Dear Arthur, 'If We Didn't Have Bad Luck, We Wouldn't Have Any Luck At All'
by the late, great Ray Charles We're not talking about Civitas; we're talking about all the fine students and teachers in our programs. Yes, we're disappointed that we couldn't have our planned discussion group last Saturday, but our empathy is with the students and teachers who had to have snow "wasted" on a weekend. One of the great thrills of school is a Snow Day; and you were robbed! Better luck in January! This is our last e-newsletter until Wed., Jan. 2, 2008. Upcoming Civitas Events
(Actual events in bold -- always subject to change when change occurs!) Black: High School Blue: Middle School | Date | Time | Place | Activities | | Sat., 01/05/2008 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Crossroads | Discussion Group #10 | | Sat., 01/19/2008 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon | Crossroads | Active Citizenship Prep Session #1 1 | | Sat.,
01/26/2008 2 | T.B.A. 2 | T.B.A. 2 | Discussion Group #11 | Sat.,
02/09/2008 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon | Crossroads | Active Citizenship Prep Session #2 | Fri., 02/15 -
Sat., 02/16/2008 | -- | Comfort Inn & Spazio's | Active Citizenship Conference | 1 The Active Citizenship Conference is Fri.-Sat., Feb. 15-16, 2008. Also, we have changed the date of our second "prep session" for the conference to Feb. 9, 2008 from Feb. 2, 2008. This way students can campaign on the Saturday before the Missouri presidential primary on Tuesday, Feb. 5. 2 Because of an entrance exam at Crossroads on the morning of Jan. 26, 2008, we need to make different arrangements for this discussion session. Please respond to the following survey to give us your choices on what works best for you.
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Global Gateway Program with Pulitzer Center We want to remind all teachers and students involved in the Global Gateway program that we are approaching our project on former child soldiers from Liberia. Journalist Ruthie Ackerman and Pulitzer Center Director Jon Sawyer will be in St. Louis for the program from Jan. 17-19, 2008. We will send vital information to teachers later this week and right after the holidays. |
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We'll try again on Jan. 5 Here are some discussion group topics, and we're open to lots more! - False impersonation and more; the disturbing story of a thirteen-year old girl who was bullied on the internet by a "friend's mother" who was impersonating a teenage boy. The mother's comments led to the thirteen-year old committing suicide. You can access the story by clicking here.
- Discussion on Happiness -- specifically what is the "state of mind" when happiness is best achieved. We analyzed an advertisement (image above) that recently appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and St. Louis Business Journal. The ad says" Happiness is a state of mind best achieved with dice in one hand and a cocktail in the other." It shows B.P. (Beautiful People) "having a good time" at a Lumiere Place Casino and Hotel.
Students took serious issue of how happiness is portrayed in the ad; found it somewhat sexist, "lookist," and insulting to "intelligent and resourceful people" who have other ways to "best find happiness." Students from Rosati-Kain and U. City High are working on writing objections to the publications about the ad. Don't forget, our next high school discussion group is this Saturday, January 5, at Crossroads (map) from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. We invite you to submit your suggested topics to us at [email protected].
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Arthur H. Lieber 314-367-6480 |
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Civitas Associates 10845 Olive Blvd.
Suite #155
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-7760 Phone: (314) 367-6480
Fax: (314) 367-7742 Tuesday, December 18, 2007
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