One of the things we hope to do at Prairie Creek and in the Herons is to create students (and citizens) who are able to step up to the plate and get things done. They go beyond completing the tasks we set before them and ask, "What next?" or, even better, "How about if we…"
A few recent examples really struck me as worthy of a mention here. Jeremy and Levi wrote a proposal to revive student council. Years ago, Megan Durkin (and then me, briefly) ran a student council at Prairie Creek. Jeremy and Levi remembered being a part of it and wanted to make it happen again. The staff agreed to their written proposal and they've met for the past four Fridays (with new representatives joining the council every two weeks). The first event, "Secret Service Day" was on March 17th. Everyone in the school tried to find something kind to do and then did it secretly, without expecting recognition. The next event, "Pajama Day," will happen the Thursday after spring break (the last I heard). Jeremy and Levi run the meetings using a very modified parliamentary procedure and it is very much their project. Nancy Dennis and I sit in on meetings to support them but, generally, that just means writing things on the white board.
For a share a week ago, Cully talked about the Amur Leopard and the fact that there are only 30 wild Amur Leopards left in the world. He was very concerned about this and wanted to collect money to aid in their conservation. His classmates were moved by his share and volunteered to stay in for recess and make posters. Cully found a jar and labeled it "Save the Leopards." At last count, over 15 dollars had been raised. (I also found one of those "Goal Thermometers" like the one in Bridge Square during the United Way Drive. Its numbers rose to $1200 with the first few millimeters dutifully colored in). Beyond giving permission to skip recess, I had nothing to do with the project. It was (and continues to be) theirs. (Contributions can be sent in with your Heron, by the way).
These are just two examples. Watching students discover their agency is something I love about teaching fourth and fifth graders. They've learned they're ready to make the world a better place. –mm
The Rookery 
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