HOPE Students Celebrate the Heroes Around Them By Heather O’Mara
Learn. Achieve. Graduate.
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he Heroes Celebration is an important event – one that is a highlight for the students and staff of HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-op. Each year, elementary students in grades 3-5 write essays to honor the heroes around them—at home, school and throughout their community. Each Learning Center selects a representative, and the students present their essays to their heroes at the celebration. “This is an incredibly fun and sometimes very emotional event,” said Dr. Janet Filbin, HOPE’s Director of Student Achievement. “All the stories are wonderful.” The Hero Celebration is the brainchild of Filbin, who started the event five years ago. She wanted students to consider and connect with positive influences in their lives. “The people who our children look up to are the people they will model their lives after, so it is incredibly important that they focus on those powerful influences,” she explained.
HOPE parents were very popular subjects, illustrating the importance of the connection between school and home. HOPE at New Heights Academy fifth grader Omar also praised his parents’ sacrifices and hard work in raising him. “My dad works so hard to support us. And my mom is always cleaning up after us. Trust me, she works hard,” he said with a smile. Some students chose to write about historical figures, celebrating the accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony and Nelson Mandela, among others. One student even drew the comparison between Martin Luther King Jr. and her own father, who is also a preacher and a “good man.”
Hope at Hillcrest student Dawnielle
Natalie, with mom and mentor Glory Schutz
A Free Public School Proven to Help Students Succeed HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op provides k-12 students with: s )NDIVIDUALIZED #URRICULA THAT MEETS OR EXCEEDS STATE CONTENT STANDARDS s )NSTRUCTION FROM HIGHLY QUALIlED TEACHERS AND FACE TO FACE -ENTOR SUPPORT AT AUTHORIZED COMMUNITY BASED ,EARNING #ENTERS s ,EARNING #ENTERS LOCATED THROUGHOUT #OLORADO
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Natalie, a HOPE fifth grader from Redeemer Learning Center looked to the past, noting the important achievements of Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King, Jr. And while she realizes that the sacrifices these heroes made have helped make the world a better place, the person she most admires is her own mother. “My parents are divorced, so she does so much for us,” Natalie explained. “She works and takes care of my sister with special needs, but she still finds the time to volunteer at school and help me with my homework.” Turning to her mother, Natalie expressed her deep gratitude and appreciation: “Your compassion, patience and strength inspire me. Thanks for being my rock and lifting me up. Thank you for exploring the world and life’s milestones with me.”
Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – June 2014
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For Hope at Hillcrest third grader Dawnielle, the person who had the biggest impact on her life was education-related—and fictional. She chose to celebrate Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus book series, not only because she makes learning exciting and fun, but also because she never discriminates based on age, gender or race. “All students have an equal ability to learn,” she explained. “Ms. Frizzle takes the responsibility to find the best approach to teaching and makes it interesting. That is why she is my hero.” HOPE’s staff is proud of all of its students and thankful to the heroes who support them day in and day out. It is these influential role models who empower HOPE students to realize their own potential to change in the world. Editor’s note: For further information on HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op, call (720) 402-3000 or email info@HOPEonline.org. Heather O’Mara is Founder and CEO of HOPE Online Learning Academy Co-Op.