Kelvyn Park Students Visit New Trier Homes

On Saturday, we welcomed students from Kelvyn Park High School into our homes for an early lunch. Thanks to the families who hosted! Afterward, we headed back to New Trier for a lengthy discussion of our next steps. Special thanks to State Senator Daniel Biss (D) for taking so much time to listen and then offer practical advice. Here was our planned agenda:

• 10:00 - Meet at NTHS and board buses to family homes 
• 10:30 - Lunch/brunch at family homes 
• 12:00 - Pick up from family homes and return to NTHS 
• 12:30 - Reflection on morning at family homes
• 1:00 - Peace circle with students & local legislators on school funding, standardized testing, and lessons from the Metro Community Project
• 2:00 - Senator Biss shares political action strategies for changing school funding and standardized testing
• 2:30 - Student consensus process on metro community action issue
• 2:55 - Closing reflection: word or phrase that describes today 
• 3:00 - Departure 

Selected photos from the day:

@nthsservice Thank you so much for including me -- it was a very inspiring afternoon!

— Daniel Biss (@danielbiss) March 17, 2013

Welcome, Susan Grant!

Ms. Grant is a Class of 1972 graduate of New Trier High School, who as a young woman was heavily involved with Social Service. She came to our school to speak to the young women leaders of both Social Service Board and Girls' Club.

Today, Grant is Executive Vice President of CNN News Services, with oversight of the global news organization’s digital and affiliate businesses. Under Grant, CNN Digital has become the Internet’s leading news destination across multiple online and mobile platforms. She is a member of the board of Heifer International, a leading anti-hunger charity, and on the board of trustees for the Morehouse School of Medicine.

Susan Grant at the EPI Center in Winnetka

Hands of Peace

Jim Matsuda of Hands of Peace

Two engaging speakers, student Jason Schwartz and adult sponsor Jim Tatsuda came to present about their non-political interfaith program, "Hands of Peace". This group brings together Palestinian, Israeli, and American teens for two weeks each summer.

The group is based in Glenview, Illinois. The 2013 Program is scheduled for July 5th through July 22nd for a cost of $900, but scholarships are available.

Winter Carnival!

Thanks to everyone that was able to volunteer. The kids had a great time and we collected quite a few tickets!