By Kia Chatmon | Development Officer
Hello from Concerned Black Men!
In December, our SLAM students completed a life skills series on bullying and character development. Led by social work student intern, Tonisha Ashe, students discussed the definition of bullying, and its impact. Activities used included role playing, so students could demonstrate critical thinking skills about what to do when they are victims of bullying, or witness the act of bullying. They worked together to develop better alternatives. All SLAM students committed to this effort by signing “A Bullying Prevention Pledge.”
Our education partner, Club Scientific taught students about weather by turning our cafeteria into a Winter Wonderland, and students created a snow blizzard indoors! For fun, we joined Frosty the Snowman on our trip to ICE at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. The children experienced a colorful frozen retelling of this Christmas classic, and watched as their favorite scenes came to life in more than two million pounds of hand carved ice sculptures, including two–story tall ice slides. They had a ball!
The 5th Annual SLAM Holiday Pajama Jam and Dinner was a delightful way to show our appreciation to our students and parents as we embarked upon a New Year. Activity stations were created featuring holiday karaoke, blindfolded tree decorating, digital storytelling, and holiday hat design. Staff distributed hats, gloves and scarves to all of our families.
In January, SLAM kicked off 2015 by making its winter activities even more awesome!
The SLAM Random Acts of Kindness Club partnered with the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL). As part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, students made toys, blankets and treats to donate to the WARL. Children will continue to work with the center for the remainder of the school year, and will stay connected to their favorite animals via WARL's webcam.
Participants also enjoyed an excursion to the KID International Discovery Museum in Bethesda, Maryland. While there, students became detectives and inventors, using a wide range of materials, tools and technologies. They built circuits, drew robots, designed and printed 3-D objects and learned game design. The museum’s mission is to inspire the next generation to invent the future with imagination, resourcefulness and compassion, and our SLAM students were inspired!
In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, our Culinary Scientists worked with Healthy Living, Inc. to create healthier adaptations of Dr. King's favorite foods by making breaded seitan, kale salad and apple oatmeal turnovers.
Finally, our resident book club, The Library Remix Crew, completed the latest “Diary of a Wimpy Kid Long Haul” book series with a reading and launch party.
On behalf of the students and families served by our SLAM program, I want to thank you again for all of your support.
We look forward to sharing more of our adventures with you in the coming months.
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