conversations last summer as part of a service learning project.  There was not a sound in the room while Helen spoke.  Everyone sat in silent awe, showing the utmost respect for Mrs. Freeman.  She left the microphone briefly, only to return for one last message.  Helen rolled up her sleeve and showed the class the number that the Nazi's had tatooed on her forearm.  "There I was only a number.  But I am not a number.  No one is just a number.  And I ask you to never forget what happened then and to never let it happen again."


The Righteous Conversations Project brings together Holocaust survivors and teens to speak up about injustice in today’s world through new media workshops and community engagements. Launched at Harvard-Westlake School in February of 2011, the Project works in partnership with schools and local non-profits to empower teens in collaboration with Holocaust survivors to imagine and shape a better world.

Samara

Samara Hutman, executive director of Righteous Conversations started the assembly by introducing her organization.  Later, she introduced Purag (10th grade) and Trey (9th grade).  Each students discussed the work they did with Samara and Helen, and showed the school the Public Service Announcement they created last summer at Harvard Westlake.  (visit http://righteousconversations.org/ to see the P.S.A's and learn more about)

As the assembly ended Samara and Helen were approached by several students who just wanted to thank them.  For their time and especially to Helen, for her sacrifice.

Samara wrote to me later, "I was so moved by your community. By the understated exterior of your facade that holds within it such power for good and change in the world. I could feel it in the room."

Currently, I am working with Samara and Righteous Conversations to bring their work directly to our campus. 

Community Day.Do One Thing

A huge success.

MLK art and essay contest.

AVESON students to be honored at
African American Museum!

THE DREAM@5O ART CONTEST
AWARDS CEREMONY

Monday, January 21, 2013 (MLK Day)
3:00 pm

THE CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
Exposition Park
600 State Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037

ALL-SEMIFINALIST ART EXHIBITION
AND RECEPTION TO FOLLOW

CONGRATULATIONS to the
AVESON
semi-finalists

Jonathon Stevenson - Elementary
Destiny Brown - Middle
Trey Carlisle- High

Mr. Gloyd explores the issue of Discrimination

written by Mr. Gloyd

Over the course semester one, students were called to action. Though they have always engaged critically and creatively, prompting my students to do something about a particular issue has always been a bit of the struggle. With the Take Action projects, students were given the opportunity to examine an issue of local or global concern. They were then charged with the task of Taking Action--engaging, or using their knowledge to help others engage with their particular issue. For some it meant raising money, for some it meant physically interacting with a group involved with the process, while for some, the presentation, the defense of their particular project in front of a live, authentic audience was enough to enact some awareness and change.

Community Day DO ONE THING

Monday, December 17th our two schools will be one!  We call it “Community Day”, a special day of exploration, team building and bonding that brings our Kinder through 5th graders together with our 6th through 12th grade students.

Aveson Global Leadership Academy(AGLA) students will be coming to the Aveson School of Leaders(ASL) campus.  Equipped as “Elders” the AGLA students will be prepared to lead their “village” of Kinder through 12th grade students through a day of community building activities.

AGLA student leaders are busy planning the day now, incorporating art, literacy, movement and reflection into a amazing hand’s on, thought provoking and straight up fun curriculum.

Our community day is guided by the four global competencies.  

Investigate the World.  Weigh Perspective.  Communicate Ideas.  Take Action

Incorporating these competencies, our theme for this first community day:

MAKE YOUR MARK with your D.O.T.

A D.O.T. has two meanings.  One, inspired by the work of author Peter Reynolds, it is your special mark. A mark made on a page is a dot that symbolizes each individuals unique perspective and special qualities.  Each one of us has a dot, we only need to lift the paint brush and make our mark!  Our community will help kids explore their perspective and potential.

Inspired by our partnership with Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) D.O.T. also stands for Do One Thing. At this community day we will challenge every individual, all ages, to take action by committing to doing one thing to make a difference in our community and in our world.

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For our Kinder through 5th graders, this event serves as a foundation for their efforts to investigate the world and recognize and weigh perspectives.  Staff at all levels count on this day to create a visual in the minds of our young global learners as they try to understand their own perspective, and how to express it, and weigh that against others.  The curriculum for the day is dynamic, and continuously asks students to express their perspectives, as well as recognize others perspectives.

For our 'elders' the 6th - 12th grade, it is an opportunity to put what they have learned into action.  Being able to guide our younger students in an exploration and celebration of personal perspective is powerful, and shows them the potential they have for inspiration and leadership.

