One Book, One School -  by Naheed Senzai

by Katherine Chen and Kevin Wottrich

To kick off English classes in the school year of 2012 - 2013, Stanley Middle School decided to synchronize students’ schedules just a little bit. Shooting Kabul sold countless copies on Wildcat Day, and eager hands flipped through the pages of a book that retold the story of a family fleeing war-torn Afghanistan and a boy who lost his sister. The school was enthusiastic about Shooting Kabul as 6th graders, 7th graders, and 8th graders read it together. Lesson plans revolved around the award winning novel. There was a photography contest for 8th graders, inspired by Shooting Kabul. When English classes met together every period to discuss how the Pillars of Character relate to events in Shooting Kabul, everyone was impressed by how one book can affect the school. Most sensationally, Mrs.Stevens, our awesome librarian, invited author Naheed Senzai, to speak with us for an entire day! During her time with us, Mrs. Senzai discussed how Shooting Kabul came to be: being inspired by her husband’s story, incorporating characters fashioned after people around her, ceaselessly researching life in the Middle East versus life here. Mrs. Senzai also answered the burning questions from audience members, explaining the tedious journey to publish a book and tips for aspiring and budding writers. In summary, everybody learned something new from the analysis of  Shooting Kabul.

Global Relief Outreach, our home grown charity organization, recently provided $1250 to Shelter Inc., a local homeless shelter.  GRO's vision is to have students recognize and then act on the needs of both the local and the international community.  Shelter Inc. is just one of the many worthy organizations that GRO helps to support.

GOT ORGANIZATION????

Is your child’s Backpack or Binder unorganized? Has your child forgotten to turn in completed homework? We at Binder Hospital can help your child to get organized. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Mr. Connolly's lunchtime Journalism Club has written and produced their first issue of the Wildcat Gazette, a periodic look at the happenings on and about campus.  You can find a link to it on the right side of this homepage.

We are pleased to announce that after several years of planning and preparation, our Stanley PTA has voted to move ahead with supporting Stanley’s Outdoor Learning Quad. This is an area in front of the Stanley Library that has been unused for many years, and will now become a place where teachers and students can work in a welcoming, outdoor environment. This project was developed through a collaboration of our Stanley staff, District leadership, student leadership team, and community partners.  We are in the early stages of a multi-stage process toward its completion.  For a visual of the OLQ plan, check HERE .

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