One-Read Committee Pays it Forward

The One-Read committee, which consists of students from grades 9-12 as well as Social Studies and English teachers, at Bullard-Havens promoted kindness, unity, and acceptance school-wide after reading the book I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai. Student and teacher committee members read the book, participated in a filmed book discussion, and came up with ways to promote the book and its themes that would include the entire school.

Eleventh graders Tatiana Betancourt and Aaron Garcia created a unity tree made of materials from different shops. Everyone in the school had an opportunity to decorate the tree with an ornament displaying his or her own message about unity. The committee also ran a “pay it forward station” complete with tokens from each shop.  The tokens serve as a reminder to spread kindness.

Other events included Trooper Lebeau’s visit to the One Read meeting where he shared his experiences in Afghanistan. The 500 Palisades Café will invite student participants and their parents to view the book talk, including Lebeau’s visit, during a breakfast.  Additionally,  the committee looks forward to starting Bullard’s “Tiger Tales.” This is a podcast style discussion between students and teachers that uses storytelling to develop stronger connections between staff and students.

The One-Read committee is proud of how successful the movement has been. Malala’s book is subtitled as “How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World,” and the committee feels her story has helped them make a difference.

Below is a “thank you” composed by junior, Tatiana Betancourt, to the entire school community for their help, support and participation on behalf of the One- Read committee:

“As you all may know, the One Read stations have been a success.  Students were excited to see the stations and many stepped up to contribute and work with us in our mission to make a change and spread the ideas of unity, kindness and acceptance.  The “Pay it Forward” tokens of kindness are being passed on from student to student and the tree of unity is practically filled with all the motivational words that people wish to share, and all of this is thanks to you. Your contributions, no matter how big or small, has made this all possible.  It’s the little reminder to do a good deed, help another in hopes they will do the same, not for them, but for someone else.  It’s the words of all those who wish to make a difference in someone’s life, even if it’s simply a reminder to look at the positives; or that all struggles are merely another day to get through.  A spark of motivation, the feeling of support, all these positive things are being spread throughout the school now and it is thanks to you that this was even possible.  An idea is useless without people working to make it happen.  So this is a thank you from all the members of the One Read Committee making this dream a reality.”