Notes from The Max

2011 Max Warburg Fellows

The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum is proud to announce the 2011 Max Warburg Fellows.

From more than 2,500 submitted essays, our volunteer judges chose 45 students from 32 schools in Boston and the surrounding communities as this year's Fellows. These 45 students have their courage essay published in our 20th anniversary volume of The Max's signature publication, The Courage of Boston's Children.

The Max Warburg Fellows will also be honored at our annual awards luncheon today, held at Northeastern University, where the Courage Curriculum is in residence and a proud partner of the Stony Brook Initiative. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, Courage Curriculum Founder and President Stephanie Warburg, leadership from Northeastern University and other special guest speakers will be on hand to congratulate the Fellows.

During the past 20 years, more than 700 children have been honored as Max Warburg Fellows and thousands more have discovered their own capacity for courage by participating in our programs. The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum is proud to celebrate the courage of Boston's children - past, present and future.

A Month for Learning

Most people think of September are the "back to school" month, but there's a lot more that goes on as well. First and foremost, September is National Literacy Month, with the United Nation's International Literacy Day celebrated on September 8th.

The month-long celebration of literacy gives people the chance to call attention to and embrace the vital importance of literacy in our lives. Schools, libraries and literacy organizations across the country will host a variety of events, all designed to highlight the essential skills (the ability to read, write and speak in English) needed for success. The National Institute for Literacy has created a National Literacy Directory, which lets anyone search for literacy and education programs in their local area. As part of National Literacy Month, the Library of Congress will host the National Book Festival on September 25th on the National Mall.

September is also Library Card Sign-Up Month. Hosted by the American Library Association and celebrated by libraries across the country, Library Card Sign-Up month is the perfect time to teach children about the wonders of a library and all of the information a library card can help unleash. Best of all, library cards - and the books you can obtain with one - are free, which is something everyone can get excited about. For more information about library cards, visit the ALA's website or your local library (Bostonians can visit the BPL here). 

Whatever and however you choose to celebrate in September, it is definitely a month for learning. 

[Looking for "back to school" book suggestions? Check out The Max's post from last year.]

Their America, 2010

On Friday June 18th, about 30 ninth-grade students at the Jeremiah Burke High School in Dorchester presented their final projects from The Courage of My Convictions program to their teachers, fellow classmates and friends from The Max. These students, led by teacher Caitlin McGrail, read from essays they had written about their America, following the example of LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman from one of the 9th grade anchor texts, Our America.

Similar to the students who presented last year, the students were asked to take a "long and hard look at their communities," describing in detail the sights, smells, sounds and feel of their homes, neighborhoods, towns and cities. Once again, we were honored to hear stories about Boston's neighborhoods that were honest, realistic, heartfelt, moving and hopeful. Some students also prepared additional components, ranging from maps, posters and photo collages of their homes to Power Point presentations, complete with music and animation.

In the coming weeks, we hope to be able to share excerpts from these essays with you on this blog, as we did last year. We provided the students with stenographers' notebooks and pencils, to encourage them to continue to observe and write about the world around them, to be reporters for their America, just like LeAlan and Lloyd.

"On even the darkest days in our beloved Boston, you remind me that there is hope for a brighter tomorrow. These texts have ignited an academic spark in all of you that I have have created a generation of young citizens who are aware of your ability to have a voice in your community. Thank you for your courage in sharing your America."

-Ms. McGail's letter to her 2010 ELA 9 students, in the preface to their collection of essays and poems

Summer Reading

As the school year winds down and the official start of the season just a week away, here are a few of the summer reading resources available from various nonprofit organizations, school districts and library systems, to help you make the most of the next three months.

Scholastic offers a free, web-based reading program designed to help parents and educators find the best books for their children and students. With guidelines for parents and educators, readers are sure to find a book that's right for them. Students can also help reach a world recording for summer reading. By signing up and logging the number of minutes they read, they can help Scholastic attempt to set a new world record.

