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Go to pages above for more  Selma Civil Rights Tour information.

Mandatory Meeting in Mr. Wood’s Room @ 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 5 for travelers and parent.  This meeting will not last more than 45 minutes.  Parents need to know the final costs and $50 deposits must be paid.  

First the bad news – it looks like the flight costs will be about $100 more than expected.  I have been calling various airline group sales and the best airfare I’ve found that fits our schedule is $360 which makes it $430 with tax.  Taxes are way up, flight availability is down, that makes prices worse for us.  I checked group rates at all five major carriers.   Adam Smith and the invisible hand could use a little dose of Karl Marx on this one.

The good things are as follows:  Van rental is almost the same as three years ago, so that part of the equation is virtually unchanged.

Flight times in and out are pretty good as are the rules for deposits and such.  The best I’ve gotten so far takes us out of Grand Rapids instead of Detroit, and although its a bit early in the morning we can be in Birmingham before noon.  So here’s where I’m currently at:

• United Airlines
• Flight out of GR 6:00 AM Friday March 1
• arrives in Birmingham, AL 8:43 AM
• Flight out of Birmingham 5:09 PM Monday March 4
• arrives in Grand Rapids 11:11 PM
• Cost – $430 (all tax included)
• Deposit of $50 due by December 7
• deposit is refundable until December 31
• remainder of the $430 cost of the ticket is due January 30

Consequently – we need to talk.  Meeting in the cafeteria during Channel One on Monday November 26.  We need to make sure with these deadlines in place that your folks understand the issues, so we will need a parent meeting prior to December 7 as well.  Bring your schedules with you.  And finally, I am sending out a group email today.  If you don’t get it – see me…we need to be communicating.

Turkey day is over.  Time to get back to work.  See you Monday.

mrw

This study on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. is done in conjunction with Google Docs…all posts are made on the Google Docs website.  

#1 –Grades for this assignment will substitute the ongoing scholarship search study being made by American students in the class Class time provided to scholarship study will be available as well to Sascha, Almanda, and Zach.

#2 – The most significant goal of this study is for Sascha and Almanda to leave the United States with an extensive and keen insight into the American Civil Rights movement.  It is also hoped that if any of the three students go to Selma, Alabama in March 2013 that their journey will be significantly enriched with the study.

#3 – A third situation has made its self available regarding this study; by using Google-docs this assignment will be opened up to any of Mr. Wood’s students in other classes for extra credit.  Just stop by and pick up a book and follow us online and in google docs.

Supplemental Materials for Independent study:

1 – “Let the Trumpet Sound”by Stephen B. Oates will be assigned reading.  Mr. Wood will regular reading assignments for discussion at noted times.

2 – Video Documentary Series – “Eyes on the Prize”– this is the foremost video study on the American Civil Rights movement.  The first six episodes deal with events during the life of Martin Luther King Jr.  We will watch and discuss each of these movies.  They will be assigned to watch in collaboration with text readings.  Makes sure you watch the movies by assigned dates.

3 – Great Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. – Students have access to ten full speeches of Dr. King.  Each features an accompanying introduction by pivotal individual in the movement.  Speeches will be assigned for supplemental research at appropriate times in the study.  If you would like a copy of the speeches bring in a flash drive I will get you a copy.

4 – Songs of the Civil Rights Era – I have a compilation of songs of the Civil Rights movement. it is very inspirational.  If you would like a copy let me know.

Method of Grading

30 point discussions – Mr. Wood, Zack, Sascha, and Almanda will join in an every-other-week round table discussion of the Google docs topics.  These topics will be announced two weeks in advance of the scheduled discussions and will consist of a handful of directed issues for reading – normally three.   Anybody may come to these round tables….if you’re doing the Independent Study for extra credit and you have a first hour teacher that allows you to drop by on the designated day, you are welcomed to join us.  Zack, Sascha, and Almanda will be graded on a thirty point assignment as to their preparation and their participation in the discussions.  This grade will be assessed in lieu of the scholarship assignments done by other SCI students.

Zack, Sascha, and Almanda are expected to dedicate a portion of their SCI binder to typed answers to the designated questions.

30 point Google Docs blogs – Occasionally, instead of discussion points, Mr. Wood, Zack, Sascha, and Almanda will participate with all extra credit students, in an on-line Google docs posts.  Parameters for time and topics will be announced as needed

Extra Credit Guidelines – we have determined that extra credit for this assignment will be determined via discussion of those students who have chosen to participate in that study.  This would be a GREAT WAY to enrich yourself intellectually prior to our trip to Selma, Birmingham, and Montgomery in March 2013.

Hey guys…enjoy a mindful Thanksgiving.

It’s been a complicated Fall.  I want to thank my students for your commitment to scholarship, for striving to think outside of the box, and for questions and commentary that inspire me to strive to be a better teacher.  I so appreciate the many of you who supported me when my mom passed in September; it mattered for me to be in your thoughts.  Make sure on Thursday that you are mindful of those around you.  Time is precious.  We are all here for a limited stay.  So squeeze every minute out of every relationship.  Every day.  Breathe.  Be mindful.  Stay awake.

Many of you were wide-awake during the November election.  You poured time and sweat into a process that often seems broken. Your contributions prove that it isn’t. And we trudge on.  To the foreign exchange students from Denmark and Deutschland and Brazil and beyond, your energy and optimism through out our schoolyard is inspirational. Sharing your lives with us enriches our lives, like you will never know.  And I am continually impressed at how inviting Oakridge students and families are to all of these kids.  The dynamic of our school and community spirals upward because of this mutual admiration between the continents.  To band members and band parents stay vigilant.  This country can only be great if public interest forces public policy to bend to the will of the people.  The legacy and future of Oakridge band is worth the battle.  And you will win.  As Dr King stated, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but bends towards to justice.”  You just need to keep up the pressure.

And to my colleagues who continue to prove to me day after day, through dedication, compassion, and humor that regardless of political obstruction, our role in society is of the essence.  You do great work.  Thank you for being there for me with mom.  Your efforts, our efforts, truly make the world a better place.

To you all be grateful for family and friends.  Enjoy the time together.

Asalamou Alaykoum.

Peace be upon you.

So many of you worked the phones, hit the pavement, ate the pizza and worked for the Obama campaign on this election.  It was no small thing.  While the video above was filmed on November 7 in Chicago, it could’ve been just as easily filmed in Muskegon.  He’s talking to you all.  Well done guys…don’t stop here.  Continue to stay “Awake” and “Involved” in your government and your world.

It’s your right…your responsibility.