Nora Actions Speak Loud
Environmental Science Grass Population Lab w/ quadrats
Dear Friends,
Today felt like an excellent reflection of Nora’s mission in practice!
Our ASL classes took the afternoon to tour Gallaudet University and develop more understanding of deaf culture. They will end the day at the deaf-owned restaurant, Mozzeria, to order by signing and eat dinner together with the deaf and hearing community.
We hosted guests from Bowie State University who are studying the business and benefits of solar power. Our solar plan includes working in partnership with the Montgomery County Green Bank and Solar Power Energy services. This community supported plan is a model for non-profit organizations to bring solar power to their buildings. These students came to Nora to learn more about how these programs work.
We had a fantastic guest speaker in Calculus class who brought to life the contentious history of calculus and how it came into practice through the brilliant minds of Newton and Liebniz in the 17th Century.
We filled in for Roberto who is away at a World Languages Conference in Chicago, learning and developing his skills as an educator.
And the rest of us continued forward in our classwork and lessons.
Each part of the day reflected our purpose of intellectual engagement inside and outside the classroom, our connection to the wider community, and our development as life long learners. I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing community committed to such important work.
We have been talking about, reflecting, and creating pieces that share our gratitude in Morning Meeting and in advisory. Yesterday students designed messages and images for our Gratitude Wall which is a part of Thanksgiving Reunion activities on Wednesday. (Please remember to bring in your food items for the party on or before Wednesday!) On Wednesday we will ask our guests to add to our Gratitude Wall. Gratitude is the active acknowledgment of the goodness in one’s life: People and things that we appreciate, ways we offer and receive approval, considering the reasons behind those we admire, paying attention to these beautiful moments.
This is the last newsletter until December 1. I wish all of you a beautiful Thanksgiving, and please remember that November 24 is Native American Heritage Day. This day is meant to provide a concentrated moment to honor and recognize the contributions of indigenous peoples.
Peace,
Mara