The Horn Book, a premiere publication for children's literature, has released its own list of reading suggestions for the summer. This list is divided by reading/age group, helping parents and educators find grade-level appropriate books for young readers. 

Each year, the American Library Association releases its Notable Children's Books list, which distinguishes the best of the best in children's literature and includes the winners of the Newbery Medal, the Caldecott Medal and the Printz Award.

In Massachusetts, the MA Regional Library Systems have come together to create the MA summer reading program found at nearly every local library. This year, the theme for the statewide reading program is the environment, with the slogan "Go Green at Your Library." The program encourages students to "think green" as they read throughout the summer. For ideas on what to read, the MRLS has created its own summer reading suggestions.

The Boston Public Library is participating in the "Go Green" campaign and has just opened up registration for Boston youth. The BPL has partnered with Boston Public Schools to create reading lists  for grades 6-8 and grades 9-12 (as well as a helpful World Cup reading list, for those soccer/football fans). The BPL will also offer a range of activities and events at the main library and its branches throughout the summer, while BPS has information on summer learning camps, summer jobs and volunteer opportunities, all designed to keep kids occupied and entertained during the summer months. 

Reading might even get you to Fenway Park! The BPL, in connection with the Red Sox Foundation and Bank of America, is offering students a chance to win tickets to an August Red Sox game. Students must read three books, then write an essay about their favorite. Entries must be turned into the main library or any of its branches by July 30th at 5:00pm.

And, if all of that still isn't enough, the Newton School District has listed all of the available summer reading lists from as many towns, cities and school districts in Massachusetts as it can. If you live in Massachusetts, chances are your summer reading list is on this web page. 

Happy Reading!

A Luncheon "Thank You"

Three weeks ago, we held our 19th Annual Awards Luncheon and had the opportunity to honor some truly deserving students. More than 300 people attended the event, held in the Curry Student Center at Northeastern University. We're so glad we had the chance to share such a special day with our 2010 Max Warburg Fellows, their families, friends, teachers and principals and guests of the Courage Curriculum.

In addition, we would like to extend our thanks to:

• Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, for his continued support of the Courage Curriculum and his dedication to improving the lives of Boston's children;
• Northeastern University, including President Dr. Joseph Auon, Dr. Mark Putnam and Bob Gittens;
• Lexa Marshall, essay judging coordinator for the past 19 years and helpful editor for The Courage of Boston's Children;
• Ambassador Swanee Hunt and Dr. Charles Ansbacher, to whom this year's courage book is dedicated, for their support and dedication to children and the arts in Boston;
• Our featured guest speaker, Jacqueline Canady, a 2004 Max Warburg Fellow, for eloquently sharing the story of her life and encouraging the 2010 Fellows to keep working towards their goals; and
• The Warburg Family (Stephanie, Jonathan and Fred), for sharing Max's memory and courage and for passing along his lessons to 19 years worth of courageous children.

If you would like to receive a copy of the 2010 volume of The Courage of Boston's Children, please contact our office with your mailing address and we will be sure to send one to you.

As we approach our 20th anniversary year, the Courage Curriculum continues to grow and expand, including to school districts across the country, by partnering with Cambium Learning Technologies on a national essay contest for middle school students on the topic of courage.

One week after our luncheon in Boston, representatives from the Courage Curriculum traveled to Houston, TX, to honor the first national winner, a sixth-grade student named Maklin Ramirez, at Hartman Middle School.

We're so grateful to everyone who has helped us so many students over the last 19 years. Thank you.

Announcing the 2010 Max Warburg Fellows

Earlier today, we posted our 50th archived courage essay written by a sixth-grade alumnus of the Courage Curriculum. Over the past six or so months, we've introduced you to a few of the Boston students who have discovered their ability to be courageous in a variety of ways and who have recognized the important role courage plays in their own lives and in the lives of others. The essays we've posted here are just some of the many students who have been honored with the title "Max Warburg Fellow" during the past 19 years.

And tomorrow, we will add 44 more students to that list.

