Pulitzer Center Brings Globalization to St. Louis

After months of preparation, Jon Sawyer, Nathalie Applewhite, and Stephanie Hanes from the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting in Washington, DC came to St. Louis last week to meet with students and teachers in the Parkway School District as well as at St. Joseph's Academy, Collinsville High School, and Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School.

One of the projects that the Pulitzer Center is working on is the reclamation of the Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique in southeast Africa.  The park was trashed during the civil war from 1975-1992, but due to a strong commitment and lots of dollars from an American philanthropist, it is being restored.  The sunshine story is not without its problems, but this is all being reported by the Pulitzer Center.

Director Jon Sawyer came to St. Louis along with his assistant Nathalie Applewhite and  reporter Stephanie Hanes.  Last Thursday, the met with students at Parkway West High School and had their session videotaped in conjuction with Channel 9, KETC-TV.  That evening they met with students at Washington University.

On Friday, April 27, Jon, Nathalie, and Stephanie visited St. Joseph's Academy, Collinsville High School, and Maplewood-Richmond Heights High School.  In all cases, they discussed the importance of the Gorongosa story and how it relates to students' lives.  At all of the schools there was time for questions and answers..

Finally, on Saturday, April 28, KETC-TV sponsored a workshop for high school and middle school teachers who are interested in using the myriad of resources from the Pulitzer Center.   Thanks to all the teachers who came and actually seem to make "four hours fly," if that's possible.  Special thanks to the following teachers involved in Civitas programs who attended the workshop: Sherri Evans (Hixson Middle School), Jane Garvin (St. Joseph's Academy), Margene Jerrolds (Lift for Life Academy), Darlene Kellum (Hoech Middle School), Tim McGinnis (Hixson Middle School), and Liz Morrison (Parkway School District).

We look forward to a number of on-going activities with the Pulitzer Center in the months and years ahead.


For more photos of the Pulitzer Center staff at St.  Joseph's Academy, Collinsville, and Maplewood-Richmond Heights, click here.

After three terrific Middle School model U.N. sessions last week, we'll "play it again" this week, again at the Creve Coeur Government Center, 300 No. New Ballas Road; 63141 (map).

Last Wednesday, April 25, we had students from Maplewood-Richmond Heights Middle School, North Kirkwood Middle School, and St. Dominic Savio School.  Resolutions were submitted on (a) sweatshops, (b) genocide, (c) human trafficking, (d) clean drinking water, and (e) AIDS.

On Thursday, April 26, we had students from Hixson Middle School (Webster Groves), North Kirkwood Middle School, and St. Gabriel's School.  Resolutions were submitted on (a) global warming, (b) child soldiers, (c) genocide, (d) child labor, (e) and human rights.

Finally, on Friday, April 27, we had students from Hixson Middle School (Webster Groves), North Kirkwood Middle School, and Queen of All Saints.  Resolutions were submitted on (a) AIDS orphans, (b) genocide, (c) living conditions in dictatorships, (d) child abuse, (e) education, and (f) HIV/AIDS.

The discussion on the resolutions was lively and productive.  You access the final disposition of the resolutions by clicking here.

This Wednesday, May 2, we will have students from North Kirkwood Middle School, Northwest Valley Middle School, and Saeger Middle School (Francis Howell District).  Resolutions have been submitted on (a) water pollution, (b) ethnic cleansing in Darfur, (c) street children in Latvia, (d) trafficking in persons, (e) an women's education.

This Thursday, May 3, we will have students from Loyola Academy, North Kirkwood Middle School, and Northwest Valley Middle School.  Resolutions have been submitted on (a) illicit drugs, (b) domestic abuse and murder of women, (c) juvenile criminal justice system in the U.S., (d) water pollution, (e) human trafficking, and (f) racial discrimination of a huge scale.

This Friday, May 4, we will have students from McKinley Classical Jr. Academy (St. Louis), North Kirkwood Middle School, and Northwest Valley Middle School.  Resolutions have been submitted on (a) genocide, refugees, and aftermath, (b) child development, (c) bird flu, (d) drug trafficking, (e) HIV/AIDS, and (f) racial discrimination of a huge scale. 

We want to remind all teachers that there will be lane closures on Highway 40 (I-64) this week as well as cross-streets.  Please check these out.  We have notified First Student Bus Company of these.

Next week, we will have our final session on Thursday, May 10.

Civitas Picnic on Saturday, May 12 

This year's Civitas spring picnic will be on Saturday, May 12 from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 PM at Junior High Park in Maplewood (click here for map).  We will provide beverages and light snacks; we ask that you bring what you would like to bar-b-que.

The park has picnic tables under shelter, clean restrooms, and fields for softball and other sports.  Most of all, it's a great environment for chatting, joking, and just generally having a great time.  We invite students, teachers, and parents to join us for this, our final event of the 2006-2007 school year.

When the date has finally dusted, middle school teachers can gather at Chevy's Mexican Restaurant in Crestwood on Monday, May 21 to celebrate the end of the school year; to reflect upon how the school year went and to brainstorm ideas for improvement next year.

In previous years we have met at the Chevy's on Olive Street Road near I-170, but with the heavy construction in that area now, we are going with the more reliable Crestwood Chevy's.

The address of the Chevy's is 158 Crestwood Plaza; St. Louis, MO  63126.  The phone number is (314) 968-8485.  You can access a map of the area by clicking here.

We'll gather at 4:00 PM.  You have the option of staying and snacking or hanging out longer for dinner.  Your call; we're happy to be with you!