Featured Article: Desert Star School:
A good place to be
3-13-2009
Desert Star Community School is currently one of 478
charter schools in the state of Arizona, serving over
100,000 students.
By Susan Simon, Principal
One
day last fall a new student and his mother came into the
Desert Star office. The handsome boy and his mother wanted
to visit the classroom where he might be assigned to see
if they would like it. Robbi ( name has been changed )
clung to his mother and buried his head in her waist.
When I asked him how he felt, he replied, "I'm really
nervous. Look, my leg is shaking." I looked down
and sure enough, his leg was trembling. I assured Robbi
he didn't need to be afraid.
I led Robbi and his mother to the classroom to meet the
teacher. The room was quiet. The students were on the
playground. The teacher was busy writing lesson plans
but she stopped her work to focus on the nervous boy.
She asked him about where he came from and what his school
had been like. Robbi began to relax as he talked about
himself.
Soon the students returned from recess, anxious to see
the "new boy." Once they had settled into their
seats, Robbi was invited to the front of the room to meet
the kids and tell them about his life. He smiled and gained
confidence during his presentation. The students shared
their names and asked good questions. Ten minutes later,
after being the center of attention, Robbi said good-bye
to his new found friends.
As Robbi, his mother, and I left the classroom and began
walking toward the playground, he started dancing and
twirling and running up and down the sidewalk. Robbi radiated
pure joy. As he jumped and skipped, he sang in a sing-song
voice, "I'm so happy! I'm happy, happy, happy!!!
I like it here! I love it here!! This is my school, I'm
soooo happy!!!"
Robbi intuitively knew that he was in a place where he
would find acceptance, love and support. Now he comes
to Desert Star every day with a big, bright smile on his
face. He knows this is a good place to be.
Further
information about charter schools in Arizona may be found
in the state department of education website at HYPERLINK
"http://www.ade.state.az.us"