The entire day is hands on.  Art activities will see every individual making their mark and celebrating the unique mark that each of us will make.  The potential is limitless.  To communicate this idea of perspective and self expression students can express themselves in any way they are inspired to; whether that means creating a dot - being a part of a dot gallery - doing a dot inspired dance - putting on a live performance of Peter Reynolds' "The Dot" - 

Elder students will engage the younger students in reading circles and open discussions about the content and theme of the book.  Also, the focus on "Take Action" (listed below)  will challenge every student to communicate their ideas on how to make their community and their world a better place.

Not only do students need to communicate their ideas around Do One Thing; they are committed to doing that one thing and documenting it for a future project.

This first event will ask students to commit to act; and put that commitment in writing as part of a whole school artistic representation of Aveson's commitment to making a difference.

In late January, students will participate in a Celebration of Learning, an event that celebrates and showcases student work in all content areas, including global competencies.  One thing they will be asked to demonstrate is how or what they did with their D.O.T.

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At the 6th - 12th grade our partnership with the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) the organization that inspired the D.O.T., is just beginning.  Jessica Mariglio is our ACE representative, and she is overseeing a student run organization called "The Everything Green Team"  Students in this club are also involved in the planning of the community day.  These students have already considered their "One Thing" and many of them are powerful with the potential to have a huge impact on our school and in our community.

Mr. Matthews 7th and 8th graders Investigate Discrimination

Mr. Matthews, first year  humanities advisory for our 7th and 8th graders is investigating the issue of discrimination,and ways to take action to build awareness, celebrate those who fight discrimination, and find ways to take action themselves.

Students are working through the Global Competencies to "become an expert" on their chosen topic.

See more at COL Thursday, January 31st between 5pm and 8pm

GOING GLOBAL with the METRO

GOING GLOBAL - MOVING LOCAL - with the METRO

The METRO has dozens of bus and rail lines in and around our community.
But, if you know how to use the 264/267 and the Gold Line, you can get pretty much anywhere.

To confirm any of this information, or to get information not listed here, or to report a problem or seek help. CALL 323.go.metro, Metro’s telephone information hotline. Tell the customer representative your destination, starting point, and the day and time you want to travel.

Website: METRO.NET - Metro all has an app for Iphone/Ipad and Androids.
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A.S.L. to A.G.L.A.
Bus # 264 Westbound (Altadena towards Lake)
The 264 BECOMES the 267 at Altadena and Lake. No need to transfer. Stay seated.
OFF Lincoln and Mountain - right across the street from AGLA (2020 N. Lincoln Ave)

A.G.L.A. to A.S.L.
267 Northbound (Lincoln, towards freeway)
The 267 goes Lincoln, turns right on Altadena and BECOMES the 264 at Altadena and Lake. No need to transfer.
OFF Allen and Altadena - right in front of ASL (1919 Pinecrest Dr.)

NOTE: The 264 and 267 buses run twice an hour. However, only ONE of the two buses continues on past Altadena/Lake. A list of times has been provided.

GOING GOLD - To get to the Gold Line.
ASL - use the 264 Eastbound. Allen, heading south. (To Sierra Madre Villa Station.) ((The 264 goes ‘near’ the Allen Station, but not directly to it. You could walk to Allen if you felt like walking)

AGLA use the 267 Southbound. Lincoln, towards Mountain (To Memorial Park Station)

The Gold Line starts in Sierra Madre, runs through Pasadena and East L.A. It also stops at Union Station, which will connect you to the RED. PURPLE. SILVER. LAX. AMTRAK

Helpful Hints: Give yourself extra time. Everything takes a little longer when traveling Metro.
Call 323-go metro an hour ahead to make sure bus is on time.
Avoid riding before 8:30am or after 3:30pm. Those are peak travel times.
Use google maps to get bus directions. They are very accurate.





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GOING GLOBAL 2012 -2013 Goals and Objectives

GOAL:
By January 31, 2013, Aveson students will identify an issue of global concern, investigate the issue, take action locally to make a difference and communicate their ideas, understandings, experiences and perspectives as evidenced by products and presentations at C.O.L.

OBJECTIVES.

HOW TO.......Investigate and Weigh Perspective
Identify an issue of global concern
Identify potential community partners
Develop a driving question
Gather resources and tools needed for the investigation.
Develop essential questions. Identify key terms and vocabulary.
Weigh perspective through discussion, interviews, and more.

HOW TO..... Take Action
Gather resources for a successful action
Enlist the support of a community partner
Plan, organize and take local action

HOW TO......Communicate Ideas
Present your investigation, perspectives and action taken at COL.
Reflect on the process.