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Peace Week at Pathways-Northwood
February 10-14 was "Peace Week" in Prince George's County Public Schools. Schools throughout the county were asked to sponsor events that cultivated and encouraged peace among students and fostered safe learning environments. The Pathways School-Northwood, in Beltsville, responded with enthusiasm and creativity. Each day of the week had its own theme and color, which students could choose to wear: red for "Stop the Violence", blue for "Peace", gray for "Friendship", and white for "New Beginnings". Hallway posters highlighted the themes.
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| | Hallway poster at Northwood |
Meanwhile, the students designed projects with the week's themes in mind. One student researched qualities of being a good friend. On Friendship Day, the students received a questionnaire which listed the top 15 qualities, based on the research. Students checked off the qualities they felt they possessed and selected one that they felt was their best quality. Among the traits chosen most were being an honest person and being a fun person.
Another student researched quotes related to each theme. She made and laminated a wallet sized card relating to the theme for each day and distributed them to every student as a handy reminder to carry with them.
One outcome of Peace Week at Northwood was the launching of the school's Random Acts of Kindness Program. Each student and staff has a nomination form on which to recognize someone for acts of goodwill, kindness, and courtesy. Each nominee will be acknowledged publicly, and periodically one of the nominees will be chosen at random to receive a prize.
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Behind the Scenes, Ahead in Career
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Micheal at a theater tech sound workshop
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With the encouragement of his Pathways teachers and therapist, Pathways-DuVal senior Micheal Cager applied for and was accepted into the Theater Tech Program at Joe's Movement Emporium, a theater and community arts center in Mount Rainier. Now he spends 10 hours each week actively learning the ins and outs of theater tech and stagecraft. As part of Joe's Theater Tech Program, Micheal receives paid training and hands-on experience in lights and sound, as well as front of house operations. The program offers college exploration, academic tutoring and supports, and life and job skills coaching. Micheal spends time assisting the sound and light technicians at Joe's. Last week he worked the sound booth for an R & B concert show featuring five performing artists. Micheal loves learning about theater and realizes that the work experience will benefit him in whatever career he chooses. Currently, he is thinking about nursing or social work. He has applied to Bowie State and Prince George's Community College.
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