Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Glogs for National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Check out our National Hispanic Heritage Month Glogs! If you need inspiration to help your community, write history, create awareness, break stereotypes, create new expectations, or become a role model for others, take a look at these famous Hispanics from our past and present!

Introducing....
Artists:

Salvador Dali by Yesenia and Salvador Dali by Jose

Picasso by Baruc

Musicians:

Ricky Martin by Francisco

Shikira by Cinthya

Joan Baez by Zamantha

Selena by Alex and Selena by Stefani

Activists:

Sonia Sotomayor by Ashley P

Julia Alvarez by Yolanda V

Athletes:

Nancy Lopez by Nancy

Oscar de la Hoya
by Carlos

Actor:

George Lopez by Marco

Writers:

Julia Alverez by Yolanda

Gary Soto by Juan

Parent Night Acknowledgments:

This year, the 8th grade students have studied ancient cultures from Mexico and South America. Our 6th and 7th graders have studied Hispanic leaders from our past and present. We've also read current events articles about the current state of Latinos in America. And, we've discussed the possibilities that exist in Jackson. A study of heroes is always interesting, but it isn't until we apply those same characteristics to ourselves and the people around us that we find inspiration and motivation. To only study heroes is to place success "out there". Our goal is to help our students recognize not only the powerful people who have paved the way, but the people, YOU - their parents, who continue to show them the way. If we do that, we can help our students tap into their inner resources to insure they find their way.


Our students would like to acknowledgement YOU:


Stefani: My mom is my role model because she is a hard worker. She’s awesome.

My dad raises my expectation of my future because he says that everyone can reach high goals – especially if you are Latino.


Nancy: My parents are my role models because they inspire me to study and be a good student.


Cinthya: My mom is my role model because she inspires me to not give up on my goals.


Francisco: My mom inspires me because she tells me, “Don’t give up!”


Zamantha: My parents are creating new expectations because they expect more of me. They don’t want me to get C’s, they want me to have all A’s. They encourage me to study for tests and not watch a lot of TV. My parents say, “Don’t give up! If you get good grades, you’ll get a good job!”


Marco: My mom is awesome. She broke down stereotypes by not dropping out of school. She went to college and became a hairdresser. After all these years, she bought a salon just across the street from K-mart. Her success inspires me.


Alex: My mom is my role model because she inspires me to help my sister on her homework and to help everyone. I feel proud when I help others. My dad inspires me to work hard and not goof off.


Danicia: My parents are my role models because they both have their own companies. They are the bosses. Instead of taking advantage of the fact they are the boss, they are not lazy, they wake up early and go to work just like their employees do. They inspire others.


Carlos: My dad is my role model because he shows me how to do construction. He doesn’t give up, so I won’t either. My mom helps our community by volunteering for the PTA. She makes our schools better. She sold pumpkins in the pumpkin sale. I’m proud of my parents.


Maria: My familty – in different ways – inspire me to not give up on my dreams. My brother is working and working hard in school. My sister tells me, “Don’t drop out, you’ll get a better job. You will be able to be a doctor or teacher.” My dad shares about his past and this makes me feel good about my life. He tells me, “Try to improve so you can learn more.” My mom tells me, “Look forward!” My family inspires because they believe in me.


Juan: Instead of being shy and not working, my mom is not a bit nervous. I have discovered that she wants to learn many things: English and cooking. She is a lifelong learner. My dad has been in Jackson for 11 years. He has two jobs, which is a big responsibility. He never gives up. He is smart and always active. They inspire me to be the same.


Yolanda: My dad helped the community when he was a police office in Mexico. He protects other people, which is why he is overprotective of me. I will always be his little girl – though it wouldn’t hurt if he realized I was 13 years old! My parents are my heroes. They make me feel better. When they encourage me, they make me feel like I am on top of the world. They once said, “Never give up. Always follow your dreams! No matter what, we will always be here for you.” I love them.


Ashley P: My dad helps our community by building homes in a lot of places. My dad works with many different people. He is fun and sometimes he buys us what we want. My mom is a role model because she shows me how to cook and encourages me to finish school. I want to finish high school and go to the University in Mexico. My parents believe in me.


Nidiyare: My mom and dad create new expectations because when they come to conferences, they expect a lot from me. They have high expectations for me all the time. My mom is my role model because she helps my family in everything, and she brings in money, so we live better. My dad is also my role model because he supports my family.


Alejandra: My mom is inspirational to me because she buys me new books at the book fair. I am proud of myself for reading Emako Blue. I discovered that some books are not boring and I now know that I want to read more books like that one. My mom supports me because she believes I am a reader and buys me books. Reading more will make my future brighter.


Adalid: My mom is my role model because she always tells me, “Do your best.” She also gives me advice. She believes in me and helps me to be a good student, so I can go to college.


Emmanuel: My mom and dad inspire me; they want me to graduate from college, so I can have a better and easier life than they did. They don’t want me to suffer like they did when they were children and even now when they try to find work. They want me to speak English, learn other languages, and work hard in school so that I can graduate and have a great job.


Yair: My mom and dad are my role models because they have high expectations about my grades. They give me prizes and rewards when I get good grades. They always tell me to do my best. They keep me motivated!


Janet: My parents are my role models because they are hard working. My mom inspires me to move forward. She reminds me to try hard and never give up. I did that this year in volleyball, and I succeeded.


Aridai: I am proud of my parents because they have worked hard to bring us to the USA and to keep moving forward. They have patience with us. My mom and dad care about us. They are good parents for my brothers, sisters, and me. I know it is hard for them to keep working so hard, but they have us to help them. I thank God for the wonderful parents he has given to me, for all he has given to me.


Jassiel: My friends inspire me because they are funny and make me laugh a lot.


Axel: I am breaking stereotypes by getting good grades! My mom and dad help the community by recycling. My parents inspire me by supporting my love of music. They buy me guitars and bases and amps. They help me a lot when I have a show. My mom says, “You can do it!” and my dad taught me how to sing. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for supporting me and introducing me to music. Music is my life.



It is important that we work together to avoid some of the unnerving statistics that face our children. Across our nation, 50% of Latino Students drop out of high school… However, Jackson is a special place. This statistic doesn’t have to be real here. There are resources - both human and financial - that can help make this true. But we also have to work together to be sure the resources aren't lost.


Yolanda and Juan's response to this article and its statistics:


Yolanda: "I never realized that so many Hispanics drop out, and the effect this has on their futures. I want to go to college and have success in my future. I now know that if you drop out of high school, you completely change your future. I want my parents to know that I can succeed. I want my mom to know that she is right; my education is very important. I would like to thank my parent for pushing me toward my future goals.


I discovered that this year I'm getting better grades. I know it is because English is getting easier, but I'm working harder. I can't believe it's my choice to decide what my grades - and my future - will be. I now want to focus on my education. I never realized I have that power.

When I learned that my brother was struggling in kindergarten, I decided I would read to him more. This will help him learn more and more. I discovered that my brother is confused by English and Spanish...it's not about what he is learning. I now know that I can and will help my brother succeed. I want to be a good example for my brother. I want a good future so that one day I'll be my brother's role model. I am going to go to college."


Juan: "I learned that if we want to have a college degree, we can because we live in an awesome town." Let's work together to make sure our kids get to choose their future. Let's work together to get them through high school and into college. We can do it, we just need to work together.