Notes from Principal Simmons: Poems in Pockets, Citizenship, Hedge Awards and More PARP

National "Poem in Your Pocket Day"

Back by popular demand, Stonehedge once again celebrated National Poem in Your Pocket Day. This celebration of poetry began in New York City in 2002, as a way to celebrate April as National Poetry Month. It went nation-wide in 2009, when it was officially adopted by the Academy of American Poets.

On this day, all over the country, poetry is pulled from pockets, unfolded and shared in libraries, bookstores, schools and workplaces in an effort to remind people of the joys of poetry.

Students and staff here at Stonehedge were encouraged to carry a poem in their pocket and when asked, share it!

Words of encouragement and sometimes even small prizes were awarded to anyone who could produce and read their poem. This resulted in a fun-filled day of poem sharing; adults and children reading to each other in all configurations.

Thank you to all involved and especially to Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. Graser, and Mrs. Eichhorn for organizing the event.

Citizenship is Not Passive

Last Friday, we held our character education assembly for the month. Thank you to Miss Dusart's, Mrs. Carrington's, and Mrs. Prosser's students for leading our discussion about citizenship. Students noted things we can do to be good citizens.

Citizenship is not passive. Citizenship demands participation, involvement and contributions. Good citizens go beyond their own interests, demonstrate a concern for others and recognize their obligations to home, school, neighborhood, country and world. No one makes a difference without being involved! Ask your child how they might want to be involved.