Dear Miss Abbe's Class!
Ms. Abbe's class is comprised of our oldest students, ages 11 and 12. Based on The Washington Post column, Dear Ms. Abbe, Ms. Abbe's class decided they would like to help other students in the school solve problems and maintain friendships. They created flyers to promote their new program. Our entire staff shared this new program with all students and encouraged them to write letters if they had problems and needed help finding solutions. Wow! Who knew how helpful these students would be in providing support to the rest of our students? In the first week, they were inundated with letters. This process encourages our students to solicit help through written expression. It also has fostered a sense of leadership and collaboration. Ms. Abbe's class comes together weekly to read and discuss student problems. They have to communicate, be flexible, listen to other perspectives, brainstorm, and agree on possible solutions. The class disseminates its "columns" on a shared bulletin board, and classes visit weekly to see if their problems are posted.