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February 2, 2024
Dear Hastings Families and Staff:
The second day of Black History Month…Poetry for Us…a re-release of a major announcement. They all connect. Read on.
Black History Month – A Sharing of Writers
On the second day of Black History Month, my muse is Kwame Alexander, internationally acclaimed writer of poetry and children’s fiction. Starting with Mr. Alexander, several times this month I will share African American authors, who I have found especially inspirational. In turn, I would appreciate hearing from readers (students, faculty and families) about inspiring African American authors.
Mr. Alexander engages and challenges the young and old with his beautiful, rhythmic, flowing prose, sparking emotions, thought and ultimately knowledge. A poignant example, perfect for the start of Black History Month in a school district, is his reading of The Undefeated (2019), a Caldecott Medal Book described as “a love letter to Black life in the United States…highlighting the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes” (American Defamation League).
Please take a moment to watch Mr. Alexander read The Undefeated to a group of school children.
Third Annual Hastings Poetry Challenge
With a nod to Mr. Alexander, I am announcing the Third Annual Hastings Poetry Challenge. I am once again challenging Hastings students and staff to share their poems for public consumption. Poetry is a powerful form of expression. Let’s see if Hastings can use poetry for Us. (Recall the final word in The Undefeated.)
Last year’s Poetry Challenge resulted in nearly 30 poems from middle and high school students, which we shared in a digital compendium. (In Spring 2022, six poems were submitted.) Each year, the poems ranged in topic, style, message and imagery–as is poetry’s want. With more advance notice, and inspiration from the likes of Kwame Alexander, I believe even more students and staff will submit poems for the Spring 2024 compendium.
Short poems written by students or staff should be submitted by Friday, March 15. Please send your poems electronically to me (mckersiew@hohschools.org) and Melissa DeLaBarrera (delabarreram@hohschools.org). We will share them in a digital format during National Poetry Month (April 2024).
Hastings, write early, often and freely. Write on!
Redux: Announcement of the New HHS Principal
On Tuesday evening, I announced the exciting news that Mr. Andrew (Andy) Clayman has been appointed as the new HHS principal, effective July 1, 2024, following Mr. Lou Adipietro’s retirement. Please take a moment to review the announcement, which Mr. Clayman has updated with two photos. A large number of students and faculty have stopped me since Tuesday to express enthusiasm for Mr. Clayman’s appointment. Over the next two months, Mr. Clayman will be on campus to begin to introduce himself through meetings with small groups of students, faculty and families.
Have a good weekend.
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