The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum is proud to announce the 2010 Max Warburg Fellows. From more than 2,000 submitted essays, our volunteer judges chose 44 students from 35 schools in Boston and the surrounding communities as this year's Fellows. These 44 students will have their courage essay published in the 19th volume of The Max's signature publication, The Courage of Boston's Children.

The Max Warburg Fellows will also be honored at our annual awards luncheon tomorrow, held at Northeastern University, where the Courage Curriculum is in residence and a proud partner of the Stony Brook Initiative. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, Courage Curriculum Founder and President Stephanie Warburg and leadership from Northeastern University will hand out medals to the Fellows. We're also thrilled to have Jacqueline C., a 2004 Fellow, as our guest speaker. Jacqui is an exceptional young woman with a story sure to inspire this year's students.

From the 50 students we've highlighted on this blog and the many others of years past to the 44 students being honored tomorrow and the many more yet to come, The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum is proud to celebrate the courage of Boston's children.

Brandon's Courage

In 2000, Brandon was a sixth-grade student at Mario Umana / Joseph Barnes School and a Max Warburg Fellow. The views expressed are solely his own. We are honored to share his essay with you. Please do not copy, republish or repost the following content without express written permission from The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum.

There are many ways to show courage. An act of bravery on a battlefield, being composed and in control when facing a deadly illness or disease, or even overcoming poverty. My story of courage is a bit different. I don't know for certain if it is indeed an act of courage, but it is definitely working in the face of adversity.

I am thought to have Asperger's Disorder. I am a high-functioning autistic. Some autistics crawl into themselves and don't speak, but I don't have any visible signs of autism. I do have fine motor skills trouble and extremely poor penmanship and organizational skills. I tend to lose and forget things and my senses are overloaded. I hear sounds long before anyone else can. I see minute things that no one else can see - I don't miss anything. The most important symptoms I have are ADD and OCD. Things get to me, like germs and sanitary issues. I get easily distracted and tend to focus on one interesting subject and tune out the other. And sleep, what I would give to sleep solidly through the night - it has been years! I suffer from broken sleep or no sleep at all. I also get very antsy. I sometimes feel like my brain will explode. I am a loner - I don't appreciate social interaction as much as kids my age. This alone makes me very different.

School years have been difficult. I crave my personal space and being around kids all day makes me feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin. I try to be very good in school; I am usually not a behavior problem. But with an impulsive nature such as mine, I cannot resist giving answers. Sometimes I forget myself and blurt out the answers. This makes for dislike, tension and taunting from my peers. I am called many names. I am intelligent and this seems to be more fuel for those kids that taunt me. Reading is my escape and comfort! Knowing that I am different or unusual doesn't bother me. I feel people should appreciate the differences humans have - this is what makes us unique. Despite my thirst for knowledge and love of literature, going to school is a real chore. It's painful to never "fit in" and be at the mercy of others' insults.

My ultimate goal is to be a scientist. You need school to do this, so even though I challenge my parents, they push me on. They insist I get a proper education. It is because of my dad, and especially my mom, that I am not in a special needs class. I attend an Advanced Work Class and am presently enrolled in a Scholars program. I know my parents love me. I don't always agree with them, so we lock horns often. It takes all the courage I have to face a hostile class and it takes all my parents' courage to continue to back me up when there are no clear choices. I promise not to waste their efforts. No matter what I become, I'll be better at it because of their drive and faith in me.

So, as you see, battlefields are different from everyone and for me, life is a series of many little battles. My survival depends on me facing every new day with a fresh outlook. I can't always do it. Bravery doesn't always get rewarded with a medal, but my mom says being comfortable with who you are and your true self is the ultimate reward. In order for me to survive, I must be comfortable in my own skin, sure of who I am and what I want. I am learning to do this every day and for me, it takes courage.

Mya's Courage

In 1993, Mya was a sixth-grade student at Martin Luther King, Jr. School and a Max Warburg Fellow. The views expressed are solely her own. We are honored to share her essay with you. Please do not copy, republish or repost the following content without express written permission from The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum.

