American Province Ministry Connections September 2022

I know you will join Donna, Colleen, and me in prayer as we launch this newest “year” of Ministry Connections. May the stories therein offer hope and encouragement, knowing that along with the tender reality of world crises, amazingly wonder-filled activity is happening around the country because of the Society’s vision, financial support, and your prayers. Once again, we are pleased to send this newest edition of Ministry Connections. As always, if you have suggestions to make these newsletters more relevant, please do not hesitate to let us know. For now, enjoy some good news from our partners in ministry. Blessings, Cynthia

Washington School for Girls (WSG)   Dr. Beth Reaves - Head of School http://www.washingtonschoolforgirls.org/

Annie Jensen joined the Washington School for Girls fundraising team after graduating from Macalester College with a B.A. in Religious Studies and Linguistics. As part of her orientation, she visited several classrooms to experience WSG’s approach to teaching and learning. Enjoy her reflection on the Etiquette, Leadership, and Service class, taught by Demetria White, Religion Teacher and Coordinator of Campus Ministry.

Recently, I visited a fifth-grade classroom at the Washington School for Girls to participate in a new class: Etiquette, Leadership, and Service. The day I joined the class, DeMetria White, the Religion Teacher and Coordinator of Campus Ministry, led the students in a timely lesson about how to welcome others. Ms. White took my presence in the classroom as an opportunity to reinforce the girls’ learning, asking, “Did anyone welcome Ms. Annie to our classroom?” The girls let out a series of gasps and directed guilty looks toward me as they realized they had not used their newly learned skills to welcome me. Going around the room, they reflected on the ways they could have acted more welcoming, such as introducing themselves and showing me around the classroom. Several minutes before class ended, the girls leapt out of their seats and formed an affirmation circle, where they followed Ms. White in a call and response exercise, repeating: “I love every part of me, from the color of my skin to my soul energy! I do my dance like!” Following this final affirmation, the girls burst into activity, dancing to imaginary music until the bell rang. Conscious of their previous lesson, they all waved goodbye to me as they left. Upon reflection, I found that the girls’ excitement in the classroom and the lesson of the class perfectly exemplified WSG’s aim to ignite the joyful pursuit of learning and inspire lives of faith-filled service and leadership.

Hope Partnership for Education    Virgil Sheppard - President and CEO http://www.hopepartnershipforeducation.org/

After a long and extensive search process, Hope Partnership for Education welcomes a new Head of School. Taylor J. Harris is a native New Yorker who came to Pennsylvania in 1994 hoping for a chance to pursue his college degree and start his professional career. Taylor started and ended his educational journey at Cheyney University, the oldest Historically Black University in the country. Mr. Harris began his professional career in Behavioral Health and moved to Juvenile Detention Centers, Foster Care, and eventually to the public and charter school systems. A long-time school administrator, Mr. Harris is a veteran of the Philadelphia School District. He worked in the School Climate Office with responsibilities for safety and discipline in K-12 schools. He served four years as Dean of Students at two charter schools. Mr. Harris is excited to be at Hope. He believes in joy and humor, and in putting a smile on a child's face. He looks forward to meeting Hope families, cultivating their support, and strengthening the sense of community that characterizes Hope. Please join us in welcoming Taylor to the Hope Community!

Sponsored Ministries of the Society of Holy Child Jesus  Casa Cornelia Law Center * Providence Center Co-Sponsored Ministries of the Society of Holy Child Jesus South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (LAMP) *  Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep * Hope Partnership for Education *  Cristo Rey New York High School * Washington School for Girls    ~ ~ ~   Ministry Connections is a monthly publication highlighting ministries sponsored or co-sponsored by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.