Earlier this year PHS Reading Intervention Teacher, Savannah Abbott, began incorporating the book The Freedom Writers Diary (which was made into a movie starring Hillary Swank) into her lessons.
The book features diary entries written by high school students in Long Beach, California, detailing their struggles on the streets, at home and in school. In 1994, these students got a new English teacher, Erin Gruwell, their freshman year, and she turned their lives around. The students all went on to graduate high school and advance their lives and careers — something they never considered a real possibility before meeting Ms. Gruwell.
Ms. Abbott states, “the diary provides great lessons both for life and academia. In light of this, PHS English teachers have incorporated the Freedom Writers into their lessons in some fashion — and the result has been so exciting. Kids learn in an entirely different way when the content relates to their lives. ”
Abbott continues, “now professional adults, several of the Freedom Writer students contribute to the Freedom Writers Outreach Program, visiting high schools to speak to students who are experiencing similar obstacles. After much planning, our campus has secured a Freedom Writer to come speak to PHS — an enormous opportunity for our students, whether they are rich or poor, gifted or challenged. Our students understand that in order for us to bring Narada Comans to campus, they will have to work to raise the money for his expenses, for we do not have funds available for the event. The kids are so, so excited about this and are prepared to work to get him here.”
As a fundraiser, Paris High students are selling tickets for a chance to win a $150 Walmart gift card. Each ticket is $2. (If someone can’t find a PHS student and would like a ticket, just have them email me at schristian@parisisd.net!)
They are also be hosting a step show in the PJH auditorium on April 2 at 6 p.m. Several collegiate step groups will be performing as well as local groups. Tickets will be $4 at the door, and the drawing for the Walmart gift card will be done during intermission. Winner does NOT have to be present.
For a better look into the impact of this event, click on the link to the clip in which Narada’s character reads his diary entry in the movie.
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f8liieRepk
For more information on the Freedom Writers Foundation visit www.freedomwritersfoundation.org.