From Evernote:

Recorded message for students feb 29

 

Same Blog, New Location

As of April 15, 2009 I have moved the Principal Sciarretta's Corner blog to a new location.  I did this in order to continue to improve the blog for its readers and to give me more control over the layout.  

About 18 months of posts and photos remained intact in the transfer process; some videos look like they vanished along the way.

Thanks for your patience in this changeover.  I hope you will bookmark and subscribe to the new blog.

If you could ask for anything, what would it be?

Click here for a satellite image of the Zona 3 garbage dump in Guatemala City.

During my recent trip to Guatemala, I heard a story that stays with me as I unwind and reflect during Spring Break. A Safe Passage staff member was meeting with a group of students in the Guatemala City program and posed the following question: "If you could ask us for anything, what would it be?" Considering the harsh realities in which these children live, the staff member might have anticipated answers ranging from "a large television" to "a car" or "a stereo" or other material items. Answers like these would be entirely understandable given these children's lives. The staff member was not prepared, however, when the overwhelming answer was "one hygiene bag per month (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc."

In the course of a week of presenting photos and stories of my trip to various AEACMS classes, I started each session with this question: "If you could ask the school for anything, what would you ask for?" I designed the exercise not to cause students to feel guilty about listing expensive material items, but rather to highlight the fact that needs and wants are relative, and vary wildly depending on circumstance. I thought this would provide a productive springboard into discussions related to the Guatemala City garbage dump and the guajeros.

I was unprepared for the answers: "I would ask for some scholarship money to help with college." "One thousand dollars to donate to charity." "An apartment in a safer neighborhood."

One middle school class even wrote unsolicited reflections (excerpts below):

I learned that in Guatemala there are major problems with people living off the dump and we should be grateful we live in America.

It made me think that I'm very lucky because I have everything and those kids don't even have nice houses to go to and relax. So I'm thankful for everything I have and thankful that my parents have a job that pays them well. I would really love to go and help them. I would do anything for those kids.

I really liked the Powerpoint presentation he showed us about his trip to Guatemala. It was a really good thing for him to go see and help some people and talk to those kids who haven't ever seen anything beautiful in their lives.

When I get older I wish I could go around the world and see the different things. That presentation made me really grateful for what I have.

I really liked the video because my mom is from Guatemala and I hope in the future that Guatemala does change and I know now how my mom lived.

The lesson I take from this experience is that I must never create assumptions and will not underestimate our youth's capacity for selflessness and meaningful reflection.

PS--click here for information about an upcoming film on the Guatemala City garbage dump

"Field of Dreams" Groundbreaking

St. Patrick's Day was last month, but you would never have known it by the profusion of green on campus last Friday, April 3.  On the last school day before a well-deserved Spring Break, the color green symbolized the groundbreaking for the 'Field of Dreams' project.  By the time everyone returns from vacation on April 20, the dirt 'field' will have been transformed into a grass playing field for all to enjoy.  We will all have to exercise restraint for a few weeks and stay off the field, as the sod cannot tolerate foot traffic until the roots are firmly established.

This exciting project comes to fruition as a result of the dreams, hard work, and financial contributions of many people, among them Luci Fowers, May Harris, David McCullough, Friends of AEA, and every parent, student, faculty and staff member who contributed of their time, money, and ideas to meet the demands of this project.  As with most projects, this one has its standard-bearer, one who shepherds the vision and never gives in to the naysayers and the red tape: Stephanie Jennings.  Without her perseverance the groundbreaking and subsequent installation would not have taken place.

Stay tuned for a ribbon-cutting ceremony once the field is ready for use.

German Consul Lars Leymann Visits AEA

AEA was honored to host a visit from German Consul Lars Leymann on April 1, 2009.  Accompanied by Frank Muller, German Language Consultant of the German Department of Programs Abroad and AEA Board of Trustees member,  Consul Leymann was on campus to recognize AEA for its commitment to promoting the German language and culture in the US.  Our honored guests presented AEA principals Vaughn and Sciarretta with a plaque welcoming the Academies as a new member of the partner school initiative Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH).  Also participating in the presentation were AEA Board of Trustees member William Melton, AEA School Site Council President Maria Ortega, and AEA German language coordinators Birgit Schafer and Sonja Goehler.


For more information visit the German consulate in Los Angeles.

Guatemala Video Clips

Here is a video clip I took on our first day of the trip, overlooking the Guatemala City dump:

Ever wondered what it's like to run down the side of a volcano?  Check out this clip from our hike up Pacaya, near Guatemala City:

Here are some photos from our walking tour of Antigua, Guatemala from Thursday, March 25