The night before my very first piano concert, I was so incredibly nervous that I bit all my fingernails completely off. The whole night, I tossed and turned in my sleep. I woke up the next morning and put on my dress unwillingly because of the special, nerve-wrecking event about to happen later in the day.

When I arrived at the concert hall, I got even more worried because it seemed like there were at least a thousand people there. I took my seat and twiddled my fingers.

Before it was my turn to play, about twelve people were ahead of me. In between the long wait that seemed like days, I played my pieces through my head. Then the worst thing that could ever happen in all of music history happened to me: I forgot my piece! I was just about to tell the lady who called my name that I forgot my piece, but for some reason, I did not. I got up and sat on the piano stool and counted to ten, just as my piano teacher had told me to do. Magically, my hands started to move and play notes. "Wait a minute," I said to myself. "I think I am playing the piece I was supposed to!" I guess I had not forgotten the piece after all!

After I finished, I got up and bowed. I felt so good and proud of myself. Even though I had not played the hardest or the longest piece, all that mattered was that I played my piece well. From now on, whenever I go to a concert to play, I think of that very first experience. It helps me not to get scared or worried about making a mistake. I just think about playing my piece.

Teacher Appreciation Week

I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks. ~William Shakespeare

Across the country this week, students of all ages are saying "thank you" to their teachers. It's Teacher Appreciation Week, a time, according to the National Education Association, to "honor teachers and recognize the lasting contributions they make to our lives."

Teacher Appreciation Week (TAW) started when Congress declared a National Teacher Appreciation Day in 1980 and then progressed when the Parent Teacher Association established National Teacher Appreciation Week in 1984. Over the past two and a half decades, students, former students, parents, guardians and administrators have come together each May to honor and celebrate the vital role teachers play in our lives.

Here at The Max, we're so proud to work with so many talented and dedicated teachers, both in the Boston Public Schools and in the surrounding communities. Their commitment to their students and to the Courage Curriculum is what helps make our programs work. We could not do what we do if they did not do what they do - so well - in the classroom.

Take some time this week to thank a teacher in your life. The PTA has a number of different celebration ideas and they've set up the "Thank-A-Teacher" Facebook group as well. The NEA has a number of suggestions as well as lists of favorite teachers, as remembered by celebrities and members of Congress.

For all the work teachers have done for us and for future generations, a simple "thank you" doesn't seem like enough, but it's a good place to start.

Andrae's Courage

In 2006, Andrae was a sixth-grade student at William B. Rogers Middle School and a Max Warburg Fellow. The views expressed are solely his own. We are honored to share his essay with you. Please do not copy, republish or repost the following content without express written permission from The Max Warburg Courage Curriculum.

Courage means facing your fears and facing a challenge. When you have courage, you can basically do anything that you put your mind to. One of my courageous days was in October of 2005.

My good friend Kathy was getting married. The wedding was held at the Peabody Marriott. I was looking sharp, dressed in my black tuxedo. It was Kathy's wedding and I had a job in her wedding. I was an usher. My job was to walk her mother down the big, long aisle. I knew that this was a big job. I knew that the wedding party was counting on me. I was nervous because we were the very first people to walk down the big long aisle and it was a really big wedding chapel.

When I was little, I had many operations on several parts of my body. To this day, I still walk with a limp and have vision and stomach problems. I was nervous that I might trip or fall as I was walking down the aisle. As I walked down the aisle, I looked around and I kept saying in my mind, "I know that I can do this." So I held Kathy's mother's hand and I sat her down in the second seat in the first row at the end of the big, long aisle. I was very nervous and afraid. There were 200 people in the room. But I was also very excited to be there and I was very excited to be a part of this celebration.

I had the courage to overcome my fears. I did this for Kathy because she is a very important person in my life. When I was young and sick in the hospital, Kathy was my nurse and took care of me for three years. She was there for me when I needed her the most and I was able to be there for her when she needed me the most at her wedding.