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Slideshow features photos from the 2006 R&B Graduation

Roots and Blossoms

We are happy to announce that hawkwing was approved for its fourth year of funding under the Drug Free Communities Program. The oversight of the grant was changed to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration in collaboration with the Office of National Drug Control Policy.  It required a competitive re-application process.  Sixty-three of the grants were not renewed and another 88 placed on probation. So, we were both relieved and happy that we were awarded the grant again this year. 

The program offers unique, cutting edge prevention that creates meaningful community service opportunities in which youth realize their own power to make a difference in the world.  We are helping adolescents see that the decisions they make today will have a direct impact on their goals for tomorrow.  The students’ service project focuses on them leading a school and community coalition effort to raise funds and items for the Give Away on Cheyenne River. 

Through their community service efforts they see the importance of social justice and their part in it.  Also, by preparing, implementing and completing a plan, they see the link between their personal decision-making and making healthy choices for themselves, so they can succeed in fulfilling their dreams.

Currently we have two participating towns: South Windsor (Timothy Edwards Middle School) and Bolton (Bolton Center School) with a total of about 2000 students.  This year each school celebrated a success with their community service efforts doing better than ever!

This was the second Give Away that South Windsor students participated in. The Leo Club, a student group, led the drive with the help of advisor Dr. Nancy Hayes and Principal Jan Tirinzoni.  They worked with homerooms to collect items. The Leo Club even packed, sorted and counted it all!  Additionally, one team hosted a bake sale and bought many board games with the proceeds, while another team hosted a movie night raising nearly $500 for the Beds for Elders drive. 

Bolton, our original participating town, is now in its sixth year of leading school/community partnerships for the Give Away!  This year they collected over 1000 new clothing items and held a cash drive for the Beds for Elders effort. The entire Bolton community anticipates the drive each year – both in the spring and at the holidays – they are outstanding in their efforts.

While, both schools participate in the basic trainings through the grant, there is an exciting expansion plan happening in Bolton.  After Year One, fifth graders wanted to stay engaged in the project. We developed a special curriculum for the second year of the grant: How to become a storyteller.  Twelve sixth graders were selected to work with Rochelle, School Counselor, Susan Stillman, and parent volunteer, Linda Armstrong, to become storytellers.  These students visited each class storytelling and promoting the Give Away.

The new class was such a success that we are continuing the sixth grade expansion and adding a new component for the seventh grade: Social Justice on the Medicine Wheel.  First year students, now in their third year, will select, research and propose a solution to a social justice issue.  This will tie together their work on behalf of the children of Cheyenne River and themselves, leaving them with a greater sense of empowerment and the understanding that they have the ability to make a meaningful difference in the world.